A new study has revealed the states shaping the next Grand Slam and Wimbledon champions, with Washington taking the top spot. 

Tennis statistics website Tennis Stats analyzed data from the National Federation of State High School Associations to find the number of high school students participating in tennis per state during the 2023-2024 academic year.  

This figure was weighed against the total number of high school students participating in all sports and athletics to calculate a percentage. The states with the highest percentage of high school athletes playing tennis determined the final ranking.  

Washington ranks first, with 7.74% of high school athletes participating in tennis. From a total of 172,479 students taking part in all sports and athletics, 13,352 participated in tennis during the 2023-2024 academic year – 5,561 boys and 7,791 girls. 

Indiana ranks second, with 7.13% of high school athletes participating in tennis. During the 2023-2024 academic year, Indiana recorded 11,429 (4,755 boys and 6,674 girls) high school athletes taking part in tennis from a total of 160,245. 

Third in the ranking is Colorado, with 5.66% of high school athletes participating in tennis. Colorado recorded a total of 136,386 high school athletes during the 2023-2024 academic year, with 7,715 taking part in tennis – 3,032 boys and 4,683 girls. 

Utah ranks fourth, with 5.39% of high school athletes participating in tennis. From a total of 84,417 students taking part in all sports and athletics, 4,549 participated in tennis during the 2023-2024 academic year – 2,056 boys and 2,493 girls. 

Oregon ranks fifth, with 5.36% of high school athletes participating in tennis. During the 2023-2024 academic year, Oregon recorded 5,597 (2,217 boys and 3,380 girls) high school athletes taking part in tennis from a total of 104,506. 

Wisconsin comes in sixth, with 5.27% of high school athletes participating in tennis. Wisconsin recorded a total of 180,540 high school athletes during the 2023-2024 academic year, with 9,522 taking part in tennis – 3,926 boys and 5,596 girls. 

Seventh on the list is Texas, with 5.16% of high school athletes participating in tennis. From a total of 859,301 students taking part in all sports and athletics, 44,381 participated in tennis during the 2023-2024 academic year – 22,402 boys and 21,979 girls. 

In eighth place is Michigan, with 5.13% of high school athletes participating in tennis. During the 2023-2024 academic year, Michigan recorded 14,856 (5,918 boys and 8,938 girls) high school athletes taking part in tennis from a total of 289,740. 

Tennessee ranks ninth, with 5.11% of high school athletes participating in tennis. Tennessee recorded a total of 116,797 high school athletes during the 2023-2024 academic year, with 5,964 taking part in tennis – 2,514 boys and 3,450 girls. 

Landing the tenth spot is Connecticut, with 4.92% of high school athletes participating in tennis. From a total of 108,227 students taking part in all sports and athletics, 5,329 participated in tennis during the 2023-2024 academic year – 2,178 boys and 3,151 girls. 

Vermont experienced the lowest percentage of high school athletes participating in tennis, at just 0.45%. During the 2023-2024 academic year, Vermont recorded just 45 (25 boys and 20 girls) high school athletes taking part in tennis from a total of 10,043. 

 
Percentage of high school athletes participating in tennis – top 10 states 

Arthur T., Director of Tennis Stats, commented on the findings: “High school tennis is not just a sport, but a thriving community that fosters discipline, teamwork, and personal growth.  

“States with the highest rate of student tennis players are leading the charge in cultivating the next generation of athletes, shaping future Wimbledon champions, and providing opportunities for students to develop both on and off the court.”