Is tennis a rich man's game ?

Question

Is tennis a rich man's game ?

Answer 1

Well, in the United States, tennis kind of is. It is expensive and you don't see many good players who are in financial debt and are usually doing very well money wise. You could also say it's a "classy" sport, just look at Wimbledon, people expect very good behavior.

Answer 2

well, yes and no.. casual playing involves next to nothing..

but, for say all the training coaching, etc... yes it does involve a fair bit..

a rich mans game is more so golf.. very expensive to golf..

Answer 3

I think it used to be, it was a game the rich people played at their private clubs.   But in today's society where you can be on a team in a public high school, I think it has opened up.  Venus and Serena are a perfect example, they come from a super poor background, and they both rose to the top of the sport.

Answer 4

I think it matters how much you make it. You can just go to the park with a twenty-five dollar racquet and a can of balls. You can also do a clinic about once a week (about $200 a session [ for me, a session is about 8 weeks] where I live). You can also take a couple private lessons throughout the year just so you know what to do... You can also train out the wazoo and take privates every week and clinics every day of the week and ahve a personal trainer and get a new tennis outfit every day and get two extra spare racquets and have a huge bag... tennis is basically equivalent to how good you want to get...

Answer 5

No not at all . The biggest example is Roger Federer.

Answer 6

Yes....that why all the rich people in this world have tennis courts in their backyards!

Answer 7

no

Answer 8

I know what you mean .In my question  I asked why are the academies so darn expensive.Yes you did make it sound like a poor mans games but this doesnt include proper training and lessons.

Answer 9

You make alot of money from tennis!

You don't have to be rich to be a pro! You have to be good enough!

Not all rich people like tennis if that is what you mean, alot of ordinary people like it too.

Answer 10

Well all the good players have high ranking in the usta cus their dad flys them around to national tournaments, and spends 1000s of $ on coaches.

So yes.

I am good, but I could be better with a coach.

Answer 11

Not so much as golf, but lets face it, it's a bit more exclusive than team sports such as basketball.  The Williamses aside, there are very few who take up the game from the ghetto or poorer areas.  Although you only need a racket ($25 and up) and balls ($2/can), where can you find a court?  US Public schools often have teams but these tend to be in the suburbs.

It seems the interest in tennis in the US is much lower than I recall from my teen years in the 70's.  Back then there were so many players competing internationally.  Now the sport is dominated by Europeans (particularly eastern Euros), where the interest is greater among young people and they seem to get more support.

Answer 12

A. Yes if you're poor.

B. Yes if you're really good at tennis.

Answer 13

its no different from most other sports. if you want to play in the park its cheap enough or even free. if you want expert coaching then you have to pay for it. swimming isnt for the rich but it costs a lot for training and coaching . its the same for golf. so no. i dont think tennis is for the rich any more than any other sports.

Answer 14

In England - I think the answer must be "yes".

Unless you are fairly 'well-to-do', the better clubs are way out of your reach and the cost of good coaching is too high.

It is, in fact, an elitist sport !

I feel this is the chief reason that England just cannot produce above an odd one or two top players these days.

With more scope for the less 'well-off' to take up the game seriously, English tennis would be in a far more healthy state.

Let's remember too, that tennis as we know it, began right here - but now, most countries of the world have left us behind, because they don't have this 'rich man's' system.

Answer 15

For some reason, they are drawn to it but it really shouldn't be.  All you need are a place to play (any high school), a ball and a few rackets.  Did I not make it sound like a poor man's game?