Sports execs overwhelmingly feel that the small number of U.S. tennis stars is the biggest hindrance to the growth of professional tennis domestically, according to data from a Turnkey Sports Poll taken in July. Seventy-four percent of execs polled said the dearth of U.S. stars was holding back tennis in the U.S., while 15% of execs said insufficient promotion by the ATP World Tour and WTA was to blame. Execs were also asked about next week's U.S. Open, and respondents seemed split on whether ticket and sponsorship sales would exceed last year's levels (THE DAILY).
| Which of the following is the biggest hindrance
to the growth of professional tennis in the U.S.? |
| RESPONSE | % |
| Small number of star U.S. players | 74% |
| Insufficient promotion in the U.S. by the ATP World Tour and WTA | 15% |
| Amount of TV/media coverage | 5% |
| Changes in leadership at top tennis sanctioning bodies | 2% |
| Not sure/No response | 4% |
| | |
| Will the '11 U.S. Open tournament exceed last year's levels of…… |
| | YES | NO | NOT SURE/NO RESPONSE |
| Ticket sales | 39% | 34% | 27% |
| Sponsorship sales | 39% | 33% | 28% |
