Tennis Canada – Canadians encouraged to try tennis in their community
– Clubs across Canada to offer free programming for all
– #TennisDay participants will have chance to win Rogers Cup tickets
– Participation in Canada on the rise; up 14 per cent in 2016

Toronto, April 13, 2017 – All Canadians from across the country are encouraged to pick up a racquet and try the sport of tennis as the first-ever Tennis Day in Canada is launched on Saturday May 13. Supported by Tennis Canada, the Provincial Tennis Associations, and the Tennis Professionals Association, Tennis Day in Canada will be a national festival for the sport and make tennis more accessible than ever with over 150 clubs offering free courts and programming.

People of all ages, experience, and ability can take part on May 13 whether they have never hit a tennis ball before or they play regularly. With free activities run by TPA-certified coaches and equipment provided, it will never be easier for Canadians to try the sport for the first time, learn just how fun it can be, and reap the social, physical, and mental benefits of playing tennis. A complete listing of participating clubs from 11 provinces and territories can be found at tennisdayincanada.com, where interested individuals, families, and friends can find a location near them. New locations will be added up to May 13, with over 150 clubs signed up to take part in Canada’s 150^th anniversary year.

Tennis Day in Canada is not limited to clubs however, as the day is about celebrating the sport and getting involved by playing tennis. Whether it’s popping by a local public court with your friend, setting up a mini-tennis net on a driveway, or playing against a wall, Canadians are invited to simply get out and play.

“The health, social, and overall benefits of playing tennis are immense and we are really seeking to share our sport and these positive benefits by bringing together as many people as we can on Tennis Day in Canada,” said Hatem McDadi, senior vice-president of tennis development, Tennis Canada. “To have 150 clubs participating on the day is incredible for our first year, and it is great to see the Canadian tennis community really engaging with each other. We hope to welcome many people who have never played tennis before on May 13. Tennis truly is a fun, safe, affordable, accessible sport for life and we can’t wait to see everyone out playing.”

Not only will Tennis Day in Canada participants enjoy a fun-filled day of tennis, but they will also have a chance to win a trip to Rogers Cup presented by National Bank in Toronto or Montreal by sharing their experience on social media with the hashtag #TennisDay. Full details of the contest will be announced closer to the date.

The goal of Tennis Day in Canada is to introduce more people to the sport and celebrate the growing tennis community. Tennis has been on the rise in Canada for the past several years, with a 2016 study conducted by Charlton Insights showing that 6.5 million Canadians played tennis at least once in the past year, an increase of 14 per cent from 2015. On the high performance front, Canadians have put forth many remarkable recent performances, such as Milos Raonic reaching a career-high world No. 3 ranking last year and Canadian juniors winning three Grand Slam titles in the past 12 months.  

CLICK HERE FOR A TENNIS IN CANADA FACT SHEET

For more information on Tennis Day in Canada and a complete listing of participating clubs, please visit tennisdayincanada.com.

Social Media

Official Website: tennisdayincanada.com / tenniscanada.com
Twitter: @tenniscanada
Facebook: facebook.com/tenniscanada
Instagram: @tennis_canada
#TennisDay

About Tennis Canada
Founded in 1890, Tennis Canada is a non-profit, national sport association with a mission to lead the growth of tennis in Canada and a vision to become a world-leading tennis nation. We value teamwork, passion, integrity, innovation and excellence. Tennis Canada owns and operates the premier Rogers Cup presented by National Bank WTA and ATP World Tour events, 10 professional ITF-sanctioned events and financially supports 12 other professional tournaments in Canada. Tennis Canada operates national junior training centres/programs in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Calgary. Tennis Canada is a proud member of the International Tennis Federation, the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and the International Wheelchair Tennis Association, and serves to administer, sponsor and select the teams for Davis Cup, Fed Cup, the Olympic and Paralympic Games and all wheelchair, junior and senior national teams. Tennis Canada invests its surplus into tennis development. For more information on Tennis Canada, please visit our website at www.tenniscanada.com and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

About Tennis Professionals Association
Dedicated to growing the profession of tennis coaching in Canada, the TPA was founded by Tennis Canada in 2004 to assist the nation’s certified instructors, coaches, and club professionals, and its membership has grown each year to over 3,300 people. For more information on the TPA, please visit tpacanada.com.

Tennis Canada Media Contacts

TORONTO:
Nicole Watts
Manager, Communications and Media Relations
nwatts@tenniscanada.com or 416-665, 9777 x4092
Caroline Anderson
Coordinator, Communications and Media Relations
canderson@tenniscanada.com or 416-665-9777 x4545

MONTREAL:
Valerie Tetreault
Regional Manager, Communications and Media Relations
vtetreault@tenniscanada.com or 514-273-1515 x6259
Victoria Jaklin
Coordinator, Communications and Media Relations
vjaklin@tenniscanada.com or 514-273-1515 x6291