"Tennis has never looked Better!" Canada's Milos Raonic's coach

Can Tennis Clubs Open the Doors for More Young Players?

                                         

It was almost a half century ago that Canada had a player in the final of their biggest tournament.  55 years since they won it.  But a 44 year dry spell ended August 12th, 2013 when Milos Raonic of Canada faced off against Rafael Nadal of Spain at the Rogers Cup in Montreal.  A bonus to this was the semi-final where Canada's Raonic met Vasek Pospisil. Seeing two Canadians play each other on a center court match is something the world is not used to.  

For Canadian tennis, even though the result was a loss for Raonic in the final, it meant him moving up to #10 in the rankings, a first in the history of tennis in the country.  It seems the momentum that Milos has started has set the pace for other young players in Canada.  Pospisil is now ranked #40, moving up 30 spots after his success at the Rogers Cup.  A young 19 year old female player, Eugenie Bouchard hit  #55 this summer. 

Is this a blip on the map for a country where tennis has never been considered an important sport?  Or is this a new standard?  Hockey is Canada's game, but when tennis success starts dominating the sports headlines will this make some parents think twice about which athletic direction to point their kids in?  

Tennis was big in the 1970s and 80's.  The USA was a dominant force.  Names and faces such as Chris Evert, John McEnroe, Steffi Graf, Andre Agassi stole headlines and even hearts all over the world. Not so much so for the next two decades.  Could it be that tennis is seeing a resurgence?  If it is, is the world ready to take on the kids who want to try this game and perhaps have the talent and determination to become another Raonic.  Boomers who watched and played the game a few decades back seem to be the ones you mostly see on the courts these days. Aging tennis players fill the courts worldwide and keep the game thriving.  Many of them are strong players and highly competitive.   But are they committed enough to passing on the legacy, stepping over the gap left by people now in their 20s, 30s, and 40s who chose other athletic pursuits over tennis?

Tennis Canada seems ready for the challenge.  Their series of ads showing kids not all having fun playing hockey encourages them to try their hand at tennis.  The organization is hoping for and expecting  a wave of interest caused by the success of young stars such as the 22 year old Raonic.

Tennis, especially in Canada, seems to be on the verge of something.  What can tennis players and clubs do to run with it?  What is your local club doing?

Raonic interview with Jian Ghomeshi-Studio Q
http://blip.tv/q-tv/tennis-star-milos-raonic-in-studio-q-6527707

Tennis Canada takes a Shot at Hockey with Commercials
http://globalnews.ca/news/757517/tennis-canada-takes-shot-at-hockey-with-new-ads/