She roared as she smacked the ball over the net, quickly shuffling her feet back and forth. Her eyes were locked on the ball; she always perfectly set herself up to whip her racquet, finishing her stroke with her opposite elbow pointing straight up. Her creative skill and tremendous athleticism stands out like no other. The Tiger. Aryna Sabalenka. Known for her aggressive playing-style and tiger tattoo on her forearm, Sabalenka received the nickname and emerged as one of the best women\u2019s tennis players in the world. This past September, Sabalenka played her heart out and won the 2025 Women\u2019s US Open Title as a result. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Men\u2019s soccer, men\u2019s basketball, women\u2019s basketball and numerous other sports have all hit their peak traction in recent years. The question now is simple: what\u2019s next?<\/em> The answer to this burning question\u2013though debatable\u2013is women\u2019s tennis. With women\u2019s tennis comes a long, rich history. From tennis legend Billie Jean King\u2019s iconic \u201cBattle of the Sexes\u201d match in 1973 against Bobby Riggs, to history repeating itself this past December with women\u2019s pro Aryna Sabalenka playing men\u2019s pro Nick Kyrgios in a replica match, women\u2019s tennis is gaining momentum and viewership like never before.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Coach Diane Toth, physical education teacher and head coach of the Fieldston Girls Varsity Field Hockey Team, said \u201cwomen\u2019s tennis is gaining more attention right now, because female players are stronger and are playing harder, and that\u2019s what the fans want. If you look at Billie Jean King, she was way above everyone else of her time. But if you compare her serve to a pro\u2019s now, it\u2019s not an equal matchup.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Toth noted that this is a result of players nowadays having access to better resources that help improve their game: the metrics are in individual strength-trainers, mental trainers, nutritionists, cardiovascular trainers and more who help enhance their skills and elevate their performances. CNN summarized some of the tools tennis players utilize to maximize their game: \u201cMaximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max), maximum heart rate, resting heart rate and heart rate variability to analyze recovery are usually the focal points of aerobic fitness monitoring.\u201d (CNN Sports)<\/a> Sports scientist Mark Kovacs revealed why women tennis players are his favorite athletes to work with: \u201cbecause they\u2019re tough as nails. They handle high, high volume\u2026Their ability to suffer in a good way is something that makes them great.\u201d (CNN Sports)<\/a> As years have gone on, the resources for athletes have improved immensely, allowing them to increase their agility and athleticism. The result? A far more competitive field, and fans can feel it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Women\u2019s tennis has become known thanks to many greats, most notably, the Williams Sisters. Venus and Serena Williams are some of the greatest tennis players of all time\u2013men\u2019s and women\u2019s. Although women\u2019s tennis really gained momentum with Billie Jean King, the Williams sisters brought the crowds: \u201cThey did not invent the power game – Seles, Capriati, Davenport, and Mary Pierce preceded them – but their athleticism and serving took it to unimaginable places.\u201d (The Guardian)<\/a> Their father, Richard Williams, trained them from a young age, allowing them to not only thrive, but create the world and fans of women\u2019s tennis. Now that their time has officially passed, fans are asking: who\u2019s next?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIn the next five to ten years,\u201d Toth explained, \u201cif the media exposure gets better, it can really explode.\u201d Toth emphasized that sports only grow when the media invests: \u201cstronger marketing of women\u2019s tennis, especially in schools, camps and recreation centers will expand its fan base.\u201d The advertisements create a ripple effect by reaching diverse audiences and creating emotional connections. Through different pieces of content, the viewer connects to what they are seeing. Whether a young girl who\u2019s interested in playing tennis, or an older, long-time fan, the ads can target many different people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A useful comparison is the meteoric rise of the WNBA. The WNBA, or the Women\u2019s National Basketball Association, was established in April of 1996. It hadn\u2019t gained major attention up until just last year\u2013largely because many fans gravitated toward the NBA, and also due to lack of media coverage for the women\u2019s players. Savvy players, increased sponsorship and consistent media coverage allowed for a surge in national popularity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n