Why Cardio Tennis Makes Business Sense for Tennis Coaches
For tennis coaches looking to grow participation, improve retention and make better use of limited court space, Cardio Tennis offers more than a fitness trend. It’s also a business opportunity.
That is Michele Krause’s message to coaches during National Tennis Month. Krause, a Cardio Tennis Consultant for USTA Coaching who has led the program since its 2005 launch, sees Cardio Tennis as one of the sport’s most effective tools for both growth and retention.
“There’s no better product that we have in the tennis ecosystem that really ticks all the boxes,” Krause says. “Cardio Tennis is the most inclusive tennis product out there. It’s inclusive and it’s a great equalizer.”
Why Cardio Tennis Feels More Welcoming to New Players
A welcoming atmosphere matters for coaches trying to reach players who may not feel ready for a traditional lesson. Krause says standard instruction can be intimidating for new players, especially when it centers on technique, correction and yellow-ball rallying before players are ready. Cardio Tennis lowers that barrier in introducing the sport.
“We use special balls that make it easy to play tennis,” Krause says. “There’s no serving in Cardio Tennis. Most people are intimidated by the serve. Come do Cardio with me. You never have to worry about a serve.”
Indeed, a key part of Cardio Tennis’ accessibility is the use of modified tennis balls. Red, orange and green balls are designed to bounce lower and travel more slowly than a traditional yellow ball. Red balls are the slowest and lowest-bouncing, orange balls offer a moderate pace with controlled bounce and green balls play closest to standard but still at a reduced speed.
In Cardio Tennis, orange balls are most commonly used because they require players to move to the ball rather than letting the ball come to them, encouraging a quick first step and improving footwork.
Because the ball moves more slowly through the air, it gives introductory-level players a realistic chance to rally, while more skilled players can still hit aggressively. The result is a more balanced, inclusive playing environment.
Just as important, mistakes do not stop the action. Players keep moving, keep hitting and if they make a mistake, they quickly get another chance to succeed. That momentum, Krause says, helps people relax and enjoy the experience.
More Players Per Court, More Value Per Hour
For coaches, the practical case is just as compelling. “Do you want to have eight people on your court or do you want to have one person on your court?” Krause asks. “Income can be a challenge for tennis coaches. Eight people bring in more income than one.”
In Krause’s view, Cardio Tennis helps coaches serve more players in a single hour while also creating a clearer fitness offering inside a tennis program. For league players, she sees it filling a gap that many programs overlook.
“There’s three components to being an athlete in the sport,” Krause says. “There’s practice, there’s competition and then there’s fitness training.” Many tennis players get the first two, but not the third. Cardio Tennis gives coaches a ready-made way to provide it.”
" Do you want to have eight people on your court or do you want to have one person on your court? Income can be a challenge for tennis coaches. Eight people bring in more income than one. "
Michele Krause
A Retention Tool That Builds Community
Cardio Tennis also helps with player retention by widening social connections inside a club. Instead of players staying siloed by ability level, Cardio Tennis brings together different abilities and fitness levels on one court. That can strengthen the community feel of a facility and keep players engaged longer.
“The bigger the social friendship circle is, the more likely that individual is to stay at that facility,” Krause says.
How Coaches Can Launch Without Overcomplicating It
For busy coaches interested in getting started, Krause advises keeping the launch simple. Start with current league players, who already know the coach and provide a built-in audience. Then market beyond tennis. Reach out to fitness centers, running clubs, churches and other sports groups. The goal is not only to give existing players another class option, but also to introduce new athletes to tennis.
She also recommends leading with a promotional event, such as a “Hit to Be Fit” session, before adding regular programming.
The Biggest Mistake: Confusing Cardio Tennis With Fast Drills
One point Krause emphasizes repeatedly: Cardio Tennis is not just a faster drill class with music. “A big misconception is I’m going to feed a little faster with some drills and I’m going to turn on some music and that’s Cardio Tennis,” she says. “All that is is a traditional tennis class with some music going.”
Proper delivery matters. Krause encourages coaches to use the education now available through USTA Coaching, where the new Cardio Tennis badge includes online and live learning. Coaches also need to practice the format, she said, because the class has a specific structure built around movement, high ball volume and game-based activity.
Players Improve Even When Technique Isn’t the Focus
While Cardio Tennis is not a technical lesson, Krause believes players still improve. “Athletes will get better more quickly in Cardio Tennis over a group or private lesson,” she says, pointing to more touches, more realistic movement patterns and better racquet-head speed developed through orange-ball play.
Why the Opportunity Is Still Growing
After more than 20 years, Krause believes the opportunity for Cardio Tennis is still growing. “It still has not even come close to reaching its potential,” she says.
For coaches looking to build a more inclusive, social and financially sustainable program, that potential may be reason enough to take a second look.
