The 2025 French Open concluded with a remarkable display of talent as Coco Gauff and Carlos Alcaraz triumphed in their respective finals at Paris’s Roland Garros Stadium. Gauff secured her first singles title at the French Open by overcoming Aryna Sabalenka, while Alcaraz successfully defended his trophy against Jannik Sinner. These victories marked a significant moment for tennis, shining a spotlight on the emerging stars capable of revitalizing the sport’s popularity.
American tennis player Chris Eubanks expressed optimism following the tournament’s excitement, emphasizing the growing attention tennis is receiving. This renewed enthusiasm comes despite persistent challenges faced by the sport, including competition from emerging games like pickleball and paddle tennis and issues with broadcasting coverage affecting tennis viewership worldwide.
Challenges Behind Tennis’s Declining Audience Figures
Despite moments of brilliance like Gauff’s breakthrough, tennis has been struggling with diminishing TV ratings and viewer interest in recent years. Earlier in 2025, the Australian Open experienced a sharp 11% drop in overall ratings, which worsened to a 20% decline during the later tournament stages despite Madison Keys winning the title. Such figures highlight an ongoing crisis in the sport’s ability to attract and retain audiences.
One factor contributing to the decline is limited exposure on major television networks. Brad Gilbert, Coco Gauff’s former coach, pointed out the significant disadvantage tennis faces compared to other sports such as golf. He explained that big golf tournaments like those on the PGA Tour consistently enjoy network television coverage, while crucial tennis events are often restricted to niche channels like the Tennis Channel, which has a smaller cable subscription base, especially in the United States.
Brad Gilbert’s Insights on Tennis’s Broadcasting Struggles
Gilbert highlighted the financial and accessibility challenges that tennis must address to regain a broader viewership. He said,
“Biggest difference between golf and tennis show is that every weekend, when there’s a major golf tournament, especially the PGA Tour, it’s on network television. Right now, this tournament has exclusives in the States only on Tennis Channel, which doesn’t have a massive cable subscription.”
—Brad Gilbert, Ex-Coach of Coco Gauff
He further stressed the importance of securing better television deals, remarking,
“They don’t pay any TV rights to be on right now. So that’s something in the near future that needs to happen. Tennis needs to be at big terms, especially the Indian Wells and Miami, need to be on major networks to take tennis to the next level.”
—Brad Gilbert, Ex-Coach of Coco Gauff
Social Media Buzz Signals a Shift in Tennis Engagement
The recent French Open victories of Gauff and Alcaraz generated significant social media conversation, drawing attention beyond traditional tennis fans and engaging followers from other sports as well. Chris Eubanks underlined this trend by noting the widespread online discussions surrounding the tournament. He wrote,
“The fact that for the last 2 days, my entire feed has been nothing but Sinner/Alcaraz and Coco from both tennis fanatics and non-tennis fans tells me that the sport is in a great spot.”
—Chris Eubanks, American Tennis Player
This social media surge offers a glimmer of hope in the fight against falling spectator numbers, suggesting that the performances of the new generation could foster a rejuvenated fan base.
The Next Generation’s Role in Tennis’s Future
With icons like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Serena Williams having stepped away from professional play, the onus is on emerging stars such as Gauff and Alcaraz to carry tennis forward. Their achievements at major tournaments reaffirm that the sport is shaping a promising future despite ongoing difficulties.
The growing prominence of young talents provides reassurance for fans and stakeholders alike, as the sport requires fresh energy and marketable personalities to thrive in an increasingly competitive sports entertainment landscape.
Looking Ahead: Will Tennis Rebound or Face Further Decline?
Coco Gauff’s French Open victory impact exemplifies the crucial moment tennis faces in regaining its global appeal. The sport must address its visibility issues on mainstream media and find ways to captivate newer audiences, leveraging the success and charisma of promising athletes. If tennis capitalizes on these elements and secures better broadcasting deals, there is potential for a revival that could halt, or even reverse, the downward trend in viewership.
However, the road ahead is uncertain, and without strategic improvements in coverage and promotion, tennis may continue to struggle despite the shining performances of its newest champions.