Why Tennis Has the Longevity Advantage

You Should Know: We know exercise is crucial for a longer life, but there’s a specific sport that really taps into your longevity potential: tennis. Just ask Serena Williams, who recently returned to Wimbledon after a four-year absence — at age 44. In professional-athlete years, that’s basically a senior citizen. It’s a testament not only to her own physical fitness but to the sport itself.

Going Deeper: Racket sports have experienced a massive jump in popularity, thanks in large part to the pickleball craze. Tennis, typti, and padel are also seeing similar surges. They’re fun ways to stay in shape, but research suggests they can help you live longer, too. A Danish study found tennis and badminton players live an average of nearly 10 and six years longer, respectively, than people who are sedentary. That’s also longer than people who jog, swim, cycle, or do gym workouts.

Takeaway: Why tennis? All that running, bouncing, serving, and swinging combine aerobic and anaerobic exercise, meaning you get cardio and strength benefits at once. And because you’re playing with another person, you’re strengthening social connections, too — another longevity component. 

Bottom Line: Taking up tennis can yield big results for musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and cognitive health.