Country Clubs
The Great Gatsby

Originally, tennis courts were made of grass. It was expensive to keep and maintain a grass court. Truly a luxury.

That reputation stuck with the sport, even as parks installed low maintenance court surfaces

The outfits. They’re always white.

That must be it.

It’s the snappy visors

Tennis teams are not large and kids with access to coaches and indoor courts have the advantage.

Because tennis lessons are expensive and so are indoor courts.

I think it's a great sport for everyone. I particularly like the poor, old people play it and enjoy it. Tennis and bridge, bridge and tennis. A great retirement.

Expensive gear, individual sport, county club association.

You can get rich if you are good at it, and rich people like to watch it. Anyone can play it though.

it's not really intuitive in the way that basketball and soccer are. there's a technique to it and to get that technique you generally need some sort of formalized instruction.

Do ‘rec’ tennis teams exist outside of country clubs or tennis clubs?

I think because a lot of kids don't have access to a tennis club with clinics, coaches, teams where they can learn to play and be on teams.

Don’t know, but my guess
1. it’s 1on 1 or fewer “coaches” per kid.
2. You need equipment and lots of space to practice/play
3. Soccer you just need a ball; basketball you just need a hard surface, ball, and a goal/make ship goal
4. It’s skilled
5. The cute preppy outfits
6. Association with country clubs /rich and exclusivity

I have no clue.

There’s tennis courts in every public park and anyone and everyone can play it.