By Liza Horan

Nobody would have believed that major banks would go out of business. That major U.S. automakers would be nearly decimated. That the wave of lending money to homeowners across the nation would spread to cripple the world economy. That the Internet's joust with newspapers and magazines would be hastened by the financial fallout. That the problems on Wall Street would extend to High Street and beyond.

What does this mean for tennis?

Recreational tennis doesn't appear to be hit negatively; according to TennisWire's 'Tennis Spending: 2009 Outlook' survey, conducted in late 2008, players and fans expected to spend more time and money on the sport. We know that tickets to pro events are still selling at lightning speed. While no data on gear sales in Q1 of 2009 has been made public by the Tennis Industry Association, overall equipment sales in 2008 were down 3 percent; likely due to a fourth-quarter drop.

"As consumers buy less, travel less and keep closer watch on their expenses, the recession continues to challenge the marketplace," TIA Executive Director Jolyn de Boer stated this month. "But despite tough economic news, tennis participation is actually increasing, and while that doesn’t translate into profitable times for every sector of the tennis industry, it certainly bodes well for the industry as a whole."

For professional tennis, we know that tournament sponsorships are in tact for 2009; 2010 is looking to be another story. For instance, the Australian Open has lost Qantas, GE Money, Mastercard and Garnier as sponsors. No word on new sponsors taking their places yet or if prize money will be lowered.

Are players ready for that possibility?

Patrick McEnroe, in an ESPN press conference call this week, said the tournament will do whatever they need to do to and the players will go along with it.

"Tennis is feeling it at some level—everybody is. Even the big tournaments are feeling the brunt," said McEnroe, adding that "player guarantees are threatened."

Maria Sharapova, on a conference call hosted by the Rogers Cup in Toronto, set the record straight: "In women's tennis there aren't guarantees, it's all based on prize money. The men get guarantees.

"We're very fortunate to make the kind of money that we make," said Sharapova, adding that the players work hard and have strong leadership team at the WTA. "Our prize money is at a good stage (equal with the men at all majors but Wimbledon). We can only be grateful for today. We don't know what's coming tomorrow. If any of our sponsors are (having trouble), we'll definitely all come together and make a plan."

Journalists who travel with the tours seem to agree that none of the Grand Slams would lower overall prize money.

There is good news, though.

TV studios at Wimbledon overlook the outer courts

2009 is the best tennis-on-TV year in history as the Tennis Channel, ESPN, DIRECTV, NBC, CBS and HBO offered more coverage of the four majors, weekly tournaments and other special coverage than ever before. The BBC just extended its coverage of the prestigious AEGON International warm-up event for Wimbledon through 2013.

Broadcasters don't buy those expensive rights without the confidence to achieve certain ratings in order to sell advertising against the content.

"The Grand Slams are citadels that can withstand the systemic global recession," said Len DeLuca, ESPN's senior vice president of programming and acquisitions. He is "confident" that their programming will be profitable.

ESPN2 is broadcasting nearly 100 hours of TV coverage. ESPN360.com offers 650 hours of coverage online. Tennis Channel is running 40 hours of original programming in its "Wimbledon Primetime" show each weekday. DIRECTV is offering enhanced viewing, including watching up to six matches simultaneously on one channel, plus a match guide showing scores of all broadcast matches in play; recent results; the women's draw and the men's draw. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON WIMBLEDON BROADCASTS.

Fans will have a better Wimbledon viewing experience, DeLuca says, through more hours of coverage and increased quality—thanks to the new roof allowing continuous play, increasing sound quality during play and enhancing ambiance.

More 'good news' aspects listed by DeLuca: Kia Motors is sticking with the Australian Open; JPMorgan Chase is planning to stick with the U.S. Open; Roland Garros is talking about adding a roof over Court Centrale (likely to be temporary, not a fixed structure); and that the new roof over Wimbledon's Centre Court will vastly improve the TV viewer's experience, by providing continuous coverage, increasing the sound quality and enhancing ambiance.

"For the long term, tennis is in good shape," DeLuca said.