Hello dear readers, friends, and racket sports enthusiasts.

We had the pleasure of attending RacquetX Miami and the PTR–PPR International Racquets Conference 2025 this past month, and it was fantastic to connect with so many of you—both long-time readers and new faces. The energy at both events was a powerful reminder of just how dynamic and fast-evolving the racket sports industry has become.

With global participation in racket sports surging—driven by the rapid rise of padel, continued strength in tennis and pickleball, and renewed interest in squash and badminton—the industry is projected to exceed $35 billion in market value by 2028, according to recent market research. It’s an exciting time, and we’re proud that over 15,000 industry professionals and enthusiasts choose to read Racket Business each month.

In this issue, you’ll find a diverse lineup of stories, insights, and expert commentary curated to keep you informed and inspired. Each edition includes our exclusive feature, From Inside the Lines—a subscriber-only column offering in-depth opinion and analysis you won’t find anywhere else. This month, we explore one of the key challenges facing padel: noise concerns. While sometimes overlooked, it's a topic that could influence the sport’s future growth if not addressed thoughtfully.

Also in this issue:

• Gary Horvath unpacks the value of economic impact studies—essential tools for understanding how events, businesses, and policy shifts influence local and national economies.

• Rod Heckleman takes us inside the world of left-handed tennis players, sharing both personal insights and professional perspectives.

• And don’t miss our feature on the man with arguably the best tennis job in the world—his story is sure to inspire.

If you're not yet a subscriber, join us today—it's completely free, and it ensures you never miss exclusive content like From Inside the Lines.

Scroll down to explore all the articles in this issue or visit RacketBusiness.com to dive straight in.

Rich & Tim

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From inside the lines…

Addressing Padel’s Growing Noise Challenge Amidst Rapid Global Expansion

As padel continues its meteoric rise worldwide, 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for the sport. The surge in popularity has created a pressing demand for new facilities, yet this growth is increasingly accompanied by noise-related challenges that threaten to slow its momentum.

To illustrate the scale of growth: according to the International Padel Federation (FIP), padel is now played in over 100 countries, with an estimated 25 million players globally. Europe remains at the forefront of this expansion, particularly in Spain, Sweden, Italy, and the UK. In the UK alone, there are currently only around 800 padel courts compared to approximately 20,000 tennis courts—highlighting a significant shortfall that has led to soaring demand for court time.

However, one pressing issue that continues to gain traction is noise pollution. A growing number of local authorities have recently denied planning applications for new padel courts due to concerns about sound disturbances. These concerns are not without merit.

Unlike tennis, padel produces a unique acoustic footprint. The frequency of shots is notably higher, primarily because players are in closer proximity and the sport is exclusively played in doubles, leading to more frequent volleys. The sound of a padel ball striking a hard plastic racket—rather than the soft strings of a tennis racquet—combined with the echoing effect of glass-walled courts, creates a sharper, more resonant noise.

Many new padel courts are being constructed at existing tennis clubs where surrounding communities have grown accustomed to the relatively muted sounds of tennis. In such environments, the contrast in noise levels can be jarring, and resident complaints are, therefore, unsurprising.

So, how should the sport respond?

A proactive and collaborative approach is essential. Developers, clubs, equipment manufacturers, and entrepreneurs involved in padel must come together to establish clear strategies that address noise concerns from the outset.

Key recommendations include:

• Early Engagement with Local Stakeholders: Developers should initiate dialogue with local authorities and residents before submitting planning applications. Transparent communication and detailed noise mitigation plans can foster trust and reduce resistance.

• Evidence-Based Planning: Successful case studies from other regions where noise concerns were effectively managed should be shared. This could involve showcasing acoustic reports, community feedback, or design adaptations that reduced impact.

• Innovative Court Design: Investment in acoustic dampening materials, such as sound-absorbing panels or specialized fencing, can significantly reduce noise levels. Some manufacturers are already experimenting with quieter racket technologies.

• Community Education: Clubs should make efforts to educate nearby residents on how padel differs from tennis in terms of sound and frequency, and explain what steps are being taken to reduce the impact.

In summary, while padel’s explosive growth is cause for celebration, the issue of noise cannot be ignored. A unified, transparent, and responsible approach to development is vital to ensure the sport’s long-term sustainability and harmonious integration into local communities.