Racket Battle: Is Tennis standing tall amidst the boom of Padel and Pickleball?

Let’s check out the fresh forces of Padel & Pickleball joining (or muscling in on) Tennis around the globe, vying for player engagement and that prized number one spot on the court landscape.

So, before we begin a breakdown on these three racket sports under the microscope … Squash, and Badminton (to mention a few) have not been forgotten - all racket sports are duly recognised and adored by us in many differing ways.

Currently, the popularity battle between Padel, Pickleball and Tennis is a topic of hot conversation across various associations, clubs, players and dare we say it the media which needs addressing.

So, where exactly are we on each racket sport and in which direction will they take us?

Is Tennis the leading racket sport? …

If we balanced things up on rich history, class, different playing surfaces, the greats that have graced the game and grand slam prominence, tennis would no doubt ace them all. No argument.

Tennis has been around since the late 1800’s and is by far the most dominant in terms of grandeur by a country mile (we can excuse a few recent blips like the questionable Challengers film and discontinued Break Point series from Netflix trying to cash in on the popularity of the game).

In the 2024 International Tennis Federation (ITF), global participation for Tennis reached just under 106 million (from once a year players to professionals), across 199 countries with a total of 131,000 clubs and 698,034 tennis courts.

But there is more to evaluate …

Doubles is probably the most popular format on a recreational level (most certainly within tennis clubs). Moving across to the same format on the pro circuit, questions have been raised in regards to dwindling audience interest.

On a more general scale, is the big game too expensive and difficult for beginners to pick up quickly? Is Tennis desperately in need of certain rule changes to make it more engaging and modernise the game?

Patrick’s Mourataglou’s UTS million pound ‘short format’ roadshow is perhaps a sign of a turning tide. Is this enough or is it just an entertaining side show?

Luca Santilli, ITF Executive Director, Tennis Development said in their 2024 Global Tennis Report “In 2019 we set an ambitious goal to have 30 million more tennis players by 2030 and I am delighted we are on track to achieve this. We have a seen a rise of 21.6 million or 25.6%before the new decade. This increase is even more significant give the period includes Covid-19.

Our member national tennis associations tell us the popularity of Tennis is one of the key reasons for growth, driven by it’s global visibility and role models at an elite level.”

Whatever side of the net you are on, Tennis still stands tall, but is being nudged by sister sports (Padel & Pickle) which are seen as easier to pick up and play, highly addictive, as well as, hugely social.

What about Padel? …

Padel is a combination of Tennis and Squash played in doubles format (the balls used are smaller, slower than tennis).

Players start with underarm serves, hitting deft angles applying spin and slice with shots able to rebound off see-through walls within a boxed compact court. Topspin (a dominant style of shot in Tennis) is a no go in Padel - as it is not an effective within point play.

The game officially dates back to the 60s when Mexican Enrique Corcuera set up the first recognised court at his holiday home in Acapulco.

Padel became an International sport in 1974 and turned professional hosting the first world championships in 1992. The roots of Padel stretch back to the 1910s.

Spain leads the charge with a total of 20,000 Padel courts and estimated 6million players (only football is more popular). Italy, Argentina, Sweden, France and the UK are other countries who are making big waves.

Padel is one of the fastest growing sports in this country. The LTA are backing the game and have set a target of 400,000 players in 2026.

Tom Murray, Head of Padel at LTA stated in his 2024 year end recap “We’re ready to take Padel to the next level … it’s a pivotal moment - we're on track for record-breaking growth in infrastructure to over 700 courts and participation only continues to soar to 200,000.”

Clubs who have invested in Padel have witnessed a sharp increase in their active membership - bringing a much needed financial boost to their income.

Unfortunately, at the same time arguments have cropped up from some sections of the local community that the game creates higher noise pollution in these residential neighbourhoods.

Even though the game transition is pretty fluid for tennis players, Padel is no stranger to dividing opinion between them.

However, it is most certainly giving the mother sport a run for it’s money. According to the FIP, a total growth rate of 26% worldwide in 2025 is predicted.

Competitive and recreational ‘Padelheads’ use Playtomic, an app designed for the sport boasting a reach of over 4 million players. Not bad for a relative newbie on the scene.

and Pickleball? …

Travel across the pond to the USA and Pickleball is the big draw. Padel (pronounced Pad-el) not so much.

With an energetic army of A-List celebs and former tennis pros, like The Kardashians, Leonardo DiCaprio, Selena Gomez, Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, could this be the dark outsider who wins the three horse race?

Compared with Padel, Pickleball is cheaper and easier to install, but nowhere near the participation figures of the others (Pickleball England estimate over 45,000 players and state they have 10,000 members across 966 venues). They are aiming to have 25,000 members by the end of 2025.

“Pickleball is growing at a rapid rate here in the UK and suitable for all ages and abilities. It possesses similar characteristics to other racket sports, but its unique game play and varying game styles make it easy for anyone to pick up and play, without them requiring prior racquet sports experience.” Karen Mitchell, Chair and Co-Founding Director of Pickleball England

The emerging sport (played in singles and doubles on a reduced size court) has taken the U.S by storm, and is surely set to grow steadily in the UK.

Some may say the annoying in-play sound is a turn off and has more senior and slower gameplay appeal. On the other hand, check out any YouTube clip and marvel at lightning killer volley rallies which blitz across the net at close ‘kitchen’ quarters.

Conclusion …

Hopefully all 3 of these racket sports will blossom and compliment each other equally in the future (both recreationally and professionally). Tennis, Padel & Pickleball offer players a wide variety of differences and potentially make it more accessible to play whatever your age or skill level. This surely, can only be beneficial.

Just don’t be surprised if you start seeing more Padel and Pickleball popping up around your local community and courts. Yes, there might be separation between them, but when it comes down to it, racket sport players tend to play, live longer, happier and healthier.

Together, we become stronger then? It will be interesting to see where the future lies for the likes of Padel, Pickleball and Tennis. I guess the ball really is on our side of the court … just which one?