The global pandemic reshaped how people work, socialize, and prioritize health. As routines changed, millions turned to racquet sports as a way to reconnect — physically, socially, and mentally.

What started as a response to disruption has evolved into something far bigger: a sustained, global boom across tennis, pickleball, and padel that continues to redefine the racquet sports industry.

Tennis: A Legacy Sport with Renewed Momentum

Tennis remains the backbone of the racquet sports ecosystem. Fueled by generational icons and strong institutional infrastructure, participation in the United States has surged since 2020, exceeding 23 million players according to USTA data.

For a sport approaching 150 years of modern play, this resurgence highlights tennis’s adaptability and long-term relevance within multi-sport club models.

Pickleball: Mass Participation at Scale

Pickleball’s rise has been nothing short of extraordinary. Participation has grown rapidly, driven by accessibility, social play, and high-profile athlete investors who helped push the sport into the mainstream.

For clubs and developers, pickleball has proven its ability to generate volume, activate underutilized spaces, and attract new demographics — often serving as an entry point into broader racquet ecosystems.

Padel: From Global Phenomenon to U.S. Expansion

Globally, padel is already established as the world’s fastest-growing sport, with tens of millions of players and deep roots in Europe and Latin America.

In the United States, padel is now entering its acceleration phase — particularly in urban, lifestyle-driven markets. For a detailed breakdown of this trajectory, read The Explosive Growth of Padel in the U.S.

Importantly, this is not a zero-sum game. Tennis, pickleball, and padel are not competing for survival — they are reinforcing one another.

As multi-sport clubs expand, success increasingly depends on leadership, team alignment, and operational clarity. Articles like How to Build a Sustainable and Profitable Club Culture and 5 Reasons Why Clubs Fail — And What You Can Learn highlight why growth must be matched with strong internal foundations.

Where the Industry Comes Together

RacquetX was created to reflect this reality — bringing together tennis, pickleball, padel, and the full racquet sports ecosystem in one place so industry leaders can learn, connect, and build what comes next.

Be Part of the Racquet Sports Movement

Join club operators, investors, brands, and innovators at RacquetX — the event where the future of racquet sports takes shape.