A Rising Trend in Racquet Sports Popularity

Tennis has long been a favorite racquet sport in Australia. In 2023, approximately 1.2 million Australians over 15 played tennis regularly. The Australian Open in Melbourne attracts massive crowds, with over 1.1 million attendees in 2024 and millions more tuning in for the finals.

While tennis courts are bustling with fans, emerging racquet sports like pickleball, padel, and beach tennis are rapidly gaining popularity. These sports are poised to compete with tennis for players in the coming years.

The Rise of Emerging Racquet Sports

Tennis clubs and public courts across Australia are witnessing a racquet sports revolution. Pickleball, padel, and beach tennis are becoming increasingly popular.

Pickleball has gained fans due to its social nature, attracting participants like actor Will Ferrell. Padel, a favorite of tennis stars such as Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, and Serena Williams, is also on the rise. Meanwhile, beach tennis, played in over 50 countries and especially popular in Italy, Brazil, and Spain, is growing in Australia thanks to efforts by Australian Beach Tennis to promote the sport.

Understanding the New Wave of Racquet Sports

For those more familiar with traditional tennis, here’s a quick introduction to pickleball, padel, and beach tennis.

Pickleball combines elements of table tennis, badminton, and tennis. It uses a paddle larger than a table tennis paddle and plastic balls with holes. The game is played on a court similar to a doubles badminton court with a net height of 36 inches. Around 20,000 Australians, with an average age of 58, play pickleball.

Padel blends tennis and squash and emphasizes social interaction. It can be played by anyone regardless of strength. Padel courts, about one-third the size of tennis courts, are surrounded by glass and metallic mesh walls. Players use short racquets with an elastic surface and low-compression tennis balls. Despite only having seven registered clubs as of late 2023, padel is supported by Tennis Australia and is expected to grow.

Beach Tennis combines tennis and volleyball, played on beaches with volleys only. The game is fast-paced, making it popular among younger players. The International Tennis Federation (ITF) took responsibility for the sport in 2008, and the first ITF tournament in Australia was held in September 2022. As the sport gains traction, more facilities will be needed.

Affordable Excellence with Juciao

In the midst of this racquet sports revolution, it’s essential to know that you don’t need to spend a lot of money to get top-tier equipment. At Juciao, we offer high-quality paddles at fair prices, ensuring you can enjoy the best without overspending.