There's no denying it: the rapid rise of pickleball and padel has left tennis looking a bit lost and forgotten, especially at the club level. With the ability to fit multiple pickleball and padel courts onto a single tennis court, these sports have surged in popularity, offering accessibility and excitement that tennis has struggled to match as of late.
Pickleball and padel have done wonders for communities worldwide. These sports get people of all ages and fitness levels moving, socializing, and enjoying competition. For those who found tennis too challenging, these alternatives provide an easier entry point into the racquet sport world, allowing players to step onto the court and experience immediate success.
Tennis, however, seems stuck in the past. Many tennis clubs are still operating as they always have, relying on outdated methods to attract new players. Visit most tennis center websites and you'll find links to PDFs, buttons to "call the club," and photos that haven't been updated in decades.
Novak Djokovic's recent comments highlight this reality. He warned that if tennis clubs continue with their old ways, they risk being left behind.* While pickleball and padel might seem like a threat, they also present a unique opportunity for tennis clubs.
These sports are introducing racquets to people who might never have considered tennis before. This creates a fantastic opportunity for tennis clubs to transition these new players into tennis. After all, tennis remains the sport in the global spotlight, with legends like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, as well as rising stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, ensuring its place at the top.
To keep tennis thriving at the club level, tennis club owners and managers as well as organizations like the USTA, USPTA, and PTR must take action. By adopting some of the innovations that have made pickleball and padel so exciting—like introductory programs, developmental classes, leveled events and leagues, and even cameras on the courts—tennis can rejuvenate its appeal and get back to the explosive growth it experienced four years ago.
*Novak Djokovic, press conference, *Wimbledon*, London, July 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIfAQJmQB8gStart writing here...
