🔥 My Hot Take
My POV on wellness trends, what’s hype, and the business behind it all.
Racquet sports are more than a game, they are big business.
Racquet sports have traditionally been clustered around elite communities.
Think tennis and squash in country clubs or specific metro pockets. But that’s changing fast.
First, it was pickleball. Now it’s padel.
Courts and clubs are popping up everywhere, including Sensa Padel here in Nashville, which opened just over a year ago.
I'm not surprised to see serious money entering the space.
Ballers, a new pickleball and padel club operator, just raised $20 million. And They're doing it right:
→ Raising enough capital to build standout flagship locations
→ Pairing high-profile athletes (like Andre Agassi) with proven operators who know how to build community
Life Time is also betting big, adding pickleball courts and programming into their gym ecosystem.
There’s real data behind this. Studies show tennis is one of the top sports for longevity.
And I wouldn’t be surprised if that extends to all racquet sports.
They combine movement, play, and connection in a way that’s hard to replicate.
And that's the magic: connection.
Like the rise of social wellness clubs, this trend reflects a broader shift.
People want healthier alternatives to bars. They want to move, socialize, and feel part of something, all without it feeling like a chore.
Racquet sports make that easy.
With the right infrastructure and vibe, this could become the next generation’s version of the country club.
And participation? My bet is it continues to skyrocket across generations.
(and yes, this is coming from a long time tennis player so there may be a little bias here 🙂)
What is your take? Do you play any racquet sports?