For decades, tennis occupied the unquestioned centre of the racket sports universe. It commanded the biggest sponsorships, the most television time, and the clearest professional pathways.
Yet beneath this glossy surface, a parallel ecosystem has been quietly expanding. Badminton, table tennis, squash, and newer disruptors like padel and pickleball often labelled “shadow” racket sports are no longer operating on the margins. Instead, they are redefining participation models, talent pipelines, and even the economics of sport worldwide.
Globally, the racket sports products market was valued at around USD 4.5 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to USD 7.6 billion by 2032. This growth is not being driven solely by tennis, but by the sheer scale and frequency of participation in these shadow disciplines. Unlike marquee sports that rely heavily on elite events, racket sports thrive on everyday engagement. Consumables such as shuttlecocks, balls, and paddles generate recurring revenue, while community-level play sustains long-term demand.
Asia-Pacific sits at the heart of this expansion. China and India dominate participation in badminton and table tennis, which together boast over 400 million global players. These sports function as mass-participation engines, particularly in schools and urban community halls, where costs are low and access is relatively easy. In India, this has been reinforced by policy support and professional leagues, ensuring that badminton and table tennis are not merely recreational pursuits but structured pathways into elite sport.
Badminton, in particular, has become the backbone of the racket sports talent pipeline. Its emphasis on agility, reflexes, and spatial awareness makes it a natural feeder for other disciplines. Many athletes transitioning to tennis, padel, or pickleball credit early badminton training for their quick footwork and hand-eye coordination. Table tennis plays a similar role, especially in dense urban settings. With minimal space requirements and extremely high intensity, it develops reaction speed and tactical creativity that translate well across racket formats.
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While badminton and table tennis provide volume, squash and racquetball occupy a different but equally important niche. These sports compress high-intensity cardiovascular and strength training into a small footprint, making them ideal for modern cities where space is at a premium.
The global squash market alone is projected to grow from USD 1.59 billion in 2024 to USD 2.5 billion by 2035, driven largely by corporate wellness programs and premium indoor clubs. In India, squash is increasingly viewed not just as a standalone sport but as a performance accelerator for athletes across disciplines.
The most disruptive shift, however, has come from pickleball and padel. Once obscure, these sports have exploded into mainstream consciousness. Pickleball’s growth in India is particularly striking: court numbers jumped from roughly 200 in 2024 to around 1,500 within a year, with projections suggesting a million players by 2028. Its appeal lies in simplicity, low cost, and strong social interaction. A single tennis court can be converted into four pickleball courts, dramatically increasing participation density and financial viability.
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Padel, meanwhile, represents a premium urban alternative. With glass-walled courts and a strong social component, it has become synonymous with “sportainment”sport combined with leisure and lifestyle. Globally, padel participation has grown by over 150% in the past three years, with women accounting for nearly 40% of players. In Indian metros like Mumbai and Bengaluru, padel clubs are emerging as upscale social hubs, blending fitness with hospitality.
These trends have triggered a wave of facility optimisation. Hybrid and multi-sport clubs have increased by over 35% globally as operators seek year-round utilisation of limited urban space. Mumbai’s historic gymkhanas provide a telling case study. Institutions such as Khar Gymkhana, Bombay Gymkhana, and the Cricket Club of India have converted traditional tennis courts into pickleball and padel facilities after discovering far higher usage and faster financial break-even. In some cases, new courts have recovered costs within three months, fundamentally altering club economics.
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Equally important is the impact on athlete development. Nearly 75% of professional racket athletes today played multiple racket sports while growing up. This cross-training builds adaptable skill sets and reduces early specialisation risks. India’s sporting history offers several examples of multi-sport excellence, and the current pickleball boom is creating a new chapter, with former tennis and table tennis players finding viable second careers.
Technology has further accelerated this ecosystem. Indian SportsTech platforms now go beyond simple court booking to offer matchmaking, analytics, and tournament management. Startups like Hudle, Playo, and GoRally are building communities as much as facilities, while domestic equipment brands are reducing dependence on imports by manufacturing paddles and balls locally.
Beyond economics and performance, shadow racket sports carry significant social value. Their low cost and inclusivity allow participation across age groups and demographics, addressing public health challenges linked to physical inactivity. Pickleball’s popularity among older adults and families highlights how these sports function as community connectors rather than purely competitive outlets.
The rise of shadow racket sports does not signal the decline of tennis or other legacy disciplines. Instead, it reframes the ecosystem as more diverse and resilient. Badminton, table tennis, and squash remain foundational skill-builders, while padel and pickleball expand access and commercial viability. Together, they form a layered pipeline that balances mass participation with elite performance.
As India’s sports economy continues its rapid growth, these quiet powerhouses are no longer operating in the shadows. They are shaping how people play, where they play, and how future champions are made one compact court at a time .
