Two racquet sports leaders are joining forces to fuel the global rise of padel. Babolat, known for its high-performance racquet sports equipment, has inked a strategic partnership with Playtomic, a digital community of racquet sport players and clubs with 6,000+ partner clubs worldwide, to connect players and clubs on a whole new level.
The partnership comes on the heels of Playtomic’s recent $273 million valuation, following a new funding round in March.
Activations will launch in padel hotbeds like Spain, Italy, France, the U.K., Germany and the U.S., offering players new ways to connect both on and off the court — from gamified digital content to immersive, in-club experiences.
“Babolat has always been committed to supporting the growth and accessibility of racquet sports,” Babolat padel business leader Jose-Luis Sainz said. “Partnering with Playtomic represents the perfect match for us: merging tradition, innovation, and community to shape the future of padel.”
Another initiative slated for this year is Leveling Sessions, where players can participate in a full day of padel, meet new people, certify their playing level with pro coaches and test the latest Babolat rackets—the kind of social, experience-driven activity that resonates with Gen Z.
The partnership will also debut a first-of-its-kind Global Digital League—a competition format that welcomes players of all skill levels, no matter where they are. Participants can rack up points by playing anytime, anywhere, with anyone to climb global rankings and compete for prizes and exclusive experiences.
“We are thrilled to partner with a brand like Babolat,” Playtomic managing director Antonio Robert said. “With 150 years of history, Babolat brings a legacy of excellence and long-term vision to the world of racket sports. By combining Babolat’s product expertise with our digital innovation and global player community, we are not only redefining how brands engage with players and clubs—we are also building an ecosystem rooted in tradition, performance and global ambition.”
According to Stats Market Research, the global padel market is valued at an estimated $204 million in 2024 and is projected to more than double to $447 million by 2031, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.3%.
Padel’s momentum is visible not just in projected market data but on the ground. Jessica Nicol, co-founder of racquet sports club Nicol New Jersey, shared a memory with Athletech News last fall that captures the sport’s frenzy:
“I was in France last summer, and my son and I went to the local tennis club – a 10-court complex because we heard there was padel there,” Nicol recalled. “They converted five courts to padel, and there was no one on the tennis courts. We could not get a single court for padel that entire day. It’s not surprising because we are falling in love with the sport. We love playing it, and when we were exposed to it, that’s when we made the decision that we have to make sure that this sport is under our roof for New Jersey and beyond.”
Can padel overtake pickelball? It remains to be seen, but it’s worth noting that pickleball’s explosive popularity—driven in part by its accessible, beginner-friendly nature—has introduced many to the joy of racquet sports. But it’s also paved the way for players to level up, as padel offers a more physically demanding experience, a natural next step for those after a new challenge.
