Source:Oriental Image/Zheng Hongliang
[Saba Sports News] Padel and pickleball, new racket sports that combine elements of tennis, squash, table tennis, and badminton, are rapidly developing globally. In this regard, Indonesia’s badminton star Jonatan Christie, currently ranked 3rd in men’s singles, believes that although padel and pickleball have not yet formed professional leagues, they are already very popular in Southeast Asian countries and are expected to pose a threat to badminton in the future. He himself is interested in trying these two new sports. Since padel may even be introduced as a demonstration event at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Jonatan calls on the Badminton World Federation to remain vigilant. He stated that these two sports do not require excessive physical exertion, making them more appealing to the public. Many well-known badminton equipment brands have begun investing in the production of equipment and gear needed for these new sports, hoping that the Badminton World Federation can actively explore ways to make badminton more interesting, attractive, and competitive.