The History of Racquet Sports in the United States

Racquet sports have evolved substantially since the dawn of sports in the US - from tennis to racquetball and squash to pickleball and padel.  Here is a brief history to show how the evolution continues. 

The Origins: Tennis Leads the Way (1800s–1900s)

Modern racquet sports in the U.S. began with tennis, introduced in the late 1800s.

Tennis became:

• A country club sport
• Then a global professional sport
• The foundation for all modern paddle sports

Squash: The Indoor Elite Game (1900s)

Squash gained popularity in Universities and private clubs and emphasized speed, conditioning, precision.

Racquetball: America’s First “Mass Market” Racquet Sport (1950s–80s)

Racquetball exploded in the U.S. because it is easy to learn, offers indoor access for extreme weather, and is a social sport. 

It was the first racquet sport to go mainstream fitness culture.

Pickleball: The Disruptor (1965 → Today)

Invented in 1965 in Washington State, pickleball succeeded because it is easy to learn, social, low-cost and offers multi-generational play.  There are 24.3 million US players as of 2025 and it is the fastest growing sport 4 years in a row. 

Padel: The Global Challenger Arrives

Invented in Mexico (1960s), popularized in Spain.  Now entering the U.S. with premium clubs, younger demographics, international appeal and a new cache.

The Big Trend: Convergence

Today, racquet sports are no longer separate. We’re seeing are tennis players switching to pickleball, pickleball players trying padel and multi-sport facilities emerging.  Racquet sports participation reached 20.6% of Americans in 2025!

The Future: Paddle Sports Ecosystem

The next decade isn’t about one sport winning.  It’s about shared players, shared facilities, shared gear.  We have seen it with oktō - first made for pickleball but players across racquet sports are enjoying all the organization and functionality! 

Looking for the most innovative bag for pickleball, padel, and beyond? Explore oktō.