Novak Djokovic expressed concerns about the survival of club-level tennis amidst a rising interest in alternative sports like padel and pickleball. The seven-time Wimbledon champion highlighted that efforts to sustain tennis at its grassroots level are falling short, which he believes endangers its longstanding presence.
"Tennis captivates millions of children worldwide who dream of holding a racket," Djokovic said after his match against Australia's Alexei Popyrin in Centre Court on Saturday. "However, we struggle to make the sport more accessible and affordable."
He proposed establishing an entity aimed at safeguarding tennis within local clubs as they contend with increasing competition from other sports activities. In particular, padel—a hybrid game that originated in Mexico during the 1960s—has seen remarkable growth across the United Kingdom and beyond, captivating over 200,00s players including prominent figures such as Stormzy and Andy Murray.
Djokovic emphasized: "Despite tennis's prominence among racket sports globally, its club-level existence is jeopardized." He noted that the affordability of alternative games like padel and pickleball in various countries could lead to clubs transitioning towards these more economical options.
The Serbian star acknowledged a particularly stark challenge faced by grassroots tennis initiatives in his native country, where resources are limited due to insufficient federation support or funding. He underscored the need for collective action and innovative strategies to ensure that the love for tennis continues at its foundation levels worldwide.
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