This Week in RADL Wire: Serve, Study, and Score Big

As summer heats up, so does the action across racquet and paddle sports. In this issue, we dive into the explosive growth of beach tennis in the U.S. and what’s fueling its coastal momentum. We also break down the results of the first-ever Pickleball Footwear Balance Study. Plus, don’t miss your shot to win $5,000 in the Eggland’s Best Pickleball Power-Up Sweepstakes. Finally, we spotlight a major step forward in squash education, as US Squash unveils a bold new initiative to reshape how players, coaches, and parents engage with the game.

Let’s swing into summer—there’s something for every court this week.

In The News:

• The Rise of Beach Tennis in the U.S.

• The First-Ever Pickleball Footwear Balance Study

• Pickleball Power-Up Sweepstakes!

• US Squash Launches Groundbreaking Education Program

BEACH TENNIS

Swing Into Summer: The Rise of Beach Tennis in the U.S.

As the fireworks fade and summer stretches ahead, beach lovers across the country are trading in their towels and frisbees for something with a little more bounce—beach tennis. Blending the sun-soaked spirit of beach volleyball with the competitive thrill of racquet sports, beach tennis is capturing attention from Malibu to Miami, with permanent courts, pop-up tournaments, and a fast-growing community of players ready to serve, spike, and smash their way through the season.

Whether you’re a lifelong tennis fan or just looking to mix up your beach day, beach tennis offers a dynamic, low-barrier way to stay active and connected—with little more than a net, a paddle, and a passion for play.

From the Mediterranean to Maryland

Beach tennis traces its roots back to the early 1970s on the sun-drenched shores of Lido degli Estensi, Italy. There, vacationing tennis players began improvising games over volleyball nets, using traditional tennis rackets and slightly deflated balls. The new game was fast, fun, and contagious.

By 1995, the International Beach Tennis Federation (IFBT) was established to codify the rules and promote the sport globally. Growth surged in coastal Europe and then South America, where Brazil now boasts over three million beach tennis players, rivaling national pastimes like soccer.

In the U.S., the sport gained momentum during the COVID lockdowns.  Frustrated by the closure of tennis courts during the pandemic, Thomas Macleod decided to head to the beach, where he discovered Beach Tennis. As he began to learn about this sport, he uncovered a growing international phenomenon that was gaining popularity worldwide. His interest soon turned into a passion, which led to the creation of Beach Tennis Maryland. Macleod is now organizing tournaments and installing both permanent and temporary court fixtures throughout the mid-Atlantic region.

Learn more about the history, rules, gear and how to get started.

INDUSTRY NEWS

The First-Ever Pickleball Footwear Balance Study Is In—And SQAIRZ Dominated

In a first-of-its-kind clinical study comparing the impact of commercially available pickleball shoes on balance and stability, SQAIRZ has emerged as the clear leader—outperforming major brands like ASICS, HOKA, and Nike. Conducted during a live tournament in Crestview, Florida, the study—A Comparison of Balance with Adult Pickleball Players in Commercially Available Shoes—was led by an elite team of medical professionals: Dr. Paul Klutts, D.P.M., Dr. Heiko Adams, D.P.M., Dr. Ryan Krupp, M.D., Chad Miller, M.A..

Using the Kinetisense Risk of Fall motion capture system, the team studied 53 adult players (ages 27–63), testing each athlete in three conditions: barefoot, in their standard pickleball shoes, and in the SQAIRZ XRZ™ Pickleball Shoe. The trials were randomized to eliminate bias. The results were decisive.

Pickleball Kingdom to Open in Walker, LA

Pickleball Kingdom, the world’s largest indoor pickleball entity, announces its very first facility in Louisiana, coming to Walker, at 28145 Walker South, Walker, Louisiana, 70785. The state-of-the-art facility will span approximately 60,000 square feet and feature 16 professional-grade indoor courts. It is targeting an opening in the first quarter of 2026.

Don’t Miss Your Shot at a Chance to Win $5,000 with the Eggland’s Best Pickleball Power-Up Sweepstakes!

The rally continues! There’s still time to enter the Eggland’s Best Pickleball Power-Up Sweepstakes, celebrating wellness, movement and nutrition! Eggland’s Best is fueling players nationwide with the sweepstakes, as well as energy-boosting recipes and rest and recovery dietitian-approved tips.

Now until July 15, fans can enter daily at EBFamilySweeps.com for a chance to win a $5,000 Grand Prize, plus exclusive pickleball gear, EB-branded merch and more to fuel their game and wellness journey.

Picklebalm™ Expands Availability with Amazon Launch, Making Specialized Pain Relief More Accessible to America’s 48 Million Pickleball Players

Compass Health Brands  announced that Picklebalm™, the first pain relief solution specifically formulated for pickleball players, is now available on Amazon.com. This expansion comes just three weeks after the product’s successful direct-to-consumer launch and represents a significant milestone in making specialized recovery solutions accessible to the rapidly growing pickleball community. Since launching on picklebalm.com on June 10, the product has garnered significant attention from the pickleball community, with early adopters praising both its effectiveness and its departure from traditional medicinal aesthetics. 

US Squash Launches Groundbreaking Education Program

US Squash has launched its most comprehensive educational initiative to date—the US Squash Education Program—aimed at reshaping the way players, parents, coaches, and programs engage with the sport nationwide. At the heart of this effort is a new digital hub, www.squasheducation.org, which delivers essential tools, training, and guidance to build a more inclusive and connected squash community.

The website offers a robust collection of resources, including support for parents navigating junior squash and coaching materials tailored for all levels—from grassroots development to elite performance.