In This Week’s Edition:

• May is National Tennis Month

• SQAIRZ drops new XRZ2™

• Have Pala, Will Travel

USTA

Celebrate National Tennis Month

May is officially National Tennis Month. The modern version of National Tennis Month was reinvigorated and officially established by the USTA in 2021. While local tennis celebrations have existed for decades, this specific national campaign was launched to capitalize on a massive surge in tennis participation during the pandemic. You can find local events and information on the USTA's National Tennis Month page.

ŌURA Secures Landmark USTA Partnership, Bringing Wearable Performance Tech to the US Open Stage

ŌURA has been named the official wearable fitness device of the United States Tennis Association and the US Open in a sweeping five-year partnership that embeds biometric tracking across the U.S. tennis ecosystem. The deal—marking the first wearable partnership in USTA history—positions Oura’s smart ring technology at the center of athlete performance, recovery, and coaching development, signaling a broader shift toward data-driven optimization in tennis. Under the agreement, every main draw player at the US Open will receive an Oura Ring, supported by on-site fitting, recovery education, and access to personalized biometric insights designed to improve training and match readiness.

INDUSTRY NEWS

SQAIRZ Launches XRZ2™ Pickleball Shoe Built for Stability and Power

SQAIRZ today announced the launch of the XRZ2™, the next evolution of its performance pickleball footwear, engineered to help players move more efficiently, stay stable, generate more power, and play better for longer. At the core of the design is SQAIRZ’s geometrically engineered toe box, which promotes natural toe spread, enhanced balance, and more efficient ground-force transfer, while delivering a more accommodating fit across a wider range of foot shapes.

Gatorade Targets Women’s Performance Gap With Multi-Year Science Initiative

Gatorade is making a significant strategic push into women’s performance science with the launch of “Body of Science,” a multi-year global research initiative aimed at addressing longstanding gaps in hydration and nutrition data specific to women. Led by the Gatorade Sports Science Institute, the program reflects a broader shift in the sports and wellness industry toward more personalized, evidence-based performance solutions.

OLLY and Naomi Osaka Launch Mental Health Campaign, Signaling Deeper Convergence of Wellness, Advocacy and Brand Purpose

As Mental Health Awareness Month continues to evolve into a major platform for brand-led social impact, OLLY has partnered with Naomi Osaka to launch “Do What Serves You,” a campaign positioned at the intersection of consumer wellness, cultural relevance, and purpose-driven marketing. The initiative marks the beginning of a year-long collaboration between the supplement brand and the four-time Grand Slam champion, whose personal advocacy around mental health has helped reshape public discourse in sports and beyond. 

Pongbot Aligns with Cam Jordan Foundation, Spotlighting AI Training Tech Through Pickleball Philanthropy

Pongbot has been named the presenting sponsor of the 2nd Annual Cam Jordan Foundation Pickleball Tournament—positioning its emerging AI-powered training platform within one of the sport’s most community-driven events. Pongbot is known for its intelligent ball-launching systems and is using the platform to introduce AURA, an AI-powered multi-sport training robot designed for pickleball, tennis, and padel.

TRAVEL

Have Pala (racket), Will Travel

Privé Padel is extending the reach of the sport beyond local clubs with the launch of its new Privé Passport membership—a travel-driven platform that connects padel players with a curated network of luxury hospitality partners worldwide. Priced at $595 annually, the Passport tier provides access to preferred hotel bookings and on-property perks including complimentary court time, room upgrades, and resort credits.

A premium $995 tier adds full access to Privé Padel’s Montauk and Miami locations.
Beyond accommodations, the company is leaning into experiential travel, organizing hosted group trips that pair exclusive destinations with on-site coaching, clinics, and daily programming led by padel professionals. Initial offerings include a high-end retreat in Madagascar timed with whale watching season.

With a current base of 600+ members across New York and Miami, Privé Padel is targeting rapid expansion—aiming to scale to 10,000 members within two years as it capitalizes on the growing intersection of racquet sports, luxury travel, and community-driven experiences.