This week’s RADL Wire highlights the expanding definition of what it means to be a racquet-sports athlete and the growing ecosystem surrounding the industry. From the rise of Racketlon—a four-discipline test of versatility across table tennis, badminton, squash, and tennis—to Fitura Brands’ $20 million launch of an integrated padel, Pilates, and recovery franchise platform, innovation is reshaping both competition and community. At the same time, leadership and accessibility remain a focus, with the U.S. Blind Tennis Association strengthening its mission by appointing seasoned marketer Ian Rapport to its board, reinforcing efforts to broaden participation and support across the sport.

This Week’s RADL Wire:

• Racketlon

• Padel//SWT

• HotelPlanner Tour and UTR Sports launch the Shootout Series

FEATURE

Racketlon: The Ultimate Test For Racquet Athletes

For endurance athletes, the triathlon tests performance across swimming, cycling, and running. The Winter Olympics biathlon blends cross-country skiing with rifle shooting. Now racquet-sports enthusiasts have their own multi-discipline challenge: Racketlon.

Racketlon is a fast-growing international sport that combines four racquet disciplines into a single match—table tennis, badminton, squash, and tennis—to determine the most complete all-around racquet athlete. Instead of specializing in one sport, competitors must demonstrate versatility, endurance, and adaptability across all four.

At its core, Racketlon is simple: two players compete across four sequential racquet sports, and the player who scores the most cumulative points wins. The sport has developed a strong following across Europe, particularly in countries such as Sweden, Finland, Germany, and Austria, where professional players train specifically for multi-disciplinary competition.

Racketlon World Tour Comes to the United States

With participation expanding globally, the Racketlon World Tour is making its way to the United States this spring, offering American racquet athletes a chance to experience one of the sport’s most unique competitions. American players will soon have a chance to experience elite international competition when the CHA Massachusetts Racket Masters 2026 arrives in Massachusetts this spring.

IN THE NEWS

Fitura Brands Launches $20M Franchise Platform Across Padel, Pilates and Recovery

A new player in the sports-wellness franchise sector is targeting the convergence of racquet sports, boutique fitness, and performance recovery. Fitura Brands Inc. has launched with an initial $20 million valuation, introducing a multi-concept franchise platform spanning padel, reformer Pilates, and contrast therapy recovery. The racquet-sports component, Padel//SWT, is designed as a modern club environment combining padel courts with organized play, leagues, and hospitality-driven social spaces. The concept aims to capture the growing North American interest in padel while positioning clubs as community-oriented destinations.

La Roche-Posay Expands Miami Open Partnership as Official Skincare Partner

Dermatological skincare brand La Roche-Posay is expanding its presence in professional tennis, upgrading its partnership with the Miami Open presented by Itaú to become the tournament’s Official Skincare Partner for 2026. The move builds on the brand’s previous role as Official Sunscreen Partner and broadens the scope of its on-site health and wellness initiatives.

U.S. Blind Tennis Association Appoints Ian Rapport to Board of Directors

The U.S. Blind Tennis Association (USBTA) today announced the appointment of Ian Rapport to its Board of Directors. Rapport will serve as Director of Sponsorship and Fundraising, helping the organization expand its efforts to grow the game for blind and low vision tennis players across the United States. Rapport joins the USBTA board with more than a decade of experience in public relations and marketing, leading award-winning campaigns for global brands including Old Spice, Cup Noodles, Nokia, and Hasbro. He is also the founder of Golden Slam Marketing.

HotelPlanner Tour Expands Global Development Pathway with UTR Sports Partnership

The global tennis development ecosystem is set for significant expansion following a new partnership between the HotelPlanner Tour and UTR Sports, which will launch the co-branded HotelPlanner UTR Shootout Tennis Series—a rapidly scaling competition platform designed to create more earning opportunities and competitive pathways for aspiring players. Under the agreement, the Shootout Series will expand to more than 300 tournaments annually, positioning it as one of the largest developmental Pro-Am circuits in the sport.