In This Week’s Edition:

• World Team Tennis Eyes Reboot

• Alcaraz Signs Ambassador Deal With Ant International

• New HEAD Squared Tennis Racquet

BUSINESS

Acemate Expands AI Tennis Platform With New Drill and Scoring System

AI tennis training company Acemate has introduced a major software upgrade designed to evolve its robotic tennis system from a rally partner into a more structured, data-driven training platform.

The update centers on a new “Drill Mode” that adds scored target-based practice, real-time analytics, and customizable training templates to the company’s AI-powered tennis robot ecosystem.

Backed by publicly traded robotics company OneRobotics, Acemate said the new system was developed in response to user demand for more purposeful and measurable practice sessions. Rather than relying solely on manual adjustments to speed, spin, and ball placement, players can now select pre-built training sessions focused on specific shot patterns and tactical objectives.

World Team Tennis Eyes Modern Relaunch With Player Equity and Arena-Driven Format

World Team Tennis is preparing for a high-profile return in 2026, reviving one of professional tennis’ most recognizable alternative formats with a strategy centered on entertainment, player ownership, and modern fan engagement. The relaunched league will officially debut December 2, 2026, with an opening event at Barclays Center before transitioning into a city-based home-and-away competition structure staged in major-market arenas. The new iteration of WTT is positioning itself as a reimagined sports property tailored to evolving consumption habits and younger audiences. Central to the relaunch is a player-equity ownership structure that will allow participating athletes to hold stakes in the league — a rare model in professional tennis and one designed to better align long-term athlete and league interests.

PEOPLE

Carlos Alcaraz Signs Global Ambassador Deal With Ant International

Carlos Alcaraz has been named Global Brand Ambassador for Ant International, marking another major commercial partnership for one of tennis’ most marketable young stars as technology and financial services companies continue increasing investment in global sports branding. The multi-year agreement will see Alcaraz represent Ant International and several of its flagship brands, including Alipay+, Antom, and WorldFirst, across global marketing campaigns and business initiatives. The Singapore-based company, which operates digital payments, fintech, and cross-border commerce platforms, said the partnership aligns with its broader strategy of promoting inclusive growth and AI-powered financial services worldwide.

Hollywood and Sports Personalities Rally Around Emmys Pickleball Slam Fundraiser

Hollywood stars, television personalities, and sports figures are set to take the court for the inaugural Emmys Pickleball Slam, a celebrity-driven fundraising event designed to support the educational and workforce development programs of the Television Academy Foundation. The event underscores pickleball’s continued expansion into mainstream entertainment culture as the sport becomes an increasingly popular platform for celebrity engagement and philanthropy. The event also highlights the increasing intersection between pickleball and the entertainment industry. In recent years, production companies, streaming platforms, celebrity investors, and professional athletes have all entered the space through ownership stakes, sponsorships, branded events, and content partnerships as the sport continues to attract younger audiences and premium lifestyle brands.

EQUIPMENT

Paddletek Expands Foam Paddle Push With Launch of Honeyfoam TKO-X

Paddletek is continuing its push into next-generation paddle technology with the launch of the Honeyfoam TKO-X, a new performance-focused pickleball paddle built around the company’s proprietary multi-foam construction platform. The release expands on the Honeyfoam architecture first introduced earlier this year through Paddletek’s limited-edition Reserve series and signals the company’s broader commitment to foam-core innovation as competition intensifies across the premium paddle category. The Honeyfoam TKO-X incorporates a three-foam internal structure engineered to improve dwell time, sweet spot consistency, and energy return while maintaining a softer feel on contact. 

New HEAD Squared Tennis Racquet

HEAD is looking to reshape the performance racquet conversation with the launch of its new SQUARED tennis racquet platform, pairing an unconventional frame geometry with the company’s popular Velocity multifilament string to emphasize a blend of comfort, consistency, and playability. Designed to optimize sweet spot coverage and deliver more stable response across the string bed, the SQUARED frame aims to provide players with greater confidence on both attacking and defensive shots. The launch also highlights HEAD’s continued focus on arm-friendly performance, combining the new frame design with Velocity — the brand’s top-selling multifilament string known for its softer feel, power, and control. Together, the package targets players seeking enhanced comfort and longer rally tolerance without sacrificing responsiveness or finishing capability on court.