ODENSE: Will new racquet sports padel and pickleball be a threat to badminton?
Former Asian Games men’s singles champion Jonatan Christie of Indonesia thinks so. He says that the two sports, which has a mix of tennis, squash, table tennis and badminton elements, were fast growing.
Jonatan hopes the Badminton World Federation (BWF) will be cautious although he does not think that these sports will overtake badminton’s popularity instantly.
“New sports like padel and pickleball are really growing. It’s a big thing in America and I heard that padel may even be introduced as an exhibition sport (at the LA2028),” said Jonatan.
“These new sports can be a competition and threat to badminton, as some of the elements are similar.
“They use courts like badminton but smaller in size and these sports do not require much energy.
“I also heard that top badminton equipment brands are already investing in making the bats and balls for these sports.
“I just think that our governing body have to be cautious. I hope we will continue to look at ways to make badminton interesting, fun and competitive.
“I’m interested in these new sports too, maybe I will try out padel for fun first.
“They are not at a professional level just yet but it’s a big thing in my country and there are many followers. In fact, I think they are a hit in Singapore, Malaysia and China too.
For now though, Jonatan’s focus is to go beyond the quarter-finals in the ongoing Denmark Open.
Yesterday, the world No. 3 exacted sweet revenge by beating Malaysian Leong Jun Hao 21-16, 21-14 to set up a meeting with China’s Lu Guangzu in the second round.
“I lost to Jun Hao at the Indonesian Open a few months ago and that defeat at home was hard to accept. I came prepared, and changed some of my game plan against him.
“He was not his usual self though, I didn’t see him moving very aggressively,” said Jonatan.
The reigning All-England champion experienced a slump in the middle of the year, which also includes an early exit at the Paris Olympic Games, but believes he is back on track.
“I’ve had a few good results and I hope to at least win another title before the year ends,” added Jonatan, who was the runner-up at the Arctic Open and reached the semi-finals of the Hong Kong and China Opens.
