Why RacketOne is Rethinking Tennis Journalism Beyond the Pro Tour.
Tennis is one of the world’s most widely played sports, yet its media coverage tells a different story. Almost all the attention is focused on a select group of professionals — roughly 3000 players competing at the highest level — while the tens of millions of amateur players remain in the shadows.
“It’s a real problem,” says Pavel Petko, editor-in-chief of RacketOne, a new media project aiming to change this narrative. “There are so many outlets covering professional tennis, but very few focus on amateur players and their experiences. Our goal is to change that — to create a media space that speaks to everyday players, helps them improve, and enhances their daily experience with the sport.”
Why Tennis Clubs Matter More Than Ever
What makes RacketOne different from other tennis media? Its focus isn’t on the latest ATP and WTA headlines but rather on the clubs and communities that sustain the sport at the grassroots level.
“We believe that tennis clubs are the foundation of mass participation in the sport,” Petko explains. “If we want tennis to grow, we need to strengthen the club movement. That’s why we focus on club development, the challenges owners face, and how they can adapt to a rapidly changing environment.”
But clubs are under pressure. The costs of maintaining tennis courts are rising as land prices increase, making it harder for clubs to stay afloat. At the same time, younger generations are not taking up the sport at the same rate as their predecessors.
“Tennis clubs today face serious challenges,” says Petko. “They need to become more digital, more innovative, and find new ways to attract players. Strengthening their communities is essential, and we believe our platform can help them navigate these changes.”
A Sport at a Crossroads
The decline of traditional tennis clubs isn’t just an inconvenience — it’s a potential crisis for the sport itself. While professional tennis enjoys record levels of global exposure, grassroots participation is facing difficulties. Without strong club structures, the pathway from casual player to lifelong enthusiast weakens.
“Innovation is key,” Petko argues. “Clubs need to rethink how they engage with players, introduce fresh formats, and use technology to enhance the experience. Those who fail to adapt risk being left behind.”
This is where RacketOne hopes to make an impact — not just as a media outlet, but as a platform for discussion, solutions, and advocacy for the club community.
Building a New Kind of Tennis Media
For now, RacketOne is a small operation, run by a team of dedicated journalists. Their immediate goal is to grow an audience and engage club owners, creating a space where important conversations about the future of tennis can take place.
“Our goal right now is to connect with club owners and build partnerships,” says Petko. “The more we collaborate, the more we can spotlight important issues — like club sustainability, player retention, and community-building.”
Tennis media has long been dominated by professional headlines. But RacketOne is making the case that the real story of the sport isn’t just at the Grand Slams — it’s on the courts of local clubs, where the majority of players pick up their rackets.
And if the future of tennis is to remain bright, that’s a story that needs to be told.
