The Most Popular Racket Sport, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the racket sport you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 17, 2024 07:28
In the bustling world of sports, choosing a racket sport that suits your interest and skill level can be an overwhelming task. Yet, knowing which sport tops the popularity charts can be incredibly enlightening. This insight not only reflects current trends but also helps enthusiasts align with a larger community of players. Hence, a dynamic and user-driven ranking of the most admired racket sports emerges as a crucial tool.
By participating in the voting process, you contribute to a broader understanding of each sport’s appeal and accessibility. This not only enriches your knowledge but also guides newcomers in making informed decisions about where to invest their energy and time. As votes accumulate, the live ranking adjusts to reflect real-time preferences, offering a continually updated snapshot of where each sport stands in the hearts of players around the globe.
What Is the Most Popular Racket Sport?
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181votesTennis is the most popular racket sport in the world. It is played by millions of people around the world and has a large following due to its exciting gameplay and competitive nature.Tennis is an elegant and fast-paced sport played by two players (singles) or four players (doubles) on a rectangular court. It is played with rackets and a felt-covered ball, with the objective of hitting the ball over a net into the opponent's side of the court, in a way that the opponent cannot return it. The sport requires agility, accuracy, and strategic thinking.
- Court Dimensions: The court is 78 feet long and 27 feet wide for singles matches, and 36 feet wide for doubles matches.
- Net Height: The height of the net is 3 feet (0.91 meters) at the center.
- Scoring System: Tennis uses a point-based scoring system with Love (0), 15, 30, and 40 points. An additional point after 40 is required to win a game.
- Sets and Matches: A match consists of the best of three or five sets. A player must win six or seven games (depending on the format) with a two-game advantage to win a set.
- Serve: The server must stand behind the baseline and hit the ball into the service box diagonally across the net.
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241votesBadminton is a popular racket sport that is enjoyed by people of all ages. It has gained popularity due to its fast-paced gameplay and the fact that it requires a high level of skill and athleticism.Badminton is a popular racket sport played using racquets to hit a shuttlecock across a net. It can be played as singles (one player per side) or doubles (two players per side). The objective of the game is to score points by making the shuttlecock land within the opponent's court and preventing it from landing in one's own court.
- Equipment: Rackets and shuttlecocks
- Court dimensions: 13.4 meters long and 6.1 meters wide for singles, 13.4 meters long and 9.1 meters wide for doubles
- Net height: 1.55 meters
- Scoring system: Best of three games, with each game played to 21 points (rally scoring)
- Serve: Alternate serves between players and below the waist
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323votes
Pierre-Yves Beaudouin · CC BY-SA 3.0Table tennis, also known as ping pong, is a popular indoor racket sport that is enjoyed by people of all ages. It is easy to learn and provides a great workout for the body and mind.Table Tennis, also known as ping pong, is a popular game in Haiti that is played on a table divided by a net. The objective of the game is to hit a lightweight ball over the net and make it bounce on the opponent's side without them being able to return it. The game requires quick reflexes, agility, and precision.- Equipment: Table tennis table, paddles, and balls
- Number of players: Usually two players, but can also be played in doubles format with four players
- Scoring system: The game is usually played to 11 points, with the player or team reaching 11 points first winning the game
- Serving: The ball must be thrown palm-up at least six inches and hit the table once on the server's side before clearing the net
- Service rotation: The server changes after every two points are scored
Table Tennis in other rankings- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular indoor sport
- Position 5 of 10 in Most random Olympic sport
- Position 7 of 10 in Most underrated sport
- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular game in Haiti
- Position 9 of 10 in Most ridiculous Olympic sport
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419votesSquash is a high-intensity racket sport that requires a high level of skill and fitness. It is a popular sport in many countries around the world, including the UK and Australia.Squash is a type of vegetable that is commonly associated with the fall season. It belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family and comes in various shapes, sizes, and colors. Squash can have a hard, thick exterior and a soft, fibrous interior. It is known for its sweet and nutty flavor, making it a versatile ingredient in both savory and sweet dishes.
- Varieties: Acorn, butternut, spaghetti, delicata, and pumpkin, among others
- Shape: Oval, elongated, round
- Color: Ranges from green, yellow, and orange to tan and dark green
- Texture: Hard and smooth outer skin with a soft, fibrous interior
- Flavor: Sweet, nutty, earthy
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526votesRacquetball is a fast-paced racket sport that is played on an indoor court. It is popular in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.Racquetball is an indoor sport played with a small rubber ball and a racquet on a racquetball court. The objective of the game is to score points by hitting the ball against the front wall in a way that the opponent cannot return it before it bounces twice.
- Number of players: 2
- Equipment: Rubber ball, racquet
- Court dimensions: 20 feet wide, 40 feet long, and 20 feet high
- Serving: Underhand serving, done from the serving box
- Scoring system: Best of 3 games, 15 points per game
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63votesPaddleball is a racket sport that is similar to racquetball but is played with a paddle instead of a racket. It is popular in the United States, particularly in New York City.Paddleball is a popular racket sport played with a solid paddle and a rubber ball on an enclosed court.
- Court Size: 20 feet wide, 44 feet long
- Net Height: 34 inches
- Paddle Material: Solid wood or composite
- Ball Type: Rubber ball with small holes
- Scoring System: Point per rally scoring
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716votesPickleball is a racket sport that is similar to tennis but is played on a smaller court with a lower net. It is popular in the United States, particularly among the elderly.Pickleball is a popular racket sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. It is played on a smaller court than tennis with a solid paddle and a plastic ball with holes. The objective of the game is to hit the ball over the net and into the opponent's court in such a way that they are unable to return it. Pickleball can be played in singles or doubles format and can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels.
- Court Size: 20 feet wide x 44 feet long for doubles, 20 feet wide x 22 feet long for singles
- Net Height: 36 inches at the sidelines, 34 inches at the center
- Paddle Material: Typically made from wood, composite materials, or graphite
- Ball: Plastic ball with holes, similar to a wiffle ball
- Serve: Underhand serve, diagonally crosscourt to the opponent's service court
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83votes
Platform Tennis
James CogswellPlatform tennis is a racket sport that is played on a smaller court with a lower net. It is popular in the United States, particularly in the Northeast.Platform Tennis, also known as paddle tennis, is a popular racket sport that combines elements of tennis and squash. It is played on a raised platform, surrounded by steel walls and wire mesh fences. The playing area measures 20 feet wide by 44 feet long, with a net in the middle.- Rackets: Shorter and lighter than tennis rackets
- Balls: Slightly softer and smaller than tennis balls
- Scoring: Similar to tennis, with points, games, and sets
- Serve: Underhand serve with one foot in the service box
- Platform Surface: Textured rubber surface to provide traction
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99votes
Beach Tennis
Giandomenico BellettiniBeach tennis is a racket sport that is played on the beach. It is similar to tennis but is played with a smaller court and a softer ball. It is popular in Europe, particularly in Italy.Beach Tennis is a popular racket sport that originated in Italy. It is a combination of tennis and beach volleyball, played on a regulation beach volleyball court with tennis rules and a lower net. The game is played with specially designed paddles and a depressurized tennis ball. It is a fast-paced and dynamic sport, often played in doubles, where the objective is to hit the ball over the net and into the opponent's court, aiming to score points by making the ball touch the sand within the boundaries.- Court Size: 16 m x 8 m (52.5 ft x 26.25 ft)
- Net Height: 1.7 m (5.6 ft)
- Paddle Material: Graphite or Carbon Fiber
- Ball Type: Depressurized tennis ball
- Scoring System: Similar to tennis (sets and games)
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103votesFrescobol is a racket sport that is played on the beaches of Brazil. It is played with a wooden racket and a ball, and is popular among tourists and locals alike.Frescobol is a popular racket sport played on the beaches of Brazil. It is a fast-paced game that requires two players who hit a small rubber ball back and forth using paddles made of wood. The objective is to keep the ball in play for as long as possible without it touching the ground. Frescobol is known for its dynamic and acrobatic playing style, often showcasing impressive tricks and athleticism.
- Number of Players: 2
- Equipment: Wooden rackets and a rubber ball
- Playing Surface: Beach sand
- Scoring System: No formal scoring system, the goal is to keep the ball in play
- Court Dimensions: No fixed court dimensions, it can be played on any open space on the beach
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Ranking factors for popular racket sport
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Number of playersThe total number of people playing the sport worldwide can be an indicator of its popularity.
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Global reachThe extent to which the sport is played across various countries and continents can also be considered.
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Professional tournamentsThe number and prestige of professional tournaments held for the sport, as well as their global audience base, can be a factor.
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Media coverageThe amount of coverage the sport gets from television, print, and digital media can demonstrate its popularity level.
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Sponsorships and endorsementsThe financial investment made by corporate sponsors in supporting competitions and athletes can be an indicator of a sport's popularity.
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Social media presenceThe prevalence of the sport on social media platforms, as well as the following and engagement of athletes and fans, can be considered.
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Grassroots participationThe number of people participating in the sport on an amateur or local level, as well as the number of clubs and facilities, can be a factor.
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International recognitionThe sport's inclusion in major multi-sport events, such as the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and Pan American Games, can be an indicator of its popularity.
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Gender equityThe level of female participation and opportunities available for women in the sport can also be a factor.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular racket sport. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or racket sport is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2064 views
- 207 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each racket sport once every 24 hours. The rank of each racket sport is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular racket sport
Racket sports have been popular for centuries, with various games played across the globe. From tennis to badminton, racket sports offer a fun and challenging way to stay active and competitive. These sports are played with a racket or paddle and a ball or shuttlecock, and require a combination of skill, agility, and strategy. While each sport has its unique rules and techniques, they all share a common goal: to hit the ball over the net and score points. So, what is the most popular racket sport? Let's take a closer look at the contenders and find out.
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