Key Takeaways
- Epic Padel acquired the Midlothian Tennis Club for $900,000 and will rebrand it as Epic Athletic Club.
- “We’re trying to bring padel into the U.S.,” said Jason Wnuk, Epic’s chief business operations officer.
- Four outdoor padel courts will be installed by early 2027, with more upgrades to follow.
A new chapter for Midlothian
Epic Padel, based in Northern Virginia, has purchased the Midlothian Tennis Club and intends to transform it into a hub for padel, the fast‑growing racquet sport that blends elements of tennis and squash. The deal closed on July 13 and includes the club’s 5‑acre property with four indoor and 12 outdoor clay courts. The facility will be rebranded as Epic Athletic Club.
Epic’s vision for padel
Jason Wnuk explained the company’s mission: “We saw this property as an opportunity … that it was a hidden gem. We’re trying to bring padel into the U.S. Our mission is to make it accessible to the masses.” Epic has already added courts in Charlotte and Milwaukee, and Midlothian becomes its third U.S. property. The first phase of upgrades will include cosmetic improvements and four outdoor padel courts by the first quarter of 2027.
Growth of the sport
Padel courts, enclosed with glass walls and smaller than tennis courts, have surged in popularity worldwide. Wnuk noted, “There are 1,000 padel courts in the U.S. now. It’s hugely popular everywhere in the world and Epic is trying to position itself as the leader in the U.S. for the sport.” Epic has raised around $10 million from investors to support its expansion and has developed an app to manage facilities and track player performance.
Local impact and continuity
The club’s five full‑time and 15 part‑time employees will remain, and nearly 250 members will have their memberships transferred into Epic’s system. Ken Baker, part of the local ownership group that sold the property, expressed optimism: “I think Epic is going to do a good job with it. They’ll introduce padel and inject funds into the club and upgrade it, so the future may be very bright.”
Looking ahead
Epic plans to balance padel with tennis and other sports, including pickleball, while enhancing amenities and food services. The acquisition marks a significant step in padel’s arrival in Richmond, positioning Epic Athletic Club as a cornerstone for the sport’s growth in the region.
