At RacquetX, innovation in racquet sports took center stage with two companies unveiling new ideas for padel, pickleball, and tennis.
Vending Sport’s smart machines
Sara Bosnic, Head of Marketing at Vending Sport, presented the Croatian company’s smart vending machines designed for clubs and facilities. These machines can sell balls, snacks, drinks, and small equipment, while also offering racket rentals and purchases through locker‑style compartments. “We are number one vendors in Europe. Now we are trying to enter the USA market,” Bosnic explained. The system includes remote software, payment processing, and the ability to manage rentals even if players forget to return equipment.
Franklin Sports expands into padel
Matthew Bejian, Assistant Product Manager at Franklin Sports, highlighted the company’s push into padel. Known for its baseball gloves and pickleball gear, Franklin is now producing padel balls, rackets, bags, and training tools. “We’ve just signed deals with the PPL to be the official ball for the Pro Padel League,” Bejian said. He also introduced the Sweet Spot Padel training racket, designed to help players consistently strike the ball at the optimal point.
Technology and future plans
Franklin’s upcoming 2026 racket line will feature carbon fiber technology, vibration dampening, and a cosmic‑inspired series. Prices will range from $200 to $300, while padel balls will retail around $9 per can. Bejian confirmed that Franklin is exploring sponsorships and broader marketing strategies to establish itself in the competitive padel market.
The bigger picture
Together, Vending Sport and Franklin Sports illustrate where padel is heading: smarter club operations, easier access to gear, and major U.S. brands investing in the sport. Their innovations reflect both the growing popularity of padel worldwide and the increasing demand for professional‑level equipment and services.
