Ryan Christopher Claveria

All the Trendy Racket Sports in Manila Now

Article (news)

<p>Manila’s social circuit has found its new sweet spot, and it’s all happening at the court. With <strong>racket sports</strong> reigning as the latest obsession, weekend catch-ups and sweat sessions are now spent on the baseline.</p><p>The trend couldn’t be more timely, riding the massive wave of national pride sparked by Filipina tennis powerhouse<strong> Alex Eala</strong>’s landmark <strong>WTA 500 title victory</strong>. The 21-year-old athlete entered the <strong>Mubadala DC Open</strong> ranked No. 28 and left as a certified giant-slayer. </p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786099288233Alex Eala WTA.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo via @alex.eala</span></span></span></div><p>On her way to the final, Alex took down Olympic gold medalist Qinwen Zheng, defending champion Leylah Fernandez, Rome titlist Elina Svitolina, and four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka—a murderer’s row that would rattle anyone. Facing top seed and world No. 3 Jessica Pegula in a rain-extended final, Alex shook off a first-set loss, clawed back in the second, and dominated the third set 6-0, sealing an eight-game closing streak that turned a nail-biter into a thrilling trophy finish.</p><p>The left-handed prodigy’s historic win even more inspired an entire city to pick up a racket, and now, court-side is the only place to be seen. So, we made an essential guide to the hottest racket sports taking over the metro.</p><div><strong><br/></strong></div><div><strong>TENNIS</strong></div><p>Long regarded as the gold standard of racket sports, tennis is all about explosive speed, serious stamina, and smart court geometry. Played one-on-one (singles) or in teams of two (doubles), the objective is iconic and unchanged: use stringed rackets to launch a felt ball over a central net and outmaneuver your opponent.</p><p><strong>Where to play:</strong> Public and semi-public courts are everywhere once you start looking. For everyday play, try the<strong> Tennis in the City</strong> (indoor), <strong>Veterans Memorial Tennis Club</strong> (shell and clay courts), the <strong>UP Diliman Tennis Courts</strong> in Quezon City, or<strong> Rancho Uno 1 Tennis Club</strong> in Marikina, which is famously chill with walk-ins and beginners. Hotel options like <strong>Ascott Makati Tennis Court</strong> exist too, if you want your rally with a side of luxury. Just this year, <strong>Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate </strong>opened its doors to the public.</p><p><strong>How to begin:</strong> Book a 1-on-1 coaching session to lock down your grip, forehand mechanics, and footwork split-steps. Tennis has a steeper technical learning curve than softer paddle sports, so establishing baseline fundamentals early on is key. You can also join online communities or groups for finding open rallies or beginner-friendly meetups. </p><p><strong>What to buy</strong>: A beginner racket runs roughly Php 2,000–Php 5,000; you don’t need anything fancy to start. Outfit-wise: moisture-wicking skorts or tailored shorts, paired with proper hard-court tennis shoes for lateral ankle stability, a can of balls, and sunscreen (for outdoor play).</p><p><strong>Classes</strong>: Rates vary wildly. Budget public courts charge as little as Php 100–Php 200/hour for court time alone, with coaching add-ons around Php 800–Php 1000/session. Premium academies and hotel courts can run Php 1,000+ per hour just for the court, coaching excluded.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786069815882pexels-gasparzaldo-21855870.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Tennis</span></span></span><strong><br/></strong></div><div><strong>PICKLEBALL</strong></div><p>Yes, your <em>tita</em> is probably playing it. Over 600 courts have sprouted across the country, and Metro Manila is ground zero. It’s the sport that made racket games “social” again—well, it’s because there’s no intimidating skill floor required.</p><p><strong>Where to play:</strong> The scene is dense. In Makati, hit <strong>The Zone Sports Center</strong> (home of the Makati Pickleball Club) or <strong>The Pickle Spot</strong>. Going on with the list: <strong>The Supreme Court</strong> in Parañaque, <strong>Tela Park Pickleball Center</strong> in Alabang, <strong>Paddlemates! Pickleball Hub</strong> in Adriatico Square, <strong>Kalaro Pickleball</strong> in Quezon City, and The Pickle Yard in Mandaluyong are solid picks. </p><p><strong>How to begin:</strong> This is genuinely the easiest racket sport to pick up. Most venues run beginner sessions and open plays where you can just show up solo and get slotted into a game. A realistic timeline: weekly lessons plus a couple open-play sessions a week gets a total beginner to a comfortable level within two to three months. Learn the “kitchen” rule (the non-volley zone near the net) early on to avoid quick point penalties.</p><p><strong>What to buy</strong>: A starter paddle costs around Php P1,000–Php 3,000. Some venues also rent paddles if you’re not ready to commit. For the fit, lightweight performance wear, athletic socks, and court shoes with solid arch support.</p><p><strong>Classes</strong>: Court rentals range from Php 300 to Php 800 per hour depending on venue and peak hours.  Open-play passes cost around Php 200–Php 350/person for rotation sessions. Paddle rentals on-site usually cost Php 50 to Php 150, while introductory coaching clinics average Php 800 to Php 1,500/hour. </p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786069877314pexels-hson-32975182.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Pickleball</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://metro.style/metro-style/wellness/2025/6/16/pickleball-courts-in-manila-1820" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">READ: Where to Play Pickleball in Manila</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>PADEL</strong></div><p>Like a hybrid of tennis and squash, this sport is played in an enclosed glass-and-mesh court using a solid, stringless racket. It’s fast, social, and dangerously addictive—which explains why it’s become BGC’s unofficial after-work sport.</p><p><strong>Where to play: Manila Padel Club (MPC)</strong> in BGC is the birthplace of padel in the country, with panoramic courts open to all—no membership required to start. Its sister facility, <strong>Arcovia Padel Club </strong>in Pasig, has covered courts, so weather is a non-issue. Also add <strong>Play Padel</strong> in McKinley Hill and <strong>Padel 300</strong> in Makati to your radar.</p><p><strong>How to begin: </strong>No experience needed. MPC hosts regular social events and leagues built specifically for onboarding newbies, and their skill-matching system (via the Playtomic app) pairs you with players around your level so you’re not getting demolished on day one.</p><p><strong>What to buy</strong>: Padel paddles (solid, no strings, very different from tennis rackets) typically start around Php 2,500–Php 5,000. Most clubs rent gear for first-timers, so you can try before you buy.</p><p><strong>Classes</strong>: Padel sits on the pricier end of the racket sport spectrum. Court rentals range from Php 1,800 to Php 2,800/hour (split among 4 players, coming out to ~Php 450–Php 700 per person). Expect membership-tier pricing and per-session rates that run higher than pickleball, generally in the Php 800–Php 1,500+ range per person for a 90-minute session, though promos and off-peak rates can bring this down.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786069965793pexels-anhelina-vasylyk-734724285-35248261.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Padel</span></span></span></div><div><strong><br/></strong></div><div><strong>BADMINTON</strong></div><p>Before pickleball and padel captured the city’s attention, badminton was already the go-to sport for Manila office workers and college barkadas blowing off steam after hours. It’s still thriving, still the classic favorite, and honestly, still one of the most affordable options on this list.</p><p><strong>Where to play: The Zone Sports Center</strong> in Makati doubles as a badminton hub, too.<strong> The Upper Deck</strong> in Pasig City, <strong>DragonSmash Badminton Center </strong>(with branches across Makati and Taguig), <strong>Chut&#x27;s Badminton Center</strong> in Quezon City are some of the mainstays with loyal communities and regular open-queue nights.</p><p><strong>How to begin: </strong>Badminton queueing culture is huge here—just show up during open sessions (many places run “Play All You Can” blocks), and you’ll get folded into a game with strangers who’ll probably become your regular squad. </p><p><strong>What to buy:</strong> A decent beginner racket costs Php 500–Php 1,500. Shuttlecocks (feather or plastic/nylon) are cheap and consumable—budget a little extra since you&#x27;ll go through them. Gum-soled, non-marking shoes are strictly mandatory across almost all indoor wooden and synthetic courts. </p><p><strong>Classes:</strong> Some of the most wallet-friendly rates in this whole list—court fees run Php 250–Php 600/hour. Queueing fees for open play run from Php 200 to Php 350/person (inclusive of shuttlecocks). Private coaching sessions average Php 600 to Php 1,200/hour. </p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786070009154pexels-vladvictoria-2202685.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Badminton</span></span></span></div><div><strong><br/></strong></div><div><strong>TABLE TENNIS</strong></div><p>Some of you might think this is just a hobby room game, but table tennis in Manila has a real, loyal, slightly cracked community. Known for its micro-second reaction times and intense spin dynamics, this racket sport delivers an elite zero-impact cardio workout for anyone looking for a quick, hyper-focused sweat session. And yes, in case you were wondering: table tennis is the exact same sport as ping-pong. </p><p><strong>Where to play</strong>: Near SM Mall of Asia (MOA), <strong>Ayala Malls Manila Bay</strong> runs a dedicated table tennis club open to all skill levels, with rackets available for rent on-site. In Mandaluyong, you can try <strong>PingPod Philippines</strong> and <strong>Good Earth Plaza</strong> in Marketplace Kalentong. If you’re in Marikina, <strong>KR Table Tennis</strong> holds tournament-grade tables and runs daily. <strong>Tennis in the City</strong> in Makati also serves as a reliable urban sanctuary for after-hours play. </p><p><strong>How to begin: </strong>Start with basic multi-ball drills or shadow exercises with a coach to master forehand/backhand counter-drives and topspin strokes. Coaches are available on-site at most venues if you want structured lessons instead of just vibing your way to competence. Automated robot-pong machines are also widely available at specialized venues if you want an intense, solo practice session.</p><p><strong>What to buy:</strong> You genuinely don’t need much to start, as most clubs rent paddles, but you can buy a custom-assembled or pre-made composite racket with sticky ITTF-approved rubber sponges. For spontaneous games anywhere, portable solutions like the Decathlon Philippines Rollnet turn almost any table into an instant court in seconds. </p><p><strong>Classes</strong>: This is the budget champion of the list. Unlimited play passes at training clubs start as low as Php 60–Php 150/person. Table rentals at tech-forward spaces like PingPod run roughly Php 400 to Php 1,200/hour (depending on peak/off-peak hours). Private 1-on-1 coaching, where available, is arranged directly with in-house coaches on a per-session basis, ranging from Php 480 to Php 1,000/session. Racket rentals are readily available on-site for Php 10–Php 50. </p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786070070216pexels-oliver-wagenblatt-238537059-32843102.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Table Tennis</span></span></span></div>

<p>With <b>racket sports</b> reigning as the latest obsession, weekend catch-ups and sweat sessions are now spent on the baseline</p>

With racket sports reigning as the latest obsession, weekend catch-ups and sweat sessions are now spent on the baseline

Everything You Need to Know About Trendy Racket Sports to Try in Manila Now

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Everything You Need to Know About Trendy Racket Sports to Try in Manila Now

Leigh Sofia Lazo

Published August 07, 2026 06:45 PM PHT

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Updated August 07, 2026 06:48 PM PHT

Read More:

Pickle Ball Spots in Metro Manila

Badminton Spots in Metro Manila

Raket Sports in Manila

Tennis Manila

Pickleball Manila

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Badminton Manila

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