Racket Sports in Asia

Racket Sports in Asia have a strong and diverse sporting culture, with games such as tennis, badminton, table tennis, squash and soft tennis attracting millions of players and fans across the continent. These sports are played at professional, national, school and community levels, while Asian countries have also produced many successful athletes in international competitions.

The popularity of racket sports in Asia comes from the combination of strong sporting systems, growing infrastructure and regular international competitions. From the Olympic Games to the Asian Games and professional tours, Asian athletes continue to play an important role in the development of these sports.

Tennis in Asia

Tennis is one of the most widely recognised racket sports in Asia. It is played on a rectangular court divided by a net, with singles and doubles being the two main formats. Players use rackets to hit a ball over the net and try to make it difficult for their opponents to return it correctly.

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) is the global governing body for tennis. The sport’s four Grand Slam tournaments are the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open.

Asia has become an important part of the international tennis calendar. The ATP and WTA tours regularly hold tournaments in Asian countries. Events such as the Shanghai Masters and the China Open attract leading international players and large audiences.

Asian players have also achieved success at major international events, particularly in doubles and mixed doubles competitions.

Badminton Remains Popular Across Asia

Badminton is one of the most popular racket sports in East and Southeast Asia. Unlike tennis, badminton uses a shuttlecock instead of a ball. Players need fast reflexes, quick movement and accurate shots to control rallies.

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) is the international governing body of the sport. Badminton became an Olympic sport at the 1992 Barcelona Games.

The sport has several major international competitions. These include the BWF World Championships, Thomas Cup, Uber Cup and Sudirman Cup. The Thomas Cup is the major men’s team competition, while the Uber Cup is the women’s team competition. The Sudirman Cup is a mixed-team competition.

Countries including China, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan and India have developed strong badminton systems. Asian players regularly compete for major international titles, making the continent one of the central regions of world badminton.

Table Tennis and Asian Dominance

Table tennis, also known as ping-pong, is another major racket sport in Asia. It is played on a table divided by a small net, with either two players in singles or four players in doubles.

The sport requires very quick reactions because the ball travels rapidly over a short distance. Players use controlled strokes, spins and precise placement to win points.

The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) governs the sport internationally. Table tennis became an Olympic sport in 1988.

Asian countries, particularly China, have been highly successful in international table tennis. Major competitions include the World Table Tennis Championships, World Cup and Olympic Games. The sport has a strong development system in many Asian countries, beginning with junior and school-level competitions and continuing through national and international tournaments.

Squash Expands Its Asian Presence

Squash is played on an enclosed court with four walls. Players use rackets to hit a small hollow rubber ball against the front wall. The sport requires stamina, quick movement, tactical thinking and the ability to react to rapidly changing rallies.

The World Squash Federation (WSF) is the international governing body. Major competitions include the World Open, British Open and tournaments on the PSA World Tour.

Squash has a strong presence in countries such as India, Malaysia and Pakistan. The sport has also appeared at major multi-sport events, including the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.

Modern squash generally follows a point-a-rally scoring system, with players normally competing to 11 points in a game and requiring a two-point advantage when the score reaches 10-10.

Soft Tennis Has a Special Place in Asia

Soft tennis is different from traditional lawn tennis and has strong roots in Asia. The sport originated in Japan and uses a softer, hollow rubber ball rather than the pressurised ball used in conventional tennis.

Soft tennis can be played in singles and doubles formats. It has an important place in Asian sporting competitions, including the Asian Games.

The sport has received fresh attention in India following a historic achievement at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.

Jay Meena Creates History for India

On 23 September 2026, Indian player Jay Meena secured India’s first-ever Asian Games medal in soft tennis by reaching the men’s singles semi-finals.

Meena defeated the Philippines’ Sherwin Nuguit 4-3 in a closely fought quarter-final. Before that, he defeated Pakistan’s Arain Hussain 4-0 in the men’s singles Group D match.

Reaching the semi-finals guaranteed Meena at least a bronze medal because both losing semi-finalists receive bronze medals in the Asian Games soft tennis competition.

The achievement placed India on the Asian Games soft tennis medal table for the first time and brought greater attention to the sport in the country.

Asian Games Provide a Major Platform

The Asian Games are an important platform for racket sports in the region. Tennis, badminton, table tennis, squash and soft tennis provide athletes with opportunities to compete against some of Asia’s strongest players.

The multi-sport event also helps lesser-known sports reach new audiences. Soft tennis is a good example, as its Asian Games presence has helped maintain interest in a sport that is particularly associated with Japan and other parts of Asia.

For athletes, success at the Asian Games can also provide valuable international experience and exposure.

Growth of Racket Sports Infrastructure

The development of racket sports in Asia depends on strong training facilities, qualified coaches and regular competitions. Schools and sports academies play an important role in identifying young players and helping them develop their skills.

Modern courts, indoor halls, fitness facilities and specialist coaching allow athletes to train throughout the year. National federations also organise tournaments that help players move from junior competitions to senior international events.

Professional tours and continental championships provide additional opportunities for athletes to compete against stronger opponents.

Asia’s Changing Racket-Sport Landscape

Racket Sports in Asia now cover a wide range of playing styles and sporting traditions. Tennis connects Asian players with major global professional tours, while badminton and table tennis have developed particularly strong followings across the continent.

Squash continues to expand through professional and multi-sport competitions, while soft tennis represents an important regional racket tradition.

The historic medal won by Jay Meena at the 2026 Asian Games has added a new chapter to India’s participation in soft tennis and has brought the sport further into the spotlight during the Aichi-Nagoya Games.