Business activity is on the rise in sports, particularly in two racket sports, tennis and pickleball, while badminton takes a relative backseat, though it remains a long-time staple in barangay and school leagues.

Yes, Virginia, while tennis retains a dedicated, high-skill following, there’s a dramatic resurgence in the sport, fueled by the historic rise of Alex Eala in the global tennis arena.

Alex is an inspiration. Her story has encouraged a new wave of players, especially among the youth.

Pickleball, on the other hand, has exploded into a fast-growing, highly social mainstream phenomenon. Still, both racket sports thrive side by side, catering to different crowds and lifestyles.

That’s right, Virginia: the racket sports business is flourishing, with the global industry estimated at $18 billion. Likewise, business is booming in the country, where it is believed to be shifting into a “multi-billion-peso asset class” anchored on the consolidated market for facility rentals, gear, and other amenities.

This growing craze for the sport has spurred the conversion of existing facilities, turning what used to be warehouses into high-demand pickleball courts.

Others prefer to start from scratch by constructing new multipurpose courts that can host badminton, pickleball, tennis, and basketball.

From what I’ve gathered, in the plush environs of Manila Golf, a portion of its badminton facility has been converted into a pickleball court to satisfy the zest of enthusiasts. This nosy parker also heard that former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez “sometimes attends the monthly meeting” of the Manila Golf Club.

“He remains a member of the board,” shared a golfer-friend. Last April, the former speaker turned over the presidency of the Manila Golf and Country Club to Jose “Pepito” Alvarez, the concurrent president of Forbes Park Association, Inc.

Now back to pickleball. On the other side of the metropolis, Alabang Country Club (ACC) took things up a notch by putting up a multipurpose court that can be used for padel, pickleball, badminton, and the old-time favorite, basketball.

The enthusiasm is seemingly unstoppable, and court availability remains tight. Friends who are members of Manila Golf and ACC share that reservation queues are long.

Corporates are cashing in on the growing trend. A case in point: Robinsons Land Corp., in a joint venture with Kosmos Athletic Ventures Corp., is building Helios Pickleball Center, the region’s first tournament-grade pickleball facility, at Bridgetowne Destination Estate in Pasig City.

The pickleball bug has bitten the banking community as well. I’ve learned that Philippine National Bank management recently set up a pickleball court in a vacant portion of the PNB Financial Center near the World Trade Center.

Reginaldo Anthony “Reggie” Cariaso, president and chief executive officer of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., has picked up the sport as well. Beyond his love for racket sports, it serves as an opportunity to bond with his RCBC colleagues.

Let’s not forget the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), which has formed its own pickleball club and allocated space within its grounds for outdoor nets.

This is hardly surprising, as the BSP places a premium on wellness to enhance productivity. The pickleball club joins BSP’s existing shooting, golf, and mountaineering clubs.

Why the craze? “It’s an alternative to golf, especially during the rainy season,” explained my friend Cesar, who plays golf, tennis, and pickleball. Like everyone else, Cesar is looking forward to the first-ever Major League Pickleball tournament to be held at Helios.

As for this nosy journalist, who played tennis in my younger years, later embraced badminton, and took pickleball lessons, golf remains my top pick. After all, it’s a goldmine of information, juicy and otherwise.