Djokovic’s Big Idea: One Tournament, Three Sports

The latest from Hidden Sports

Written by David

Novak Djokovic wants to unite tennis, padel, and pickleball and honestly, we’re all in.

It’s not every day one of the greatest athletes in history casually suggests mashing together three racket sports to create a brand-new kind of tournament, but that’s exactly what Djokovic did during his recent return to the Miami Open. Speaking to reporters, he floated the idea of a combined event, one that would bring together players from tennis, padel, and pickleball under one roof (or sun, depending on where it’s held). The aim? Celebrate the shared love of the racket and the accessibility these sports offer to everyone, not just the pros.

“These are fun sports,” Djokovic said. “They help people stay active and are super accessible. I think there’s potential for us to unite them somehow, maybe in one event.”

To be fair, this wasn’t some polished proposal with a sponsor and trophy ready to go. But the fact that Djokovic, of all people, is entertaining the idea speaks volumes. It’s a nod to how fast things are shifting in the world of racket sports and how open the next generation of fans and players are to something new.

Padel has been exploding in Europe and South America, to the point where it’s now more popular than tennis in countries like Spain. Pickleball, meanwhile, is absolutely flying in the U.S., where it’s officially the fastest-growing sport in the country. It’s easy to see why, both sports are easier to pick up than tennis, more forgiving on the body, and genuinely fun from day one. You don’t need perfect technique or years of lessons to get a rally going.

Djokovic clearly sees that. And rather than gatekeeping tennis, he’s embracing the crossover. It’s a big deal. He’s previously voiced concern about these sports potentially pulling attention away from tennis at the grassroots level. But now? He’s talking about finding a way to bring them together.

Would a tri-racket tournament work? What would it even look like? Would players compete in all three disciplines? Could we see tennis doubles specialists trying their hand at padel volleys? Would pickleball’s quick-fire format be the most chaotic of all?

We don’t have those answers yet but the thought of a multi-discipline event is exciting. Especially in an era where fans are increasingly drawn to variety, innovation, and entertainment. This wouldn’t just be a gimmick, it could be a celebration of everything that makes racket sports fun, accessible, and more connected than ever before.

It also taps into something bigger. Sport is evolving. It’s not always about tradition anymore, it’s about creativity, inclusivity, and finding new ways for people to engage. If this event ever happens, it could be the perfect symbol of that shift: a blend of elite performance, casual fun, and community vibes.

And honestly? It would be a marketing dream. Just picture the names: The Grand Smash. Racket Royale. The Tri-Racket Slam. The opportunity for brands, federations, and players to work together is massive and if Djokovic is putting his weight behind it, it’s bound to pick up traction.

We’re not saying this will happen next year. But it’s the kind of idea that feels inevitable eventually. Especially as more players cross over between these sports, and more fans find themselves dabbling in all three.

At Hidden Sports, we’re all about this energy. This isn’t just another tournament idea, it’s a reflection of what modern sport is becoming: less about silos, more about shared space. Less about who’s best, more about what’s possible.

If Novak’s up for hosting it, we’ll be first in line for tickets. And you better believe we’ll be covering every match.

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What would you call the tournament? The Grand Paddle Slam? Triple Net Challenge? Send us your best ideas - we might just publish a few.