25 February 2025
Padel and Pickleball Integrated into the Turkish Tennis Federation
As of 11 February 2025, with Official Decision No. 13, the sports disciplines of padel and pickleball, which had previously operated under the Turkish Federation of Developing Sports Branches, have been officially transferred and incorporated into the Turkish Tennis Federation (TTF) as sub-disciplines.
According to Article 45, Paragraph 1 of Law No. 7405 on Sports Clubs and Sports Federations:
"Sports branches are determined by the Ministry and are affiliated with sports federations in terms of technical and administrative oversight.", Subparagraph (j) of Article 189 of Presidential Decree No. 1 on the Presidential Organization "Pursuant to the provision stating “to determine and designate sports branches, and to carry out the procedures regarding the establishment and termination of sports federations,” the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Türkiye, by Official Decision No. 13 dated 11 February 2025, ruled that the sports branches of padel and pickleball, previously operating under the Turkish Federation of Developing Sports Branches, be separated from that federation and affiliated with the Turkish Tennis Federation.
“The inclusion of padel and pickleball under the TTF umbrella will allow these sports to grow with a stronger foundation.”
President of the Turkish Tennis Federation, Şafak Müderrisgil, expressed her excitement regarding this development, noting that padel and pickleball, which have seen a surge in global popularity, will now operate within the structure of the Turkish Tennis Federation.
Highlighting the Federation’s goal of advancing the sport of tennis every day, Müderrisgil emphasized their strong commitment to supporting the growth of padel and pickleball in Türkiye. Noting both the similarities and unique dynamics of these sports compared to tennis, he stated: “According to data from the International Padel Federation (FIP), as of 2023 there are more than 25 million active padel players in over 90 countries. The annual global market value of padel is around 2 billion euros and continues to grow rapidly. Similarly, pickleball is currently the fastest growing sport in history. With their fast-paced nature, the integration of padel and pickleball into the Turkish Tennis Federation will provide a more robust infrastructure for these sports to thrive. We believe this development will benefit not only tennis but the broader category of racquet sports. We are thrilled to witness the energy these sports bring to Turkish sport, especially as they spread rapidly across all age groups. Given their similarities with tennis, we are confident that padel and pickleball can also develop swiftly at a professional level.”
President Müderrisgil also announced that the Federation would immediately begin working on the necessary infrastructure to support the expansion of padel and pickleball in Türkiye. He emphasized that these sports not only promote physical well-being, but also foster social interaction and a healthy spirit of competition. “Like tennis, both padel and pickleball embrace the universal values of sport—solidarity, friendship, and inclusion. As a federation, we are committed to supporting the growth of these disciplines and realizing their potential to contribute to a broader and more diverse sports culture in Türkiye.”
25 February 2025
