Master Athletics

What Master Athletics does

Master Athletics is a privately held, Yorktown Heights, NY-based designer, manufacturer, and distributor of high-performance racquet sports equipment, founded in 2008 by Dave Kjeldsen, a 2008 Platform Tennis Hall of Fame inductee whose prior ventures include A2Z Products (1985) and Viking Athletics (1995–2008, sold to Prince Tennis). The company operates across five racquet sport categories — platform tennis, pickleball, padel, squash, and tennis — with a 143-SKU catalog spanning 10 collections that includes paddles (MPro Oval V3, M1, M2 EDGE, M3, SPro+; pickleball P2, P2XL, P3, P3XL and RAW/V2 variants), training racquets (TR40, SQTR), tennis racquets, Oxdog padel rackets, K-Swiss collaboration footwear, apparel, balls, grips (including the patent-pending +/-Grip system), and bags.

The core technical differentiators are the proprietary EDGE paddle customization system (interchangeable weight strips, dampening strips, and weighted butt caps for tunable swing weight and balance), patented-pending +/-Grip size-adjusting replacement grip (adds 2 grams per size vs. 20 grams traditionally), Pro Core EVA foam variants (from firmest Pro Core to Supersoft X-Low Density EVA), Spintex Surface X texture, single-piece carbon mold construction, and the Oval V3 62-hole pattern delivering 24% more hole area than its predecessor. In January 2026, the company expanded its technology portfolio by becoming the exclusive US distributor for Swedish brand Oxdog Padel, adding PowerRibs, HES-Carbon, and RBS technologies.

Master Athletics monetizes through one-time hardware sales ranging from $9.95 to $599.99 via a Shopify direct-to-consumer storefront complemented by wholesale distribution through pro shops, clubs, and retail outlets nationwide, plus local pickup at its Yorktown Heights headquarters. The company serves consumer segments across platform tennis, pickleball, padel, tennis, squash, and athletic apparel, with APTA and USA Pickleball approvals providing regulatory and tournament credibility. The business is privately held with no disclosed institutional investment, a small management team led by founder Dave Kjeldsen and Co-Owner/General Manager Ben Porter, and serves the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Name

Master Athletics

Legal name

Master Athletics

Website

https://master-athletics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Master Athletics is a privately held US designer and distributor of high-performance racquet sports equipment across platform tennis, pickleball, padel, squash, and tennis, selling 143 SKUs direct-to-consumer via Shopify and through pro shops, and holding exclusive US distribution rights for Swedish padel brand Oxdog.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Racquet Sports Equipment

NAICS

Sporting Goods Retailers (45911), Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing (33992)

SIC

Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949)

akta.pro primary industry

Racquet Sports (Tennis/Pickleball/Badminton/Squash) Retail (CRAMABAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Racquet Sport Training Aids & Practice Equipment Retail (CRAMAFAJ), Racquet Sport Footwear & Apparel Retail (CRAMAFAI), Racquet Bags, Cases & Storage Retail (CRAMAFAG), Squash & Racquetball Equipment Retail (CRAMAFAD)

Keywords

• Platform tennis paddles
• Pickleball paddles
• Racquet sports equipment
• Athletic apparel
• Padel rackets

Headquarters

HQ city

Yorktown Heights

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Product Sales: Master Athletics generates revenue through direct sales of high-performance racquet sport equipment including platform tennis paddles, pickleball paddles, tennis racquets, squash racquets, padel racquets, apparel, accessories, and bags. Products are sold at various price points ranging from approximately $10 to $600+ as one-time purchases.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Master Athletics designs, manufactures, and sells high-performance racquet sports equipment for platform tennis, pickleball, padel, squash, and tennis. The product portfolio spans paddles, racquets, training aids, athletic apparel, shoes, balls, grips, and bags. The company also serves as the exclusive United States distributor for Swedish padel brand Oxdog.

Product overview

Master Athletics is a high-performance racquet sports equipment company offering a comprehensive product portfolio for platform tennis, pickleball, padel, squash, and tennis. The product lineup includes platform tennis paddles (MPro, M1, M2, M3, SPro+), pickleball paddles (P2, P2XL, P3, P3XL in various versions including RAW and V2), tennis racquets (T100, T98), training racquets (TR40 for tennis, SQTR for squash), footwear (K-Swiss collaboration Hypercourt Express 2), balls for platform tennis and pickleball, grips (including the innovative +/-Grip size-adjusting system), bags, and performance apparel. The company also serves as the exclusive US distributor for Oxdog Padel products. Key technology features include EDGE Technology for paddle customization, Spintex Surface textures, and Pro Core EVA foam cores in various densities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Platform Tennis Paddles (M Series and SPro+)
• Pickleball Paddles (P Series)
• Oxdog Padel Rackets (US Exclusive Distribution)
• Tennis Racquets and Training Rackets
• Squash Racquets and Training Equipment
• K-Swiss/Master Athletics Hypercourt Express 2 Tennis Shoes
• +/-Grip Size Adjusting Replacement Grip
• High Visibility (HV) Platform Tennis Balls
• Master Athletics Racquet Bags
• Master Athletics Performance Apparel

Quantifiable outcome

• 24% more hole area with Oval V3 hole pattern
• +3 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Oxdog PadelcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 8 January 2026Master Athletics announced a partnership to become the exclusive United States distributor for Oxdog Padel products. Oxdog is a Swedish brand famous for revolutionizing floorball and known for padel rackets with PowerRibs system, HES-Carbon, and RBS technology. This partnership marks a significant milestone in the American padel market, combining Master Athletics' distribution expertise with Oxdog's technology-driven padel rackets. Full product line including rackets, bags, and accessories available from late January 2026.
• K-SwissflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaster Athletics collaborated with K-Swiss to create a limited-edition tennis shoe, the Hypercourt Express 2 x Master Athletics. K-Swiss used their best-selling Hypercourt Express 2 shoe and worked with Master Athletics to create a collaboration version featuring gold logos and Master Athletics branding. The shoe includes light, comfortable, breathable design with Durawrap Flex support, Surgelite midsole technology, and Ortholite insole with moisture management.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Head: Global racquet sports incumbent in tennis, padel, squash, and pickleball. Comparable multi-sport racquet equipment portfolio with established international distribution and tournament sponsorships.
• Babolat: Global tennis racquet, padel, and squash equipment incumbent with extensive product lines. Overlaps most directly with Master Athletics' tennis, padel, and squash offerings as a broader specialist in racquet sports.
• Wilson Sporting Goods: Large incumbent sporting goods brand with racquet sports, ball sports, and team sports coverage. Sells pickleball, tennis, and squash equipment alongside much broader product portfolio, competing in overlapping categories.
• Prince Tennis: Acquired Dave Kjeldsen's previous company (Viking Athletics) in 2008, making it a structurally related incumbent in platform tennis. Sells tennis racquets and platform tennis equipment with broader mass-market positioning.

Regional players

• Bullpadel: Leading Spanish padel brand with strong European presence but limited US footprint. Comparable to the Oxdog product line Master Athletics distributes, providing a benchmark for padel expansion into the US market.

Direct peers

• JOOLA: Direct peer in pickleball paddles and table tennis equipment with strong DTC and retail presence. Like Master Athletics, JOOLA serves racquet sport enthusiasts across multiple disciplines with branded paddles and accessories.
• Selkirk Sport: Direct pickleball paddle and accessory competitor with similar premium positioning, custom paddle manufacturing, and multi-channel DTC plus retail distribution. Closest competitor in the pickleball premium segment where Master Athletics competes.
• Onix Sports: Pickleball paddle and ball manufacturer targeting similar enthusiast and tournament customers. Comparable product breadth across paddles, balls, and accessories with both DTC and retail distribution.
• Paddletek: Specialized pickleball paddle manufacturer competing directly in the US market with similar paddle technology emphasis (polymer cores, edge guards, surface textures). Comparable premium pricing and tournament-approved positioning.
• Engage Pickleball: Premium pickleball paddle company with proprietary core technologies and DTC emphasis. Competes head-to-head in the high-end pickleball segment with similar focus on player customization and performance.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@Master-Athletics
• Facebookfacebook.com/MasterAthletics
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/master-athletics
• Instagraminstagram.com/masterathletics
• TikToktiktok.com/@masterathletics

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Master Athletics