Racket Sports

Here are some of the major racket sports being played by stickmen. Presented in AZ illustrated format.


For amateurs and professionals around the world - sports and games involving racket and ball are great fun. For fitness, competition and socialising - racket sports are an excellent way to get some exercise.


Here are some I have created designs for.

Badminton

A slightly different racket sport in that the rackets are very light as is the shuttlecock which is made from feathers.  

You need to hit the shuttle very hard to make it move at speed - far harder than you might at tennis for example.  Just to reach the far end of the opposing court takes quite some effort.

Badminton is fun and great exercise.  That is the idea of sport of course.  To get you running around, out of breath, blood pumping through your body - all in a pleasing way because the competitive element overrides other considerations.

​Such as needing a sit down.
Badminton player leaps to strike the shuttlecock

Badminton Gifts >>

Padel Tennis

Padel is a cross between tennis and squash.  Another new racket sport growing in popularity.
Padel Tennis player plays the ball in a fun design showing player, padel racket and ball.

Padel Tennis Gifts >>

Pickleball

Pickleball is a fast-growing sport that enables fans of racket sports to continue that love well into their advancing years.

​Fun for young ones too!
Pickleball Pickle shows a pickle playing pickleball. Bat, ball and pickle make a funny design for pickleball fans.

Pickleball Gifts >>

The rather obvious pun for a pickleball player is to use a large pickle instead. So there he is. Fortunately he is a real pickle. Playing in a costume like that would not be easy.

Pickleball Pickle shows a pickle playing pickleball. Bat, ball and pickle make a funny design for pickleball fans.

Pickleball Pickle Gifts >>

Squash

Squash is a super fast and fit racket sport played on an indoor court. As a participatory sport it has everything - skill, speed, stamina - that a sport should require.


But it is not and may never be part of the Olympics. 


One reason being it is not much of an observer sport. It is too fast for non players to understand and does not lend itself to those great armchair moments (and commercial breaks) that other sports can offer. 


​Small audience means few advertisers, means no money.


​Above other considerations, the Olympics, media and sport sponsorship is all about the money.

Squash playing design shows hand drawn stickman player reaching for the ball in a fun action pose image.

Squash Gifts >>

Table Tennis

Table tennis is brilliant fun. Fast and surprisingly energetic at higher levels.


It is also somehow in the Olympics. Must be all those Chinese players.


Some people call it ping-pong which is regarded as a bit of an insult by proper table tennis players. One or two people call it whiff-whaff. I kid you not.


The image below is the TENTH version I have drawn! It can take multiple goes before I end up with something that works. A year passes and I often feel the need to try again. This version tries to include the table while retaining some balance to the picture.


And no. I'm not going to ask AI to do it for me.

Table Tennis design shows cool ping-pong player behind the table holding a paddle in one hand and a table tennis ball in the other. Ready to play?

Table Tennis Gifts >>

Tennis

Athletic, good-looking and filthy rich.


But that's enough about me. Tennis players are pretty cool too.


Athletic prowess combined with racket skills - winning one Grand Slam would be a challenge for most people.


Some players keep on winning year after year. A combination of skill, diet and exercise must be the secret. Well played!


The design below is remarkably similar to the Squash Player above, and the Padel Tennis above that. All that changes is the equipment being used and the ball. This is not lazy art. It is accuracy. If you have played any of these sports the basic reaching for, and trying to hit the ball, are fairly similar.


That's my excuse.

Tennis Player is a fun hand drawn stickman style design. It shows a player at full stretch playing the ball. For tennis fans, players and armchair experts.

Tennis Player Gifts >>

Time to Put the Rackets Away

That's the end of my collection of stickman racket players.


I reckon I draw a new one every year or so. If your favourite sport was missing feel free to let me know. Always up for drawing something new.


Created by Mark Ewbie. Last Updated: October 25, 2025.