NoVa Padel Firm Buys Midlothian Tennis Club, Plans Court Conversions
TL;DR: Epic Padel, an Arlington-based racquet sports company, has purchased Midlothian Tennis Club in Chesterfield and will rebrand it as Epic Athletic Club while converting some courts from tennis to padel.
Quick facts
- Who: Epic Padel (Arlington, Virginia racquet sports company)
- What: Purchased Midlothian Tennis Club; will rebrand as Epic Athletic Club and convert some tennis courts to padel courts
- When: July 13, 2026
- Where: 3650 Brandermill Parkway, Midlothian, Chesterfield County, Virginia
The story
Epic Padel, an Arlington-based sports company founded in 2023, has acquired Midlothian Tennis Club for $900,000, closing the deal on July 13, 2026. The facility, located at 3650 Brandermill Parkway in Chesterfield, features four indoor and 12 outdoor clay courts on a 5-acre property adjacent to Brandermill Country Club.
Epic Padel plans to rebrand the longstanding tennis venue as Epic Athletic Club. The company will gradually convert some of the facility's 16 courts from tennis to padel, a racquet sport that combines elements of tennis and squash. Padel is played on smaller, enclosed courts with glass walls and metal fencing, and is typically played in doubles format with an underhand serve and tennis-style scoring.
The acquisition is part of Epic Padel's aggressive expansion strategy. The company has raised approximately $10 million in funding to fuel growth, with plans to add several clubs per year. Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Hala Sarkis and Co-founder and Chief Investment Officer Kareem Anabtawi lead the effort to establish padel as a mainstream sport in the United States. The company is based in Arlington and was founded by Maryam Al Muslehi and Hala Sarkis.
Key players
- Epic Padel: Buyer; Northern Virginia racquet sports company planning facility expansion
- Midlothian Tennis Club: Acquired facility; historic Chesterfield tennis venue
- Hala Sarkis: Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Epic Padel
- Kareem Anabtawi: Co-Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Epic Padel
Key dates
- 2023: Epic Padel founded in Arlington, Virginia
- 2025-09: Epic Padel secures $10 million in funding
- 2026-07-13: Midlothian Tennis Club acquisition closes
The case for
Padel is a rapidly growing sport globally and in the United States, offering an accessible alternative to tennis that appeals to players across ages and skill levels. The conversion creates a competitive venue and brings a new recreational option to the Chesterfield area.
The case against
The conversion of tennis courts to padel may reduce availability of tennis facilities in Chesterfield, affecting existing tennis players and the local tennis community who have relied on Midlothian Tennis Club for leagues, instruction, and events.
Why it matters: The acquisition brings a new sport and recreational amenity to Chesterfield County while also shifting the landscape of available court sports. Residents will gain access to padel facilities, though the change may impact members of the longtime tennis community who used the facility.
Places
- Midlothian Tennis Club (now Epic Athletic Club)+Chesterfield+VA)
- 3650 Brandermill Parkway
- Brandermill Country Club
- Chesterfield County
Development timeline
- 2023Epic Padel founded: Maryam Al Muslehi and Hala Sarkis establish Epic Padel in Arlington, Virginia to expand padel in the United States [source]
- 2025-09Epic Padel raises $10 million: Company secures funding to accelerate growth and add multiple facilities per year across North America [source]
- 2026-07-13Midlothian Tennis Club acquired by Epic Padel: Epic Padel purchases the historic 16-court facility on 5 acres at 3650 Brandermill Parkway for $900,000; plans to rebrand as Epic Athletic Club and convert courts from tennis to padel [source]
Related links
Read the original at Richmond BizSense →
Sources
- Midlothian Tennis Club sold to NoVa firm that's betting big on fast-growing racquet sport padel - Richmond BizSense
- Epic Padel secures $10M to turn the U.S. into the next padel powerhouse
- Midlothian Tennis Club - Play Chesterfield