The sports retail market in Saint-Malo has expanded with the opening of Tennispro, a specialty shop dedicated entirely to racquet sports. Led by franchise owner Valentin Orhant, the new store brings specialized equipment, stringing services, and gear for tennis, padel, and badminton to the local market as participation rates surge across the region.
Having spent fifteen years as a club board member, worked at Roland-Garros, and coached tennis lessons, the long-time player wanted to bridge his passion for racquet sports with a commercial career after working as a sales representative for major retail brands.
“Tennispro is the first racquet sports brand in France,” Orhant explains. “I wanted to take advantage of their reputation and attractive prices to become a franchisee. They allow me to work with all brands of tennis, padel, and badminton, as well as textiles and shoes.”
Meeting Regional Demand in Saint-Malo
The launch arrives as racquet sports experience a distinct boom in the Saint-Malo area. Over a five-year period, the region has recorded a 20 percent increase in tennis license holders. At the same time, the broader Ille-et-Vilaine department has risen to become the top department nationwide for badminton licenses, while newer disciplines such as pickleball and beach tennis continue to draw growing numbers of participants.
New infrastructure has accompanied the rise in popularity. Recent additions include dedicated padel complexes such as Boomsy and Glaz Padel. Despite the surging interest across multiple disciplines, local players previously lacked a dedicated specialty store in Saint-Malo.
To support local athletes, the shop features an on-site stringing machine alongside a racket-testing service. Orhant has already established a formal partnership with the tennis club Jeanne-d’Arc (TCJA), with agreements involving additional regional clubs slated to follow.
Store Operations and Opening Events
Located at 6 rue Jean-Pierre de Triquerville, the shop officially opened its doors with an inaugural event featuring gift giveaways, discount vouchers, a raffle with numerous prizes, and surprise activities.
The store operates Monday through Saturday with adjusted weekly hours:
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Local athletes and club members can visit the shop during regular business hours to test equipment, utilize stringing services, or browse apparel ahead of upcoming regional league fixtures.
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