Padel is more than just a sport—it's a global phenomenon that combines the best elements of tennis, squash, and racquetball. But how did this exciting game come to be? Let's take a journey through time to discover the fascinating origins and explosive growth of padel.
The Birth of Padel: 1969 in Acapulco
The story begins in 1969 in Acapulco, Mexico, where Mexican businessman Enrique Corcuera wanted to build a tennis court at his vacation home. However, he faced a problem: his property was surrounded by walls and didn't have enough space for a regulation tennis court.
Rather than giving up, Corcuera got creative. He built a smaller court (20x10 meters) and incorporated the existing walls into the game. He added a net, modified the rules, and—almost by accident—invented what we now know as padel.
Spain: Where Padel Found Its Home
In 1974, Spanish Prince Alfonso de Hohenlohe, a friend of Corcuera, visited Mexico and fell in love with the new sport. Captivated by its unique blend of strategy and social appeal, he brought padel back to Spain, installing courts at the exclusive Marbella Club in southern Spain.
Spain became the epicenter of padel's growth. The sport resonated with Spanish culture, which values social interaction and outdoor activities. By the 1980s and 1990s, padel courts were popping up across the country, and Spain began producing world-class players.
📊 Did you know?
Today, Spain has over 20,000 padel courts and more than 4 million active players, making it the world's leading padel nation.
Argentina and the Latin American Boom
While Spain embraced padel, the sport also took root in Argentina during the 1980s. Argentine players quickly developed their own distinctive style, characterized by aggressive play and spectacular shots off the walls.
Argentina has produced some of the sport's greatest legends and continues to be a powerhouse in professional padel. The country now has over 10,000 courts and millions of passionate players.
From Argentina, padel spread throughout Latin America, finding enthusiastic communities in countries like Uruguay, Chile, Brazil, and Paraguay.
The Global Expansion: 2000s to Today
The 21st century has witnessed padel's transformation from a regional sport to a global phenomenon. The sport has experienced explosive growth across Europe, particularly in:
🇸🇪 Sweden
One of the fastest-growing markets, with padel becoming the country's second most popular racket sport.
🇮🇹 Italy
Thousands of new courts opened in recent years, with padel clubs in every major city.
🇫🇷 France
Rapid expansion with strong investment from sports facilities and tennis clubs.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Emerging market with increasing popularity among tennis players and sports enthusiasts.
The sport has also gained traction in the Middle East (particularly Qatar and UAE), parts of Asia, and even the United States, where padel is beginning to establish itself as an exciting alternative to traditional racket sports.
Professional Padel: World Padel Tour and Beyond
As the sport grew in popularity, professional padel emerged. The World Padel Tour (WPT), founded in 2013, became the premier professional circuit, featuring the world's best players competing in tournaments across multiple countries.
In recent years, the sport has attracted significant investment and media attention. In 2023, Premier Padel emerged as a major professional circuit backed by the International Padel Federation (FIP) and Qatar Sports Investments, offering record prize money and global coverage.
By the Numbers
Why Has Padel Become So Popular?
Several factors explain padel's meteoric rise:
Easy to Learn, Hard to Master
The smaller court and forgiving gameplay make it accessible to beginners, while the strategic depth keeps experienced players engaged.
Social and Inclusive
Played in doubles format, padel is inherently social. Players of different skill levels can enjoy matches together, making it perfect for families and friends.
Less Physical Demand
The smaller court means less running than tennis, making it accessible to older players and those with mobility limitations, while still providing excellent exercise.
Space Efficient
Padel courts require less space than tennis courts, making them ideal for urban areas where real estate is at a premium.
Spectacular to Watch
Fast-paced rallies, creative shots off the walls, and athletic dives make padel thrilling for spectators, driving TV viewership and sponsorship.
The Future of Padel
Padel shows no signs of slowing down. Industry experts predict continued exponential growth, with projections suggesting the sport could reach 50 million players by 2030.
Major sports brands like Adidas, Head, Wilson, Bullpadel, and NOX are investing heavily in padel equipment and sponsorships. Tennis stars like Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Murray have expressed interest in or invested in padel facilities, bringing even more mainstream attention to the sport.
There's even talk of padel potentially becoming an Olympic sport in the future, which would mark the ultimate recognition of its global status.