Padel has experienced an extraordinary rise in popularity in recent years.
The sport’s unique blend of accessibility and competitiveness has attracted millions of players worldwide, making it one of the fastest-growing sports on the planet.
How did this relatively young sport evolve from a local pastime into a global sensation?
The story of padel begins not in Spain, as many might assume, but in Mexico in the late 1960s.
Enrique Corcuera, a Mexican businessman, is credited with inventing the sport. He constructed a court at his home in Acapulco. As an aside, the Padel39 brand name is a nod to the Acapulco zip code - you learn something new every day!
Corcuera’s vision was to combine elements of tennis, squash and platform tennis in a court that was physically small enough to be built at his home. The court was enclosed by walls, which allowed the ball to remain in play after hitting them, a defining feature that differentiates padel from tennis.
While the sport therefore began in Mexico, it was his friend, a Spaniard, Alfonso de Hohenlohe, who saw its potential for wider appeal.
After visiting Corcuera in 1974, Hohenlohe brought the game back to Spain, where he built two courts at his Marbella Club.
The sport quickly gained popularity among the Spanish elite, especially in Andalusia, due to its social nature and the fact that it was easier to pick up than tennis.
Padel's popularity in Spain grew exponentially throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
By the early 2000s, padel had established itself as one of Spain's most popular sports. The formation of the Spanish Padel Federation in 1991 and the introduction of official tournaments and rankings further solidified its status.
Today, Spain remains the epicenter of the padel world, with over six million active players and thousands of courts across the country.
While Spain has always led the way, padel has been growing in other parts of the world and recent years have seen explosive growth across the globe.
Argentina was one of the first countries outside of Spain to embrace padel, largely due to cultural and linguistic ties. The sport quickly became a national obsession, with Argentina producing some of the world's top padel players.
Padel's appeal has now transcended its Spanish-speaking roots. The sport has spread across Europe, with countries like Italy, France and Sweden building an increasing number of courts and hosting international tournaments.
The Middle East has also shown a growing interest, with padel courts popping up in countries like the UAE and Qatar.
Perhaps most notably, padel has started to make inroads in markets traditionally dominated by other racket sports, such as the UK and the United States. While still in its relative infancy in these regions, the sport is gaining momentum, with celebrities and professional athletes endorsing it, and an increasing number of clubs offering padel courts.
The digital age has played a significant role in padel's global explosion.
Social media platforms have allowed enthusiasts to share their passion for the sport, with viral videos and instructional content making padel more accessible to a broader audience. Streaming services have also started broadcasting major padel tournaments, giving the sport much-needed visibility on the global stage.
Technological advancements in racket and court design have also contributed to padel's growth.
Modern rackets, made from lightweight materials like carbon fiber, have made the game faster and more dynamic, while innovative court surfaces have improved playing conditions.
As padel continues to grow, its future looks incredibly bright.
Many expect (hope?) that padel will be included in the Olympic Games at some point - a milestone that would further elevate its global status.
Padel's journey from a backyard experiment in Mexico to a global sport is a testament to its unique appeal. Its blend of accessibility, social interaction and competitive play has struck a chord with people around the world.
As padel continues to evolve, it is poised to become not just a sport, but a cultural phenomenon that transcends borders and unites people through the joy of play. Come and join us at Padel39 and experience padel for yourself.
