History of Padel
Padel is a relatively young sport, but it has experienced explosive growth in recent decades, especially in Southern Europe and Latin America. The sport combines elements of tennis and squash, offering a unique mix of fun, accessibility, and competition. Below is an overview of the fascinating history of padel, from its origins to the global popularity it enjoys today.
The Origin in Mexico (1969)
The origins of padel date back to 1969 in the Mexican town of Acapulco. The Mexican businessman Enrique Corcuera is often regarded as the founder of padel. He wanted to build a tennis court on his estate, but due to space constraints, he decided to create a smaller court surrounded by walls. He combined the rules of tennis and squash and named it “Padel Corcuera.” This setup turned out to be surprisingly fun, and the game quickly gained popularity among his friends and family.
The Crossing to Spain (1974)
Spanish prince Alfonso de Hohenlohe, a good friend of Corcuera, played the game during a visit to Acapulco and was immediately fascinated by the concept. He saw the potential of the game for a broader audience and decided to bring padel to Europe. In 1974, he built the first official padel court in Marbella, Spain, at the famous Marbella Club, an exclusive resort club for the Spanish elite and jet set.
Spain proved to be fertile ground for padel. The popularity of the sport quickly spread among the Spanish aristocracy and wealthy vacationers, making it a staple of Spanish sports culture. The accessibility of the sport and the social aspect, where four players can play simultaneously on the court, contributed to its rapid growth.
Growth in Latin America (1980s-1990s)
After its introduction in Spain, padel made its way back to Latin America, where it became particularly popular in countries like Argentina and Brazil. In Argentina, the sport became hugely popular in the 1980s and 1990s. Thousands of courts were built, and the country produced some of the first professional padel players.
It was during this period that the rules of padel were refined and standardized, particularly with the establishment of the International Padel Federation (FIP) in 1991. This organization played a crucial role in standardizing the rules and promoting the sport globally.
Global Growth (2000s)
From the early 2000s, padel began to grow outside its traditional markets. In countries like France, Italy, and Portugal, padel courts were built, and more attention was paid to promoting the sport. The social character of padel, combined with its relatively low learning curve, made it a popular sport in countries with a strong tennis and squash network.
In Spain, padel has now overtaken tennis as the second most popular sport, after football. The country has thousands of courts, and many professional tennis players also play padel to improve their technical skills or just for fun.
Padel in the Netherlands and Belgium
In the Netherlands and Belgium, padel began to gain traction at the beginning of the 21st century. The Royal Dutch Lawn Tennis Association (KNLTB) and Tennis Vlaanderen have embraced the sport and are actively involved in building new courts and organizing competitions. In the Netherlands, the number of courts grew from a few dozen in 2010 to hundreds in the 2020s. The combination of sports, socializing, and accessibility has made padel quickly gain popularity.
Professional Tournaments and World Championships
The sport has also developed a professional side with the establishment of various competitions and tournaments. The World Padel Tour (WPT), founded in 2013, is the main professional padel circuit, where the best padel players in the world compete against each other. The tournaments attract thousands of fans, and the sport enjoys growing media attention.
Future of Padel
With increasing global popularity and a strong structure of professional tournaments, the future of padel looks bright. Discussions are ongoing about the possibility of making padel an Olympic sport, and more countries are discovering the charm of this fast, social, and dynamic sport.
The combination of easy entry, intense physical activity, and the social component of the game makes padel attractive to a wide audience. From recreational players to professional athletes, the sport continues to grow and evolve.
Conclusion
From its humble beginnings in a Mexican backyard to a global sport with millions of players, padel has come a remarkable distance. With strong growth in both Europe and Latin America, and the rise of professional circuits like the World Padel Tour, padel is now one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. The history of padel shows how an innovative idea and the right circumstances can lead to a global sensation.
