Born in the 1960s, padel is now one of the trendiest racket sports. Its global rise has sparked great curiosity about its roots. Here is its story, from creation to international boom.

Padel's origins in Mexico

Contrary to popular belief, padel did not originate in Spain, but in Mexico, specifically in the city of Acapulco. In 1969, Enrique Corcuera, a sports enthusiast and businessman, built a small tennis court at home due to lack of space. He then enclosed the court with walls to stop the balls from escaping, creating the very first padel court.

Growth in Spain and Argentina

It was in Spain, during the 1970s, that padel first gained international traction. Thanks to Alfonso de Hohenlohe, a friend of the Corcuera family, several courts were built in Marbella, especially at the exclusive Marbella Club Hotel. Padel quickly attracted celebrities and high society.

The sport’s popularity soon crossed the Atlantic, reaching Argentina in the 1980s, where it received a phenomenal welcome. The country quickly became the world leader in padel, with thousands of courts and a passionate player base. In fact, many of the world’s top players emerged from Argentina.

This dual Hispanic-Latin American foundation shaped padel’s identity: a technical, tactical, yet festive sport centered on teamwork and exchanges. During this period, the first official competitions were held and rules became standardized.

European and global expansion

Padel reached France, Italy, Sweden, and Belgium from the 2000s onward. This social and accessible sport quickly won over all generations. Clubs multiplied, federations were structured, and media visibility grew steadily.

The modern era: professionalisation and Olympic dreams

In 2023, the merger of the World Padel Tour and Premier Padel created a unified professional circuit backed by the International Padel Federation (FIP). The world’s best players and sponsors now contribute to making padel a high-level sport. Today, inclusion in the Olympic Games is a stated ambition.

In just a few decades, padel has grown from a niche activity to a global sport. Accessible, dynamic, and ever-evolving, it captivates both amateurs and professionals, and its story is only just beginning.