The History of Padel
From a backyard invention to an international sporting sensation.
Padel is one of the world’s fastest-growing sports – a thrilling blend of tennis, squash, and strategy, played in an enclosed court and known for its accessibility, elegance, and social appeal. But behind its rapid global ascent lies a unique and fascinating origin story.
📍 Where It All Began
Padel was born in 1969, in the glamorous resort town of Acapulco, Mexico. The man behind its invention was Enrique Corcuera, a wealthy Mexican businessman with a love for tennis – and limited space on his property to build a traditional court.
Rather than compromise, Corcuera created a modified version of tennis:
The court was smaller and surrounded by walls (originally to prevent the ball from escaping).
Players used solid paddles instead of strung rackets.
The rules were tweaked to make the game more strategic and less dependent on power.
He called it “Paddle Corcuera.” Friends and guests were instantly taken by the game’s charm and fast-paced nature.
🌍 A Sport Goes Global
The sport quickly spread beyond Mexico. In the 1970s, Spanish entrepreneur Prince Alfonso of Hohenlohe – after experiencing padel firsthand at Corcuera’s home – introduced it to Marbella, Spain, building the first European courts at the exclusive Marbella Club. The sport found a natural audience among Spain’s elite, including royals, celebrities, and professional athletes.
From there:
2. Early Events and Rising Popularity (1970 – 1980)
After the creation of the first court, padel quickly began to spread throughout Mexico and Spain. In 1974, the first international padel federation was established – in Spain – and in 1975, the first international padel championship was held. From that point on, the sport started gaining popularity, especially in Spain and Latin America.
3. Professionalization and Expansion (1990 – 2000)
From the 1990s onward, padel became a professional sport. In 1991, the Padel World Tour (PWT) was established, and in 1993, the Spanish Padel Federation was founded, helping to organize national and international tournaments. During this time, padel became highly popular not only in Spain but also in countries like Argentina and Brazil.
4. The Modern State of Padel (2000 and Beyond)
Over the past 20 years, padel has become one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. Today, padel is played in over 90 countries, with the largest communities in Spain, Italy, Sweden, and Dubai. Professional padel players like Fernando Belasteguín and Juan Martín Díaz have become well-known names.
Padel is also beloved for its simplicity and social nature — it is played on smaller courts, usually in a doubles format, making it a game that suits both professionals and amateurs alike.
🏆 More Than a Game
Currently, padel is not only a popular sport but also a major entertainment industry, with large-scale tournaments, professional athletes, and a broad global audience.
Padel’s charm lies in its elegant dynamics – it’s easier to learn than tennis, more sociable due to the doubles format, and highly strategic. It’s equally suited to casual weekend play and competitive tournaments, drawing everyone from amateurs to global superstars.