Imagine coming across a new game merely by chance, but then watching it transform and emerge as a global sport. This is exactly something that happened with padel. The game originated from a backyard in Mexico and later reached the grand stadiums in Spain, Argentina, and beyond.

From a sudden and simple idea to a complete, globally recognized sport, padel has a story that’s full of charm, passion, and innovation. This article sheds light on the fascinating evolution of modern padel sport. So, let’s just dive in!

Origin of the Word ‘Padel’

Like the game itself, the modern word ‘padel’ also bears a history. It comes from the English word ‘paddle’, which means a ‘racket’ or a ‘shovel’. This term later became a part of the Spanish Language after it was included in the Dictionary of the Spanish Language (RAE).

From then on, the term soon became the universally accepted spelling, both for pronunciation and identity. The word ‘padel’ was adopted globally because of its clarity, ease of speech, and simple spelling. 

The Mexican Beginnings

The history of modern-day padel begins in 1969, when a Mexican businessman, Enrique Corcuera, decided to bring tennis into his home in Acapulco. Since the space was insufficient for a full-fledged tennis court, Enrique made some improvisations to the court.

• He built a court smaller than that of tennis.
• He surrounded the court with walls.
• He introduced a set of new rules blending both squash and tennis.

And Poof! Without realizing it, Corcuera had invented a brand-new sport.

Initially, the game was only a local pastime and enjoyed by family and friends. But soon, the word spread, and the game began to emerge as something more than just a backyard activity. 

The Spanish Intervention

In the 1970s began the next big chapter in the evolution of modern-day padel. Corcuera’s Spanish friend, Prince Alfonso de Hohenlohe, visited him in Mexico and played his backyard game. He immediately fell in love with the game and decided to bring it to Spain. Hence, in 1974, the first two padel courts were built at the Marbella Club on the Costa del Sol.

Not long after, padel started to gain traction among the Spanish elites. Wealthy tourists and celebrities, frequently visiting Marbella, also took notice. So, the sport that started as a casual home invention was now en route to becoming a serious sport. 

Argentina Joins the Journey

Padel’s next leap was to Argentina in the late 1970s and early 1980s. This was a new turning point when the businessman, Julio Menditeguy, introduced the game in South America. The game soon became the favorite of Argentines. The first padel courts in Argentina were built at Club Tortugas, Mar de la Plata Ocean Club, and other Argentinian cities.

Argentina’s passion gave padel depth. Padel became a competitive sport with structured tournaments. The first international competition was held between Spain and Argentina in January 1988 in Mar del Plata. Today, some of the world’s top padel players are from Argentina, increasing the sport’s credibility on the global stage.

The Birth of the International Padel Federation

By the early 1990s, padel’s spread grew more intense. It was now time to give sport a proper structure and a dedicated body. In 1991, the International Padel Federation (FIP) was founded in Madrid to unify the rules and organize global padel tournaments. Soon after, the first World Padel Championship was held, marking padel’s arrival as an official sport on the international stage.

Initially, the game had different rules depending on the country where it was being played. Finally, in 1997, in Barcelona, Spain, and Argentina, an agreement was reached. Now, the rules were unified, and the game was officially called ‘Padel’. This was the decade that saw the birth of 11 national padel federations, 5 in Europe and 6 in America.

The International Growth of Padel

With the birth of FIP, padel’s global expansion accelerated. In 2000, in Argentina, the first World Junior Championship took place. By 2010, over 40 national federations had joined FIP, including several in Europe and Australia. 

The Padel Pro Tour (PPT), held in 2005–2012, marked the first professional padel tour. Key milestones followed: the first Senior World Championship in Spain (2018) and the launch of the Cupra FIP Tour in 2019 to boost worldwide growth.

The World Padel Tour

In 2013, following the PPT, came the launch of World Padel Tour (WPT). This was a major milestone as it gave padel a professional league just like the tennis’s ATP tour. It showcased top players, drew large crowds, and brought global sponsorships.

The WPT also boosted padel’s media coverage, with matches broadcast online and on TV. This helped the sport move beyond Spain and Argentina to new markets like Italy, France, Sweden, and the UK. 

Explosive Global Growth 

Fast forward to the 2020s, padel now celebrates the status of being one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. Europe has become a major hub; thousands of new indoor and outdoor padel courts are now present in countries like Italy and Sweden. The Middle East, particularly the UAE and Qatar, has also joined the movement by hosting high-profile tournaments, doing major investments through the Qatar Sports Investments (QSI).

Padel is making its mark even in countries like the UK and the US. According to the LTA Padel, the UK has seen a significant increase in padel courts, growing from 50 to 350 between 2019 and the end of 2023, with plans to reach 1,000 by the end of 2026.

The Future of Padel 

Looking ahead, padel’s future looks brighter than ever. Today, global brands are investing, celebrities are promoting the game, and younger generations are taking it up. Hence, the sport is all set to continue its worldwide expansion.

There’s also increasing talk of padel being included in the Olympics in the future. While it hasn’t happened yet, the game’s growing popularity and professional structure can make it a real possibility. 

Final Thoughts 

Padel’s history is proof that big things often come from small beginnings. What started in a backyard in Mexico has now grown into a sport with global recognition. Padel is now played across continents, enjoyed by millions, and celebrated in professional arenas. Its mix of accessibility, fun, and culture has made it a true global success story.

The fascinating history of padel shows us that sometimes, the best games are born not out of planning but out of pure creativity and passion. And with the way it’s growing, padel’s story is only just beginning.

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