Padel is one of the fastest growing sports in the world today, loved by millions of players in countries such as Spain, the Netherlands and Sweden. But how did this unique racket sport come into being? In this blog, we delve deeper into the history of padel and see how it evolved from a local sport in Mexico to a global phenomenon.
The origins of padel in Mexico
Padel was invented in 1969 by Mexican businessman Enrique Corcuera. He wanted to build a tennis court in his garden, but limited space and walls surrounded the area. Instead of a traditional tennis court, Corcuera decided to build a smaller version, with walls that became part of the game. He called his creation "padel tennis."
The first rules of padel were established by Corcuera himself. The walls were not only used to bounce balls, but also to make the game more challenging and dynamic. This concept, in which both technique and strategy play a major role, did not go unnoticed for long.
The introduction of padel in Spain
The sport reached Europe thanks to the Spanish prince Alfonso de Hohenlohe, who discovered the game at Corcuera during a visit to Mexico. Enthusiastic about the concept, Alfonso decided to bring the sport to Spain. In 1974, he opened the first padel courts in Marbella, on the southern coast of Spain, where it quickly became popular among the elite and tourists.
In the years that followed, padel quickly spread throughout the country. Spain fully embraced the sport and became the center of the padel world. Today, Spain is still one of the most important countries for padel, with thousands of courts and millions of players.
The growth in South America
Around the same time that padel came to Spain, the sport also made its way to Argentina. Just like in Spain, padel was quickly embraced here and became one of the most popular sports in the country. Especially in the 80s and 90s, the sport experienced a huge growth in Argentina, with thousands of jobs and a thriving padel culture.
Argentina has also produced some of the best padel players in the world. The country continues to play an important role in the international padel scene and has a great influence on the development of the sport.
Global breakthrough
Since the 2000s, padel has started to spread to other parts of the world, including Europe, South America and North America. Especially in countries such as Sweden, France, Italy and the Netherlands, the sport has grown enormously in recent years.
This global growth has been made possible by the creation of the International Padel Federation (FIP) in 1991, which helped promote and regulate the sport at an international level. Thanks to this organization, world championships and professional tournaments are now organized, contributing to the professionalization of the sport.
Why padel has become so popular
Padel's popularity is due to several factors. The game is accessible to people of all ages and levels, it requires less physical strength than tennis and the social component of doubles makes it a fun and dynamic sport to play. In addition, the use of the walls allows for spectacular rallies, making it both exciting to play and to watch.
Padel today: A sport for everyone
In recent years, thousands of padel courts have been built worldwide, and the sport continues to grow in popularity. More and more countries are embracing padel, and in the Netherlands too, it is now one of the fastest growing sports. Padel clubs and schools are springing up like mushrooms, and more and more people are discovering the charm of this dynamic and social sport.
Conclusion
Padel has a rich history that begins in Mexico and has spread to the world via Spain and South America. Thanks to its accessibility and the fun it offers, the sport continues to grow and conquer more and more hearts worldwide. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned player, padel is a sport that is both physically challenging and social, and has a long future ahead of it.
Want to experience for yourself why padel has become such a worldwide hit? Book a court at your local padel club and find out for yourself!