The Origins of Padel: From Backyard Court to Global Sport

Padel may feel like one of the world’s newest sporting trends, but its story began more than 50 years ago in Mexico. The sport is widely credited to Enrique Corcuera, who created the first version of padel in Acapulco in the late 1960s. He adapted a small enclosed court at his home so that family and friends could play a racquet game that combined elements of tennis and squash. The walls were not a design accident — they became part of the game, adding a new tactical dimension and helping to create the long, exciting rallies that make padel so enjoyable today.

From Mexico, padel spread to Spain and Argentina, where it found a natural home. In Spain, the sport grew quickly through clubs, hotels and communities that recognised its social appeal. In Argentina, it became a hugely popular recreational sport, developing a passionate playing culture and producing many of the game’s early stars.

One reason padel grew so successfully is that it is easy to start but difficult to master. New players can usually enjoy a game almost immediately, even if they have limited racquet-sport experience. The court is smaller than a tennis court, the serve is underarm, and the doubles format makes the game naturally social. But as players improve, the tactical depth becomes obvious. Shot selection, positioning, patience, anticipation and the clever use of the walls all become part of the challenge.

That balance between accessibility and skill is central to padel’s appeal. It is welcoming enough for beginners, competitive enough for serious players and social enough to keep people coming back.

Today, padel is played by millions of people across the world. What began as a creative adaptation of a backyard court has become one of the fastest-growing sports internationally. Its origins are simple, but its future is enormous.

Padel’s story shows that a sport does not need to be complicated to become powerful. Sometimes the best ideas are the ones that bring people together, create great rallies and make players want to book the next game before they have even left the court.