The padel history begins in Mexico in 1969, when Enrique Corcuera created a new racket sport at his home in Acapulco. What started as a private playing area eventually developed into an international sport with professional tournaments and millions of recreational players.
Although padel is often associated with Spain and Argentina, its origins are Mexican. Understanding how the sport developed explains why these countries played such an important role in shaping modern padel.
Who invented padel?
Padel was invented by Enrique Corcuera, a Mexican businessman and tennis enthusiast. In 1969, he wanted to build a tennis court at his property in Acapulco but did not have enough space for a traditional court.
Instead, he created a smaller playing area measuring 20 metres long and 10 metres wide, surrounded by walls. The enclosed design prevented balls from leaving the court and introduced a new element to the game: players could use the walls during rallies.
Corcuera called his creation Paddle Corcuera. His wife, Viviana Corcuera, also played an important role by writing the first set of rules, which she reportedly gave him as a birthday present.
These early decisions established the foundation for the modern game.
How did padel arrive in Spain?
Padel reached Spain in 1974 through Alfonso de Hohenlohe, a Spanish entrepreneur who discovered the sport while visiting Corcuera in Mexico.
After experiencing the game, Hohenlohe decided to introduce it at the Marbella Club on Spain's Costa del Sol. He built two courts and made adjustments to the original design.
The sport quickly attracted interest among club members, including well-known tennis players. Former Wimbledon champion Manolo Santana was among those who helped promote padel in Spain.
During the following decades, more clubs introduced padel courts, expanding the sport beyond Marbella.
How did padel become popular in Argentina?
Argentina became another important country in padel history. In 1975, Julio Menditeguy discovered padel in Marbella and helped introduce it to Argentina.
The sport developed rapidly through private clubs and recreational facilities. Its doubles format, smaller court and social nature made it appealing to players who wanted an alternative to traditional tennis.
During the 1980s, padel expanded across Argentina and into neighbouring countries, including Uruguay, Brazil and Chile.
Argentina later became a major centre for professional padel, producing competitive players and contributing to the sport's international development.
When did padel become an official international sport?
As padel expanded into different countries, the need for consistent rules and organized competitions became increasingly important.
Several milestones helped transform padel into an internationally recognized sport:
- 1969: Enrique Corcuera creates the first recognized padel court in Mexico.
- 1974: Padel arrives in Spain through Alfonso de Hohenlohe.
- 1975: The sport is introduced to Argentina.
- 1991: The International Padel Federation (FIP) is founded in Madrid.
- 1992: The first World Padel Championships take place in Spain.
- 2005: The Padel Pro Tour introduces a major international professional circuit.
These developments helped establish common playing standards, international competitions and a more structured professional environment.
How did professional padel develop?
Professional competitions played an important role in bringing padel to a wider audience. The Padel Pro Tour, launched in 2005, provided an organized circuit for professional players.
In 2013, the World Padel Tour began operating as another major international circuit, attracting professional competitors and increasing the sport's visibility.
Premier Padel launched in 2022 and later became the main international professional tour under the governance of the International Padel Federation.
Professional tournaments helped introduce padel to new audiences, while the expansion of recreational clubs made the sport accessible to more players.
Why has padel grown so much?
The growth of padel is closely connected to its accessibility and social format. Most matches involve four players, creating a team-based experience that appeals to both beginners and experienced competitors.
The smaller court also makes it easier to maintain rallies, while the surrounding walls introduce tactical possibilities that distinguish padel from tennis.
As more clubs installed courts, the sport became increasingly accessible across Europe and other regions. The development of padel-specific equipment, footwear and clothing also accompanied this expansion.
Brands such as Voleace padel reflect the growing connection between padel, men's sportswear and an active lifestyle.
From a backyard court to an international game
The padel history shows how a simple idea developed into a structured international sport. Enrique Corcuera's original court in Mexico laid the foundation, while Spain and Argentina played major roles in its expansion.
Today, padel combines recreational participation with professional competition. Its continued development is supported by international federations, clubs and players worldwide.
What began as a private game in Acapulco has become a sport played across continents, while retaining the enclosed court and social doubles format that defined its beginnings.