The Origins of Padel: Mexico, 1969

Padel was invented in 1969 by Mexican businessman Enrique Corcuera, who adapted a squash-like area at his home in Acapulco. In just over half a century, this sport has grown from a backyard pastime into a global phenomenon with more than 35 million players.

The Birth of Padel: Acapulco, 1969

The history of padel is generally traced back to 1969, when Mexican entrepreneur Enrique Corcuera built a court on the grounds of his estate “Las Brisas” in Acapulco, Mexico.

Corcuera wanted to create a tennis-like game area, but the space was limited by surrounding walls. Instead of fighting the constraints, he made the walls part of the game. Thus “Paddle Corcuera” — the ancestor of modern padel — was born.

Key features of the first court:

• A 20 × 10 metre playing area (these dimensions remain unchanged today)
• Walls around the perimeter
• Rules based on tennis but allowing wall bounces
• An underhand serve

Spain: Alfonso de Hohenlohe-Langenburg

In 1974, Corcuera’s friend, the Spanish-German aristocrat Alfonso de Hohenlohe-Langenburg, brought the idea of padel to Marbella (Spain). He built the first courts at his Marbella Club hotel on the Costa del Sol.

Hohenlohe-Langenburg made important changes:

• Replaced solid walls with glass panels — for spectator visibility
• Refined the rules
• Began organising the first tournaments among hotel guests

Marbella became the launch pad for padel’s spread across Spain and Europe.

Argentina: A Mass Sport

In parallel with Spain, padel began to develop in Argentina. During the 1970s–1980s, Argentinians embraced the new sport en masse. Argentina became the first country where padel gained truly mass participation:

• Thousands of clubs nationwide
• Professional leagues from the 1980s
• The Argentine school of padel — one of the strongest in the world
• Argentine players dominated world padel for decades

Timeline

FIP and Globalisation

The International Padel Federation (FIP) was founded in 1991 and became the governing body of world padel. FIP:

• Sets the official rules
• Organises world championships
• Coordinates national federations (100+ countries)
• Manages the world ranking system

In 2022, FIP together with Qatar Sports Investments launched Premier Padel — a new global tour with Major tournaments on four continents.

Padel Today

According to the FIP World Padel Report 2025:

• 35+ million active players worldwide
• 100+ national federations
• 77,300+ courts in 110+ countries
• Spain leads in court numbers (~24,000)
• Player numbers growing 30–40% annually in Europe
• Padel is the fastest-growing racket sport in the world

Padel is expanding rapidly in Scandinavian countries (Sweden has over 5,000 courts), Italy, the United Kingdom, France, and Middle Eastern nations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the sport called “padel” and not “paddle”? The English word “paddle” describes the racket shape. In Spanish, it was adapted as “pádel”. The international spelling per FIP standards is padel (no accent, no double “d”).

Is padel in the Olympic Games? [UNVERIFIED] As of 2025, padel is not part of the Olympic programme, but FIP is actively lobbying for its inclusion. Padel has been recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Where is padel most popular? Spain remains the leader in court numbers and players. It is followed by Argentina, Italy, Sweden, and Portugal.

The Growth of Padel in Spain

Spain is the undisputed world capital of padel. With over 17,000 courts and roughly 6 million players, padel has become the country’s second most popular sport after football, transforming from an elite pastime on the Costa del Sol into a national phenomenon.

Arrival in Spain

The history of padel in Spain begins with one man — Alfonso de Hohenlohe-Langenburg, a Spanish-German aristocrat and owner of the legendary Marbella Club hotel on the Costa del Sol.

In 1974, after visiting Enrique Corcuera in Mexico, Hohenlohe was so taken with the new game that he decided to bring it to Spain. He built the first two courts at his hotel in Marbella. Among the first players were hotel guests drawn from European aristocracy, business leaders, and celebrities, including the legendary Spanish tennis player Manolo Santana — a four-time Grand Slam champion.

New courts soon began to appear along the Costa del Sol. In 1975, Argentine millionaire Julio Menditeguia discovered padel in Marbella and took the sport to his home country — sparking a parallel boom on another continent.

The 1990s Boom

Throughout the 1980s, padel spread gradually across Spain but remained largely a pastime for the well-to-do on the southern coast. Everything changed in the early 1990s.

Key milestones:

• 1992 — the Spanish Padel Federation (FEP) was founded, giving the sport official standing
• 1993 — padel was officially recognised by Spain’s Superior Council of Sports (Consejo Superior de Deportes)
• A wave of court construction swept the country — from Andalusia to Catalonia, from Madrid to the Basque Country
• The first professional tournaments were held on Spanish soil

[UNVERIFIED] By the end of the 1990s, Spain had more than 5,000 courts and over one million regular players.

Several factors drove padel’s transformation from an elite sport to a mass phenomenon:

• Affordability: a padel court is cheaper to build and maintain than a tennis court
• Social format: the doubles-only format (always four players) is perfect for groups of friends
• Easy entry: basic skills are learned faster than in tennis
• Climate: Spain’s mild weather allows year-round play

Spain — the World Capital

Today Spain leads the world of padel across every key metric.

Statistics

According to the FIP World Padel Report 2025, Spain remains the absolute global leader in court numbers, ahead of Italy (10,220) and Argentina (7,000). In mature markets such as Spain, the number of padel courts has already surpassed the number of tennis courts.

The Culture of Padel

In Spain, padel is more than a sport. It is a social phenomenon and an integral part of everyday life.

Afterwork Padel

One of the most distinctive features of Spanish padel culture is “afterwork padel.” After the working day, colleagues and friends gather on court for a match that ends with dinner or drinks together. Booking a court for Thursday or Friday evening is as much a part of the social routine as going to a bar.

A Sport for Everyone

• Age: players range from children of 5–6 to retirees in their 70s
• Gender: padel is one of the few sports with near-equal male and female participation
• A family sport: parents play alongside children; family leagues exist
• A corporate sport: inter-company tournaments are common practice

Infrastructure

Padel clubs in Spain are full-fledged social centres with cafes, equipment shops, lounge areas, and playgrounds. Many municipalities build public courts available for booking at a minimal fee.

The Role of Stars

Spanish and Argentine champions competing in Spain have played a huge role in popularising the sport.

Fernando Belasteguin is considered by many to be the greatest padel player of all time. An Argentine who made Spain his second home, he held the world number-one ranking for 16 consecutive years and won 230 tournament titles. His career inspired a generation of Spanish players.

Carolina Navarro is one of the greatest Spanish padel players. Partnering with Cecilia Reiter, she dominated women’s padel from 2010 to 2014, winning 24 titles including the prestigious 2012 Master Final.

Gemma Triay, from Menorca, is one of the most dynamic and aggressive players on the current tour. Her powerful smashes and passionate on-court presence have won fans worldwide.

Arturo Coello is a rising star of Spanish padel. At just 23, partnering with Argentine Agustin Tapia, he reached the world number-one ranking, proving that the next generation of Spanish players is ready to carry the sport forward.

Current Status

Padel continues to grow in Spain and to consolidate its position as the country’s second most popular sport.

• Premier Padel holds key tournaments in Spain, including the season-ending finals in Barcelona
• The Spanish women’s team has won multiple World Padel Championships
• Major sports brands (Adidas, Head, Bullpadel, Nox) have headquarters or key offices in Spain
• Television broadcasts of matches attract audiences in the millions
• Padel has been included in school sports programmes in several regions

[UNVERIFIED] Some estimates suggest that Spain could have more than 25,000 courts by 2030.

Growth Timeline

Padel Worldwide: How the Sport Spread

From a private courtyard in Acapulco, padel has spread to six continents in half a century. Each region has brought its own flavour: Argentina — mass participation, Spain — infrastructure, Scandinavia — year-round indoor courts.

Waves of Growth

The global rise of padel can be divided into three waves:

Latin America

Argentina

The birthplace of mass padel. By the 1980s, thousands of clubs operated across the country. The Argentine school has produced legendary players and coaches.

• Courts: ~7,000 (FIP data, 2024)
• Highlight: padel is the second-most popular sport after football
• [UNVERIFIED] ~1.4 million registered players (FIP data)

Brazil

Growth began in the 2000s. Major cities (São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro) became development hubs.

• Courts: ~3,000
• Highlight: active new construction, strong youth interest

Mexico

The country where padel was born. Despite its historical primacy, mass adoption lags behind Argentina and Spain.

• Courts: ~1,000
• Highlight: focus on resort areas and the capital region

Europe

Spain

The undisputed leader in infrastructure. See Padel in Spain for details.

• Courts: ~17,000 (2024, +5% YoY)
• Players: ~6 million
• Highlight: padel is embedded in the culture, available in every city

Sweden

Phenomenal growth between 2015 and 2025. The cold climate drove massive construction of indoor courts.

• Courts: ~4,200
• Highlight: the vast majority of courts are indoor; padel centres as a business model
• [UNVERIFIED] Sweden has the second-highest number of courts per capita in Europe after Spain

Italy

Rapid growth since 2018. Clubs are opening all over the country, from Milan to Sicily.

• Courts: ~10,000+ (2025, surpassed Sweden)
• Highlight: high demand, active investment environment

Finland

A model similar to Sweden — predominantly indoor courts in urban areas.

• Courts: ~1,500
• Highlight: strong ties to tennis clubs, combined facilities

United Kingdom

Active growth since 2020, supported by the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association).

• Courts: ~760+ (2024), growing fast
• Highlight: many tennis clubs are adding padel courts to their existing infrastructure

France

Growth accelerated in 2022–2025. The French Tennis Federation (FFT) has integrated padel into its structure.

• Courts: ~2,500
• Highlight: government-level support through sports federations

Portugal

Geographic and cultural proximity to Spain ensured early adoption.

• Courts: ~2,000
• Highlight: popular in coastal resort areas

Middle East

UAE and Qatar

Extreme heat has led to a dominance of indoor courts (~70%).

• Highlight: premium facilities, hosting Premier Padel events
• Qatar is a strategic FIP partner through Qatar Sports Investments

North America

USA

[UNVERIFIED] Padel still trails pickleball in popularity, but interest is growing. Main hubs: Miami, Los Angeles, New York, Texas.

• Courts: ~700 (2025, rapid growth)
• Highlight: competing with pickleball for the racquet-sports audience

Asia

The least developed region, but growing:

• Japan: ~50 courts, supported through tennis clubs
• India, Thailand, China: a handful of venues, pilot projects

What Drives Growth?

Why is padel spreading so fast?

1. Low barrier to entry — you can start playing after one session
2. Social format — doubles on a compact court encourages interaction
3. Space-efficient — a court requires less room than a tennis court
4. Investment appeal — payback in 2–7 years
5. Media exposure — Premier Padel broadcasts raise awareness

Outlook

• Olympic Games: FIP is campaigning for padel’s inclusion in the programme
• USA and Asia: key growth markets for the next decade
• Professional tour: consolidation under FIP / Premier Padel

Evolution of Padel Equipment

From wooden paddles of the 1970s to carbon-fibre rackets with aerodynamic designs — padel equipment has undergone a transformation comparable to tennis rackets. Technology has made the game faster, more powerful, and more accessible.

Racket Evolution

1970s: Wooden Paddles

Corcuera’s first court was played with the simplest of tools — a solid wooden paddle without perforations.

• Material: solid wood
• Weight: 400–450 g
• Perforations: none
• Characteristics: heavy, minimal control

1980s: Fibreglass and Perforations

The first fibreglass rackets appeared. The key innovation was perforation (holes in the face), reducing air resistance.

• Material: fibreglass, basic polymers
• Weight: 370–420 g
• Core: dense foam
• Progress: lighter and more manoeuvrable

1990s: Carbon Fibre and EVA

A materials revolution. Carbon fibre appeared in rackets, providing strength at lower weight. EVA foam cores offered better shock absorption.

• Face material: carbon fibre, fibreglass
• Core: EVA (firm, more control), FOAM (soft, more power)
• Weight: 360–390 g
• Progress: variety of racket shapes — round, teardrop, diamond

2000s: Shape Specialisation

Manufacturers began producing rackets for different playing styles:

See Racket Shapes and How to Choose a Racket for details.

2010s–2020s: High Technology

The modern era is defined by technological innovation:

• Textured surfaces: rough carbon for increased spin
• Multi-layer construction: combinations of 3K, 12K, and 18K carbon of different densities
• Aerodynamic profiles: reduced air resistance during the swing
• Vibration dampeners: built-in systems to reduce vibration, protecting against tennis elbow
• Hybrid cores: different foam densities in the centre and edges of the face

Ball Evolution

Early Period

Standard tennis balls were used initially. They proved too fast and bouncy for the enclosed court.

Modern Balls

Padel balls look similar to tennis balls but differ in key ways:

Key difference: lower pressure produces a slower bounce, which is critical for wall play.

Ball standards are governed by the FIP rules.

Shoe Evolution

From Tennis Shoes to Padel-Specific Footwear

In the 1990s–2000s players wore tennis shoes. By the 2010s brands began producing dedicated padel shoes.

Key features of padel shoes:

• Outsole: herringbone pattern optimised for lateral movement on artificial grass
• Lateral support: reinforced, to protect the ankle during sharp direction changes
• Cushioning: emphasis on the heel and forefoot
• Weight: lightweight construction (300–380 g)

Court Evolution

Equipment includes not just what the player holds, but the court itself.

Walls

• 1969: concrete walls (Corcuera’s original court)
• 1974: first glass panels (Hohenlohe-Langenburg, Marbella)
• Today: 10–12 mm tempered glass + galvanised metal mesh

Surface

• Early period: concrete, asphalt
• 2000s: artificial grass with silica sand became the standard
• Today: specialised surface types with controlled speed and bounce

Lighting

• Early period: standard floodlights (halogen)
• Today: LED systems with uniform illumination of 500–1000 lux

What’s Next?

[EXPERT OPINION] Equipment development trends:

• Smart rackets — built-in sensors for shot analysis (speed, spin, contact point)
• Sustainable materials — recycled polymers, biocomposites
• Personalisation — 3D-printed racket components tailored to individual player characteristics
• Next-generation surfaces — synthetic surfaces that do not require sand infill

Padel in Russia and CIS Countries

Russia’s padel story is one of the fastest growth trajectories in the sport’s history: from zero courts in 2012 to over 560 in 2025, with a market valued at 6.2 billion rubles. The CIS region — Kazakhstan, Belarus, Georgia, and others — is following close behind.

How Padel Arrived in Russia

The Pioneer: Cristian Tarruella

Padel was brought to Russia by Cristian Tarruella, an Argentine-born padel enthusiast who built the country’s first court in Voronezh in 2013. Tarruella saw the potential in a country of 146 million people with virtually no awareness of the sport. His initial court served as a proof of concept: once Russians tried padel, they returned.

Early Growth (2013–2019)

The first years were slow. Courts were concentrated in Moscow and Voronezh, and padel was seen as an exotic curiosity. By 2019, Russia had approximately 30 courts, mostly in private fitness clubs.

Key milestones:

• 2013: First court built in Voronezh by Cristian Tarruella
• 2015: First courts appear in Moscow
• 2018: ~15 courts nationally; first informal tournaments
• 2019: ~30 courts; growing community of players in Moscow and St. Petersburg

The Explosion (2020–2025)

The COVID-19 pandemic paradoxically accelerated padel’s growth. As an outdoor or semi-outdoor sport played in small groups of four, padel was one of the first activities to resume after lockdowns. Investors noticed the global trend and began building courts rapidly.

[UNVERIFIED] The 60× growth in court numbers over five years (2019–2025) makes Russia one of the fastest-growing padel markets in the world.

Key Statistics

The Federation Landscape

Федерация падел России (ФПР)

The Padel Federation of Russia (ФПР) was accredited by the FIP (Federación Internacional de Pádel) in 2024, giving Russia official standing in the international padel community.

ФПР organises:

• National championship (since 2023)
• Regional tournaments across major cities
• Youth development programmes
• Coach certification courses

[DISPUTED] The “Federation War”

Russia’s padel community has experienced a period of institutional conflict, with two competing organisations claiming to represent padel in the country. The dispute centred on which body had the right to represent Russia at FIP and organise national competitions.

The FIP’s accreditation of ФПР in 2024 largely resolved the issue at the international level, though some tensions remain at the regional level.

Russian Players on the International Stage

Yana Sharifova

The most prominent Russian padel player internationally. Sharifova reached #21 in the FIP world rankings, making her the highest-ranked Russian player in history. She competes on the international circuit and serves as an inspiration for the growing Russian padel community.

The Russian National Team

Russia has fielded national teams at FIP events since 2023. While not yet competitive with powerhouses like Spain, Argentina, or Italy, the team represents significant progress for a country that had zero padel infrastructure a decade ago.

Geography of Russian Padel

Moscow

The undisputed centre of Russian padel. Moscow has the largest concentration of courts, the most active tournament scene, and the highest-level players. Major clubs include facilities in the city centre, business districts, and suburban sports complexes.

St. Petersburg

The second city of Russian padel, with a growing community and several multi-court venues. The long winter makes indoor facilities essential — most St. Petersburg courts are covered or fully indoor.

Southern Russia

Krasnodar and Sochi benefit from milder climates, allowing longer outdoor seasons. Sochi’s tourism infrastructure has embraced padel as an amenity at resort hotels.

Other Cities

Courts are now present in Voronezh (historically the first), Kazan, Novosibirsk, Ekaterinburg, and Samara, among others. The geographic spread reflects padel’s transition from a Moscow curiosity to a national sport.

Market and Business

The Russian padel market is estimated at 6.2 billion rubles (~€57 million), encompassing:

• Court construction — the largest segment; new venues are being built at a pace of 80–100 courts per year
• Equipment sales — imported rackets, balls, and accessories (primarily from Spain)
• Coaching — growing demand for certified instructors; many coaches are Spanish or Argentine expats
• Tournaments — entry fees, sponsorships, and media coverage

Business Model Challenges

• High construction costs — importing glass panels and specialised materials is expensive
• Climate — most of Russia requires indoor or covered courts, adding to costs
• Limited domestic manufacturing — almost all equipment is imported
• Low awareness — despite growth, padel remains unknown to the majority of the population

CIS Countries

Kazakhstan

The most developed CIS padel market after Russia. Kazakhstan has approximately 17 courts (2025), concentrated in Almaty and Astana. The country’s growing middle class and interest in Western sports trends are driving adoption.

Belarus

Padel arrived in Belarus around 2021. The 375 Padel Club in Minsk operates 8 courts and serves as the primary hub for the Belarusian padel community. The country has begun organising local tournaments.

Georgia

Georgia has embraced padel with characteristic enthusiasm. The country has hosted FIP Bronze-level tournaments, attracting players from across the region. Tbilisi has several modern venues.

Azerbaijan

Baku’s luxury sports infrastructure has incorporated padel courts, particularly in high-end hotel and residential developments. The market is still nascent but growing.

Uzbekistan

The newest CIS entrant to padel. First courts appeared in Tashkent in 2023–2024, targeting the expatriate community and affluent locals.

Ukraine

Despite the ongoing conflict, padel infrastructure had been developing in Kyiv and Odessa before 2022. The long-term outlook depends on the geopolitical situation, but the pre-war trajectory was promising.

Challenges and Opportunities

Challenges

• Climate: The long, cold Russian winter requires expensive indoor facilities
• Awareness: 74% of Russians have never heard of padel (ВЦИОМ)
• Cost: Court time remains expensive relative to average incomes, limiting mass adoption
• Infrastructure: Importing construction materials and equipment adds significant costs
• Coaching shortage: Qualified padel coaches are scarce; many rely on tennis coaches adapting their skills

Opportunities

• Massive untapped market: 146 million people with growing sports participation
• Tennis infrastructure: Existing tennis venues can add padel courts relatively easily
• Youth appeal: Padel’s social, accessible nature resonates with younger demographics
• Government support: Sports infrastructure development is a policy priority
• CIS expansion: Russia can serve as a hub for padel development across the CIS region

Timeline