1969: a court in Acapulco
The International Padel Federation traces the game to Enrique Corcuera, who created an enclosed court at his home in Acapulco, Mexico, in 1969. The smaller court and surrounding walls helped define a sport distinct from tennis.
1970s: Spain and Argentina
Padel spread through personal and sporting connections to Spain and Argentina. Clubs and local competitions helped establish the game beyond its original home. Both countries became important centres for its development.
1991 and 1992: an international structure
The International Padel Federation was established in 1991. The first World Padel Championship followed in 1992, giving the sport an international competition framework.
A growing modern game
In the 2020s, padel expanded into new countries, with international events and more local opportunities to play. Participation estimates depend on the year and source; this guide does not present an unsourced global player count.
Sources and further reading
Sources inform general guidance; they do not establish a diagnosis or imply a clinician’s approval of this article.