Padel
No, it is not a typo for “padelboard” and it is not the latest miracle diet either. It is actually one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. If you haven’t tried it yet, you probably have at least one friend who keeps telling you “Come and play padel just once, you’ll love it!”. But how did this sport come about, and how did it win over so many players in such a short time? Let’s find out.
The origins of padel
Surprisingly, padel was born not in Spain but in Mexico. In 1969 a man named Enrique Corcuera had an idea: to modify the tennis court next to his house in Acapulco so that the ball would no longer fly over the fence. So he put up some walls and “invented” padel. What started as a practical solution turned, without him knowing it, into a new sport.
From the back garden to Europe
The Spanish discovered padel in the seventies (’70), when a friend of Corcuera’s took the idea to Spain. From there, things took off (in a good way). Padel spread quickly, mainly because it is easy to learn, great fun and you don’t have to be Rafa Nadal to feel competitive.
Padel today: a global phenomenon
Today padel is played by millions of people in more than 90 countries. In Spain it is the second most popular sport after football. And Romania? Well, we are riding the wave! In recent years more and more clubs, tournaments and passionate players have appeared. Padel is accessible, beginner-friendly and perfect for socialising (and for working up a sweat, of course).
Why do we love padel so much?
Because it is fast but not exhausting. Because you don’t have to run 3 kilometres like in tennis. Because it is more about positioning, tactics and… luck with the wall. And because it is impossible not to laugh at least once a match when the ball bounces off spectacularly and completely unpredictably.
Conclusion
Padel is not just a sport, it is a community in the making. It is a mix of movement, competition and good fun. So if you haven’t tried it yet, now you know why more and more people are falling in love with it.
Get your trainers ready, grab a racket and… see you on court!