The History of Padel: From Naval Pastime to Global Sport

Origins: Two Competing Theories

The history of padel is a tale of two theories, each offering a unique perspective on the sport's beginnings.

Theory 1: Naval Origins
The first theory takes us back to the late 19th century, around 1890, on board English naval ships. According to this account, British sailors, seeking entertainment during their long voyages, invented a game in the ship's hold. Using boat oars as makeshift rackets, they would hit a ball back and forth, allowing it to bounce off the walls due to the confined space. This improvised game laid the foundation for what would eventually evolve into padel.

This naval pastime didn't remain confined to ships. In 1924, American Frank Beal introduced a similar game to the parks of New York City. He called it "paddle tennis" due to the short, paddle-like rackets used to play. The game continued to evolve, and in 1928, Fesseden Blanchard and James Cogswell made further modifications to adapt it for winter play. They constructed wooden courts to ensure consistent playing surfaces and surrounded them with wire mesh to prevent balls from being lost in the snow. This variant became known as "platform tennis" and bears a striking resemblance to modern padel courts.

Theory 2: Mexican Innovation
The second theory, which has gained more widespread acceptance, attributes the invention of padel to Enrique Corcuera in Acapulco, Mexico, in 1969. Corcuera, facing space constraints that prevented him from building a full-sized tennis court at his home, created a compact 20x10 meter court. He enclosed it with walls and added a net in the center. Corcuera dubbed this new game "paddle tennis," and it was played with wooden paddles.

The Spanish Connection: Padel's European Debut

The story of padel's spread to Europe begins with Alfonso de Hohenlohe's visit to Mexico in 1974. As a guest of his friend Enrique Corcuera, Hohenlohe was introduced to this novel sport. Impressed by the game, he saw its potential and decided to bring it back to Spain.

Upon his return, Hohenlohe wasted no time in promoting padel. After studying and refining some details of the court design and rules, he constructed the first two padel courts in Spain at the Marbella Club. Hohenlohe began promoting the sport among his jet-set friends, and it quickly gained popularity in high society circles.

The sport received a significant boost when tennis star Manolo Santana became involved. Santana began organizing tournaments and helped spread padel throughout the Costa del Sol. As a result, several clubs in the area started constructing their own padel courts, further increasing the sport's visibility and accessibility.

Global Expansion: From Spain to South America and Beyond

Argentina: A Padel Powerhouse
In 1975, Argentine millionaire Julio Menditengui, a friend of Hohenlohe and frequent visitor to Marbella, witnessed the success of padel firsthand. Impressed by its potential, he decided to import the sport to Argentina. The decision proved to be a masterstroke, as padel exploded in popularity in the South American country.

Within a few years, padel had become the second most practiced sport in Argentina, boasting over two million players and 10,000 courts built nationwide. This rapid growth laid the foundation for Argentina's future dominance in international padel competitions.

Spreading Across the Americas
From its strongholds in Spain and Argentina, padel began to spread to other countries in South America. Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, and Paraguay all developed thriving padel communities. The sport's influence even reached North America, with enthusiasts emerging in both the United States and Canada.

European Expansion
In recent years, padel has been gaining significant traction across Europe. National federations have been established in several countries, including Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Great Britain, Italy, and Portugal. Spain continues to play a crucial role in promoting padel across the continent, serving as a model for other countries looking to develop the sport.

Milestones in Padel's Development

The history of padel is marked by several key events that have shaped its growth and recognition:

• 1982: The first international competitions are held in Uruguay.
• July 25, 1991: The International Padel Federation is founded in Madrid, with Spanish president Julio Alegría Artiach.
• September 21-27, 1992: The First Padel World Championship is held in Madrid and Seville, Spain, with 11 participating countries.
• May 1993: Padel is officially recognized as a sport by the Spanish Higher Council for Sports.
• 1995: Padel is included as an exhibition sport in the Pan American Games in Mar del Plata, Argentina.

World Championships: A Global Stage

The World Padel Championships have been a crucial platform for showcasing the sport's international appeal and competitive spirit. Here's a brief overview of the early championships:

• 1992 - Madrid/Sevilla, Spain: The inaugural championship saw Argentina dominate, winning both men's and women's categories.
• 1994 - Mendoza, Argentina: Argentina maintained its supremacy, with Spain as the runner-up in both categories.
• 1996 - Madrid, Spain: Argentina continued its winning streak, with Spain again taking second place.
• 1998 - Mar del Plata, Argentina: Spain broke Argentina's streak, winning the championship for the first time.
• 2000 - Toulouse, France: Argentina reclaimed the men's title, while Spain won the women's category.

These championships have played a crucial role in elevating padel's status as a global sport and fostering international competition.

Conclusion

From its disputed origins in the late 19th or mid-20th century, padel has grown into a globally recognized sport with millions of enthusiasts. Its journey from naval pastime or Mexican innovation to international phenomenon is a testament to the sport's appeal and adaptability. With its unique blend of tennis-like gameplay and the use of walls, padel continues to attract new players and expand its reach across the globe. As the sport enters its next chapter, it stands poised for even greater growth and recognition on the world stage.