The Origins of Padel

What is Padel and Where Did It Begin?

Padel a fast-paced, exciting racket sport is quickly becoming one of the most popular sports in the world. But while it’s booming in Europe and Asia today, the origin of padel actually dates back to Mexico in the late 1960s.

The Birthplace: Mexico, 1969 🇲🇽

Padel was invented by Enrique Corcuera, a Mexican businessman living in Acapulco. He wanted to build a tennis court in his backyard, but due to space limitations, he modified the design — enclosing the court with walls and creating a smaller playing area. The new game combined elements of tennis and squash, and just like that, padel was born.

This early version of padel was known as “Paddle Corcuera”, and quickly became popular among his friends and family.

How Padel Spread to Spain and Beyond 🇪🇸

The sport caught the attention of Prince Alfonso of Hohenlohe, a Spanish aristocrat who visited Corcuera and loved the game. He brought the idea back to Marbella, Spain, where he built the first padel courts in Europe.

From there, padel began spreading rapidly:

• Spain adopted it at a competitive level in the 1980s

• Argentina became a powerhouse in the 1990s

• By the 2000s, Italy, France, and Sweden joined the wave

Padel is more than competition, it's a lifestyle. It promotes movement, connection, and challenge. It brings people together, whether they’re training, playing recreationally, or competing at a high level.

At Try Hard, we’re proud to support the sport by creating apparel that’s built for the intensity and agility that padel demands. We believe in elevating performance on and off the court.