Padel - The world's fastest growing sport

Introduction

Juan Lebron Chincoa, Fernando Belasteguin, and Alejandro Galan — these names may not ring a bell now, but they could soon be as iconic as Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic if the trajectory of Padel's growth continues. For those unfamiliar, Padel is a dynamic blend of tennis and squash, played within the confines of what resembles a compact tennis court enclosed in glass. With exponential growth since its inception in 1969, Padel has surged to nearly 20 million players worldwide. But who are these players? Are they just tennis enthusiasts trying out a novelty, or is Padel attracting a new breed of racket sport aficionados?

Origins

Padel, in its modern form, traces its roots to Acapulco, Mexico, where Enrique Corcuera erected walls around a garden court to prevent tennis balls from straying into neighbouring properties. However, its lineage extends back to the British cruise ships of the 1910s, where a precursor known as platform tennis gained popularity. Alfonso de Hohenlohe, inspired by Corcuera's innovation, introduced Padel to the Costa del Sol in 1974, propelling its growth in Spain, where it now stands as the country's second most popular sport, boasting over 6 million registered players and 20,000 courts.

Format

Played on a court measuring 20 metres by 10 metres, slightly smaller than a tennis court, Padel features toughened glass walls 10-20mm thick surrounding its perimeter. The game employs padel rackets reminiscent of those found in swing ball sets, but the defining distinction lies in the ability to play off the walls, akin to squash, as long as the ball makes contact with the main court first. Typically played in doubles format, with two teams of two, the game mirrors tennis scoring, with a golden point at deuce. Fast-paced and strategic, Padel demands teamwork for success at higher levels.

Popularity

Spain serves as the epicentre of Padel, with Italy and Argentina also experiencing significant growth. The establishment of the International Padel Federation in 1991 marked a pivotal moment, with the first World Championships held in Seville a year later. While the sport has gained traction in the UK, boasting 6,000 registered players and 82 courts in 2020, its growth begs the question: will Padel surpass tennis, or is it merely a passing trend?

Padel owes much of its surge in popularity to savvy sports marketing. The mid-2010s saw a boom, fueled by celebrities and influencers such as Shakira and Cristiano Ronaldo leveraging social media to promote the sport, leading to the proliferation of courts worldwide. Currently, there are 18 million registered Padel players globally, compared to 87 million in tennis.

Tennis vs. Padel

The burgeoning popularity of Padel can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the cost efficiency of constructing Padel courts, averaging £45,000, including floodlights is a significant advantage over tennis courts. Additionally, the ability to fit two Padel courts in the space of one tennis court makes it more accessible and attractive in terms of player-to-space ratio. Moreover, Padel is inherently easier to pick up than tennis, with simpler shot techniques and less ground to cover. The doubles aspect makes it more social and appealing to a broader audience, including existing tennis players.

UK Governing Body

In 2019, the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) integrated with the British Padel Association to foster Padel's growth in the UK. While the LTA's support brings financial backing and marketing strategies, questions arise about potential conflicts of interest. Despite this, Scott Lloyd, CEO of the LTA, acknowledges Padel's potential as a complementary format of tennis, emphasising its fun, flexible, and easy-to-play nature. Yet, independent investors and celebrity endorsements from figures like Andy Murray, David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Zinedine Zidane underscore Padel's standalone appeal.

Padel's rapid ascent on the global stage reflects its unique blend of athleticism, strategy, and accessibility. Whether it will surpass tennis or remain complementary, one thing is clear, Padel has firmly established itself as a force to be reckoned with in the world of racket sports.

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