Padel began in Mexico—not Spain

Padel originated in Acapulco, Mexico, in 1969. Its inventor was Enrique Corcuera, who built an enclosed court at his home. Both the International Padel Federation (FIP) and Britain’s Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) identify that place, year and founder as the beginning of modern padel. Spain was an important destination for the sport’s expansion, not its birthplace. (FIP history, LTA history)

How the first padel court came about

According to FIP’s historical account, Corcuera wanted to use an outdoor area at his home but lacked enough space for a full-size tennis court. He created a smaller playing area enclosed by walls and metal netting. FIP identifies the location as Las Brisas in Acapulco and describes the original court as 20 × 10 metres, with a net in the middle. (FIP history, FIP’s Mexico account, March 2024)

The enclosure became central to the game’s identity: in padel, the walls are part of play, allowing rebounds during rallies. That distinguishes it from paddle tennis, which the LTA describes as typically played on an open court without walls. Similar names should not be treated as evidence that the sports have the same origin. (LTA history and sport distinctions)

For the present-day playing area and its surrounding space requirements, see our guide to padel court dimensions.

How padel reached Spain and Argentina

Alfonso de Hohenlohe provided the link between Corcuera’s home and Spain. The LTA dates his visit to Mexico to 1974, after which he built Spain’s first two padel courts at the Marbella Club on the Costa del Sol. It dates the sport’s introduction to Argentina to 1975, following an Argentine visitor’s encounter with the game in Marbella. FIP corroborates the route through Marbella, although its summary uses broader early-1970s wording rather than those exact years. (LTA history, FIP history)

The early sequence is therefore Mexico → Spain → Argentina. It separates the invention of the game from its introduction into the countries that became central to its development.

Key dates in padel’s early history

The dates below follow the LTA for the introductions to Spain and Argentina, and FIP for the international governing milestones. (LTA timeline, FIP timeline)