Discover the origins of Padel Tennis with Enrique Corcuera, the visionary behind the sport. Learn how it started in Acapulco and spread worldwide.

Discover the origins of Padel Tennis with Enrique Corcuera, the visionary behind the sport. Learn how it started in Acapulco and spread worldwide.

Enrique Corcuera – Padel’s Inventor | Corcuera Padel Club

Enrique Corcuera – The Inventor of Padel 🎾

Enrique Corcuera, a Mexican visionary, invented padel in 1969 at his Acapulco home by fusing tennis and squash into a new game—initially called “Paddle‑Corcuera.” This backyard innovation laid the foundation for modern padel :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.

🚀 From Acapulco to the World

Corcuera’s court (20 × 10 m) featured concrete walls and a central net — perfect for rebounding shots. His friend, Alfonso de Hohenlohe, brought padel to Spain in 1974, building the first courts at Marbella Club and adapting its rules for European players :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.

Padel’s Global Explosion

  • Argentina: Julio Menditegui introduced padel in 1975, igniting a craze across South America :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
  • Europe: By the 1990s–2000s, padel had spread through Spain and Portugal. It’s now active in 75+ countries with over 25 million players worldwide :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.

Why Corcuera Matters to Corcuera Padel Club

Our brand honours Enrique Corcuera’s legacy—blending tradition, elegance, and innovation. Each collection, from La Bajada to Après Padel, is inspired by his spirit of thoughtful design and game-changing creativity.


📸 Suggested Image

For visual appeal, include an image of an early concrete-style padel court with ALT text: alt="Enrique Corcuera’s original padel court in Acapulco".


Frequently Asked Questions

How did Enrique Corcuera invent padel?

He built the first padel court at his Acapulco home in 1969, using walls and a net to adapt tennis and squash into a new game :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.

When did padel arrive in Europe?

In 1974, Alfonso de Hohenlohe introduced it to Spain, followed by widespread adoption across Europe in the 1990s and beyond :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.

How popular is padel today?

As of 2023, padel is played by over 25 million active players in more than 90 countries :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.

Is Enrique Corcuera linked to our brand?

Yes—Corcuera Padel Club draws inspiration from his pioneering approach, weaving heritage into every product design.


Step onto the court with the spirit of the man behind the game. Explore our collections inspired by Corcuera’s legacy — padel rackets, apparel, and more.

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