History of Padel & Club de Padel Nottingham | Corcuera

Our Heritage: The Story of Padel & Corcuera’s Roots

The Birth of Padel: From Acapulco to the World

Padel’s journey began in 1969, when Enrique Corcuera—an avid tennis lover—built a smaller racquet sport court at his home in Acapulco, Mexico. With space too limited for a tennis court, he created a compact 20×10 m court, enclosed by four 3-metre walls, with a net across the middle. This improvised setup became the blueprint for what we now call padel.

His wife, Viviana Corcuera (a former Miss Argentina), drafted the first set of rules as a birthday gift. From those humble origins, padel emerged as a game rooted in creativity, innovation, and passion.

Spreading from Mexico to Spain & Argentina

In the early 1970s, Prince Alfonso of Hohenlohe, a regular visitor to the Corcuera’s Acapulco home, introduced the sport to Spain by building courts at the Marbella Club. Padel was soon played by the European elite and began its journey across the continent. At the same time, Julio Menditeguy brought the sport to Argentina, sparking a nationwide boom that helped make Argentina one of the world’s strongest club de padel communities.

1980s: First Federations & Early International Competition

During the 1980s, padel grew rapidly across Latin America and Europe, reaching Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, France, the U.S. and Canada. In 1988, the Asociación Padel Argentino was founded — the first national federation. That same year, Spain and Argentina contested the first international match, laying the foundation for organised global competition.

In 1989, Jorge Galeotti introduced the glass, detachable court, which revolutionised international play and made padel courts easier to build and standardise worldwide.

1990s: Formalization, International Organization & Rule Unification

On 12 July 1991, the International Padel Federation (FIP) was founded in Madrid by the Argentine, Spanish, and Uruguayan associations. The first World Padel Championships followed in 1992 (Madrid and Seville). By 1997, Spain and Argentina unified the rules under the official name “Padel.” With over 11 federations active, the game entered a new era of consistency and growth.

2000s & 2010s: Growth, Prospects & Pro Circuits

The 2000s saw exponential global growth. The first World Junior Championship took place in Argentina in 2000, while the Padel Pro Tour (PPT) launched in 2005, creating a new standard for professional play. By 2013, the World Padel Tour (WPT) became the world’s premier professional circuit, putting padel on screens worldwide.

By the late 2010s, over 40 federations had joined FIP. In 2018, Estepona, Spain hosted the first Senior World Championship. In 2019, the Cupra FIP Tour launched, further accelerating padel’s global footprint.

2020s & Beyond: Global Reach, Club de Padel & Nottingham’s Rise

By 2024, the Premier Padel circuit had established itself with tournaments in 16 countries. As of 2025, padel is played in over 140 countries by an estimated 30 million players, supported by 87 national federations worldwide.

Closer to home, the UK — and especially Nottingham — has become a hotbed for new club de padel culture. From the growth of Padel Notts County to the rise of local courts and tournaments, Nottingham is now firmly on the global padel map in 2025. Players here represent the new wave of enthusiasts carrying the sport’s legacy into the future.

At Corcuera, our mission is to honour padel’s origin while designing for the players of today and tomorrow. Inspired by Enrique & Viviana Corcuera’s Acapulco court, we bring heritage, craftsmanship, and style into every collection — connecting padel’s rich history with its exciting future.

Why This History Matters to You

• Our brand is deeply rooted in the origin story of padel itself — from Acapulco to Nottingham in 2025.
• Every Corcuera piece is a tribute to the innovation of Enrique & Viviana Corcuera and the growth of club de padel culture.
• We aim not just to outfit players — but to celebrate padel’s heritage, passion, and global spirit, whether on the courts of Acapulco, Madrid, or Padel Notts County.