Where Did Padel Come From? The Story of Enrique Corcuera and the First Court in Acapulco
Where Did Padel Come From? The Story of Enrique Corcuera & the First Court in Acapulco
Padel came from Acapulco, Mexico, in 1969, when Enrique Corcuera built a small walled court at his home and his wife, Viviana, wrote the first rules. That improvised 20×10m court became the blueprint for modern padel, which later spread to Spain, Argentina and, eventually, over 140 countries worldwide.
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Where did padel actually come from?” or “Who invented padel?”, the answer starts with a creative problem-solver in Acapulco and a backyard that was too small for tennis. This padel origin story is one of the most fascinating chapters in modern racquet-sport history.
Where Did Padel Originate?
Padel originated in Acapulco, Mexico in 1969. With limited space for a full tennis court at his home, Enrique Corcuera designed a smaller playing area: a 20×10m court, surrounded by 3-metre walls and divided by a net.
This wasn’t intended to be a new global sport. It was a clever solution to a space problem — but the design, rules and playing style were so fun and social that it quickly became something much bigger.
Who Was Enrique Corcuera?
Enrique Corcuera was a Mexican businessman and passionate racquet-sport fan. Rather than give up on his love of tennis because of limited space, he experimented with a compact court that allowed the ball to stay in play off the walls.
His wife, Viviana Corcuera (a former Miss Argentina), formalised the idea by writing the first set of rules as a birthday gift. Those rules turned a family game into the foundation of a completely new sport: padel.
The First Padel Court in Acapulco
Corcuera’s original court was built at his home in Acapulco. It featured:
- A 20×10m playing surface (still the standard today).
- High walls on all sides, allowing the ball to be played off the rebound.
- A central net, similar to tennis.
This combination created a fast, tactical game where positioning, angles and teamwork mattered just as much as power. Guests loved it — and word spread.
How Did Padel Spread From Mexico to Spain & Argentina?
Two key figures helped take padel from one house in Acapulco to the wider world:
- Prince Alfonso of Hohenlohe discovered the sport at the Corcuera home and introduced it to Spain by building courts at the Marbella Club.
- Julio Menditeguy took the concept back to Argentina, where it exploded in popularity and helped create one of the strongest club de padel cultures in the world.
From there, padel spread across Latin America and Europe, eventually leading to national federations, the founding of the International Padel Federation (FIP) in 1991, and modern circuits such as the World Padel Tour (WPT), Premier Padel and the APT Padel Tour.
From Acapulco to a Global Padel Boom
Today, padel is played in 140+ countries by millions of players. It is one of the world’s fastest-growing sports, with new courts opening in Spain, Sweden, Italy, the Middle East, the UK and beyond.
If you’d like a full padel history timeline, including federations, world championships and professional tours, we’ve created a detailed guide here:
▶ History of Padel: From Acapulco to Nottingham & Corcuera’s Roots
Why This Origin Story Matters to Corcuera
At Corcuera Padel Club, our name goes straight back to the sport’s origin. We are inspired by the creativity of Enrique and Viviana Corcuera — turning a small space and a birthday gift into a global movement.
Every collection we design nods to that story: compact courts, social play, and a blend of heritage, craftsmanship and modern club de padel culture.
If you want to wear that story on court, explore our heritage-inspired apparel:
Where to Learn More About Padel
If this origin story has sparked your interest, you can go deeper here:
- Padel Knowledge Hub – rules, tactics, culture and gear.
- Full History of Padel – detailed timeline, FIP, WPT, Premier Padel and more.
- More Padel Articles – guides, stories and insights.
Sources & Further Reading
For readers who want to explore primary sources and official histories:
FAQs – Where Did Padel Come From?
➕ Who invented padel?
Padel was invented by Enrique Corcuera in 1969 at his home in Acapulco, Mexico.
➕ Where did padel originate?
Padel originated in Acapulco, Mexico, on a small walled court built at Enrique Corcuera’s house.
➕ Why did Enrique Corcuera create padel?
He had limited space for a full tennis court, so he designed a smaller walled court that kept the ball in play and made the game more social and tactical.
➕ Who wrote the first padel rules?
Enrique’s wife, Viviana Corcuera, wrote the first rules as a birthday present, helping formalise the sport.
➕ How did padel spread to Spain and Argentina?
Prince Alfonso of Hohenlohe introduced padel to Spain via Marbella Club, while Julio Menditeguy took it to Argentina, where it rapidly became a club sport phenomenon.
➕ Is this the same as your full history page?
This article focuses on the origin story in Acapulco. For a complete timeline of federations, pro tours and global growth, see our History of Padel page.