Who is Enrique Corcuera? The Origins of Padel
Enrique Corcuera: The Founder of Padel
Padel began not in a grand stadium or under the glare of cameras, but in the quiet warmth of a family home on the Mexican coast. In Acapulco, where sunlight rests on terracotta walls and the sea breathes against the cliffs, Enrique Corcuera imagined a new way for people to play together.
He shaped a space around movement, precision and shared joy, enclosing a court not simply to contain a game but to elevate the style of play itself. What started as a personal creation for family and friends would become one of the world’s fastest growing sports. Today, millions pick up a padel racket, yet the essence of the game still reflects Corcuera’s original vision. Elegant, inclusive and instinctively social.
Early Life and Influences of Enrique Corcuera
Enrique Corcuera was a man of quiet creativity. Born into a sporting culture, he carried a natural appreciation for games that balanced technique with enjoyment. His life in Mexico offered the perfect environment for a sport rooted in connection, movement and shared enjoyment.
A Holiday Home in Acapulco That Changed Sporting History
The birthplace of padel was Corcuera’s home in Las Brisas, Acapulco. Nestled between hillside gardens and the Pacific breeze, it was a setting that invited creativity. On uneven terrain bordered by walls and mature foliage, he imagined a court that would become the foundation of a global sport.
Designing the First Enclosed Padel Court
Corcuera designed a 20 by 10 metre enclosed court defined by walls and mesh fencing. These walls became the tactical soul of padel, transforming rebounds into opportunities and extending rallies in ways that traditional tennis never allowed.
The Birth of a New Set of Rules
To guide this new style of play, Corcuera wrote a simple rulebook. Scoring mirrored tennis, yet gameplay relied on angles, rebounds and strategic positioning born from the enclosed structure.
How Alfonso de Hohenlohe Carried Padel to Spain
During a visit to Acapulco in the early 1970s, Prince Alfonso de Hohenlohe fell in love with the sport. Returning to Marbella, he built Europe’s first padel courts at the Marbella Club, adapting rules and introducing the sport to influential communities.
Padel Takes Root in Spain
In Spain, padel flourished. By the 1980s, clubs across Marbella, Madrid and the Basque region were building courts and hosting tournaments, establishing padel as a national sporting passion.
From Local Pastime to Global Phenomenon
The formation of the International Padel Federation in 1991 and the inaugural World Championships in 1992 accelerated the sport’s growth worldwide. Today, padel continues to expand at a remarkable pace across Europe, the Americas and beyond.
Why Enrique Corcuera’s Legacy Shapes Padel Today
Every padel match played today reflects Corcuera’s original vision: an enclosed, tactical, elegant sport built around movement and shared enjoyment.
Honouring the Legacy at Corcuera Padel Club
Corcuera Padel Club carries forward the sport’s origins with a modern environment shaped by the elegance, community and precision that define padel.
Frequently Asked Questions About Enrique Corcuera
Who is Enrique Corcuera?
Enrique Corcuera is the founder of padel, having designed the first enclosed court and writing the earliest rules in Acapulco.
When was padel invented?
The sport originated in the late 1960s and was formalised around 1969.
Where was the first padel court built?
The first court was constructed at Enrique Corcuera’s residence in Las Brisas, Acapulco.
How did padel spread to Spain?
Prince Alfonso de Hohenlohe introduced the sport to Marbella after seeing it at Corcuera’s home.
Why is Enrique Corcuera important?
His innovations define modern padel: the enclosed court, the tactical play style and the inclusive spirit of the sport.
Experience the Legacy at Corcuera Padel Club
Corcuera Padel Club honours the origins of the sport by offering a refined, community-driven space shaped by the values Enrique Corcuera instilled.