THE NEXT BIG THING

As the current international craze in the world of sports, does padel have what it takes to become the next big sport in the country?

- Jessica Zapata

Today, many sports are gaining popularity as people seek comfort and enjoyment in recreational activities. One such sport is padel tennis, which has garnered widespread attention for its challenging combination of squash and tennis. This relatively new sport is drawing millions of players and enthusiasts worldwide.

Padel tennis originated in Mexico, invented by Enrique Corcuera in 1969. Later, it was introduced to the rest of the world, including Spain. As per the International Padel Federation (FIP), there are currently more than 25 million padel players in 90 countries worldwide. Apart from Spain and Mexico, the sport is also played in Portugal, Sweden, United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom, to name a few.

Already, there are several competitions held annually, the biggest one being the Padel World Championship organised by the FIP. Other countries hold tournaments too: Milano Premier Padel in Italy, Riyadh Season Premier Padel in Saudi Arabia, Lotto Brussels Premier Padel in Belgium and Santiago Premier Padel in Chile.

The Philippines is no stranger to the new sport, with clubs and federations like the Manila Padel Club and Padel Pilipinas that brought and introduced padel to the country.

Co-founder and CEO of Manila Padel Club Alenna Dawn recalled how her partner, Fredrik Lonnqvist, introduced her to padel. “He was travelling between Sweden and Spain when he discovered the sport. Being both athletic, we were piqued by its social and dynamic nature, fitting perfectly into our constant search for a new activity.”