5 exciting facts about Padel you need to know!
Padel is a sport that everyone can enjoy, which is why we’ve included it in our offerings with Zayed Sports Academy. It provides a fun and engaging experience that can be tailored to your skill level, and anyone can play regardless of age or gender. We have gathered for you 5 exciting facts about this sport that might catch your attention.
Padel was invented in Mexico.
Many people associate padel with Spain, but it was Enrique Corcuera, a Mexican businessman, who invented the sport in 1969. He wanted to build a tennis court in his backyard, but with not enough space, he built a smaller court with walls to prevent the balls from leaving off the court, the rest is history. Padel gained popularity quickly in Mexico and other Latin American countries, but it did not spread to Spain until the 1970s.
Courts surfaces have options for material and colour.
Zayed Sports Academy plays padel on turf, but padel courts surface can be made of different materials, including concrete and acrylic. Official rules allow for different colours of surfaces too, such as blue, green, and earthy brown. Our surfaces are imported from France and Spain for the best experience you’ll get in Abu Dhabi.
Silica Sand is used with turf courts.
Having Silica sand on a padel court is very important to ensure your padel balls have a perfect bounce. Silica sand is heavier than regular sand which means it doesn’t fly away in the wind and doesn’t absorb water. Courts are maintained by sweeping the sand for equal distribution.
Padel is not an Olympic Sport.
While padel is becoming increasingly popular around the world, it is not an Olympic sport yet. However, in 2019, padel was recognized as an international sport by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), so it is only a few steps away from being included in the summer games.
Padel is the fastest-growing sport in the world.
According to the International Padel Federation, over 25 million people play padel in more than 90 countries in 2023. Moreover, the term ‘padel’ is searched 968,000 times a month globally making it the fastest-growing sport in the world. The UAE ranks at 7th place worldwide in the popularity of padel, made known throughout the country thanks to an Instagram post by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed Al Maktoum (Sheikh Fazza).
Overall, padel has gained popularity all over the world in recent years because it is a fun and exciting sport. With its small court size, unique playing style, and wall use, padel combines the best parts of racket sports into a single game. There is no doubt that padel will continue to grow and develop, as more and more people learn about this dynamic sport. It's an excellent sport for staying active, having fun, and connecting with others, and that's exactly why we offer padel lessons and social padel activities with Zayed Sports Academy.
