Padel, a fast-growing racquet sport that combines elements of tennis and squash, made its Asian Games debut in Nagoya, Japan, on Monday, September 28, 2026. The sport, which is played on courts surrounded by glass walls, has gained immense popularity worldwide, with an estimated 38 million players across 170 countries and territories. The inclusion of padel as a medal event at the Asian Games marks a significant step towards its potential inclusion in the Olympic Games.
The sport has gained the support of several high-profile athletes, including football icons Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, and tennis star Carlos Alcaraz. Padel has also attracted a large following in Europe, where it has experienced rapid growth over the past decade. According to officials, the sport has 85,000 courts globally, with a professional tour circuit and events that have drawn large crowds. A recent event held at the Roland Garros tennis stadium in Paris attracted over 80,000 people.
At the Asian Games, padel players from various countries competed in the event, which was held at the Higashi Sports Centre in Nagoya. The crowd was modest, with free tickets available, and some spectators expressed curiosity about the sport. Yuko Hiraiwa, a 60-year-old spectator, said she enjoyed the action but thought the crowd was "a bit quiet." Despite this, the sport won over some new fans, with the crowd gasping in appreciation at some of the shots and rallies.
Padel is typically played as a doubles game, using solid racquets and courts that are smaller than those used in tennis. The sport requires strategy and skill, with players needing to open up angles to win points. Philippines player Joshea Malazarte described padel as "more like a chess match" than tennis, requiring players to think carefully about their shots.
The International Padel Federation (IPF) is working towards making padel an Olympic sport, with official Donatella Del Gaudio stating that the next goal is to have the sport included in the Olympic program. While padel has already appeared at the European Games, its inclusion in the Asian Games marks a significant step towards achieving this goal. Del Gaudio said the IPF is working hard to make it happen soon, but requires patience and diligence.
Padel officials say the sport is enjoyed by people of all ages, with 50 percent of the worldwide playing population being women. The sport has also gained popularity in Latin America, where it originated. Kuwaiti player Mariam Al-Sarraj said that padel is a fun sport to watch, with increasing interest in tournaments and events.
The debut of padel at the Asian Games was hailed as a success by IPF official Del Gaudio, who said it was "a source of pride" for everyone in the sport. The inclusion of padel in the Asian Games brings it closer to Olympic inclusion, with the sport potentially becoming a major global sport in the near future.
Key points
- Padel makes its Asian Games debut in Nagoya, Japan, as a medal event.
- The sport has gained popularity worldwide, with 38 million players across 170 countries and territories.
- Padel's inclusion in the Asian Games brings it closer to potential Olympic inclusion.
