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Padel is making waves all around the world that combines elements of tennis and squash. The sport has gained immense popularity in recent years as it boasts over 25 million players and is enjoyed across 110 countries, propelling it to be one of the fastest-growing sports in the world.
It's accessibility and social nature are it's appeal. The simplicity of rules in the smaller court, enclosed by walls is a plus for beginners who can quickly learn, but its dynamic and strategic nature maintains it's interest among veterans as well.
Superstars like Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz have redefined tennis in Spain. But as of now padel has overtaken the world's most practiced racquet sport and has successfully consolidated itself as the second most popular sport after football in the country. With more than 3.5 million players and 14,000 courts, it dominates global participation and infrastructure. The sport attracts a large following because it is accessible, cheap and very social.
Here's a look at some of the factors that makes padel one of the sought-after sports in Spain.
Solid Structure and Administration
Spain has the highest number of padel courts in the world. Many are included in tennis clubs, sports parks and even in leisure centers. The Spanish Padel Federation conducts the flagship events: the Spanish Padel Championships and the Spanish Padel Cup.
World-Class Circuit of Professional Padel
The World Padel Tour, the top class professional league is headquartered in Spain. Spanish players lead the world stage, and the men's team won the Padel World Championships four times while the women's took it six times.
Cultural Inclusion and Celebrity Popularity
Padel has become an integral part of Spanish lifestyle, whereby millions have enrolled in padel clubs, and they participate in local leagues. Celebrities such as many footballers and actors front the sport by promoting it through games and endorsements. The Marbella Club is the most popular padel court in the country and is always in demand.
Business
The growth of the sport has led to the development of equipment and apparel brands based in Spain, stimulating economic activities in this specialized sector.
The sport is still in early stages in India, but is picking up pace quickly among the urban youth. The upcoming high-profile tournament in the FIP Promotion India Padel Open is bound to be a game-changer of all sorts. It will be a 4-day extravaganza at Greater Noida's Bennett University, where over 100 players will cross swords against each other for the ultimate prize.
A total of 10 players from Spain will be competing at this event, which includes the likes of Sergi Guimet Bigas, Joel Olivera Palos, Patricia Molinos and many more names.
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