Padel makes Asian Games debut with Olympics in sight

In Nagoya, padel, a racquet sport that blends elements of tennis and squash, made its debut at the Asian Games, officials hopeful for an Olympic inclusion. Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Carlos Alcaraz, all avid padel enthusiasts, contributed to the sport's growing popularity. Padel, estimated to be played by 38 million people worldwide, saw its first appearance in the Asian Games.

Philippines player Joshea Malazarte expressed her delight at the sport's addition, noting that padel in Europe is booming while still relatively unknown in Japan. The sport, which originated in Latin America, is played in 170 countries and territories with 85,000 courts globally. Despite the modest crowd at the Higashi Sports Centre, spectators found the action dynamic and exciting.

Padel, which is usually played as a doubles game using solid racquets and enclosed courts, is enjoyed by all ages with 50% of the worldwide playing population being women. The International Padel Federation is working diligently towards the Olympics, emphasizing the need for patience, diligence, and respect for the Olympic timeline.