Le padel knows a new boom in Argentina, in particular thanks to the impact of the latest generation tracks and the end of the injury myth.

Le padel, a violent sport?

Created in Mexico in the 60s, the padel very quickly arrived in Argentina, where it knew an important development, in particular in the years 90. Subsequently, this sport started to know a bad publicity because considered too violent. It must be said that at the time, wooden rackets absorbed vibrations very poorly and elbow injuries were frequent ...

Urban artist land with walls and concrete floors, as we still find a lot in South America, made the game faster and the slippery surface did not spare the knees and ankles either… This is what led some Argentines to turn their backs on the game. padel, as the legendary explains Lisandro Borges in La Nacion: “After the boom of the 90s, the padel disappeared in Buenos Aires, but it survived in the interior of the country ”.

A new, more sustainable wave?

But the padel comes back in force and he knows a wave similar to that of the 90s and which could be more sustainable, the former player Mariano Tartarelli is convinced: “The difference between the wave of the 90s and the one we know today is that before, the padel was a business like any other. Those who made the tracks did not know the rules, nor the dimensions. Today we see it as a sport in its own right, there is more professionalism, and young people know that they can make a living in Europe. ”

The other reason why the padel is experiencing a new boom in the land of Fernando Belasteguin, it is the presence of last generation tracks. Exit concrete, new constructions are done with carpets similar to those used by professionals, and the walls are fully glazed, like what we find in Europe. Lisandro Borges is convinced that these new avenues are an important growth driver: “When people test new tracks, they don't want the old ones anymore!”

Almost 2 million players in Argentina

It is estimated that today Argentina has nearly 2 million players, for around 5 tracks, spread over 000 clubs. According to Tartarelli, the fact that the WPT holds a tournament there each year (it had to be canceled in 2 due to the pandemic but should return in 000) helps to restore the image of the sport.

It must be said that many Argentinian champions have taken the step of professionalism in Spain, and they necessarily encourage their fellow citizens, great sports fans, to take an interest in competition. Thus, according to José Luis García Montes, the communication department of the WPT, “Argentina has counted for almost 3 million views on YouTube this year”.

It seems that the padel argentina takes full advantage of the new, more absorbent snowshoes and the new, more secure slopes and which make the show more visual. In addition, the development of World Padel Tour and other initiatives like the exhibition at the Iguaçu Falls, allow this sport to become ever more popular. Let's hope that the health crisis will not have done too much harm to its development and that it will be able to continue its growth in Argentina!

For those who would like to read the entire article (in Spanish) on the La Nacion website, it's by HERE

Xan is a fan of padel. But also rugby! And his posts are just as punchy. Physical trainer of several padel, he unearths atypical posts or deals with topical subjects. It also gives you some tips to develop your physique for the padel. Clearly, he imposes his offensive style as on the field of padel !

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