The racquet sport of padel made its debut as a medal event at the Asian Games on Monday in Nagoya, marking a significant milestone towards its ambition of becoming an Olympic sport. Played on courts smaller than tennis and enclosed by glass walls, padel combines elements of tennis and squash and is usually contested in doubles using solid rather than stringed racquets.

Padel is rapidly growing in popularity worldwide, with an estimated 38 million players across approximately 170 countries and territories, and around 85,000 courts globally. Originating in Latin America, the sport has seen a surge in Europe over the past decade. High-profile athletes such as football stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, as well as tennis player Carlos Alcaraz and Formula One driver Max Verstappen, have contributed to raising the sport's international profile.

At the Nagoya Asian Games, the sport attracted modest crowds at the Higashi Sports Centre, where tickets were free. While padel remains relatively new in Japan, local enthusiasts expressed excitement about the competition’s dynamic play. Yuko Hiraiwa, a 60-year-old spectator and player, described the game as energetic and engaging despite a quieter than expected atmosphere. The involvement of Japanese players Teruaki Ando and Shinnosuke Nakamura, who won a close match against opponents from Lebanon, generated additional local interest.

Players like the Philippines’ Joshea Malazarte highlighted padel’s strategic nature, comparing it to a "chess match" where opening up angles and patience play crucial roles, in contrast to tennis’s emphasis on powerful shots. Kuwaiti player Mariam Al-Sarraj noted increasing spectator interest in live tournaments worldwide, with venues approaching full capacity in recent years.

While padel’s rising participation and expanding global footprint indicate strong momentum, officials acknowledge challenges ahead. Donatella Del Gaudio of the International Padel Federation (IPF) termed the Asian Games inclusion a source of pride and evidence of the sport’s growth, emphasizing ongoing efforts to secure Olympic status. She urged patience and adherence to the Olympic timeline, referencing squash's long road to inclusion despite its large playing base.

The Nagoya Games marked a significant step for padel, showcasing its appeal to a broader audience and reinforcing ambitions to become part of the Olympic program in the near future.