The invention of Padel

Sporting Witness

Have you ever invented a game to pass the time while on vacation? Well, what if that game became a global sensation?

In 1969, Enrique and Viviana Corcuera created Padel while on holiday. With federations in six continents and millions of players around the world, Padel is now the fastest growing sport on the planet.

Viviana shares her experience with Hunter Charlton. It’s an Ember Audio production for BBC World Service.

Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive and testimony. Sporting Witness is for those fascinated by sporting history. We take you to the events that have shaped the sports world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes, you become a fan in the stands as we take you back in time to examine memorable victories and agonising defeats from all over the world. You’ll hear from people who have achieved sporting immortality, or those who were there as incredible sporting moments unfolded.

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(Photo: Enrique and Viviana Corcuera pictured in the 1980s. Credit: Viviana Corcuera)