How Sports Can Be Invented

Enrique Corcuera, a wealthy Mexican businessman, encountered a problem in 1969. He enjoyed playing tennis in his backyard but faced an issue: the balls would often fall into the cliffs of Acapulco. Inspired by an incident where his wife repeatedly kicked a ball against a wall, he erected walls around his tennis court. This innovation marked the inception of a sport now played by more than 20 million people.

The sport is padel, typically played in doubles, emphasizing teamwork. It features a lower net, a smaller court, and depressurized balls relative to tennis, resulting in a fast-paced yet controlled game. Players wield solid paddles without strings, necessitating a unique set of techniques and strokes distinct from tennis or squash. Padel is easy to learn, always played in pairs, and its gameplay focuses on strategy and quick reflexes over power and speed, making it accessible to a broad range of ages and skill levels.

The development and rules of padel mirror the process of conceiving a new business idea. Corcuera received feedback from family and visiting friends, constantly refining and making decisions, such as using a tennis or squash ball. He also had to be inventive, for example, establishing a rule for occasions when the ball struck the AC unit that preexisted on the wall.

From its humble beginnings in Acapulco, padel has grown exponentially, particularly in Spanish-speaking countries. The emergence of professional leagues, international championships, and dedicated padel clubs reflects the sport's soaring popularity. This illustrates humanity's remarkable capacity for innovation, even in realms like sports, where it may seem that everything has already been created.

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