Scores on the doors or flags on the boards?

Padel’s next great leap will not be measured solely by more new courts or ever growing crowds at elite-level tournaments.

For while Spain and Argentina continue to set the professional standard, there is a growing cohort of countries beginning to create players, partnerships and ambitions of their own. Padel’s next great leap will not be measured solely by more new courts or ever growing crowds at elite-level tournaments. It will, I believe, be seen in the national flags displayed on scoreboards.

Let’s take the 2026 Paris Major, which saw a handsome dose of countries attempting to wrestle some control back from the established powerhouses. We saw Italian, Paraguayan, Belgian, UAE, German, US and Mexican players win rounds in the main draw.

But the standout performance came from French men’s No 1 Thomas Leygue, who gave home fans a glimpse of what that future could look like. With Spanish partner Jesús Moya, Leygue came through qualifying, defeating 13th seeds Juanlu Esbrí and Sanyo Gutiérrez 6–2, 4–6, 7–5, to reach the last 16 - an unprecedented achievement for a French player at Roland-Garros. Their run ended against fourth seeds Franco Stupaczuk and Jon Sanz - but not before they had shown that a player developed outside padel’s traditional heartlands can belong on the sport’s grandest stages.

That is the real opportunity ahead. Padel does not need to wait for a new nation to produce a world No 1 before calling its expansion a success. Progress begins earlier: a teenager finding an affordable local court; a club building a junior programme; a coach teaching the subtleties of defending, constructing points and using the glass; a domestic tournament that gives a promising player another meaningful match.

The strongest emerging nations will be those that build complete ecosystems rather than relying on a handful of gifted individuals.

More than courts

Courts are the invitation, but a genuine padel culture needs much more. Players need regular competition, qualified coaches, training partners and a route from social play to performance sport.

That route is especially challenging in countries with colder or wetter climates and not enough indoor facilities. Year-round access to indoor courts can turn a seasonal enthusiasm into a sustainable sporting habit. It also enables junior academies, leagues, regional events and coaching programmes to operate consistently.

The strongest emerging nations will be those that build complete ecosystems rather than relying on a handful of gifted individuals. Brazil, France, Italy, Portugal, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United States all have reasons for optimism, but lasting success will require depth across both sides of the court and several generations of players.

The value of a big moment

A surprise win at a Major can change much more than a ranking. It brings belief. Leygue’s Paris run offered exposure, points and precious experience against elite opposition. It also gave young French players a tangible example: the distance to the top is real, but it is not imaginary. A player from their club, city or national circuit can step onto Philippe-Chatrier and compete.

This is why international events matter so much in newer padel markets. Wild cards, qualifying opportunities and home tournaments should be treated as development tools, not merely promotional extras. They allow local players to test their level, attract sponsors and learn what the professional game truly demands.

The team format can be equally powerful. At the 2024 FIP World Championships in Doha, Argentina won the men’s title while Spain retained the women’s crown, underlining the established order at the top. Yet the event also brought national teams from across the world into the same competitive environment - exactly the exposure that helps emerging countries accelerate.

Spain and Argentina deserve enormous credit: their clubs, coaches and competitive traditions created the benchmark everyone else is now chasing. But padel will become even richer when more nations are capable of producing dangerous pairs, passionate crowds and genuine medal contenders.

The sport’s internationalisation will be built one rally at a time: more accessible courts, better coaching, fuller calendars, smarter investment and brave opportunities for local talent. The destination is a professional game where a draw feels unpredictable, not because Spain and Argentina have declined, but because everyone else has risen to meet them. 🎾