Asian Games Debut Marks a New Era for Padel, Says Mahesh Bhupathi as Sport Eyes Explosive Growth in Asia

Padel has spent the last decade evolving from a niche racquet sport played predominantly in Spain and Argentina into one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. Now, with its inclusion in the Asian Games, the sport has reached another landmark moment one that many believe could fundamentally change its future, particularly across Asia.

While the opportunity to compete for continental medals is significant, the real impact lies beyond the podium. For World Padel League Co-Founder Mahesh Bhupathi, the sport's entry into one of Asia's biggest multi-sport events is a turning point that will influence investment, infrastructure, participation and long-term development.

As India prepares to host the fourth season of the World Padel League (WPL) in Mumbai next month, Bhupathi, along with World No. 10 stars Coki Nieto and Marta Ortega, believes the Asian Games could accelerate padel's growth in ways that medals alone never could.

For Bhupathi, the biggest victory isn't winning medals—it's earning legitimacy. The former Grand Slam champion believes that once a sport becomes part of a prestigious multi-sport event like the Asian Games, perceptions change dramatically.

"The medals are important, but they're only one part of the story," Bhupathi said. "What really changes is how a sport is perceived. Once you're part of an event like the Asian Games, governments pay attention, federations invest differently, and parents start looking at it as a sporting pathway."

That recognition has the potential to unlock significant opportunities across Asia.

National federations are more likely to receive funding, governments gain an incentive to build infrastructure, and young athletes begin viewing padel as a viable professional career rather than simply a recreational activity.

For a sport still in its infancy across much of Asia, those developments could prove transformational.

India has emerged as one of the fastest-growing markets for padel in recent years. The launch of the World Padel League has introduced Indian audiences to many of the world's leading players while simultaneously increasing awareness of the sport. Bhupathi believes the Asian Games will further strengthen that momentum.

He pointed to countries like Spain and Argentina, where sustained investment over many years created thriving padel ecosystems. Asia, he believes, now has an opportunity to follow a similar path.

Through the World Padel League, Indian fans have already witnessed elite international competition firsthand. The addition of the Asian Games provides another compelling reason for governments, federations and private investors to accelerate the sport's development.

Rather than focusing solely on elite tournaments, Bhupathi believes the emphasis must now shift towards creating stronger domestic structures capable of producing future champions.

The excitement surrounding padel's Asian Games debut is shared by many of the sport's biggest stars. World No. 10 Coki Nieto believes the continental event will introduce millions of new fans to padel for the very first time. According to Nieto, breaking into the Asian market represents one of the sport's most important milestones, offering enormous potential for increased participation.

He believes many spectators who discover padel through the Asian Games will eventually become players themselves, just as countless enthusiasts did in Europe over the past decade. His optimism is supported by his experiences in India during previous editions of the World Padel League.

Having witnessed growing crowds and increasing interest firsthand, Nieto believes the sport's popularity is only beginning to emerge in the region.

For fellow World No. 10 Marta Ortega, the Asian Games represents another important step towards an even bigger ambition Olympic inclusion. Recognition at major multi-sport events has historically played an important role in helping sports gain global acceptance. Ortega believes padel's appearance at the Asian Games reinforces its status as an international sport rather than one dominated by only a handful of countries.

As participation continues expanding into new regions, the case for Olympic inclusion becomes increasingly compelling. The rapid global growth of padel has already attracted attention from sporting bodies around the world, and successful integration into the Asian Games could strengthen its credentials even further.

While international tournaments generate excitement, Bhupathi insists that sustainable growth depends on much more than showcasing elite players. The next challenge, he says, is building an ecosystem that supports participation at every level. That means increasing the number of courts, strengthening coaching structures, organising domestic competitions and providing clear development pathways for young athletes.

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Without those foundations, interest generated by major tournaments risks fading over time.

India appears well positioned to capitalise. The growing number of padel facilities, increasing corporate investment and expanding World Padel League have already created momentum that few imagined possible just a few years ago.

The Asian Games now offers an opportunity to convert that momentum into long-term growth.

Since making its India debut in 2025, the World Padel League has become one of the key drivers behind the sport's popularity in the country. The league has consistently attracted many of the world's leading players while introducing Indian fans to the speed, athleticism and tactical complexity that define elite padel. The fourth edition, scheduled to take place from August 12 to 16 at Mumbai's DOME, SVP Stadium, will once again feature 36 of the world's top international players.

Beyond entertainment, however, the league serves a broader purpose.

By bringing world-class competition to India, it inspires aspiring players while encouraging greater investment in facilities, coaching and grassroots development.

Padel's Asian Games debut represents far more than another event on the sporting calendar. It symbolises the arrival of a sport that has quietly become one of the fastest-growing disciplines in the world. For India, where racquet sports already enjoy a strong following, the timing could hardly be better.

With influential figures like Mahesh Bhupathi championing its growth, international stars embracing new markets and the World Padel League continuing to expand the sport's footprint, padel appears well placed to establish itself across Asia.

The medals awarded at the Asian Games will create history, but their lasting significance may lie elsewhere.

Years from now, the 2026 Asian Games could be remembered not for who stood on the podium, but for marking the moment when padel truly arrived in Asia.