Padel Takes Mauritius by Storm

A few years ago, padel was virtually unknown to most sports enthusiasts. Today, courts are springing up in cities worldwide, clubs are multiplying, and tournaments are drawing in both seasoned athletes and complete beginners. The global padel boom is now making its mark on Mauritius. According to the International Padel Federation (FIP), the sport now boasts approximately 38 million players across 178 countries and territories, supported by around 85,000 courts and 27,000 clubs worldwide. Growth has been staggering: as recently as 2025, the FIP recorded over 35 million players, more than 24,600 clubs, and 77,300 courts spread across 150 countries and 20 dependent territories — with over 14,000 new courts constructed in that year alone. So what is driving this explosive popularity? Much of it comes down to accessibility. Padel is typically played in doubles on a court smaller than a standard tennis court, enclosed by glass walls and wire fencing that are integral to gameplay. Rallies tend to last longer than in tennis, making it more immediately enjoyable for newcomers, while still offering enough tactical depth to keep experienced players engaged. In Mauritius, the sport is following the same upward trajectory seen in Europe and Latin America. Local clubs are beginning to invest in dedicated padel infrastructure, and informal communities of players are growing steadily across the island, from Ebène to Grand Baie. The sport's social nature — best enjoyed in groups of four — fits naturally into Mauritian leisure culture, where sport is often as much about community as competition. What makes padel particularly well-suited to Mauritius is its adaptability to smaller spaces. Unlike tennis, which requires significant land area, padel courts can be installed in compact urban or resort settings, making it attractive for hotel groups and private clubs looking to diversify their sports offerings for both locals and tourists. As the FIP continues to push for padel's inclusion in future international multi-sport events, now may be the ideal moment for Mauritius to formalise its national padel structure — establishing a local federation, standardising court infrastructure, and positioning the island as a regional hub for the sport in the Indian Ocean. With the right investment and organisation, Mauritius could ride this global wave rather than simply watch it from the sidelines.