Carlos Carrillo, CEO and founder of the Asia Pacific Padel Tour (APPT), signs an article in the latest issue of Padel Cluster Magazine in which he analyzes the rise of padel in Asia.
You can read it in full below:
Middle East: a consolidated benchmark
Before speaking about continental Asia, it is fair to acknowledge that the development of padel in the Middle East is several years ahead. Countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, or Saudi Arabia have strongly embraced this sport, building benchmark clubs, organizing international tournaments, and promoting its professionalization. Dubai, for example, is already a nerve center of global padel. However, the truly revolutionary changes are now happening in countries where, until very recently, padel didn’t even exist.
Asia boiling over: the numbers speak
The pace of expansion in Asia is dizzying. And some figures prove it:
Why is Asia growing so fast?
Because several unique conditions align: on the one hand, there is space, investment, and a modern vision of sport. On the other hand, padel connects with a young, global generation eager to play social, accessible, and new sports. And above all, because Asia already has a deeply rooted racket sport culture.
Sports like badminton, squash, or table tennis are extremely popular and are part of the daily lives of millions of people. Padel, with its simplicity and dynamism, fits perfectly into that tradition, making it a natural gateway for many players.
In addition, in many countries, padel has grown free from bureaucratic structures. It has been private initiatives, entrepreneurs, and the players themselves who have led the movement.
When structures block momentum
Paradoxically, the Asian countries where padel arrived earlier —such as Japan or Australia— have lost momentum in their development. The reason? Excessive regulation and attempts at control by some federations that, rather than promoting, hinder expansion.
This is, in fact, one of the biggest threats to the growth of padel in Asia: the temptation to replicate models of excessive control, ill-suited to such a dynamic and diverse region. Padel needs structures that support, not dominate. Flexibility, collaboration, and openness must be the keys.
The role of the Asia Pacific Padel Tour
At the Asia Pacific Padel Tour (APPT), we work to ensure padel grows in a professional, organized, and inclusive way. We already operate in more than 15 countries, connecting clubs, players, brands, and local federations in an open and innovative ecosystem.
In 2025, the APPT will distribute more than 1 million dollars in prize money, consolidating its position as one of the circuits with the greatest international appeal. This level of incentives not only promotes the professionalization of players, but also accelerates the development of the sport across the continent.
Competitions like the APPCup of Nations, which brings together national teams from Asia and the Pacific, are an example of how padel is being organized into competitive, accessible, and spectacular formats that connect with both local and global audiences.
Asia is already the present. And it’s unstoppable
Asia is not just the future of padel. It is the sport’s most vibrant and transformative present. With a base of millions of potential players, hundreds of new clubs, and contagious energy, the continent is rewriting the rules of the game.
And this… is just beginning.
By Carlos Carrillo, CEO and founder of the Asia Pacific Padel Tour (APPT).
ENGLISH 
ESPAÑOL