Arturo Coello, a 23-year-old Spaniard, holds the world No. 1 ranking in padel, a racket sport blending tennis and squash elements. The sport, invented over 50 years ago in Mexico, is experiencing rapid growth, particularly in Europe. Coello discussed padel's rise, his entry into the game, and future aspirations in an interview with Jon Wertheim.
Padel combines the scoring system and ball from tennis with the slashing strokes, delicate angles, tactical positioning, and wall usage of squash. Conceived more than 50 years ago in Mexico, the sport has recently surged in popularity worldwide, especially in Europe, where court construction is increasing by triple digits year over year.
Arturo Coello, a telegenic 23-year-old from Spain, has risen to the top of padel's rankings. He grips a customized implement to blast tennis balls over the net into hard-to-reach pockets, covering the court efficiently. Entering his prime years, Coello shows no signs of slowing down, winning matches at a rapid pace.
In a discussion with Sports Illustrated's Jon Wertheim, Coello shared insights into padel's growth and his personal journey in the sport. He explained how he became involved and expressed hopes for its future expansion. While padel shares similarities with tennis—such as the ball and scoring—it incorporates unique squash-like features, including the use of walls, which add strategic depth to gameplay.
Coello's achievements highlight padel's appeal, drawing comparisons to stars like Carlos Alcaraz in tennis, though his dominance is in this hybrid racket sport. The sport's momentum suggests continued global interest as infrastructure develops.