Padel, a racket sport typically played in doubles on an enclosed court slightly smaller than a doubles tennis court, has been included on the European Games programme for the first time.

In fact, it will be the first time that the sport has been included at a major multi-sport event.

It is due be contested over five days at Kraków-Małopolska 2023 with competition in men’s, women’s and mixed doubles.

A total of 64 players from across the continent are expected to take part in what is expected to be one of the most popular sports on the programme as it is due to be held Main Square in Kraków, along with another new developing sport, teqball.

"Looking at the five Olympic Rings and seeing a padel racket in the background is the biggest reward for the hard serious unceasing work that has allowed us to be chosen by the European Olympic Committees as an independent discipline," Carraro said.

"It is a huge emotion, for all those who love padel, for those who play it and for the athletes who have contributed to the growth of our discipline over the years."

The FIP was founded in 1991 and Carraro, elected President in 2018, began lobbying for European Games inclusion the following year.

FIP officials worked closely with Polish organisers and the sport was accepted as part of the programme in 2021.

A special task force has also been formed to consider its inclusion on the programme of the Asian Games.

The sport's global tour Premier Padel is financed by Qatar Sports Investment, the company which also owns French football club Paris Saint-Germain.

The FIP has over 50 Member Associations, but claims the sport is practised in more than 90 countries.

Last month the FIP launched proceedings against the International Tennis Federation (ITF) over what it described as a "hostile takeover" of the sport.

Although 57.48 per cent of votes cast at the ITF Annual General Meeting were in favour of taking over stewardship of the sport, it fell short of the necessary two-thirds majority.