The Santiago Premier Padel P1, scheduled for March 23-30, 2025, is already shaping up to be a unique tournament of the season. Held at the Complejo Deportivo San Carlos de Apoquindo, at an altitude of 950 meters, it is expected to offer fast and explosive play. A marked contrast to what we saw in Miami.

At nearly 1000 meters above sea level, conditions are ideal for offensive players. The air is less dense, allowing the ball to travel faster and bounce higher. Smash hits come out more easily, spin (topspin, slice) is reduced, and reaction time is reduced. As a result, rallies are shorter and more intense, and powerful players like Galan, Garrido, Coello, Tapia (at 100%), Augsburger, and Tello could take full advantage of these conditions.

Conversely, during the Miami P1, playing conditions were much slower. Played at sea level in a humid atmosphere, the tournament favored a more patient style of play. The denser air slowed the ball, the bounces were lower, and the humidity made the balls heavier while making the surface more humid. This slowed down the game and gave defenders more time to organize. In this context, players comfortable with point construction and solid from the baseline, such as Paquito Navarro, Juan Lebron, and Coki Nieto, were able to impose their style.

The comparison between Santiago and Miami perfectly illustrates the extent to which outdoor conditions profoundly influence professional padel. The same player can shine or suffer depending on whether the tournament is played at dry altitude or in humid conditions.

In Santiago, the points were expected to be shorter, the rallies more explosive, with more winning smashes. In Miami, the points were more structured, with matches regularly lasting over two hours.

Altitude is therefore a strategic element which influences the style of play, the results... and even the physical and mental preparation of the players. It adds to the many variables where each tournament imposes adaptations.

In Santiago, fans of offensive padel are in for a treat. But won't the tournament be... too fast, precisely? It might be the women's padel who could come out on top, he who is sometimes criticized for his long matches. Here, matches lasting more than 2 hours / 20:30 should not be the norm.

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.

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