Every summer, the same scenario plays out on the padel courts. Temperatures rise, the balls accelerate, the glass reacts differently, and the sensations change. Yet, the majority of players continue to approach their matches in exactly the same way… with only one adjustment: trying to hit harder.

For  Andoni Bardasco , former member of the world's Top 25 and founder of  Padel Stuff This approach is a mistake. In a new video published on the YouTube channel of Padel StuffHe explains why the heat not only makes the game faster: it profoundly transforms the playing conditions and imposes a real technical, tactical… and material adaptation.

Understand before trying to accelerate

For several years, Padel Stuff It defends a simple philosophy: padel is a sport of adaptation. Playing conditions change with the seasons, and players must learn to read these changes rather than repeating the same automatic movements all year round.

Summer changes the ball's behavior, the racket's reactions, the bounces off the glass, and even the quality of the grip. All these parameters directly influence performance.

This first video in a series dedicated to summer padel focuses precisely on this often neglected aspect: the equipment and its behavior in the heat.

Why do the balls become so fast?

First observation: when temperatures rise, the balls bounce more.

At first glance, this seems like good news for smash enthusiasts. But this extra speed also reduces the margin for error. Trajectories become more difficult to control, forcing players to prioritize precision over power.

A racket that changes… without you even noticing.

Another often overlooked phenomenon: heat acts directly on the foam of the racket.

By becoming more flexible, the racket alters the sensations felt at impact. Some shots may seem easier to execute, but ball control also becomes more challenging. Therefore, the same racket can offer noticeably different performance between winter and the height of summer.

The windows also change with the temperature

Experienced players often notice this without always knowing why: the glass doesn't react the same way when the heat sets in.

According to Andoni Bardasco, they catch spin more easily and alter certain trajectories after the rebound. This detail directly influences the quality of the defense and forces players to adapt their positioning and timing.

Details that make the difference

The video also addresses several practical aspects that players regularly face during periods of intense heat:

  • Why can sweating become a real handicap?
  • How to choose your grip or wristbands effectively?
  • Should we always opt for faster balls in the summer?
  • Is it relevant to use a different racket depending on the season?

Here again, Andoni Bardasco debunks several common misconceptions. Contrary to what many believe, constantly seeking more speed isn't necessarily the best solution. According to him, maintaining control remains the priority, even when conditions naturally make the game more explosive.

A series to help you play better this summer

Beyond the practical advice, this video is part of a broader approach: understanding the mechanics of the game before trying to score points.

This first part will soon be followed by a second episode focusing on tactical and technical adaptations. The aim will be to explain how to adapt your offensive and defensive game when temperatures become extreme, and why summer doesn't always reward the hardest-hitting players.

For all those who think that the summer season is all about racking up winning smashes, this analysis by Andoni Bardasco might well change their view of padel… before they even step onto the court.

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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