You are a tennis player and you want to try the padel ? Welcome ! Although these two sports are very similar in terms of the technique on the fly, the quick grip of the racquet or the counting system, there are several different points that it is interesting to take into account.

Before focusing on what would be the best material for your game, take some time to familiarize yourself with the magnificent sport of padel. A few minutes of reading will be enough to make you aware of the differences between the two sports, and a few sessions on the field to put them into practice. Then you are free to equip yourself accordingly.

What are the differences between tennis and padel ?

Although having several points in common, the differences are multiple.

  • The land: the dimensions of the land are smaller at padel, the net also being lower
  • Windows and grilles: The presence of grilles and windows make the game more dynamic, more alive and especially closer to our opponents
  • Service: It had to be adapted to tennis. In order to favor long stitches, the service is done with a spoon and under the belt. Difficult to make aces.
  • The racket: shorter and without strings
  • Bullets: Adapted to the game, less bouncy than tennis

The technique, for a passage in good conditions

The tennis technique is complementary with the padel, but some moves have to be modified or learned.

  • Shorten gestures: This is one of the first problems of tennis players. Too loose gestures. The ground being shorter, the ball comes back faster. Too great a gesture and you already have the ball on you. Reduce the preparation as well as the finish.
  • Watch out for spin: In tennis, topspin is used a lot for safety, the ball passing high over the net, and to annoy opponents with a high rebound. At padel this effect is not used very often because a topspin effect bounces the ball very high on the glass making it easy for opponents. The most used effects are the cut or brushed effects preventing the ball from having a big rebound. The lift will be used more often for spikes.

Windows

Playing with the windows is not really easy during the first steps padel. The players have to force themselves to let the ball pass, which is difficult. You have to get used to playing with these windows so that they become your friends and not your enemies. A word of advice: Accompany the ball when it reaches your height. Open the door for her, let her in, then you push her out, closing it behind her.

Home

In general, tennis players know that being well-dressed is important. For snowshoeing, do what you can, but we suggest starting with a diamond-shaped racket that is better suited for tennis players to hit around 100 €. After a few months and following the evolution of your game, more defensive, offensive, right or left, invest in a pala that suits you.

Finally, when you want to switch from tennis to padelWhat you have to say to yourself is that you shouldn't be in a hurry and want to win tournaments from the first games. Take your time, discover this sport, use your strengths and adapt them to the padel, learn to play with the windows and above all have a good time in the field.

 

Julien Bondia

Julien Bondia is a teacher of padel in Tenerife (Spain). Columnist and advisor, he helps you play better through his tutorials and tactical/technical articles padel.

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