Alaeddine Bourara, hardware specialist at Total Padel, delivers a complete guide to allow all players to effectively test a racket. An essential procedure that will make your choice easier when you are hesitating between several palas.

Why test a racket?

Each racket has its own characteristics and it is important to understand them well to avoid ending up with a model that is unsuitable for your style of play.

  • The form : diamond, drop of water or round. Depending on its shape, the racket will be more oriented towards attack or defense.
  • The weight : heavy or light. The pala will have a particular performance depending on its weight.
  • Weight balance : at the head of the racket, in the center or in the handle, the balance will impact control and maneuverability.
  • The materials : the composition of the foam, the structure of the frame and the covering of the faces symbolize the identity of the racket and will determine the comfort of play.

All these characteristics can be viewed for each model in the racket description page when you search for it on the internet. Talking to a hardware specialist can also give you more details.

Approach the testing phase well

When you have made the decision to change rackets, it is necessary to test several models at once. Total Padel, which has the best testing program in Europe, will easily allow you to try different palas with similar profiles at the same time so you can make comparisons. Total Padel advises in this sense not to test more than three rackets in parallel to avoid getting lost.

First of all, make sure of the actual weight of the racket, because on each pala there can be a difference of plus or minus ten grams compared to the advertised weight. Then, check the weight distribution by placing it for example on the net, in order to find the balance point.

Testing a racket in play

Now it's time to test your racket on the track. To get a good idea of ​​the profile of the pala, you will have to try it in all situations: from the baseline before and after the glass, on the fly, in bandeja/vibora, and smash. Don't hesitate to repeat scales in all phases of play to get a complete point of view.

For the test to be optimal, it is best to avoid playing a friendly game or a simple warm-up. The ideal performance of a test is obtained during one-on-one diagonal training. In this way, you will be able to explore all phases of the game using movements and shot choices that you will find in a match.

The final advice from Total Padel towards all players who will follow this guide: take your time, play as much as possible and concentrate on your feelings while avoiding giving too much importance to comments coming from outside, because it is you and you alone who will have the racket in hand in the end!

Martin Schmuda

A competitive tennis player, Martin discovered the padel in 2015 in Alsace and appeared in a few tournaments in Paris. Today a journalist, he deals with current affairs padel while continuing its rise in the world of the little yellow ball!

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