Men's padel is currently dominated by a powerful and explosive style of play, diminishing the importance of thoughtful and tactical game phases. The race for chaos (KO?) has become the norm, with the aim of hitting lightning smashes whenever possible.

More and more athletic players

I am skeptical about this trend, because I feel that padel loses its essence and depth when it is reduced to a series of overpowered hits. I would prefer a padel that values ​​the variety of shots, creativity and reflection, rather than simple brute force.

Pablo-Cardona-smash-left-handed-bullpadel

It would be a shame if padel lost its identity and became a one-dimensional sport dominated by powerful hits. Nowadays, on the various professional circuits, the slightest mistake is immediately punished, leaving little room for strategy and finesse. Of course, the brutal and aggressive game has always been a component of padel, but it now seems to dominate among men, relegating the other aspects of the game to the background.

The increasing athleticism of players in search of power, the emergence of strategies for faster points, and the technological advances of palas contribute to the accentuation of this trend. In addition, the question of the level of pressure of Balles plays an important role in this dynamic. The use of ultra-pressurized balls in padel favors powerful and spectacular hits, characteristic of a style of play appreciated by spectators, but which arouses controversy.

Video – The basics of physical preparation for padel with Nox and Agustín Tapia

It was better before ?

Men's professional padel has undergone a notable evolution in recent years, with increasing importance given to the physical qualities of athletes and devastating shots.

Despite the progress made by players in protecting their zone, they remain powerless against powerful smashes launched from any part of the court. Indeed, while defenders demonstrate superhuman reflexes, an ability to move quickly and start in surprising ways, these qualities are no longer enough to counter smashers endowed with phenomenal power. Even when the smashes are initiated from deep in the court, these “malabars” manage to finish the point by striking with herculean force on the opposing glass, the ball embracing a trajectory that draws a deadly upward curve while overcoming the opponents to land in the other half of the field (as we'll explore in a later article, the par 3 is no longer as rewarding as it used to be.)

I must tell you that I get more pleasure from watching a women's match, imbued with elegance, fluidity and technicality, sometimes even tinged with a certain robustness, than a gunner's duel where the lightning smashes are almost always the only decisive shot to finish the points.

Gonzalez and Brea Seville

Reduce bullet pressure?

Some padel enthusiasts are calling for innovations in ball design, hoping to further improve the playing experience and better adapt to different surfaces and playing conditions. I share this opinion and believe that modern padel is no longer in line with the current pressurization of balls, which pushes professional players towards strategies increasingly focused on ultra-offensive. Although this can be spectacular, it makes the game less attractive and promotes a stereotypical approach that limits creativity and diversity of playing styles.

Penso 2024 padel ball tubes

However, it is a sport that is characterized by its technical richness and variety of strokes, and it is important to preserve these characteristics to guarantee the future and popularity of padel.

Two philosophies clash

  1. The “bouncy” padel
  • Favor power and spectacle.
  • Maintain the high pressurization of the current bullets.
  • Bowing down to the television broadcasters so that the matches don't last too long...
  1. “Technical” padel:
  • Promote control and variety of shots.
  • Reduce ball pressure to “try to complicate” the task of the big hitters on the circuit.
  • Favor a long and polished game, promoting the technical skills of the players.

In conclusion, the debate on the evolution of balls is far from being settled, and it seems necessary to find a balance between power and tactics in modern padel. Today, the main trend is the satellite lobbed smash, which literally propels the ball into orbit and makes any attempt at recovery futile due to the high trajectory.

A more thoughtful and varied padel, where finesse and strategy have their place, would be more attractive and richer for players and spectators alike. Indeed, some critics denounce a game that is less technical and more focused on brute force. It is important that ball manufacturers and the sport's governing bodies work together to find a solution that meets the needs of all and guarantees the future of padel.

Stéphane Penso

Padel fan, Stéphane has become the official tester of the padel planet in Europe. Everything goes through his expert hands. Thanks to his extensive experience in the world of rackets, he is able to scan your equipment from head to toe!

On the same subject

Tags