It is often said that the padel can be a good supplement for tennis players. But is the reverse also true? Can tennis bring more to the players of padel ?

More and more, professional athletes use the padel as a training supplement. We see it for tennis players, but also among footballers, beach tennis players, basketball players etc. But do the players of padel could use tennis as a supplement? And if so, what could this sport bring them?

First of all, you should know that the practice of any sport is important for our health. Practicing one or more sports allows the body to release tension, improve our relationships with others, in a word, feel good. But when looking for performance, it is interesting to mix certain activities in order to develop our faculties.

Le padel is a complete sport which allows us to develop our emotional and physical side. It also allows us to improve our sense of direction, our balance as well as decision-making, skill and reflexes.

Tennis is like the big brother of padel. What can he bring him now that the little one is growing?

The individual game

Tennis being for the most part an individual sport, playing tennis promotes individual decision-making. A player of padel will count on his partner to cheer him up during complicated phases, to recover difficult balls or to finish a point brilliantly. In tennis, it's up to you to do everything on your own. It is therefore an interesting aspect to work on.

Taking time

Points at padel follow one another at high speed. The size and organization of the track means that the pace between each point is high. Playing tennis promotes working on the tempo between points, to analyze and mentally organize the course of a match. For a player of padel this time may seem endless, but learning to use time for recovery and concentration is important.

The background technique

All the shots of the padel cannot be worked on in tennis. The forehand for example is much shorter and much less violent than in tennis. However, you can use the topspin forehand volley. It is a little used shot in tennis but much more in padel. Understanding it will bring you better attacks.

The backhand on the other hand very much resembles the tennis backhand. With one or two hands, this gesture will give you confidence, precision and power if necessary.

On the fly

This is THE favorite area for padel. Net work is very important at padel but much less used in tennis. The interesting thing about tennis is that to get to the net you have to prepare your attack. At padel It's a bit the same when the opponents are at the net, when you push them back to take their place in the offensive position. So play tennis to understand the importance of preparing your attack. From a technical point of view, the two sports are similar, so come to the net and you'll be fine.

The high balls

This is a problematic area. The bandeja and vibora not existing in tennis, you have a good chance of making the wrong decision, which will give an attacking ball for your opponent. As much as padel we have time to play a bandeja “Defensive” whereas in tennis a defensive shot to the net will give an offensive ball to your opponent, the size of the field not allowing slow balls.

Tennis can give you precision and technique in smashes and serves that are technically very similar. A tennis serve needs spin, curve, angle. And this is precisely what we are looking for at padel with a preparation and / or finishing smash. Learn to throw the ball correctly, to change the impact points and you will become an outstanding smasher.

Live play

This is the last point we will tackle. In tennis no windows or gates, the field is open. You must therefore take decisions very quickly or lose the point. So of course we say that padel it is better to let the ball pass to have more time, but at times it is interesting to “cut” this routine, speeding up the game by taking the ball directly. This way of playing requires a great activation of the legs as well as a lively and precise gaze.

En conclusion

If you are a player of padel and you want to develop your senses to become more competitive, do not hesitate to play any sport because even if at first glance the two sports are very different, they always have particularities which can help you to become better. Tennis is one of them. It's up to you to focus on finding the important points of tennis that will make you a better tennis player. padel.

 

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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