Your opinion – Three out of four players prefer tracks without sand

So, are our readers into sandplay or not? We'll get to that, but before that, a big thank you to the 32 people who, in the space of 48 hours, responded to our mini-survey “For or against pitches with no apparent sand?” The subject obviously interested you and gave rise to a lively debate on our page Facebook.

But enough of the suspense: out of the 32 respondents, only 8 prefer to play on sandy grounds and 24 prefer tracks with no apparent sand! Clearly, three out of four players prefer courts without sand…

What you love about sand pitches

■ Speed and comfort.- Aficionados of sand courts appreciate the playing comfort they provide, in particular by allowing slides, a bit like tennis on clay. Moreover, they like the fact that the sand promotes a fast and powerful game, which generally appeals to good tennis players, especially the “hitters”.

■ Superior durability.- You rightly point out that sand increases the durability of tracks covered with it. It also absorbs moisture and therefore appears to be a good choice for outdoor courts.

■ A more advantageous price.- In addition to their purchase price, which is often lower, sand tracks are all the less expensive as they generally last longer. But that obviously supposes to maintain them well, remember.

What you like about pitches with no apparent sand

■ Praise of slowness.- On tracks without visible sand, there are “more exchanges because the game is slower, much more tactical, I much prefer”, says Lucas. Like him, several other players appreciate this (relative) slowness which promotes the beauty of the game and generates exchanges of madness. This same slowness becomes an asset where fast game enthusiasts see a defect.

■ Fewer slips.- There are sliding fans and people with allergies: the latter are in the majority among our respondents. Jean Lic, for example, finds land without sand “less dangerous” because he fears “uncontrolled slips”. Franck remarks that there is “no need to sweep these tracks regularly” resulting in “less risk of accidental slips when the ground is not swept and there are piles of sand”.

■ Fewer injuries.- Whoever says fewer untimely slips means fewer uncontrolled skids and therefore fewer injuries, in the opinion of several respondents. But Renaud believes that “if the carpet is too high or thick, the sole can catch and then we risk spraining”.

■ Hygiene.- Some players, perhaps maniacs, judge these terrains to be “less dirty”. Because sometimes, a single grain of sand can stop a beautiful mechanism...

■ Blue is beautiful.- A uniform ground, not sanded, is considered more “aesthetic”, “pretty”, and “more readable” for filmed broadcasts, thanks to a better contrast.

The disadvantages of less sandy ground

■ Wet wet wet.- Several respondents point out that tracks with no apparent sand and humidity do not go well together and make these terrains slippery. It's "complicated outdoors in rainy regions," says TucheDaddy.

■ Other injuries.- Not being able to slide sometimes means blocking your support and injuring yourself. Most players are aware of this, like Johann, who tore “the cruciate ligaments on a pitch without sand”.

■ Watch out for “stripping off”. - Some respondents point out that the less sand you put on the carpet, the more likely it is to peel off the carpet. In fact, a sandy ground contains on average 3 tons of sand, against 2 tons for a ground without visible sand. A weight that can sometimes be missing.

■ False bounces.- A majority of respondents consider the bounces to be “more regular” on unsanded tracks. But some complain of “bubbles” when a carpet is poorly laid or the base is irregular. This was for example the case during the WPT in Toulouse this year, because the wooden floor was warped in places, following water infiltration.

The slower it is, the more fun it takes

I am 100% for the no apparent sand! A slower pitch favors rallies – and the more rallies you play at the padel, the more fun – and the less maintenance. The problem with sand pitches is that 90% of clubs do not maintain them properly, the sand is unevenly distributed, it gives false bounces in all directions and there are certain parts of the pitch where you try to slide in vain because there is no more sand there… This causes a lot of ankle sprains, unfortunately.
Tom Mitjana, French No. 23

weather resistance

As Pierre points out, “we are heading towards a majority of pitches without sand”, especially in private clubs wishing to offer in conditions close to those of the padel professional. But this same Pierre judges that "a true player of padel must know how to adapt and play on any type of surface, slow, fast, padel classic, panoramic, etc. Above all, knowing how to adapt!”

This debate on the sand, you can continue it here on our Facebook page.

Jerome Arnoux

After 40 years of tennis, Jérôme falls into the pot of padel in 2018. Since then, he thinks about it every morning while shaving… but never shaves pala in hand! Journalist in Alsace, he has no other ambition than to share his passion with you, whether you speak French, Italian, Spanish or English.