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How to switch from tennis to padel?
Table of Contents
Do you think switching to padel from tennis is child’s play? You are wrong somewhere. If you have been playing tennis for a long time, and now you want to switch to padel, the transition can be a bit smoother than for the newbies. But it’s definitely not very easy without proper guidance.
That’s why we are here. This guide will help you switch from tennis to padel. We will reveal the main reasons players are making the change, the differences between tennis and padel, the challenges you might face, and practical tips for adapting your game.
Why Are Players Moving from Tennis to Padel?
Tennis is one of the most popular games worldwide, so why is a good chunk of the crowds shifting towards padel? Here are the top reasons:
Faster Progress for Beginners
In tennis, it might take months to rally regularly. Padel has a more gentle learning curve. The smaller court, softer balls, and ability to use the walls make rallies run longer, even if you are at a beginner’s level. One of the most tempting reasons why many players are switching to padel from tennis is the option to play instantly.
Less Physical Strain
The tennis court is big. However, padel courts are one-third the size of tennis courts. That’s why you won’t have to cover a large area. You won’t sweat much. Also, it means fewer running and fewer long sprints. For if you are someone dealing with knee, shoulder, or back issues, this is a game-changer.
Unlike tennis, which frequently needs explosive movements across broad areas, padel focuses on anticipation, position, and communication. It is challenging in its own right, but the lessened strain makes it a sport you may enjoy long into your retirement years.
A Fresh Challenge
Bored of playing tennis for so many years? Padel is a good option to add a pinch of freshness to your sports regime, and that’s why many players are shifting to this game. While the sport is unique and less demanding, it offers the same fun. The mix of tennis-like strokes with squash-style wall play leads to circumstances that are unlike any other racquet sport.
That novelty is a major motivator. Picking up fresh skills, understanding how to use the walls, and creating new tactics make padel feel like an entirely new experience, even for people with years of tennis expertise. So, if you want to start a new journey, you can start playing padel too.
Built-In Social Elements
Padel is almost always played in doubles. This indicates that every session is social by design. You are always interacting with a partner and two opponents, making it easy to meet new people and form a community.
For tennis players used to protracted singles matches, this might be a welcome change. Sharing the court also benefits novices since it relieves pressure and makes the game more fun straight away.
Key Differences Between Tennis and Padel
If you are switching from tennis to padel, you must understand how similar yet distinct these two games are. Understanding this is essential if you want to transfer seamlessly, avoid frustration, and begin enjoying padel’s unique rhythm.
So, here are the key differences between tennis and padel:
Court & Equipment
Court Size and Layout
Tennis: A complete singles tennis court is around 23.77 m by 8.23 m, while a doubles court is 10.97 m wide. It’s an open area with no walls or obstacles. So, once the ball gets out, you get a point.
Padel: A normal padel court is much smaller than a tennis court. It is typically 20 m by 10 m and is surrounded by glass and mesh walls. These walls are more than simply boundaries; they are active components of the game. The ball can bounce off them and extend rallies in unexpected ways.
These restrictions transform everything. Tennis players protect space by covering open angles. In padel, you must also consider how projectiles may bounce off walls. Positioning is tighter, and anticipating skills are more important than pure speed.
Rackets vs. Bats
Tennis racquets are longer and built for maximum topspin and power. On the other hand, padel rackets are shorter, solid, and perforated to minimize air resistance. Padel ones do not contain strings. So, they do not produce the same trampoline effect when hitting the ball. Shots seem softer, forcing you to generate pace through body movement and timing rather than arm speed.
Balls
Tennis balls are pressurized to bounce high and travel quickly. However, padel balls are almost identical in appearance but slightly depressurized, resulting in a lower, slower bounce.
Scoring and Match Format
One of the most important similarities between tennis and padel is the scoring system. Padel, somewhere, follows the same scoring system as tennis, using a 15-30-40-game system. This makes the transition much smoother.
Learning Curve for Tennis Players
Tennis players bring transferable qualities, such as footwork, hand-eye coordination, and racket awareness, but the contrasts between tennis and padel can be frustrating at first. Many tennis converts, who initially overhit shots because the racket generates less power, face problems with timing on wall rebounds.
However, after players adjust, the change becomes lucrative. In reality, tennis players may improve swiftly in padel because of their current athletic base, as long as they adopt the distinct attitude and techniques.
Playing Style and Rally Construction
When comparing tennis and padel, the difference in playing styles is obvious. Tennis rallies are frequently built on sheer power. Dominant serves, massive topspin drives, or crisp winners that rapidly close off points are common in tennis. However, in padel, this strategy is significantly less effective. Because of the surrounding glass walls, shots that would normally end rallies in tennis regularly bounce back, keeping the game alive.
Padel success is more dependent on patience, accuracy, and the ability to generate pressure via good shot selection. Defense takes on a new level. In tennis, being driven wide or deep usually means the end of the rally, but in padel, the walls serve as allies. So, in terms of game style, the two sports are very different.
Challenges When Switching from Tennis to Padel
If you have been on the tennis court for a long time, and now you want to step into the padel zone, here are the problems you might face:
Over-Relying on Power
Tennis demands a good amount of power to hit the ball hard. So, what many tennis players step onto the padel court and try to do is implement the same strategy. They try to dominate with speed and power. This usually backfires. Padel doesn’t need solid power. It’s more about placement, control, and teamwork. If you overhit the ball, the ball may bounce back off the wall for your opponents to counter easily.
Pro Tip: Focus on accuracy and shot selection. Don’t blindly hit the ball. Play smarter, not harder.
Mental Adjustment
Tennis is more about aggression. You need big serves, quick rallies, and finishing points aggressively. However, things are pretty different in padel. Here, you need more patience. So, with a tennis mindset, you won’t perform well in padel. You will need to reset your mindset and embrace longer exchanges. But a mental switch can be tough. So, take your time and then enter the padel court.
Developing New Habits
If you are just walking into the padel court with the tennis habits, you may struggle a bit. Tennis habits typically include big forehand swings, over-rotating on volleys, or standing too deep. While these habits are essential in tennis, when it comes to padel, these can work against you. So, if you have access to a padel coach, try to learn more about the bad and good padel habits to speed up your adaptation.
Risk of Injury from Overplaying
Because padel is gentler on the body, novice players sometimes overdo it. Playing four or five times a week without sufficient fitness can result in injury, particularly to the knees and shoulders.
Remember that padel actions, such as twisting, lunging, and rapid direction changes, differ from those in tennis. So, make sure you start slowly and gradually increase your strength. Emphasis more on mobility and warm-ups.
Tips for Transitioning from Tennis to Padel
Shorten Your Swing
The first thing to remember is that padel bats are much smaller and less forgiving than tennis rackets. That’s why big looping swings won’t work in the padel court. So, practice to keep your strokes more compact. Especially when you are trying volleys and groundstrokes, keep your swings short.
Master the Lob
If you can’t play lob in padel, you will miss out on many chances to win the game. That’s why you should always try to master lobs. It allows you to reset points, push opponents back, and create openings. If you are a tennis player, you may underuse lobs. But in padel, it’s a golden strategy.
Use the Walls
Unlike tennis, in padel you get an extra friend: the wall. So, make full use of it. Practice letting the ball bounce off the glass to reset your position or create angles. Believe us, once you are comfortable using the walls in your matches, your game will open up.
Work on Team Play
Padel is doubles-based. That’s why communication and positioning with your partner are the keys to success. Make sure to properly communicate with your partner between points, cover the court as a unit, and avoid both rushing to the same ball.
Get Coaching Early
Even one or two classes may make a significant effect. A coach will fix tennis-related habits before they become ingrained, teach you padel-specific approaches, and introduce you to drills to help you advance.
Equipment Differences to Keep in Mind
Mindset, play style, and more are important when you switch from tennis to padel. But what’s more important are the gears. When you are changing sports, the gears change too. Here’s what to know about padel equipment:
Padel Racket: Choose a padel racket that matches your skill level. Softer bats give control for beginners, whilst harder bats offer power for expert players.
Footwear: Padel shoes feature bottoms designed for traction on artificial grass with sand fill. Tennis shoes can be effective in the short term, but they are more prone to slipping.
Padel Balls: Don’t play padel with tennis balls. Padel balls are built differently.
The Mindset Shift
The most crucial adjustment when switching from tennis to padel is mental, not technical. Tennis players are taught to hit strong shots and dominate rallies with speed and strength. Padel, on the other hand, values patience, forethought, and good strategy. The game may be compared to chess on a court, with success based on placement, analysis, and making mistakes rather than just outscoring competitors. Tennis players who are making the transition must learn to slow down, create points deliberately, and prioritize strategy over physical strength.
The Next Steps
If you are impressed by the game or you want to settle for something that’s less taxing on your body, padel is the game for you. The game is less stressful on the body, more sociable, and even more fascinating. However, there are certain hurdles you will face during the transition, such as changing old habits, shifting your mentality, and learning new strategies.
So, what’s the way? Start learning the game from scratch. Don’t rush. No matter how good a tennis player you are, you may end up being a noob in padel. So, when you are just starting, just focus on the differences between tennis and padel, opt for good instruction, and gradually ease into the sport. Make slow and steady adjustments and fit into the padel template. Good luck!
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