It's common to hear players complain about a padel ball that "hurts" or "reacts poorly" during a match. But is this feeling solely related to technique, or can the ball actually cause physical discomfort when it's hit? waste ou poorly pressurized ?

The technical characteristics of a padel ball

A padel ball looks like a tennis ball but is slightly less pressurized.

  • Official pressure: approximately 4,6 to 5,2 kg/cm² (compared to 8-9 for a tennis ball).
  • Diameter: 6,35 to 6,77 cm.
  • Weight: 56 to 59,4 g.

These parameters are governed by the International Federation of Padel (FIP).

The ball quickly loses its pressure after opening the tube:

  • On average, after 2 to 4 matches, it no longer has the ideal characteristics.
  • According to some brands, the pressure loss is 15-20% after only 2 hours of intensive gaming.

When a worn bullet becomes a physical risk

  1. Loss of rebound
    An under-inflated ball bounces less, forcing the player to hit it harder. This increases the stress on the shoulders, elbows and wrists, and can promote the appearance of pain such as tendonitis or tennis elbow.
  2. Increased perceived weight
    A worn ball absorbs more shock against the racket. As a result, the impact feels "harder," which can cause pain in the palm or forearm.
  3. Unpredictable reactions
    With advanced wear, the felt becomes damaged, creating irregular trajectories. The player often compensates by forcing his shots, which increases the risk of muscle microtraumas.
  4. Direct shocks
    Although a padel ball is softer than a tennis ball, 100-120 km / h (average speed of professional smashes), a direct impact on the face or body remains painful. A worn, "softer" ball can paradoxically hurt more by crushing more on the skin.

Pressurizers: a good solution… to be used with caution

Many players today use systems like Pascal Box ou tuboplus in order to maintain ball pressure longer. These tools are effective, but there are limitations:

  • Too much pressure is harmful : If the recommended values ​​are exceeded, the ball can become extremely hard, giving a "stone" feeling on impact. This increases the risk of pain in the hand and forearm.
  • Pressure drops faster on an already tired ball : a worn ball, even when re-inflated, loses its pressure much more quickly than a new one.
  • Visible wear remains a factor : when the felt is damaged, with "fluff" that modifies the trajectory, re-pressurizing does not improve the quality of the game. You cannot extend the life of a ball indefinitely.

In summary, the pressurizer is a useful tool for extend the life of the balls by a few matches, but it should not be used to "force" a worn ball to continue beyond reason.

Testimonials and medical data

  • A study conducted by the Clínica MAPFRE of Medicina del Tennis (Spain, 2022) showed that the use of underpressure bullets increased by 30% the stress on the elbow and wrist.
  • Sports physiotherapists, particularly in Spain and Italy where padel is widely practiced, confirm that using balls that are too worn is a aggravating factor in joint pain of amateur players.

Best practices to avoid injuries

  • Change balls regularly : after 2 official matches ou 4-5 leisure sessions maximum.
  • Storing properly : avoid places that are too hot or humid.
  • Use pressurizers sparingly : never exceed the pressures recommended by the manufacturer.
  • Do not try to prolong a worn ball for too long. : joint safety comes before economy.
  • Listen to your body : repeated pain in the arm or shoulder should be a warning sign.

Conclusion

Yes, a padel ball can cause physical pain when it is worn or poorly pressurizedWhile pressurizers can help maximize their lifespan, excessive or improper use can turn the ball into an object that is too hard, unpleasant to feel, and potentially dangerous.

The good compromise remains to change your balls regularly, while taking advantage of modern conservation tools without going beyond the natural limits of wear. As specialists remind us: “A used bullet costs less than a wound.”

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Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.

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