Why do former tennis players sometimes take so long to progress in padel? Padel Magazine

It's often said that the best tennis players will automatically become very good padel players. However, in clubs, the reality is quite different. While former tennis players often progress very quickly at the start, many end up plateauing. This situation can be explained by several habits that are difficult to break.

Tennis helps a lot at the beginning

A former tennis player inevitably possesses certain advantages. The quality of their strokes, their movement, their timing, and their ability to read trajectories generally allow them to quickly gain an advantage over a complete beginner. The first tournaments are often encouraging, and progress seems natural.

But after a few months, many find themselves facing the same conclusion: they are no longer progressing.

The biggest trap: wanting to finish all the points

In tennis, a slightly short ball often means a winning attack. In padel, it's rarely that simple.

The best players construct their shots, slow down the rallies, use the glass walls, and sometimes wait ten or fifteen shots before getting the right ball. Conversely, many former tennis players still look for the winning shot at the first opportunity. The result: a lot of unforced errors and opponents just waiting for them.

Padel rewards patience more than power.

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Knowing how to choose between the glass and before the glass

This is probably one of the biggest differences with tennis.

In padel, not all shots are played in the same spot. Sometimes, you have to let the ball come back after the glass to give yourself more time. Other times, on the contrary, it's better to intervene before the bounce with a block, a low volley, or a well-placed chip shot to prevent your opponent from dictating the rally.

It's this ability to make the right choices that often makes the difference. Former tennis players sometimes tend to want to take every ball early, while experienced players know how to alternate between defending against the glass, playing in front of the glass, and varying their pace. Padel is above all a sport of reading the court and making decisions.

The lob, the true king of padel shots

The smash is breathtaking. The lob wins the game.

At every level, it's the net that allows you to regain possession, break the rhythm, and put the pressure back on your opponent. Yet, many former tennis players still favor flat shots.

When you look at the professional circuit, the observation is obvious: before every spectacular point, there has almost always been one or more perfectly executed lobs.

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Changing sports without really changing software

Ultimately, the main obstacle is neither technical nor physical. It is mental.

The players who progress the fastest are often those who are willing to forget some of their tennis habits in order to learn a new game strategy.

Padel is similar to tennis, but it follows very different tactical rules. Those who accept this usually end up improving their game. Others often continue to play… tennis on a padel court.

Maceo ZERHAT

Maceo Zerhat discovered padel in 2020 in Savigny-sur-Clairis, Burgundy. He contributed to the club's expansion by bringing his energy and curiosity. Padel Magazinehe transmits his Padel"mania" by skillfully bouncing on all the latest news about your favorite sport!