What are the top 5 tips for advanced tennis players starting padel?

Here are the key areas that a college-level tennis player transitioning to padel should focus on in order to hone their game:

1. Understanding the Rules and Tactics: Familiarize yourself with the rules of padel and the specific strategies and tactics employed in the game. Padel has its own unique dynamics and court positioning, so understanding the gameplay and strategic elements is crucial. Long story short: even if you're a well-rounded player with solid defensive skills, the key is to spend as much time at the net with your partner as possible.

2. Adaptating to a Smaller Court: Unlike tennis, padel is played on a smaller court with walls. Adjusting to the reduced court size and the rebounding effects of the walls is essential. Work on positioning yourself effectively, utilizing the walls as a tactical advantage, and developing a quick reaction time to handle the faster pace of the game. Footwork needs to be sharp with players having a low centre of gravity. Like tennis, split steps are important to ensure it's possible to move in any direction required.

3. Mastering Padel Shots: Focus on developing your padel-specific shots, such as the bandeja (smash shot), vibora (snake shot), and chiquita (chip shot). These shots require a different technique and touch compared to tennis strokes. Practice the various shots to gain precision, control, and power. In addition, failing to use the glass properly will impede your progress and ensure that you will come up short against seasoned (proper) padel players. Blocking the ball instead of allowing it to rebound off the glass gives you less time to react and limits the type of shots you can play. Advanced players have no issue capitalising on a blocked shot played to them thereby putting the opposing team under pressure.

4. Communication and Teamwork: Padel is a doubles game, emphasizing the importance of communication and teamwork with your partner. Learn how to coordinate with your partner effectively, communicate your intentions during the game, and anticipate each other's movements to maximize your team's performance. Unlike in tennis, you often need to describe the positioning of your opponents to your partner as they prepare for a shot.

5. Hone Net Play: Padel involves more net play compared to tennis, with close-quarters exchanges and volleys. Focus on improving your net game, including volleys, drop shots, and net smashes. Develop quick reflexes, anticipation, and touch to excel in the fast-paced net exchanges. Add more slice to your volley take off some pace for maximum impact.

6. Focus on agility and getting low. In contrast to tennis where you're often jumping, shuffling and sliding into shots, proper padel techique requires balance and deep knee bends. At the advanced level, the majority of shots are sliced to make defense as difficult as possible. So, whether you're trying to get the ball out of the corner or hit a chiquita to transition to the net you need to get as close to the level of the ball as possible. 

Additionally, it is important to have a positive mindset, a willingness to learn, and a dedication to practice regularly. Remember that transitioning from tennis to padel requires adjusting to a new set of skills, techniques, and strategies, but your previous tennis experience can provide a strong foundation to build upon.

Have you or people in your life gotten addicted to this new sport? We have both apparel and accessories to use both on and off the padel court. 

Play padel, train or simply relax. This performance short is a great choice for pretty much everything. The modern fit means just the right amount of room, in just the right places. Lightweight and quick drying materials will make these shorts the go-to option every time.

Equally versatile, the men's crew is a great option for all racket sports including pickleball as well as off the court engagements. Set after set, this abrasion-resistant fabric never stops feeling buttery soft against sweaty skin. This naturally breathable crew moves from workouts to whatever's next.  

For women, Cropped Leggings work for padel in addition to tennis and other racket sports. You can wear them all day (and night). Working from home one minute, hitting the court, gym or yoga studio the next.

Playing in cool weather? These leggings are warm without being bulky. Playing in warm weather? The cropped fit keeps you from overheating. The four way stretch fabric is figure flattering, breathable and fluid with every movement.

A unique rear ball pocket holds up to two balls in place and out of the way. When the pocket isn't used it lies flat and is virtually invisible.

Does the padel player in your life juggle work, travel and other active pursuits? The Epirus racket bag collections were created with this exact lifestyle in mind.  The range covers a wide variety of use cases: the Borderless Backpack V2 has a modern, sleek shape which sets it apart from sportier options on the market and has a gender-neutral feel.

The Transition Tote V2 is an obvious choice for someone that is dedicated to both padel and yoga.  The padded section of the tote is designed to stow your tablet, laptop, rackets individually or together. The front pocket allows easy access to your water bottle, balls or sunglasses. The inner valuables pocket is secured by a zipper and is the location for your keys, phone, headphones and jewelery.

Looking for more space than a tote or backpack? The Dynamic Duffel V2 has room to store several rackets and all your gear for a weekend while still being more compact than a traditional racket-shaped tennis bag. The bag comes with two shoe bags to ensure that your used gear and dirty shoes are text separate from the rest of the bag contents.

If you're not keen on investing in a bespoke racket bag, our neoprene padel cover is worth an investigation. Designed to protect both your racket and the items in your bag, the cover simply zips up over rackets. Then, the racket can be carried (and concealed!) in the bag of your choice.