Picking out a padel racket is always an exciting moment. You may be fascinated by the design or attracted to a racket because your idol uses the same brand. However, the best thing to do is to find a symbiosis between the racket and the player.
The relationship is something akin to when Harry Potter goes to Mister Ollivander to get his first magic wand – although in this case it is not necessary to caress the racket or bring it close to your ear, but simply get the purchase right so that you don’t constantly crash your bandejas on the back glass without understanding why.
To find out about the different types of padel rackets available, their materials and which ones are best suited to you, our Spanish expert Joaquín Serna will tell you about the little details you need to bear in mind to make the right choice.
Padel rackets are divided into three different shapes: round, teardrop and diamond. This is not purely for aesthetic reasons, but is related to different types of players.
The round rackets give you more control of the ball because they have a larger sweet spot. This means the racket is more forgiving if you don’t quite hit the ball in the central point of the racket face.
This type of racket is ideal for defending. They are made for technical players who want to manage their shots well, but it is not the recommended option if you like to finish points quickly with smashes and powerful volleys, as the ball does not come out with so much speed from the glass and you may be caught on the counterattack.
Teardrop shaped rackets have a balance between control and power. They have a large sweet spot, although not as large as the round ones. In general, they allow you to do almost every shot, which makes them a very good option for amateur players who are still defining their style of play.
Most of the round and teardrop shaped rackets are made of EVA rubber, which combined with other materials can make the racket feel harder or softer. They are very resistant but are not suitable for fast shots.
A similar material is FOAM rubber, which, despite being of lower quality, helps to prevent injuries as it is a lighter component.
The diamond shaped rackets are made to add a lot of spice to the shots. Players who use them should have an advanced level and be distinguished by winning shots, such as fast volleys, vipers and smashes. They should also have good court positioning and technique, as the sweet spot is in the upper part of the racket. So if the impact point of a powerful shot is on any other area of the racket, the result can be that the ball goes straight out of the court, hits the net or, with luck, the opponent gets hit and loses the point. The latter can end friendships!
These rackets are usually made mainly of carbon fibre or fibreglass, so they have a hard and rigid feel, which makes the ball come out much more when you hit it. The first material is of higher quality than the second, which increases the life time of the rackets.
On the other hand, aspects such as the weight of the racket and its roughness must also be taken into account.
The standard weight of padel rackets ranges from 330 to 400 grams. It is recommended to start playing with light rackets to achieve greater ball control and as the level and pace of your play improves, increase the weight to make stronger and faster shots.
However, it is important to bear in mind that the heavier the racket, the more likely it is that you will experience discomfort in your wrists, elbows and shoulders due to overuse or poor technique. In this sense, it is also recommended that women play with lighter rackets than men due to physiological conditions.
In terms of roughness, there are smooth and rough surfaces. Rough ones tend to be more recommended for advanced levels, as they provide spin to the shots and allow the player to have more contact time with the ball, which improves decision making.
As an additional tip, it is also important to buy a good grip for the handle of the racket, as it will provide a better adherence to the racket and control over your shots.
However, it is recommended to change it every few matches, especially in hot weather when a lot of sweat falls on it and it loses its qualities.
Now that you know all these tips, you can choose your padel racket fully informed, taking into consideration your level of play, physical characteristics and if you suffer from any type of upper limb injury.
The most advisable thing to do is to study the characteristics of the racket that attracts your attention in order to make a good purchase decision, as well as to ask the specialists in the shop or your coach. You can even consult websites such as Padel Testing which will offer you various options.
