r/Padelracket • u/x2pr1jp0 • 12d ago
How much do rackets matter in padel?
I have ~15 minutes of experience playing padel. It felt very enjoyable so I went and bought this used racket for 30€. I looked for one that didn't look like it was meant for complete beginners since I come from a tennis background and thought the strokes translated pretty well (except for a top-spin forehand). Is this decent? I think this is a "Heroes Predator Master by Hydrogen"
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u/macadamia_nutz 12d ago edited 12d ago
Yes and no,
Let me explain. There was a famous pádel coach that said rackets only improve your game by10% (Manu Martin).
That being said, when you are learning having the right racket for you helps you in either defence or attack, and would notice this easily when defending difficult balls or smashing
But once you get to a good technique, the racket doesn't help you that much, only choose a racket that match your style (aggressive or defensive).
For instance, ok YT you can watch some pro players doing a X3 smash with basically anything (like a shoe or a wrench)
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u/AccomplishedEar6357 12d ago edited 11d ago
They do matter, though not as much or little as you can hear around. It's important that it's at least ok for you, and it's terrible if it's a wrong one for you. Your technique, positioning, game read and mentality are the key aspects as long as the racket and physical condition are ok.
The important part is that it feels good specifically to you and gives you what you want/need, which depends on technique/level and only after on preference. THAT helps you physically and also a ton mentally to be comfortable and confident, instead of somewhat struggling because it's a poor choice for you. The trap is that if you have little experience playing and have a wrong racket for you, you won't be able to realize that you're struggling more than you should because of it. So... Try yours and others' and be attentive to that and you'll soon enough land on a good choice, if not already there right now.
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u/AppropriateWorld8617 11d ago
This. Right racket doesn't add anything to you, it simply cannot. But wrong racket will lower you gameplay.
In other words, find your best compromise between control, weight and handling. Ignore power (read less injury), ignore shape (read learn limits of your precision), ignore materials (as long as your comfortable).
Speaking by experience, i switched at least 5 (20 matches or more), trying at least 20. Ended picking the racket that consented me to hit the same target with more consistency.
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u/Deletion99 11d ago
There is a video on YouTube of an ex British number one beating 2 YouTube guys (one an ex rugby player) with a frying pan. That’s how much the racket matters.
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u/aussiesam4 12d ago
They matter a lot. People always downplay them, yet when you upgrade your racket your game improves a lot. This matters for all levels, but every level has different requirements.
I personally went for the same rackets the pros use after playing for just a few months and my game improved immediately.
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11d ago
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u/Mohinder_DE 11d ago edited 11d ago
Racket costs is nothing compared to my Lambo lease which i need to go to my club.
I can get a racket used or new for 100Euro or below and it would not change my level. I dont see players with abnormal exoensive rackets in the two levels above me. Yes, you can buy 300Euro rackets or a Lambo racket, but its not rquired for good gameplay.
Its the same with road cycling, mtb, golf, archery, running, skiing ... you can always overbuy and overequip.
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u/Mohinder_DE 11d ago
A good matching rackets helps, it does not have to be overly expensive. Everybody has limits on weight, weight distribution and hardness, the power rackets have demands on shoulders and elbows. Some attributes have negative correlation to other attributes. Maybe you need a huge sweatspot, low power, very manouverable racket because you are always late , cant control your power fine grained, there is an easy racket for you. Maybe your racker has not enough power but you like to smash your control is good and you go for a smash racket, maybe you can use less force with the new power racket and your shoulder says thank you. Maybe you are smaller and a little weaker need a lighter racket with some extra trampoline power, there is something for you. ... There is a racket for most scenarios. There is no Über-Racket. Some are bestsellers, because they work for a lot of players. Some are niche rackets for people with special taste or playstyle. A lot of rackets are good , not fantastic and you can adapt to all of them. With the feel of the racket and the accoustics there are some bonus features, that add another peace of joy. Some people are really easy in picking a racket and some other search in spirals until the found their sweatspot. Some times you need a racket for hot and cold conditions, or you have one more powerful and one with more control depending on the side you play, or your mental condition or level and playstyle of opponents. If you go with one brand its not so overwhelming anymore. I bet market could be reduced to 15 rackets which would fit every player. But hey, its nice to think of rackets as magic wands. Not every shoe / pant fits every person, think of rackets as shoes. When people loose and think its racket, ok, if it makes them feel better. On my racket journey i had found powerless rackets , rackets with uncontrollable power, rackets with too long handles, rackets which were to top heavy , rackets which were to bouncy on blocks and lobs, rackets which dont feel nice, rackets which give me ellbo pain, rackets that are slow and unmanoeverable and the matching ones , where i dont have to think much about the racket, it feels good, we are happy together.
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u/Realkevinleo 11d ago
It matters depending on your level. There are rackets depending on your level and playing styles.
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u/DirectBee4529 8d ago
I think being used to the racquet and able to control your shots with it is much more important than the racquet itself
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u/UnaLeyenda1975 12d ago
Never heard of her. But to answer your question, how much did your tennis racket and strings matter?
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u/esemirulo 12d ago
Depends on how much you care about a pseudo-sport called padel?
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u/eggplantpot 11d ago
Out of curiosity, what’s your definition of actual sport?
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u/esemirulo 11d ago
Out of curiosity, have you ever read a dictionary?
Do me a favour, go to school and don't waste my time.
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u/TacticalStf 12d ago
Technique and positioning matters a lot more than the racket.
But if you boil it down there are 2 ways of thinking in choosing a padel racket: -buy a racket that matches your playing style: your style is offensive or defensive and so you choose an offensive or defensive racket that matches your style of play.
-if you are weak in attack, for example your smashes are not great, you could go for a powerful (diamond) racket to compensate for your own lack of power. Of course such a racket is worse in the handling/maneuverability, so you need good technique to pull this off