From Balls to Walls: Are Pádel and Pickleball the new game in town? Where does it leave Tennis??
Rhonda Costa - Ged Kennedy pádel winners Open Marraxti
As Covid hit the world FULL throttle and lingers into what seems like eternity. I came back to tennis vaccinated, boosted, ready to play TENNIS with adults. But I quickly noticed empty tennis courts in the USA. Worse yet, tennis courts were marked with more lines than a zebra’s coat to showcase, Pickleball! Adults were clamoring around tennis courts waiting for their turn to play. Doesn’t take an astute observer of humanity to see players engaged, smiling, bantering back & forth - all in good fun! I’d recently returned from Spain where Pádel had again grown leaps & bounds solidifying THE racket sport in Spain. But Pádel’s been ticking up for years.
As an adult tennis coach, I had to understand, “why not tennis”? Were Pádel & Pickleball that much easier than beginner tennis? If so, what is tennis doing to encourage new adults to the game? Because clearly tennis needs a new strategy. Talk about a wake up call for the tennis industry at large, not to mention, my own personal direction.
Tennis, Pickleball and Pádel Tenis are 3 popular racket sports in 2022. They share similar characteristics using a racket, ball, singles and doubles play. With barriers of entry, materials and court size being different. Tennis is played and loved internationally. With Pádel and Pickleball quickly gaining international notoriety.
After playing these three games myself, I still didn’t get it? Am I completely naïve to what has Pickleball players up at night, pacing for available court time, paying plenty for gear & jumping into competitive events in the 1st few weeks?
I ask two top coaches for the inside scoop on both Pickleball & Pádel below …
Pro tip:🏸
Adult tennis camps by playing level & destination for Summer 2023 click here.
Padel camps year round click here.
Can these 3 racket sports co-exist in peace, love & adoration?
Rhonda Costa / Tennis Director, Indie Tenis
I’m a believer that yes, they can perfectly thrive together.
Why? Tennis is a technical & complete sport that can help you develop your skills at the top. For people who love individual sports, tennis is a complete game in all aspects; technical, physically, mentally, strategically. People can take a personal adventure to compete at the top of the game & become the best version of themselves. For the player with very high ambitions, I think tennis is the clear winner.
When I look at Pádel tenis and why it’s so famous, I believe it’s because it’s easier than tennis. Starting from ZERO in pádel, adults can be playing their first matches within a month. You can easily play with friends. And it’s an all around faster, easier - game. On top of being a great spectator sport at higher levels. ✨
As you keep improving, Pádel starts to get complicated, like tennis. So it’s a good mix for Pádel players because there’s still challenge ahead. Pádel players shouldn’t be compared with tennis players because the effort & qualities needed to become a high level tennis player is more difficult in tennis than in Pádel tenis.
Pickleball did a great job targeting adults 56+. Often these adults previously played tennis, squash & racquetball and may have incurred an injury that sidelined them. But in Pickleball, a softer game, gives adults the chance to play & compete again, easier, without moving as much as tennis or even Pádel.
Tennis was THE “IT” game in racket sports since I was a kid. Now I’m not so sure, as it’s riddled with serious competition.
Why are adults choosing Pickleball over Tennis?
Roberto Donati Professional Pickleball Player
Roberto Donati Pickleball Professional and IPTPA Certified Coach schooled me about what’s happening in the game of Pickleball and why adults are inspired & loving the game.
Roberto’s a multi medalist in elite events like; the US Open, Nationals, the Huntsman World Games as well as numerous Professional Pickleball Federation tournaments.
Based in Los Angeles he gives workshops, clinics & lessons all over the US and internationally, including; the UK, the Netherlands, Spain, France, Canada and Mexico where he’s also mentored the Mexican Pickleball Federation.
He currently designed his own line of professional & recreational paddles with the brand Drop Shot. For more information you can visit robertodonati.com
Roberto was raised playing tennis. But as long as he can remember, has always loved any type of racket sport, and played many sanctioned tournaments. In his teens it was tennis, table tennis and squash. Later he played professional Pop Tennis, and was introduced to (and played sanctioned tournaments) in beach tennis and Pádel.
Six years ago after encouragement from friends, he ventured into a new sport called Pickleball.
It was Roberto’s life-long love of racket sports that primed him for success in the professional world of pickleball.
How to Play Pickleball
Roberto, why are tennis players choosing Pickleball over Tennis?
I can’t speak for all players, but I think my experience reflects many other adults’ (both experienced rackets players and beginners) who try Pickleball for the first time. It is instantly fun! Beginners who’ve tried other racket sports and were discouraged by the amount of time it took to master even the easiest skills, are amazed how they can be playing and having fun after just one lesson. An expression you’ll hear is that Pickleball has a “low floor and a high ceiling.”
Meaning … it’s very easy to learn the basics but very hard to be an expert.
This is the appeal for a lot of players. The challenge of learning new skills is accessible, so it gives players a sense of accomplishment almost every time they get on the court.
What are the main differences you see between Tennis and Pickleball?
Gosh Rhonda, there’s many. I take it, by differences you mean not relating to the mechanics or rules. I’d say two key differences and what I believe is making players of all ages choose Pickleball over tennis are a) the social aspect of the game and b) easier to have fun playing different levels of players.
When you first start to play the game you’ll play with all sorts of players. Games only go up to 11 points so there’s a large and quick rotation. You’ll meet tons of people very quickly. Also, keep in mind those lined tennis courts can fit up to 4 pickleball courts. That’s 16 people playing at the same time. It’s like speed dating.
As a tennis player you know that to have a really fun tennis game you have to have players at your level. Pickleball is different. Yes, great players can destroy weaker players just like in any other sport, but because it is so much easier for weaker players to keep the ball in play the better players don’t get frustrated and can also practice aspects of the game when the ball is in play.
In Tennis, adults are consistently stuck at the intermediate level, are you seeing this in Pickleball too?
Oh, yes. And that’s where a few lessons will really help. I’d say 80% of all players are stuck at the 3.0-3.5 level, mainly because they’re playing other players at that level and keep making the same errors. A few lessons, including playing real games will really show what needs improvement. To cross that threshold players really need to make a commitment to get rid of the bad habits and be willing to lose some more games at first.
Any common errors you see holding adults back?
Sure, the main error that keeps players from leveling up is hitting hard when they should be hitting soft. Today’s tennis is mostly a power game. You don’t need a soft game to do well. In Pickleball without a soft game you’ll never rise above an intermediate 3.5 level.
Tell us about competitive events for Pickleball?
That’s one aspect of the game that really surprised me when I started playing. From beginners to advanced players - so many people love playing tournaments. This is one aspect of the game that Pickleball has done far better than tennis. Almost every tournament has different levels and different age groups which makes new players not feel intimidated. Also the governing bodies were smart to establish Senior categories including a Senior Pro Tour which means players over 50 don’t have to compete against much younger players. There are many things Pickleball is doing right which explains why the game is now the fastest growing sport in the US, and exploding around the world, and why you’ll hear many players admit they are addicted to the game.
Francesco Mendo / Padel & Tennis Coach
Moving onto Pádel tenis, a game overtaking tennis in 10 countries with the obvious winner being Spain. As well as; Argentina, Mexico, UK, USA, Portugal, Belgium, The Netherlands, Italy & France.
The number of tennis teaching pros transitioning to Pádel coaches is, well, A LOT. Not only are teaching pros coaching this popular game but they’re competing! Raving over the prizes & purses they’re collecting on weekends just in time for work on Monday. The events themselves are friendly, exciting and packed with players & spectators for it’s social, dynamic nature. A game everyone wants to be a part of.
Francesco Mendo a former Professional tennis player, tennis & Pádel coach is teaching more Pádel now because of the demand. He brings a unique perspective coaching both games and what’s really drawing Pádel’s appeal.
How to Play Padel Tenis
Francesco, why do you love coaching Pádel over Tennis now?
At the beginner level it’s easier to teach. In Pádel you can do so many different things and the players immediately have the sensation that they can improve quickly. Everyone (including myself) enjoys the lessons more. Coaches are flocking to padel because they see a huge opportunity in business. To reach a good level in tennis you have to play very very good. But in padel it’s a growing business more so than tennis. So we wanted to get in & help it grow and be part of the movement. For tennis players it’s just so easy to transfer from one sport to the other.
Why are Pádel players crazy over the game?
Adults like Pádel more because it’s easier to learn and it’s a more social game. Tennis can feel lonely. People come from work and want to do a sport where they can move. They can have FUN. And they always comment how fast it is! In 1 hour you can play more points compared to tennis. Playing a 4-some is terrific and afterwards you hang out with friends, take a beer & enjoy the camaraderie.
Why makes Pádel easier to learn than Tennis?
Well, of course the distance for play is shorter. The speed of the ball is slower. The racket is smaller. This allows people to play easier.
When the rhythm is slow and the racket shorter, it’s almost like playing with a hand. For people who aren’t use to playing a racket sport it’s not very difficult. A Tennis racket is longer. Two people rallying from a longer distance encourages more mistakes. In Pádel, it’s not about how fast you play, but about playing the correct tactical decision in the point. These things let different level players still have fun, find a rhythm and even a challenge.
Are adult Pádel players getting injured as often as Tennis players?
I would say Pádel injuries happen more than tennis injuries. This is the downside of Pádel Tenis (tennis spelled tenis in spain). Using a Pádel racket you don’t have strings. So you don’t absorb the vibrations well. Adults are finding problems with their shoulders, wrists and elbows. And it’s a very quick sport. You have to change directions on a dime. When you’re not a high level Pádel player you can’t predict very well. So last minute adjustments in direction cause discomfort to a players knees and back because as the ball bounces very low you have to bend a lot. Again, not helpful for a players back. So yea, in terms of injury, Pádel has more injuries than tennis.
Are Pádel players finding that intermediate level challenging to get beyond, like in Tennis?
Yes! At the moment we don’t have that many players as tennis, so new people are having fun and seeing improvement at the early stages. In tennis, only the best reach the top. And hard work isn’t always a given to reach a good level. In Pádel if you have technical problems you can win in the short term but when you don’t have good foundations (like in tennis) you can’t improve. In this aspect tennis and Pádel are similar.
Is technique in Pádel as important as in Tennis?
The technique in Pádel isn’t as important in the beginning as it is in tennis. The main difference is that in tennis, if you don’t know how to hit the ball well & with power you can’t compete at a high level. Pádel is a sport where the tactical part is more important. It’s more like a chess game. It’s why Pádel is very interesting because mentally it forces you to think. But for the medium-beginner level if you understand the logic & the trajectory of the game, you can still be a good player without a perfect technique. If you want to play Pádel at the highest level YOU MUST have the technique. But not for beginner Pádel players - just know the tactics to get started.
How about competitive events for adult Pádel players? Are there many offerered?
Yes, a person with 5 lessons, a person who’s never played Pádel, can start to rally. Especially ex-soccer (futbol) players that have played other sports. Literally 5 lessons and players can rally! The rules are the same as tennis (besides the wall) so they can begin to play tournaments. What I love about Pádel is that tournaments are only on weekends. So you play from Friday to Sunday. In 2.5 days you can play 5 matches. Pádel isn’t as physically stressful as tennis. So in 1 day you can play 2 maybe 3 matches in 1 day. This fits adults lives much better than week long - tournaments.
And there you have it …
Adults looking to break out & play a great game with other adults are FEELING excited and satisfied with Pickleball & Pádel’s lower barrier to entry. They immediately feel both games are inclusive. And that they have more playing opportunities with different levels, while still being able to add something. Adults can take a handful of lessons from a teaching pro & be rallying almost from the start. Technique does matter, but not as much as tennis. And all three games have real sticking points for adults at the intermediate level.
I feel a big advantage to both pickleball & Pádel is the initial use of the hammer grip (continental grip) from the moment they touch the racket. In tennis, adults begin learning in a comfortable, easy grip like the eastern grip. They stand around for weeks practicing & relying on this friendly feeling staple grip. Only to turn around and meet the hammer grip which they quickly reject. Nothing focuses the mind like surprise. And not necessarily for the better. They’re not yet sold on the importance of the hammer grip so they slip right back into the familiar forehand grip. Not realizing they’ll use that wonky continental grip for most tennis shots like (backhand, volleys, serve, overhead) drop & slice shots. And here lies the problem getting intermediate adult tennis players to improve their tennis level.
Tennis has it’s work cut out for it. Without patient, encouraging tennis coaches paying real attention to beginner adult tennis players and developing their tennis foundations the game will continue to lose players. Adults have different learning styles, less time, and potential limitations from post injuries. So being able to teach in more ways than only 1, won’t only help adults learn how to play tennis easier, but it’ll stretch tennis coaches in their craft.
I still believe it’s ADULTS who grow tennis! If they feel included & that they’re progressing towards actually playing the game, not only taking lessons, they become frequent players quickly. Adults purchase court time, tennis lessons, tennis gear, travel together, go to professional events and adore the tennis lifestyle. But they want to be able to play with a level of confidence and get on with it so they can take full advantage of their investment.
It’s time adults FEEL TENNIS is as DYNAMIC & fun as its rivals.
Who can blame them? I mean, who isn’t looking to have a good time from their favorite game?
Pádel, Pickleball & TENNIS players I want to hear from YOU! Where’s your heart and why?
With love from Mallorca~