Do’s & don’ts with your racket
One factor you have a direct impact on is how you use and store your racket.
The aspect that distinguishes padel from tennis is that you play it in a fenced area and that you actively use the glass walls and fencing. Some of us take the latter very seriously and are not afraid to hit the fencing with their rackets. Besides the fencing, the ground is also a popular interface when players get frustrated. This hard contact between your racket and an external object is obviously detrimental to your equipment.
The slightest crack or tear in the frame of your racket leads to loss of power. Your racket loses a large part of its resilience and this immediately results in poorer performance on the court. So next time, think twice before throwing your racket against something out of frustration ;)
Does this mean you should avoid the walls of a padel court? Definitely not. Glass walls and fencing are simply part of padel, so don’t go avoiding them on purpose to save your racket!
Can I play padel in the rain?
You can, but preferably use your previous racket instead of your brand new adidas racket. The rain falling on your racket is not so much the problem as the weight of the ball. Every time the ball bounces, the felt fills with water, making the ball heavier as you play. Your racket is made to absorb the impact of a padel ball, but know that a wet ball is much heavier than a dry one. So the impact on your racket is also x times greater than in dry weather. It would not be the first time a racket broke during a game of padel in the rain…
In Belgium, it is humid outside for much of the year and this too requires some attention. Do you play padel in spring or winter? Then remember to bring your racket into the house afterwards. Leaving your racket swinging on the back seat of your car is not a good idea. Water drops will accumulate in the mousse of your racket and cause a weak spot in the blade. So store your racket indoors, preferably horizontally in a room temperature area, so that the water does not settle in one place.
When does my racket need replacement?
Not you yourself, but your fellow players are often the ones who notice that your racket is played up. Do you hear a dull sound with every ball contact? Then the mousse of your racket has lost its resilience and you probably have to hit the ball much harder than necessary (to generate the same power).
Tip: Can’t hear it well, but still want to test whether your racket is ‘on’? Then push into the centre of the mousse with 2 fingers. Can you push the mousse in deeply without effort (= 0.5 – 1.0cm)? Then it’s due for replacement!
