Paddle Tennis Rackets

This is important when buying the right padel rackets

Whoever is looking for a suitable padel racket must take into account certain criteria - first and foremost, it is necessary to answer the crucial questions in terms of player type and playing level. So-called padel rackets are needed for the sport of padel tennis, which is not yet very well known in this country - as a backstroke sport, it has elements of tennis and squash. The game is played on a rectangular paddle court measuring 20 x 10 meters. The ends of the court are surrounded by glass or plastic U-shaped walls, which can be included in the game. Special padel balls, which have a lower air pressure compared to normal tennis balls, serve as the game ball.

Shape and hardness

Padel rackets are available in different shapes. The circular shape is suitable for controlled play as well as precise strokes. Drop-shaped rackets, on the other hand, score with a balanced relation of control and powerful strokes, while diamond-shaped rackets are used mainly for powerful strokes. All three types of rackets are characterized by low weight, which provides a correspondingly good reaction as well as maneuverability during the game. The hardness of the padel racket is determined not only by the construction but also by the materials of the hitting surface. The hitting surface essentially consists of a so-called EVA or FOAM core - the surface of the padel racket, on the other hand, consists of glass fiber, carbon fiber & Co. EVA is a relatively hard material with low flexibility. It is used in racquets that score with high durability and good control, but have deficits in terms of power transmission. FOAM rackets, on the other hand, excel in terms of power transmission, but do not allow the same level of control. So-called hybrid rackets offer balance - they have a mixed core of EVA and FOAM.

Dimensions and weight

Padel rackets have a maximum length of 46 cm and a width of 26 cm. The official padel regulations state that the padel tennis racket must not be thicker than 3.8 cm. The weight ranges on average between 340 to 395 grams. In principle, the following applies to racket weight: a light padel tennis racket (340-360 grams) optimizes ball control, but it has less impact power during the ball change. A heavy racket (370-390 grams) has increased hitting power on the court, but this reduces control. Consequently, heavy rackets are more likely to be used by skilled padel tennis players. Rackets in the medium weight class (360-370 grams) represent a good compromise - between ball control on the one hand and impact power on the other.

When choosing a racket, the playing style and level - including stroke power - play a decisive role. Certain accessories, such as grip bands on the shaft of the racket, can increase the feel and level of play.