New balls PLEASE!
More than 80% of padel players don’t play with new balls – that’s the finding of a study carried out by leading padel products manufacturer Bullpadel, which says old balls can affect racket performance, style of play and even cause injury.
The company advises considering playing conditions – generally indoor and outdoor – and selecting balls accordingly.
Max Holloway of MRH Sports, Bullpadel’s UK and Ireland distribution partner, said: “Damp courts and wet glass contribute to a slow court so you’d want to choose a quick, lively ball such as the Bullpadel Next.
“Indoor conditions are very different. Using a quick ball in fast conditions might be great for better players but a slower ball might be better suited to most club players, for example the Bullpadel Next Pro,” added Max.
He also had valuable advice for selecting a padel racket: “Padel racket quality differs simply by the composition of each racket. An entry level racket of between £80-120 will be made up of fibreglass, with some structural reinforcement around the throat as you spend more. In the mid-level, normally circa £150 to £170 range, you will start to get a blend of fibreglass and carbon fibre. Performance models of around £200 and above will consist of high grades of carbon fibre composition. In each instance as the racket composition improves, the racket in turn gets stronger, offering more durability and better user playability,” he said.
Why the price?
Max added: “The price is relative to the performance you expect from the racket, and ability of the player. As you spend more, the durability, rigidity and responsiveness of the racket all improve. So, as you play more often and your level improves, the additional control, power and stiffness are all benefits to improve your game.” 🎾
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