Padel is the fastest growing sport in the UAE and it's unsurprising- It's fun, easy to pick up and is a fantastic sport.
However, with so many options of different shapes, sizes and materials, it's easy to get confused. Avoid potential injuries and improve your game by choosing the right racket for you. Thus guide is to help you choose your optimal racket.
Types of Racket
First of all, you need to choose the correct shape for your game. There a generally 3 types of shapes:-
Round
The round padel rackets prioritise control. The sweet spot tends to be in the middle of lower end of the racket face, and is larger in size. The round racket are ideal for all types of players, especially beginners.
Diamond Shape
Diamond shape rackets are power rackets- They are ideal for more experienced players who prefer to play with power and like to attack. The negative to having more power is you have less control, since the sweet spot Is smaller and is located at the top of the racket face. This is the choice for a lot of advanced players.
Teardrop Shape
The teardrop shape rackets are a well balanced Padel Racket. The shape is a mixture of both round and diamond shape rackets, so they are a perfect balance between control and power. The sweet spot is located in between the round and diamond shape sweet spots. This type of racket is recommended for players who have some experience who have a more balanced game and don't need too much control or too much power.
Rigidity and Material
Another vital aspect to take into account when choosing a Padel racket is the rigidity of its surface, that is, the level of flexibility that a padel racket has when pressure is applied to it. This characteristic is directly influenced by the material with which it is made.
Soft Padel Rackets
These rackets are made of fiberglass as the main fabric. This material shows a greater degree of flexibility, which means that when the ball hits the racket, it bounces more. In addition, they absorb most of the energy when they come into contact with the ball, which makes them more comfortable and ideal for beginners, since with them it is easier to return aggressive hits.
Hard Padel Rackets
The hard Padel rackets are made of carbon fibre. This material is harder and less flexible than fibreglass, so generally soft padel rackets don’t have carbon in their composition (or they have very little). The padel rackets made with this material are more expensive because they are also more durable than soft padel rackets, because the quality and characteristics of carbon fiber remain intact for a longer time.
In the Padel market there is a great variety of carbon fabrics (conventional carbon, 12K carbon, etc.), so it’s also important to know the level of hardness / flexibility of it.
Weight
The weight of a racket is also vital in choosing the right Padel racket. There's no strict rule on how many grams your racket such weigh, so it's all down to player preference.
Padel rackets are divided into two key categories with respect to weight: light and heavy Padel rackets. A heavier Padel racket will give you good power but will reduce control, while a lighter padel racket will give you more control and less power. Light padel rackets are more suitable for beginners and amateurs, while heavy padel rackets are more suitable for advanced and experienced players.
Cores
The cores are another important aspect to consider. When we talk about the core, we refer to the rubber used in the construction of the flat surface of the Padel tennis racket. The most frequently used types of rubbers are:
- FOAM. The foam is used to make padel rackets with a soft touch. It’s a cheaper and more flexible material, which is why it is generally used for low-level padel rackets.
- EVA. The cores made of EVA rubber are the most popular today. This material is more durable and rigid than foam.
As mentioned, there is no one perfect racket for everybody, each player has their own style.
At Game Set Match Sports, we cover all players levels, from beginner all the way through to tour level. If you have any questions related to what type of racket you may require, don't hesitate to ask our experts who will be more than happy to help you pick the perfect weapon for your game.