The choice of racket: round, tear-shaped, or diamond-shaped?

How to choose a padel racket? Whatever options are there for an amateur who wants to start to play padel? What are the differences between the various types of equipment? We ask these questions to Padel Nuestro, the multibrand chain present here at the Foro Italico with a stand in the commercial village, and who have the pulse of the situation, not only for tournament week, but from inside the specific market for this sport.

THE ROUND RACKET

The first important factor in choosing a racket is obviously based on the technical capacity of the buyer. An amateur starting out in the sport and who wants to start from zero has to use an easier racket to manage, and therefore this is almost always a round or sometimes a tear-shaped model. Fundamentally, a round racket offers greater control and therefore, is ideal for players who have a long swing and are not afraid of hitting the ball with a wide swing.

This type of racket therefore is particularly easy to use because it is perfectly balanced. With its round form, both the forehand and backhand from the back of the court are easy shots and players will find it easier to hit the ball without being afraid of hitting the walls.

However, this racket has to be held firmly for most shots especially in volleys and the bandeja. The semi-Western – aka the American – handle is ideally suited for a round or semi-round racket.

DROP-SHAPED (OR TEAR-SHAPED) RACKET

This is a very multipurpose and balanced racket. Power and control are very balanced. This is the most common form and is chosen by most aficionados, representing also the base for for the major brands to create their new models. This can also use all types of handles, from the continental to the American.

This is the ideal racket for a player with an intermediate swing given the possibility of choosing the classic size or oversize models depending on the length of the player's swing. The sweet spot in a drop shaped rackets is located over a greater reception area on the racket head. In general this model favours flat shots, volleys and smashes due to its wider hitting area.

DIAMOND-SHAPED RACKETS

This is the ideal racket for power. This form, similar to an upside down pyramid, is ideal for players who have a short swing and therefore need a little help with power. A good technique is needed to deliver precise shots because the sweet spot in this racket is very much centred on the upper part of the head and is rather small, and thus if we don't centre the ball well then we will notice a certain loss of control.

The diamond-shaped racket is ideal if we have a strong body and it is used with a continental handle, with the head of the racket always high. The best shot for the diamond-shaped bracket is the remate or flat smash. A good idea is to always choose a model which weighs a little less than normal given that this form of racket tends to incline a little as its balance is located towards the head.

Market data shows that there are still few people – at least in Italy – that ask specifically for the racket used by champions. There are some exceptions, however, due this boom in padel that Italy is experiencing some aficionados are moving ever more in the direction of the stars. This is what happens when someone asks for 'Bela's racket' (the Argentinian Fernando Belasteguin) or even the less famous Franco Stupaczuk.

CLOTHES AND SHOES

When talking about clothing, the typical Italian padel player - says Padel Nuestro - has a certain passion for any bright fluo colour. And for shoes, we generally have compact footwear with substantially different characteristics than those used in other sports evenutally practised by the player (tennis, running, or other disciplines). The padel shoe must first of all guarantee greater protection against injury and damage to the foot.

Padel involves continual movement, jumps, lateral movements, etc. This is why many variables are taken into consideration and depending on the specific needs of the player. In any case, one of the most important elements is cushioning. The individual variables to be considered range from the width and internal form of the sole that has to adapt itself to the foot to guarantee the greatest level of comfort.