Archive note: this article was originally written after the 2023 World Padel Tour Final in Barcelona. References to that event are historical, but the reasons for watching high-level padel live still apply.
We had the pleasure of attending the World Padel Tour Final in Barcelona and the event was epic. From the venue to the incredible padel on show, it was one of the best professional events I had attended. But the biggest takeaway for me was the reminder of how useful it is for recreational players to watch professional padel matches live.
If you get the chance to watch professional padel live, it is worth doing not only for the entertainment but also for developing your own understanding of the game. Here are a few aspects I really noticed from watching the professionals in person.
The Speed Of Play
Perhaps the biggest realisation when watching professional padel matches live is the speed of play. Many recreational players assume professional players play very hard and fast but in fact, much of the game is slow and controlled, using angles and the whole court to create the chance to attack. When the chance comes, that’s when they play fast. Seeing that contrast live helps explain why padel coaches are always talking about control versus pure power.
Ball Control
At The Padel School, when we do training sessions with players all over the world, typically in the warmup our first exercise is usually focused just on ball control. It involves hitting softly to a marker with the goal of simply controlling the ball as much as possible.
The reason for doing this, and something professional players make look easy, is because as you go up the levels, players do not simply hit harder and faster. Their ball control improves. They hit more accurately and consistently. When you watch professional players in matches, their ability to return difficult balls with control and target small areas of the court is remarkable.
The Physicality
As professional padel has evolved, so has the physicality of the players. When you watch high-level matches live, you see how quickly players recover the net and how explosive they can be when attacking.
For recreational players, if you want to keep going up the levels, putting time into the physical side can support movement, recovery and consistency. Watching professionals live also gives you a much clearer picture of the movement demands than highlights alone.
Watch The Pros Live
If there is a professional event within reach, watching it live can be a brilliant learning experience. Pay attention to positioning, ball speed, recovery and how patiently points are constructed. Check the current professional padel calendar before planning a trip, as tours, venues and schedules change from season to season.
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