What is the reason for the growing trend of people taking up padel or pickleball instead of tennis? It is the same reason I put my daughter in tennis lessons at such an early age - the technique for tennis is very difficult to learn (therefore much easier as a child). It is almost impossible for an adult to start learning tennis and reach a high level (even to a collegiate level). Padel is easier to learn technically and therefore more enjoyable tactically at an earlier stage of the journey. Pickleball is similar, in that the technique is easier, but with less complexities in the tactics. Coaching an adult beginner how to serve in tennis is one of the most difficult lessons a coach has to deal with - I am glad the padel serve is simpler and they can enjoy the sport sooner! Anyone who has actually tried padel/pickleball that disagrees? For the full podcast: https://lnkd.in/eGXNHauF
That’s very interesting. Perhaps I will try Padel one day
Points well taken. However, here is the counter side: - How do you explain the popularity and participation in golf? Similar to tennis, both are difficult sports to develop higher levels of skills and competencies in. - Secondly, while the perceived and actual difficulty of learning and developing in tennis is high, that can be de-motivating (to your point and I've heard this from others). But couldn't it also be motivating? In fact a lot of people love tennis and similar sports like golf because of the continuous and lifelong challenge and journey of improvement. - I'm not convinced that the serve is a difficult and complex stroke to teach. There is coordination that is needed but the instruction doesn't have to be complicated. Looked at from a different perspective, the coordination, athletic skills, and technique development that playing tennis develops and maintains, has shown to have a positive impact on health and longevity more than any other sport. - Lastly, you discussed a connection between taking up a sport and being able to get competitive at it quickly and the associated joy that is felt. I feel this needs to be explored more because joy can come from playing, learning, developing without competition.
💯 agree! That’s exactly the reason why I got hooked to padel. I already had a demanding job and at least during my free time, I was looking for a sport that was easy to start playing, fun and social. I tried tennis, but we couldn’t manage to complete a rally and we spent more time chasing balls than playing. That wasn’t fun. And since I wasn’t looking at becoming a wimbledon star, I thought it wasn’t worth the effort. On the other hand, padel definitely filled that need of an easy, fun and social way to practise sport and it was immediately ❤️ love.
100% agree Sandy Farquharson! Let's say that Padel is much more inclusive than Tennis and welcomes this huge slice of the market represented by all those who want to do a bit of sport and have fun but are not competitive athletes blessed with great talent or simply excellent physical conditions and good coordination of their body that would be discouraged from having to "learn how to serve in Tennis".
Totally Agree. My passion is padel. Former tennis player. For today playing Padel on all levels in my country looking for growing of clubs and players, so many people were looking for new sport like Padel to play.
Great point indeed . Never thought in that direction. As on squash the serve is easy amd also lots more accessible for everyone mostly to enjoy and keep healthy .
Nailed it! Great point about trying to get new adult tennis players playing at a good level. In particular the serve.
Tennis is bloody difficult.
I so agree
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3moI totally agree with this - Padel and Pickleball are so very easy to learn but Padel in particular is VERY hard to get good at!