Originally from Mexico and very close to tennis, padel is one of the most popular sports of recent times. Played by two and generally on artificial grass, padel requires a dedicated racket. One of the keys to success in padel is the racket, which must be in perfect condition. The more the padel racket wears, the more the in-game performance is likely to decrease, the strokes will not come out the same way and the force will not project the same speed. So the more you play, the more your padel rackets wear out.
Factors that influence the life of padel rackets
- Frequency of use: The first thing to know is that padel rackets don’t wear out at the same speed if you use them once a week than if you use them once or twice a day. The more you play, the more they wear out.
- Manufacturing materials: Another factor that influences the life of a padel racket is the material it is made of. Padel rackets made of carbon fiber are much more durable than those made of fiberglass.
- Style of play: It is not the same to play padel gently than to play with a much more aggressive and attacking style. The harder you play padel, the more the blades wear out and therefore, the faster they break and you will have to replace them.
- Longevity: Finally, you should know that the older you get, the faster the blades lose their properties. For example, a padel racket that is two years old or more will not have the same properties, the same resistance or the same durability as a padel racket that you bought only two months ago. This is why age is a point to be taken into account.
Signs of wear on your padel racket
Wear symptoms are one of the keys to knowing the lifespan of a padel racket. If the wear is excessive, it will manifest itself while playing or by one of these symptoms:
- Vibrations: When the racket begins to vibrate excessively, we have the first symptom that the padel racket loses its properties. This is due to the fact that the fibers, as they wear out, lose their ability to absorb impact, which means that the ball begins to behave differently and the racquet begins to vibrate.
- Wrist pain: It is also normal to consider that excessive vibrations can be transferred to the hands, wrists and arms. Excessive vibrations will cause pain and therefore discomfort when playing.
- Power: Another of the symptoms of the loss of the properties of padel rackets is the power with which you hit the ball. If the ball doesn’t have the same impact or isn’t as effective when you throw it, the racquet is wearing out.
- Color: The wear of the padel racket is also very evident when talking regarding the fibers and their color. Padel rackets are usually painted and when they wear out their original color is exposed. So if you notice color changes, there is wear.
- Handle: Finally, it is important to pay attention to the handle to know how long a padel racket lasts. If it becomes unstable or difficult to hold, if it causes discomfort or even if it is deformed, then it means that the padel racket is in its last days of life.
How often should you change your padel racket?
Experts recommend changing your padel racket at least every year, taking into account how often you play. If you play twice a week, you should change your padel racket once a year.
On the other hand, if you play 4 to 5 matches per week, then you must take into account that the frequency of change must be 6 months. If you take good care of your padel racket, then its lifespan can be extended to over a year.
How to take care of your padel racket?
To make your padel racket last longer, you need to use a padel racket that will protect your racket from the environment and shocks. Avoiding exposing it to high temperatures is another way to take care of it, as the wear and tear will be much greater.
When the padel racket is wet, you should never store it without drying it, because then the wear and tear is much greater, which reduces its lifespan. On the other hand, frame guards are another way to take care of racket frames so that they don’t get damaged when moving or storing them.