How Pickleball and Padel Help Your Tennis Game

by Luana Stanciu

If you're an avid racquet sports enthusiast, you'll be delighted to learn that playing pickleball and padel can significantly enhance your tennis skills. These sports complement each other in various ways, offering unique benefits that can take your tennis game to new heights. In this article, we'll dive deeper into the ways in which pickleball and padel positively impact your tennis performance, ranging from improving your net game and communication skills to enhancing hand-eye coordination and balance. So, let's explore how these fantastic racquet sports can benefit your tennis journey.

Pickleball, a sport with a mix of tennis, badminton, and ping pong, has been gaining popularity worldwide. Embracing this game not only opens up a fun and exciting way to stay active but also provides valuable advantages for your tennis game. One of the key takeaways is the development of quick hands, particularly at the net. Many tennis players find themselves apprehensive about playing close to the net, but by practicing pickleball, you'll notice a significant improvement in your net game. Increased awareness and quicker reactions will make volleying in tennis a smoother and more effective skill. Additionally, your ability to anticipate the ball's trajectory will enhance, giving you an edge on the court.

Moreover, pickleball, being predominantly a doubles game, emphasizes communication with your partner. “The sport is often played in a more confined space, requiring efficient communication for successful teamwork,” said Stephen Rogers, Director of Pickleball at John Newcombe Country Club in New Braunfels, Texas.

This emphasis on partnership and clear communication directly transfers to the tennis court, enhancing your performance in doubles matches. By learning to communicate effectively with your partner, you'll be better prepared to strategize and execute precise shots in tandem, creating a formidable force on the tennis court.

Padel, another racquet sport that shares similarities with tennis and squash, provides unique benefits as well. One of the most significant advantages of playing padel is the increased repetition of shots due to the smaller court size. “With more shots being exchanged in a shorter span, your hand-eye coordination will naturally improve. This enhanced coordination will prove invaluable when transitioning back to the tennis court, where precise timing and control are essential,” said Paloma Cortina, Director of Padel and Pickleball at Polo Club in Austin, Texas.

Furthermore, padel enthusiasts often find themselves adopting a continental grip, given the nature of the game. This grip style, widely used in tennis for volleys and serves, becomes second nature with regular padel practice. As a result, your tennis game will benefit from the proficiency you develop in using the continental grip during padel matches.

Finally, both pickleball and padel encourage players to stay lower to the ground, aiding in maintaining better balance during play. The crouched posture and quick movements required in these sports enhance your lower body strength and stability, effectively transferring these attributes to your tennis game. A stronger and more balanced stance on the tennis court will give you a competitive edge, enabling you to cover the court with agility and finesse.

In short, the benefits of playing pickleball and padel extend far beyond the joy and excitement of these wonderful racquet sports. Embracing these games can significantly enhance your tennis performance, bringing about improvements in various aspects of your game. From developing quick hands and improved net skills to honing communication and coordination, pickleball and padel offer invaluable lessons that directly transfer to the tennis court. Plus, the emphasis on the continental grip and lower body stability enhances your overall tennis expertise. So, don't hesitate to dive into the world of pickleball and padel, as they hold the keys to elevating your tennis game to new heights. Happy playing!