How does temperature affect padel?

The temperature in padel is a key factor to take into account and not only in terms of what clothing the players wear on court. Heat or cold affect different aspects of the game. Being aware of all the factors can help us to know what to expect when we go on court and what measures we can take to make the most of them.

The temperature has implications on the court and also in how the match can unfold. To delve into both issues, we have spoken with the adidas coach Alberto Pulido.

The state of the court

"What is most affected on the padel court due to different temperatures are the glass walls", explains Alberto Pulido. Humidity is the most important factor to consider. When it's cold, the low temperature causes condensation and small drops of water accumulate on the walls. In this case, we find the typical "balls that fall as soon as they hit the glass," says Pulido. It doesn't always happen, but it is true that the rebound off the wall is much less and, therefore, you have to stand a little closer to the wall than usual.

In warmer temperatures, the humidity on the walls disappears. The glass has, therefore, a more natural behaviour. “We have to be prepared for a greater and faster bounce back off the glass, which will mean that we will need faster reaction times and positioning”, points out Alberto Pulido.

The behaviour of the ball

The padel balls all look the same, but their condition can be decisive in the game. The main determining factor is the pressure. “In the cold months, the balls have less pressure, which makes them heavier,” says our adidas coach. "On the contrary, in the hot months, the balls increase in pressure and gain bounce and ball output," he adds.

And what can we do to play better with these conditions? To begin with, the choice of the racket is very important. Faced with a cold situation, "a softer rubber racket to help the ball react" is the ideal choice. On the other hand, on hot days, harder rubber rackets will perform better. In fact, "there is a recent trend among high-level players that consists of using two different rackets, one for each time of the year: a harder one in summer and a softer one in winter," says Alberto Pulido.

Another aspect that we can control to improve our game depending on the temperature is the selection of the shot. “In the hottest months the game is faster and the points are shorter, thus the smash predominates”, reveals Pulido. And instead, "in winter, the game is slower and the points involve longer rallies, so tactics become even more important." Taking this into account is key to adapting our style to the conditions of the court and the ball.

How to adapt our body to the temperature

Heat and cold affect the environment but also impact how our body reacts too. For this reason, Alberto Pulido gives us some advice to combat both the cold and the heat. We start with the low temperatures. The main danger in this case is “not warming up well before starting”. "Sometimes we don't warm up well and that means that when you want to be 100% in the game you've already lost the first set", says the adidas coach.

In matches played in higher temperatures, the main issue can be wear and tear. To combat it, "we will give the main role to hydration before, during, and after the game, since the wear and tear is greater due to excessive sweating and greater loss of essential minerals," Pulido reveals.

One last aspect to consider: playing inside or outside

Whether a court is indoors or outdoors is very decisive in terms of playing conditions. Outdoor courts are much more exposed to wind, extreme temperatures and, of course, rain. Those that are indoors do not have these problems. But, on the other hand, "in clubs where there is not good air conditioning, the famous oven effect occurs in summer," says Pulido.

Now, thanks to Alberto Pulido and adidas padel, you already know what to take into account when it comes to temperature on the padel court. Remember that between the four walls you not only play against your opponent, but also the conditions. Follow the recommendations that we have given you and see how you can change your game to ensure victory.