Your sporting DNA matters

We are who we are. Our sporting journeys, personalities, and instincts have been built up over years, decades, even. Expecting someone to suddenly change their nature the moment they pick up a padel racket is unrealistic.

Take me, for example. I was once an aggressive, highly volatile tennis player. The chances of me suddenly transforming into a calm, zen-like padel player who patiently defends at the back of the court? Slim to absolutely impossible! And honestly...why would I want to?

Instead, I lean into my strengths. I use my tennis background and natural instincts as the foundation of my padel game. I enjoy flying forward to the net, battling it out in fast volley exchanges, and smashing the ball hard when the chance arises. That’s when I feel most comfortable and most me on the court.

Coaching should be about possibilities

Too often, players are told what they can’t do, but as coaches, we believe it should be the opposite. Great coaching isn’t about stripping away your personality. It’s about helping you channel your skills and instincts into something effective within the padel framework.

A badminton player’s wristy reactions? Perfect for quick reflex volleys and speedy vibroas. A footballer’s agility and footwork? A huge advantage in covering the back glass and defending corners. A rugby player’s physicality and aggression? Invaluable at the net in high-pressure battles.

The challenge isn’t to abandon these skills,  it’s to refine them so they work for you, not against you.

Make your game yours

Padel is beautiful because it’s adaptable. There isn’t just one way to play. Yes, there are core principles, but the best players bring their own flavour, their own personality, and their own sporting DNA into the mix.

So the next time someone tells you what you “can’t” do, pause and ask: is there a way I can use this skill to my advantage? Chances are, the answer is yes.

Padel should feel fun, natural, and personal. You’ll always play your best when you’re true to yourself. So don’t abandon your sporting background, embrace it. Use it. And let it shape you into a unique padel player with a style that no one else can copy.