How do you successfully get started in these new trend sports? A look at professional tournaments shows that the right strategy is often more important than pure power.
Anyone wanting to start with pickleball or padel is usually faced with the question: how do I improve my game the fastest? It is often believed that hard shots and pure athleticism make the difference. But a look at current professional tournaments shows a different picture. In both pickleball and padel, it is tactical adaptability that decides victory or defeat. If you understand this, you can immediately improve your own game on the recreational court.
According to Padel Magazine, just how important a tactical adjustment is in padel was demonstrated at the women's P1500 tournament in Casa Padel Dos. The favourites Laura Clergue and Marie Maligo lost the first set heavily 1:6 after making 20 unforced errors. Instead of hitting the ball even harder, however, they completely changed their strategy: they increased their physical intensity and consistently relied on lobs. In addition, they played targeted parallel balls to pin their opponents in the diagonal. This tactical discipline brought them back into the game and ultimately secured them the tournament victory.
For recreational athletes, this means: if things are not going well in the match, taking more risks rarely helps. It is better to take the pace out, play high lobs, and force the opponent into making errors.
Tactics also decide the game in pickleball. At the Major League Pickleball (MLP) Finals 2026 in New York, the New Jersey Fives and the St. Louis Shock faced each other. The Fives, led by exceptional player Anna Leigh Waters, secured the title in a dramatic final, according to The Dink. Although they clearly lost the first women's doubles match 2:11, they did not let themselves be rattled and fought their way back through the mixed matches and the decisive Dreambreaker.
In addition to mental strength, equipment also plays a role in pickleball. Waters stood out at the tournament with a new, still mysterious paddle model from Franklin. According to reports from The Dink, it was presumably a hybrid variant with a thickness of 14 mm. For beginners, this shows: the choice of paddle (whether thicker control models with 16 mm or thinner, more dynamic variants with 14 mm) significantly influences ball feel and control on the court.
Your takeaway: If you are behind in the game, do not increase the risk, but adapt your tactics and rely on controlled lobs and precise placement.
This article was generated automatically with AI from the sources listed above and has not been editorially reviewed.