I’m baaaack!! It’s Teemo here - I was out for a couple weeks because…life. I hope you are getting ready for a padel-filled weekend.

Today’s newsletter is 941 words - a 4-minute read.

In this issue

👨🏻‍🏫 Personalized coaching when you have time

😰 Anxiety is paralyzing the (former?) #1

🧨 Quick hits

• Viento Padel, founded in 2022 in Milan, a firm that specializes in high-performance pickleball and padel equipment, has raised €180 million through a crowdfunding campaign

• Head releases their new Gravity line with a soft butt cap and a new color scheme.

👨🏻‍🏫 How I Leveled Up My Padel Game (And How You Can Too)

I used to think I was destined for mediocrity in padel. Despite playing twice a week, my bandejas were inconsistent, my smashes lacked power, and my positioning often left me scrambling.

The turning point came during a frustrating Saturday morning match. My partner and I were facing a duo we'd easily beaten months earlier, but they were running circles around us this time. As I watched yet another of my chiquitas float up and get smashed in my face, I knew something had to change.

Enter Facundo, a padel pro ranked 37th in Germany and a former coach for the Bavarian Padel Federation. When I complained about my plateau, he offered to analyze my game. His insights were game-changing.

Here are two key tips that immediately improved my play:

1. "Ghost" positioning: Facundo taught me to position myself just out of my opponent's line of sight during rallies. This simple trick has led to countless easy points.

2. The "banana" serve: A slight change in my serve motion now gives my ball a wicked curve, making returns much more challenging for my opponents.

Within weeks, I was winning matches against players who used to dominate me. My confidence soared, and padel became even more enjoyable.

Now, I'm excited to share Facundo's expertise with you. For a limited time, he's offering his video analysis service exclusively to padel.fyi newsletter subscribers.

Here's how it works:

1. Record a video of your match or practice session.

2. Send it to Facundo along with your top 3 areas for improvement.

3. Receive a detailed video analysis with actionable tips tailored to your game.

All this for just €20 - less than the cost of a single in-person lesson!

But act fast - Facundo can only take on 10 new students this month. Click here to secure your spot and take your padel game to the next level!

🏟️ “Polemica” across the pro circuit

😰 Anxiety paralyzing Ale Galán

The Rotterdam tournament was nothing short of a rollercoaster, delivering a mix of anxiety, unexpected victories, and referee controversies that kept the padel community buzzing. At the center of attention was Ale Galán, who admitted to feeling anxious about reclaiming his top spot. His journey, marked by a fierce rivalry with Coello and Tapia, took a twist in the latest finals, raising questions about his form and future.

🌟 Young Guns Shake the Court

While Galán's battle for supremacy raged on, two young players, Leo Burger and Choas, stole the spotlight. Ranked 50th and 41st, these underdogs defeated the legendary LeBron. This upset was not just a footnote; it was symbolic. The victory might mark a turning point for Leo and Alex as they look to build on this momentum.

🔥 The Smash Debate and Tactical Changes

Leo Ausburger emerged as one of the most offensive players in the tournament, with an impressive 56% effectiveness in smashes—a significant leap from his previous averages. This improvement fuels the debate: is Leo the best smasher of all?

Leo and Alex's journey took a downturn in the semifinals against world number ones Coello and Tapia. They approached the match with caution, seemingly awed by their opponents’ prowess, which led to a dip in their performance levels. Despite forcing a tiebreak in the first set, their game unraveled in the second, raising questions about their consistency under pressure.

🧐 Referee Controversies and Call for Technology

The tournament wasn't without drama off the court. A contentious moment during the quarterfinals involving a disputed call spotlighted the need for technology in referee decisions. Players expressed frustration over unclear line calls and suggested adopting systems like those in tennis to enhance accuracy and fairness.

🏆 The Road Ahead for Galán

Galán's quest for the top spot faces new challenges. Once the world's number one, his recent performances have not matched his peak form. With Coello and Tapia not dropping a single set in recent tournaments, Galán's path to reclaiming his throne appears increasingly arduous. The upcoming Paris Major could be pivotal, as he needs a win to stay in the race for number one.

As the season heats up, fans ponder: Can Galán stage a comeback, or will the recent wave Coello and Tapia continue to seize the spotlight? Let me know what you think!

👍 Poll of the week

Last week’s poll results

Which racket should I compare to the Starvie Kenta?

🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Cross IT CTRL (2)

🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Vertex (2)

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Head Speed Pro (5)

🏝️ Dream court of the week

🇵🇹 Campo D2W, Braga, Portugal

Need a quick match between running errands? Maybe swing up to Braga to squeeze a few smashes in!