Hey, it’s Friday! It’s Timo here with your weekly padel tips and news.

📺 What we’re watching The Premier Padel Finland P2 on YouTube.

Today’s newsletter is 900 words— a 4.5 minute read.

In this issue

🧨 Quick hits: Padel growing at 27% globally, but where?

🤏🏻 Mastering the Chiquita: A Game-Changer

🏋🏻 Premier Padel Partners SWAT Analysis

🗳️ Poll of the week

Last week’s poll results

Which racket shape do you prefer?

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Round (1)

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Teardrop / hybrid (5)

🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Diamond (2)

🧨 1. Quick hits

🏛️ FIP president and PSG owner, Nasser Al-Khelaifi negotiate with the International Olympic Committee. Technically, to be in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, padel must be played in 75 countries in 4 continents, today it is not yet there.

🙆🏻‍♂️ The largest 3 padel clubs in the world are: 1. El Estudiante (Alcobendas, Spain) – 40 padel courts, 2. Padel House Espoo (Espoo, Finland) – 33 padel courts, and 3. Sportcity (Massanassa, Valencia) – 30 padel courts.

📈 Global padel court growth of 27% in 2023, mostly outside of the leading countries: the growth rates in the United States (152%), Germany (122%), the United Kingdom (95%) and France (45%).

🤩 2. Level up

🤏🏻 Mastering the Chiquita: A Game-Changer in Padel

This week, we’re diving into the art of the Chiquita, a powerful yet subtle shot that can transform your game.

The Chiquita Dilemma We often find ourselves playing a high volley, only to see it easily countered by our opponents. Hermann's insight: the trick is to avoid rushing and to master the Chiquita—a low, soft shot aimed at your opponent’s feet. This forces a weak return, setting up your next aggressive move.

Key Takeaways:

1. Communication is Crucial: Use a keyword like "Go" to signal your partner when executing the Chiquita. This helps both players move forward and take the net together.

2. Positioning Matters: Always observe your opponent's position. If they are close, a Chiquita can force a low ball. If they are far, it’s a perfect setup for an overhead shot.

3. Stop and Assess: Don’t rush to the net. Take one or two steps, stop, and assess the situation. Adjust based on your opponent’s reaction.

Practical Drill:

• Play a Chiquita to the middle and advance slightly.

• If your opponent pops the ball up, close in and finish the point.

Pro Tips:

• Practice the Chiquita with varying depth and pace.

• Use your body and racket to disguise your intentions.

Want to see these tips in action? Watch our full session breakdown here.

Until next time, keep practicing those Chiquitas and watch your court control skyrocket!

🎾💪 Watch the full session on YouTube and learn more from Hermann and Carlos!

🤩 3. Stories from the Pros

🏋🏻 Premier Padel Partners SWAT Analysis

Let's dive into the strengths and weaknesses of these new pairings.

Juan Lebrón – Martín Di Nenno

Juan Lebrón, the catalyst of this partnership shuffle, has decided to split from Paquito Navarro and join forces with Martín Di Nenno. This marks Lebrón's return to playing on the backhand side after six years. Lebrón is eager to prove himself after a rough patch, and Di Nenno made the bold move to part ways with Stupa, feeling their progress had stalled.

However, there are some concerns. Physically, both players are in top shape, but can Lebrón maintain his level of cross-court play against the likes of Tapia or Galán? He will need time to readjust to the left side of the court and improve his overhead shots if he hopes to compete in finals and for titles.

Lebrón's aggressive play from the drive position will add an offensive edge, while Di Nenno's reliability in defense will keep them grounded. This pair has much to gain and little to lose.

Paquito Navarro – Pablo Cardona

On the flip side, Paquito Navarro had to find a new partner quickly, and the market for skilled right-side players was limited. Enter the young and promising Pablo Cardona. Known for his reliability and the successful blend of experience with youth, Cardona seems to be a fitting partner for Navarro.

Cardona’s youth brings the physicality and attacking prowess that Paquito desperately needs.

However, this is Cardona's first significant step up in quality, and Navarro will take on a new role as a "mentor." The biggest downside is that they are now outside the top 4, which means they could face top seeds as early as the quarterfinals.

Franco Stupaczuk – Mike Yanguas

Arguably the most intriguing new pair is Franco Stupaczuk and Mike Yanguas. Initially, Stupa approached Cardona, but Yanguas eventually accepted the offer after some reconsideration.

This pairing starts as the fourth-ranked duo, thanks to their combined points. Stupa has seen a significant drop in his winning shots this season compared to the last, and Yanguas brings a more definitive style of play. Known for having one of the best volleys and overhead shots in the circuit, Yanguas could be the perfect complement to Stupa's game.

Final Thoughts

As these new pairings prepare to debut at the Finlandia P2, the dynamics of the Premier Padel circuit are set for a shake-up. Each duo brings a unique set of skills and challenges, making the upcoming matches a must-watch. The only certainty is that the race for dominance is far from over, and these partnerships will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the game. 🏆

🏝️ 4. Dream court of the week

🇪🇸 Padel La Molina, Catalunya, Spain

This week, one of the highest padel courts in Europe - at 1,670 meters - opened in the mountain resort of La Molina. It is located next to a swimming pool and the lower station of the Cadí-Moixeró cable car. Anyone have some old balls to play with?