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

📺 What we’re watching Premier Padel New Giza P2 🇪🇬

Today’s newsletter is 761 words - a 5 minute read.

In this issue

🤔 Shot selection will help you more than technique

🤑 Libaak and Augsburger bail on Nox

👍 Poll of the week

Last week’s poll results

Who should pay for the balls?

🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Loser (3)

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Match booker (0)

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Last arriver (2)

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Split them (8)

🧨 Quick hits

6% federated padel player increase in 2023 according to the Federación Española de Pádel.

Chozas leaving Volt for Siux.

Ale Galan on his childhood: “Yes, I come from a very humble, middle-class family. My father has almost always worked in the hotel industry and my mother cleaned houses to try to make ends meet. They never had the chance to pay for my training sessions every day. Like many families, we had financial problems and we have fought hard to get ahead thanks to the efforts of our parents.”

🤩 Level up

Why Technique Isn't Everything (And What Really Matters Most)

As a player, it’s easy to get caught up in perfecting your technique (especially if you played tennis, right??). We spend hours fine-tuning our strokes, drilling the perfect smash.

But what if I told you that technique isn't everything? When it comes to elevating your padel game, your shot selection is almost always more important than the technical mastery of your swings.

Last week, one of our readers submitted a video for our coach, Facundo, to analyze. He noticed the errors in shot selection for lobs over the reader’s left shoulder and he gave following advice.

What do when you get a deep lob over your left shoulder?

If it will bounce behind the service line, you should let the ball bounce. You have 2 options:

1. deliver a counter lob OR

2. bajada (if it bounces back off the wall enough)

For balls that would bounce before the service line, right-handed players have 2 options for taking the ball in the air.

• Left-side players can use a rulo to send the ball in to their diagonal opponent's fence

• Right-side players can use a gancho to send the ball to either their diagonal opponent's fence or to the center of the court

The gancho must either

• contact the fence / wall before the player can reach it. Otherwise the opponent can counter-attack with a straight shot down your partner's (usually uncovered) line.

• OR be very soft in the center - ideally with its second bounce behind the service line. Otherwise the opponent can attack with a bajada to your feet.

Want to learn what tactics you’re missing? Get top-ranked Facundo to analyze your game!

👉🏻 Submit your video here to get personalized coaching feedback.

Customer's Feedback

Amazing! Is it possible to book more reviews with you? This is so extremely helpful, I need more of this!

Pros

🤑 Libaak and Augsburger bail on Nox

Valentino Libaak and Leandro Augsburger have breached their contracts with leading equipment brand NOX.

According to an official statement from NOX, both players signed long-term deals with the company - Libaak in August 2022 through 2027, and Augsburger in September 2022 also through 2027. NOX says they have "maintained an absolute commitment to the personal and athletic growth of both athletes" during this time, including providing residency at their high-performance academy in Spain.

The players have showed up to recent tournaments with black rackets, which are rumored to be prototypes produced by competing brand, Siux.

"We deeply regret that Tino and Leo have been affected by these external influences, which clearly do not take into account their best interests or professional development," the NOX statement reads.

The brand says they will take necessary steps to protect their interests and uphold the signed agreements, as a leading padel equipment provider. It's an unfortunate situation for all involved, as the players appear to have walked away from lucrative long-term deals.

NOX has maintained a strong presence in the rapidly growing sport of padel, sponsoring top players and events.

Note that Augsburger had a similar recent experience with Varlion in 2022.

📺 What we’re watching 

Premier Padel New Giza P2

Very windy conditions in New Giza have resulted in some strange points.

Because it’s a P2 (fewer points than the larger tournament), many of the big names are out - but there are still some good matches on. Watch via Red Bull TV and broadcast partners (beIN SPORTS, Disney+, Canal+).

Yesterday’s highlights on YouTube are here.