What are the differences between an amateur and a professional padel player?

Social Media Video: Marcos: Jorge, is that you in the photo with Juani Mieres?

Jorge: Yes, that's me. Younger, but it's me.

Marcos: Okay, so tell our followers: what's the difference between a high-level amateur padel player and a professional player?

Jorge: The first thing I want to do is explain who Juani Mieres is, because many young players might not know him. Juani Mieres was world number 1 and for many years he was number 2 alongside Pablo Lima. This coincided with the golden age of Fernando Belasteguin and Juan Martín Díaz, when they were practically unbeatable.

As you can see in the photo, I was lucky enough to play as Juani's partner once, and the first thing that catches your attention is the ball speed: it's a different sport. The ball speed that professionals have has nothing to do with that of an amateur player. But, beyond that, what really sets them apart is the consistency and knowing how to play both fastball and slowball. Professionals are able to play it safe, be consistent, and wait for the right moment to accelerate the game and win the point. For me, that's the big difference between a high-level amateur player and a professional: consistency.

Marcos: And what advice could you give to our fans who play at the amateur level?

Jorge: Above all, they should practice both speeds. They should learn to identify when to play a slower ball, safely, in the middle, and when it's time to accelerate it with more speed or power. I think working on this will greatly improve their level.

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If you are passionate about paddle tennis If you follow the professional circuit closely, you've probably asked yourself at some point:

What's the real difference between a professional padel player and an amateur player, even if the latter is at a high level?

In one of our latest videos, Marcos and Jorge discuss precisely this topic, starting with a personal anecdote that provides a very interesting lesson for all of us who want to continue improving in this sport.

The day Jorge played with Juani Mieres, former world number one

It all started with a photo in which Jorge appears next to Juani Mieres, one of the most iconic players in the history of padel. As Jorge reminds us:

“Juani Mieres was world No. 1 and, for many years, No. 2 alongside Pablo Lima. It was the golden age of Fernando Belasteguin and Juan Martín Díaz, when they seemed invincible on the court.”

Jorge was fortunate enough to share the court with Mieres, and that experience made it very clear to him what differentiates a professional player from an amateur, even those at a high level.

The key difference: speed and consistency

The first thing that Jorge highlights is the ball speed that professionals handle. In his words:

“It's a different sport. The ball speeds that professionals have are nothing like those of an amateur player. Everything happens much faster.”

But the most important thing is not only the power or the speed at which you play. What really makes the difference is consistency and the ability to manage the pace of the gameProfessional players know when to slow down, when to play slower balls safely, and how to wait for the right moment to speed up play and close out the point.

"They're able to play it cool and be consistent until they see the moment to accelerate and win. For me, that's the big difference: consistency."

Tip for amateur players: work at both speeds

Many high-level amateur players have a good shot and are capable of playing very good points, but they often make the mistake of taking too many risks or not knowing how to manage the pace of the match.

That's why Jorge leaves us with some very useful advice for all of us who want to improve:

“Practice both speeds above all: knowing when to play a slower ball, without taking risks, in the middle… and when to accelerate with more speed or power. If you can master that, you'll significantly improve your level.”

How to improve your padel and get closer to the professional level

If you want your game to be more like the pros, here are some key aspects you can work on:

• Train rhythm control: Dedicate specific sessions to playing points where you work on slow and placement balls, and others where you practice accelerations at the right moment.
• Improve your consistency: It's not just about not failing, but learning to maintain a safe playing pattern until the opportunity arises.
• Watch and learn from the professionals: Look at how they manage matches, when they take risks and when they don't.
• Patience and strategy: In padel, the winner is not always the one who hits the hardest, but the one who knows how to choose the best shot at the best moment.

Has it happened to you?

Have you ever felt like you were playing at a different pace than your opponents? Do you struggle to maintain consistency throughout the match? Tell us about your experience in the comments, and don't forget to follow us for more padel tips, videos, and analysis.