Skill-level differences in final shot characteristics in padel: comparative insights from amateurs and professionals

Objective: this study aimed to analyze the differences between amateur and professional padel players in terms of the type of last shot, its effectiveness and, the court area where it is performed, in both men's and women's padel. Methodology: a total of 180 matches and 2,278 points were systematically observed. Results: amateur players committed more unforced errors than professionals (CSR=2.9–4.7), while professionals produced more winners (CSR=2.0–4.0), and more forced errors in men’s professional players (CSR=3.2). A relationship was found between the last shot type and player level for winners and unforced errors in men's padel (p<.05). Amateurs scored more winners with the forehand and bandeja, while professionals were more successful with the slow smash. Amateurs made more forced errors with the recovery smash and more unforced errors with the powerful smash, whereas professionals committed more unforced errors with the contrapared and double wall. In women's padel, the relationship was significant for winners (p<.001), with amateurs scoring more with forehand, backhand, back wall forehand and slow smash, and professionals with x3, fake, and powerful smashes. Professional women also had more forced errors with the forehand, while amateurs committed more unforced errors with the slow and recovery smash. In men's padel, amateurs produced more winners in zone 5 and more forced errors out of court, while in women's padel, amateurs made more unforced errors in zone 5 and fewer in zone 2, with professionals committing more forced errors in zone 6. Conclusions: these findings highlight how skill level impacts shot selection and performance.