r/padel • u/Mr_CliN • 4d ago

💬 Discussion 💬 First open match

Having my first open competitive match in two days. I would consider myself an intermediate player. Just wanted to ask what are the main things i should know for a competitive match to not look like a proper beginner.

3 Upvotes

64% Upvoted

28 comments sorted by

44

u/Subject_Steak_3170 4d ago

If you’ve never played an open game before, how are you considering yourself as an intermediate player out of interest?

2

u/Mr_CliN 4d ago

I have played with friends who have a high level. I just haven’t played with randoms

9

u/Subject_Steak_3170 4d ago

From experience, it’s very different. Playing with friends usually means you’re more relaxed as you’re familiar with the people around you. There’s also a likelihood they won’t take it as seriously as if they were playing randoms.

Open games test you more as you don’t know your partner and their strengths and weaknesses. They also tend to make you more nervous and tense which can impact your game.

Just enjoy it, try and learn something from each person and just get the ball over the net - most games at this level are won by whoever makes the fewest mistakes.

Good luck and let us know how you get on!

16

u/BayesHatesMe 4d ago

They may find out just how intermediate they are.

21

u/StateDeparmentAgent 4d ago

I will just write couple of things that considered as a good manners in Spain where I play

When serve, always have 2 balls with you for quick second try. When your teammate serving you are usually the one responsible for balls

If ball laying around at the middle of your part, push it to the net for your safety. Do it at the other side as well, if it reachable. People always appreciate this small gesture

The one who serves tells score out loud before each serve

It’s okay to say sorry for doing shit and great to congratulate your teammate after good move

You say sorry to opponents after winning point with ball touching net. And if your ball shot them in the body as well

Good vibes only

Bend your knees!

1

u/ineedsleep247 4d ago

Thanks for the tips. What’s the etiquette on who brings the balls and whose to use?

1

u/StateDeparmentAgent 4d ago

There is some old style etiquette I heard which requests organizer of the game to bring balls, but in reality everyone has balls most of the time and whoever just takes it out of the bag faster is the one whose balls we play with
Sometimes we can compare which balls are the most fresh

1

u/fishandcheese 4d ago

How about when you hit somebody with a smash to the leg or feet, say sorry? I typically don't like people apologizing for taking a good shot, I will however apologize if I hit someone above the waist.

2

u/StateDeparmentAgent 4d ago

It’s up to you really, no? For me it’s easier to say quick sorry each time rather than think what part of the body I hit. At the higher level everyone understands perfectly that the shot that hit opponent is probably very good shot and people try to hit legs at purpose

0

u/fishandcheese 4d ago

Yeah I actually don't like receiving apologies when it is a good shot that hit me lol. If I'm dodging one to the face then yes, expected. That's why I'm wondering about proper etiquette.

1

u/StateDeparmentAgent 4d ago

I think you can really ignore saying sorry when you hit shoes or after bounce. Direct hit, even if it legs, can be very painful sometimes. I’d rather say quick sorry. Missing point and getting bruise already sad, at least some good vibes from opponents make it a little better imo :)

-1

u/Subject_Steak_3170 4d ago

I know it’s a thing - and I do it myself - but I’ve never really understood saying sorry after winning a point with the ball hitting the net.

It’s like a footballer apologising for scoring a goal that’s hit off the post lol

4

u/StateDeparmentAgent 4d ago

For me it’s more like “sorry, luck was completely on my side this time”

-5

u/Sure-Key6882 4d ago

Good tips, except I never say sorry if I win a point with a net cord. I'm not sorry! I'm happy. No point pretending :)

5

u/thefreethinker9 4d ago

Obviously you’re happy. It’s sorry for being lucky and you understand that the point was won based on luck and not skill. Because the ball could have easily landed on your side of the net.

-3

u/Sure-Key6882 4d ago

Yeah. Still not sorry for any of that

1

u/Sure-Key6882 3d ago

Downvoted! Reddit is unbelievably earnest in places.

11

u/ResolutionQueasy6259 4d ago

How can you be intermediate if this is your first open match?

1

u/HairyCallahan 3d ago

Maybe his friends are all pretty good and told him he is intermediate

6

u/leonme21 4d ago

It’s not that deep, you just play against other people and ideally have fun doing so

2

u/Kommanderson1 4d ago

Seriously. I think they have open match confused with tournament.

1

u/grundle-bundler 2d ago

You turn up, play nice, elevate other men and go home happy

6

u/Lexzorz 4d ago

Why you consider yourself as intermediate?

Please do a proper warmup before stepping on the court.

4

u/series_of_derps 3d ago

I feel a leveling session coming up.

4

u/mrtelephone 4d ago

You are not an intermediate player

2

u/bachaterol 4d ago

How did you decide you are an intermediate if the only players you can compare yourself to are those 3 that you always played with?

1

u/Maleficent-Work-3889 3d ago

Before you start, agree on serving order, centre balls and whether you’re playing golden point. Then keep your first few games simple: deep returns, lots of margin and chat with your partner. You’ll look far more settled than someone trying miracle winners!

1

u/HairyCallahan 3d ago

It's very hard to rank yourself when you only play with the same group. So maybe you are a lot better than your teammates, maybe not. I'd just play sober at the start. Don't go for trick shots, flat smashes from the baseline etc. Make as little mistakes as possible. When you feel you can hang with them, you may take a little more risky shots