Padel Ratings

Why use Padel ratings?
Before we open a can of worms, let’s just agree on why a rating system is useful! The main reason is so that players can have a challenging and competitive game with players of a similar ability. Padel is not necessarily like other sports where a slight difference in level disrupts the game, but a significant difference in level would. The idea is to create more fun for players by making their matches competitive.

What are Padel ratings?
Most clubs in South Africa use the Playtomic booking app which comes with a built-in ratings system. The more games you win, the higher your rating goes. The more you lose, the lower it goes. It’s certainly not 100% accurate in gauging how good a player is, but over time, it does help to get a good sense of their level.

Choosing a Padel partner
Many players ask partners who have ratings above them (don’t often see asking players below) to play matches with them so that they can win more. But again, this does not help you! I have seen this time and time again – the better player plays the majority of the Padel, against the lower-level opponents. So as a team, the better player is not improving their game because they are playing with weaker players and the lower-level player is not improving their game because their partner is hitting half the balls meant for them.

Remember, Padel is foremost about having fun, getting fit and socialising. So do not get too worked up about who has what rating. Enter games at the level that is best for you with a partner of a similar level and, most importantly, enjoy your games!

Credit: Padel School