From Tennis Pro to Padel Pioneer: Brittany Dubins’ Journey to the Top of US Padel
Have you ever wondered what it takes to transition from one sport to another at a professional level? Imagine leaving behind a successful tennis career to dive headfirst into the world of padel. That’s exactly what Brittany Dubins did, and her story is nothing short of inspiring.
In this episode of The Joy of Padel podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Brittany Dubins, the number one female padel player in the United States. Her journey from college tennis star to padel professional is a testament to the power of passion, adaptability, and sheer determination.
Background and Context
Padel, often described as a mix between tennis and squash, is rapidly gaining popularity in the United States. As the sport grows, players like Brittany are paving the way for future generations of American padel enthusiasts. But what does it take to make such a dramatic shift in one’s athletic career?
Brittany’s story begins in Miami, where she excelled in tennis, playing at the collegiate level for the University of Miami. However, it was during a master’s program in Madrid that she first encountered padel. What started as a casual hobby quickly evolved into a full-fledged passion, eventually leading her to quit her job and pursue padel professionally.
Key Insights and Takeaways
1. The Transition from Tennis to Padel
Many tennis players initially underestimate the complexity of padel. As Brittany explains:
“At first, you think of it as just like this. Oh, I can do this. This is easy. There’s a racket. It’s like, smaller. Same ball… Like, I got this. Like, I can hit my overhead until you start planning points. And there’s like, so much strategy, so much like partner, that you, you know, you really have to understand your partner to win points.”
This insight challenges the assumption that tennis skills directly translate to padel success. While there are similarities, padel requires a unique set of skills and strategies that even accomplished tennis players must develop.
2. The Importance of Partnership in Padel
One of the most striking differences between tennis doubles and padel is the level of interdependence between partners. Brittany emphasizes:
“In Padel, what’s really special about it is the ability that your game has to bring out the best in your partner’s game. Whereas I think in tennis, like, if you have a bad day, your partner can sort of, like, make up for it easier.”
This highlights the need for padel players to not only focus on their individual skills but also on developing strong partnerships and communication with their teammates.
3. Adapting to Different Partners and Conditions
As a professional padel player, Brittany has learned to adapt quickly to new partners and varying playing conditions. She shares:
“I’ve played with three different partners this tournament, so there’s been a lot of, like, obstacles, but it’s been super fun.”
This adaptability is crucial in padel, where players often need to adjust their strategies based on their partner’s strengths and the specific challenges of each match.
Challenges and Practical Advice
1. Building a Professional Padel Career in the US
One of the biggest challenges Brittany faces is the limited number of high-level tournaments in the United States. She explains:
“As of right now, there’s no premier or no FIP tournaments in the US. So it’s hard to get enough points… in order to get into these bigger tournaments.”
For aspiring padel professionals in the US, this means being prepared to travel extensively and potentially relocate to countries with more established padel scenes.
2. Developing a Winning Mindset
Brittany’s approach to preparing for matches offers valuable insights for players at all levels:
“I definitely like a good warm up, jog around, stretch. I kind of do the same warm up routine and I’m actually someone who likes get a lot of balls. If I can hit on the court for like 45 minutes, like I’d want to do it.”
She also emphasizes the importance of adapting to different playing conditions, such as wind, by practicing specific shots like lobs before matches.
3. Continuous Improvement
Even as the top female padel player in the US, Brittany recognizes areas for improvement in her game. She shares:
“I want to get better on the double glass. Like when people do bandejas or vivaras into the glass and really getting… Preparing side glass, back glass, and like double glass, and then hitting a deep cross court lob.”
This commitment to ongoing learning and improvement is crucial for success in any sport, especially one as dynamic as padel.
What We Learned About the Future of Padel in the US
Brittany’s insights into the growth of padel in the United States are both exciting and challenging. She believes there’s significant potential, especially if more tennis players transition to padel:
“I think we have a lot of potential. I also think that if we can get some tennis girls come over to the padel side, especially like 22 year olds, it would be so nice because with some training, two years of training and some tournaments, I think that we coming from college tennis, have a lot of fight, a lot of great athletes.”
However, she also emphasizes the need for more support from the US padel federation, including training camps and scholarships, to help develop top-tier players.
As padel continues to grow in popularity, players like Brittany Dubins are not just competing at the highest levels – they’re also serving as ambassadors for the sport, inspiring the next generation of padel enthusiasts in the United States and beyond.
Are you ready to experience the joy of padel for yourself? Whether you’re a tennis player looking for a new challenge or a sports enthusiast eager to try something different, padel offers a unique and exciting experience. Take a cue from Brittany’s journey and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone – you might just discover a new passion.
Listen to the full episode to hear more about Brittany’s experiences at the World Championships, her training routines, and her insights into the mental aspects of padel. And remember, in the words of Brittany herself: “Have fun. Play. Enjoy.” That’s what the joy of padel is all about.
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