The Joy of Padel Podcast, hosted by Padel veteran Minter Dial, continues to bring fascinating stories from the world of this rapidly growing racquet sport. In this latest episode, Dial sits down with Daniel Windahl, Sweden’s highest-ranked Padel player and World #53, for a revealing conversation about his remarkable journey from tennis depression to Padel professional.
Windahl’s story begins with a surprising twist – his first encounter with Padel at age 17 came at one of Sweden’s first courts in the small town of Bostad, known for its tennis tournaments. However, it wasn’t until he reached his darkest moment that Padel would become his salvation. At age 20, after three years of depression and struggling with his tennis career, Windahl found himself standing at a train station at his lowest point. It was then that Padel emerged as an unexpected lifeline.
The transformation began with early morning sessions at 6 AM, where Windahl would play with three men in their mid-50s and early 60s – a scenario he admits would have been unthinkable in his tennis days. These morning warriors became close friends who remain in his life today, highlighting how Padel’s social nature helped pull him from the darkness.
His professional journey took an amusing turn during his first trip to Marbella, Spain. Despite being a fit 23-year-old former tennis player, Windahl lost to a 60-year-old janitor and his friend. Rather than discourage him, this humbling experience ignited his competitive spirit. He began studying the pros, watching Fernando BelasteguÃn practice, and adopted a fascinating training philosophy: whatever the top players were doing, he would do double.
Known as “The Polar Bear” in Sweden for his distinctive court roar, Windahl has now faced off against the sport’s elite, including recent thrilling matches against champions Alejandro Galán and Juan Lebrón. He offers rare insights into what it’s like to play against the world’s best, describing the remarkable speed difference he notices when returning to play in Sweden after facing these top competitors.
Perhaps most intriguingly, Windahl reveals an unexpected side to his personality off the court. The professional athlete spends his downtime as an avid Premier League football fan and, surprisingly, a passionate follower of professional darts, with Dutch player Raymond van Barneveld as his favorite. This balance between intense professional focus and laid-back personal interests has become crucial to his success.
When discussing partnerships in Padel, Windahl compares finding the right teammate to marriage, emphasizing the importance of chemistry over pure skill. “Is it the guy who runs from the problem or runs to the problem to solve it?” he asks, revealing how he evaluates potential partners. His current partnership with Solano, built on years of friendship and shared court vision, has them targeting ambitious quarter-final appearances in major tournaments.
As for his game, Windahl’s weapon of choice is his forehand volley, a shot he claims rarely fails him. Surprisingly, he also admits to loving windy conditions, as they force players to rely less on smashes and more on the “mini tennis emotions” he thrives on. However, he’s still working to perfect his counter-attack game, particularly against powerful smashes – a shot he notes the top 10 players seem to handle effortlessly.
The episode concludes with Windahl sharing his admiration for Juan MartÃn DÃaz, the legendary lefty he had the privilege of playing alongside during an America versus Europe event, offering a glimpse into the reverence even accomplished pros hold for the sport’s pioneers.
The full episode offers even more insights into professional Padel, the mental aspects of the sport, and Windahl’s continuing journey from tennis burnout to Padel success. For anyone interested in understanding how this fast-growing sport can transform lives while providing intense competition at the highest level, this episode of The Joy of Padel Podcast is a must-listen.
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