From Tennis Pro to Padel Pioneer
In the latest episode of The Joy of Padel podcast, host Minter Dial sits down with Saana Saarteinen, Finland’s top-ranked Padel player. Their conversation reveals how this former college tennis player discovered Padel in 2019 and quickly rose to dominate the sport in her country, all while maintaining a full-time job. The episode offers fascinating insights into the growth of Padel in Nordic countries and the challenges of transitioning from tennis to this increasingly popular sport.
What makes Saarteinen’s story particularly interesting is how she stumbled into Padel. A friend called her up one day, suggesting they enter a tournament together. With just one practice session under their belts, they jumped straight into competition. That bold move kicked off what Saarteinen now calls “a lifestyle” in Finland’s growing Padel scene.
The transition from tennis to Padel wasn’t always smooth. Saarteinen shares the biggest challenge that tennis players face when switching to Padel: learning to let the ball go past them. “You don’t want anything to go past you,” she explains. “You’re trying to trade like drive volleys that block every single ball.” The key to improvement? Accepting that your level has to drop temporarily before it can rise again.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Saarteinen’s game is her unusual approach to playing on the right side of the court. While most right-handed players prefer the left side for better angles, she’s adapted her tennis background – particularly her double-handed backhand – to become a formidable right-side player. Her favorite shot? The Chiquita, a tricky defensive shot that can turn into an offensive weapon.
The podcast reveals how Padel in Finland has developed its own unique culture. In the early days, Saarteinen could instantly tell a player’s sporting background – whether they came from ice hockey, badminton, or tennis – just by watching their style. Now, she says, the lines are blurring as the sport develops its own identity in the country.
To stay competitive, Saarteinen has an unusual training strategy: she regularly practices with male players. This approach helps her adapt to higher speeds and develop better defensive skills. It’s particularly important in a country where Padel is still growing and top-level competition isn’t always readily available.
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Saarteinen’s story is how she balances being Finland’s top Padel player with a full-time career. When asked about this juggling act, she describes it as “a balancing act” but suggests that the mental switch from office work to court play actually helps her performance. After using her brain all day at work, the physical demands of Padel provide a welcome change.
The conversation takes an interesting turn when discussing partner selection in Padel. While many players focus on skill level or playing style, Saarteinen emphasizes something different: mental compatibility. “It’s not always about how talented someone might be,” she explains. She suggests that two mentally aligned players often perform better than a pairing based purely on skill.
Saarteinen’s experience watching professional Padel reveals another fascinating aspect of the sport. She describes watching five hours of matches without getting bored – something she finds harder to do when watching on TV. Her description of pro players “climbing the glass and the fence” paints a picture of Padel at its highest level that seems almost superhuman.
The episode concludes with insights into the social aspects that make Padel unique. The close proximity of players on the court and the four-player format naturally create more interaction than tennis. As Saarteinen puts it, “I went on a tennis court after playing Padel for a while, and I had to shout to the person on the other side – you’re so far away!”
For anyone interested in how lesser-known sports develop in new territories, or how athletes successfully transition between sports, this episode offers valuable insights. It’s also a masterclass in how to balance athletic achievement with professional life, making it relevant far beyond the Padel court.
Listen to the full episode to hear more about Saarteinen’s training techniques, her approach to the mental game, and her advice for tennis players looking to make the switch to Padel.
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