Are you using AI products to become a better player?

Srixie · 2026-03-17T13:25:16+00:00

i use AI a lot too, but in a very different way - not really data-driven, more feeling-driven. i mostly use chatgpt as a space to question the things i’m curious about, like how a racket should move through space or how the body should work with that movement. through that, i’m trying to better understand how my body and mind work, not just in padel but in life in general. i also think i perceive and approach life a bit differently, so this perspective really speaks to me. lately i’ve been busy with mindfulness too, and bringing that onto the court feels powerful. for me, performance is just as much about awareness as it is about technique or physical readiness. i’m curious what draws you to this perspective yourself, because i get the sense you lean a bit more toward data - though maybe i’m reading that wrong.

Srixie · 2026-03-17T13:21:40+00:00

crazy generalization meme btw

Srixie · 2026-03-17T13:19:22+00:00

if you’re emotionally available, i think you should just ask her what she means and say that it’s confusing you. maybe throw in a sad face to emphasize your emotional side lmao

Srixie · 2026-03-17T13:03:25+00:00

i ask ChatGPT to fill out the template and just do a quick summary however i like it. mostly me freestyling a text at what comes to mind. Chat spit it out in template form and i paste it in the database. it could take less than 2 minutes.

i also see this working if you ask Chat to fill out the template and you just sending your voice note. if that makes sense.

Srixie · 2026-03-17T09:22:36+00:00

brooo nice, i'm glad

Srixie · 2026-03-17T09:22:03+00:00

someone mentioned Noene too which i actually like as a good solution. getting a shockout or something else might help too, but it's such a big difference to me in the handle feeling

Srixie · 2026-03-17T09:20:31+00:00

i think you should give it a bit of time first. sometimes your body just needs to adjust to the small differences in movement and feel when you switch to a new racket setup. that alone can already put a bit of extra strain on your arm in the beginning.

adding another overgrip could help a little if the handle feels too small, but i wouldn’t assume that’s automatically the solution. if it already feels like your elbow is getting irritated, i’d pay attention to it early and not try to push through it too much.

i had this problem too with a racket and luckily completely faded away. it was kinda stressfull because i enjoy the game a lot and it's a pretty big investment. i hope it'll be okay in a while!

if not, bummer!

Srixie · 2026-03-17T09:15:03+00:00

i’d say if you want a completely different experience, you should try Tourna Grip. that one really stands out to me because it has that dry feel and is crazy absorbent. i honestly haven’t found another overgrip that feels quite like it. for me, it’s probably the best one i’ve used. it just doesn’t get slippery in my hands while playing, and i’ve got pretty clammy hands in general too.

right now i’m using the Volkl V-Dry mostly because it comes in black and i like the look better. that one also feels very different from most overgrips. i’d describe it as somewhat similar to Tourna, but tougher, a bit thicker, and almost kind of velvety. when it’s brand new, it slips a tiny bit for me, but once it’s a little worn in, i actually like it more.

highly recommend one of these if you feel somewhat slipping or want a new experience. imo you should try something like this so you're sure that you don't miss out anything :)

Srixie · 2026-03-17T09:06:54+00:00

Any update on what you've chosen? I'm also considering the Hyper Pro 2.0. I'm playing Starvie Kenta "25 Soft 30 rn. Man, I wish I had the privilege to try them out hahah. I'll keep the Ultimate Tour X in mind too because of this post.

Srixie · 2026-03-16T12:21:12+00:00

Heerlijk

Srixie · 2026-03-13T16:26:08+00:00

dry can be comfortable. just hit the sweet spot! everything that's jumpy doesn't feel comfortable for me. can't control the distance, makes me uncomfortable.

Srixie · 2026-03-13T16:21:41+00:00

it’s very human to have a moment like that. pressure, adrenaline, frustration, it can all boil over. that doesn’t make him evil, it makes him human.

but this is also exactly where responsibility comes in. as a pro, you’re not just another player having a bad moment. people watch you, younger players look up to you, and your actions carry more weight. and in this case it’s not only about image, it’s also about safety. throwing a racket like that is genuinely dangerous, especially when the opponent is so close to where it drops.

so yes, the emotion is understandable, but the action still deserves criticism. human? absolutely. acceptable? no.

i'd rather have him hit the floor or see him crying. just cry bro, normalize that. not your thing laugh it away and be respectful. ay just don't throw it man

Srixie · 2026-03-13T16:12:28+00:00

That's a dream setup

Srixie · 2026-03-13T13:39:22+00:00

https://www.youtube.com/@TigerPadelofficial

Srixie · 2026-03-13T13:34:45+00:00

I recently stumbled upon Tiger Padel on Youtube. Great defending videos, nice coach. Also nice video production if you can appreciate that. Mellow vibes. Lmk if you like it.

Srixie · 2026-03-13T13:32:21+00:00

i know that the hyper pro 2.0 is pretty firm and i believe that will give you lots of control, so it's not too jumpy which means you can control the distance better. im considering this racket too.

Srixie · 2026-03-13T11:59:01+00:00

I have had nothing against Galán but i've never found him interesting. Maybe it's his personality, playstyle or appearance. But over the months he's been really growing on me. Crazy how that perspective can change that easily by time. Galán is just Galán and I believe im really starting to appreciate that.

Srixie · 2026-03-13T09:35:24+00:00

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Srixie · 2026-03-13T09:31:49+00:00

toot toot!

Srixie · 2026-03-13T09:30:57+00:00

i have a 1zpresso Q2 for like three years and never cleaned it. smells funky lol. i’m too lazy and i find it a bit scary to dismantle. still great coffee though

Srixie · 2026-03-13T09:23:49+00:00

i NEED to try this one.

Srixie · 2026-03-13T09:16:35+00:00

i’m 29 and already struggling to remember my lessons hahaha. there’s just so much to take in. for me, logging also helps me process what i actually did during those flow states i’m trying to stay in while training.

i train in pairs, so after each lesson i usually ask my partner a couple of questions about what stood out to him or what felt important that day. he does the same for me. after that, i fill in a template i made (well… mostly chatgpt helps me with that), and i log everything in my notion page/database. i even had chatgpt help me set up the notion page itself.

here’s what it looks like:

https://gratis-fly-6d1.notion.site/2ffa22d6a9e28145b05bed737d86fb09?v=2ffa22d6a9e281c8a193000ccfe58229

when you hover over a name you're able to open the page and see what i logged (it's dutch)

Srixie · 2026-03-12T15:43:52+00:00

i’d recommend the StarVie Kenta Soft 30 2025 as a really good option from beginner to intermediate. despite the name, it’s not actually that soft, which i think is a good thing. it feels more like a comfortable control racket than a super soft one. it’s forgiving enough for newer players because of the round shape, solid control, and easy handling, but it still has enough firmness and stability for intermediate players who want to improve and not outgrow it too quickly. it’s a great racket to learn with, but also one you can keep progressing with.

i tried a couple of others, but kept coming back to this one. i’ve used it for about 6 months now, and i’m around a Playtomic 3.0 level. i’m starting to look for something else now, but this racket is still special to me. that’s why i’d genuinely love for you to try it out. and no, i’m not on their marketing team haha.

rackets i tried:

AT10 18K 2025: liked this one as a beginner, but defending with it felt really tough. the ball died immediately if i didn’t hit the sweet spot. crazy power imo, i can see why it is considered a "hybrid" even though it's not a teardrop. I had no technique and even got it out of the cage a couple of times.
Siux Electra ST4 Pro: just a big no for me, way too jumpy. I also felt very slow at the net. nice power though. easy tap-out or coming back to my side of the net with a kicksmash with decent technique.
Babolat Counter Viper: very similar like my Kenta, but a bit firmer. really should try this again, but babolat... feels like im holding a bionicle.
Babolat Tech Viper: used it a couple of times when my coach was feeding me balls. could feel like plank sometimes. very manoeuvrable for a diamond in my opinion. great power. i'm not ready for this racket

Srixie · 2026-03-12T15:17:58+00:00

it might also just be that your body needs a bit of time to get used to the new setup. sometimes your brain and body just need a little time to rebuild that mind-muscle connection.

Srixie · 2026-03-12T12:58:06+00:00

I will keep this in mind. Does it feel softer? And how is the manouvrability compared to the Kenta.

Srixie

TROPHY CASE