Padel and recovery: building a post-match ritual

Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports in France, according to the FFT and the sports press in 2025. That popularity comes with a particular pattern of muscular and joint demand, specific to this racket sport played both indoors and outdoors.

The shoulder absorbs repeated strokes, the wrist stabilises every volley, and the footwork multiplies abrupt changes of direction on a surface that is often slippery. This accumulation of demands explains why recovery becomes a central concern for regular players, far more than for a sport with fewer changes of direction.

CBD has been permitted by the World Anti-Doping Agency since 2018 for athletes, which explains its growing presence in recovery rituals, including among amateur padel players. That authorisation applies only to CBD itself, not to other cannabinoids.

A CBD cosmetic applied locally, to the shoulder or the wrist, cannot claim any therapeutic effect on the joints, in line with the cosmetics regulation in force. It sits as one comfort gesture among others, alongside stretching, rest and hydration.

Our article on CBD and doping in sport sets out precisely what WADA permits and prohibits, a useful reference point for any licensed player.

An effective recovery ritual begins before the match is even over, with a gradual cool-down phase rather than an abrupt stop to the effort. This transition limits the stiffness that often appears in the hours after playing.

A few pointers for structuring that ritual:

• Stretch the areas under the greatest strain, shoulder, wrist, calves, in the minutes after the match.
• Rehydrate quickly after the effort, before you even shower.
• Apply a topical CBD product with a light massage to tense areas, without rubbing hard.
• Plan for enough sleep, a key period for muscle recovery.

Our article on hand and wrist pain goes deeper into the rituals suited to this joint, which is heavily used in padel.

No: a recovery ritual, with or without CBD, never replaces medical advice for pain that persists beyond a few days. Discomfort that settles in or worsens after several matches warrants a consultation, particularly at the shoulder or the wrist.

Topical CBD is part of maintaining day-to-day comfort, not of managing an established sports injury.

Is CBD permitted for padel players in competition?

Yes, CBD has been permitted by WADA since 2018 for all athletes subject to the world anti-doping code. Other cannabinoids, including THC, remain prohibited.

Can a CBD cosmetic relieve wrist pain?

A CBD cosmetic cannot claim any therapeutic effect on the joints, in line with the cosmetics regulation. It can accompany a sensation of comfort within a broader recovery ritual.

Should CBD be applied before or after the match?

Topical use is generally considered after the effort, as part of a recovery ritual. Before the match, the warm-up and muscle preparation remain the priorities.

Why does padel particularly expose players to wrist injury?

The wrist stabilises every stroke and every volley in this racket sport with its fast exchanges. That repeated demand explains the particular attention regular players pay to its recovery.