After coaching hundreds of players, I’ve noticed most people buy the wrong racket for the same reason

I spent years coaching racket sports and noticed the same pattern over and over again.
A player would walk onto court with a brand-new racket used by a top professional.

A few weeks later they’d tell me:
“I can’t control it.”
“My arm hurts.”
“I thought I’d play better with this racket.”
The funny thing is that most recreational players assume the problem is their technique.
Often it isn’t.

Many pro-level rackets are designed for players with elite timing, strength, and technique. They’re fantastic in the right hands, but can be incredibly unforgiving for everyone else.

I’ve made the same mistake myself.
One thing coaching taught me is that there isn’t really a “best” racket. There are only rackets that suit different players.
A beginner who needs comfort and forgiveness might need something completely different from an advanced player looking for maximum power.

That got me wondering:
Why is buying a racket still mostly based on YouTube reviews, marketing, and guessing?
So I started building a free tool called JoshFits that recommends padel rackets based on playing level, style,
goals, and injury considerations.

I’m still early in the journey, but I’d genuinely love some feedback from the community:
What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made when buying a racket?
Or what do you wish existed to make choosing one easier?