When tennis players opt for pickleball paddles, they have to face many issues, first of all, the selection of the best pickleball paddles. As a tennis player, you want a paddle that complements your existing skills. I have some top recommendations for the best Pickleball paddles for tennis players.
The majority of the tennis players who adopt pickleball as their new game look for a close feel in pickleball paddles to gain familiarity with the tennis racket. So, a player needs a paddle with the same attributes as their stringed tennis racket in terms of shape, size of handle and touch.
These similarities between the tennis racket and Pickleball paddles make the Ex-tennis player somehow comfortable in the new sport.
Features of the best pickleball paddles for the tennis players:
The best pickleball paddles for tennis players require some features in their pickleball paddles to make them convenient.
The shape of the paddle: The shape of the paddle matters for the Tennis players. As the rackets in tennis are round or oval-shaped, most athletes mimic the elongated shape of the Pickleball paddle, which makes it easier for them to play.
Handle size: for tennis players, the best pickleball paddles are those that have long handles. Because the tennis racket also has long handles, it gives a similar feel to the transition of the player from tennis to pickleball. The extra length of the handle provides extra reach, and it is ideal for tracing fast volleys.
A long handle is more appropriate, and an octagonal grip feels more natural. Extra long handle produces two-handed backhands easily.
Weight: The ex-tennis players are used to heavy-weight rackets, so the best pickleball paddles for them are heavy weight. Tennis players are habitual of using heavy rackets, so they demand a bit heavier paddles in pickleball to provide more stability and quick movement during the shots.
Face width: A wider face width of the pickleball paddles gives a large sweet spot to the tennis players, so it would be a great feature for them that offers accuracy in the shots.
Grip size: A small grip size of the pickleball paddles is preferred by tennis players to make a close feel of the tennis racket.
Material: Raw carbon fibre is the most suitable material for players who are transitioning to pickleball from tennis.
However, pickleball is a unique game with its features, such as its shots, small court, and new techniques. But tennis players are habitual in their past reminisce and want some parity with a tennis racket to play pickleball well.
More flex, More feel: tennis players used to object to the stiffness of pickleball paddles as compared to the tennis racket. So they need the best pickleball paddles with flexibility and a feeling of softness on their hands, Just like a racket.
Best pickleball paddles for tennis players:
1. Selkirk Amped Pro Air:
Specifications:
It has a large sweet spot.
Shots like a pro
It is appropriate for powerful serves and quick volleys.
It is light-weighted
Its material is high-class fibreglass.
16mm core thickness
In my opinion, the Selkirk Amped Pro Air paddles are specifically designed to provide balanced control and power in one paddle. It gives the player an effortless, familiar feel with next-level technology on the court. It makes a smooth transition phase for an athlete by making quick movements easy. It delivers a better touch and solid power. Due to its amazing combination of control and power, it is the best pickleball paddle for tennis players in competitive matches. Selkirk Amped Pro is a paddle that is suitable for those players who don’t want to compromise on their game at any cost. Its fibreglass material provides high power and durability, which represents high performance in the court. Its thickness is 16mm, with an octagonal grip that ensures quick movement and a quicker swing speed with accuracy.
2. Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro:
Specifications:
Provides precision and control.
Its textured surface helps spin the ball like a champion.
Its surface is made up of Graphite.
Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro is the pickleball paddle that provides matchless accuracy, power and forgiveness. It has a large sweet spot along with a proven Head shape that promises high performance. Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro has an amazing vibration reduction quality with finesse shots. No other paddles can provide manoeuvrability and balanced weight with high speed, like the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro. The textured surface helps in spin for better play.
3. Onix Graphite Z5:
Onix Graphite Z5 is the paddle that is ideal for players who love strategic play and finesse.
Specifications:
Its handle is like a tennis racket and has premium feelings of touch.
It provides familiarity with the tennis racket and the touch that is needed for pickleball.
A transits player must have it whether he aspires for power, control or both. These make your transition to pickleball smooth and fun.
In my list of best pickleball paddles for tennis players, the Onix Graphite Z5 is another of my favourite paddles that meets the needs of ex-tennis players with its spectacle features like touch and control. It is the most popular pickleball paddle for every pickleball player, whether they are beginners or in the advanced stage. It comes with light weight, fast speed, pop and mabuvibilty. As its handle shape more resembles a tennis racket, it became a favourite choice for tennis players because it provided comfort, spin, and control on the court. An edge guard gives great protection so a player can play shots without any problem. Its graphite surface and Nomex core allow the ball to have a supercilious feel.
4. Zane Navratil Signature:
Specifications:
Shape: elongated
Surface: Raw carbon fibre
Pros: It has an extra-long handle that gives an incredible spin.
Cons: it needs more effort
It is a pickleball paddle that is at the top of the list. It is made of Ultra Raw carbon fibre with an elongated shape that gives a large sweet spot. Its handle is large, which gives a feel similar to that of a tennis racket to tennis players. Zane-Navratil paddles come with socks foam edge guard that gives an ultra shield to the shocks and vibration during the play. It has a core thickness of 14mm, which is considered best for power players.
5. Joola Hyperion C2
Specifications:
Shape: elongated
Surface: Raw carbon fibre
Pros: Forgiving sweet spot and gives premium spin and power.
Cons: it’s sweet spot is slightly lower
The Joola Hyperion C2 provides the latest paddle technology that gives a well-balanced control paddle with amazing power and pop. It has a large sweet spot and an Elongated shape that makes shots easier. The carbon material makes it more durable and provides resistance to frequent play and consistent shots. It comes with 14mm and 16mm thickness.
6. Blaze 16Tour
Specifications:
Shape: Elongated
Surface: Raw carbon fibre
Pros: It is considered the best handle in pickleball, and it has an amazing feel.
Cons: it has a small head size that is tough for some ex-tennis players.
It is an amazing pickleball paddle. It is Best for Tennis players because of its attributes. It is made up of raw carbon fibre with an elongated shape that results in high performance and higher power, control, and spin on every hit. It is specifically designed for Tennis players who want to be more competitive with high spin power and speed along with control management. It comes with a thermoformed edge, which is carbon wrap and is responsible for superior stability and rigidity with less vibration and a large sweet spot. Its 16mm core thickness with carbon material allows for spin potential and consistency with control, along with the addition of power to the shots. Blaze 16Tour is specially designed and moulded by Pu foam, which makes it very comfortable, and it’s single-piece construction lowers the variability and higher in handle strength.
7. Edge 18k
Specifications:
Shaped: Elongated
Surface: Triaxel Weave Raw carbon fibre
Pros: This Pickleball paddle is best in spin and gives incredible shots.
Cons: it is not as powerful as other pickleball paddles above-mentioned
Edge 18k is the best pickleball paddle for Tennis players, and it is a great combination of longevity, power and precision. The material of Triaxel Weave Raw carbon fibre with cutting edge 18k allows a matchless potential to spin and control And maximize the performance of the player with perfect balance. The 16mm core thickness serves as the best shock absorbent and is convenient to handle. Its special honeycomb edge gives ultra protection from wear and tear, along with the smooth and sleek look of the paddle. This amazing pickleball paddle is not only best for ex-tennis players but also beginners and advanced-level players.
Tennis players usually ask for the best pickleball paddles with adjustment of arms during the play. Some tennis players want a paddle like their tennis racket to feel in their hands, in the two-handed backhand, and they depend on the spin during the shots.
In my opinion, the best pickleball paddles for the Tennis players must have some characteristics.
Characteristics of the best Pickleball Paddle for Tennis Players:
First of all, the main problem is the length of the handle in pickleball. As it swings, the chances of missing the ball are high due to the big difference between the pickleball paddles and the tennis racket.
To solve this problem, I suggest an elongated paddle above 16 inches and less than 17 inches. Doctor pickleball paddle is exactly 16.5 inches As compared to the Volair Mach 2 Forza at 15. 88 inches.
I pick a paddle with a long handle, like 5.5 inches. Some players used to do two-handed backhands. The paddle with a long handle permits both hands to be on the paddle.
Athletes can also think about the weight and balance of the paddle or some other attributes like power, control and spin. Yet, in my opinion, these two features are paramount.
Problems in Transitioning from Tennis to Pickleball:
Suppose you ask what difficulties a tennis player faces in transitioning from tennis to pickleball paddle. Well, I believe there are no such difficulties a tennis player can face in the conversion of pickleball’s paddles from tennis; rather, there must be some difference between the two games. So, every sport has its strategies for playing and some other little differences. However, in my opinion, a tennis player can easily transition to pickleball paddles.
The small court:
A tennis court is much bigger than a pickleball court; a tennis court for single matches is 78 feet long, 27 feet in Width and 36 feet for double matches. A pickleball court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet in length.
Pickleball strokes Vs Tennis strokes:
Ground stroke: Some players used to play topspin and topspin lobs in tennis, but in pickleball, these shots are not applicable. Because in pickleball paddles, there are no strings like in tennis rackets in the paddles so producing the topspin is difficult. In pickleball, a player needs a short shot with less effort and is ready for quick shots as well.
Under spin: In pickleball, underspin shots from both sides are common, while in tennis, they are not so common. An underspin from the backhand sides is much easier, in my opinion.
Foot movement: foot movement is not important for singles, but if you are playing in a double match, foot movement is vital as you have to make harmony with your partner
Court surface: In pickleball, the court surface is hard to unlink, and the green clay is hard to unlink in tennis. So that makes a difference for the players who are in Transitioning.
The Equipment: The ex-tennis players feel a difference in equipment and tools of the pickleball, like the court size; they have pickleball paddles instead of a tennis racket and a perforated ball, not a tennis ball.
Conclusion:
Tennis players who transited to the pickleball paddles looked for paddles that would make them more convenient and comfortable in the newly opted game. Pickleball. So, they want some similar features in pickleball paddles and their tennis racket for convenience, like length, material, shape, weight and grip of the paddle that is closer to the tennis racket so they can feel not much difference between both games and feel like homes while holding a pickleball paddle.
For tennis players, the elongated shape of the pickleball paddles is considered the best shape, with raw carbon fibre material and a longer handle, because it offers them the same feel as their racket.
FAQs:
Q: Why does an ex-tennis player need a different pickleball paddle?
Ans: As ex-tennis, players are used to their rackets, so they want a similarity in pickleball paddles. That’s why they do not need a regular paddle like the other pickleball’s native plates.
Q: What characteristics are considered to be the best pickleball paddles for tennis players?
Ans: An ex-tennis player needs a feeling of their tennis racket in the pickleball paddles. For this purpose, they look for the best pickleball paddles with similar characteristics so as not to feel like many strangers while holding a pickleball paddle. So, for them, the sizes, shapes, handle lengths and material of the pickleball paddles matter a lot.
Q: What are the ambiguities a player feels when transitioning from tennis to pickleball?
Ans: There are some differences in both games, like court size and different strategies. And differences in tennis rackets and pickleball paddles. So, an ex-tennis player can experience some problems in transition, but it’s not so difficult. An athlete may transit easily.