We also recently improved the paddle surface in our Vanguard 2.0 Series to give players more spin than ever before with a grittier carbon fiber surface!
Why should I want to put spin on the ball?
It is not uncommon for new players to put too much focus on spin, so don’t overdo it if you are just starting out. But when you become more comfortable striking the ball, spin adds to your shot selection and allows you to be more aggressive. You can put topspin, backspin, and even side spin on the ball to make your shots difficult for your opponents to handle.
As the game evolves, aggressive playing styles are becoming more common. To stay competitive, it is important to be comfortable using power and spin to control the court. Your paddle should allow you to generate that power and spin with ease!
Why should a tennis player use a heavier pickleball paddle?
A pickleball paddle is obviously going to be lighter than a tennis racquet, but you can select a paddle with a heavier weight to give you that “familiar feel” if you are coming from a tennis background.
- Average Tennis Racquet weight: 10.6 oz
- Average Pickleball Paddle weight: 7.8 oz
The heavier paddle makes your groundstrokes more consistent and controlled if you are coming from a tennis background. And not to mention you can generate more power with a heavier paddle.
Many former tennis players use heavier-weight paddles including the world number one player, Ben Johns, who used a paddle weighing 9.0 oz in 2021. Many players, Including Ben, add lead tape to their paddles to increase the weight.
You can pick up lead tape at your local sporting goods store for a couple of bucks if you want to experiment with a heavier paddle than what is available.
Why do tennis players often use elongated pickleball paddles?
Once again, the goal is to find a pickleball paddle that closest resembles a tennis racquet. An elongated-shaped paddle has a“longer” face which feels similar to a tennis racquet because of the “higher” sweet spot (further away from the handle).
But what is an elongated paddle?
Elongated paddles increase the length of the paddle face which requires you to decrease the width to stay within the total surface area allowed by the USAPA rule book. This creates a slimmer paddle face than a “traditional” or “classic” paddle shape, but it increases your reach.
So, what is the best pickleball paddle for Tennis Players?
There isn’t one definitive answer to this question, but now you know what to look for if you want a pickleball paddle that takes advantage of all you learned in tennis!
To help you narrow it down, here are our top 5 suggestions:
1. The Vanguard Power Air Invikta was designed with Tennis Players in mind and has
- A long handle (5.25”)
- A carbon fiber/fiberflex paddle face that not only imparts insane spin on the ball, but the spin capabilities won’t wear off in a week like some paddles out there.
- a mid-weight option (7.7oz - 8.2oz) for that slightly heavier feel. You can always add a bit of lead tape to increase the weight further
- Elongated shape for that higher sweet spot.
2. The Vanguard 2.0 Mach6:
- although every paddle on this list has a "long handle" the Mach6 has the longest handle offered by Selkirk (5.875 in).
- an improved carbon fiber paddle face designed to generate spin.
- a midweight option (7.7oz - 8.2oz) for that slightly heavier feel. You can always add a bit of lead tape to increase the weight further.
3. The Vanguard 2.0 Invikta gives you:
- a long handle (5.25 in) though not quite as long as the Mach 6.
- an improved carbon fiber paddle face for maximum spin.
- mid-weight option (7.7oz - 8.2oz).
- an elongated shape for that higher sweet spot more similar to a tennis racquet.
4. The SLK Omega Max: This paddle uses very similar technology to the Vanguard Power air, but without the air dynamic throat. This paddle was designed to bring Power and Spin to the everyday player and retails at $140. You can check out an independent, comprehensive review of the Omega Max HERE.
We have found the Epic Shape (specifically the Power Air Epic or the Vanuard 2.0 Epic) as great options for tennis players who want to focus on their soft game (dinks and dropshots). It gives you a longer handle (5.25in) and a high spin potential similar to a tennis racquet. But the “classic” paddle shape (as opposed to elongated) gives you a larger sweet spot optimal for the soft game.
