Finding the Right Shape: How JOOLA Paddles Bridge the Gap for Tennis Players

JOOLA has always pushed the boundaries of paddle design, often drawing inspiration from outside the sport. Take the JOOLA Radius, for example—a paddle shaped after a table tennis racket.

Now, with more former tennis players transitioning to pickleball, it was only a matter of time before JOOLA looked to tennis rackets for inspiration. These players already understand key elements like racket face feel, contact dynamics, and the impact of shape can have on their tennis game. The good news? Pickleball also offers a variety of paddle shapes to suit different playing styles, including tennis.

Let JOOLA guide you in finding the perfect fit.

In this edition of Five Things, we explore five JOOLA pickleball paddle shapes designed to make the switch from tennis to pickleball seamless.

	Agassi This one pretty much goes without saying, but the Agassi shape was inspired by the tennis rackets that made Agassi and Graf legends. By adding additional weight at the throat of the paddle and extending the sweet-spot to the outer-edges, you get a paddle that mimics the power and reach of a tennis racket with less mishits. The Agassi shape is available in both the Agassi or Graf Champion, Edge and Pro designs.
	Magnus Tyson McGuffin once said of the Magnus "It plays like it has strings." And he wasn't talking about a guitar. With Magnus you get a shorter handle and extended paddle face. Allowing for reach that a tennis racket provides and the ability to swiftly move from crushing a forehand shot to deftly placing a ball just inside the kitchen. As mentioned the shorter handle makes it ideal for one-handed backhand players.
	Perseus The Perseus paddle's elongated shape offers extended reach and a similar contact point to that of a tennis racket. A popular choice for former tennis players who prefer an aggressive, spin-heavy game and like the extended reach for volleys and groundstrokes. Perseus has a textured paddle face that replicates topspin-heavy shots that are natural for tennis players transitioning into pickleball.
	Hyperion The Hyperion is an excellent choice for tennis players transitioning to pickleball, thanks to its elongated shape for added reach and a 5.5” handle that accommodates two-handed backhands. Every-level of JOOLA surface technology used on each Hyperion model enhances spin, making it easy to generate topspin forehands and slice backhands, much like in tennis.
	Vision The JOOLA Vision offers an elongated shape for extra reach and a 5.5” handle that feels comfortable for two-handed backhands. With a slightly wider face the Vision provides more forgiveness on off-center hits, increasing consistency and control while still maintaining plenty of power for aggressive play style.

Why it Matters?

As we often say on the JOOLA blog—shape matters! The right paddle should make your transition from tennis to pickleball feel natural. A shape inspired by tennis that supports familiar shot techniques can give you the confidence to make the switch with ease.

Of course, shape is just one piece of the puzzle. As Andre Agassi put it:

"Tennis requires time on the front end and then intensity on the back end. And pickleball is the exact reverse. It’s intensity on the front end, and then you need to be calm on the back end."

Understanding the nuances of both sports—and how your personal play style fits into them—will be crucial. The right paddle shape won’t just complement your game; it will accelerate your progress.

Stay tuned for the next edition of Five Things, where we’ll explore more on the connections between tennis and pickleball!

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