Pickleball is exploding, and everyone wants in—even the biggest names in tennis. The surge in the game’s popularity has opened the door for tennis brands in pickleball. Giants like Head, Wilson, and Babolat are now on the court with paddles of their own. But can these titans dominate the pickleball landscape, or will they learn to coexist with the smaller, established brands?

The David vs. Goliath Dynamic

It’s important to recognize the unique dynamic at play here. While tennis boasts globally recognized brands with massive resources, the leading pickleball brands like Selkirk Sport and Paddletek, despite their success, are still relatively small businesses. This creates an interesting power dynamic where established giants are entering a market shaped by agile and innovative upstarts.

For now, with the exception of Head, most tennis brands seem to be testing the waters with limited pickleball offerings. But this could change rapidly. The influence of tennis on pickleball is undeniable. Almost all professional pickleball players come from tennis backgrounds, bringing with them a familiarity with tennis brands and a preference for certain technologies and styles. This presents a significant opportunity for tennis brands to leverage their existing expertise and brand recognition to make a bigger impact.

How Tennis Brands Could Take the Lead

To truly dominate the pickleball market, tennis giants could consider a more aggressive strategy:

• Acquisitions: Acquiring a successful pickleball brand could provide instant market share, established product lines, and valuable insights into the pickleball community. Imagine Wilson or Head acquiring Selkirk!
• Increased Investment: Dedicating more resources to research and development, marketing, and sponsorships could help tennis brands establish a stronger foothold and drive innovation in the pickleball space. Tennis brands are big on sponsorships.
• Product Diversification: Repurposing or rebranding existing product lines can help companies expand beyond paddles to offer pickleball-specific shoes, apparel, and accessories. Tennis brands can capitalize on their existing expertise in these areas and create a complete pickleball ecosystem.

So, let’s take a look at seven tennis brands in pickleball making their mark (or attempting to) in this exciting new sport.

Head

Compared to other tennis brands, Head has had a head start in pickleball (pun intended.) Initially launched in Baltimore, Maryland, as an alpine ski-manufacturing company, Head is currently headquartered in Austria and designs paddles for players of all levels. Their paddles incorporate a range of materials such as graphite and fiberglass, often integrating technologies developed for their tennis racquets. This focus on innovation and performance has made them a popular choice among both professional and recreational players.  

Popular Models:

• Extreme Tour: Aggressive players choose this paddle for its power and control. It features a graphite face for increased power and a polypropylene honeycomb core for a larger sweet spot.
• Radical Pro: This paddle offers a balance of power and control, making it suitable for a wide range of playing styles. Its Graphene 360+ technology provides enhanced stability and energy transfer.

Head’s strong presence in the pickleball market is evident in their wide range of offerings and accessibility in sporting goods stores. You’ll find Head paddles readily available in most sporting goods stores, making them a convenient choice for players of all levels. Shop Head pickleball paddles.

Wilson

The sporting goods giant, Wilson, has a long and diverse history. Before expanding to manufacturing tennis strings and eventually becoming a major player in various sports, Wilson had its roots in the meat-packing industry. The Chicago-based company, now owned by Chinese sporting equipment giant Anta Sports, has leveraged its expertise and resources to launch a line of affordable pickleball paddles.

Popular Models:

• Wilson Blaze Series: This paddle offers a blend of power and control at a competitive price point. Its graphite face provides a solid feel and good pop, while its honeycomb core enhances the sweet spot.
• Wilson Echo: This entry-level paddle is perfect for beginners or recreational players. It’s lightweight and forgiving, making it easy to learn and play with.

Wilson’s strong brand recognition and wide distribution network give them a significant advantage in the pickleball market. Their focus on affordability makes their paddles accessible to a broad audience, further contributing to their popularity. Shop Wilson paddles here.

Babolat

The 150-year-old French company, Babolat, is best known for its dominance in tennis, particularly its racquet sponsorships with top players like Rafael Nadal. Interestingly, while Babolat never ventured into squash, they’ve embraced pickleball with their BPKL range of paddles. These paddles are designed to be colorful, affordable, and accessible to players of all levels.

Popular Models:

• Babolat MNSTR: This paddle is designed for competitive players seeking power and spin, featuring an elongated shape, extended handle, and grit surface technology.
• Babolat RBEL: The Babolat RBEL pickleball paddle offers competitive players maximum control and spin, with its wide-body shape, thick core, and grit surface technology.

Babolat’s strong brand reputation and established distribution channels give it a significant advantage in reaching pickleball players. Their focus on affordability and a wide range of options makes their paddles appealing to both beginners and experienced players. Shop Babolat paddles here.

Yonex

Yonex, a long-established brand in badminton and tennis, has recently entered the pickleball arena. They now offer a diverse lineup of pickleball paddles to cater to different player preferences.

Popular Models:

• Yonex Ezone: This paddle is designed for players who prioritize power and comfort. It features an isometric head shape for a larger sweet spot and a vibration-dampening system for a smoother feel.
• Yonex Vcore Pro: This paddle offers a balance of power and control, with a focus on spin and maneuverability.

It will be interesting to see how Yonex expands its pickleball line in the future, leveraging its expertise in racquet sports to cater to the growing demand for high-quality paddles. Check out Yonex paddles here.

ProKennex

The Taiwanese racquet manufacturer is no longer the powerhouse it used to be in tennis and squash, but they’ve found a renewed focus in the pickleball world. ProKennex has embraced pickleball with enthusiasm, featuring a pickleball video prominently on its homepage. Their paddles are known for their innovative technology, including Kinetic technology which reduces vibration and increases comfort.

Popular Models:

• ProKennex Black Ace LG: This paddle features a long grip and elongated shape ideal for two-handed backhands. Its raw carbon fiber face and aerodynamic design promote powerful strikes and quick reflexes, while the longer handle maximizes power and control.
• ProKennex Ovation Speed: This paddle offers a larger sweet spot and a more forgiving feel, making it a good choice for players of all levels.

Interestingly, ProKennex has attracted some top pickleball players, including Callan Dawson, who is believed to have a stake in the company. Its connection to the pro circuit gives ProKennex credibility in the pickleball market. Check out ProKennex paddles.

Diadem

Florida-based Diadem is a relative newcomer to the racquet sports scene, having been founded in 2015. Despite their shorter history, they’ve made a name for themselves with innovative tennis racquets and strings. Now, they’re bringing that same spirit of innovation to pickleball with a line of mid to high-priced paddles.

Popular Models:

• Diadem Icon: This paddle is designed for advanced players who demand the best performance. It features a carbon fiber face for maximum power and a polymer core for a responsive feel.
• Diadem Warrior Edge: This paddle offers a balance of power, control, and touch, making it a versatile option for intermediate and advanced players.

Diadem’s focus on technology and performance positions them well in the competitive pickleball market. Their paddles, while pricier than some, cater to players who prioritize quality and are willing to invest in their game. Shop Diadem paddles.

Prince

For over 50 years, Prince has been a familiar name in racquet sports, particularly tennis and squash. Currently based in Atlanta, Georgia, Prince expanded its product set beyond its traditional offerings by venturing into pickleball in 2018 through a partnership with Paddletek.

However, it appears that Prince has decided to step away from the pickleball market. At the time of writing, their website doesn’t feature any pickleball paddles. Further, there is no indication they plan to re-enter this product category. This shift perhaps highlights the dynamic nature of the pickleball market and the challenges brands face in establishing themselves in this rapidly evolving sport.

Time will tell

The influx of tennis brands into pickleball is a testament to the sport’s growing popularity and potential. While some brands are fully embracing this new opportunity, others are taking a more cautious approach or even shifting their focus elsewhere. As pickleball continues to evolve, it will be fascinating to see how these tennis giants adapt and compete in this exciting new arena.