What Paddle(s) Do The Pro Women Use? (2023)
Paddle Technology continues to propel Women’s pro pickleball forward, enabling them to compete at the highest levels.
With over 4 million playing the sport, according to a recent article by CNBC, popularity continues to rise. The top women’s players are incredibly skilled and athletic, and they put on a show for us fans every time they step on the court. It is amazing to watch them play. Even better when you can attend a match in person which I have had the opportunity to do.
What Are The Pro Tours?
The Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP) Tour and the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour are two professional pickleball tours that were founded in 2020. Both tours offer a variety of events for players of all skill levels, including singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. The APP Tour has a larger prize purse than the PPA Tour, but the PPA Tour offers more opportunities for amateur players to compete. The USAPA sets the rules for the sport.
Description of Each Tour:
APP Tour: The APP Tour is the larger of the two tours, with a prize purse of over $1 million in 2023. The tour features a variety of events, including majors, opens, and qualifiers. The APP Tour also offers a number of benefits to its players, including travel assistance, marketing support, and access to training and coaching resources.
PPA Tour: The PPA Tour is a smaller tour, with a prize purse of over $500,000 in 2023. The tour features a variety of events, including majors, opens, and qualifiers. The PPA Tour also offers a number of benefits to its players, including travel assistance, marketing support, and access to training and coaching resources.
Both the APP Tour and the PPA Tour are growing rapidly, and they are helping to make pickleball a more popular sport. If you are interested in competing in professional pickleball, either tour is a great option.
What Paddles Do The Pro Women Use (PPA)?
Here is a ranking of the Top 5 women (doubles) on the PPA Pickleball Pro Tour.
Let’s take a look at what paddle each of them uses.
Paddletek Bantam TS-5
1. Anna Leigh Waters
She has her own signature paddle, which is a lighter version of the popular EX-L model. The TS-5 has a responsive polymer core and a ball-crushing fiberglass-hitting surface. It is designed for the quick-handed, fast-rallying control player.
Here are some of the features of the Paddletek Bantam TS-5 paddle:
- Lightweight: The TS-5 is a lightweight paddle, which helps with speed and maneuverability.
- Responsive polymer core: The polymer core provides a good balance of power and control.
- Fiberglass-hitting surface: The fiberglass-hitting surface provides a lot of power and durability.
- Signature Anna Leigh Waters design: The paddle features a custom design with Anna Leigh Waters’s signature.
Paddletek Tempest Reign Pro
2. Catherine Parenteau
She has her own edition. This paddle is designed for players who want a combination of power and control. It has a large sweet spot, a lightweight design, and a textured surface that helps players generate spin.
Here are some of the features of the Paddletek Tempest Reign Pro:
- Large sweet spot: The Tempest Reign Pro has a large sweet spot, which means that you can hit the ball with more power and accuracy even if you don’t make perfect contact.
- Lightweight design: The Tempest Reign Pro is a lightweight paddle which helps with speed and maneuverability.
- Textured surface: The Tempest Reign Pro has a textured surface that helps players generate spin.
- Smart Response Technology (SRT): SRT is a technology that helps to transfer energy from the ball to the paddle, which results in more power and control.
Joola Solaire CFS 14mm
3. Anna Bright
Anna Bright uses the Joola Solaire CFS 14mm Pickleball Paddle. It is a lightweight paddle with a large sweet spot that is designed for players who want a combination of power and control. The Solaire CFS 14mm has a polymer core and a fiberglass face. It is available in a variety of colors and grip sizes.
Here are some of the features of the Joola Solaire CFS 14mm paddle:
- Lightweight: The Solaire CFS 14mm is a lightweight paddle, which helps with speed and maneuverability.
- Large sweet spot: The Solaire CFS 14mm has a large sweet spot, which means that you can hit the ball with more power and accuracy even if you don’t make perfect contact.
- Polymer core: The polymer core provides a good balance of power and control.
- Fiberglass face: The fiberglass face provides a lot of power and durability.
Engage Pursuit Graphite MX
4. Jesse Irvine
Jessie Irvine uses the Engage Pursuit Graphite MX pickleball paddle. She has her own signature edition of the paddle, which is pink and has a rough texture on the face. The paddle is made with a graphite skin and a soft core, which gives it a good balance of control, power, and feel. Irvine says that she likes the paddle because it allows her to hit hard shots with accuracy, and it also provides good feedback on
Here are some of the features of the Engage Pursuit Graphite MX pickleball paddle:
- Graphite skin provides a good balance of control, power, and feel
- Soft core provides good feedback on shots
- Rough texture on the face enhances friction and allows the ball to stay on the paddle longer
- Extended grip handle provides a comfortable and secure grip
- Lightweight design makes it easy to swing and control
Onix Evoke Premier
5. Lucy Kovalova
Lucy Kovalova uses the Onix Evoke Premier. The Evoke Premier was co-developed by the two Pickleball National Champions in order to bring power and precision to your game like never before.
- Atomic13 Edge Technology: This new edge guard technology is designed to disperse shock while increasing the power and swing speed of the paddle.
- DF Composite Face: This face material provides a consistent minimal coating on the surface to soften the ball without losing any spin or pop off the composite face.
- Precision Cut Polypropylene Core: This core delivers incredible touch to the medium-weight paddle (7.8-8.2 oz.).
- Impact Paddle Shape: This shape is perfect for slightly increasing your reach and maximizing your baseline power, making the Evoke Premier the most powerful and solid paddle in the ONIX Pickleball lineup.
- USAPA Approved: The Evoke Premier meets and is approved by USAPA and USA Pickleball requirements deeming it acceptable for all official tournament play.
How Can I Play In One OF The APP Tour or PPA Tour events?
- Qualify for an event: The APP Tour and PPA Tour offer a number of qualifying events throughout the year. Players who win a qualifying event earn a spot in the main draw of the corresponding APP Tour or PPA Tour event.
- Receive a wild card: The APP Tour and PPA Tour also offer a limited number of wild cards to players who have not qualified for an event. Wild cards are typically awarded to players who have a high ranking or who have shown potential in recent tournaments.
- Enter as a recreational player: Both the APP Tour and PPA Tour offer a number of recreational events for players who are not looking to compete at a professional level. These events are a great way to learn the game, meet new people, and have fun.
To learn more about how to play in an APP Tour or PPA Tour event, visit the APP Tour website or the PPA Tour website.
How To Qualify:
- Qualifying events: Qualifying events are typically held a few weeks before the main draw of an APP Tour or PPA Tour event. Players compete in a single-elimination tournament to earn a spot in the main attraction. Qualifying events are an excellent opportunity for players to play against other top players an earn a place in the main attraction of a major tournament.
- Wild cards: Wild cards are awarded to players who have yet to qualify for an event but have a high ranking or have shown potential in recent tournaments. Wild cards are an excellent opportunity for players to get a taste of professional pickleball. With them, you can compete with the best players in the world.
- Recreational events: Recreational events are a great way to learn the game, meet new people, and have fun. Rec events are open to players of all skill levels.
Which Tour Is Right For You?
APP Tour
The APP Tour is the larger of the two tours, with a prize purse of over $1 million in 2023. The APP tour features a variety of events, including majors, opens, and qualifiers. The APP Tour also offers several benefits to its players, including:
- Travel assistance
- Marketing support
- Access to training and coaching resources
The APP Tour is an excellent option for players looking for the biggest prize purse and the most opportunities to compete. The tour features a variety of events so that players can compete at their own level. The APP Tour also offers several benefits to its players, which can help them to improve their game and continue to advance their potential.
The PPA Tour is a smaller tour with a prize purse of over $500,000 in 2023. The tour features a variety of events, including majors, opens, and qualifiers. The PPA Tour also offers a number of benefits to its players, including:
- Travel assistance
- Marketing support
- Access to training and coaching resources
The PPA Tour is a great option for players who are looking for a more affordable tour with a more relaxed atmosphere. The tour features a variety of events, so players can compete at their own level. The PPA Tour also offers a number of benefits to its players, which can help them to improve their game and reach their full potential.
Ultimately, the best tour for you will depend on your individual goals and preferences. If you are looking for the biggest prize purse and the most opportunities to compete, the APP Tour is a great option. If you are looking for a more affordable tour with a more relaxed atmosphere, the PPA Tour is a great option.
Comparison Detail:
| Feature | APP Tour | PPA Tour |
|---|---|---|
| Prize purse | $1 million+ | $500,000+ |
| Number of events | 20+ | 15+ |
| Benefits for players | Travel assistance, marketing support, training and coaching resources | Travel assistance, marketing support, training and coaching resources |
| Growth | Rapidly growing | Rapidly growing |
| Atmosphere | Competitive | Relaxed |
Summary
Pickleball is a great sport. I play in Rec play and League play and looking forward to participating in my first Tour. We have one of the great Pickleball venues and coaching centers near me that has playing Pros, Palmetto Dunes Pickleball, Hilton Head Island.
I watch these women play every week and have seen them in person in tournament play. The equipment they use is available to all of us. Get active, register with one of these groups and continue to advance your game.
