Have we found the best pickleball paddle for tennis players?
Last Edited
Jan 29 2025
Category
Gear
If you’re a tennis player making the jump to pickleball, you’ve probably faced a common dilemma: Which paddle actually feels right for your strengths?
Sure, pickleball is its own beast—smaller court, different strokes, a whole new learning curve—but your tennis muscle memory doesn’t just disappear. You are still likely better off with a paddle that mirrors the feel of a tennis racket while giving you the control and finesse pickleball demands.
The Engage Pursuit Pro1 is quite literally a paddle designed by a tennis player, for tennis players. From its elongated shape to its octagonal grip and raw carbon fiber face, this thing was built to make your transition seamless.
Let’s break it down.
Elongated Shape = Familiar Feel
The first thing you’ll notice? It’s long. The Pursuit Pro1 stretches beyond standard pickleball paddles, giving tennis players a more familiar feel in hand. That added length also means extended reach—perfect for tracking down fast volleys or attacking from the kitchen line.
Heavier Weight for More Stability & Power
Tennis players are used to heavier frames, and the Pursuit Pro1 delivers. Sitting at the top of the weight range, it provides the stability needed for confident drives while maintaining enough maneuverability for quick hands at the net.
A Handle That Feels Like Home
Engage nailed the handle design with an octagonal grip and tennis-style butt cap—so if you’re used to a Wilson, Babolat, or Head racket, this paddle will feel instantly natural in your hands. Plus, the extra-long handle makes two-handed backhands effortless.
More Flex, More Feel
One of the biggest complaints from tennis players switching to pickleball? Paddles can feel too stiff. The Pursuit Pro1 counters this with a slightly flexible design, allowing for better feedback and a softer feel on contact—similar to what you’d get from a well-strung racket.
Spin for Days
Tennis players thrive on topspin and slice, and the raw carbon fiber face of the Pro1 grips the ball beautifully. Whether you're ripping a heavy topspin drive or carving a sharp backhand slice, this paddle responds like a dream.
Built for Power—But Not at the Cost of Control
This isn’t just another power paddle. The Pro1 is certified to hit the maximum power limits set by both USAP and UPA-A pro tours, yet still allows for finesse play in the soft game. If you’re a tennis player who knows how to mix power with control, this paddle will let you play to your strengths.
Designed by a Tennis Expert
It’s no accident this paddle checks all the right boxes.
Engage’s owner—a former Division I tennis player who trained at one of Nick Bollettieri’s academies—designed the Pursuit Pro1 with deep knowledge of what tennis players need to thrive in pickleball.
If you’re a tennis player looking for a paddle that feels like an extension of your arm, the Engage Pursuit Pro1 should be at the top of your list to try. It’s got the length, the weight, the handle, the spin, and the power to make your transition to pickleball as natural as possible.
Does that mean it’s perfect for every player? No paddle is. But if you love a two-handed backhand, rely on spin, and want a paddle that feels like home in your hands, this might just be the best pickleball paddle for tennis players.
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