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When a tennis legend turns pro pickleball player, we pay attention. When that same legend teams up with Joola to design a paddle unlike any other, we really take notice.
That legend? Andre Agassi. The paddle? The Agassi Pro—part of Joola’s newly released Pro IV series.
We couldn’t wait to test it out, and after two weeks on the court, it has lived up to the hype for advanced-intermediate to advanced players—even with its premium price tag.
Final verdict? 5 out of 5 balls.
Agassi Shape = trusted feel + more control
16mm Core = softer impact + more touch
KineticFrame = better precision + consistency
Tournament Ready = spin-friendly face + approved for play
Video Review
By The Numbers
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Length | 16.5” |
| Width | 7.5” |
| Core Thickness | 16 mm (also available in 14 mm) |
| Grip Length | 5.5” |
| Grip Circumference | 4.25” |
| Weight | 8.11 oz (marketed as 8.1 avg) |
| Price | $279.99 |
Nuts And Bolts
- Unique, tennis inspired paddle head shape – the “Agassi”
- Unibody, non-compressed Pro IV honeycomb poly propulsion core
- Carbon Fiber Textured surface
- Hyper Foam Edge Wall upper foam
- TFP – Tech Flex Power
- Comfort tacky grip
- NFC Chip Enabled handle for authentication and tracking
- USA Pickleball and UPA-A certified
First Impressions
I first spotted this paddle during the Slam 3 Pickleball event featuring Agassi vs. Roddick last month. Naturally, I was curious about their paddles, and Andre’s stood out with its bold red and white design and distinctive head shape. I knew I’d never seen one before and found out later the reason — it hadn’t been released yet.
A week later, Joola sent us two Pro IV series paddles, including the Agassi Pro, for testing. It felt like Christmas morning, especially after reading about the collaboration with Agassi and his wife, tennis legend-turned-pro-pickleballer Steffi Graf. They helped design not just this paddle but also the Graf Pro and two budget-friendly paddles under $100.
Holding the Agassi Pro, it felt balanced, moderately weighted, with a cushioned red grip. The surface grit seemed slightly above average. After a few air swings, I was itching to hit the courts.
If it’s good enough for Agassi, it has to be good—right?
Game On: The Playtesting
First Hits – Breaking It In
My first session with the Agassi Pro was on a new private outdoor court where I’m coaching this year. I started with drills and practice serves alongside my wife, followed by a few singles matches. It was a great test for both the paddle and the court, and neither disappointed.
Over the next 10 days, I played four more times, putting the paddle through intense rec play and letting intermediate to advanced players try it as well. The learning curve? Short and easy. This paddle felt natural right from the start.
In short, I liked everything about it—it was a rockstar on the court. Here’s what stood out the most, along with insights from Joola on its tech and design.
Power & Sweet Spot – Effortless and Explosive
Even as a 16mm paddle, the Agassi Pro delivers serious power. My serves and drives were fast and hard, yet I didn’t have to swing as aggressively to generate speed. The pop off the surface is incredible, with minimal vibration to the hand and arm.
The sweet spot is massive and forgiving, thanks to foam inserts and its elongated shape. This means fewer mishits and more control. Agassi and Graf specifically wanted a long, broad sweet spot, reflecting how tennis players tend to strike the ball. The unique shape and foam inserts make that possible.
Tech & Design:
- Propulsion Core + Tech Flex Power (TFP) foam inserts near the throat = More power and stability.
- Hyperfoam Edge Wall around the top ¾ of the paddle increases swing weight while keeping balance closer to the handle.
The feel of the paddle on contact is easy on the arm—more comfortable and similar to Joola’s MOD TA-15 design. The result? More stability, power, and a huge sweet spot with a comfortable feel.
Spin – A Weapon for Serves and Drops
The spin potential of this paddle is outstanding. It’s effective on cross-court shots, serves, drives, and even spin drops. I’ve been fine-tuning my slice spin serve, and this paddle made it feel effortless, producing a sharp, biting slice that’s tough to return.
Tech & Design:
- Textured woven carbon face provides strong grip on the ball.
- Propulsion Core + woven texture increases dwell time, enhancing spin and shot-shaping ability.
Control & Touch – Precision Without Sacrificing Power
For a paddle that delivers so much power, the control factor is impressive. Dinks and drops felt effortless and precise, even on mishits. The large sweet spot clearly plays a role here, making soft shots more consistent and reliable.
Also note, the paddle’s control and precision was on full display during Agassi’s professional debut with Anna-Leigh Waters.
Tech & Design:
- Textured carbon face + Propulsion Core + Hyperfoam Edge Wall = Exceptional touch and control.
- Well-balanced weight distribution keeps soft shots smooth and natural.
Comparison to Similar Paddles
| Paddle Model | Price | Core | Weight | Size (L × W) | Grip (L × C) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JOOLA Agassi Pro 16mm | $279.99 | 16mm | 8.1 oz | 16.5″ × 7.5″ | 5.5″ × 4.25″ | Large sweet spot, TFP tech, Hyperfoam Edge, carbon fiber face. |
| Diadem Icon Infinity Pro | $219.95 | 13.7mm | 8.0 oz | 16.5″ × 7.5″ | 5.5″ × 4.25″ | Power & control balance, EVA foam, elongated shape. |
| Bread & Butter iNVADER | $189.99 | 14mm | 7.8 oz | 16.4″ × 7.4″ | 5.3″ × 4.25″ | Textured face for spin, well-balanced design. |
| Holbrook T Metallic | $219.99 | 14mm | 8.2 oz | 16.5″ × 7.5″ | 5.5″ × 4.25″ | Metallic face, optimized for spin & control. |
| CPX Max | $149.99 | 13mm | 8.0 oz | 16.0″ × 7.8″ | 5.0″ × 4.25″ | Built for power, aggressive play. |
| ProDrive Encounter | $219.99 | 16mm | 8.3 oz | 16.5″ × 7.5″ | 5.5″ × 4.25″ | Power & control, large sweet spot. |
The closest paddle I’ve played with in terms of power, control, and spin is the Diadem Icon Infinity Pro. However, the Agassi Pro has a noticeably larger sweet spot and better spin potential.
When it comes to spin, this paddle plays similarly to the Bread & Butter Invader and the Holbrook Aero T Metallic—both known for their ability to grip the ball, however, the Agassi Pro still wins the spin battle by a slight margin.
For raw power, the Agassi Pro is on par with the CPX Max and ProDrive Encounter, but in a head-to-head, it still comes out on top.
The Final Score
| Category | Rating 🎾 |
|---|---|
| Design/Build | 🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾 (5) |
| Grip | 🎾🎾🎾🎾🟡 (4.75) |
| Control | 🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾 (5) |
| Spin | 🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾 (5) |
| Power | 🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾 (5) |
| Price Point/Value | 🎾🎾🎾🎾🟡 (4.5) |
| OVERALL | 🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾 (5) |
The hardest part of writing this review? Trying to do justice to the design and technology that earned this paddle top scores across the board—one of only a couple to ever land a perfect 5 overall.
Yes, it’s the most expensive paddle I’ve tested, but if you’re a strong intermediate or advanced player looking for power, a massive sweet spot, and incredible spin, this could be a game-changing investment. It’s now sitting at the top of my court bag.
Want even more power? Go for the 14mm version. On a budget but love the Agassi shape? Check out the Agassi Edge and Agassi Champion models, which deliver the same shape, but less tech, at a lower price point.
Agassi Shape = trusted feel + more control
16mm Core = softer impact + more touch
KineticFrame = better precision + consistency
Tournament Ready = spin-friendly face + approved for play
Pickle on my friends, pickle on…
