I won the Gold Major MLP Pickleball Tournament in Vancouver Canada - Was the Pickleball Paddle a Factor?

This is my 2nd Minor league tournament in the 16's DUPR division where our team the Raspberry Rippers won the Gold with the Joola Perseus Pro 4! The first MLP tournament was in the 14's and with a different team and paddle. What was different the second time around. Well there are so many factors. First, a team based format like MLP you are playing on a team of 4 so the most important is to have an overall strong team.

With that out of the way from an individual perspective does the pickleball paddle matter? In short, Yes. I played a social open play game with a friend whose game I respect and know well. I noticed that his shots were heavier than before and he already had good technique. I asked him which paddle he was using. Of course it was the Joola Perseus Pro 4 14MM! This white paddle is almost ubiquitous in Vancouver from the public courts, to league matches, open play, and tournaments.

I noticed that many players were adopting this paddle this summer and even buying the knock off's from Temu and Aliexpress. You can't use these knockoff paddles at tournaments so personally I wouldn't bother. I demo'd the Joola 16mm version, which I found too much like a power bat. I was also trying different thermoform paddles like the bread and butter filth and the Vatic Pro V7. I liked the Vatic V7. In fact I bought one, but I noticed against the toughest competition that the Joola 14mm Perseus really helped to get back an extra ball, or hit a little further, or a bit more power.

Vatic V7 16mm vs Joola Perseus Pro 4 14mm

I'm not in love with it or the price, but you are basically paying for performance. I'll share some videos playing with this paddle. I was able to adapt my game to it and during games where I wanted the paddle to do for me I could rely on it. I could punch those volleys for put aways with finishing power. The vatic v7 and the prism flash also have power, but you have to constantly work for it with your fast backswings, which takes a toll after several rounds. Watch the videos and let me know if you notice the difference in my game. Does the paddle matter? At the highest levels yes it does. Can you get away with a lesser cheaper paddle. Yes you can for several rounds. In a grueling tournament format with multiple back to back rounds with little break the Joola was a reliable companion on the court.