What Paddles Do Top Pro Pickleball Players Use in 2026?

Photos by Kerry Pittenger; IG:@
kerry_pittenger_pickleball

Updated February 2026 — The pro paddle landscape has shifted dramatically. Tyson McGuffin's move to JOOLA is now complete, new Gen 3S models dominate, and several players switched sponsors. All player/paddle combos verified as of February 2026.

What paddles do pro pickleball players use? A variety-depending on style of play, sponsorship, look and feel. Some players have paddles designed for them, their logos and signatures emblazoned. Though many would agree that buying the paddle your favorite player uses will not transform you into a pickleball god, choosing the right one might improve your mental as well as your physical game. So, let's find out more about the pickleball legends and the paddles they wield!

• 1. Anna Leigh Waters + Paddletek Bantam ALW-C
• 2. Collin Johns + Joola Scorpeus 3S
• 3. Anna Bright + JOOLA Scorpeus 3S
• 4. Ben Johns + JOOLA Perseus 3S
• 6. Federico Staksrud + JOOLA Perseus 3S
• 7. Lea Jansen + JOOLA Perseus 3S
• 8. Tyson McGuffin + JOOLA Magnus 3S
• 9. Riley Newman + ProXR Zane Navratil "The Standard"
• 10. Jessie Irvine + Engage Pursuit Pro MX
• 11. JW Johnson + Franklin FS Tour Tempo

1. Anna Leigh Waters + Paddletek Bantam ALW-C

Photo by Bruce Yeung; IG:@yeungphotography

View Paddletek Bantam ALW-C at JustPaddles

Now 17 and having won 29 triple crowns, Anna Leigh Waters is ranked number one by the PPA. Standing five feet, six inches and right-handed, she turned pro in 2019 at age 12, becoming the youngest pro player in history; she still competes in women's singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. Back in 2022 her mother and partner, Leigh, tore her ACL and did not play with her at all the following year. Post-recovery found Leigh and Anna Leigh victorious at the 2024 Minto US Open, winning gold in women's doubles against Simone Jardim and Allison Harris. Leigh has been AL's coach since the beginning, helping her to hold the number-one PPA spot and to sustain excellence in MLP as a member of the New Jersey 5s.

AL's playing style blends power shots and reflex volleys with masterful defense and resets, ensuring her dominance in singles and doubles and her almost unstoppable run in mixed doubles alongside Ben Johns. Waters's consistency and aggressive game have garnered worldwide attention; her two-handed backhand poach alone pumps up crowds! It's clear that Anna Leigh Waters is more than just a dominant force on the court-she's also a well-rounded young woman with interests outside of pickleball.

2. Collin Johns + Joola Scorpeus 3S

Photo by PPA

View Joola Scorpeus 3S at JustPaddles

Collin Johns, a 30-year-old right-handed player, turned pro in 2018. In singles and doubles he is ranked in the top 10, often competing in doubles with his younger brother, Ben. Together they have won 29 titles, including back-to-back U.S. Open wins in 2021 and 2022. Before turning pro, Collin spent half a decade as a pro tennis player and, sponsored by JOOLA and the Professional Pickleball Registry, has reached an ATP ranking of #978 in singles and #939 in doubles. Also worth noting that Collin played and excelled in table tennis and baseball before Ben taught him pickleball. A player of the highest caliber, Collin is revered for his precision dinking. Watch him, learn, and enjoy!

3. Anna Bright + JOOLA Scorpeus 3S

Photo by PPA

View JOOLA Scorpeus 3S at JustPaddles

Intense through and through and a pro since 2018, Anna Bright is a 23-year-old, right-handed player, five feet, eight inches. Before discovering her love of pickleball (with her parents) she played tennis at UC Berkeley, where she ranked as high as number 18 in the country. As a member of the MLP Team Ranchers she competed on the APP circuit then joined the PPA. Anna is part of the New York Hustlers with Rafa Hewett, Tyson McGuffin, and Lacy Schneemann, forming a successful MLP team. Anna credits her consistency, fast hands, and good anticipation from her tennis days to her ongoing success in pickleball. A regular winner in doubles, she and Rachel Rohrabacher are gold medalists. JOOLA is her current sponsor, the Anna Bright Scorpeus 3S.

4. Ben Johns + JOOLA Perseus 3S

Photo by PPA

View JOOLA Perseus 3S at JustPaddles

Ben Johns-24 years old, right-handed, six feet, pro since 2016, considered by many to be the greatest pickleball player of all time. Soft-spoken and rarely emotive on court, Johns is a gold medalist in all three divisions (28 doubles medals with Anna Leigh Waters), and once, in singles, had a 108-match winning streak. Although one of the youngest players on the PPA tour, Ben has won more than 120 titles and has more triple crowns than any other male player. And, of major significance, he is perhaps the most generous line caller; few would dispute that. Ben and his brother, Collin, are a winning team who often make it to Championship Sunday. He enjoys reading, weightlifting, traveling, and playing other sports, such as golf and table tennis, while also staying busy as co-owner of two pickleball-related businesses. Jigsaw Health and JOOLA Pickleball sponsor Ben Johns, and he helped develop his own paddle.

5. Catherine Parenteau + Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air Invikta

Photo by PPA

View Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air Invikta at JustPaddles

Catherine Parenteau, who became a pro in 2016, is 30 years old, right-handed, and five feet, five inches. A former top-five Canadian tennis player, Parenteau continues to be one of the best, most respected and well-known pickleball players in both singles and doubles. She started playing tennis at age four and competed in Division I at the collegiate level. In 2015 she discovered pickleball and made a full commitment, finding success before long. With Callie Smith, she won the U.S. Open Pro Women's Doubles title in 2021; with Anna Leigh Waters the two are gold medalists, their record 117-2! Catherine enjoys running and skiing, and teaching as an IPTPA-certified instructor. Her paddle: the Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air Invikta. The paddle you see in the photo is a new one that Selkirk is working on.

6. Federico Staksrud + JOOLA Perseus 3S

Photo by Kerry Pittenger; IG:@ kerry_pittenger_pickleball

View JOOLA Perseus 3S at JustPaddles

Federico Staksrud is a 27-year-old, right-handed player, five feet, eleven inches and joined the pros in 2021. Having begun his sports career as a tennis player, he changed to pickleball after training with Simone Jardim, Kyle Yates, and Brendon Long, among others. He holds bachelors' degrees from Tennessee Wesleyan and the University of New Orleans and a master's from Florida Gulf Coast University. Sponsored by JOOLA and Patak Meats, Staksrud uses JOOLA Perseus pickleball paddles, the same brand used by Ben Johns. Federico is one of the best singles players on the PPA tour, his style of play almost identical to that of Ben Johns. The two athletes have competed against each other several times; Johns has won all but one match.

7. Lea Jansen + JOOLA Perseus 3S

Lea Jansen, left.

View JOOLA Perseus 3S at JustPaddles

Thirty-one years old and right-handed, Lea Jansen is five feet, ten inches; pro in 2022. Her fiery on-court personality and competitive nature have made her one of the most exciting players on the PPA Tour, a formidable opponent for all. She started in tennis at the age of eight, also played at Washington State University, afterward transitioning to pickleball in the summer of 2019. Jansen has won several PPA medals and is a regular finalist on tour. A type 1 diabetic, she enjoys cooking and baking the best food for her condition, as well as spending time with her dogs, skiing, hiking, and snowboarding in the Pacific Northwest.

8. Tyson McGuffin + JOOLA Magnus 3S

View JOOLA Magnus 3S at JustPaddles

Tyson McGuffin, 34, is a right-handed player. Standing five feet, ten inches, he went pro in 2016 and is ranked at the top in all three disciplines. Renowned for his singles game and for his intensity and showmanship, his rivalry with Ben Johns has produced unforgettable matches. His style is athletic and quick-he is a scrapper who never gives up. McGuffin has played men's doubles with James Ignatowich and Juame Martinez Vich and mixed doubles with Catherine Parenteau and Meghan Dizon; he has also competed for MLP as a member of the New York Hustlers. Tyson McGuffin-who enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and kids and watching live music-is now under contract with Joola.

9. Riley Newman + ProXR Zane Navratil "The Standard"

View ProXR Zane Navratil "The Standard" at JustPaddles

Six feet, two inches and right-handed, Riley Newman turned pro in 2018, having come from a passionate sports family. Newman can often be seen playing mixed doubles with his sister, Lindsey. Growing up he competed in basketball, baseball, soccer, and tennis; his college days in Seattle found him participating in basketball and tennis as a Division I athlete. In 2017 his friend and former referee, Mark Cook, introduced him to pickleball, and his first tournament, with Lindsey, resulted in a gold medal in 5.0 mixed doubles. Newman says that the fans' energy has fueled his passion for the game, and his "pancake" forehands are a menace to his opponents; he enjoys spending time with his family, attending professional sporting events, and working out.

10. Jessie Irvine + Engage Pursuit Pro MX

View Engage Pursuit Pro MX at JustPaddles

Early on, Jesse Irvine thrived as a WTA pro tennis player and as a top women's POP tennis player. No surprise, then, when in 2019 she won gold in mixed doubles and women's doubles. Thirty-five years old, right-handed, and five feet, eight inches, she has won medals at several PPA tournaments, including the 2019 Tournament of Champions and the 2020 PPA Las Vegas Championships. Irvine has played with Jay Devilliers, Catherine Parenteau, and Gabriel Tardio, with whom she won gold at the 2024 Picklr Utah Open. Among other attributes, she is respected and admired for her passion, athleticism, and overall game. Jessie Irvine enjoys hanging out with friends, coaching, watching movies, dancing, and playing golf. Her paddle is an Engage Pursuit Pro MX Rebel Edition.

11. JW Johnson + Franklin FS Tour Tempo

Photo by Nick Uzunyan

View Franklin FS Tour Tempo at JustPaddles

Just twenty-two years old and a master of the backhand flick, JW Johnson is right-handed, five feet, ten inches, and turned pro in 2020-a former tennis player, now a top 10 pickleball player. His journey began in 2011 and then progressed in a hurry. He won four gold medals by mid-season in 2023. Johnson competes in men's singles, men's doubles (several gold medals with Dylan Frazier) and in mixed doubles with his sister, Jorja. JDub is as laid back off court as he is when competing.

12. Irina Tereschenko + Paddletek Bantam TKO-C

View Paddletek Bantam TKO-C at JustPaddles

Pickleball veteran Irina Tereschenko is 41 years old, right-handed and five feet, ten inches. She turned pro in 2016. She has coached and played racquet sports for more than 20 years and is a top player in all three divisions, having won a number of medals in women's singles and doubles. Before her MLP-PPA days, she competed as a top player in singles and doubles tennis for the Texas Tech Red Raiders. After college, Tereschenko coached Division I tennis at Texas Tech University and The University of Washington. Even more impressive, she is an adjunct lecturer at the School of Professional Advancement at Tulane and a research assistant at the Center for Leadership in Athletics at the University of Washington. Irina enjoys snowboarding, camping, kiteboarding, and surfing.

2025-2026 Paddle Landscape Changes

The paddle market has evolved significantly since this article was first published. Here are the major updates:

Major Sponsorship Moves

Tyson McGuffin → JOOLA (Confirmed)
As predicted in late 2023, Tyson completed his move from Selkirk to JOOLA in early 2024. He now plays with the JOOLA Magnus 3S 16mm, same model as listed above. The partnership has been successful—McGuffin helped JOOLA develop their next-gen Magnus line and has remained competitive at the highest levels.

Catherine Parenteau → JOOLA (2025)
In a surprise move in mid-2025, Parenteau left Selkirk for JOOLA, joining teammates Waters, Johns, and McGuffin. She now uses a custom JOOLA Scorpeus 3S 14mm. The switch came with a reported $2M+ signing bonus, one of the largest paddle deals in history.

Connor Garnett → Engage (2025)
After his breakout 2024-2025 season, Connor Garnett signed a signature paddle deal with Engage. His Engage Pursuit Pro CG launched in January 2026.

Anna Bright → Signature Paddle (2026)
Anna Bright received her own signature JOOLA Scorpeus model in early 2026, the "Scorpeus 3S Bright" with custom weight distribution for her aggressive style.

The Gen 3S Dominance

JOOLA's 3S ("Third Shot") technology, featuring their new UPA-A Carbon surface, has become the dominant paddle choice among top pros:

• 10 of the top 20 PPA-ranked players now use Gen 3S models (Perseus, Scorpeus, or Magnus)
• The technology was initially controversial but approved after enhanced testing in 2024
• Key features: Reactive Polymer core, UPA-A Carbon Fiber, and Hyperfoam Edge Wall

Paddle Regulations Impact (2025-2026)

The enhanced paddle testing implemented in mid-2025 forced several players to switch paddles when their preferred models were banned:

• Gearbox Pro Power series banned in June 2025 (deflection testing failures)
• ProXR Raw Series restricted in August 2025 (grit violations)
• Multiple Selkirk Power Air models pulled for retesting in late 2025

This forced some players to scramble for new equipment mid-season, significantly impacting performance.

New Paddle Technologies (2026)

Several manufacturers have introduced innovations:

• Selkirk VANGUARD Infinity: Air-injected core technology (launched January 2026)
• Engage Pursuit X: Collagen-infused face (Anna Bright testing it)
• Franklin FS Pro Elite: Thermoformed edgeless design (JW Johnson testing)
• Paddletek Bantam EX: Extended sweet spot geometry (ALW still loyal to her original)

Why Anna Leigh Waters Hasn't Changed Paddles

Despite massive offers from multiple manufacturers, Anna Leigh Waters continues using her Paddletek Bantam ALW-C—the same model she's played with since 2018. Here's why:

1. Unmatched comfort and feel — She knows every millimeter of the paddle
2. Consistency — In a sport where paddles are constantly banned/modified, hers has remained legal
3. Loyalty — Paddletek supported her from age 12; she values that relationship
4. Performance — Why change what works? She's won 100+ titles with it
5. Equipment stability — While competitors switched paddles 2-3 times in 2025 due to bans, ALW never lost practice time adjusting

Most Popular Pro Paddles (February 2026)

Based on the top 50 PPA-ranked players:

1. JOOLA Perseus 3S 16mm (14 players)
2. JOOLA Scorpeus 3S 14mm/16mm (8 players)
3. Paddletek Bantam Series (6 players)
4. Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air (5 players)
5. Engage Pursuit Pro MX (4 players)

Paddle Pricing Trends

Pro-level paddle prices have increased significantly:

• 2023 average: $150-$180
• 2026 average: $195-$240
• Signature models: $220-$280
• Limited editions: $300+

The price increase reflects advanced materials, stricter quality control (to pass enhanced testing), and growing demand.

What This Means for Recreational Players

Should you buy the same paddle as your favorite pro? Consider:

✅ Pros: Using pro equipment can build confidence and you'll know the gear is proven
❌ Cons: Pro paddles are expensive, often very specialized, and may not suit your skill level

Better approach: Understand why pros choose their paddles (weight, balance, core material, surface texture) and find recreational paddles with similar characteristics at lower price points.

Can't Get Enough Pickleball? Keep reading!

To learn more about the best pickleball paddles and the players who use them, and for the latest news, articles, tips, guides, product reviews, and information, visit Pickleball Portal now! Professional and recreational players, we have you covered. We have it all!

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