JOOLA GRAF Pro IV vs. Agassi PRO IV: Which 16mm Paddle Wins?

Welcome back to the court, paddle enthusiasts! Marcus Rivera here. Today, we're diving into a fascinating matchup that feels like a blast from the past, updated for the modern pickleball era. If you grew up watching tennis in the 90s, the names Agassi and Graf hold a special place in your heart. Now, JOOLA has brought their legendary competitive spirit to our favorite sport with the JOOLA GRAF Pro IV 16mm and the JOOLA Agassi PRO IV 16mm paddles.

Having put both of these paddles through their paces over the last few weeks—drilling at the kitchen line, hitting power baseline drives, and everything in between—I'm ready to break down how these two premium pieces of equipment stack up against each other. They share a lot of DNA, but just like Andre and Steffi, their on-court personalities have distinct flavors.

Let's see how these two heavyweights line up side-by-side.

Both paddles represent the pinnacle of JOOLA's current engineering, blending state-of-the-art materials with design philosophies inspired by the greatest to ever step on a court.

JOOLA GRAF Pro IV 16mm Deep Dive

When I first picked up the JOOLA GRAF Pro IV 16mm, I was immediately struck by its refined feel. Much like Steffi's legendary footwork, this paddle feels precise and intentional. It features a 16mm polymer core and an advanced carbon fiber surface designed to extend the sweet spot—that magical area on the paddle face where every hit feels solid and controlled.

The weight distribution leans slightly toward a balanced feel, keeping the swing weight (how heavy the paddle feels when moving through the air) very manageable. This makes it a dream for touch shots and dinking battles at the net. The spin potential is fantastic, grabbing the ball nicely without feeling overly gritty.

It's a premium paddle, no doubt.

if you want to dive into the technical registration details. While it might be a bit complex for a true beginner, intermediate and advanced players will appreciate the nuanced control it offers out of the box.

JOOLA Agassi PRO IV 16mm Deep Dive

Moving over to the JOOLA Agassi PRO IV 16mm, you can almost hear the crowd roaring at the US Open. Designed with input from Andre himself, this paddle shares the 16mm honeycomb core and carbon fiber construction, but it packs a slightly different punch.

The sweet spot on this model feels incredibly generous, but what stood out during my testing was the slight uptick in "pop"—how quickly the ball rebounds off the paddle face. While it maintains excellent control for those delicate resets, the Agassi PRO IV seems to beg for aggressive baseline drives.

The swing weight feels a touch more substantial, which translates into plow-through power when you really want to put a ball away. The textured surface provides maximum spin, allowing you to hit aggressive topspin dips just like Andre's famous passing shots.

Want to dive deeper into the Agassi specs? You can

.

Head-to-Head Performance Analysis

Core and Face Material Composition Both paddles utilize a 16mm honeycomb polymer core and an advanced carbon fiber surface. The polymer core is fantastic for absorbing pace, giving you the touch needed for drop shots. The carbon fiber faces provide excellent stiffness and friction.

Weight Distribution and Swing Mechanics Here is where the paths diverge slightly. The GRAF Pro IV feels more evenly balanced, leading to a lower moment of inertia (a fancy way of saying it's easier to rotate and maneuver quickly at the net). The Agassi PRO IV feels like it has slightly more mass toward the head, giving it a heavier swing weight. This means it takes a tiny bit more effort to get moving, but once it is, it hits like a freight train.

Power versus Control Performance Profile If the GRAF paddle is a surgeon's scalpel, the Agassi paddle is a precision longsword. The GRAF excels in control, making dinking and defensive resets feel effortless. The Agassi, while still very controllable thanks to the 16mm thickness, definitely leans slightly more into the power baseline game.

Grip Ergonomics and Handle Dimensions Both paddles feature comfortable grip circumferences that should fit most hands well, though I always recommend adding an overgrip if you have larger hands. The handles feel secure, translating the paddle's feedback directly to your palm without excessive vibration.

Who Should Choose Which Paddle

These are both professional-grade tools that require decent mechanics to truly unlock their potential. If you're a beginner, you might find the price tag and the responsiveness a bit overwhelming. However, if you are an intermediate to advanced player, your choice boils down to your playing style. The GRAF is your go-to for surgical precision, while the Agassi is your weapon of choice for aggressive, spin-heavy power.

Player Type Match

• Choose the GRAF Pro IV if: You are a tactician who relies on placement, quick hands at the kitchen line, and defensive resets.
• Choose the Agassi PRO IV if: You love an aggressive baseline game, heavy topspin drives, and want a bit more put-away power without sacrificing thickness.

Final Verdict and Recommendations

At the end of the day, both the JOOLA GRAF Pro IV and the JOOLA Agassi PRO IV are spectacular paddles that deliver on their premium promises. Choosing between them is a matter of deciding which parts of your game you want to augment.

However, for my money, the JOOLA GRAF Pro IV slightly edges out the competition for the average club player. Its exceptional maneuverability and control make it slightly more forgiving and versatile during those intense dinking rallies that define modern pickleball. The Agassi is incredible, but the GRAF's balanced nature makes it a true all-court champion.