Like it or not, it’s impossible to deny pickleball’s popularity. The sport’s short learning curve, accessibility and physical and social benefits have helped spur meteoric growth. Not surprisingly, the paddle market is saturated with brands trying to establish a foothold in the expanding industry. Some are upstarts, while others have a proven track record in racquet sports.
Tecnifibre has long had a presence in tennis, squash and padel. Those sports are much more prevalent in the brand’s homebase of France than pickleball, which experienced more of its surge in the U.S. Still, being a trusted racquet provider, the manufacturer wanted to move into the space, and sought a collaboration with a known and respected quantity.
SixZero has produced numerous popular pickleball paddles, including fan-favorites like the Ruby and Double Black Diamond models. The family-owned Australian label prides itself on high-end quality and innovative performance. The partnership is a way for the brands to reach wider audiences in both sports.
Marco Baron, CEO of Tecnifibre, shared his enthusiasm:
Tecnifibre’s strategy in pickleball has always been clear to us: to partner with an industry-leading pickleball brand known for exceptional products, and that brand is SixZero. With SixZero, we can meet a strong demand in the pickleball space and introduce racquet sports players to paddles that reflect our high standards of performance and elegance. We’re excited to bring a new level of performance to our community of racquet sport enthusiasts.
The exclusive TF line will include three paddles—Select ($219), Blitz ($199) and Command ($209)—with performance aimed at players seeking extra power, all-court play or heightened control, respectively. Each paddle features T-Feel technology, which places silicone into the handle to reduce vibration to give a solid, comfortable feel at contact. The paddles have sleek graphics, reflecting both brands’ commitment to elegance and high performance.
All three paddles will be available starting December 11, exclusively at select U.S. racquet specialty retailers.
