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A review of the new Ronbus R3 Nova, Kevin shares his experience playing against Ivan Lendl, and more!

How To Hit Two-Handed Backhands to Improve Your Dinks

Paddle Review: Ronbus R3 Nova

“Where’s the magic paddle?”, a friend asked me when I saw him on the courts.

“The new Ronbus?” I replied.

“Yea, the one I tried last time. I want to use it again”, he said.

And he did. In fact, he was the only one who used the “magic paddle” that day because he refused to let go of it. The next few times we played together I managed to keep him away from it, reminding him I needed to use it so I could write a review. That “magic paddle” was the Ronbus R3 Nova. The following is a review of my several-week experience of playing with the R3 Nova…

The R3 Nova shares the same Gen. 3 production methods as the R1 Nova, which include a unique carbon fiber grid rather than the standard construction (fully encased) most thermoformed paddles use. If you were to take off the grip on an R3 Nova you would see carbon fiber wrapped in Xs around the handle. This innovation works by allowing hot trapped air to escape during the thermoforming process, eliminating issues such as delamination and core crushing. Furthermore, Ronbus has made subtle adjustments to the edge grid structure, aiming to improve soft touch shots’ playability while maintaining stiffness for power shots.

After using every other Ronbus paddle aside from the EV series, I can say that the R3 Nova is similar in power to the R3 Pulsar and R1 Pulsar but doesn’t give the same pop. This is not to say it’s softer necessarily but it does feel more controllable. Of course, the R3 Nova (elongated shaped) plays very similarly to the R1 Nova (hybrid shape) being that the main differences between the two are the shape. You can see our review on the R1 Nova HERE.

POWER

 The R3 Nova offers a substantial power output, thanks to its thermoformed construction. Players can appreciate the ability to deliver potent serves and drives with this elongated paddle, making it suitable for those who prefer aggressive shot-making. Its light but strong feel adds to its appeal, particularly during fast exchanges at the kitchen line.

The R3 Nova isn’t a cannon, but it isn’t a marshmallow either. I found that the middle of the road power rating allowed me to adjust more easily for my shots. What I mean by this is for a super soft paddle I would have to physically increase the power of my shots while for a super powerful paddle I would have to reduce it. In this case I could play how I normally would and felt that the amount of adjustments I had to make were appropriate. 

CONTROL

The control and touch game of the R3 Nova is notably impressive, considering its relatively stiff construction, though keep in mind none of the Ronbus paddles are going to be as rigid as “true” power paddles such as the ProKennex Black Ace series. 

It excels in handling drop shots, dinks, and resets while under pressure, requiring minimal additional work from players. The paddle’s sweet spot is both large and consistent, ensuring precise shots and responsiveness. The only issue I had was when dinking sometimes I would pop up the ball a few inches to high and risk having the ball being smashed back at me. Though I would attribute this to the fact that I am used to playing with softer paddles. 

SPIN

 Ronbus paddles have a reputation for producing massive amounts of spin and the R3 Nova is a continuation of this legacy. The ease at which a player can put spin on the ball with the R3 Nova means more time and energy can be spent on adjusting other aspects of play. In fact, personally I had to get used to the extra spin on my serves because some of my serves were literally spinning out. The Toray T-700 carbon fiber plays a big part in this and Toray is well-known for producing some of the highest quality, longest lasting carbon fiber on the market.

DURABILITY

One of the standout features of the R3 Nova and the entire Nova series is its remarkable durability. Ronbus’s Gen. 3 production methods have addressed the concerns of structural integrity that plagued early thermoformed paddles. Players can have confidence in the durability of this hot-molded unibody paddle, as it is engineered to withstand the rigors of intense pickleball gameplay. This doesn’t mean you can rage and smash your R3 Nova against a net post when you get pickled, and if you do- you can’t claim a new paddle with Ronbus’ 6-month warranty. So if you are a hot-head on the courts, just try not to get pickled. 

IS THE RONBUS R3 NOVA FOR YOU?

The Ronbus R3 Nova is an amazing paddle that I believe will perform well in the hands of most players. For brand new beginners the R3 Nova will be a bit more of a challenge to control than something like the Ronbus R1.16, but after a few weeks it shouldn’t be a problem. For tennis transfers, the long handle is a great feature that resembles a tennis racket as much as a pickleball paddle possibly can. 

The R3 Nova boasts a unique blend of power, control, and durability, making it an excellent choice for both intermediate and advanced players. The responsiveness and stability of the R3 Nova cater to a versatile style of play, excelling in both soft finesse shots and high-powered drives. Whether you’re a fan of elongated paddles or simply seeking top-tier performance, the R3 Nova from Ronbus is a fantastic option for a paddle that is sure to last long.

Warning: When you bring your R3 Nova out to the courts, be prepared to share with other players who are desperate to get their hands on Ronbus’ brand new “magic paddle”.

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Playing Pickleball Against A Tennis Legend

By Kevin Gress

When my friend, Michael “Big Cat” Stephens, called asking me to play in an upcoming tournament in Daytona Beach, I was ready and excited.  We have teamed in many previous competitions and money balls, so I assumed this was just another tournament.  He quickly told me Ivan Lendl was signed up and playing in the 5.0 division.  I said, “Say that again – I thought you uttered the name Ivan Lendl. It can’t possibly be THE Ivan Lendl.” I figured it had to be someone with the same name, so I did some research checking his age and hometown and sure enough, it was THE Ivan Lendl – winner of eight grand tennis grand slams (runner-up in another 11) and 94 singles titles, and the world’s number one ranked player for a remarkable 270 weeks.

I thought YES, we need to sign up and play him, as this was possibly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play an 8-time grand slam tennis champion.  Whether we win or lose, either way this has the potential to be a huge highlight and one heck of a way to spend a Sunday.

After signing up I started thinking about the reality of this and realized I had some hesitancy.  It was in my head for a few days thinking about how I would play him and just the actual spectacle of it all.  Then I thought maybe he’s banking on this, people seeing his name in their draw and immediately getting the competitors off their game. I assumed there is no way he would be nervous being a former world-class athlete and having played at the pinnacle of his sport, with winning records on the biggest stages against such legends as John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors. Why would a little pickleball tournament against amateurs worry him?

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