Get to know Diadem Pickleball

We recently sat down with Diadem Pickleball to ask about how their expertise in the racket industry brought them to pickleball and what we can expect from them now and in the future! With their recent launch of the Warrior Paddle known as the thickest paddle on the market coming in at 19MM, Diadem Pickleball is a brand to watch in 2022!

Diadem started making tennis rackets in 2015 then entered the pickleball market in 2019. Are there any particular technologies that you have brought from tennis into your pickleball paddle designs?

We have brought not only technologies and concepts, but also our Quality Control over from tennis as well.  In the Icon you will see the same HMT carbon fiber we use in our high-end tennis rackets.  The replaceable edge guards are very uncommon in pickleball but in tennis it is a necessity, so making sure players would be able to customize and replace their edge guards was important.  Our QC team is monitoring everything from our weights, balances to the graphics on a daily basis.  That type of attention to detail we hope will help separate Diadem from the pack. 

Your first pickleball paddle was the Icon, with a slimmer than average core at just 12mm. You have recently introduced the new Warrior paddle, with a thicker than average core at 19mm. How do you describe the specific attributes that each of these cores brings to these two different paddles? What type of player do you think would prefer each of them based on their play characteristics?

What is interesting and special about the Warrior is the core is actually three separate layers that allow the player to feel both control and power when needed.  However, the average player looking for power will be drawn to the thinner Icon, and the player looking to add feel and touch will be drawn to the Warrior’s thick stability.   We tried to create two very different paddles that reach those two types of players in different ways.

Another unique feature of the Icon is the replaceable 3-piece edge guard that is flush-mounted. Do you anticipate using this style of edge guard on other paddles or was this a special design specifically just for the Icon?

In order to have a replaceable edge guard you need to have a paddle with a molded construction.  The Icon was constructed like our tennis rackets, creating a solid structure entirely encased in carbon fiber.  We do have plans to add additional paddles with similar attributes.  In pickleball we are limited by guidelines but also by weight.  For example, the Warrior could not be produced using the molded construction because the weight would be up near 10 ounces.  

The Icon and Warrior paddles both have smaller than average cores in the honeycomb core (8mm across). How do these smaller denser cores affect the feel of the paddle?

We have always enjoyed the denser cores, and find they more easily give the player access to power.  They also have less chance for dead spots that can occur when the honeycomb core gets damaged or bent. 

The Icon and the Warrior paddles have a noticeably gritty surface. How does that help players put more spin on their shots?

The Icon and Warrior get spin in different ways.  The Icon has a unique paint that truly bites the ball with a softer face.  Alternatively the Warrior has a grit paint that cuts into the ball to produce the spin. 

What’s next for Diadem? Are you planning to introduce more paddles in 2022?

We are excited to add to the Warrior line in 2022.  We are currently working on a light version of the paddle.  We know that 8.5 oz may turn some people away, and even though it is balanced in a way that feels lighter, some players have a hard limit, and we would love to make a paddle with the Warrior technology that appeals to more people.  New color options for both the Icon and the Warrior are also coming soon.   Finally we have a super-secret new concept for a paddle we are working on that may launch in 2022, but I have said too much already.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us about Diadem Pickleball?

Diadem Pickleball is committed to bring the highest quality paddle to the market, pushing the boundaries of the norm while growing this beautiful sport.  We are always happy to chat with our customers and listen to their ideas or concerns to make our products better.  

If you’re not sure which paddle would be best for you or want to know more, call us at 1-888-854-0163. Nothing makes us happier than helping you find a paddle that fits your game. You can purchase with confidence, knowing you have a 30-day test drive to make sure it works on the courts – that’s where it counts.