RPM Friction Pro - Elongated (16mm) V2 - James Ignatowich Signature

• Swing weight117Higher swings heavier
• Twist weight6.5Higher forgives off-centre
• Core16mmSofter, more control

The RPM Friction Pro V2 is the paddle James Ignatowich actually plays: a Gen 3, full-foam elongated build engineered for power-baseline players who want elite spin without giving up control. RPM's Axial Carbon Layup and a tuned EVA foam ring deliver one of the largest, most connected sweet spots on the market, with the torsional stability to hold up on off-centre hits.

Highlights

• Elite spin & power: CarbonBite carbon face built for heavy topspin and a lively pop off the baseline.
• Huge, stable sweet spot: Gen 3 tri-density core and EVA perimeter ring for forgiveness on mishits.
• 16mm control: the thicker core adds touch and dwell time for resets and dinks.
• Tournament-legal: USAP approved, PBCoR .43.

The pro behind it

Co-designed and signed by James Ignatowich, a top-10 world-ranked professional and one of the most recognisable players in the game. The V2 refines his original Friction Pro with a new carbon layup and an even bigger sweet spot.

How it plays

Ignatowich's own description of the V2 is the most useful line on RPM's page: "forgiving, and controllable, but the top end power and spin are elite." That is the designer talking about his signature paddle, so weigh it accordingly, but it matches what the construction is set up to do. The tri-density core stacks three foam densities to keep the response solid all the way to the edge, the enhanced EVA perimeter ring adds stability without deadening the face, and RPM claim the combination produces the biggest sweet spot on the market. The CarbonBite surface is tuned for friction, which is where the heavy topspin and biting slices come from.

On the numbers, this is a committed elongated build: 16.5 inches long, a swing weight of 117 and a twist weight of 6.5. That swing weight rewards players who take a full cut at the ball with real plow-through on drives, and the 16mm core keeps enough dwell for the reset game. If you want the same RPM quality in a more balanced all-court package, the RPM Q2 is the steadier choice, and the RPM Jade is the newer power-and-spin flagship if the spec sheet has you curious.

What's in the box

• 1 × RPM Friction Pro V2 Elongated 16mm paddle

Why buy from Pickld

• Free Australian shipping over $150
• 30-day no-quibble return on factory-fresh paddles
• Pickup available on the North Shore of Sydney (Mt Colah)
• Pickld is an authorised RPM reseller in Australia, so warranty claims come to us, not an overseas portal

Not sure an elongated power paddle is your fit? The paddle finder works it out in a few questions, or browse the full RPM range.

Shipping. Free standard shipping Australia-wide on orders over $150. Flat $9.99 under $150 ($19.99 for bulky items like nets and ball machines). Dispatched same or next business day from our Sydney warehouse. Sydney pickup available.

Returns. 30-day returns on unused gear in original condition. If a paddle doesn't suit your game, send it back and we'll help match you to one that does.

Your RPM paddle is covered by RPM's manufacturer warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. If a fault develops, contact Pickld and we'll manage the claim with RPM on your behalf, so you never have to chase overseas support yourself.