PONG BOT Pace S Pro: A Real World Test

Special Delivery: The PONG BOT Pace S Pro

Despite their often lofty price tag, tennis ball machines are one of the most effective teaching and learning tools available. They help players find their rhythm, perfect their timing, and sharpen their footwork. Recently, I took delivery of the PONG BOT PACE S PRO AI Tennis Robot, and I quickly realized this is much more than a standard feeder; it is a smart tennis partner.

The AI brain allows you to upload and design your own drills in a realistic, adaptive training experience. Whether you want to fix a specific weakness or sharpen your strengths, this tool is fully customizable. When you consider the cost, you have to ask: how many professional lessons would you need to take to get a similar benefit? This is a serious piece of kit. 

Unboxing and Setup: Tech That Commands Respect

The Pong Bot Pace S Pro arrives in a large, sturdy box. It is definitely a two-person job to move. Beyond the machine itself, the package includes several essential components to maximize the product’s potential:

• The Ball Machine
• Battery and Charger (8 hours of play)
• Remote Control
• Smart Tracker Set: Including the wearable P-Tag and Net Sensors.
• The “Smart Tracker” Game-Changer

The P-Tag is a crucial wearable device that attaches to your clothing. It tracks your live position on the court with high precision, allowing the AI to actually see you.

In the adaptive rally program, this is a revelation. The device allows the player to return to the recovery spot before the robot serves the next ball. Crucially, the robot adjusts the location of the next feed based on your position, creating a genuine match-play feel. If you are a little slow getting back to the “T,” the machine senses it and adjusts, yet still keeps you under pressure. This is the feature that elevates the Pace S Pro from a machine to a smart robot.

The Net Sensors work in tandem with the P-Tag to triangulate your position. By monitoring your movement on court, the machine makes micro-adjustments to the next ball, ensuring that the player is always learning and reacting.

Setup: From Box to Baseline

Step 1: The Tech Sync

Setup is straightforward and surprisingly intuitive. Once you charge the battery, remote, and sensors, you pair the machine with the app—a simple one-press process. While the robot works with just the remote, the downloadable app (App Store or Play Store) is where the real power lies. I spent some time browsing the app and downloading drills to my device so they were ready for the court.

Step 2: The Luggage Handle

The Pace S Pro features a luggage handle tidily tucked behind the device. This is excellent for wheeling the machine from your boot to the court. It is extendable, which is a major plus for a big guy like myself—I can stand tall and pull it along without having to crouch.

Handling & Transport: One thing to get used to is that the machine doesn’t sit flat; it sits at an angle. This makes it a bit tricky to keep standing during transport. In the car, I found it’s best resting on its back so it doesn’t overbalance during turns.

PRO TIP: When moving over kerbstones, manually lift the device. I didn’t want to risk damaging the internal technology by bashing it against a kerb. On one occasion, the machine overbalanced and fell over, which was frustrating and a little embarrassing, but thankfully no lasting harm was done. Lift the machine manually.

Features at a Glance

Step 3: Deploying the hopper

​I’ll admit I was a little apprehensive during my first session, assuming it would take an age to set up. However, getting the machine primed and ready was a piece of cake.

The Hopper Technique: The most difficult task was actually removing the hopper from the machine. There is a specific “twist” technique to it, and I was incredibly careful not to break the device. Once the hopper is off and the balls are in, you just hit the switch and wait for the “loud ping” that signals the machine is live.

PRO TIP: The hopper feels quite flimsy, so take care when removing it to avoid damage. After using the Pace S Pro, remove the hopper from its operating position and return it to the transport position. This will provide some protection from knocks and bumps.

Step 4 : Drills, Drills, and More Drills

Loaded with 564 preset drills, I’ve only scratched the surface in the time I have had the machine . It would take hours and hours of play to work through the entire library.

Step 5;  Smiles and dodgy overheads

The First Hit: I programmed a pre-set drill from the app. Even with these presets, you can customize the drill further before you go on court, changing the speed and spin of the delivery. A countdown appears on your phone, and then you are good to go.

The machine features two LEDs that flash when a ball is about to be ejected. I chose a manageable program to start—I didn’t want to absolutely blitz myself—but even so, I was surprised by the intensity. After just one minute of hitting 20 balls, the workout was immense. To finally hit shots against a machine that felt “alive” was class; it put an instant smile on my face.

Volley and Smash Drills: These are absolutely fantastic. I loved watching the lobs go up immediately after a heavy volley rips through you. This allowed me to work specifically on my “dodgy overhead” and my touch at the net, playing those killer deft volleys. I would definitely recommend starting with a manageable drill so as not to absolutely cause a heart attack. Explore a variety of drills, you just don’t know what you stumble across.

Physicality: The device can switch shot patterns with lifelike speed. It can punish you physically if you aren’t ready, which is exactly what you need for match fitness. The way the machine switches shot patterns with lifelike speed is just brilliant. 

Performance: Battery and The Winter Test

The battery durability is stellar. My sessions hardly took a wrinkle from the charge. It works very efficiently, and I have no doubt it could handle a full day of coaching at a club without needing a top-up.

Northern Irish Winter (Astro courts vs. Polymeric courts):

I began testing in December 2025. In Northern Ireland, winter is a mixed bag of dampness, frost, and gales. Since I don’t have access to indoor courts, I was always playing outdoors, and in winter; damp surfaces.

Astro Turf: I noticed that on water retaining damp astro turf, the tennis balls absorb water from the ground. Over time, these heavy, wet balls can cause the machine to malfunction or misfeed.