I Tried an AI Tennis Ball Machine as a Total Beginner — Here’s My Honest Take

I’ve never picked up a tennis racket in my life. Not once. So naturally, my first experience on a court involved testing an AI-powered tennis ball machine.

Trial by fire… but make it tech.

I got my hands on the PongBot Pace S Pro, which is being called the world’s first AI tennis ball machine. And while there are plenty of reviews out there from experienced players, I wanted to share something different: what it’s actually like using this as a complete beginner.

Because let’s be honest—that’s a much more relatable starting point for most people.

What Is the PongBot Pace S Pro?

At its core, the PongBot Pace S Pro is a tennis ball machine, but it’s nothing like the traditional versions you might’ve seen at a club.

This one is built around AI tracking.

The setup is surprisingly simple: you attach a small sensor to yourself and place two additional sensors on the net posts. Once everything is connected, the system tracks your position on the court in real time.

Instead of firing balls randomly, the machine adjusts based on where you are and how you move.

One of the standout features is that it won’t release the next ball until you’ve returned to position. It essentially “waits” for you, just like a real practice partner would. On top of that, it intentionally aims away from where you’re standing, forcing you to move and engage with every shot.

Everything is controlled through an app (or a remote), where you can customize speed, spin, and drill types. There’s also a built-in library of drills, which makes it easy to get started without needing to design your own training session.

The concept is simple, but the execution feels incredibly advanced—it’s like practicing with a partner who’s constantly adapting to you.

My Experience as a Beginner

I’ll start with this: it was genuinely fun.

The machine itself is sleek, easy to use, and the app is intuitive enough that I didn’t feel overwhelmed getting started. Within minutes, I was up and running.

But here’s the reality, I had no idea what I was doing.

My form wasn’t great, my positioning was inconsistent, and I definitely wasn’t using the machine to its full potential. And that’s not a flaw in the product, it’s just what happens when you step onto a tennis court for the first time.

What I will say is that the AI features were noticeable even as a beginner. The fact that the machine adjusted to my position and forced me to move made the experience feel dynamic rather than repetitive. It didn’t feel like I was just being fed balls—it felt interactive.

Is It Worth It?

This really comes down to your skill level.

If you already play tennis—even casually—the PongBot Pace S Pro is a powerful training tool. It acts like a practice partner that’s always available, never gets tired, and actively responds to your movement. For someone looking to improve consistency, footwork, or endurance, it’s easy to see the value.

For complete beginners, though, there’s a small learning curve that has nothing to do with the machine itself.

Without a basic understanding of stance, positioning, and swing, it’s harder to fully benefit from what the technology offers. That doesn’t mean you can’t use it—it just means you won’t be maximizing it right away.

A simple solution? Start with a lesson. Even one session with a coach to learn the fundamentals can make a huge difference. From there, a tool like this becomes significantly more effective—and a lot more rewarding to use.

Final Thoughts

The biggest takeaway here is that the tech delivers.

The tracking works, the customization is there, and the overall experience feels like a glimpse into where sports training is headed—more personalized, more adaptive, and more accessible.

It also makes practice fun, which might be the most underrated feature of all.

If you’re already into tennis, this feels like a smart investment. If you’re just starting out, it’s still exciting—but pairing it with a bit of foundational learning will make all the difference.

Either way, it’s clear that AI is starting to reshape even the most traditional activities—and this is a perfect example of that shift in action.

Watch me fighting for my life here, and the full Youtube review here. Should I try again now that I’m I have an idea of what I'm doing?