Pironkova plays right-handed, and uses a double-handed backhand. She prefers fast surfaces, with grass being her favourite. Although she has a powerful first serve that consistently measures up to 180 kmph or 110 mph, she has a relatively weaker second serve. Pironkova is noted for her powerful backhand, with the down-the-line backhand being one of her best shots. However, her forehand, albeit reliable, has been variously described as "bizarre" and "clever", owing to the unusual amount of spin and/or slice on the shot. "The Daily Telegraph" commentator Emily Benammar noted in 2010 that if Pironkova's, "forehand comes up to scratch, she's in with a chance of beating the best".