shhh.... I don't know what you are talking about. More to come soon.
Hope its a great string for the APD.
shhh.... I don't know what you are talking about. More to come soon.
I like the new logo. Its a stylised B right? But the stencil still looks like something's missing. Will there only be one official stencil?
First of all, it's great to have an opportunity to get official information and clarification from Babolat on this forum. I appreciate the time and effort you invest in answering all the questions.
Now, don't you think it's overstatement to attribute all the differences between 2010 APD and 2013 APD solely to new and improved "active" cortex system? Correct me if I'm wrong, but these two generations differ in many things:
1) Swing weights
2) Stiffness level
3) Probably slightly different structural/material properties
4) ...and finally Different "Cortex Dampening System"
(Malicious people would even say that no two Babolat racquets play identically, even if they are the same model/generation, but I don't agree with that...
It's not my intent to argue or alienate, nor I have anything against Babolat as a company. On the contrary, I am happy and regular Babolat user and have used many, many Babolat products over time (strings, shoes, overgrips, balls, textile, racquets...) but I really get annoyed with cheap marketing tricks.
After seeing dissection photos of "Cortex System" I see it simply as "snake oil", and so far I haven't change my standpoint.
Can you please ask your engineers what was changed in the 2012/2013 cortex dampening system (except turning it from V shape into A shape) to make it "active" and noticeably different (in your own words) than 2010 version?
Best regards,
Dragan
Welcome to the boards. I am a big fan of your shoes.
One thing that I wanted to know about babolat racquets is the quality control. What, as a company, are you doing to ensure that you are producing as close to similar racquets?
In the past, I've ordered a few PDR and they were all off significantly in weight and balance (+/- 15 grams).
Is there any opinion in the Babolat camp about the Wilson and Prince explorations in things like 16x15 string patterns?
Not tempted by this possibility?
I can safely say it was not our intention to ruin Natural Gut by adding BT7. In fact, it was the opposite. We wanted to make it more durable (15% by our lab testing).
All of our string is coded with individual numbers, so please please please submit any defective sets to warranty (through your local shop). We will get them replaced and pull the rest of the set from the market. Each batch of string (natural, multi, mono) is tested in the factory, so these instances are rare but we have procedures in place.
Sorry, you don't like the BT7. We're always innovating to make our products better as the demands of tennis players increase. Hopefully we'll offer something you like more in the future.
I don't suppose there are any plans to resurrect the Pure Control 'Swirly', are there?
I never really gelled w/ the Pure Storm line (even though it is essentially the same mold) and have since moved on from Babolat.
But if I could get some new Swirlys...
Also, someone earlier asked about junior sponsorship. I coach a girls high school team. Do you offer 'player packs' for high schools? Or do they have to be USTA ranked?
Thank you for your response. Why cant Babolat offer the original formula VS Gut and call it Classic VS? I can tell you in the real world the BT7 is not 15% more durable. So it was decided to sacrifice performance over a 15% increase of durability in the lab? I've been very frustrated and disappointed with the change in Gut to BT7.
Thank you for your response and addressing my questions about the new gut.
I can second VS babolats complaint. I have witnessed his complaint many times and for a very long period. Please bring VC Classic again so this guy is happy again.
I have used APD Cortex and later the 2010 APD. The 2010 APD I found stiff when playing with poly and to mushy when playing with multifilament.
Two weeks ago I experienced pain in the tip of my elbow when I mishit a serve and later in the week when mishitting a backhand. At that time I was using Solinco Revolution and later a hybrid of LTEC string, poly mains and synthetic gut crosses.
The elbow pain was not great but was bothersome and one never knows what to expect. Fortunately, I've been playing for many years and have never had a long term arm injury (or any other) related to tennis.
So, after the injury I rested for a week and traded in my APD for a Yonex VCORE 97 Tour (330). The VCORE has more mass, a bigger sweetspot and absorbs shock better. Also, its more stable and has more control than the 2010 APD. I can also hit good topspin, more in a "drive" type of way. But, I miss the racket speed, the aero design and the ability to hit topspin with greater ease that the APD offers.
I am a bit skeptical on the improvement that the 2013 APD brings. I still remember when the 2010 APD came along and pre-sale marketing stated that it was a much better racket than the APD Cortex. Personally, I think the 2010 APD was not better than the Cortex, it was just different. So, isn"t this a repeat that states that the 2103 APD is much better than the 2010 APD but substantially there is no real improvement?
Still, the APD is a great racket, I would just hope it had the solidity and cushioned feel that the Yonex offers.
I would appreciate your response and comments. Thanks.
1. I haven't played with the VCore, but it sounds like you enjoy it. So that is good. For every advantage, there is a drawback, and it sounds like you've found a good combination in this racquet (inversely to the advantages/drawbacks you felt with the APD).
2. You didn't like the 2010 APD Cortex. Which is fine. Some people did. Our product team is constantly working with pros, juniors, and rec players to technologically innovate racquets that help people elevate their game. Still, at the end of the day "real improvement" is subjective to the user. You can guess how a racquet will feel (better, different, worse), but you don't know until you try it. And you don't have to try it if you don't want to. We did a play test of the 2013 APD in these very forums. Everyone had unique opinions. What matters most is what you as a user think/believe and how it helps your game on the court. Luckily, TW has a big demo stock.
3. Haven't hit with the Yonex since that Hewitt model everyone loved (RDi something?)...but if you send me one, I promise I will.
Hope its a great string for the APD.
It is, also amazing with gut, both barely loose tension so i was in 7th heaven
No plans to resurrect the Pure Control. Shoot me an email about sponsorship, we have pretty tight requirements. dbecker@babolat.com.
Simple question - why not move one step ahead of the competition and allow for user customized ordering. To this end, I mean - for same cost or a slight premium (offset perhaps, through a modification of any return policies) - permit customers to order racquets with somewhat modifiable specs (i.e. flex/composition, weight, colors, grip, etc.). We're all savy on how things operate - with production overseas in China- I'm sure such customization will entail a smaller profit margin (reducing it from, say, 75% to 65%), but will conceivably result in much greater sales. Basically, you are shifting quantity of demand and not just demand - something that surprisingly no other racquet manufacturer has thought about doing respective to general consumers (of course, until a small competitor comes along doing exactly this and the big dogs attempt to - ahem - rectify any such gains) .
To this end, I'm happy to help consult, but of course reserve my rights concerning such implementation if it were to occur.
That's what Angell sport/vantage is for.
In a hybrid with gut? Gut in mains or crosses?
Your comment is a non sequitur - I'm well aware that Angell produces custom made racquets (as do various other small companies). As noted, however, I'm speaking about large manufacturers - i.e. those that directly compete against Babolat. Not just on this board, or TW's customers - but the masses of people purchasing racquets from other vendors and big-box stores.
Further, are you saying that Angell racquet play like Babolats? Doubt it. If one was looking for a custom made Dunlop, I'm sure Angell is a great company to work with...
I think there would be to many requests for Babolat to do custom things, and they would most likely be a minimum order size. I was only suggesting a custom racket company...
Is there any chance that one can still acquire any Pure Drive Teams via your help?
I certainly believe that Babolat would make a mint if they were to introduce into their line "a classic range" featuring the very popular Pure Drive Team model (the best ever in my opinion, and I know for many others).
Do you see that as a possiblilty in either case above?
Many thanks
What is better in your opinion about the old PD Team compared to the generally much lauded PD 2012?
This post is on the verge of going "viral".. if it hasnt allready...
OP... hope you are up to the onslaught of questions, etc
Anyway... Its a good idea.. Thx..
Sure, and I'm not suggesting its an effort without cost, but they can likely afford doing so while capturing increased sales. Would you order the 2013 with a sub-63/5 flex?
I think he knew about the flood of questions/comments that would come in.... Did he think the thread would die after a few weeks...? 'Cause it won't
I simply feel more connected to the PD team, and I don't know if it is the materials used (Kevlar/Graphic, a known and much plauded mix for racket manufacturing), or perhaps the 69 flex rating.
For sure, with a bed of VS Touch, it simply gives me that special feel, with power, and just enough flex for optimum contriol, that no other PD since, even the PD 12 (which I also am ahuge fan, and belive this edition to be the 2nd best) has delivered.
I know that there are many who favour the PD Swirly, but I never handled that stick.
This is a definite. If I am playing with new players, who are known to be good, and I have to impress and play at my best,...then always, but always I pull the PD team out of the bag, and frankly pretty much keep for those occasions when I am in a "must win" or "must impress" situation.
BTW-- just to throw a curve ball in here,...I just puirchased the new APD GT 2013, after demo-ing for a week. In the past I never warmed to it (excluding the orginal), but felt the new APD GT, certainly is a muct have stick adding to my stable of Pure Drives....but I still prefer the PD Team over all else
So what was the big news from Babolat overnight that Daniel foreshadowed?
RPM Dual and APD 2013 officially launched, I guess. Check out the website.