I used to be a Babolat hater... now look what's in my bag

[DustinW]

Well, not really a hater. For some reason, I always avoided Babolat because that's what everybody else was playing with. I guess they finally sucked me in.

[UCSF2012]

Originally Posted by DustinW

Well, not really a hater. For some reason, I always avoided Babolat because that's what everybody else was playing with. I guess they finally sucked me in.

Those stickers/barcodes on the inside of the frame tell me those are demo rackets. Not too impressed.

[djdannyj25]

Originally Posted by UCSF2012

Those stickers/barcodes on the inside of the frame tell me those are demo rackets. Not too impressed.

OHHHHH SNAPPPPP!

[DustinW]

Originally Posted by UCSF2012

Those stickers/barcodes on the inside of the frame tell me those are demo rackets. Not too impressed.

What are you talking about??? I own all 3. Why would I post about having demos in my bag???

[dyldore]

Originally Posted by UCSF2012

Those stickers/barcodes on the inside of the frame tell me those are demo rackets. Not too impressed.

LOL, those stickers have the serial number for the racket on them. The bar code is for QR scanners on your iPhone or w/e. Bought an APD new from TW and it has the same sticker.

[mrtrinh]

Originally Posted by UCSF2012

Those stickers/barcodes on the inside of the frame tell me those are demo rackets. Not too impressed.

Not very impressed with your ignorance. All babolats have barcodes on the throat

[omega4]

Originally Posted by UCSF2012

Those stickers/barcodes on the inside of the frame tell me those are demo rackets. Not too impressed.

Not too impressed with your etiquette and manners.

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Originally Posted by UCSF2012

Those stickers/barcodes on the inside of the frame tell me those are demo rackets. Not too impressed.

[colan5934]

I'm gonna guess that the Pure Storm Tour was bought on the forums. I know of a seller who puts those stickers on his frames to differentiate them, and he sells a lot of rackets on the boards

[boomerTennis]

Originally Posted by DustinW

Well, not really a hater. For some reason, I always avoided Babolat because that's what everybody else was playing with. I guess they finally sucked me in.

What is your take on the new APD plus? How would you compare that to your PD plus and the previous APD GT plus model (if you have played with it before)? Thanks!

[DustinW]

Originally Posted by boomerTennis

What is your take on the new APD plus? How would you compare that to your PD plus and the previous APD GT plus model (if you have played with it before)? Thanks!

What you see in the photo are the only Babolat frames I've ever hit with. I guess its not clear in the photo, but that's actually a PDR+ (not a PD+). And I just picked up the APD+ plus so I haven't hit with that one yet. Hopefully I will get a chance to this weekend, and then I will do a comparison to the PDR+.

[roundiesee]

I think they are vastly different, even though they are all Babolats. Which do you actually prefer?

[DustinW]

Originally Posted by roundiesee

I think they are vastly different, even though they are all Babolats. Which do you actually prefer?

I prefer the PDR+ over the PST. They have a very similar swingweight and a similar overall Babolat feel, but the PDR+ is more crisp (which I prefer) with free power and spin.

I haven't hit with the APD+ yet. It has a much lower weight than what I am used to, so I'm interested in seeing how I like it.

[pshulam]

Originally Posted by DustinW

I prefer the PDR+ over the PST. They have a very similar swingweight and a similar overall Babolat feel, but the PDR+ is more crisp (which I prefer) with free power and spin.

Free? No loss in control, maneuverability, comfort?

[DustinW]

Originally Posted by pshulam

Free? No loss in control, maneuverability, comfort?

Yes, IMO, free.

I much prefer a crisp (stiffer) frame over a flexy frame. And I don't find the PDR+ too stiff... I can feel it flex on serves and when I take a good cut on ground strokes, but it remains stiff on volleys and defensive stabs. While the PST isn't too flexy, it just doesn't have that crisp feel of the Pure Drive. Comfort is hard to define and is very subjective.

As far as maneuverability goes, the heavier PST and the slightly lighter (but longer) PDR+ feel almost identical to me in terms of swingweight and maneuverability.

I suppose the PST has slightly more control than the PDR+, but not enough to be significant for me. As I increase my swingspeed with the PDR+, it imparts more topspin on the ball... which in turn helps keep it in the court. With the PST, the ball comes off much flatter... but with less power, I can still swing harder and keep the ball in without the extra topspin that I can get with the PDR+. Hope that makes sense.

[LanEvo]

Originally Posted by pshulam

Free? No loss in control, maneuverability, comfort?

I used to use the PDR for those reasons, I went to the PS Ltd. Maneuverability was my biggest factor, I could never seems to get my racquet in position fast enough with the frame especially at net. Comfort was fine, I did lose control when I tried to hit hard(er), ball pops up like a home run.

[anubis]

I just got a Babolat APD 2013 and I love it. I get so much "free power" with it. I've hit more winners with it than I've ever hit with any other racquet. And, its not terribly heavy so it doesn't tire me out.

[RollTrackTake]

instagram makes them look even sexier! I have an on/off again relationship with Babolat racquets.
Started with the APDC -->PDGT -->APDGT -->2012PD -->2013 APD+.
For whatever reason the love never lasts.

[Larrysümmers]

Love that pdr+ aim at a target and fire away. Nice pick up OP

[ollinger]

The OP needs to read a book called "The Wisdom of the Crowd," a scholarly discussion about how large numbers of people usually get it right, i.e. if alot of people are using Babolat, it's probably a very good racquet to use. Avoiding something because everybody else uses it often indicates self-esteem issues, i.e. fear of being ignored because of conformity.