Rafa's Aeropro Drive GT Stick

[nguyendat9]

aw man, why did I spent money on getting aerodrive pro gt for???

[VGP]

That's what's commercially available. The classic paintjob used by a pro.

They quit mass producing and selling the original APD years ago.

Now, you're left with the used market and truthfully, the original one doesn't come up for auction on e-bay all that often. If you're picky on grip size or prefer one that's harder to find, it makes it all the more difficult.

As of this post, there's only one available on e-bay.

One thing you can do is post a wanted ad in the TTW classifieds.

[nguyen320]

I don't think that the different versions are much different, they just add some more stuff to make it better for the customers.. Nadal plays with what is comfortable for him, and we should too.
Compared to all the racquets and technologies there are today, if a club player were to pick up the original APD and then the APD-GT (given that we didn't know which one Rafa really uses) then the player would most likely pick the ADP-GT due to less shock, and less torque due to the cortex and GT.
The only reason why people are so unhappy, example:

Originally Posted by nguyendat9

aw man, why did I spent money on getting aerodrive pro gt for???

is because they WANT to use Nadal's gear just because he uses it but by no means is going to make them play like Nadal.. but only (maybe) make them feel something on the racquet that they like and then say "wow so this is why Nadal is so good". When people pick a racquet because a pro uses it, they normally arent educated enough to know that the pro actually doesnt use that racquet. Even if they use the same model, even if they take it off the stock shelf, it will most likely be customized for the pro, with lead tape and so on. So if players really want to be similar to a pro, they should be customizing their own gear and fitting it towards their own styles, not the pros.

[jemsiter]

Originally Posted by nguyen320

I don't think that the different versions are much different, they just add some more stuff to make it better for the customers.. Nadal plays with what is comfortable for him, and we should too.
Compared to all the racquets and technologies there are today, if a club player were to pick up the original APD and then the APD-GT (given that we didn't know which one Rafa really uses) then the player would most likely pick the ADP-GT due to less shock, and less torque due to the cortex and GT.
The only reason why people are so unhappy, example: is because they WANT to use Nadal's gear just because he uses it but by no means is going to make them play like Nadal.. but only (maybe) make them feel something on the racquet that they like and then say "wow so this is why Nadal is so good". When people pick a racquet because a pro uses it, they normally arent educated enough to know that the pro actually doesnt use that racquet. Even if they use the same model, even if they take it off the stock shelf, it will most likely be customized for the pro, with lead tape and so on. So if players really want to be similar to a pro, they should be customizing their own gear and fitting it towards their own styles, not the pros.

nicely put

[Pinkskunk]

yeah guys, dont go with what Nadal use, just buy the new GT ones and sell me your original Aeropro

[nguyendat9]

both Nadal and Roddick's racquets are painted job.

[nguyendat9]

Originally Posted by nguyen320

I don't think that the different versions are much different, they just add some more stuff to make it better for the customers.. Nadal plays with what is comfortable for him, and we should too.
Compared to all the racquets and technologies there are today, if a club player were to pick up the original APD and then the APD-GT (given that we didn't know which one Rafa really uses) then the player would most likely pick the ADP-GT due to less shock, and less torque due to the cortex and GT.
The only reason why people are so unhappy, example: is because they WANT to use Nadal's gear just because he uses it but by no means is going to make them play like Nadal.. but only (maybe) make them feel something on the racquet that they like and then say "wow so this is why Nadal is so good". When people pick a racquet because a pro uses it, they normally arent educated enough to know that the pro actually doesnt use that racquet. Even if they use the same model, even if they take it off the stock shelf, it will most likely be customized for the pro, with lead tape and so on. So if players really want to be similar to a pro, they should be customizing their own gear and fitting it towards their own styles, not the pros.

Thanks, I agree with you, I also customized my aeropro drive gt to fit my playing style.

[Mr_Shiver]

Racquets are like women. Some are thick while others are thin. Some cause you unwanted pain while others make you feel like a king. Some are into all the latest technology while others stick with what has always worked. Some are top heavy while others have more weight towards the butt. You got to find what you like and what makes you feel best. I like Federer but it doesn't mean I want a woman like Mirka.

[Bud]

Originally Posted by Pinkskunk

yeah guys, dont go with what Nadal use, just buy the new GT ones and sell me your original Aeropro

He's probably using an original APD, non-cortex with a custom layup. Doubtful he ever used the retail version.

[nguyen320]

Originally Posted by Bud

He's probably using an original APD, non-cortex with a custom layup. Doubtful he ever used the retail version.

true, they probably had multiple prototypes and he picked the one he liked the most, and then Babolat used the final product which Nadal probably doesn't use and then they are marketing that one

[whomad15]

Originally Posted by nguyen320

they WANT to use Nadal's gear just because he uses it but by no means is going to make them play like Nadal.

imitation can sometimes really improve your game. Look at musicians, you don't start out writing your own amazing compositions, first you have to learn to play others.

[Pinkskunk]

Originally Posted by whomad15

imitation can sometimes really improve your game. Look at musicians, you don't start out writing your own amazing compositions, first you have to learn to play others.

he doesn't play instrument nor does he personally know/see someone who does it on a daily basis so he won't know.

tennis is all about repeatation (is it English?), imitation and copytation (is it English?)

[Pioneer]

Although to be honest Rafa probably uses a stock APD... Babolat doesn't seem to offer the tons of custom work that head and wilson offer

[LPShanet]

Originally Posted by lidoazndiabloboi

i always wondered, does babolat have pro stock frames like head and wilson?

The system at Babolat is very different from the Pro Room programs at Head and Wilson. Babolat doesn't have a pro room, and most of the modifications done for their players are performed in by after-market customizers such as RPNY, Priority 1, etc. They paintjob essentially stock frames, and the players arrange most of the rest.

[LPShanet]

Originally Posted by nguyen320

I don't think that the different versions are much different, they just add some more stuff to make it better for the customers.. Nadal plays with what is comfortable for him, and we should too.
Compared to all the racquets and technologies there are today, if a club player were to pick up the original APD and then the APD-GT (given that we didn't know which one Rafa really uses) then the player would most likely pick the ADP-GT due to less shock, and less torque due to the cortex and GT.
The only reason why people are so unhappy, example: is because they WANT to use Nadal's gear just because he uses it but by no means is going to make them play like Nadal.. but only (maybe) make them feel something on the racquet that they like and then say "wow so this is why Nadal is so good". When people pick a racquet because a pro uses it, they normally arent educated enough to know that the pro actually doesnt use that racquet. Even if they use the same model, even if they take it off the stock shelf, it will most likely be customized for the pro, with lead tape and so on. So if players really want to be similar to a pro, they should be customizing their own gear and fitting it towards their own styles, not the pros.

I agree with the spirit of what you're saying, but some of the facts just aren't correct. The GT version of the APD is notably and measurably stiffer than the previous two versions. This is a very real physical difference and a result of a different layup. This doesn't mean that one of the versions is better than another, but the original is definitely very different in terms of how it plays from the GT version. On a basic RA scale, the difference can be about 5 points, which is considerable.

For the above reason, your statement about shock is actually a bit backwards, as the stiffer frame will create more shock, despite how it may feel to you personally, or how marketing may be positioning things.

You're dead on about the benefit of choosing your equipment based on one's own game rather than just copying an idol, though.

[okdude1992]

Originally Posted by Mr_Shiver

Racquets are like women. Some are thick while others are thin. Some cause you unwanted pain while others make you feel like a king. Some are into all the latest technology while others stick with what has always worked. Some are top heavy while others have more weight towards the butt. You got to find what you like and what makes you feel best. I like Federer but it doesn't mean I want a woman like Mirka.

very profound metaphor. well done sir!

[Tennis-Chris]

I have hit for about three days with the Nadal racquet and I cannot get it to work for me. I'm sticking with my Pure Storm GT. It's funny how some racquets just work for me and others don't.