Babolat AeroPro Drive Vs Babolat AeroPro Drive GT

[JS-1233]

Ok, seriously which is the better racquet?

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Babo...BAB-APD13.html

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Babo...AB-BAPDGT.html


Is there really much difference between the 2 apart from the price? I used to play tennis in secondary school and now i'm 22, I want to start up again. I'm stuck on which 2 racquets to actually get. Hopefully some of you guys can help me out as i'm sure you'll all know more than me

[acura9927]

From what I have read on these forums the new APD is easier to whip thru the air while the older APD has more power and plow thru. The big thing is the comfort on the arm some say the new one is more comfortable but some say it is still too stiff.

[P.Floyd]

The best APD, for all intents and purposes, is the original. If you can find one new for the price of a 12/13 or '10 GT, do it. If you can find one used and in good condition, choose that over either of the newer ones. I just picked up two for less than the price of the new version, and it's no comparison.

I previously had the old GT, and was generally happy with it. While I was concerned with the lower swingweight of the 12/13, I thought it was WAAAY better in terms of feel, and increase in racquet speed made up for the loss of swingweight. I soon learned that the feel that impressed me was just the initial solidness you feel on impact. It simply doesn't feel hollow, unlike the older GT.

After awhile though, the new GT's increased stiffness began to wear on me. There's really no flex to this racquet at all. The older GT is slightly better in this regard, better to the point that it's useable over the long term. For this reason alone, the older GT wins out.

[JS-1233]

Slightly confused by this...

I've followed many methods to measure my tennis grip size.

I measure out at 11cm / 110mm / 4.3 inches. Those measurements would suggest a Size 3 but I tried a Size 3 and it just feels too big. I tried a Size 1 and 2, they feel perfect. Has this ever happened to anyone else?

http://www.************.co.uk/en_gb/...is-racket.html

[JS-1233]

Forget my last reply, posted in the wrong place. Was meant to be a new thread.

Seems to be the APD then. See what a few more people say before I purchase. What would be the best option? Buying 2 of the same racquets or 2 different racquets?

[RogueFLIP]

I had the GT, switched to the APD.

There wasn't anything inherently wrong with the GT. Lots of spin, control for me. I actually liked the stiffness of the racket.

I liked the APD the instant I held and demo'd it. Def noticed the lower SW, which allowed me to increase my RHS, noticeable difference in the depths of my shots. Spin and control were the same.

The APD had eliminated this "hollow" feeling I had in the GT, but didn't know how to describe it till I read it on this forum.

I feel the APD is more comfortable than the GT.

I had two GT's, and I bought two APDs.

[JS-1233]

Thank you for all feedback, i'm going to get myself an Babolat AeroPro Drive 2013 and see how it goes for me. I want to get a 2nd different racquet to compare the 2 incase i'm better with the other one. Any suggestions on another top racquet out there please?

[P.Floyd]

Originally Posted by JS-1233

Thank you for all feedback, i'm going to get myself an Babolat AeroPro Drive 2013 and see how it goes for me. I want to get a 2nd different racquet to compare the 2 incase i'm better with the other one. Any suggestions on another top racquet out there please?

You should demo. $400.00 is a lot to spend on two racquets that you very well may dislike.

[acura9927]

I bought my 12 APD GT on sale knowing I will probably sell it later in summer. Consider if you keep it mint and prove it not a fake by receipt you hardly lose money on resale compared to Dunlop etc.