Bonjour from Babolat

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R

raging

Professional
Babolat Official said:
I learned from the master: Lucien Nogues.

an insight to his expertise:
http://www.tennisindustrymag.com/articles/2012/07/19_the_stringers_file_lucien_n.html
Click to expand...

I just saw this - nice article. a legend.

Also a really nice guy- I was working for babolat in 1994 as a sales agent(self-employed), visited the factory in france and the string machine facility in Besancon . I got lucien's address in wimbledon, london where he was stringing for babolat players in a house off-site.

He gave me 6 sets of vs gut to use while I was over playing club tennis in germany. He didn't have to, just wanted to look after 1 of "the family".
unforgettable.
 
Last edited:
Babolat Official

Babolat Official

Hall of Fame
raging said:
I just saw this - nice article. a legend.

Also a really nice guy- I was working for babolat in 1994 as a sales agent(self-employed), visited the factory in france and the string machine facility in Besancon . I got lucien's address in wimbledon, london where he was stringing for babolat players in a house off-site.

He gave me 6 sets of vs gut to use while I was over playing club tennis in germany. He didn't have to, just wanted to look after 1 of "the family".
unforgettable.
Click to expand...

Very cool!

In my biased opinion, Lucien is one of unsung legends of our industry. I can only hope to be held in such regard and accumulate as much experience and knowledge. Last year at RG, I was working on a project with him: just seeing how many old school pros still consider him the reference for racket and string advice. It's crazy.

Interesting fact: he actually lives in an apartment at the Babolat World HQ in Lyon, France.
 
R

raging

Professional
I know for sure, Emilio & Goran were both head sponsored pros, but both used
vs gut for many years, Sampras was the same & to be frank Lucien Nogues was the one guy that everyone turned to. They still do.

That player list must be enormous, since 1875! (Lucien is not that old, of course, but he has defined the brand for the last 30 plus years:)). When polyester strings came in, Babolat re-invented themselves and re-tooled to produce much more of the synthetics. I'm sure Lucien played his part in their development.

Lucien was at Babolat way before my time(1991) & it doesn't surprise me he is still living there. Tennis Really Runs in his Blood!
 
S

Sparky

Semi-Pro
I noticed today, my daughters Pure Drive Junior 26 which comes prestrung with 1 piece N.Vy. The crosses are strung from the throat up on both of her racquets.

Lucien is quite adamant on stringing two piece and of course, top to down to the throat. :)
 
themitchmann

themitchmann

Hall of Fame
Sparky said:
I noticed today, my daughters Pure Drive Junior 26 which comes prestrung with 1 piece N.Vy. The crosses are strung from the throat up on both of her racquets.

Lucien is quite adamant on stringing two piece and of course, top to down to the throat. :)
Click to expand...

Maybe it was strung with an ATW pattern ;)
 
G

Gyomu

New User
Sparky said:
I noticed today, my daughters Pure Drive Junior 26 which comes prestrung with 1 piece N.Vy. The crosses are strung from the throat up on both of her racquets.

Lucien is quite adamant on stringing two piece and of course, top to down to the throat. :)
Click to expand...

Doesnt really matter when you are not restring very often. It's mostly for players who break and resrting often.
 
B

Bobo96

Semi-Pro
Hi Daniel, I am planning on trying the new Pure Control as it seems like it could be a good fit. It's always tough for me to switch sticks, because it ends up costing 800-1000 to stack up on just racquets. I am a four star junior on tennisrecruiting.net, and am wondering if I qualify for any sort of sponsorship/ package deal. I am constantly playing and looking to improve in all areas, I have good sportsmanship , and believe I can positively represent the brand. Please either reply here or I can give you my email if you need more information.

Any reply is appreciated, thanks!
 
Babolat Official

Babolat Official

Hall of Fame
Bobo96 said:
Hi Daniel, I am planning on trying the new Pure Control as it seems like it could be a good fit. It's always tough for me to switch sticks, because it ends up costing 800-1000 to stack up on just racquets. I am a four star junior on tennisrecruiting.net, and am wondering if I qualify for any sort of sponsorship/ package deal. I am constantly playing and looking to improve in all areas, I have good sportsmanship , and believe I can positively represent the brand. Please either reply here or I can give you my email if you need more information.

Any reply is appreciated, thanks!
Click to expand...

email me dbecker@babolat.com
 
T

truetifoso

Rookie
Shaving down grip

Hey, Daniel.

My 11-year old's son's coach told us it is time to move him up to an adult racquet. He is currently using the Babolat AeroPro Drive Junior 26" racquet with a size zero grip.

His coach suggested that he find a racquet that is the heaviest he could handle. After demoing the APD, AP Lite, AP Lite GT, and PD with his coach, he decided that he loves the APD. He's still a little behind the ball because of the weight, but it's clear he's strong enough to eventually handle it after a couple of weeks of hitting with it.

The one catch is that the 4 1/8" grip size is too big. Do you think that shaving down the handle is the best (and only) way to go, or do you have other suggestions?

Thanks in advance for your help.
 
Babolat Official

Babolat Official

Hall of Fame
truetifoso said:
Hey, Daniel.

My 11-year old's son's coach told us it is time to move him up to an adult racquet. He is currently using the Babolat AeroPro Drive Junior 26" racquet with a size zero grip.

His coach suggested that he find a racquet that is the heaviest he could handle. After demoing the APD, AP Lite, AP Lite GT, and PD with his coach, he decided that he loves the APD. He's still a little behind the ball because of the weight, but it's clear he's strong enough to eventually handle it after a couple of weeks of hitting with it.

The one catch is that the 4 1/8" grip size is too big. Do you think that shaving down the handle is the best (and only) way to go, or do you have other suggestions?

Thanks in advance for your help.
Click to expand...

First off, congrats on getting a coach that recognizes grip size importance. I can't tell you how often I see 10 and 11 year olds playing grip 3 (hurts more as I use a grip 2).

245 to 300 grams is a big jump. If he can get used to the weight, you could shave down or have customized. This can be expensive if done through a shop, or tricky if done at home.

Before taking such action, I would demo an APD and try removing the base grip and putting two over grips on the racket. This will be smaller than a grip 1 and potentially the size of a grip 0 if the overgrip is puled tight enough. The bevels shouldn't be too intrusive.

If that does not work, at 280 grams, the APD Team comes in a grip 0 and could be incrementally lead taped until he is ready for a grip 1 and the 300 grams of the standard APD.

Hope that helps. Have fun out there and let me know how it goes.
 
T

truetifoso

Rookie
Great ideas! Thanks so much!

I just had my APDs customized with the help of master racquet technician. After a whole lot of trial and error, I ended up with the following:

Polarized set-up resulting in a swing weight of 352
Babolat Hybrid RPM Blast 17+ VS 16 String (I used a full bed of 17 gauge RPM Blast.)
Mixed string tensions

I have so much bite on the balls now. My already heavy topsin shots push my opponents back even more. My son's coach - a Babolat APD user - called the racquet "unfair."

Thanks for the advice.
 
WhereIsMacMac

WhereIsMacMac

Professional
Nostradamus said:
Dear Babolat

Which is more powerful ? Babolat Origin 17 G or Babolat Xcel power 17 G ?
Click to expand...

f0c2dy.jpg
 
T

truetifoso

Rookie
Babolat Official said:
First off, congrats on getting a coach that recognizes grip size importance. I can't tell you how often I see 10 and 11 year olds playing grip 3 (hurts more as I use a grip 2).

245 to 300 grams is a big jump. If he can get used to the weight, you could shave down or have customized. This can be expensive if done through a shop, or tricky if done at home.

Before taking such action, I would demo an APD and try removing the base grip and putting two over grips on the racket. This will be smaller than a grip 1 and potentially the size of a grip 0 if the overgrip is puled tight enough. The bevels shouldn't be too intrusive.

If that does not work, at 280 grams, the APD Team comes in a grip 0 and could be incrementally lead taped until he is ready for a grip 1 and the 300 grams of the standard APD.

Hope that helps. Have fun out there and let me know how it goes.
Click to expand...


BTW - His coach is both French and sponsored by you guys. :)
 
mawashi

mawashi

Hall of Fame
Babolat Official,

Thanks for keeping us regular folks in the know on what is happening and giving us a voice unlike wilson and head.

On the subject of racquets, I have several questions as I'm still on the lookout for a racquet that suits my game.

I'm an aggressive base liner with an eastern/semi western grip. Fairly flat hitter.

I prefer soft < 64 ra head light, heavy racquets like the Head Pro Tour 630.

1. I like the Pure Drive 2012 and love it's lateral stability but it doesn't have a plush feel.

2. I couldn't connect with the pure storms, they lacked the precise feel and touch of the prestige series.

3. I'm rather interested in the new Pure Strike 18x20 and would like to know the difference between the standard and tour version. Also is it possible to modify the standard to tour version or are they totally different sticks?

Thanks
 
mpournaras

mpournaras

Hall of Fame
I have seen them. I know they dont like us posting pics of shoes and what not but can we post pics of rackets?

French Open Aero and the Wimbledon Pure Drive?
 
netlets

netlets

Professional
Hey Daniel,

I've been showing tons of people the Babolat Play and I keep getting a few of the same questions that I don't know how to answer.

1. How is the Technique calculated?
2. How is Endurance calculated?
3. Is power just the swing speed?

I love the racquet. It seems to be a bit less stiff than the French Open Pure Drive of last year. The arc on the top of the throat is thinner on the Play.

Any more surveys coming out?

Thanks!
 
tkoziol

tkoziol

Rookie
mpournaras said:
I have seen them. I know they dont like us posting pics of shoes and what not but can we post pics of rackets?

French Open Aero and the Wimbledon Pure Drive?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure if they allow you to post pictures of racquets or not. Thats a really good question. I know you can send emails to curious posters. Curious posters such as tkoziol for example.... kozioltennis@gmail.com :wink:
 
A

Artanis

Semi-Pro
Yet, since Storm had the same 69RA listed by Babolat, TW had it 6 points lower. Now, for the Controls the gap becomes a bit larger...
 
T

tennisaustin

New User
Dear Babolat,

I have played APD since model 2010 and i really like the 2013 APD model. That's a really good weapon. But lately it gave me arm and shoulder pain. I've tried different string set-up also reduced tension as well but it won't help at all.

I wish Babolat consider to reduce the stiffness for this racquet for the next update version ( Around 65 maybe) that would be awsome. I don't want to say good bye with the APD for another racquet.

And another thing that i would like Babolat to check is the paint job for the 2013 APD model. My two 2013 APD have paint chips all over the place. The quality is worse than the version 2010 and 2012 models. Please have better quality control for the cosmetic.

Thanks

Tennisaustin
 
paul500w

paul500w

Rookie
Does anyone know if the Babolat play rackets hardware can be upgraded via software? What I mean by this is could a software update be sent out so the racket so it can determine if you hit a volly instead of registering it as a flat shot? Or is the hardware limited and in order for that to happen Babolat would need to design new hardware?
Thanks
 
I

isingh

New User
Hey Daniel,
First off thank you so much for keeping us in the loop about this stuff.
Secondly, do you know when the Pure Strike 16x19 playtest is coming out?
 
Babolat Official

Babolat Official

Hall of Fame
mawashi said:
Babolat Official,

Thanks for keeping us regular folks in the know on what is happening and giving us a voice unlike wilson and head.

On the subject of racquets, I have several questions as I'm still on the lookout for a racquet that suits my game.

I'm an aggressive base liner with an eastern/semi western grip. Fairly flat hitter.

I prefer soft < 64 ra head light, heavy racquets like the Head Pro Tour 630.

1. I like the Pure Drive 2012 and love it's lateral stability but it doesn't have a plush feel.

2. I couldn't connect with the pure storms, they lacked the precise feel and touch of the prestige series.

3. I'm rather interested in the new Pure Strike 18x20 and would like to know the difference between the standard and tour version. Also is it possible to modify the standard to tour version or are they totally different sticks?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Did we email about this?
 
Babolat Official

Babolat Official

Hall of Fame
netlets said:
Hey Daniel,

I've been showing tons of people the Babolat Play and I keep getting a few of the same questions that I don't know how to answer.

1. How is the Technique calculated?
2. How is Endurance calculated?
3. Is power just the swing speed?

I love the racquet. It seems to be a bit less stiff than the French Open Pure Drive of last year. The arc on the top of the throat is thinner on the Play.

Any more surveys coming out?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

1. technique = your ability to replicate the same stroke and impact location (i.e. slice backhands, topsin forehands, power, etc.)

2. endurance = algorithm combining frequency of shots, length of play, how hard you are hitting

3. racket head speed with 0 being 0 and 100 around 220 km/h

next survey comes this week
 
Babolat Official

Babolat Official

Hall of Fame
tennisaustin said:
Dear Babolat,

I have played APD since model 2010 and i really like the 2013 APD model. That's a really good weapon. But lately it gave me arm and shoulder pain. I've tried different string set-up also reduced tension as well but it won't help at all.

I wish Babolat consider to reduce the stiffness for this racquet for the next update version ( Around 65 maybe) that would be awsome. I don't want to say good bye with the APD for another racquet.

And another thing that i would like Babolat to check is the paint job for the 2013 APD model. My two 2013 APD have paint chips all over the place. The quality is worse than the version 2010 and 2012 models. Please have better quality control for the cosmetic.

Thanks

Tennisaustin
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback.
 
Nostradamus

Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
Congratulations Babolat

Babolat Rackets dominated the scene at ITA division 1 Indoor women's tournament today and in the weekend. Clinching women from Duke, Hanna Mar was also using Babolat frame. you can say Babolat clinched it for Duke.................:)
 
netlets

netlets

Professional
Babolat Official said:
1. technique = your ability to replicate the same stroke and impact location (i.e. slice backhands, topsin forehands, power, etc.)

2. endurance = algorithm combining frequency of shots, length of play, how hard you are hitting

3. racket head speed with 0 being 0 and 100 around 220 km/h

next survey comes this week
Click to expand...

thanks! I just filled it out and sent it back. Definitely created a lot of buzz in the clubs in play/teach in with this stick. Everyone had a lot of questions.
 
Babolat Official

Babolat Official

Hall of Fame
Nostradamus said:
Babolat Rackets dominated the scene at ITA division 1 Indoor women's tournament today and in the weekend. Clinching women from Duke, Hanna Mar was also using Babolat frame. you can say Babolat clinched it for Duke.................:)
Click to expand...

we just make the products, the players win the titles
 
zapvor

zapvor

G.O.A.T.
Babolat Official said:
1. technique = your ability to replicate the same stroke and impact location (i.e. slice backhands, topsin forehands, power, etc.)

2. endurance = algorithm combining frequency of shots, length of play, how hard you are hitting

3. racket head speed with 0 being 0 and 100 around 220 km/h

next survey comes this week
Click to expand...

wow.220km/h racket head speed????
 
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