Is Babolat really the best?
- Thread starter mxmx
- Start date
LiquidWhip
Rookie
The simple answer is no
mxmx
Hall of Fame
well...I have tried about 3 babolat rackets before. They seem like quality...but not sure its worth the price as they are about a third more expensive in my country, except for recently Head which almost cost the same these days.
What I did notice about babolat is the unique feel...but then again so does most rackets have their own unique feel...I did find the paint job very impressive for the previous pure drive...not so much for the latest model
What I did notice about babolat is the unique feel...but then again so does most rackets have their own unique feel...I did find the paint job very impressive for the previous pure drive...not so much for the latest model
robbo1970
Hall of Fame
I think they market and sponsor the top pro's the best, which ultimately gets people using their racquets.
I was at Wimbledon yesterday (I won a local tournament and the tickets were the first prize.......I used a 90 as it happens). I was having a look around the shop and spent some time looking at the Babolat racquets.
I know a lot of people like them so I will not be negative, but I do think they are heavily overpriced.
I think when so many pro's are using them, it gives the impression that they are the racquet to use, which is exactly what the marketing/sponsorship team at Babolat want and what many other brands are very jealous of. But there are plenty of other brands that make great quality racquets but are not always a 'trendy' brand.
I was at Wimbledon yesterday (I won a local tournament and the tickets were the first prize.......I used a 90 as it happens). I was having a look around the shop and spent some time looking at the Babolat racquets.
I know a lot of people like them so I will not be negative, but I do think they are heavily overpriced.
I think when so many pro's are using them, it gives the impression that they are the racquet to use, which is exactly what the marketing/sponsorship team at Babolat want and what many other brands are very jealous of. But there are plenty of other brands that make great quality racquets but are not always a 'trendy' brand.
Al Czervik
Hall of Fame
As a person who grew up in the 80's and early 90's, it's weird to see Babolat dominating as they didn't even have racquets at that time. It was basically 80% Wilson and Prince, with a scattering of brands like Head, Pro Kennex, Yamaha, and Donnay.
Babolat is a marketing machine. They did a great job of putting racquets in the hands of future stars that would carry the brand image into the pro game. Then, they did a great job of seeding the lower ranked players with some solid sponsorship/endorsement deals as well as converting a large portion of the homegrown French pros. Is it the best? Not necessarily, but they did a great job of getting their racquets into as many hands of people that could push the image as possible.
gino
Legend
It's marketing through osmosis. Most players opt to play with rackets that the see other players and their peers use. The reality is that 70-80% of recreational opt to use Babolats because of the ease of use and aggressive cosmetics. Babolat makes good sticks, no doubt, but there is something to be said about reinforcing popular trends. Players inherently believe they will be more consistent playing with Babolat, and that is most certainly not the case. Consistency is derived from hard work, effort, and dedication. Even if you use a 85 sq in Pro Staff from 1982.
Praetorian
Professional
In a word - NO. But let's qualify first; what is the definition of "best"? What is the context? If we are to referring to as best playing racket, there will be no definitive "best", simply because each racket offers different characteristics, in which each individual can/cannot utilize; ie. what's best for you, may not be best for me, and vice-versa.
NastyWinners
Hall of Fame
Same thing happens at my club -- a few more than usual have complained about fractures.
prjacobs
Hall of Fame
21 years ago I was my club champ, playing with a low powered 12.9 ounce stick. (It was a small club
)...Now, at 65, playing with my APD, I could easily beat that guy...I resisted trying the APD for a long time. I'd highly recommend you try one. I can't believe how well I play with it. I didn't like the PD, though.
prjacobs
Hall of Fame
But - are they the best frames? Right now, the APD is.21 years ago I was my club champ, playing with a low powered 12.9 ounce stick. (It was a small club
I resisted trying the APD for a long time. I'd highly recommend you try one. I can't believe how well I play with it. I didn't like the PD, though.
prjacobs
Hall of Fame
But - are they the best frames? Right now, the APD is. For me....21 years ago I was my club champ, playing with a low powered 12.9 ounce stick. (It was a small club
I resisted trying the APD for a long time. I'd highly recommend you try one. I can't believe how well I play with it. I didn't like the PD, though.
prjacobs
Hall of Fame
But - are they the best frames? Right now, the APD is. For me....21 years ago I was my club champ, playing with a low powered 12.9 ounce stick. (It was a small club
I resisted trying the APD for a long time. I'd highly recommend you try one. I can't believe how well I play with it. I didn't like the PD, though.
Racketdesign
Semi-Pro
They did a great Job at getting into rackets. At a time when other brands were struggling they used their string popularity to leverage getting their rackets into retailers and into the hands of players. Especially up and coming juniors. They already had relationships with tour players through their string business and used it well!
Are they the best frames? Not for everyone, but there is a whole generation that is growing up to love the feel they don't provide
prjacobs
Hall of Fame
But - are they the best frames? Right now, the APD is. For me....21 years ago I was my club champ, playing with a low powered 12.9 ounce stick. (It was a small club
I resisted trying the APD for a long time. I'd highly recommend you try one. I can't believe how well I play with it. I didn't like the PD, though.
MrRandom247
Semi-Pro
Was stringing a Babolat Aero Pro a few weeks back & it was groaning while I was doing it.
I don't think they are as durable as most quality Wilsons.
I don't think they are as durable as most quality Wilsons.
MrRandom247
Semi-Pro
Was stringing a Babolat Aero Pro a few weeks back & it was groaning while I was doing it.
I don't think they are as durable as most quality Wilsons.
I don't think they are as durable as most quality Wilsons.
MrRandom247
Semi-Pro
Was stringing a Babolat Aero Pro a few weeks back & it was groaning while I was doing it.
I don't think they are as durable as most quality Wilsons.
I don't think they are as durable as most quality Wilsons.
Bartelby
Bionic Poster
You could explain and your could replicate it, but you might still not be able to repeat it.
When the first apd came out on TW there wasn't that much hype and it got very good but not rave reviews.
Three years later there was much buzz and it got bigger with each new edition.
No one had it except me at the beginning now many have the two latest versions.
When the first apd came out on TW there wasn't that much hype and it got very good but not rave reviews.
Three years later there was much buzz and it got bigger with each new edition.
No one had it except me at the beginning now many have the two latest versions.
Lavs
Hall of Fame
I used ro play old school frames, PS Tour 90, iPrestige Mid... now I can not play toutnament with any similar racket as I would simply be easily beaten. I play APD Original which still has kind of raw old school feel in it but being very forgiving. So, the answer is: playing matches - yes, Bab is the best for me. Casual hitting for fun - I would say there are better rackets on the market, with better feel.
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
Ha ha ha!! Nice one!Are they the best frames? Not for everyone, but there is a whole generation that is growing up to love the feel they don't provide
mxmx
Hall of Fame
heck this new forum is giving hassles...ive been on a forum for 5 years and they changed it with a "newer" version...it died soon after that...if it aint broken, don't fix it....newer isn't always better...
@ scribbles:
My opinion is that they had the Nadal card in their pocket. He isn't the conventional player...he spiked up the game a bit and broke some traditions even with technique.Perhaps younger players liked the muscle look he has and this new approach againts the norm...giving the impression that tennis isn't just for whimps...Nadal also wears bright clothes and stands out...when I was a kid Agassi did the same for me (i actually ended up buying Donnay once because of it)...
Now i am a wilson fan...Sampras has an influence...I dread the day for wilson when Federer retires...
As for the pure drive i played with...it felt very similar to my leaded wilson surge rackets...but babolat has a very strange clingy sound and feel.
@ scribbles:
My opinion is that they had the Nadal card in their pocket. He isn't the conventional player...he spiked up the game a bit and broke some traditions even with technique.Perhaps younger players liked the muscle look he has and this new approach againts the norm...giving the impression that tennis isn't just for whimps...Nadal also wears bright clothes and stands out...when I was a kid Agassi did the same for me (i actually ended up buying Donnay once because of it)...
Now i am a wilson fan...Sampras has an influence...I dread the day for wilson when Federer retires...
As for the pure drive i played with...it felt very similar to my leaded wilson surge rackets...but babolat has a very strange clingy sound and feel.
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Lavs
Hall of Fame
APD is much more solid overall than PD
The_Racketeer
Professional
No, they aren't the best racquets. But they do a great job at marketing and getting their racquets into the hands of young players.
Personally, I've never hit a Babolat and liked it. My buddy used Babolats about 10-15 yrs ago and cracked both his frames in half. I always thought they were cheaply made. Maybe they were back then but now they're being used by one of the biggest hitters on the Tour.
I much prefer softer, less powerful racquets. Completely opposite feel than that of Babolat. To each their own.
Personally, I've never hit a Babolat and liked it. My buddy used Babolats about 10-15 yrs ago and cracked both his frames in half. I always thought they were cheaply made. Maybe they were back then but now they're being used by one of the biggest hitters on the Tour.
I much prefer softer, less powerful racquets. Completely opposite feel than that of Babolat. To each their own.
I used to use a Babolat AeroPro Drive until it broke on me a few days ago. I dropped the sucker since I had waterfalls of sweat coming off my body, did not expect it to crack though...When I did play with the racket though, it was pretty good all-round and definitely is a great choice for some people. Obviously there is no "best" brand of rackets since people have different preferences.
heninfan99
Talk Tennis Guru
They are well made, yes, but so are Yonex and Head.
HRB
Hall of Fame
The best? The current world number one on the WTA has been a Wilson player for years, the Current ATP #1 is Head. The top 4 on each tour contains no Babby's. A Yonex Player won the Frenchie and Australia last year. Nadal has been the only Bab's slam winner since Roddick I can think of (was Mommy Kim or Justine Babby players?).
It is individualistic my friend...the best is what is best FOR YOU!
My guess is either you have many Rafa fan's in your area, or a few respected Babolat sponsored coaches pushing their products, or both!
George Ceuca
New User
I found the brand annoying at first, but it kind of grown on me. As a longtime Volkl C10 MP user, I needed a lighter racquet for coaching and took on the Pure Drive + Cortex, as a replacement to a Dunlop HM 300 which was giving me arm trouble. It was a perfect fit and I ended up customizing a few of these (I didn't like the feel of the PD Roddick) and using them as my main sticks as well, got more power and spin potential than my old Volkls . I hated to admit it, but I liked what they have to offer and ended up being a supporter of the brand. Used PD+ for 6 years now, no stick broke on me yet.
I occasionally try other sticks, but couldn't find anything that I liked as much. I think their marketing division is worth all the money, after releasing the APD there is no other racquet on the market in the 300 grams range that comes remotely close in popularity and obviously sales. Having Rafa on their side obviously helped hype it up to an unbelievable level, I've seen countless kids using it and trying to copy the overhead follow-through.
Anyways, I think whatever racquet suits you best is the "best" racquet, each brand has its own strengths and weaknesses, there is no universal formula there. I happen to love my Babolats, as I'm pretty sure there are many other players who love the racquets they are using, regardless of the brand.
I occasionally try other sticks, but couldn't find anything that I liked as much. I think their marketing division is worth all the money, after releasing the APD there is no other racquet on the market in the 300 grams range that comes remotely close in popularity and obviously sales. Having Rafa on their side obviously helped hype it up to an unbelievable level, I've seen countless kids using it and trying to copy the overhead follow-through.
Anyways, I think whatever racquet suits you best is the "best" racquet, each brand has its own strengths and weaknesses, there is no universal formula there. I happen to love my Babolats, as I'm pretty sure there are many other players who love the racquets they are using, regardless of the brand.
donquijote
G.O.A.T.
It's one of the worst.
g4driver
Legend
I couldn't disagree more. There are plenty of people using both APD and PD frames who would be clearly better off in a larger frame with a bigger sweetspot and they take loss after loss swinging a frame they have no business using Because they are like sheep, following a herd.
Best QC- Yonex hands down
Worst Overall Company - Dunlop
Pretty much everything else is personal preference.
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
Totally disagree.
I think Dunlop has the best QC.
Many have reported the hoops on Yonex frames breaking.
Roland G
Hall of Fame
Can you please elaborate why, in your opinion, Dunlop is the worst racquet company?
