2013 Babolat APD Thoughts

[kimbahpnam]

So I was fortunate enough to be the first one to grab TW's demo of the new APD (4 1/4, poly). It still had the plastic on the grip when it arrived. Came strung with RPM Blast...sounded like mid-upper 50s tension. Gotta admit whoever strung it at TW left a few loose knots.

Right now I use the APD Cortex (non GT) weighted up to 12.0oz strung with lead at 3 and 9 and silicone in the handle.

The first gripe I have about the new APD is the grip size is noticeably larger than previous models. 4 1/4 on the new APD is larger than the 4 1/4 on the GT and previous models. Also, there's a little more build up (overlap) starting at the base of the handle than previous grips.

I do notice it is a little easier on my arm than my customized APD which I appreciate. I can't put any silicone in the demo, but I figure it will help make it even more arm friendly.

I like the PJ, but it reminds me a little of the BLX. They changed the design on the buttcap too so now I don't know what's the easiest way to "spin the racquet" when starting the match. I used to ask "stripes up or down," but you can't do that with this new buttcap.

I can't say I noticed any significant changes in playability. It's pretty much the same stick as before. I do feel like I have a little more touch on drop shots with this new version.

Conclusion, I think I'll make the plunge for the new model, but I wish they didn't increase the grip size or change the logo

 

[cluckcluck]

Yowzers! That knot it terrifying. Can you try to tighten it a little with some pliers?
It's defiantly nothing new on this model APD. The active cortex is nice but not nearly enough dampening to counter the rigid frame.

 

[sundaypunch]

...The first gripe I have about the new APD is the grip size is noticeably larger than previous models. 4 1/4 on the new APD is larger than the 4 1/4 on the GT and previous models. Also, there's a little more build up (overlap) starting at the base of the handle than previous grips.

I do notice it is a little easier on my arm than my customized APD which I appreciate.

I can't say I noticed any significant changes in playability. It's pretty much the same stick as before. I do feel like I have a little more touch on drop shots with this new version.

Conclusion, I think I'll make the plunge for the new model, but I wish they didn't increase the grip size or change the logo

I have a 3/8 demo at the moment that also came with plastic still on the grip. I agree with the above comments. Not a significant change from the previous model but slightly improved feel. The grip feels a full size bigger which is strange.

If I get one I will be waiting for the French Open paint job (assuming this happens).

 

[dyldore]

I have a 3/8 demo at the moment that also came with plastic still on the grip. I agree with the above comments. Not a significant change from the previous model but slightly improved feel. The grip feels a full size bigger which is strange.

If I get one I will be waiting for the French Open paint job (assuming this happens).

So I was fortunate enough to be the first one to grab TW's demo of the new APD (4 1/4, poly). It still had the plastic on the grip when it arrived. Came strung with RPM Blast...sounded like mid-upper 50s tension. Gotta admit whoever strung it at TW left a few loose knots.

Right now I use the APD Cortex (non GT) weighted up to 12.0oz strung with lead at 3 and 9 and silicone in the handle.

The first gripe I have about the new APD is the grip size is noticeably larger than previous models. 4 1/4 on the new APD is larger than the 4 1/4 on the GT and previous models. Also, there's a little more build up (overlap) starting at the base of the handle than previous grips.

I do notice it is a little easier on my arm than my customized APD which I appreciate. I can't put any silicone in the demo, but I figure it will help make it even more arm friendly.

I like the PJ, but it reminds me a little of the BLX. They changed the design on the buttcap too so now I don't know what's the easiest way to "spin the racquet" when starting the match. I used to ask "stripes up or down," but you can't do that with this new buttcap.

I can't say I noticed any significant changes in playability. It's pretty much the same stick as before. I do feel like I have a little more touch on drop shots with this new version.

Conclusion, I think I'll make the plunge for the new model, but I wish they didn't increase the grip size or change the logo.

I just got mine too, I purchased it, rather, not a demo.

A suggestion for the grip size problem. Try using skin feel or another grip, the new syntec seems to add about a size on any racket I have put it on.

The agree that the feel on touch shots is slightly better and it is not quite as rigid feeling. My only dislike is the lower swingweight. I preferred the 330-ish on the 2012. I have already remedied this with some lead tape, though, so no complaints.

 

[Stringers]

I had the same problem demoing some frames from TW. Poor knots, I also got a brand new C10 with the plastics still on it, so I know I was the first to play with it, but the NXT that was in it read 36 pounds... smh... it felt awful. I had to restring it.

 

[ArliHawk]

I bought the new one from my local place. This one seems to be a serving monster. Maybe I was just having a good weekend last weekend, but I noticed an improvement on my serve. It could be that I was using the 4 3/8 on the new one and just stuck with the syntec + overgrip (as opposed to my 2012 french open which I replaced with skin feel), but it felt great.

I didn't notice much of a difference between the 4 3/8 of the 2013 v the 2010 version for the record.

 

[TroutSc]

Anyone with apdgt sensitive elbows try the 2013? Curious if it is any better in that regard.

 

[ArliHawk]

Anyone with apdgt sensitive elbows try the 2013? Curious if it is any better in that regard.

Seems more solid than the 2010 racquet, which was was my former racquet.

 

[Bartelby]

A lighter swingweight can translate into more serving power if your rhs improves, but not otherwise.

 

[richsox]

Inn previous years (the past 10) I have always favoured the PD's over the APD's.

In 2013 that has now changed!

The 2013 APD plays softer than the PD (you can feel that little bit of Flex, that the PD doesn't have), which lends itself to teeing off from the base line, and better control keeping the ball in play, or hitting some monster winners.

The 2013 APD is a pelasant surprise of a serving stick. It definietly has more PoP for me, over previous APD's, and I think possibly even better than my 2012 PD (jury is still out on that one).

The 2013 does not have the toy like hollow feeling the previous cortex versions had - which i disliked. The 2013 feels solid.

I purchased one afetr a 2 week demo, and now the PD's in my bag are reklegated to my back up rackets.

 

[Nostradamus]

I received a demo from TW for 2013 Aero plus but I got the previous year's racket instead. Oh well ???

 

[Boricua]

I received a demo from TW for 2013 Aero plus but I got the previous year's racket instead. Oh well ???

I assume you will return it. I would be a bit mad and dissapointed by the error

 

[Hominator]

I bought one for my wife and can confirm that the grip size feels a whole size bigger than previous versions. Please keep that in mind if you order one.

 

[Bartelby]

Just when you thought they'd solved that problem, here we go again with the whole 'do Babolat grips run larger'?

 

[julian]

How much lead tape and where?

I just got mine too, I purchased it, rather, not a demo.

A suggestion for the grip size problem. Try using skin feel or another grip, the new syntec seems to add about a size on any racket I have put it on.

The agree that the feel on touch shots is slightly better and it is not quite as rigid feeling. My only dislike is the lower swingweight. I preferred the 330-ish on the 2012. I have already remedied this with some lead tape, though, so no complaints.

How much lead tape and where?

 

[dyldore]

How much lead tape and where?

About 5.5 inches of quarter inch tape running from 7-9:30 and 5-2:30.

 

[naturallight]

Good to hear that the new version is easier on the arm. I love my APDC but usually by the fall my shoulder is pretty achey and dead. Interesting that it feels more solid, even though the swingweight is fairly low.

 

[ArliHawk]

Just when you thought they'd solved that problem, here we go again with the whole 'do Babolat grips run larger'?

It's odd that people are experiencing that again, the 4 3/8 with Syntec works for me. Also like that they have a little more flare at the butt of the racquet.

 

[bngnhal]

I tried this racket out for sh.. and giggles and there is nothing new to me about using a babolat.....they are nothing more than baseball bats designed to look like a tennis racket....they are so stiff it is understandable why so many players come down with elbow and shoulder problems after using these rackets....i know two guys playing college tennis for the same team and babolat was the team sponsor, so they switched to babolats well for some reason both players came down with wrist injuries and both of them ended up having surgery....to me these rackets are ok for "young" players, but beware....danger lies ahead!!!!

 

[JackB1]

Just when you thought they'd solved that problem, here we go again with the whole 'do Babolat grips run larger'?

I thought it was a long understood thing that when you get a Babolat you go 1 grip size down.

 

[Boricua]

I tried this racket out for sh.. and giggles and there is nothing new to me about using a babolat.....they are nothing more than baseball bats designed to look like a tennis racket....they are so stiff it is understandable why so many players come down with elbow and shoulder problems after using these rackets....i know two guys playing college tennis for the same team and babolat was the team sponsor, so they switched to babolats well for some reason both players came down with wrist injuries and both of them ended up having surgery....to me these rackets are ok for "young" players, but beware....danger lies ahead!!!!

If you use stiff poly at 60 and dead for example, Babolat rackets are terrible. String a soft copoly at 46 and fresh, or hybrid, gut or multi and its ok for the arm. That is my experience using APD for 5 years and I am not a teenager

 

[aer0pr0]

i have both last versions of APD.. a pair of 2010's and a pair of 2013.. both with gripsize L2.. i measured the grip and its exactly the same size


anyway, this is an amazing racket.. after experimenting a lot of raquets out there this one is simply amazing and not so severe on the elbow as anyone says it is.. really good racket in every aspect of the game, and for the spin itselft this is a beast


its difficult to tell which is which if you are holding them blindly they weight exactly the same

the 2013 is a bit of an improvement over the 2010, but only because it is more arm friendly. but still today the smart choice is the 2010, unless you can get a great price at the 2013s.. otherwise the 2010 costs almost half the price and its almost the same frame