AeroPro Drive GT vs Pure Drive Roddick GT Plus

[tennisfanireland94]

Hey, I have been using the Babolat AeroPro Drive GT for the past 6 months but am generally finding it to be a hard racquet to play with. I am predominantly a flat hitter and this racquet, while improving my topspin a lot, doesn't really help me with this. I find it too unpredictable power-wise and struggle a lot when attacking with it.
The other night, I tried my friend's Pure Drive Roddick GT Plus which is about 4 months old, and loved it. I found the ball glided off my racquet more seamlessly, different to the AeroPro though which would fall short one shot and fly out the next, and I had a lot of success making the ball go where I wanted it to go, another thing I find frustratingly hard to achieve with the AeroPro.
Therefore I am wondering if people on here could tell me their experiences with either of these racuqets, whether they felt similar to me, anyone who has used both would be brilliant. Also I didn't play with the Pure Drive for long enough to figure out it's weak points, so if anyone could give me some idea that would be great.
Thanks

 

[JDMasFCK]

The PDRGT + would be a better racket for you since you tend to hit flatter with it, the APDGT is unstable but you'll find that the PDRGT + will be more stable, Your serves will also have more power and pace due to the increase length, demo the PDRGT + more before you plan on purchasing it, but the only downside I see to the PDRGT + is that it's on the heavy side, but if you can handle it than I would say go for it.

 

[Chyeaah]

Exo3 Tour 18x20 can also be a choice, or the New PS 95, PSTGT. All have great abilities to hit flat.

 

[tennisfanireland94]

The PDRGT + would be a better racket for you since you tend to hit flatter with it, the APDGT is unstable but you'll find that the PDRGT + will be more stable, Your serves will also have more power and pace due to the increase length, demo the PDRGT + more before you plan on purchasing it, but the only downside I see to the PDRGT + is that it's on the heavy side, but if you can handle it than I would say go for it.

Thanks, it is true I am finding hitting flat with the APDGT very difficult, and felt the difference straight away when hitting with the PDRGT+

 

[tennisfanireland94]

I'll obviously try and hit with it more before I make any decision

 

[tennisfanireland94]

...bump...

 

[Dennison]

Hi

I found that sometimes I was hitting long with Roddick GT plus. It takes some time to adjust to the extra power. I guess full bed poly will help and you still need to generate topspin to be effective with it.

I like it better than APDGT. With APDGT you need to generate tons of spin to be effective with it.

I feel that I have better stability with Roddick GT plus, more power, spin is a bit less but still good.

If you hit flat (no windshield wiper motion) I think you should look at more control oriented rackets. Pure Drives and Aeropro drives both need some topspin to be controllable.

 

[Scribbles]

Try adding weight to the APDGT? The PDRoddick is like .5 ounces heavier than the APDGT -- who knows, the difference in weight might contribute to the instability your feeling.

 

[tennisfanireland94]

Hi

I found that sometimes I was hitting long with Roddick GT plus. It takes some time to adjust to the extra power. I guess full bed poly will help and you still need to generate topspin to be effective with it.

I like it better than APDGT. With APDGT you need to generate tons of spin to be effective with it.

I feel that I have better stability with Roddick GT plus, more power, spin is a bit less but still good.

If you hit flat (no windshield wiper motion) I think you should look at more control oriented rackets. Pure Drives and Aeropro drives both need some topspin to be controllable.

Thanks for advice, I didn't feel many problems when hitting flat with the Pure Drive GT + but I didn't hit for long enough to be sure. Will hopefully get to try it again tomorrow night

 

[boomerTennis]

I added about 0.6 oz weight into the handle of my APDGT, to make it 12 oz strung, 6 pts balance, and I was able to generate quite a bit of pace on the flat shot. Topspin now takes a little adjustment, since the added weight seems to slow down my usual swing, but I didn't think I sacrifice much.

 

[tennisfanireland94]

Thanks for replies, may give the lead a try

 

[klementine]

Can't comment on any extended version, but I did spend a long weekend demo'ng both of these frames.

I remember hitting with the aeropro and thinking 'Here's that babolat feel again...' It just felt really hollow, unpredictable and clumsy through the air.

I immediately fell in love with the PureDrive. So much more solid feeling on every shot. Better power and spin potential for me than the aeropro and miles ahead in terms of 'user friendliness' on serve.

I guess most will agree that the aeropro is best suited for 'spin' players and the pure drive for 'flatter' players. I for one believe this statement is complete bs.

The hardest top-spin player I've ever come across had a YouTek RadicalMP in his hands, not to mention the fact that he was 6'5 and a 5.0 :smile: . Technique supersedes all aspects of equipment when it comes to spin, except maybe string choice and tension when it comes to getting better bite on the ball.

Just look at all the different types of players on the atp that use aeropro (or some iteration of it) and their distinct styles/techniques versus the rotation on their shots.

Anyways, 1 vote for the pure drive here.

EDIT: If I could control the pure drive better up at net, I would've have switched to this frame. That's how much I loved it from all areas of the court, except of course at net