TripleB
Hall of Fame
Now that it's been out a year, who is still using the newest Babolat AeroPro Drive?
What are you loving about this racquet?
Do you feel that it lends itself well to doubles (my only tennis option)?
I demoed it back in September and was really shocked by how well it played. It's the first AeroPro Drive I've ever liked, and I've tried them all. See my thoughts on it below...basically the only faults I found with the demo was a lack of bite on my slice and at times an inconsistent response at net.
The $199 seemed like a high price to pay (since I'd want at least 2 of them) so I went with the 6.1 Team BLX. Amazing control with my 6.1 Team and I've reduced my errors overall, but at times I long for that shocking spin and bigger pop I got with the APD '13 demo.
I can't think of anything else I really want for Christmas from my wife and in-laws so I'm considering asking for money....thinking of splurging on two of the APD '13 racquets.
Just wondering how many people are still happy with their decision to purchase this racquet?
Thanks.
TripleB
Initiial: the topspin with this racquet is just amazing (especially with what seems to be RPM strings and strung low) – after every topspin shot I hit I could see the ‘tennis ball fuzz’ floating in the air; slice wasn’t quite as impressive as topspin – the ball tended to float a little bit, usually past the intended target; power level was about where I like it but not as much as I was expecting when reading the reviews and after feeling how low the racquet was strung; it may have just been the day, but on kick serves I felt like was really popping the ball but it never felt like it had much pace once it got to the service box; 1st serves had good pop (I would say on par with my TT Warrior MP) and typically landed nice and deep in the box; other than the spin I would say (shockingly because I usually treat the net like a plague) the best thing about this racquet was the volleys – excellent pop, solid feel, and honestly touch shots were there when I wanted them; one area I felt I struggled with this racquet was the crosscourt forehand – the maneuverability felt a little higher than 316 and I just couldn’t whip the racquet around; other than being late on several groundstrokes, I would say the control is very good; racquet seems to do a great job (better than the Pure Drive) in allowing you to hit heavy spin but also flatten the ball out without feeling the ball is going to fly on you; comfort is probably the worst in the group but not bad and I never felt any discomfort; overall a great 1st time out with this racquet which was a bit surprising because I’ve never like any other version of this racquet; after the first time out I’d say this is my second favorite racquet of the bunch
2nd time out: again, the topspin with this racquet is just incredible…dipping at the baseline at the last second or dipping right over the net at my opponent’s feet…just outstanding; slice isn’t as good as the topspin and pales in comparison with my TT Warrior MP – floats just a little too much; the power level of this racquet was just about perfect for me – and the ability to either hit with heavy topspin or flatten the ball out (without losing control) is better than any APD or Pure Drive I’ve ever tried; control (depth and side to side) was excellent and I found all kinds of options on the return; I never found the grove with this racquet on the first serve but my kick serve was working so well I wasn’t too bothered – the kick was amazing, but what really impressed me were the angles I was getting – ball dipping hard and wide was just awesome to see – a lot of confidence serving second serves with this racquet; at net I wasn’t quite as impressed in play as I was just hitting in my last outing – I’m not sure exactly how to describe it, but the response I was expecting just wasn’t happening on my volleys…the ball would sometimes fly on me and other times, when going for a touch volley, it came off dead (I guess inconsistent is the word I’m looking for); overall I really like this racquet (which again is amazing since I’ve hated every previous version of it), I’m not sure if I like it better than my TT Warrior MP or not (like the extra power but miss the extra low heavy slice backhands, one of my favorite shots, I get out of the Warrior), maneuverability is a lot better, power is better, but much weaker slice and inconsistency at the net might keep me from making it my new racquet.
What are you loving about this racquet?
Do you feel that it lends itself well to doubles (my only tennis option)?
I demoed it back in September and was really shocked by how well it played. It's the first AeroPro Drive I've ever liked, and I've tried them all. See my thoughts on it below...basically the only faults I found with the demo was a lack of bite on my slice and at times an inconsistent response at net.
The $199 seemed like a high price to pay (since I'd want at least 2 of them) so I went with the 6.1 Team BLX. Amazing control with my 6.1 Team and I've reduced my errors overall, but at times I long for that shocking spin and bigger pop I got with the APD '13 demo.
I can't think of anything else I really want for Christmas from my wife and in-laws so I'm considering asking for money....thinking of splurging on two of the APD '13 racquets.
Just wondering how many people are still happy with their decision to purchase this racquet?
Thanks.
TripleB
Initiial: the topspin with this racquet is just amazing (especially with what seems to be RPM strings and strung low) – after every topspin shot I hit I could see the ‘tennis ball fuzz’ floating in the air; slice wasn’t quite as impressive as topspin – the ball tended to float a little bit, usually past the intended target; power level was about where I like it but not as much as I was expecting when reading the reviews and after feeling how low the racquet was strung; it may have just been the day, but on kick serves I felt like was really popping the ball but it never felt like it had much pace once it got to the service box; 1st serves had good pop (I would say on par with my TT Warrior MP) and typically landed nice and deep in the box; other than the spin I would say (shockingly because I usually treat the net like a plague) the best thing about this racquet was the volleys – excellent pop, solid feel, and honestly touch shots were there when I wanted them; one area I felt I struggled with this racquet was the crosscourt forehand – the maneuverability felt a little higher than 316 and I just couldn’t whip the racquet around; other than being late on several groundstrokes, I would say the control is very good; racquet seems to do a great job (better than the Pure Drive) in allowing you to hit heavy spin but also flatten the ball out without feeling the ball is going to fly on you; comfort is probably the worst in the group but not bad and I never felt any discomfort; overall a great 1st time out with this racquet which was a bit surprising because I’ve never like any other version of this racquet; after the first time out I’d say this is my second favorite racquet of the bunch
2nd time out: again, the topspin with this racquet is just incredible…dipping at the baseline at the last second or dipping right over the net at my opponent’s feet…just outstanding; slice isn’t as good as the topspin and pales in comparison with my TT Warrior MP – floats just a little too much; the power level of this racquet was just about perfect for me – and the ability to either hit with heavy topspin or flatten the ball out (without losing control) is better than any APD or Pure Drive I’ve ever tried; control (depth and side to side) was excellent and I found all kinds of options on the return; I never found the grove with this racquet on the first serve but my kick serve was working so well I wasn’t too bothered – the kick was amazing, but what really impressed me were the angles I was getting – ball dipping hard and wide was just awesome to see – a lot of confidence serving second serves with this racquet; at net I wasn’t quite as impressed in play as I was just hitting in my last outing – I’m not sure exactly how to describe it, but the response I was expecting just wasn’t happening on my volleys…the ball would sometimes fly on me and other times, when going for a touch volley, it came off dead (I guess inconsistent is the word I’m looking for); overall I really like this racquet (which again is amazing since I’ve hated every previous version of it), I’m not sure if I like it better than my TT Warrior MP or not (like the extra power but miss the extra low heavy slice backhands, one of my favorite shots, I get out of the Warrior), maneuverability is a lot better, power is better, but much weaker slice and inconsistency at the net might keep me from making it my new racquet.