The Pure Strike metallic grey is just a limited paintjob, not a current product. As for the metallic blue for the PD, that’s the current product. If anything they will probably go with white again for WimbledonAs I wrote before, the PD went metallic blue, the PS metallic grey, now I expect PA 2026 to come in metallic yellow.
Ummm... yuck?now I expect PA 2026 to come in metallic yellow.
yeah thats called focus testing - every brand does it just not publiclyWhat I would do if I were Babolat PR guy, I would create like 3 alternate designs and show them to the general public to hear the customer´s voice. Today it´s so easy to use the existing channels like Instagram, YouTube, also you can use the tennis YouTubers like Jonas, Beckett and others to spread this activity and based on the feedback you can get some information how the consumers would like to have the colourway.
Like myself - I don´t have such imagination to say "I would like the PJ to look like this..." I don´t know really. But when you say AERO, the yellow colour pops up immediately. But in what combination with other colour, gloss or matte...no idea. But if I saw some proposals, that would be so cool and surely I would gravitate to some.
This!The PA VS paint job was so much better imo.
Not only the paint job it was a way better racquet. Feel was amazing whereas the Aero 98 felt mushy.The PA VS paint job was so much better imo.
Having played with both of them, we have to agree to disagree here. For me, the PA98 is a much better racquet than the VS.Not only the paint job it was a way better racquet. Feel was amazing whereas the Aero 98 felt mushy.
So glad that someone else noticed it too! Personally I tried to like the Aero 98 to replace my VS but that dampening flax (or whatever they call it) just ruined the feel. I much prefer the RF01’s raw feel that almost feels like the old VS.Not only the paint job it was a way better racquet. Feel was amazing whereas the Aero 98 felt mushy.
Thought the same about the PJ too. Had a quick comparo between the PAVS and PA98 I have this week and the PAVS looks more “classy” with the metallic grey.Not only the paint job it was a way better racquet. Feel was amazing whereas the Aero 98 felt mushy.
The masses never really liked the VS racquets. It's why Babolat went back to the drawing board on them. The PA98 is an immense improvement over the VS. PA98 took the VS from niche frame to one of the top selling tennis racquets in the world. That doesn't happen unless it's a really good frame.
No it’s more likely because everyone wants to use the racquet that Alcaraz is using. The Aero VS suddenly became extremely sought after and priced accordingly and when the PA98 came out people resorted to buying that insteadThe masses never really liked the VS racquets. It's why Babolat went back to the drawing board on them. The PA98 is an immense improvement over the VS. PA98 took the VS from niche frame to one of the top selling tennis racquets in the world. That doesn't happen unless it's a really good frame.
Nah. PA98 is a legit really good frame. Probably the best Babolat frame in a long time.No it’s more likely because everyone wants to use the racquet that Alcaraz is using. The Aero VS suddenly became extremely sought after and priced accordingly and when the PA98 came out people resorted to buying that instead
Exactly. There’s a reason why everyone know to be using a PA98 on your is using PA98, not VS. both Alcaraz and Rune switched from the VS to the PA98.Nah. PA98 is a legit really good frame. Probably the best Babolat frame in a long time.
Has it been confirmed that Alcaraz switched? I haven't been following closely for the past 6-12 months but I know at one point it was rumored he was still using the VS.Exactly. There’s a reason why everyone know to be using a PA98 on your is using PA98, not VS. both Alcaraz and Rune switched from the VS to the PA98.
The best confirmation we have is that his racquet has PA98 grommets. The current PA98 grommets are different than the PAVS grommets. Companies are not historically known to swap out grommets when doing paint jobs for their pros. With that evidence, Alcaraz SHOULD be using a PA98. Same with Rune.Has it been confirmed that Alcaraz switched? I haven't been following closely for the past 6-12 months but I know at one point it was rumored he was still using the VS.
Second thisThe best confirmation we have is that his racquet has PA98 grommets. The current PA98 grommets are different than the PAVS grommets. Companies are not historically known to swap out grommets when doing paint jobs for their pros. With that evidence, Alcaraz SHOULD be using a PA98. Same with Rune.
I'm using PA VS for 5 years and now waiting for the next generation... hope the cosmetic it's better than the PA98.
There's always a new paintjob when any model is updated.I’m confused. Has a new paintjob been confirmed?
I think he or she meant, “is the new painjob confirmed?”There's always a new paintjob when any model is updated.
As in "Has anyone seen it?" Probably too early for that.I think he or she meant, “is the new painjob confirmed?”
This. Or at least more dark / yellow / blue colour-wise. I hope @Babolat Official reads this threadI really hope they re-release the APD Original’s paintjob!