Babolat Pure Drive: Truly one of the best racquets?

[Serving155]

Ok so Ive tried most pro staffs, prince, and etc... but the best racquet so far I think has to be woofer technology pure drive!

The reason is this: because of the light frame with 100sq inch, it is undoubtedly the best weapon for pounding from the baseline and serving, Just like Roddick agrees. because the racquet is designed to be like a woofer, and its light, you get so much faster racquet speed, which creates heavier top spin than other racquets. Overall the pure drive is for power players and big servers. The volley is great but I think Ncode NsixOne might take the lead on the volley. But for everything from the baseline to any ground strokes, Babolat Pure Drive is the way to go!

 

[tennis_frk]

well maybe but it still might be too powerful for some players.... still a great frame, great vibration dampening

 

[Aonex]

The woofer system is good, but I prefered Volkl's catapult system (on the V1 and Cat 10)... more dwell time, a bit more control. In the end, both the Babolat and Volkl were too light and too powerful for my tastes.

 

[bismark]

Babolat PD is quite a good racquet. But you need to add lead tape for stability.

 

[Becky]

It just didn't work for me. The Babolat racquets just don't feel comfortable. I actually don't prefer the lightness. The Aeropro, actually, felt more uncomfortable.

It's all about the feel for the certain player. For a lot of people, especially juniors, the Pure Drive does just fine. So I WOULD say it's one of the best racquets, simply because so many people find it comfortable and suiting their games.

Personally, I prefer sort of heavy, headlight racquets. I just got an Estusa Power Beam Braided, which I currently love, and switched from a Liquidmetal Prestige MP. I barely chose the Estusa when deciding between that and an RDX500 Mid.

So for me, the racquets above are most comfortable. The Pure Drive just feels awkward. But with so many other people enjoying it, I'm clearly the minority.

 

[hummer23]

pure drive will go down in tennis history as arealyl revolutionary racqeut. The first POG brough people from woodies, and tiny steel and alumin midsize frames to oversizes with great big sweetspots. pure drive is the frame that gives recreational players enough power to get the ball over the net no sweat, and that extra boost to hard hitting players who use good topspin. as far as fraems go, it was unique when it came out, andit still is, as its forgiving, easy to weild, and very good at what its made for, power and spin. sickkk frame.

 

[Becky]

Well, I don't think it's revolutionary.

No new materials, no new "technology" that probably doesn't do much, nothing. The Pure Drive was intended to be a beginners racquet, with lots of natural pop and access to spin. In the process, some pros picked it up, along with legions of juniors. Most likely due to the "why have consistency...when you can have power AND topspin?!" fad gripping America.

I believe it'll fade away sooner or later. But for the time being, it's definitely one of the top-selling frames on the market.

 

[hummer23]

look at the new ncode frame.s thenew prince line. the majority of the head racquet line. these are all power frames. with the xception of the few players offering, most are made to add serious pop to your game. this is not going away, in fact its only getting stronger. the pure drive, i argue, is revolutionary. the pure drive plus is an amazing serving stick, not in the sense of the sampras ps 85, but in sense that you can bash the ball, and hit the corners with snough pop to blow the ball past a lot of poeple, even if your serve isnt huge. You can hit forhand winners even if your forhand isnt that big. maybe you cant volely for your life, but in a ralley, if you get a high ball, and you have some skill, thats going to be a winner. its really a revolutionary stick in the sense, because there really hasnt been a simillar stick before the pure drive came out. you jsut cant whip a 12 ounce players frame like that, and you cant get the pace with those sticks as easily as you can with this. its really an amazing racqeut.

 

[goosala]

Having used Pro Staffs for a long time I thought that Kevlar adds feel to the frame. I could not get any feel when I hit with the Pure Drive. It was too light, stiff, and powerful. Also, the tension range is too low for me. I hit hard and flat which means I need a frame with a small head, heavy weight, flex, and solid feel. The Pure Drive seems to fit the recreational player profile than the player's racquet profile. No pun intended.

 

[hummer23]

definanty true tahts its not foreveryone. you can still swing hard with a pure drive, its not a pusher frame, but you have to hit heavy spin if you choose to. the frame works well with semiwestern-western grips, and it delivers great spin. also, poly strings, and higher tensions, recomended up to 66 are a good way to takt eh power if you use a more open grip. everone says dont copy the pros, you wont be able to execute shots like they do, but if you look a tthe player swho use pure drives, roddick, lubicic, moya, clisters, they all hit heavy spin, with moya and roddick using extreme western, and almost western grips respectively on their forhands. its not for everyone, but if your game works with that stick, its really a great frame.

 

[goosala]

Agreed, the only way to control your shot is the topspin the hell out of the ball.

 

[ucd_ace]

You should try out the Pure Control as well. I know players who played with the Pure Drive and really liked it, ended up getting it, and then later play with someone elses PC and realize that it's a better racquet. But from what you're saying it sounds like the PD might be a good match for you, but I'd still advise you to give the PC a try. Usually the woofer technology doesn't come into play because you have to have your strings at such a low tension in an already powerful racquet, but still, good frames.

 

[PrestigeClassic]

What's different between how the the PC and PD play?

 

[nViATi]

Ok so Ive tried most pro staffs, prince, and etc... but the best racquet so far I think has to be woofer technology pure drive!

The reason is this: because of the light frame with 100sq inch, it is undoubtedly the best weapon for pounding from the baseline and serving, Just like Roddick agrees. because the racquet is designed to be like a woofer, and its light, you get so much faster racquet speed, which creates heavier top spin than other racquets. Overall the pure drive is for power players and big servers. The volley is great but I think Ncode NsixOne might take the lead on the volley. But for everything from the baseline to any ground strokes, Babolat Pure Drive is the way to go!

no racquet is the 'best'. everybody has different tastes and preferences.

 

[Guillote]

One of the "best selling"... i agree with that

One of "the best"... you can't know about that, it's like saying "has the best colour"

Remember many people (me included) really hate the PD

 

[Simbah2004]

I've been playing with the Pure Drive for a couple of months, and used to play with the 85. My forehand has never been better, because my grip (Semi western) and my racquet path favors this kind of racquet.
Where I play I've seen players 4.0 and above as well as juniors and beginners using this frame.
Goosala, I agree with you. You can wail out forehands with plenty of depth, pace and SPIN. The racquet is powerful, so you have to tame it with spin, sometimes my forehands still sail long, but I'm adjusting. I don't know if the woofer thing works or it's just a marketing tool.

 

[friedalo1]

Good racquet to play with. But they crack all the time when stringing.

 

[Becky]

look at the new ncode frame.s thenew prince line. the majority of the head racquet line. these are all power frames. with the xception of the few players offering, most are made to add serious pop to your game. this is not going away, in fact its only getting stronger. the pure drive, i argue, is revolutionary. the pure drive plus is an amazing serving stick, not in the sense of the sampras ps 85, but in sense that you can bash the ball, and hit the corners with snough pop to blow the ball past a lot of poeple, even if your serve isnt huge. You can hit forhand winners even if your forhand isnt that big. maybe you cant volely for your life, but in a ralley, if you get a high ball, and you have some skill, thats going to be a winner. its really a revolutionary stick in the sense, because there really hasnt been a simillar stick before the pure drive came out. you jsut cant whip a 12 ounce players frame like that, and you cant get the pace with those sticks as easily as you can with this. its really an amazing racqeut.

According to your logic, the low tension, high powered ultra light racquets are THE racquets to use. It's not a players frame, it's a low level tweener that many people use.

Hardly revolutionary. It just appeals to the power/topspin mass market.

Not to say it's not working for you, since if any racquet is compatible with somebody, that's all that matters, but it's really not revolutionary.

 

[AngeloDS]

I have a Babolat Pure Drive Plus, and it's like a frame sent from Heaven imo. It's really solid.

The stiffness, or the lightness compared to other racquets doesn't bother me. I have a semi-western forehand grip. I'm not wristy, so I have no problems with my wrist or elbow or shoulder.

I have a one-handed and two-handed backhand. Mostly using my one-handed backhand, especially in doubles.

It feels solid. It appeals to me because I can make crucial points happen. The topspin I can generate while maintaing speed and accuracy allows me to create some amazing passing shots. I can create a lot of angle, while keeping speed, pace and topspin.

I feel the Babolat Pure Drive Plus is an extremely controlled and accurate racquet. For me atleast. It also depends on what you use as a grip, and your game style.

My backhands now feel more solid than ever. I can control every aspect of the ball on my forehands with this racquet without so much effort. With the Wilson nSix-One 95, I liked the racquet for driving shots. But it really lacked in a lot of variation I could do with my forehands imo.

The Babolat Pure Drive Plus let's me control every aspect of the ball and characteristic. I can create a lot of variations without losing speed, accuracy/control, or topspin. I can also purposely hit short balls, or hit balls with less topspin.

This racquet is really good for various shots. From slicing forehands, to topspin forehands, to driving forehands, to dropshot forehands. To one handed backhands with topspin, with more drive and angle, with slice etc.

I've recently started doing more forehand volleys. I like how the woofer system along with my gamma shockbuster softens those forehand volleys. My wrist was being demolished by other frames. So, I was extremely hesitant on taking forehand ovlleys unless i had to. I took them to my backhand, which didn't demolished my wrist or elbow or hand.

 

[hummer23]

According to your logic, the low tension, high powered ultra light racquets are THE racquets to use. It's not a players frame, it's a low level tweener that many people use.

Hardly revolutionary. It just appeals to the power/topspin mass market.

Not to say it's not working for you, since if any racquet is compatible with somebody, that's all that matters, but it's really not revolutionary.

babolats bcan be strung tighter , up to 66, with poly or any other string to tame the power. People need to understand, it isnt ultra light, over 11 ounces in fact, and with lead, you cna make it as heavy as yo uare comfortable with. In addition, its not ultra powerful, its got some pop to add to your game, but it isnt so powerful that you dont need to swing. its great combo for not just me, but a good chunk of the tennisplaying population of this country. It cant remember a fream that the people who loved it were so unanimous in theier love for it as with the pure drives.

 

[Jaro]

I've been playing with PD for almost one year. It was too powerful for me. I had to string it very tight (with Poly) to reduce woofer efect and power. But it was the best serving racquet I've ever had.

 

[thejackal]

I tried out both a PD+ and a APD standard this afternoon. I liked the APD a bit more than the PD+ even though both were great on serves. Forehands were terrific. Control was lacking compared to my Prostaffs but it got me thinking that I should move onto a more powerful string setting on my current rackets.

 

[Kirko]

babolats bcan be strung tighter , up to 66, with poly or any other string to tame the power. People need to understand, it isnt ultra light, over 11 ounces in fact, and with lead, you cna make it as heavy as yo uare comfortable with. In addition, its not ultra powerful, its got some pop to add to your game, but it isnt so powerful that you dont need to swing. its great combo for not just me, but a good chunk of the tennisplaying population of this country. It cant remember a fream that the people who loved it were so unanimous in theier love for it as with the pure drives.

Hummer you on target ! I moved ove to the PD standard about 3 months ago and have been rewarded with what I was searching for; more power and spin. Babolat reminds alot of what Prince was like in 79 thru 82. I knew two guys who strung rackets (had shops) small ones and all they sold was the Prince Pro alu. had every grip size and sold truck loads of them. I bet a guy could do the same today with just Babolat.

 

[Christopher]

Ive been using a PD standard for roughly a week now.

Once I got the factorys off, had it restrung at 59/60, I truely believe its the best racquet ive used.

I didnt need to generate any extra power, but it felt far more comfterble than the Ti. Radical id been using before, and the spin serve was definately boosted up a notch.

TBH, I dont think that when your hitting through a forehand pass you dont get much more power, probably even less due to the weight distribution (compared with a Ti. Radical) however its more manouverable at the net.You can however get more top and hit deeper from a challenging shot deep to the baseline than with a radical, again I think thats a question of manouverabilty and the woofer control, which is exceptional once you get used to it, honestly, you can place balls wherever you want.

 

[chrisplchs]

I used the PD for almost 5 years now. It is definitely made for the player who doesn't have the strength to swing some of the heavy racquets. It is a great racquet, even if I primary used it for doubles play. The spin potential with it is amazing as well as the power. If I didn't start lifting weights, I would still use the racquet today as it has gotten too power for me to control. The Pure Control and Pure Drive are wonderful racquets and I would recommend them. I sold two of my pure controls because I could get so much for them and in turn bought 4 C-10 Pro for the same price.

 

[donnyz89]

I dont use pure drive, but I did get to hit with it and it felt really good. Yes, the popularity and the marketing, it will go down as one of the memorable racquets. people will argue, there isnt one best racquet but if there WAS one, this was going to be one of them.

 

[Serving155]

One of the "best selling"... i agree with that

One of "the best"... you can't know about that, it's like saying "has the best colour"

Remember many people (me included) really hate the PD

Of course the best color is white, blue, and red

 

[yvp]

Pd at 65pds,beats the crap.
Switching to a Prestige LM now,but I think I'll go back to the PD any day.
Truly a great rac.

 

[AndrewD]

I agree that the PD is a good racquet, however, it just doesn't suit all styles. Most especially, if you have a lot of variety in your game. While it is great when bashing from the baseline - up and down- try changing direction all of a sudden and watch the balls fly long. Try coming in to the net and having to turn the ball or finesse it. The Woofer System is just too unpredictable and penalises the player whose game is more than one-dimensional.

Still, definately a very good racquet and suitable to a wide variety of playing levels. However, for my money, it isn't well-rounded enough to be considered a great frame.

 

[gonzalocatalino]

What's different between how the the PC and PD play?

The Pc its a stiffer "control" oriented frame. In my personal experience, the PC as a small sweestpot, low power (very low for me) and its very unconfortable. I don´t like the PC feel. The PD its completely different: larger sweestpot, medium-high power...but its stiffer and "bad feel" frame. Like other says, the PD works for people who play with a lot of topspin.
I really don´t like Babolat racquets...but the PD its really popular, probably so that it works.

(sorry about my english)

 

[hummer23]

I agree that the PD is a good racquet, however, it just doesn't suit all styles. Most especially, if you have a lot of variety in your game. While it is great when bashing from the baseline - up and down- try changing direction all of a sudden and watch the balls fly long. Try coming in to the net and having to turn the ball or finesse it. The Woofer System is just too unpredictable and penalises the player whose game is more than one-dimensional.

Still, definately a very good racquet and suitable to a wide variety of playing levels. However, for my money, it isn't well-rounded enough to be considered a great frame.

i agree with you about teh babolat not being too good of an all court racquet. its strenthes are no doubt serves, and topspin groundies. villies arent too stable, but you can knock of a volley winner if you need, an hit a drop shot if necesary. its not a 12 ounces pro staff by any means, but from the baseline, where most people stay glued to nowadays, its very very good at what it does.

 

[Simbah2004]

I only use volleys these days to finish off points, nothing fancy. I prefer to blast groundstrokes with lots of spin to get my opponents off guard and them move up to net and attack using angles and the wide open court.

 

[Indiantwist]

I am not sure of that either. I have a variety of game i play. I play pushers game, i play aggressive baseline game and i also play all court. I dont prefer to play at net but i do approach net a decent percentage of time (that is only way i thought i would improve at net)

(sounds odd but iam still learning the game and hence one can see all styles in my game depending on the opponent)

PD+ is great in every area of the court. I can change direction almost at will. It all depends on one's playing style i guess.

I can serve well, i can hit flat shots , i can hit topspin and i can play at the net.
The only weakness if that is a weakness to call is .....i dont get enough power from by backhand (yea...it is my poor technique).

 

[AngeloDS]

I actually prefer the woofer system on volleys. It deadens a lot of the shock, and has made me more confident on coming up to the net for my forehand volleys instead of taking all my volleys on my backhand. Heck, I use to move sideways and take a block volley with my backhand. Because it hurt less. I've been winning a lot more points as well.

The pain was intense for my wrist and elbow and arm and shouldr for forehand volleys. Especially with the people I play with. So, the woofer and my gamma shockbuster has helped a lot.

I have so much variety on my forehands and backhands. And the Babolat Pure Drive Plus is perfect. I wouldn't change anything about it. For me, it has enough pop to do a lot of stuff. Especially in crunch situations. And it has great feel.

 

[uxnaitoahz]

I love Babolat Pure Drive Plus. Mainly because it suits my game so much. My groundstrokes kick so high with the top spin I can generate with it. Plus, unlike what everyone else says, I can control it just fine.

 

[lendl lives]

Babolats are great. The thing is I switched to the lm prestige and my serve is not as fast but it is much heavier and now more difficult to return.... Roddicks serve is fast but safins is heavier and harder to return. (bh kicker).

 

[FedererUberAlles]

Yeah, it's a great racquet if you're trying to hit the ball over the fence.

 

[hbueain]

i luv my PD+

 

[goober]

The woofer system is good, but I prefered Volkl's catapult system (on the V1 and Cat 10)... more dwell time, a bit more control. In the end, both the Babolat and Volkl were too light and too powerful for my tastes.

I preferred the catapult system as well. Maybe I didn't give the PD enough of a chance. I only hit with one session during a demo and didn't like it. Too much power (USRSA=2222) and too stiff (RA=71).

 

[Micky]

Sooner or later everybody is going to be playing with the Pure Drives. As simple as that.

In my club at least six guys have changed to the Pure Drives in the past three months. I begged them to test my frames and they loved them. Now they call me "MAESTRO".

The distribuitor of Babolat told me that a lot of people come into his shop and ask what I play with and so on. The Pure Drives have been sold out lately and other friends are pissed for the wait.

Just follow what mister Nick Bollettieri teaches and you will be playing great tennis with your Pure Drive. Guaranteed.

 

[goober]

Sooner or later everybody is going to be playing with the Pure Drives. As simple as that.

In my club at least six guys have changed to the Pure Drives in the past three months. I begged them to test my frames and they loved them. Now they call me "MAESTRO".

The distribuitor of Babolat told me that a lot of people come into his shop and ask what I play with and so on. The Pure Drives have been sold out lately and other friends are pissed for the wait.

Just follow what mister Nick Bollettieri teaches and you will be playing great tennis with your Pure Drive. Guaranteed.

I think yours is a local phenomenon. I would say maybe 10%, definitely not more than 15% of the adults I have seen play use a PD. Wilson/Prince/head still seem to rule around where I am at.

 

[Micky]

I think yours is a local phenomenon. I would say maybe 10%, definitely not more than 15% of the adults I have seen play use a PD. Wilson/Prince/head still seem to rule around where I am at.

Hola goober,

Same thing here. The problem is that Wilson/Prince/Head guys are using very old frames. Most of the older people still play with Continental grip. When they see me play...(just started playing 16 or so months ago) they go wild. Many of them are ready and want to improve. So they ask for my help.

I could not believe it when a 69 year old guy bought my Prince O3 Tour Mid Plus and won the Bolivian National Title Under 70's a few months later.

For guys in their 40's and 50's I would definitely suggest the Pure Drives. Somehow it does wonders to your game.

Last night I tried the SW2 with my PD+ Cortex and man...crazy. Never had such a mega power serves ever. After a few hours my wrist felt the pain. Today I took the weight off and my wrist is just fine. I love the PD.

 

[Ross K]

Hola goober,

Same thing here. The problem is that Wilson/Prince/Head guys are using very old frames. Most of the older people still play with Continental grip. When they see me play...(just started playing 16 or so months ago) they go wild. Many of them are ready and want to improve. So they ask for my help.

I could not believe it when a 69 year old guy bought my Prince O3 Tour Mid Plus and won the Bolivian National Title Under 70's a few months later.

For guys in their 40's and 50's I would definitely suggest the Pure Drives. Somehow it does wonders to your game.

Last night I tried the SW2 with my PD+ Cortex and man...crazy. Never had such a mega power serves ever. After a few hours my wrist felt the pain. Today I took the weight off and my wrist is just fine. I love the PD.

Micky,

Being a PD+ user as well (minus the cortex), I've three questions for you if I may...

1. In terms of lead and SW2, how much lead exactly and where exactly do you place it on your PD+?

2. How was your bh and fh with SW2? (With only a very small amount of lead I found I had the most amazing bh ever, my serve was very powerful, but unfortunately my fh and general touch and net play was just way too unstable and trampoline-like... and this was only a tiny amount of lead? Now I play with just around 3 g at 9 and 3, and after getting used to it, I'm liking it alot and producing my best fh ever.)

3. What string set up do you use and why?

Many thanks,

Ross

 

[Ross K]

By the way ppl,

All of you Bab lovers out there should check out/join the original, the one and only, the true Babolat fan club - 'This is the Babolat Alliance calling!' ('Racquets' section.) If you use any of the Bab sticks, and you've got a sense of humour, give it a look.

 

[phucng_10]

Ah, that's what I thought until I tried out my friend's Völkl. The V-Engine Tour 10 Mid has a great feel of control and comfort! I love that racquet, but TW doesn't sell it anymore.

 

[mileslong]

they are hard to hit flat shots with, makes for a lot of long rallies. if you like hitting thosesuper high spinners and yelling "ahhhh" with every shot like the kids using the PD at my club then i guess its a racket for you. i hate it personally, no feel and way too much power. to each his own however...

 

[Micky]

Micky,

Being a PD+ user as well (minus the cortex), I've three questions for you if I may...

1. In terms of lead and SW2, how much lead exactly and where exactly do you place it on your PD+?

2. How was your bh and fh with SW2? (With only a very small amount of lead I found I had the most amazing bh ever, my serve was very powerful, but unfortunately my fh and general touch and net play was just way too unstable and trampoline-like... and this was only a tiny amount of lead? Now I play with just around 3 g at 9 and 3, and after getting used to it, I'm liking it alot and producing my best fh ever.)

3. What string set up do you use and why?

Many thanks,

Ross

Hola Mister Ross K "The Man":

I took 9mm edge tape from Stiga (table tennis stuff) which is this:

http://www.ping-pong.com/cgi-bin/sh...&template=Templates/QueryMenu/ttedgetape.html

I put the edge tape from 4 to 8 on the inside rim of the racquet on each side of the strings X 2. Each tape going around weights 2.5mm so I added two rounds on each side for a total of 10 grs. There is no lead tape to my knowledge that is as thin to go around.

I do have two PD + Cortex racquets. I put the same amount of edge tape to both. One of my racquets is called "the Baby" and the other one is "the Unbalanced".

I had to add a Syntec grip inside the handle of my Unbalanced just to have the same balance as my Baby. The weight difference is 6grs or so. So my Unbalanced is heavier.

I did start the SW2 test with my Unbalanced racquet. Played a set with it and my FH and serves and BH were all enhanced. Good control, good feel, good rythm. My only problem there was the extra weight. My wrist was hurting badly. I do have some issues with my wrist specially when I add weight to my Baby or my Unbalanced.

After that set I called one of the best players in Bolivia to help me test my Baby against him with the Unbalanced. I have never ever seen balls go that fast past me. Aces all over. I would serve amazing serves and the guy would return them with twice the power. I got scared at one point. I lost the set 6-1. The only game I made was with my serve and a couple of aces. The guy wants my Unbalanced racquet now hahaha. He is in love with it. I did not see one unforced error by him. Crazy.

The following day I took my Baby and my wrist was in pain still. I took the edge tape off and guess what? the pain went away. But so did the amazing serves and crazy FHs. I have a two HB and I did not feel that much difference with the SW2 as I did with my FH. Slices were amazing though. At the net...yes...it seemed that the trampoline effect was enhanced. But I think that was my technique, because when my friend came with my Unbalanced to the net he just killed me.

I use Babolat Hurricane Pro 17 in the mains @ 58 and Gamma Challenger 17 @ 60. I do think that the guys that string my racquets are off by two psig. I think this is due to a change of machines and I am sure the Babolat guys here did not retest the tensions. I remember going 56 and 58 not long ago and it feels the same now with this new machine. The number one guy in Bolivia plays with the PD+ team and he is sponsored by Babolat and uses the same strings I do. Basically I copied that from him.

Gamma Challenger is a synthetic gut string. Very cheap. Too bad Conquest is not brought here. But I did get some from the US and should be testing my hybrids with that one.

Ok Sir Ross K...It is a pleasure keeping in touch with you...

 

[DominiX]

actally which one is the best...

Babolat PureDrive cortex standard
Babolat PureDrive cortex Plus
Babolat PureDrive Roddick Standard
Babolat PureDrive Roddick plus

Aeropro Drive Standard
Aeropro Drive plus

 

[Ross K]

Hola Mister Ross K "The Man":

I took 9mm edge tape from Stiga (table tennis stuff) which is this:

http://www.ping-pong.com/cgi-bin/sh...&template=Templates/QueryMenu/ttedgetape.html

I put the edge tape from 4 to 8 on the inside rim of the racquet on each side of the strings X 2. Each tape going around weights 2.5mm so I added two rounds on each side for a total of 10 grs. There is no lead tape to my knowledge that is as thin to go around.

I do have two PD + Cortex racquets. I put the same amount of edge tape to both. One of my racquets is called "the Baby" and the other one is "the Unbalanced".

I had to add a Syntec grip inside the handle of my Unbalanced just to have the same balance as my Baby. The weight difference is 6grs or so. So my Unbalanced is heavier.

I did start the SW2 test with my Unbalanced racquet. Played a set with it and my FH and serves and BH were all enhanced. Good control, good feel, good rythm. My only problem there was the extra weight. My wrist was hurting badly. I do have some issues with my wrist specially when I add weight to my Baby or my Unbalanced.

After that set I called one of the best players in Bolivia to help me test my Baby against him with the Unbalanced. I have never ever seen balls go that fast past me. Aces all over. I would serve amazing serves and the guy would return them with twice the power. I got scared at one point. I lost the set 6-1. The only game I made was with my serve and a couple of aces. The guy wants my Unbalanced racquet now hahaha. He is in love with it. I did not see one unforced error by him. Crazy.

The following day I took my Baby and my wrist was in pain still. I took the edge tape off and guess what? the pain went away. But so did the amazing serves and crazy FHs. I have a two HB and I did not feel that much difference with the SW2 as I did with my FH. Slices were amazing though. At the net...yes...it seemed that the trampoline effect was enhanced. But I think that was my technique, because when my friend came with my Unbalanced to the net he just killed me.

I use Babolat Hurricane Pro 17 in the mains @ 58 and Gamma Challenger 17 @ 60. I do think that the guys that string my racquets are off by two psig. I think this is due to a change of machines and I am sure the Babolat guys here did not retest the tensions. I remember going 56 and 58 not long ago and it feels the same now with this new machine. The number one guy in Bolivia plays with the PD+ team and he is sponsored by Babolat and uses the same strings I do. Basically I copied that from him.

Gamma Challenger is a synthetic gut string. Very cheap. Too bad Conquest is not brought here. But I did get some from the US and should be testing my hybrids with that one.

Ok Sir Ross K...It is a pleasure keeping in touch with you...

Many thanks Micky for all the above ^ info... very useful stuff on your SW2 experiment, as well as string set-up (which I'm instantly of a mind to copy... if it's good enough for Bolivia's no. 1, it's certainly good enough for a so-so, intermediate, tennis bum such as myself!) And please do post on 'This is the Babolat Alliance calling!' should you feel so inclined to join in with the usual ludicrous nonsense (there are often serious pots as well?) Anyway...

Intrepid Bolivian knight! For taking on the Bab bashers and naysayers with your fine alchemist-like knowledge - the Babolat Alliance salutes you Sir!

Rosskins

 

[kalic]

PD is great racquet. And woofer technology was the best for me, until I try Prince O3...