Bonjour from Babolat

[dje31]

I'm sure that Daniel and others can comment on this, but I've long contended that the Drives and Aeros work better with modern, brushing strokes, as opposed to the old school, pressuring, hitting-through-the-ball strokes like mine.

With the full / extreme Western grips, you don't feel the stiffness as much at impact, in part because it's less direct impact, more re-direction of the ball.

The Pure Control I used worked pretty well with my traditional strokes, but the RA 72 stiffness was felt as well.

 

[Rafaboy]

I'm sure that Daniel and others can comment on this, but I've long contended that the Drives and Aeros work better with modern, brushing strokes, as opposed to the old school, pressuring, hitting-through-the-ball strokes like mine.

With the full / extreme Western grips, you don't feel the stiffness as much at impact, in part because it's less direct impact, more re-direction of the ball.

The Pure Control I used worked pretty well with my traditional strokes, but the RA 72 stiffness was felt as well.

I totally agree with this, and yet, with really good timing and a relaxed grip, you dont feel the impact that much with flat strokes either.

 

[Trippisthebest]

I posted earlier about play&connect , got any new news

 

[Babolat Official]

Hi! According to TWU, Rpm team is by far the best Babolat poly holding tension, actually among any other brand only 4g has such a small tension loss, can you confirm? It has also a high stiffness rate despite being marketed as softer than Rpm blast. Thank you in advance.

I haven't seen the test numbers for other brands, so I can't say. Can you send me the link to the test you are referring to?

All poly strings are pretty stiff. RPM Team is a softer version of RPM Blast.

 

[Babolat Official]

I posted earlier about play&connect , got any new news

slated for late 2013, we'll have more info released in the next couple months

 

[Babolat Official]

I'm sure that Daniel and others can comment on this, but I've long contended that the Drives and Aeros work better with modern, brushing strokes, as opposed to the old school, pressuring, hitting-through-the-ball strokes like mine.

With the full / extreme Western grips, you don't feel the stiffness as much at impact, in part because it's less direct impact, more re-direction of the ball.

The Pure Control I used worked pretty well with my traditional strokes, but the RA 72 stiffness was felt as well.

as a tennis player, I agree with this

 

[Babolat Official]

Not sure if this good question ever got answered in this thread - it does seem that Bab sticks are not as well engineered to be arm friendly as other brands. I hear these complaints all the time.

Other than that, I'm quite fond of the Bab tennis balls and love the SFX shoes I recently bought.

And thanks for participating on the forum in this way. Would like to see other brands do the same.

haha, I'm not sure who started the rumor that we create frames to destroy arms. As some of the other posters have mentioned, there are a lot of variables to consider: game style, stroke style, string, tension, strength, etc.

Glad you like the shoes!

 

[Broly4]

I haven't seen the test numbers for other brands, so I can't say. Can you send me the link to the test you are referring to?

All poly strings are pretty stiff. RPM Team is a softer version of RPM Blast.

It's in the strig performance database, according to the lab tests, the stiffness of the Rpm team 16 is 280 lbs/in with a total tension loss of 11 lbs, whereas Rpm Blast 16 has a stiffness of 230 lbs/in and a tension loss of 23,4 lbs.

 

[julian]

What is the link?

It's in the strig performance database, according to the lab tests, the stiffness of the Rpm team 16 is 280 lbs/in with a total tension loss of 11 lbs, whereas Rpm Blast 16 has a stiffness of 230 lbs/in and a tension loss of 23,4 lbs.[/QUOTE/]
What is the link for the database?

 

[Broly4]

http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/learning_center/reporter.php
Just choose the preferences and get the report

 

[zapvor]

Hahahaha the way you answered that in such a measured tone........when your in sales/marketing and you get those questions your head just wants to explode!!!!

totally agree. daniel is great

 

[Dags]

Hi Daniel,

There's a rumour that Babolat may be soon making squash racquets. Are you able to make any comment on this?

Cheers.

 

[Babolat Official]

Hi Mr Babolat

I have a question. When deciding between the Aero ProDrive and the Aero Storm GT, they seem to have very similar specs in terms of weight, flex, head-size. Do they overlap in terms o target audience?

The Storm seems more control oriented than the AeroPro.

Can you please talk a bit about this? Is the AeroStorm not having a new version?

Aerostorm is a cross between the Pure Storm (more classic feeling) and the Aeropro Drive. Designed for players who still want some additional spin and power but with more control.

Sadly, the racquet was not renewed for 2013. However, TW has them in stock!

 

[Babolat Official]

Hi Daniel,

There's a rumour that Babolat may be soon making squash racquets. Are you able to make any comment on this?

Cheers.

first I've heard of it but would not surprise me. we make badminton and paddle in other markets. candidly, I'm pretty much a tennis guy but I'll keep my ears open.

 

[Babolat Official]

totally agree. daniel is great

you guys are too much fun..

who is at Indian Wells? Let's meet up.

 

[uk_skippy]

Hi Daniel,

There's a rumour that Babolat may be soon making squash racquets. Are you able to make any comment on this?

Cheers.

first I've heard of it but would not surprise me. we make badminton and paddle in other markets. candidly, I'm pretty much a tennis guy but I'll keep my ears open.

Babolat did make squash rqts, but stopped making them. Even made a Pure Drive Squash rqt. Cosmetics were the same or similar to the 1st edition woofer PD.

Regards

Paul

 

[NogaroS4]

I've used every version of the APD and have had varying elbow pain. Every iriteration I think..this will be it..this version will let me use this racquet without pain..but every time I was wrong..until the 2013 ver. I am happy to say I can finally use an APD without TE. I do not play the modern game..I hold my forehand with a continental grip and plow thru my forehands. It's strung with tournament black 7 at 58lbs.

 

[zapvor]

you guys are too much fun..

who is at Indian Wells? Let's meet up.

oh man! post some pics please!

 

[zapvor]

Aerostorm is a cross between the Pure Storm (more classic feeling) and the Aeropro Drive. Designed for players who still want some additional spin and power but with more control.

Sadly, the racquet was not renewed for 2013. However, TW has them in stock!

wow thats sad. the aero storm is actually one id consider playing with. partly because i watched a 17yr old go 4-6 against a ATP pro with it. i strung them for him too; rpm and tonic gut.

 

[db10s]

IIRC somewhere waaaay in the guts of this thread there was a mention of a new lead tape? I am right?

 

[themitchmann]

I'm here at IW until Sunday but have meetings - but I will also be in Miami for Sony and at your Boulder offices after Miami - maybe Miami.

Gavna, do you work for Babolat as well? Or in the industry? If you'd rather not answer on here, feel free to pm me.

 

[nocturn11]

Mr. Babolat Official, I know this may be a tad unrelated, but do you know of any way for badminton players to get the Babolat badminton rackets in the US? I love the Babolat tennis stuff enough that I'd give their badminton a try, but they're so hard to find here. Do you know anybody in that sort of department with whom I could talk?

Oh, and also, if you had to guess--just throw it out there--what would you anticipate to be updated with the new Pure Storms? Just another paint job? The Play and Connect, maybe?

 

[Babolat Official]

Yea new Tungsten Tape - out in Europe now, late Spring for N America.

this is correct

 

[Babolat Official]

Yea new Tungsten Tape - out in Europe now, late Spring for N America.

that is correct

 

[Babolat Official]

I'm here at IW until Sunday but have meetings - but I will also be in Miami for Sony and at your Boulder offices after Miami - maybe Miami.

okay. we'll if your schedule frees up I'm around or in Miami

 

[Nostradamus]

Has Babolat ever considered going to more Isometric design in order to make the sweetspot even bigger ?

 

[Babolat Official]

Mr. Babolat Official, I know this may be a tad unrelated, but do you know of any way for badminton players to get the Babolat badminton rackets in the US? I love the Babolat tennis stuff enough that I'd give their badminton a try, but they're so hard to find here. Do you know anybody in that sort of department with whom I could talk?

Oh, and also, if you had to guess--just throw it out there--what would you anticipate to be updated with the new Pure Storms? Just another paint job? The Play and Connect, maybe?

sorry, we don't carry the badminton line in the US. we're working on growing our badminton business globally, but nothing domestically in the near future.

Haven't been briefed on the new Pure Storms yet. Play&connect is targeted for end of 2013.

 

[Babolat Official]

Has Babolat ever considered going to more Isometric design in order to make the sweetspot even bigger ?

that's probably more of an R&D team question, but they try just about everything

 

[Nostradamus]

that's probably more of an R&D team question, but they try just about everything

Can you talk to Eric Babolat about this when you guys chat later ?

 

[Babolat Official]

oh man! post some pics please!

follow us on facebook, twitter, and instagram

 

[Babolat Official]

Can you talk to Eric Babolat about this when you guys chat later ?

haha this is not the sort of thing I talk with Eric about, as product design is not my specialty, but I'll ask the racquet R&D team next time I'm in France

 

[Nostradamus]

haha this is not the sort of thing I talk with Eric about, as product design is not my specialty, but I'll ask the racquet R&D team next time I'm in France

AWSOME man. BAbolat is the BEST. Also can you ask them if they can MOVE up the Sweetspot on 2012 Pure drive plus racket in the racket head. For some reason, 2012 version has the sweetspot little lower than previous models.

 

[Babolat Official]

AWSOME man. BAbolat is the BEST. Also can you ask them if they can MOVE up the Sweetspot on 2012 Pure drive plus racket in the racket head. For some reason, 2012 version has the sweetspot little lower than previous models.

i'm going to go out on a limb and say they probably won't move the sweet spot, but i'll pass on your feedback

 

[nocturn11]

Hey, what's up with the headphones on the official Facebook?

 

[Nostradamus]

i'm going to go out on a limb and say they probably won't move the sweet spot, but i'll pass on your feedback

Why did they lower the sweetspot in the new version in 2012 ? Or Was it just an accident that happened when they changed the weight distribution in the racket ?
It is very odd because they did something very similar with weight distribution in new 2013 Aeropro drive plus and yet the Sweetspot seem to be in the same place, middle high in the racket head.

 

[president.s]

Hello! I'm a tennis coach and i have a fresh contract with Babolat. I am currently playing with the AeroPro drive 2013 and it feels great at impact but i find it a little too head heavy for me. I have added about 10 grams in the handle but the balance doesn't seem to alter. i added some more and now it's better but it has reached 346 grams. And don't get me wrong the power and spin is tremendous in forehand but i have a little problem in one handed backhand returns. Anyway would you recommend to change to a pure drive or pure storm or just strengthen my hand?hahahaha.... Thank you!

 

[nocturn11]

Mr. Babolat Official, I'm sorry for bombarding you with questions, but I just saw the tungsten tape on TW. It seems like a good idea, since lead is, for all intents and purposes, a proven carcinogen (to what degree, exactly, is a bit ambiguous, but I'm not one to take chances). However, it seems beveled, and I was wondering: if I put it under the grip (which is very thin), will I be able to feel those bevels?

Also, can you layer them with these bevels?

Other than that, it looks like a great idea.

 

[thisiscrazy]

Babolat Official - I apologize if this was asked previously, but are there any Babolat plans for a new model to commemorate this year's French Open? Just wondering what the model, specs and cost might be. Thanks.

 

[Babolat Official]

Hey, what's up with the headphones on the official Facebook?

promo item, we'll be giving some away in later contests.

 

[Babolat Official]

Babolat Official - I apologize if this was asked previously, but are there any Babolat plans for a new model to commemorate this year's French Open? Just wondering what the model, specs and cost might be. Thanks.

no worries.

there will be a RG line, more info as we get closer to event, be sure to check our facebook and twitter feeds.

 

[Babolat Official]

Mr. Babolat Official, I'm sorry for bombarding you with questions, but I just saw the tungsten tape on TW. It seems like a good idea, since lead is, for all intents and purposes, a proven carcinogen (to what degree, exactly, is a bit ambiguous, but I'm not one to take chances). However, it seems beveled, and I was wondering: if I put it under the grip (which is very thin), will I be able to feel those bevels?

Also, can you layer them with these bevels?

Other than that, it looks like a great idea.

I have not had the pleasure of using it yet. if you put it under the base grip, I don't think the bevels or layering will be an issue, but we'll have to wait and see I suppose.

 

[Babolat Official]

Hello! I'm a tennis coach and i have a fresh contract with Babolat. I am currently playing with the AeroPro drive 2013 and it feels great at impact but i find it a little too head heavy for me. I have added about 10 grams in the handle but the balance doesn't seem to alter. i added some more and now it's better but it has reached 346 grams. And don't get me wrong the power and spin is tremendous in forehand but i have a little problem in one handed backhand returns. Anyway would you recommend to change to a pure drive or pure storm or just strengthen my hand?hahahaha.... Thank you!

Welcome to the family.

I would continue to tweak with some lead tape before switching, as the models all play differently. Or just work out more . This might be a question for some of the more technical racquet customizers on the forum.

Good luck!

 

[Babolat Official]

Why did they lower the sweetspot in the new version in 2012 ? Or Was it just an accident that happened when they changed the weight distribution in the racket ?
It is very odd because they did something very similar with weight distribution in new 2013 Aeropro drive plus and yet the Sweetspot seem to be in the same place, middle high in the racket head.

We do endless hours of testing with different specs of frames with coaches, pros, college players, juniors, amateurs, etc. All that feedback is processed and considered as the racquet comes to fruition. We take tennis too seriously for such egregious accidents .

 

[Nostradamus]

We do endless hours of testing with different specs of frames with coaches, pros, college players, juniors, amateurs, etc. All that feedback is processed and considered as the racquet comes to fruition. We take tennis too seriously for such egregious accidents .

of course, it wasn't a accident. how silly of me. so can you please ask babolat to keep everything the same in new version of 2012 Pure drive Plus but move up the sweet spot just a tad bit. Appreciate it sir.

and when college player switches frames, do they also use paint jobs or is it a real switch ?

 

[Federerkblade]

Hi Bab Official. When is the active cortex hitting the pure storms and whens release date ? I know you have mentioned some models will be discontinued but when is your next release of models in the low stiffness area like the pure storms

 

[sureshs]

Does Babolat have any official response to Wilson's claim of more spin in the Spin Effect line of rackets?

 

[db10s]

Hi Bab Official. When is the active cortex hitting the pure storms and whens release date ? I know you have mentioned some models will be discontinued but when is your next release of models in the low stiffness area like the pure storms

It probably won't be put in the Pure Storms. 2014 release.

 

[Power Player]

It probably won't be put in the Pure Storms. 2014 release.

Thank god..lol. Keep the Pure Storms PURE.

 

[db10s]

follow us on facebook, twitter, and instagram

@dunloptennis is about to follow you on instagram.... uh oh.

 

[Babolat Official]

Hi Bab Official. When is the active cortex hitting the pure storms and whens release date ? I know you have mentioned some models will be discontinued but when is your next release of models in the low stiffness area like the pure storms

We'll have a new Pure Storm in 2014. Not sure what the product mix is or what the new technology will be.

This is our more "classic" feeling racquet so it should remain more flexible to offer all types of frames to players. I'll let you guys know when I have more info. Thanks for the inquiry!