Bonjour from Babolat

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Fuji

Legend
Well the price drops on the Pure Strikes, had the intended effect. I bought two 16x19. Loving them right now, strung with Alu Power Rough at 55.
Leaving behind two super sluggish Wilson PS97, that I struggled for 6 months with and killed by shoulder and elbow.
The PS are crisp but so far absolutely no pain and I have been going really hard with them. Very nice improvement on my serve with them also.
I did find quite a few on the high side of the weight tolerance. Mine are at 305g and 300g unstrung.

Crazy, a good friend of mine made the exact same switch as you did. Had the same problems with the PS97 and is absolutely crushing the ball with the strike.

-Fuji
 

Gtech

Rookie
Crazy, a good friend of mine made the exact same switch as you did. Had the same problems with the PS97 and is absolutely crushing the ball with the strike.

-Fuji

I was not looking to buy another set of rackets, that is for sure. But I was playing the absolute worst I have in 2 yrs with the Pro Staff PS97. Tried all types of polys, hybrids, even Babolat Origin, tried different tensions from 60 to 42. Could not get anything that was comfortable and never felt I knew what the ball was going to do in match situations. One shot would be long, the other one in the net. I am 4.5 player, I take hitting lessons regularly, my technique is pretty solid, I have modern strokes.

Not saying the PS97 is crap, it just did not work for me and was not comfortable at all. I am sure it works for many and it is a beautiful racket in paint and the overall shape is very pleasing. The PS97 did had solid good power when you stepped on the gas.

One thing I did notice between the Pure Strikes and the Wilson PS97, is frankly the quality and attention to details on the Babolat seems higher. The grommets on the PS97 are the cheapest you can find, no engineering on them at all, cheap and brittle materials. I had to replace one in 3 months because it split right it half. The Babolat grommets on the PS are work of art in design and the actual material is 10x better than the Wilson. The synthetic leather grip on the Wilson was poor quality, it ripped very easily just from the tape on some of the overgrips. The Babolat synthetic grip is higher quality it has more cushioning on it.
 

Fuji

Legend
I was not looking to buy another set of rackets, that is for sure. But I was playing the absolute worst I have in 2 yrs with the Pro Staff PS97. Tried all types of polys, hybrids, even Babolat Origin, tried different tensions from 60 to 42. Could not get anything that was comfortable and never felt I knew what the ball was going to do in match situations. One shot would be long, the other one in the net. I am 4.5 player, I take hitting lessons regularly, my technique is pretty solid, I have modern strokes.

Not saying the PS97 is crap, it just did not work for me and was not comfortable at all. I am sure it works for many and it is a beautiful racket in paint and the overall shape is very pleasing. The PS97 did had solid good power when you stepped on the gas.

One thing I did notice between the Pure Strikes and the Wilson PS97, is frankly the quality and attention to details on the Babolat seems higher. The grommets on the PS97 are the cheapest you can find, no engineering on them at all, cheap and brittle materials. I had to replace one in 3 months because it split right it half. The Babolat grommets on the PS are work of art in design and the actual material is 10x better than the Wilson. The synthetic leather grip on the Wilson was poor quality, it ripped very easily just from the tape on some of the overgrips. The Babolat synthetic grip is higher quality it has more cushioning on it.

Yup, the story is almost identical for my friend. Since he was 14 he had been using the 6.1 95 line from Wilson, (16x18). He tried the PS97, honeymooned hard and switched. Ended up destroying his arm in the process. He tried every string combo imaginable and had very little success. As soon as he switched to the Strike? No problems at all and he was hitting the ball even bigger with better consistency. He plays Futures and is a top Open player in Canada.

Definitely agree that the PS97 might work for some players, but I personally didn't like it at all. We have a couple juniors at my club using it, and they play really well with it. It just isn't my cup of tea.

IMHO though: Strike >>>>>>>>>> PS97 anyday of the week.

-Fuji
 

sck13

New User
So for starters I am in a marketing class at my school. We write a letter to companies requesting marketing materials. I wasn't expecting much from them. Babolat exceeded my expectations by sending me a Aero Pro Drive and two sets of RPM Dual. Babolat Official, if you know Simon Hegelund please tell him Spencer says thank you a thousand times. Also can you give me his email? I really need to thank him.
 

Babolat Official

Hall of Fame
So for starters I am in a marketing class at my school. We write a letter to companies requesting marketing materials. I wasn't expecting much from them. Babolat exceeded my expectations by sending me a Aero Pro Drive and two sets of RPM Dual. Babolat Official, if you know Simon Hegelund please tell him Spencer says thank you a thousand times. Also can you give me his email? I really need to thank him.

Did you learn some from the materials we sent? Thanks for the kind words. Email me and I will forward to him. Simon is a great intern.

dbecker@babolat.com
 

TobyTopspin

Professional
Daniel,

Can you give out any info on the new Babolat hybrid? It's has Spiraltek synthetic gut with some kind of poly.

Do you know the characteristics of the included poly. It has a great price of only $4.50 at TW.

Thanks,
Toby
 

v-verb

Hall of Fame
Hey Daniel, if Babolat came out with the racquet Nadal is testing - with that paintjob, I would personally buy a few.

I bet Babolat would sell a ton!!!
 
E

eaglesburg

Guest
Make the strike PJ the new PJ for all rackets :)
Seriously, the PJ is awesome!

I disagree; some people like their rackets to be recognizable from a distance by others without them having to read the letters. Each model should have a distinct pj. The best selling racket should have the best pj Bab can offer and vice versa. Or Bab could go the other way if they want to popularize an unpopular model. Since pure strikes sell less they could pretend like nadal switched to that and tah dah they will start flying off the shelves.
also DAniel- why don't they make play versions of all the BAbolats? it seems kind of limiting to only offer it on two.
 
I disagree; some people like their rackets to be recognizable from a distance by others without them having to read the letters. Each model should have a distinct pj. The best selling racket should have the best pj Bab can offer and vice versa. Or Bab could go the other way if they want to popularize an unpopular model. Since pure strikes sell less they could pretend like nadal switched to that and tah dah they will start flying off the shelves.
also DAniel- why don't they make play versions of all the BAbolats? it seems kind of limiting to only offer it on two.

Daniel,

I have the same question/issue. I use and love the APD+. I know it's probably based on sales volume, but I feel left out when special paint jobs and Play versions are released.

Are outliers like me always going to be left out? Say it isn't so!
 

Babolat Official

Hall of Fame
Daniel,

I have the same question/issue. I use and love the APD+. I know it's probably based on sales volume, but I feel left out when special paint jobs and Play versions are released.

Are outliers like me always going to be left out? Say it isn't so!

A lot of it is based on sales volume vs. cost of creating the product. All I can say is this will be addressed in the future. We hear you.
 

Babolat Official

Hall of Fame
also DAniel- why don't they make play versions of all the BAbolats? it seems kind of limiting to only offer it on two.

2014, one PLAY model = Pure Drive

2015, three PLAY models = Aeropro Drive, 2015 Pure Drive, 2015 Pure Drive Lite

For the future? Stay tuned. We are an ambitious group and as the PLAY experience continues to improve and the community continues to grow...our vision is that every tennis player has the option to play connected.
 

Babolat Official

Hall of Fame

We believe that hybrid string sets are a great option for most players. You can combine benefits of two strings (along with tweaking tension) to customize to your game.

Pro Extreme + Spiraltek was designed to get people into hybrids that

a. like the way this one feels
b. want to experiment with hybrids and are not ready for RPM/VS or more premium string combos

A very strong offering at this price point. Hopefully gets people thinking about their strings more.
 

v-verb

Hall of Fame
Daniel,

I have the same question/issue. I use and love the APD+. I know it's probably based on sales volume, but I feel left out when special paint jobs and Play versions are released.

Are outliers like me always going to be left out? Say it isn't so!

I prefer the + version as well
 

v-verb

Hall of Fame
Thanks Daniel. If the Play comes out in a + version I'll get one.

However please let your company know that the paintjob on the racquet Rafa is testing now would sell HUGE when that stick becomes available to the public.

HUGE I say:<)
 

aer0pr0

Rookie
yes maybe the paintjob rafa´s using would help the sells

i like the orange/grey combination in the head of the racquet, but the heart is just too black, it should be a little more coloured, with babolat logo or aeropro or something.

But to tell the truth, people buy the aeropro models because they are just an amazing raquet, because the PJ themselfs are actually pretty ugly, those yellow black and white characteristic colours of the APD through the years are one of the ugliest PJ´s in the market , the APD play with yelllow and orange mix made it still worse ( just a personal opinion of course) and still people buy it, because its the best stick out there :) ( the non play models)

i just dont understand why the model rafa´s using, hasnt even a fake cortex or something. We know he doesnt use it since he uses the old model without it, but babolat puts something there to pretend he does use it,but in this model in monte carlo, nothing is there.. so iI hope babolat dont give up on the cortex, because they help to make the raquet really good! i own a pair of both 2010 and 2013 models, and i can tell the the 2013 was an improvement over 2010, and i cant imagine how it can improve even further, i would add some more weight at it, and i think its the only adjustment to make it perfect :) 320 grams would be just perfect :)
 
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v-verb

Hall of Fame
yes maybe the paintjob rafa´s using would help the sells

i like the orange/grey combination in the head of the racquet, but the heart is just too black, it should be a little more coloured, with babolat logo or aeropro or something.

But to tell the truth, people buy the aeropro models because they are just an amazing raquet, because the PJ themselfs are actually pretty ugly, those yeallow black and white characteristic colours of the APD through the years are on of the ugliest PJ´s in the market and still people buy it, because its the best stick out there :)

I have to agree. The PJ on the Aero Original is far better. I have the Aero Play and honestly the PJ is not great at all - perhaps the worst of the PJs in the Aero and Pure Drive lines
 

v-verb

Hall of Fame
Would you be able to offer any insights about why the + version is so good? I'm thinking about transitioning to it from the standard. Thanks :)

The drawback of the plus is higher swingweight and decreased mobility as you know. They are slower to get into position

The advantages are slightly more reach, better spin due to increased racquet head speed because of the longer lever and more power, again because of the extra length.

It's personal of course but I enjoy extended racquets more.
 
Would you be able to offer any insights about why the + version is so good? I'm thinking about transitioning to it from the standard. Thanks :)

I'm married to the baseline, and the extra length makes a huge difference not just in terms of added reach, but the added length also smoothes out my stroke. I'm going to completely butcher these terms, but I can't think of another way to describe it. It's as if the change in the polar momentum of inertia increases the rotational torque that results from having a longer stick. Think about holding a medieval mace and how a longer chain would affect the swing.

I also worked with a master stringer for a few weeks to customize the racquet. After lots of time on the court and playing with a number of different combinations and permutations of placing lead tape at different points around the head and balancing it out with silicone in the handle, I have the racquet dialed into exactly the way I never knew I always wanted. In the end, he added 1.4 ounces overall, and the swing weight went up dramatically.
 

Seth

Legend
I imagine Rafa's cosmetics are the 2016 Play cosmetics. If Babolat would release the same cosmetics without Cortex and Play, but change the orange to yellow, I would have three.
 
I'm married to the baseline, and the extra length makes a huge difference not just in terms of added reach, but the added length also smoothes out my stroke. I'm going to completely butcher these terms, but I can't think of another way to describe it. It's as if the change in the polar momentum of inertia increases the rotational torque that results from having a longer stick. Think about holding a medieval mace and how a longer chain would affect the swing.

I also worked with a master stringer for a few weeks to customize the racquet. After lots of time on the court and playing with a number of different combinations and permutations of placing lead tape at different points around the head and balancing it out with silicone in the handle, I have the racquet dialed into exactly the way I never knew I always wanted. In the end, he added 1.4 ounces overall, and the swing weight went up dramatically.

So what are the specifications for your stick?? E.g. where do you put lead tape + other tweaks :)
 

GoSurfBoy

Semi-Pro
Sponsored by ....someone else...., but I'd buy 3 or 4 of those APD in that color scheme Rafa's using - AWESOME. I did buy two of those Head Special Edition Speeds, just for the paint scheme. Hoping this Bab' won't be a total letdown like the RF97 was, 'Hero to Zero'.
 

TennisMD

Professional
So a very lengthy thread ,so excuse me if I missed it but Daniel Rafa's new racquet what is it ie specs that will be sold to mass market and how does it differ from the current APD.
 
So what are the specifications for your stick?? E.g. where do you put lead tape + other tweaks :)

I knew someone would ask this. I have to admit that the only reason I know about the actual number of the weight increase is because it's the only one I remember. To be completely honest, the entire process from my POV was based entirely on feel. I would describe as in much detail as possible what each changed felt like, and what I thought needed to be modified (e.g. move the sweet spot a little higher).

I'm sorry that I can't be of more help.
 
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