I need Babolat Help ???????????

[Brad Bartlett]

Friends, I need Babloat help. 58 year old 4.5 USTA Team tennis player that plays doubles only, just getting bumped back to 4.0, where I should be. Sooooooooo pondering a frame change again. Changed 2 years ago to the Pure Storm. Set up is 17 VS gut at 55, love the fact that I have ZERO arm pain, but I really could use a bit more pop. Racquet is lovely but just a bit underpowered for me. I went from, in order, Babolat AERO PRO Drive, older yellow, Babolat Pure Drive Roddick, new and old graphics. I love the Old Yellow but even it hurt my arm...........PROBLEM IS STIFFNESS..........Pure Drive Kills my arm but I love the power....Aero Drive is still a bit stiff......and now the GT of both of these is even stiffer.......................and you know I am using the softest string set up alive for arm problems...... 17 gut at 55......some times even 53. Sooooooooooooooooo.........Bablot Pros..............where do I go........???????????? Just keep using the Pure Storm and hit the ball harder??? New Yellow GT???? Regular Pure Drive GT???

 

[parasailing]

Friends, I need Babloat help. 58 year old 4.5 USTA Team tennis player that plays doubles only, just getting bumped back to 4.0, where I should be. Sooooooooo pondering a frame change again. Changed 2 years ago to the Pure Storm. Set up is 17 VS gut at 55, love the fact that I have ZERO arm pain, but I really could use a bit more pop. Racquet is lovely but just a bit underpowered for me. I went from, in order, Babolat AERO PRO Drive, older yellow, Babolat Pure Drive Roddick, new and old graphics. I love the Old Yellow but even it hurt my arm...........PROBLEM IS STIFFNESS..........Pure Drive Kills my arm but I love the power....Aero Drive is still a bit stiff......and now the GT of both of these is even stiffer.......................and you know I am using the softest string set up alive for arm problems...... 17 gut at 55......some times even 53. Sooooooooooooooooo.........Bablot Pros..............where do I go........???????????? Just keep using the Pure Storm and hit the ball harder??? New Yellow GT???? Regular Pure Drive GT???

The Pure Storm is already the softest player's line Babolat sells so if you can't deal with your Pure Storm with natural gut at 55lbs which is like butter, I suggest you look at lower stiff index racquets like the Head Microgel or some of the other brands out there.

The new GT versions of the Storm are stiffer and GT technology tends to add power but also increase the stiffness.

 

[TheOneHander]

Try lowering the tension on the gut to 50lbs. If needed, go even lower! It's a lot easier than buying new racquets, of course, and there's no shame in stringing gut that low.

 

[Brad Bartlett]

Yes.......but

Thanks for the reply........ I am using the NEW Pure Storm GT's now......well........the older graphics....... but the GT model.......... and it is like butter on the arm.................so we are on the same page.........BUT................I was looking for more POWER......................... that is why I was looking to go back to the Aero Storm .......but the GT version....

 

[TheOneHander]

Thanks for the reply........ I am using the NEW Pure Storm GT's now......well........the older graphics....... but the GT model.......... and it is like butter on the arm.................so we are on the same page.........BUT................I was looking for more POWER......................... that is why I was looking to go back to the Aero Storm .......but the GT version....

Aero Storm GT? I use it myself, it's plenty powerful but pretty arm friendly when strung with a soft string. I highly recommend it.

However, I really encourage you to try the gut at 50 first, just to save your wallet the stress.

 

[Brad Bartlett]

Excellent

Okie Dokie...I can do the 50 lbs..................... you really think that will give THAT much more pop ??? Arm does not hurt with the Pure Storm Gt....just looking for more power.

 

[TheOneHander]

Okie Dokie...I can do the 50 lbs..................... you really think that will give THAT much more pop ??? Arm does not hurt with the Pure Storm Gt....just looking for more power.

Yeah, the lower tension will give you a lot more power. I went from 60 to 55 and the difference is quite noticeable. Much more pocketing and a lot more pop.

 

[parasailing]

Aero Storm GT? I use it myself, it's plenty powerful but pretty arm friendly when strung with a soft string. I highly recommend it.

However, I really encourage you to try the gut at 50 first, just to save your wallet the stress.

ASGT is still a tad stiffer than the Pure Storm but like your suggestion of going down to 50lbs to gain more power. I think 50lbs with natural gut is way too powerful of a setup but then it depends on how you hit I guess. I string the PSTGT at 57lbs and that felt comfortable for me but at 50lbs, balls would be all over the place for me.

 

[jjs891]

If you don't mind the added weight, why not try pure storm tour. More heft and head light balance should give you more pop with the same buttery feel I would think. I think it's worth a demo.

 

[esgee48]

Besides dropping tension, you could also add lead tape at 12 o'clock. I'm thinking 1/2 to 1 gram to start as this will add 3-4 SW units.

 

[babolat king]

Okie Dokie...I can do the 50 lbs..................... you really think that will give THAT much more pop ??? Arm does not hurt with the Pure Storm Gt....just looking for more power.

if you want something easy on the arm and good power, keep the psgt and use a good multi at a lower tension that you can control.

that is different for a lot of people 50 lbs could be good for one person but sucks for another. its just trial and error for a while til you find a string and tension.

i would recommend staying with the psgt though because it does have a lower stiffness rating. also like a friend told be long a ago, its not the arrow its the indian..jk haha

hope that helps

 

[Brad Bartlett]

Thanks for all the Help

Great...not good............GREAT comments.............thanks again to all that have commented.......

Ok, so I am restringing one of my 4 to 50 lbs......... will prestretch the string.....and give it a whirl.