Tennisknowledge99
Banned
Nadal's practice in Abu Dhabi with a new pj. You can see red and yellow.
Was that the racket which he use in the clay season?
Nadal New Racquet For 2015?
- Thread starter m2nk2
- Start date
Was that the racket which he use in the clay season?
m2nk2
Hall of Fame
Nah, he used his normal 1st Gen APD with French Open PJ. Babolat is French and they usually release a FO edition.
Tennisknowledge99
Banned
Thanks for the information. It looks much better to me
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
^^^I think this girly color is making him play bad
vanioMan
Legend
West Coast Ace
G.O.A.T.
So, let me get this straight: a guy with that many ticks is going to change racquets?
As the kids say, "cool story, bro."
As the kids say, "cool story, bro."
Babolat Official
Hall of Fame
Stay tuned...
His racket has the Play technology and we're working with his team on getting him to use it on a daily and match basis.
Hopefully, one of the stringers will post some pics and pop the buttcap open and turn it on.
We'll post his data on our social media sites in the future.
slice bh compliment
G.O.A.T.
Probably uses the data parsed by toni and f roig.
Lol on the colors.....nike has been making him look like a nickelodeon teen star for years with the bright girly look. These colors are downright manly compared to his usual bright pastels.
Signed,
A guy who likes navy, black, gray and maybe royal blue....but somehow rationalizes using a pure strike with the dayglow orangeyred.
Lol on the colors.....nike has been making him look like a nickelodeon teen star for years with the bright girly look. These colors are downright manly compared to his usual bright pastels.
Signed,
A guy who likes navy, black, gray and maybe royal blue....but somehow rationalizes using a pure strike with the dayglow orangeyred.
chrisingrassia
Professional
Ultimately, at the end of the day, who cares what he plays with? The concept that any of these types of players get a standard/stock racquet and put string in it and start playing is comical. These racquets are highly modified when they get to this level. I'd 99.9% guarantee it. If Joe Blow and Nadal both use the APD racquet, they're not the same kind you're finding on the sporting good shelf. I don't play like Nadal, so what does it matter what his racquet is?
I don't play golf like Spieth or Kaemer or Furyk, so why would I care what's in their bag?
I don't play golf like Spieth or Kaemer or Furyk, so why would I care what's in their bag?
m2nk2
Hall of Fame
Nah, quite a lot of top players are using stock racquets, usually racquets that aren't in production anymore but still. Then of course they modify it with led tape and stuff.
Its usually a racquet they grew up playing with and fell in love. My coach was playing juniors with a head i prestige and bought a dozen of them because they suited his game well.
rafa uses the original aero which was stock at the time and roddick used the stock pure drive
safin played with the same racquet his whole carreer and right now federer plays with just a better quality rf97
chrisingrassia
Professional
That's my point. :idea:
m2nk2
Hall of Fame
Sure, but you can still get a racquet and customise and end up with a pro stick.
kimguroo
Legend
How does Babolat play work during real match situation?
I understand that Babolat play rackets use Bluetooth in order to connet with software. Since pros change racket Frequently, Is it possible to connect multiple rackets to same software/app?
Also does Nadal need to turn on Bluetooth in order to sync with software/app whenever he change his rackets?
I don't think I've seen nadal activate Bluetooth function when he change his rackets.
Or does Babolat use different system for pro players?
Kalin
Legend
Here's a freshly-published article about Rafa's new stick with some fun quotes inside:
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/rafael-nadals-racket-comes-power-switch-130645899--ten.html
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/rafael-nadals-racket-comes-power-switch-130645899--ten.html
Babolat Official
Hall of Fame
1. you can link multiple rackets to one PLAY account
2. once you download your sessions, you can merge multiple sessions before qualifying (knowing pros change rackets frequently and some players break strings during matches)
3. Rafa is currently using PLAY in practice/training and hopefully will be in matches during Australia. This is a big change we are working with his team on.
4. Babolat PLAY technology is the same in consumer and pro rackets. Of course, many pros and some players customize their rackets.
ThomasGB
Semi-Pro
Found this:
@CETStringer
Thanks for sharing the image, anhuynh16!
nitram0393
New User
I'm just watching Nadals 2nd round match and eurosport showed a close-up on the butt cap. Actually the blue LED is flashing (which means the racquet sensor is turned on and collecting data).
m2nk2
Hall of Fame
Interesting, I wonder what he can actually get out of it though?
nitram0393
New User
Imo it wouldn't make sense to integrate a flashing LED without the sensor - so surely there will be data of his official matches. I don't know if he can get any benefits from this data (don't think a pro player doesn't know where he hits the ball etc.), but it will be interessting for us. So I'm curious wether babolat is going to publish the data in any form (maybe as possible comparision in the PLAY-Software/Interface). 
Babolat Official
Hall of Fame
Some journalists asked Rafa the same thing:
http://www.foxsports.com/tennis/story/australian-open-2015-rafael-nadal-racket-technology-011915
Lavs
Hall of Fame
Seriously, how PLAY technology can differentiate FH from BH? Ok, I can assume that it is possible in theory for 2HBH. But how in the world it is possible for 1HBH???
augustobt
Legend
Honestly it's not a hard work with just minor tweaks in their motion sensors.
Lavs
Hall of Fame
sure. motion sensors do it. agree.
Babolat Official
Hall of Fame
When you create your profile, you designate yourself as "left handed" or "right handed." The racket is associated with your account when you pair via bluetooth or connect directly to your computer via USB.
There is a gyroscope in the handle of the racket (as well as multiple other sensors). The gyroscope tracks the spacial orientation of the racket.
If you have a smartphone that rotates when you turn it 90 degrees...are you every able to turn the screen upside down if you continue to rotate your phone (assuming screen is not locked in position)? Exact same technology is in our racket.
Number of hands on racket does not affect gyroscope.
Babolat Official
Hall of Fame
The decision rests with Rafa.
He did not turn his rackets on during his 1st round match. As simple as this sounds, he told us it's a change to how he normally prepares and plays (he has to turn each racket on at ball change or broken string).
Against Tim he turned the rackets on. We're going to be patient as this small move is a big adjustment.
Stay tuned...
Devil_dog
Hall of Fame
Thank you Daniel for the reply. Looking forward to seeing some data.
nitram0393
New User
And there we have the reason for rafas problems during his 2nd round match: Frequently pressing a button and checking the LED was simply too much effort.:twisted:
Babolat Official
Hall of Fame
it sounds small...but this stuff keeps us up at night
m2nk2
Hall of Fame
Anywhere I can read more about how this actually works?
How can it tell the difference between a FH and a BH and a volley for example, and it must count when you just bounce the ball off the racquet before serving as well?
dont get me wrong, i love my aeroprodrives and i think theyre the best racket out there... but this new technology giving statistics doesnt add nothing to anyones game, even though i take my hat off to babolat to beeing pioneers in this technology.
But how does knowing how many forehands or backhands ive hitten during a match or practice helps me?
its just a toy, just for the fun of connecting the stick to the laptop usb at the end of the day, but rather useless am i wrong?
maybe the hitting area is usefull stuff, but i cant see nothing more, its fun maybe when you connect it for the first 3 times to the pc and then forget about it
definetly nadal is not at all worried about the "statistics".
But how does knowing how many forehands or backhands ive hitten during a match or practice helps me?
its just a toy, just for the fun of connecting the stick to the laptop usb at the end of the day, but rather useless am i wrong?
maybe the hitting area is usefull stuff, but i cant see nothing more, its fun maybe when you connect it for the first 3 times to the pc and then forget about it
definetly nadal is not at all worried about the "statistics".
Babolat Official
Hall of Fame
read more at www.babolatplay.com
when you create an account, you register as left or right handed. The gyroscope tracks the orientation of the frame...try turning your smart phone screen upside down as you rotate the screen 90 degrees to the right in the circle...it's always right side up. Exact same technology is in the Babolat PLAY rackets.
Bouncing the ball before a serve will not register as a stroke. The racket has an accelerometer...combined with the data from the gryo and the vibration sensor, we've create an algorithm that distinguishes what is a "stroke" or just simply bouncing the ball.
This version of the app does not distinguish between ground strokes and volleys.
Babolat Official
Hall of Fame
Everyone has a unique relationship with connected devices. What some people find useful and interesting has no value to others. We understand and know this, which is why the app has a variety of features: tracking, data, gamification, community, etc.
Ironically, the pros are most interested in the most basic data: number of shots hit, power level, and "real" play time. We sponsor a current top player who paid someone on their staff to watch all their practices and matches and simply count forehands and backhands.
Or take Rafa. He and Toni know that in an ideal match Rafa will hit 70% forehands and 30% backhands. At a grand slam on a main show court, getting this info is possible. However, for other matches, practices, drills...the racket can do this for you. And they see a value in that.
Other pros use it for workload management. They want to know how many shots are in hit in a given practice, given week, etc. These numbers get adjusted based on the period in the calendar or the physical condition of the athlete. It also offers further insight into current condition, is the athlete tired because they played a different amount of shots or energy level than in practice the day before? Or is it something else?
You're right: for some people, tracking their game is just fun. For some people, it's a fitness tool. For some, it's a way to show off on social media to their friends that they are playing tennis. And some people don't see a value in this technology (I strongly suggest these people purchase the normal Aero for $150 less).
Personally, I use PLAY for:
-tracking how many shots I hit at lunch (I aim for minimum 200 backhands and 300 forehands in an hour)
-working on spacing on my top spin backhand with the impact locator (it's slowly getting better)
-comparing longest rally with other guys in the office (we have two courts of 2 guys and we find it fun to compete...we play 4-5 days a week and need to keep it interesting)
-comparing my "tennis pulse" with other guys in the office (we're all highly competitive ex college players)
Everyone has a different relationship with the racket. At the end of the day, we want to help people get better, help people have fun, and motivate people to play more.
m2nk2
Hall of Fame
Cool, thanks for clarifying. Don't think it's anything for me personally but I can admit that it would be fun to try a few sessions as I like statistics in general!
I'm guessing Babolat has patented this or can other racquet manufacturers develop their own Play systems? Or do they need to pay Babolat licence or similar?
kimguroo
Legend
10000% agree with you. You made very good point.
Babolat, Zepp and Sony developed this technology. I used zepp which provides similar data like Babolat play.
I was very excited for a week then have not used it since then and sold it.
Data was so limited. Not really useful in my opinion. Only get total amount of shots and impact places.
Pro players do not need these things. They already have coaches and these data won't affect anything for their matches. I don't think tony sees data and ask nadal to hit 80% forehands and 20% backhands in order to win matches in three straight set. If they need to correct something, they should use more high technology such as high speed camera etc...
Recently I got Sony sensor and it's much more useful than any other devices in my opinion. It can make video record and it will provide individual stroke data (spin rate, swing speed and placement of impact).
also Sony sensor can differentiate forehand, backhand, overhead, serve and forehand/ backhand volleys too. In near future, they will add slow motion video option and multiple image capture function.
BTW accuracy of these devices are whole different discussion though ^_^
Zepp and Sony (also shot-stats develop in form of dampener style. I don't know they have enough money to make the product in the market) are leading companies for this technology but their device has to be attached end of racket.
Good thing is you can switch sensor easily to any rackets but it will slightly add weight.
Also zepp has a little problem with mounting system but Sony sensor has much better mounting system.
Seems like other racket manufactures did not pay attention for this technology and might be a little surprised by Babolat play. Obviously they knew it's late in the game and don't want to spend money to develop. Their decision was .. Adapt Sony sensor system. Willson will be the US distributor and head and Prince also joined.
m2nk2
Hall of Fame
nitram0393
New User
This wasn't the case with the first version of the Pure Drive Play, was it? Is there going to be a software update which enables this feature?
Babolat Official
Hall of Fame
TW will have demos. It's free to create an account. If you end up liking it, great: you can sync your account if you end up getting one in the future. If not, you tried it and realized it's not for you.
We have lots of patents. I'm not sure what the other guys are working on, you'll have to ask their forum rep
.Oakland510
New User
not based on fact at all
Just guessing that this is going to be the Roland Garros aeropro drive play
it would make sense in terms of timing and on the butt cap you can see the orange color of the play sensor.
Just guessing that this is going to be the Roland Garros aeropro drive play
it would make sense in terms of timing and on the butt cap you can see the orange color of the play sensor.
El_Yotamo
Hall of Fame
What 's this racket? New Babolat play or "normal" Baolat racket?
Maybe this is from last year, because he's wearing courtballistecs in that picture.
it is this year training before Monte Carlo 2015
Interestingly, the past year has been a rocket given directly to the Roland Garros is not right at the beginning of a clay season at the Monte Carlo ....
darklore009
Hall of Fame
its true that he's wearing the old courtballistics, but the shorts is recent
