Nadal's racket history

[Tennisknowledge99]

I know all of Fed and Nole's racket history, there are a ot of articles and sources about them but I can't find any topics about Rafa's rackets. What're the racket and racket version did Rafa use in his career?

Thanks everyone for answering

 

[Lavs]

Very short one: Until 2004 - Pure Drive Team, after 2004 - Aeropro Drive Original

 

[Bendex]

Very short one: Until 2004 - Pure Drive Team, after 2004 - Aeropro Drive Original

Only the people at Babolat know for sure. He may have been using different materials in the racket throughout the years, but he certainly isn't a fan of the Cortex system.

But considering his OCD, he likely hasn't changed anything in 10 years (apart from the strings).

 

[Tennisknowledge99]

Thank you very much for the informations, guys

 

[Ghost3789]

http://youtu.be/0vEtPh8UDe4

But yeh like Lavs posted. After he switched to the original Aeropro Drive, he's been using it ever since.

 

[MichaelNadal]

I wonder why they ditched the red paintjob already? It looked better imo.

 

[RanchDressing]

I wonder why they ditched the red paintjob already? It looked better imo.

The red piant job is a roland garros specific job. He would likely only use it for RG for that reason.

I've seen Rafa's 2010 stick in person. Bab rep confirmed string is still the super nasty dead 15 gauge Duralast type stuff, and the RDC clocked it at 25X (I want to say either 252 or 257, honestly can't remember the number). The biggest thing that has changed on his racquet has been the swing weight, which is just how much lead they add at 12. He still uses 4 1/4, with 2 overgrips. 55lbs no matter the tourney and surface etc.

Nothing to discuss.

 

[ericsson]

I know all of Fed and Nole's racket history, there are a ot of articles and sources about them but I can't find any topics about Rafa's rackets. What're the racket and racket version did Rafa use in his career?

Thanks everyone for answering

Rafa used:

Babolat Soft Drive (1996 edition)
Babolat Pure Drive (1999 edition aka swirly)
Babolat Pure Drive Team (2002 edition)
Babolat Aeropro Drive (2003 edition) - still using it under various paintjobs with the difference that Rafa nowadays uses a special make up to reach his specs and most important balance, before the frames were stock and then leaded/customised to reach his standards, in other words, his rackets are not stock no more and the current frames are only made for him.


Hope this helps...

 

[augustobt]

Now he is using the AeroPro Drive Play PJ.

 

[Tennisknowledge99]

I wonder why they ditched the red paintjob already? It looked better imo.

That was his paintjob for RG and clay season. Indeed, it looks better

 

[MichaelNadal]

Pity. The black strings look a hell of a lot better than the pre-2010 yellow, but that was a really sweet PJ.

 

[Tennisknowledge99]

Rafa used:

Babolat Soft Drive (1996 edition)
Babolat Pure Drive (1999 edition aka swirly)
Babolat Pure Drive Team (2002 edition)
Babolat Aeropro Drive (2003 edition) - still using it under various paintjobs with the difference that Rafa nowadays uses a special make up to reach his specs and most important balance, before the frames were stock and then leaded/customised to reach his standards, in other words, his rackets are not stock no more and the current frames are only made for him.


Hope this helps...

Very informative, thank you!

 

[WILSONKGUT]

Nadal does not use a replacement grip ?

He uses just 2 overgrip ?

 

[ericsson]

Nadal does not use a replacement grip ?

He uses just 2 overgrip ?

No he uses 1 vs overgrip over a synthetic base grip.

 

[Booger]

...APD
...15 gauge Duralast type stuff
...252g-257g
...lead added at 12
...4 1/4, with 2 overgrips

I don't know that I could configure a racquet that sounds less appealing. What a weirdo.

 

[El_Yotamo]

252-257g?! I thought his racquet weighs 318g UNSTRUNG???? Also, what exactly is the swingweight?

 

[Arvid]

Rafa used:

Babolat Soft Drive (1996 edition)
Babolat Pure Drive (1999 edition aka swirly)
Babolat Pure Drive Team (2002 edition)
Babolat Aeropro Drive (2003 edition) - still using it under various paintjobs with the difference that Rafa nowadays uses a special make up to reach his specs and most important balance, before the frames were stock and then leaded/customised to reach his standards, in other words, his rackets are not stock no more and the current frames are only made for him.


Hope this helps...

There are also som old movies on youtube when his a junior and playing with prince pog 100, i guess that was before the Babolat Soft Drive then....

 

[Fujin]

wait.. is he still using Drualast in 2014 ? not RPM Blast as advertised ????????????????????????????

 

[Fuji]

wait.. is he still using Drualast in 2014 ? not RPM Blast as advertised ????????????????????????????

No, he uses RPM Blast now.

-Fuji

 

[ThomasGB]

No he uses 1 vs overgrip over a synthetic base grip.

I heard he uses two overgrips over the pallet -- no synthetic grip.

 

[ericsson]

I heard he uses two overgrips over the pallet -- no synthetic grip.

No offense but you've heard wrong, there was only one player i know of who did that and his name was Boris Becker.

 

[El_Yotamo]

I heard he uses two overgrips over the pallet -- no synthetic grip.

Nadal used to use two VS overgrips over the pallet, but now he just uses a synthetic grip plus an overgrip. I think he switched around 2010-12.

 

[ThomasGB]

Nadal used to use two VS overgrips over the pallet, but now he just uses a synthetic grip plus an overgrip. I think he switched around 2010-12.

Ah, I see, thanks for the confirmation!

 

[rossi46]

No offense but you've heard wrong, there was only one player i know of who did that and his name was Boris Becker.

Yes and if I am not mistaken Kuerten used to as well.

 

[RanchDressing]

No he uses 1 vs overgrip over a synthetic base grip.

I was told by a bab rep that he uses 2 overgrips. Could have just been on his 2010 and earlier sticks, because I've seen vids of him clearly replacing one ontop of a standard grip. I doubt he would use something different in practices than in matches.

Djokovic uses two overgrips, but I'm fairly sure that's ontop of his standard. Don't really care...

That kind of stuff is totally personal preference to the individual.

 

[Kalugin]

Hi, Talk Tennis!
Thats my first post. A lot of insides to come...

 

[Kalugin]

Rafa used:

Babolat Soft Drive (1996 edition)
Babolat Pure Drive (1999 edition aka swirly)
Babolat Pure Drive Team (2002 edition)
Babolat Aeropro Drive (2003 edition) - still using it under various paintjobs with the difference that Rafa nowadays uses a special make up to reach his specs and most important balance, before the frames were stock and then leaded/customised to reach his standards, in other words, his rackets are not stock no more and the current frames are only made for him.


Hope this helps...

Not correct info regarding Roland Garros-2014. I have his personal racket from that event, and yes - still he used lead tape and silicone in the handle. Photos - if you need them.

 

[innoVAShaun]

P.O.I.N.H.

 

[Kalugin]

P.O.I.N.H.

"Rafael Nadal personal racket. Secrets." - thats the name of my new thread, where you can find all the pictures and info​

 

[OldschoolKIaus]

Only true members of TTW know that the nadal is acutally using a Wilson Pro Staff 85 with hideous Babolat paintjobs!