sixone90
Hall of Fame
But that sharp end at the bottom of the throat, definitely not PD or APD.
The APD has always had that
But that sharp end at the bottom of the throat, definitely not PD or APD.
The APD has always had that
The 2016 APD will have PSI technology like the 2015 Pure Drive does. That is the string pattern that Nadal is using here. It will also have cortex but Nadal does not use cortex. The cosmetics will likely lean toward more black with a bit of yellow/lime on it. So, Nadal will be using a "new" racket but not the one that will be sold in stores. New string pattern, no cortex and PSI.
The 2016 APD will have PSI technology like the 2015 Pure Drive does. That is the string pattern that Nadal is using here. It will also have cortex but Nadal does not use cortex. The cosmetics will likely lean toward more black with a bit of yellow/lime on it. So, Nadal will be using a "new" racket but not the one that will be sold in stores. New string pattern, no cortex and PSI.
As comparison, here's an old PDR 2012, with a drilling pattern similar to Nadal's old racquet:
head shape looks similar to those wilson blades..
Babolat have really only ever successfully marketed one and a half racquet models in twenty years. Remember the Aero Tour, Aero Tour+ and Aero Tour Pro Limited from the early noughties? Not many would! They simply put the aero shaft from these completely aero racquets onto the Pure Drive head - Pure Drive being the only model they've ever really had, with little change to the racquet Moya used in the 90s apart from releasing a heavier model when it was revealed Roddick's racquet was heavier than retail and the addition of the woofers almost 20 years ago - gave them to a (very) young Nadal a bit before the Aussie Open one year and the rest as they say, is history. Oh I forgot, the Pure Strike! Eyeah - nuf said. They were, to me, so incredibly lucky that their one racquet was the perfect accoutrement for the new wizbang poly strings. So very doubtful Rafa has a whole new racquet. But who knows; desperate times may call for desperate measures. Vamos!
Remind me again who the 'haters' are?Oh yeah, Pure Control; never really took off, never really died either - ok 2 1/2 models. lol. (Here come the haters!!)
So we know that Nadal used Babolat PLAY on his APD earlier this year. Maybe they looked the data and it turned out Nadal was making contact with the ball high in the stringbed? So that's why they try a switch to the new drilling pattern?
Looks exactly like the racquet he's always played with.
Different drilling pattern. Read the thread.
Again, for those who still believe Rafa uses his old APD (PJ'ed as new one) on those pics, take a look and find clear difference.
Two absolutely different rackets.
And I do think that besides different drilling patterns, they have different mold.
They may have just moved the two Babolat stripes further up the hoop so that one cross now appears below the stripe, whereas before it was not.
Looks like Pure Drive drilling pattern. But that sharp end at the bottom of the throat, definitely not PD or APD.
You certainly got this wrong because the throat looks quite similar even allowing for the bad photos.
I've seen the new Pure Drive in person and the photos I've seen of the new APD do not look like that string pattern to me.
Outermost main is supported by TWO less crosses on old racquet, and all other main strings by all crosses. In comparison, on new racquet the outermost main is supported by FOUR less crosses and the 2nd outermost by TWO less crosses and then all other mains by all crosses. That's the key difference.
Just with no woofer.Looks exactly like the racquet he's always played with.
Getty Images.
Practice.
R1.
Just with no woofer.
Outermost main is supported by TWO less crosses on old racquet, and all other main strings by all crosses. In comparison, on new racquet the outermost main is supported by FOUR less crosses and the 2nd outermost by TWO less crosses and then all other mains by all crosses. That's the key difference.
I dig the "Stealth" or subdued graphics on this racquet.... Too bad we can't get this paintjob on the next frame...
Outermost main is supported by TWO less crosses on old racquet, and all other main strings by all crosses. In comparison, on new racquet the outermost main is supported by FOUR less crosses and the 2nd outermost by TWO less crosses and then all other mains by all crosses. That's the key difference.
I agree with this assessment. At the very least the drill pattern has changed.
So Babolat is following the route of what Wilson did with RF97. Black out the new racquet, and make some noise of Rafa switching to new racquet, and then release it after Nadal wins enough with the new racquet. As sales of RF97 are so high, maybe they should follow that route till the end, and release APD with a weight closer to real Nadal's racquet. So something like 335SW and 12oz.
That's what i say in an older thread.
New pic from Getty Images. Cropped for comparison.
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What's the "FSI style pattern"?
What's the "FSI style pattern"?
Interesting grommet? part of the racket?
Also, the two lines on the sides are painted half way up the racket
You certainly got this wrong because the throat looks quite similar even allowing for the bad photos.
I've seen the new Pure Drive in person and the photos I've seen of the new APD do not look like that string pattern to me.