The Lines of Babolat

When did they stop putting Babolat lines (stenciled) on pro rackets. Think Pete Sampras.


It so unusual to have 2 stencils per racket nowadays. I don't like stencils myself anyway it looks desperate in the armature ranks.
 

Crozzer95

Hall of Fame
When did they stop putting Babolat lines (stenciled) on pro rackets. Think Pete Sampras.


It so unusual to have 2 stencils per racket nowadays. I don't like stencils myself anyway it looks desperate in the armature ranks.


Babolat used to sponsor certain players along side other brands for strings. For example, Sampras was sponsored by Wilson for Racquets but Babolat for Natural Gut.

You do still see some players with dual stencils, Kubot used HEAD & Luxilon for example.
 

brinkeguthrie

Hall of Fame
FKvP1KW.jpg
 

Seth

Legend
True. And then there were the strange exceptions like when Gasquet had two Head stencils on his i.Prestige.

For the uninitiated:

Richard Gasquet of France plays a backhand caption: MONTE CARLO - APRIL 14: Richard Gasquet of France plays a backhand during the first round of the Tennis Masters on April 14, 2003 at The Monte Carlo Country Club in Monte Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) link: https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/...-backhand-during-the-first-news-photo/2057788
 

moon shot

Hall of Fame
For the uninitiated:

Richard Gasquet of France plays a backhand caption: MONTE CARLO - APRIL 14: Richard Gasquet of France plays a backhand during the first round of the Tennis Masters on April 14, 2003 at The Monte Carlo Country Club in Monte Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) link: https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/...-backhand-during-the-first-news-photo/2057788

Not to derail the thread, but what was the reasoning for Gasquet's duel Head stencils? Obviously it makes sense when the string sponsor is different from the main racquet sponsor, but in that Gasquet case, why?
 

JW10S

Hall of Fame
Not to derail the thread, but what was the reasoning for Gasquet's duel Head stencils? Obviously it makes sense when the string sponsor is different from the main racquet sponsor, but in that Gasquet case, why?
If you search you will find some pics of Henri Leconte also with the 2 ski tip logos. Back then HEAD was fairly new to, and getting more serious about also being a string manufacturer, so it was a way of marketing their strings. I've been sponsored by HEAD for decades and have one of those small string stencils somewhere. I'm going to dig it out and put it into my new Rad Pros--I think it looks cool. They should do that now considering more pros are using their strings--I'm going to suggest it...
 
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If you search you will find some pics of Henri Leconte also with the 2 ski tip logos. Back then HEAD was fairly new to, and getting more serious about also being a string manufacturer, so it was a way of marketing their strings. I've been sponsored by HEAD for decades and have one of those small string stencils somewhere. I'm going to dig it out and put it into my new Rad Pros--I think it looks cool. They should do that now--I'm going to suggest it...

FLEX
 
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