Wait, why do pros use Babolat rackets??

TimeToPlaySets

TimeToPlaySets

Legend
Babolat rackets seem hugely popular among both pros and rec players.
They are also very stiff.
Stiff means power to make up for a weak swing, right?
So, it makes sense that low powered players would use Babolat.
But, rec players basically buy equipment to emulate the pros.
Wait, why do pros use Babolat rackets??
They swing very hard, so they don't want a stiff power racket since the ball will go long.

Should pro players with huge swings use a stuff Bab racket, or a soft Prince racket?
I see lots of pros using Bab. How?
 
They probably growing up playing with Babolat frame or maybe still using the exact frame since their junior career so they are very familiar with it. Also, if you know how to swing a stiff racket like pure drive or pure aero it can become a weapon. I would say Rafa and his pure aero (although it’s a original APD) is a good example, you see him can generate crazy spin out of his swing but the ball still lands deep, that’s because the frame itself already has enough power so he can put more effort in swiping the ball not just push the ball forward. Again, it requires a different swing formation adjustment.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Babolat has the strongest and most aggressive marketing of all the racquet brands. They are everywhere. Even on these forums, they have representatives posting "Bonjour from Babolat" threads. It's sickening but it works.
 
There is more to power than just stiffness... Change your thinking first and things will make a bit more sense. The pros swing very fast, don't think of it as swinging hard. The pros play with low powered poly strings mostly. Fast swingspeed + poly = more topspin which helps keep the ball in the court.

Pro players can play with virtually whatever they want, as long as things feel "good" to them, with good being subjective.
 
Who knows what the pros' stiffness ratings really are. Babolat has a long history and a strong brand, they make a good product and have the money to pay the players. I've never owned a Babolat, but I bet they could provide me a suitable racket if I was a pro. But about every brand has stiff rackets, like some of the classic Wilsons, to me, are rather stiff.

Here locally (in Finland), it seems that it is more the girls that have Babolats.
 
TimeToPlaySets said:
Babolat rackets seem hugely popular among both pros and rec players.
They are also very stiff.
Stiff means power to make up for a weak swing, right?
So, it makes sense that low powered players would use Babolat.
But, rec players basically buy equipment to emulate the pros.
Wait, why do pros use Babolat rackets??
They swing very hard, so they don't want a stiff power racket since the ball will go long.

Should pro players with huge swings use a stuff Bab racket, or a soft Prince racket?
I see lots of pros using Bab. How?
Click to expand...

The answers are obvious: dollars for their wallets and pro stocks for their arms.
 
TimeToPlaySets said:
Babolat rackets seem hugely popular among both pros and rec players.
They are also very stiff.
Stiff means power to make up for a weak swing, right?
So, it makes sense that low powered players would use Babolat.
But, rec players basically buy equipment to emulate the pros.
Wait, why do pros use Babolat rackets??
They swing very hard, so they don't want a stiff power racket since the ball will go long.

Should pro players with huge swings use a stuff Bab racket, or a soft Prince racket?
I see lots of pros using Bab. How?
Click to expand...
I think your question goes back to using an M80 firecracker vs a Blackcat. When you put an M80 under a tarantula or a docile frog, the results are QUITE different than a mere Blackcat.
 
Few pros play with retail frames.

Babolat prostock are much softer than retail. Check prostock ra ratings.

Pro carreers are short. They will play for the brand that pays best. At least most will. I would coach and play with Babolat if the price was right even if I’m not a fan.
 
TimeToPlaySets said:
Babolat rackets seem hugely popular among both pros and rec players.
They are also very stiff.
Stiff means power to make up for a weak swing, right?
So, it makes sense that low powered players would use Babolat.
But, rec players basically buy equipment to emulate the pros.
Wait, why do pros use Babolat rackets??
They swing very hard, so they don't want a stiff power racket since the ball will go long.

Should pro players with huge swings use a stuff Bab racket, or a soft Prince racket?
I see lots of pros using Bab. How?
Click to expand...

They've grown up using them and too hardwired with them to ever switch.

More than one pro like fognini have custom low RA babolats iirc.
 
TimeToPlaySets said:
Babolat rackets seem hugely popular among both pros and rec players.
They are also very stiff.
Stiff means power to make up for a weak swing, right?
So, it makes sense that low powered players would use Babolat.
But, rec players basically buy equipment to emulate the pros.
Wait, why do pros use Babolat rackets??
They swing very hard, so they don't want a stiff power racket since the ball will go long.

Should pro players with huge swings use a stuff Bab racket, or a soft Prince racket?
I see lots of pros using Bab. How?
Click to expand...
Babolat made a process with their pro racquets around ‘00 called the “resin reduction application” (RRA). This application was only available to sponsored tour pros from ‘01 to the present. While not all pros use Babolat racquets, those that do have exclusive access to this industrial grade performance enhancement. Sometime around ‘06 Babolat began farming this process out to non-sponsored players to have a similar process applied to their equipment, thus advancing their game and equipment. In exchange, Babolat entered into a contractual marketing agreement with these pros, tournament directors, and select club pros to further extend its marketing base.

Hopefully that answers your question. :)
 
McLovin said:
I’d just like to point out that one of the most popular frames on the tour over the past 15 years (Wilson Pro Staff Classic 6.1/Hyper Pro Staff 6.1/KSix One) come in at a stiffness of 72, 68, and 69, respectively.
Click to expand...

pro models or retail versions?

That's always the key question when looking at a pro's racket. The number of pros using a retail frame unmodified is vanishingly small.
 
McLovin said:
I’d just like to point out that one of the most popular frames on the tour over the past 15 years (Wilson Pro Staff Classic 6.1/Hyper Pro Staff 6.1/KSix One) come in at a stiffness of 72, 68, and 69, respectively.
Click to expand...

This can't be stated enough. Stiffness combined with a sufficiently high static/swing weight (like those racquets listed above, or the venerable 2001 Pure Control) is generally a very solid combination.
 
They are unique frames. More powerful, but you can use that power to generate spin not forward motion.
 
If you are a flat hitter that doesn’t use much spin.....it’s a no go. TTPS you should try a Pure Drive or APD. You are a strong guy, it would be a great weapon in your hands.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

T
Why do pros use them????
Replies
15
Views
1K
BlackJesus
B
graycrait
Again, anyone have any idea how many top 100 pros use off the shelf retail rackets?
Replies
6
Views
814
Automatix
Automatix
H
Why do pros use tweener rackets?
2 3
Replies
127
Views
24K
Muppet
Muppet
R
Why so few extended rackets?
Replies
27
Views
4K
robsanz
R
J
Which pros actually use the Babolat Pure Storm Tour?
Replies
3
Views
3K
Standstill
S
Back
Top