One of the sport’s most historic brands, Babolat’s tennis story began all the way back in 1875, when, utilising their expertise in the processing of natural gut for musical instruments and archery bows, Pierre Babolat and his team produced the first ever natural gut racket string.
A series of innovations followed, including the tension-resistant Babolat VS string in 1925, which remains popular today, through to the Cordynel – the world’s first electric stringing machine – in 1981. The Lyon-based brand are also responsible for some of the most technologically advanced synthetic strings on the market, such as the RPM and Xcel ranges. In short, they are the masters of strings.
But what about rackets? It might surprise you to learn that Babolat’s first range of rackets was released relatively recently, with another Pierre Babolat, great grandson of the family company’s founder, creating the Pure line in 1994.
Having cleverly gifted their frames to talented up-and-comers, Babolat’s name began to ring out on the pro circuit, chiefly thanks to the Pure Drive. After Carlos Moya won the French Open in ’98 using the power-focused racket, Andy Roddick and Kim Clijsters became ATP and WTA No.1s with the same frame in 2003. A couple of years later, a youthful Rafael Nadal won his first Slam title, conquering Roland-Garros with the Aeropro Drive, which was specifically designed to suit his spin-based play.
Nowadays, Babolat split their rackets into three categories: the Pure Drive for power, the Pure Aero for spin, and the Pure Strike for control. Each series comes in a range of headsizes and weights to suit all ages, body types, and skill levels, with comfort-focused EVO editions available for players who prioritise fun and gradual improvement.
Which Babolat Racket Suits Your Playstyle?
Wondering which Babolat racket will suit your game? Read below as we give you the lowdown on each collection and which one is best for your style and level of play.
Babolat Evo Drive 115 Wimbledon Tennis Racket
Cruise to victory with the Babolat Evo Drive 115 Wimbledon tennis racket in White/Black, a fun version of the Drive with arm-friendly shock absorption technology. Decked out in a suitably classy cosmetic, this special edition pays tribute to the world’s most prestigious grass court tournament.
Equipped with SWX EVO Feel in key areas of the frame, the Babolat Evo Drive uses the shock absorption properties of viscoelastic rubber to reduce vibrations felt by the arm.Combined with a lively 16/17 string pattern that’s built for spin, the comfort-focused tech makes the Evo Drive a very enjoyable racket to play with – you can go for any type of shot from any part of the court. It also reduces fatigue, going easier on your arm so you can keep playing for longer.Weighing in at 240g with a 115 sq. in. headsize, the Evo Drive 115 makes it easy to generate power while remaining light in the hand, and it’s equipped with a Syntec Evo grip, which absorbs sweat to help you maintain control.
Equipped with SWX EVO Feel in key areas of the frame, the Babolat Evo Drive uses the shock absorption properties of viscoelastic rubber to reduce vibrations felt by the arm.Combined with a lively 16/17 string pattern that’s built for spin, the comfort-focused tech makes the Evo Drive a very enjoyable racket to play with – you can go for any type of shot from any part of the court. It also reduces fatigue, going easier on your arm so you can keep playing for longer.Weighing in at 240g with a 115 sq. in. headsize, the Evo Drive 115 makes it easy to generate power while remaining light in the hand, and it’s equipped with a Syntec Evo grip, which absorbs sweat to help you maintain control.
Babolat
Babolat Drive
Known for its devastating power potential, the Drive series has been blasting opponents off the court since 1994. It’s Babolat’s longest-standing racket series and arguably its most influential, having played a significant role in the rise in popularity of larger headsizes over the years. That trend began with the Pure Drive, which remains the flagship racket in the series today, and extends to the more recreational rackets in the range, the Evo Drive and the Boost Drive. Whichever model you choose, whether you’re a pro or just playing for fun, power won’t be a problem when you’re armed with a Drive.
Control Racket
Control rackets usually have closed string patterns – essentially, more strings per area – to increase ball contact and give you more control over your shots. They tend to have thinner beams to allow more flex and often utilise material technologies to make you feel more connected to the ball.
Features
• Special-edition Wimbledon colourway
• Headsize: 742cm2 / 115 sq. in.
• Weight (Unstrung): 240g / 8.5oz
• Balance (Unstrung): 340mm
• Flexibility: 68 RA
• Length: 685mm / 27in
• Composition: Graphite
• String Pattern: 16/17
• Beam: 25-28-24mm
• Grip: Syntec Evo
• Grip Size: 0-4
• SWX EVO FEEL - Used in the aerospace industry, the advanced SMAC technology with increased dampening properties is located in three key areas of the racket and provides amazing comfort on every shot
• Elliptic Frame - Elliptical frame structure with optimal resistance and overall rigidity for phenomenal power
• Woofer System - The first and most effective frame-string interaction system that provides a longer ball and string contact time for greater control and comfort
• Please note this racket will come strung unless the image displays otherwise
• Please note that all Babolat Evo rackets come without a protective head cover
Additional Information
- Quick Ref: 1016477
- Man. Ref: 102523-100
Choosing the Right Grip Size for your Tennis Racket
One often overlooked, but crucial, aspect when selecting a tennis racket is the grip size. The grip size is the measurement around the handle's circumference, and choosing the right one can significantly impact your comfort, control, and potential to prevent injury. This article will guide you through the process of selecting the right tennis racket grip size.
Importance of Choosing the Right Grip Size
A correctly sized tennis grip ensures you have optimal control over your racket and helps prevent injuries. Too small a grip may cause your hand to shift during play, reducing accuracy and increasing the risk of developing tennis elbow due to overuse of the forearm muscles. Conversely, a grip that's too large can make the racket hard to turn and manipulate, and it could also lead to hand, wrist, or shoulder injuries due to overgripping.
Measuring Your Grip Size
There are two common methods to measure your grip size:
- The Ruler Method: Open your dominant hand and extend your fingers. Align a ruler with the bottom lateral crease of your palm, measuring to the tip of your ring finger. The measurement in inches correlates with your grip size.
- The Finder Test: Hold the racket with a standard Eastern forehand grip, where the base knuckle of your index finger is on bevel #3. You should be able to fit the index finger of your other hand in the space between your ring finger and the palm that's gripping the racket. If there's not enough room for your finger, the grip is too small. If there's too much space, the grip is too large.
Grip Sizes: U.S. vs. European
In the U.S., grip sizes range from 4 inches to 4 ¾ inches, increasing in increments of 1/8 inch. European grip sizes use a different naming system, L0 to L5, each correlating to their U.S. counterparts as follows:
| European Grip Size | US Grip Size |
|---|---|
| L0 or G0 | 4 Inches |
| L1 or G1 | 4 1/8 inches |
| L2 or G2 | 4 1/4 inches |
| L3 or G3 | 4 3/8 inches |
| L4 or G4 | 4 1/2 inches |
| L5 or G5 | 4 5/8 inches |
Choosing the Right Grip Size
When choosing the right grip size, consider the following points:
- Go for the smaller size if you're in between: It's easier to increase the size of a grip than decrease it. You can always add an overgrip (which usually adds about 1/16 inch) to a smaller handle to increase its size, but shaving down a larger handle is not recommended as it can compromise the racket's structural integrity.
- Consider your style of play: Players who rely on spin might prefer a smaller grip size, which allows for more wrist action. In contrast, players seeking control may benefit from a larger grip size.
- Test it out: If possible, try before you buy. Visit a local sports store, hold the racket, and mimic your swing to see how it feels. Remember that comfort is key - if it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.
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