BABOLAT TENNIS COMPANY WHAT THEY DO AND DO NOT DO WELL

[@BorisBecker1872]

I think they’ve been around since 1877. They used to make strings for violins. Thus nearly 150 years. Amazing they’re still owned by the Babolat family!

[@rolandharris2706]

Private companies don't have to answer to shareholders. Much easier to survive.

[@djblackwing737]

Agree. Babolat owe the company's great success to Rafa.

[@davidpayumo23]

Carlos Moya was an early user. Roddick and Clijsters were very visible as well.

[@user-be5qg7mr1s]

@@davidpayumo23 don't forget Na Li

[@davidpayumo23]

@@user-be5qg7mr1s She came afterwards. Did she help sales in China? Of course she was very visible.

[@sarkology]

Their VS feel over grips (I think that’s the name) are the best I’ve found. They’re the thinnest on the market I believe and the texture doesn’t cause blisters like some of the Wilson ones do. Highly recommend you start selling them again I used to use Wilson over grips until I tried Babolat. Seem durable too haven’t had any issues.

[@BullyGarfield.]

mark sansait loves babloat overgrips

[@j.jmcquade5278]

Love the Babolat racquets, string, bags and now shoes! Used to play Wilson & then Volkl. Prince as a kid. Started with the Pure Drive in 2003 & switched to the Aero in 2004/2005. Pro Hurricane TOUR + VS Natural Gut, best combo out there until RPM Blast came a long. What makes Babolat so good is the versatility. No other brand can offer that. A 3.0 player loves the Pure Drive. 5.0 players love it. Grand Slam Champions love it (Moya, Roddick, Li Na, Clijsters, Muguruza, The Bryan Brothers, Kenin). And the cosmetics are the best! Great brand. Fun brand! Probably doesnt speak to the traditional crowd. They're better off with Head or Pro Kennex

[@RandomGuy285]

I've never been happier than when I finally splurged and got myself a real bag. I love my 6 pack Babolat bag. It's perfect.

[@jonmoratelli7326]

Watching this after Thiem won the US Open. Babolat is signing some good players on.

[@strobos4215]

I'd like to argue about Pure Strike Tour 1st gen. I use Kirshbaum Pro Line 2 black 18 gauge between 41 and 44 lbs and it plays perfect. Not to mention it looks beautiful, too🙂. Well, what do I know, I'm kinda old and being playing since 1980 lol 😆. Almost forgot to mention, I use leather replacement grips, which makes it about 348-350 grams, heavy enough without lead. Love your channel, greetings from East Coast!

[@marclegrand670]

I love your overall brand reviews. Well done!

[@micha8469]

I have this blue backpack and it's freaking awesome, the best sport backpack I've ever had, not only for tennis but in general. I'm using it for so much more than tennis/carrying racket, with that option to hide the handle cover, it just makes it a good general use backpack. The pads for on the back are great, you don't feel the racket at all, very comfy feeling overall. Two small pockets on the sides, very useful for smaller things, keys, phone, padlock, headphones etc. And one very deep chamber on the front bottom which is connected to the main one. Probably enough to put your tennis shoes and not dirty other stuff (I think that's what they meant but not sure). And the main one which is huge, I've packed stuff for a weekend trip and there was enough space. Can totally recommend, have been using it for almost a year or so, pretty intensely, too. The quality is there for sure. As to Babolat overall, I've got that yellow Pure Aero Nadal racket, too. Very good one. And I'm sure Nadal is the great face and people definitely started looking at Babolat stuff because of that but I don't think people would keep buying crap just because there is Nadal's or Thiem's face connected to the brand. You buy something once or twice, if it's crap, you are not going to buy it again, no matter how well it's marketed.

[@Tech0BG]

The first association with Babolat racquets -> SPIN at the expense of Stiffness/Tennis elbow.

[@rolandharris2706]

Amen. Terrible feel and playability.

[@homosapien5156]

I think you should go a bit more in depth on racquets like you did with Wilson pointing out their horrible paintjob. You could have mentioned that babolat racquets have the most garbage bumper guards or that the pure aero is the racquet that breaks the most.

[@tennisninjatv808]

I will say, Babolat sure has signed some awesome players to help put their brand on the map!

[@bowsershark]

🧐🤔Harry does not show the babolot electric lime green model which is prone to frame breaks. I have used their gut but substitute other string for this expensive item. I really like RPM in a hybrid string job with NXT or a equivalent.

[@juju-rt8ek]

Just watched your video about Tourna Grip. Thinking of using it again in Thailand because of climate. Thanks Harry

[@anthonymacaluso2671]

They also make tennis balls called "babolat gold" which are only $2 and very bouncy. I actually went down a size when I wore the old red roddick propulse shoes. I'd say they have the stiffest tendon shredding racquets. The tennis balls and gut strings are the only things I'd recommend.

[@charlesfaure1189]

If you don't hit with a relaxed hand and arm the Aero series will sting you, no doubt about that. (I call 'em 'the stinger.') But IMO Babolat's efforts to make it more comfortable with cortex, etc, have actually made it a worse-performing racket. No feel at all. I've playtested the new ones and still prefer my old AeroProDrives. I wish I'd kept my original Aerodrives, though. That and the original PureDrive were the best rackets I've ever had in my hand.

[@jsk8drummer]

I was a big fan of Babolat as a kid since I was a fan or Nadal and also liked to play with a lot of top spin. Now getting back into tennis after 12 years I’m seeing complaints about their QC being poor. So I went with a Yonex.

[@handsofstone1887]

Yonex is way better anyway. As for French racquets, I'll take Tecnifibre over Babolat any day!

[@euroclyde]

Babolat’s grommet system is a nightmare for stringers. I’m not sure they could make replacing them more difficult.

[@edwinchow8136]

Bring back the Soft Drive or at least something comparable with the Clash.

[@rodrigovta]

SOFTDRIVE was a great racket

[@BullyGarfield.]

tennisnerd loves that racket

[@Ahelow]

Looking for a replacements to my 2013 APDs...

[@oceancrossing]

say what? you finally have a hat other than Under Armor....lol The Babolat racket i missed most is the Pure Storm Tour. That thing is a solid hitter. Would this Pure Strike be a good substitution?

[@jorgeandrescoppiano]

Or someone come with a cheaper, industry standard way, to measure racquet flex that would be lovely

[@teenyson2939]

Enjoy your vids. This one was quite funny. 😁 Informative, but I like the way you put ut all together. Great job. 👍

[@davidli7642]

Hey Harry, can you make a stringing machine review video? Thanks

[@scottcrammond8571]

I tried a Babolat racquet when I was younger. I was a HUGE Andy Roddick fan. I just could not control the dang thing. I tried again this year, and I still cannot hit with it. Cool video, and I like the overall rundown on the company

[@RicardojdVeiga]

I have a question! Is it true that there will be a restyling of Babolat Pure Aero in the coming months?

[@vsaminat]

Do they have any rackets like pro staff that play fast flat and low?

[@jorgeandrescoppiano]

Why don’t you like the Strike 1st Gen?

[@BullyGarfield.]

the feel is muted and like it has no pop i guess

[@TheRoast44bones]

Can't you do a review on the Wilson Ncode Ntour 95 the one Justine Henin and Ana Ivanovic played with 2005. Do you still have those rackets?

[@aledrumsguitar]

It looks like the Pro Hurricane string has been discontinued. What is the Babolat replacement model? Or what do you recommend? I’m looking for a smooth poly that will allow me to hit some flat shots.

[@bowsershark]

Ha. Pro Hurricane is now RPM according to Harry😊

[@2ndAveScents]

No mention of their almost Wilson like racquet QC? Sometimes they’re way off as seen in some of your vids.

[@chrislin2774]

I've experienced QC issues with their 2011 Pure Storm frames. No QC issues with their Pure Drive frames and Aeropro Drive frames.

[@westscotian]

I bought 5 of the new Pure Strike Tour frames and picked the one I liked the feel of the most. Asked racket shop to match all the others to the exact swing weight and total weight. Unbelievable how much lead and the various locations were required to do so. It is money well spent, but compared to Yonex QA/QC there is none. But I do love the new tour frames.

[@2ndAveScents]

@@westscotian I just got two Pure Aero VS this morning. First one weighed 304.9 grams, second one is 305 grams exactly. Both balance at 315 mm which would be 9pts HL unstrung. I guess the extra cost goes in to the extended QC. I haven't measured swingweight, but I don't really care to as they both feel identical. I'm completely blown away.

[@westscotian]

Daniel Gregson That is great and like you I am willing to pay the extra for matched frames. Nice to see the QC is within 1%.

[@jennym2276]

Wore the shoes for several years but a few years ago they stopped fitting right.

[@timbruner4628]

Your comments on the G Light racket caught my interest. Could you do a video on first tennis rackets for a late-teen? (In my case daughter)

[@mvibss]

as a late teen myself, use a normal weight racket.

[@2ndAveScents]

Syntec Pro white is so much better than the black. I also like the Evo. My favorite so far has been Head Hydrosorb Comfort. Has a fabric like feel with good tac without being sticky. Great absorbency. Hoping to find an overgrip that matches.

[@ifeanyiikpegbu6465]

How's the durability compared to Wilson pro? I use the latter but it doesn't last

[@2ndAveScents]

@@ifeanyiikpegbu6465 You mean the Wilson Pro overgrip? I can't compare to that, I have a set on order, but I haven't tried them yet. They stand up quite well as replacement grips though. The Babolat grips are quite durable. The Head gets dirty a bit quicker, but it lasts nearly as long as far as feel goes.

[@balcoz2004]

Where’s your Wilson video?

[@michaeldrakakis6788]

I asked the same in the previous upload.

[@r.p.8402]

Babolat actually makes clothing that is quite good. Very good material and the shirts/shorts are cut/designed for tennis specific movement. Both short and long sleeved tops are made of UV protection fabric. Often overlooked but the clothing wears as good or better than anything I’ve worn from Nike or Adidas. And yes, the sticks are outstanding and getting better with every generation.

[@thelolguy007]

Love the Pure Strike Tour. Great Racket.

[@lesliezhou8307]

Pure Aero VS is the best decision I made this year switching from Aeropro drive

[@timbaker9830]

Same here, absolutely love my 2 PAVS. Added 2 grams of lead and now it’s dialed in. What are you stringing yours with? Hyper G been working great for me.

[@lesliezhou8307]

Tim Baker I added 9g +-2 at 12 and 3.5g +-2 in the handle for all 6 of mine. +-2 because of babolat’s quality control. I tried alu rough, hyper g, and confidential. And settled on rpm rough at 55

[@jonathankim7238]

I totally agree with sizing of babolat’s shoes. They run smaller than the actual size

[@DanTuber]

Can anyone confirm what he's saying about Syntec pro grips. Have they changed much?

[@MrXltennis]

Rdc for rasket made babolat.its good?

[@fren6363]

Isnt babolat known for handgrip sizes being off too?

[@Utopia569]

Babolat makes the best natural gut. I tried all the other brands including pacific and perth( made by Babolat's brother).

[@2ndAveScents]

Have you tried the budget stuff like Klip or wholesale natural gut?

[@davidli7642]

I use tonic, it’s basically the same as VS but more economical

[@Utopia569]

@@2ndAveScents I have tried klip and natural gut wholesale version 5. The V5 is better than Klip in my opinion.

[@Utopia569]

@@davidli7642 I agree with you 100%. The tonic gut still gives a lot of power even at 1.35mm guage.

[@davestohs]

Babolat Syntec Pro grips are the best; normally I agree with Tennis Spin but I go as far as replacing my Wilson grips with these when I bought my Clash and RF97.

[@eliotyt8391]

The thing i don’t like about babolat i played with pure drive 2016 version is that when i hit the ball i never felt when i was hitting the sweetspot i don’t know if it is the same case with the aero and strike but i didnt like it

[@fanman71]

Love their rackets, & bags. Use to really like their shoes, but the only ones that I would wear these days from Babolat is the Jet line, all the others just aren't that great. Their natural gut & hybrid packs are an easy #1 for me in terms of strings.

[@anonymous13579ify]

can you do a video on your favorite rackets for control?

[@mauriziodenapoli873]

Thank you for the video. You just miss some words about the sensors...Babolat pop and Babolat Play

[@ibrahimwichka4380]

Your shirt?

[@ariurip3751]

Yes, i tried the lemon overgrip, great stuff but they frayed too soon.

[@shawn7058]

Smart person for buying that ProKennex Destiny frame.

[@ttowning4468]

You forgot to review Babolat tennis balls?

[@simonecaputo3641]

Head balls are way better

[@tonghun]

The small pocket with the zipper in the babolat bag is great. Wish I had that for my extra vibration dampers

[@ariurip3751]

Whats the no 1 selling racquet? Clash 100?

[@KreationPhotography]

Gotta be

[@edwinmacaraeg7818]

lol.. funny pronunciation bit. I do remember when I first saw this brand and I couldn't figure out how to say it. I thought it was like, "Bay Bo Late??". I own a pure drive 100 but for some reason I make more errors on my backhand so I revert back to my yonex. I love serving with Babolats though.. spin monsters.

[@Radnally]

I use the yonex dr 100 now, but i still keep my pure drive on reserve status. I agree about the self opening zipper. Terrible. I use a small caribiner clipped through both zipper pull holes.

[@iforc]

I hate how much tennis racquet brands change names and offer different levels and different places and don’t list all racquets on websites.

[@chuckharris4855]

What about Andy Roddick? First time I remember seeing it on the tour.

[@louisgentine7161]

Where is the Wilson one ? Deleted ?

[@Thicc_Thanos964]

Where’s the original intro music :,( Good review tho

[@FormulaMeme]

Been trying the Dunlop CX200 Tour recently. Been really liking it.

[@davidli7642]

Please try either Yonex VCore Pro HD or Head Gravity Pro both if you have the chance. I liked those a lot better than the Dunlop from my playtest a while back. Ended up going with the Yonex

[@FormulaMeme]

@@davidli7642 11 months later, I finally made the switch to the CX200 Tour. The Score Pro is too expensive and when I tried the Gravity Pro the swing weight was too much.

[@joshuaaltmann6431]

It is so funny because when I discovered how bad their shoe sizing was I also shocked people when I grabbed them a size 12 when they wear 10, and their overgrips are terrible but otherwise I like em

[@jiitee3215]

I just don't understand why they ditched Soft Drive. It would easily get them even more lovers and customers.

[@KyleCasey08]

I used heavy rackets for a while and now I'm 12 and using a clash 100 tour

[@jonathanshaffer6757]

i was sad the play didn’t survive, i would have gotten one if they were still around when i heard about them

[@beegee3136]

Super props for the honesty in your reviews of products, even if it may affect your sales!

[@disguy9447]

Great video, can you do one on yonex?

[@K4R3N]

They injure players very well, and have hell of a marketing/hype department.

[@JK-wz7uj]

Injure? I been using an Aero for years, zero injuries.

[@K4R3N]

@Dusty Shackleford tennis wrist/elbow/shoulder...take your pic. It's a real thing. Maybe you against little girls only and don't have to hit hard??

[@scotteckart1401]

Ok we have some macho dudes in the feed who are clearly too jacked to ever get tennis-related arm injuries. And we have some people getting offended about the macho dudes. Good points about doing some stretching out/strength training for forearm, elbow, and wrist, but tennis elbow has everything to do with the tendons and it's just more prevalent in some people than others. And yes some Bab racquets like Pure Aero and Pure Drive (especially Roddick) are known for being very stiff and exacerbating people's predisposition to getting tennis elbow

[@ntarps100]

@@scotteckart1401 Tennis elbow is usually caused by poor technique. Most high-level players get "golfers elbow" which is another injury. Tennis elbow can be cured by doing more shoulder-turn. Especially on 1HB, many players don't turn their back on their opponent during the turn--they barely turn at all. That will cause classic TE. It's more intuitive to turn the shoulder on a 2HB so you don't see the injury there as much. Golfers elbow happens when you are serving hard but extend the arm too much towards the target--you actually want to keep the elbow in place as the forearm whips out and down, similar to hitting a nail with a hammer. Hope that makes sense.

[@nanox25x]

Don’t blame the racket for your poor technique

[@nicoleguizamon]

No one is going to say anything about the cap with the label on it?

[@TennisSpin]

lol good eye

[@mteca5093]

YOU NEED to TRY the BEST string ORIGIN

[@alanhaddy7499]

I agree with that shoe sizing - how can that happen haha - brilliant. Not just babolat though

[@ajcph]

Babolat seems to have invested a lot in R&D

[@svlagonda7417]

What Babolat do well: Make racquets with power and spin. What Babolat don't do well: Make racquets that break your arm.

[@louiscastellani5665]

Overgrips: the Pro Tour Comfort is a superior version of the Wilson Pro

[@devilefan]

It's definitely a fact about Nadal being the reason For most of Babolats success....He's the reason I got my first Babolat racket... The pure aero (Green version) But I will say since using it I will definitely stay with it not because of Nadal using it but because it is truly a tremendous racket

[@danielplasencia7271]

Just like Nadal had people playing on long shorts, Roddick had people wearing visors and even reebok. Obviously Rafa is an icon on another level but Babolat was doing really good thanks to players like Moya #1 Clijsters #1, but Roddick was a crazy and maybe rightfully so. To this day the last American man to be world no. 1 and win a major.

[@p4ulodi4s]

Babolat is great, I love the brand, the products. But right now I just moved from Aero Banana to the New Blade V7. 😄

[@jorgeandrescoppiano]

They should sell the RDC again. For way cheaper.

[@wm2357]

Their overgrips literally vaporise after a while

[@josephhodge7114]

Yonex next please!

[@juju-rt8ek]

I wasn't the only one Harry.

[@Lego-tennis]

We all know Wilson pro over girp is the best.

[@tennnis498]

I wonder why you say the Gen 1 Pure Strike was garbage. I went from Gen 1 to Gen 2 expecting a better racket, and it wasn’t better for me. F* the reviews and opinions. What works for one person doesn’t for another. Why is Coach Gu so damn good?

[@golfendeavor8267]

have the Babolat Wimbledon packpack which is nice. I would not knock their racquets - maybe one day

[@gregbad78]

Je confirme la bonne prononciation de babolat en français ! pas de T à la fin !

[@nibpicky]

Putting that comic sans PLAY text into their logo was such a huge mistake. Every accessory looks like it’s designed for kids now.

[@Prostringer87]

What about tennis balls?

[@wai2994]

Dominic is indeed a fighter. I'd say Felix Auger Aliassime the next Rafa tho. He has the most efficient and fluid techniques amongst the next gen.

[@petitpanierdosier]

Still sure about that?

[@andreaaa9204]

I always think that people that say “I miss the original intro music!!” must have erectile dysfunction level 100 cause that ish was next level horrible

[@glenparis]

I play with the Babolat Play.

[@Bensway7]

He said not sure nadal used Rpm strings? im Pretty sure, maybe this guy is deaf, these strings have specific sound it was very easy to hear that rafa used exact same model. even wawrinka did use it, great champion wawrinka used it, i bet video maker didnt thought you to tell that i guaruntee it,

[@gabedraper7594]

1:00 jajaja

[@mact7766]

discontinuing Aeropro Drive is the downfall of babolat

[@fiqhanaja2019]

0:42 BabolaT

[@Tennishead21]

Yonex next? :)

[@balcoz2004]

For me Wilson: feel and control (and looks best) Babolat: Spin and beginner friendly Head: Power and feel

[@petermaclauren2788]

Yonex: best quality control and good feel

[@Keroppikun]

Love their natural gut and often hybrid Tonic Feel 135 with their Hurricane or Excel. Use their Elastocross string savers with a full natural bed.

[@sandraa.5271]

I love their shoes. I have a narrow, long foot and it is hard for me to find a properly fitting shoe. Finally, found Babolat...Good fit, light but durable!

[@sandrosoler4275]

didn't mention their balls, I like their Gold All Court

[@testpower7135]

American: babolat. french: babolah

[@sportscastercanada]

Get rid of those shoes! 😄

[@nightowldickson]

What Babolat do well: Marketing and Playing Sponsorships