How Rafa's Racquet Helps Him Win

[@Rafa_RG]

Thank you Rafa for all the incredible moments with you I may not have been able to watch all your matches but I am very grateful to see Bastad, the Olympics, the 6 Kings Slam and a bit of the Davis Cup you are my idol and Vamos Rafa !!!!!

[@Retr0-Creative]

Masterpiece! Such a great channel, and the quality of all your videos TOP

[@cybergrail]

Thank you for this great video!

[@TennCom]

Thanks for your support! Keep rockin that sexy stick and many more videos coming your way!

[@TennCom]

Who's racquet set up should I try next? Djoker? Zverev? Yours?

[@ernie1784]

I would like to see NoVaxx racquet, but as far as I know, he’s using a for him specialized pro stock mold with a 95 head size. That’s probably quite difficult to get.

[@TennCom]

I have picked up a Liquidmetal Radical MP, the racquet that his current stick is based on.

[@brunis_m]

Do Schwartzman. Really curious to see if that 28” stick is what allows such a little fellow to play at that level

[@TennCom]

Awesome suggestion. I will dig into what Diego is using a bit more. I think it's like an old IG Radical, but not positive.

[@brunis_m]

@@TennCom pretty sure it’s that extended to 28”. If you can find a short fellow idiot to test this it would be amazing lol

[@TennCom]

Hahahahahahaha ok I'll get some new friends

[@mrfs4835]

A really well-done channel. Thanks for the contribution. But I am now really interested in the comparison between the BAPD and the here highly praised (and rated with 10/10 Spin) Extreme Tour.

[@TennCom]

Thanks! I'll can touch on this in the video where I explain how I customize my Extreme Tour.

[@michaelp9061]

It is a shame Babolat do not sell this racquet to the public. Rafa does NOT use pure aero !

[@TennCom]

I know I was really hoping the Rafa edition would be a closer homage to the APDO but alas, it probably won’t happen

[@CourtsideSportsLTD]

An absolute epic!

[@Nerdzombiedisco]

Babolat made the best Pro Kennex frame when they made the AeroPro Drive.

[@pro71]

How big is the difference between the original and the newest pure aero? Would love to see you do Novaks racquet! Very creative video, great job!

[@TennCom]

Huge difference. The new PA is way more muted, much less predictable in terms of launch angle and much more forgiving off centre. The old ADPO is a very special racquet and one of the best of all time IMO. The new one will work for more players, but as a result, is less unique.

[@pro71]

@@TennCom I see. That's cool. What racquet would you say resembles the original ADP the most on the market today?

[@TennCom]

@@pro71 I would say probably the Extreme Tour. It doesn't have the swingweight (pretty much nothing under 210g has a 330 SW), but it has the raw, graphite feel, incredible maneuverability and awesome spin potential. The current gen Pure Aero is obviously nearly identical in spec, but it has a much higher twistweight, so it swing much slowing and has a pretty rubbery feel.

[@pro71]

@@TennCom what about the new dunlop sx 300? Would you say it plays similar to the original adp?

[@TennCom]

@@pro71 haven't tried any of the SX300s

[@naman8238]

Hey I'm confused between the Pure aero vs the Vcore( 95 or 98 ) for more spin and power, can you please help me in choosing the right racquet. PS I'm not a beginner..

[@TennCom]

So the Pure Aero (PA) and VC 98/95 are all racquets that are designed for players who hit with spin and power, but they are designed for 3 different types of sub-player. While a very advanced player can get great results out off all three, it's really comes down to how you miss. Those who miss long will get more success with the VC95 than the PA, with the VC98 being a middle ground racquet. This is due to the different launch angles in the racquets. The PA has a very high launch angle, contributed by the 100 square inch head, the thick, stiff beam and the very open 16x19 pattern. The VC98 has a slightly lower launch angle due to the smaller 98 head and a thinner beam. The VC95 has the lowest launch angle, with the smallest head, the thinnest beam and tightest string pattern, at 16x20. I get great stability out of all three, and the feel is relatively comparable, muted but firm.

[@Maiqel]

Hi Beckett! I had a 2013 APD and measured its TW with the "homemade" bifilar pendulum method, and it clocked at around 15.7. I was curious to try the original and put it up to Rafa's spec with some lead (and maybe RPM Blast at 55), to see how the "raw" feel without cortex was, but specially the below 13 TW, so I got my hands on a cheap used Original. But with the same method, I measured 14.4 unstrung (so close to 15 strung), is this variation in TW common? If I keep looking I may find one below 13? I assume you have measured yours with the Briffidi TW adapter and that's where you got the 12.76 from, right? Also, do you know by chance if the Rafa Origin also mimics the layup of the Original, with its low TW? Or do you happen to have one laying around that you can measure?

[@TennCom]

I didn't have the Briffidi TW adapter at the time of filming (it didnt even exist yet), the 12.76 comes from the Cortex number TW lists, as RacquetTech said the racquet's were essentially the same and he uses that number to approximate. A lot of my earlier stuff about twistweight is a bit misguided due to inconsistent information so i think its time i clear the air in a future video

[@alainabdul]

If I want to switch from my Apdo wich racket is a good option? mines are getting old...

[@TennCom]

Pure Aero Rafa 290 no question. It needs some handle weight but its essentially the exact same frame with a more open pattern. The layup on the Rafa feels the same as the ADPO which is not the same as the normal PA100.

[@alainabdul]

@TennCom so , stock form but more Weight in the handle, perfect to know that . Thank you!!!

[@nevinliauw]

Awesome vid Beckett! Any racquet other than extreme tour that you think is close to the original aero pro?

[@nevinliauw]

And how would you mod the extreme tour, lead tape frm 10-2? (5-6grams) and none on 3 and 9 to keep the twistweight low, easier spin and maneuver?

[@TennCom]

The Pure Aero VS feels like the APDO and Strike 18x20 had a baby. I also remember really enjoying the Ultra 100 because the pattern was quite dense for what it was. The stability was also superb, but it didn't have the same sensation of speed through the air. Feel was also quite connected from my memory (its been years since I last hit it).

[@sebwylleman]

Love that, this is actually my first adult racket that I owned. It's still in somewhat of a decent condition, I think I am going to give it a go again :) Can I ask what strings + tension you strung it at, and would recommend? Much appreciated, keep up the great content!

[@TennCom]

I still have mine with RPM Blast 16 at 55lbs for the Rafa factor

[@sebwylleman]

@@TennCom Thanks!

[@cybergrail]

This video is so interesting and helpful. I have two of the original areo pro drive racquets, and people make fun of me because they are so old. But, the original is good.

[@TennCom]

The OG is goated. Anyone with an appreciation for racquets, beyond simply buying the latest shiny toy, can appreciate the APDO. It's arguably the best Babolat ever made, the best 100 square inch racquet ever made and even, arguably, the greatest retail racquet ever produced. Anyone who makes fun of you will have to go through me first.

[@cybergrail]

@@TennCom Thank you! I really like it and have never felt the need to change. I have sometimes wondered if there is some new technology that might be better, but your excellent video lets me know I'm not wrong to stay with this racquet. Thank you!

[@zeroelus]

I have one that I keep seeing sold but I don't want to pull the trigger as I already (mostly) use an older racquet model (ncode six one 95 in the 16x18 pattern) and only recently started to use a newer frame to good success (the 21 PD 100). I don't want to depend on old frames that are getting harder to find lol. ...but I may drunkenly order it if nobody picks it up soon since ppl are not realizing what this dude is selling.

[@zeroelus]

Do you still have this racquet specced out like this? How does it compare to the, now available, Rafa Origin?

[@TennCom]

I still haven't tried the Origin sadly but I do want to make something special for Rafa soon!

[@zeroelus]

@@TennCom just saw he was listed for Wimbledon, and I’m guessing any video about Rafa near these dates will do well. Hope to see it soon!

[@robertobeltraninfante576]

Nice edit in the thumbnail! What is your opinion on the Pure Aero VS and how it compares to the extreme tour? Thanks! And keep up with this amazing channel!

[@TennCom]

Full review on the Aero VS next week. After I will do a video where I go in depth on my thoughts as this is clearly a very important comparison for a lot of people.

[@pro71]

How do you know he used the racquet in its stock form in the beginning of his career?

[@TennCom]

Uncle Toni told me over coffee

[@pro71]

@@TennCom For real? What year would you say he started adding weight to the racquet?

[@TennCom]

@@pro71 no, just joking. The off-season between 2011/2012 was when he first added weight. I couldn't find the initial press conference, but here's an article www.tennis-x.com/xblog/2012-01-07/8541.php In 2017, he adds 3g www.essentiallysports.com/rafael-nadals-racquet-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-lethal-weapon-tennis/ Here's another on his 2018 changes tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/Rafael_Nadal/55596/babolat-strategist-explains-why-they-added-weight-to-rafael-nadal-s-racket/ as far as evidence goes for using the APDO in his early career, the APD always had visible Cortex from Gen 2-4, but his racquet has never had visible Cortex, suggesting that he never switched to new APD's in his early career.

[@pro71]

@@TennCom Thanks for the article, but 2011, 2012 can't be the first time he added weight. People who have his game used racquet from 2007 have measured it and it comes out as: SW355 Static 332 Balance 33,5 The links you've provided coincide well with this stat. So he must have added 3g to the above spec in 2011, 2012 and so on. would be cool if someone knew what year he first started adding weight.

[@TennCom]

@@pro71 While it does seem reasonable to me that he may have added weight earlier, it doesn't make sense for Rafa to have added 11g to his tip from 2012-18 at 12 o'clock if his SW was already at 355. Given his style of play early in his career, I think he could have gotten away with using a lower SW (around 330) and a light racquet. Do you have a link for his 2007 measurement?

[@curttheboywonder]

Wasn’t really paying attention. You’re saying I buy pure aero I hit big spin like Rafa?

[@TennCom]

Yes and I think Babolat offers a guarantee where if you aren't averaging over 3000 RPM you can return the racquet. Hahaha.

[@curttheboywonder]

@@TennCom figured :) seriously tho, thanks for another amazing piece of content. Really liked the breakdown of twist weight, swing weight and the visuals you provided with it. I’ve been playing with lead lately as I’ve narrowed down and picked my permanent racquet. Just dialing in specs now.

[@TennCom]

Thanks so much! Let me know what you are using and specs once you've settled in.

[@retributionproductions8292]

Vamos RAFA!!!

[@Waceman]

Nicely done! Shout out to @racquettech! Regards, another fellow idiot 😂

[@TennCom]

I stayed up until 6:30am to watch this final. This felt like a decade-long comeback after the loss in 2012 to Djokovic. Rafa is my hero.

[@Waceman]

@@TennCom does that mean Fed should win wimbly 2029? 😊 Nadal played amazingly well! Huge striking! He is unbelievable. Definitely gonna restring my aero!

[@TennCom]

​@@Waceman Fed is basically guaranteed to win Wimb 2029.

[@Waceman]

@@TennCom 🤣