Babolat AeroPro Drive GT Tennis Racquet Review
By Chris Lewis
By Chris Lewis
INTRODUCTION: The Babolat AeroPro Drive GT is Rafael Nadal's racquet of choice. Given the universal popularity of the flagship frame of Babolat's Aero series, I was very much looking forward to play testing the 2010 model. The racquet I tested was strung in Babolat Revenge 16G at 61lbs. Here's what I thought of it...
GROUNDSTROKES: From the very first ball, it was evident that the Babolat AeroPro Drive GT has the distinct AeroPro Drive feel. At a relatively light 10.8 ounces unstrung, the racquet feels heavier. It's an exceptionally stable frame that I found to be highly maneuverable, enabling me to generate really decent swing speeds. Subsequently, hitting with power and spin is no problem with this racquet. And because of the frame's stability, it's a very heavy ball that's produced.
Once I got used to the racquet -- which mainly involved getting used to the distinctive shape of the racquet's shaft and throat -- I really enjoyed mixing up heavily topspun forehands with flatter, more powerful drives. I found the racquet let me play both strokes equally well. As for backhands, I was particularly interested in how I hit my backhand slice, my most accurate shot and a good indicator as to how much control a racquet has. After getting used to the Babolat AeroPro Drive GT range, I give it about an 8 out of 10 for hitting slice (however, I hasten to add that the racquet receives perfect 10's for hitting any shot with topspin) . I found that I couldn't quite get the control and accuracy that I can get with some of the less powerful, control oriented racquets.
VOLLEYS: While certainly a maneuverable and solid racquet around the net, as with the slice, the Babolat AeroPro Drive GT would not be my first choice of racquet to volley with. While it had the power and a very solid feel, I like something that offers a little more finesse. It's a great racquet for swing volleys, overheads and above-net-height putaways, but I found it lacked a little control on volleys requiring more deft touch. Where it was great was countering big hitters who like to blast their way through an opponent who's camped at the net.
SERVES and OVERHEADS: As with groundstrokes, the Babolat AeroPro Drive GT excels. The aerodynamic design allows great racquet head speed, and the racquet's solidity makes this a great racquet to serve with. Whether hitting big, flat first serves or heavy kicks, the AeroPro Drive doesn't disappoint.
Hitting overheads was also a pleasure. Smashing with a solid racquet that has a nicely sized sweet spot makes for happy results. I found myself looking forward to hitting overheads because of the stability and power that the racquet offers.
RETURN OF SERVE: I liked the racquet more when I had a little time to prepare a full swing. I preferred returning heavily spun serves in my strike zone rather than having to improvise when under more time pressure. As with volleys, I think the racquet is better for pace and offence than for returns requiring accuracy when on defence.
SUMMARY: A racquet that's ideal for big hitting groundstrokers who need more emphasis on power and spin than on control.
GROUNDSTROKES: From the very first ball, it was evident that the Babolat AeroPro Drive GT has the distinct AeroPro Drive feel. At a relatively light 10.8 ounces unstrung, the racquet feels heavier. It's an exceptionally stable frame that I found to be highly maneuverable, enabling me to generate really decent swing speeds. Subsequently, hitting with power and spin is no problem with this racquet. And because of the frame's stability, it's a very heavy ball that's produced.
Once I got used to the racquet -- which mainly involved getting used to the distinctive shape of the racquet's shaft and throat -- I really enjoyed mixing up heavily topspun forehands with flatter, more powerful drives. I found the racquet let me play both strokes equally well. As for backhands, I was particularly interested in how I hit my backhand slice, my most accurate shot and a good indicator as to how much control a racquet has. After getting used to the Babolat AeroPro Drive GT range, I give it about an 8 out of 10 for hitting slice (however, I hasten to add that the racquet receives perfect 10's for hitting any shot with topspin) . I found that I couldn't quite get the control and accuracy that I can get with some of the less powerful, control oriented racquets.
VOLLEYS: While certainly a maneuverable and solid racquet around the net, as with the slice, the Babolat AeroPro Drive GT would not be my first choice of racquet to volley with. While it had the power and a very solid feel, I like something that offers a little more finesse. It's a great racquet for swing volleys, overheads and above-net-height putaways, but I found it lacked a little control on volleys requiring more deft touch. Where it was great was countering big hitters who like to blast their way through an opponent who's camped at the net.
SERVES and OVERHEADS: As with groundstrokes, the Babolat AeroPro Drive GT excels. The aerodynamic design allows great racquet head speed, and the racquet's solidity makes this a great racquet to serve with. Whether hitting big, flat first serves or heavy kicks, the AeroPro Drive doesn't disappoint.
Hitting overheads was also a pleasure. Smashing with a solid racquet that has a nicely sized sweet spot makes for happy results. I found myself looking forward to hitting overheads because of the stability and power that the racquet offers.
RETURN OF SERVE: I liked the racquet more when I had a little time to prepare a full swing. I preferred returning heavily spun serves in my strike zone rather than having to improvise when under more time pressure. As with volleys, I think the racquet is better for pace and offence than for returns requiring accuracy when on defence.
SUMMARY: A racquet that's ideal for big hitting groundstrokers who need more emphasis on power and spin than on control.
