Why Babolat?

How does your current racquet of choice help your game style? What is something you require from the racquet you use (no matter the brand)?

Hayley Carter: “My game revolves around variety, so I need a racquet that can help me maximize that aspect of my game. The Pure Aero does just that by helping me play defensively and offensively with both spin and power. Regardless of the brand, I look for a racquet I can trust to hit all the shots. Beyond power, spin and control, it is important to have an underlying comfort and belief in the racquet.”

Danielle Lao: “I like how the Pure Strike has a balance of power and maneuverability. I use the 100-square-inch head size for a little more open string pattern that adds a extra spring on my ball. All in all, I just enjoy the way the racquet travels through the air. The shape of the frame plays a huge role in that, and I've loved the aerodynamics of the Strike over the past few years.”

Kristie Ahn: “I play an aggressive game style, and the Babolat Pure Strike has helped me play my best game. The power is effortless, but also the control feels just as natural. Something I require from the racquet I use is that I can accelerate without fear of the ball missing long.”

When did you switch to Babolat? Had you used Babolat ever before your switch?

HC: “I first switched to Babolat when I was around 10 years old. I started with the Pure Storm for a few years before switching over to the Pure Aero racquet that I still use today. I have tried a few different racquets among the years, but I always seem to find myself coming back to Babolat.”

DL: “I switched to the Pure Aero my sophomore year in college (2010). I demoed a Pure Drive before but didn't think much of it.”

KA: “I used Babolat for most of my junior career and played around with racquets after that. I switched back to Babolat this past November, and it felt like home. The sweetspot is so rewarding and the ball comes cleanly off the racquet.”

Why did you make the switch to Babolat?

HC: “I first tried Babolat out of a recommendation from my coach, because he felt the Pure Storm best complemented my game at the time. I made the switch immediately after demo-ing it for a week. It just felt right in my hand right from the start.”

DL: “I was using the Prince EXO3 Black before my switch over to Babolat. Since the Prince model was discontinued, I was sifting around for a new frame that had some decent pop and was relatively similar to the EXO3 Black.”

KA: “My last racquet felt dead every time I made contact with the ball so I was looking for something that would feel alive every time I hit the ball. I tried a bunch of racquets (thanks to Tennis Warehouse) and felt that the Pure Strike suited my needs the best.”

Do you modify your racquet at all?

HC: “I get all of my racquets balanced but do not add any weight to my current racquet. In previous years, I have added weight to the handles.”

DL: “Yes. I put 12 extra grams at 9 and at 3 o'clock.”

KA: “No.”

String setup and tension?

HC: “I string with Solinco Hyper-G 17 gauge. My string tension ranges anywhere from 47 to 54 lbs depending on the altitude and weather. I tend to lean on the lower end and adjust up as needed.”

DL: “Mains: Tonic + Natural Gut, crosses: Adrenaline Rough. The tension ranges anywhere between 47-52 lbs depending on how my arm is feeling, the surface, and the conditions.”

KA: “I kept the same string and tension as my previous racquet – I use Luxilon ALU Power and Element. In all honesty, I haven't had much time to adventure around with trying different strings. I currently string my racquets at 54 lbs.”

What's most important to you and why? Power? Control? Spin? Speed? Stability?

HC: “If I had to pick one trait that is most important to me in a racquet, I would choose spin. I think you would be surprised when choosing a racquet for spin, just how much power, control and stability comes along with it. The other categories are certainly important, but I feel like choosing spin means you are often times choosing a more well-rounded racquet.”

DL: “Decent power without compromising too much control. Racquet maneuverability is good, but if the frame is too thin you have to work pretty hard to get depth and pop.”

KA: “The most important factor to me is having the combination of power, control and stability. While I was trying out a bunch of different racquets, I found a racquet that gave me both power and control, but when the ball came super fast, it lacked the stability to punch the ball back. I tried the Pure Strike after that, and it ticked off all the boxes for me.”

What do you like most about your current racquet of choice?

HC: “I love the newest version of the Babolat Pure Aero because it provides the same power and spin it always has in previous versions but now adds in even more control and stability. I feel comfort and confidence in every shot I hit.”

DL: “I was so happy when Babolat came out with a thinner frame. The Strike was definitely what I needed as a player as I was improving. The Pure Aero had good power, but it was lacking the maneuverability I was seeking as I became more competent playing with different spins and speeds.”

KA: “I think the Pure Strike blends all the factors together. It obviously has power, but I feel I have good control with the racquet as well. It also has great stability, which is crucial at the higher level; the ball comes in so fast that I want to be sure I have a racquet that's able to hold its own and give me the best chance possible of hitting my best shot.”