Babolat AeroPro Drive GT - Rafa's New Babolat Racket Design? Video Review


We've been granted a hands-on preview of Rafael Nadal's latest racket of choice, the Babolat AeroPro Drive GT! Put some fresh RPM Blast on there and gave the prototype a full demo at the wall.


The live test was filmed before this racket was made available to the public.
Our tennis fans got a sneak peek at the Best-Selling Tennis Racket line ever in the USA

Our Sneak Peek:
New Features Video | HD Photos
More Info: TW Review / Playtest / Forum

Our Review of the Babolat AeroPro Team and AeroPro Lite versions.

2013 Babolat AeroPro Drive Review

Click for Full-Size Comparison Chart

Quick Summary

It offers an exceptional blend of maneuverability, stability, and all-around playability for a wide range of improving players. This "tweener" class or "between Intermediate and Advance" levels fits a majority of players between the NTRP 3.5-4.5 skill levels.

Babolat Base-lining

As with most Babolat rackets, it helps to have a medium to long, fast swing speed to take advantage of all maneuverability in these aerodynamic frames (Aero). It can generate fast racket head speed more easily than other rackets, and actually feels surprisingly light (compared to other rackets) when you're swinging it.

The racket's ease is due to its lowered "swing weight" - which was dropped from 331 down to 316, in its current form. Also for 2013, it has been updated with Babolat's "Active Cortex" feature for more comfort on impact, it also feels slightly stiffer than previous years' models but a bit more control on mis-hits.


Our Recommended DC Area Tennis Supplier:
TennisTopia (Rockville, MD) - one of the Largest *Babolat Authorized Resellers* on the East Coast!

Tip: Call ahead 301-230-9195 or email: info@tennistopia.com and mention "Tennis Bargains Promo" to reserve one first, with free stringing.

Nothing beats their face-to-face customer service and weekly deals

Sneak Peek Photos below

Happy Thanksgiving: Our Turkey Warmup and Workout Tips

Gobble Gobble!

Happy Thanksgiving!


Hey Tennis Fans! Here's a quick Pre-Thanksgiving Tennis workout you can do in your own home or tennis court.

Here are some easy 5-min warm up exercises - to stay in shape before the big meal this Thanksgiving Thursday Or preemptively burn off a couple pounds, get pumped up for all your holiday shopping on Black Friday*

From our Tennis-Bargains Team:
"Stay Fit. Shop Smart. Play Tennis"

"Prepping Like a Pro" Instructors:

  • Dan Riser - Former US Men's Fitness Champion; has appeared regularly on the show Flex Appeal on ESPN 
  • Yann Auzoux - Former Davis Cup Player for Cameroon, ATP Doubles Champion, and Former ITF #7 in the world. 
They have teamed up for this brand new video course together for this "Prepping Like a Pro" Training Course - we're launching it live to the general public very soon this December...


What's Unique about these Training Courses?

Tennis-specific Workout Course designed for *Winter Tennis Players*:
  • Stay in tennis-shape off the court
  • Be fit and ready at the top of your game, when you come back on the tennis courts!
  • Strength, conditioning, speed, endurance drills
  • Training Specifically for Tennis - not just a bunch of random P90X and Cross-Fit workouts mixed together...

    This is exactly what Yann Auzoux himself trains with every week; it's designed for serious tennis players in mind.

Special Tennis-Bargains Bonus Offer

Tennis-Bargains Facebook Fans: get an extra Free Bonus Session:
Here's sneak-peak example, filmed during my workout last weekend with Dan and Yann in this video

This One-Hour Live Training Session will allow Dan to give you personalized, individual feedback on doing these exercises. *Hurry - spaces are very limited*. Offer is only valid, if these remaining spots in these classes are still available.


Tennis Champions Cup Tickets and Discounts


Tennis Champions Cup Ticket - 44% OFF Tickets
Friday, November 30 - Honda Center - Anaheim, CA

See Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, Jim Courier, and Michael Chang


$55 for One Price Level 3 Lower Level Ticket
$75 for One Price Level 2 Lower Level Ticket

http://jc10s.com/LivingSocial_Champions_Cup_Nov_30



Review: Wilson Blade 98 (18x20)


Tennis Bargains Preview of Wilson Blade 98 (18x20)

  • Much more Control, solid feel on heavy shots
  • Lowered Swing Weight from 2012 (335 to 330)
  • AmpliFeel Grip - adds a bit more comfort; feels like a more perforated or vented handle
  • Great for heavy hitters and directing the ball with authority
  • Designed for stronger 4.0+ NTRP players

Cons:

  • Lacks topspin and slice, in comparison to the Steam 99S
  • Swing weight is a bit high, which may bother those with a slower swing
  • Not a lot of new changes from the previous year's Blade model
Wilson BLX 98 18x20 Comparison Chart
Wilson Blade 98 Comparison
Click to see enlarged chart

Main Changes

This new Blade for 2013 has a very closed pattern racket. Offering a good contrast to the Wilson Steam 99S we tested and reviewed earlier this week, Wilson is expanding the racket line to more advanced players.

One slight change was the racket's weight of 11.4 oz, which is about 4 grams heavier frame than last year's 2012 model...


Wilson Steam 99S - Review, Comparison and Video Playtests

Wilson Steam 99S Review - Pictures, Videos, Feedback and Video Review

Bonus Coverage: More 2013-2014 Racket Sneak Previews
(from Babolat, Head, Wilson, etc...)

Close-up HD Pictures of 2013-2014 Rackets

 Wilson 99 S

Research and Background Info on Wilson Spin Effect Technology (SET)

TW Playtesting:

ITF Testing Lab and Wilson's TV commercial:

Info on patented technology - 3000+ RPM averages with 4G Lux strings:

Tennis.com's interview with Wilson (TrackMan: Doppler Measurement of Spin)
http://www.tennis.com/gear/2012/09/gear-talk-wilsons-john-lyons-part-1/39374/#.UJdQeIWmCcY

Tennis Bargains Review of Wilson Steam 99S

Pros:

  • Lots of Spin
  • High Arch and Trajectory
  • Well Rounded Racket with Solid Defensive/Offense
  • Designed for 3.5-4.0+ players
  • For Flat hitters, racket adds safety with extra net clearance
  • Moon-ballers' dream; Ground stroke nirvana

Cons:

  • Less control in general, Open patterns typically are less precise than Closed pattern rackets
    • Steam 16x15 (open) vs Blade 18x20 (closed)
  • Must generate racket head speed for Spin to get control (requires moderate to fast swing speed)
  • Racket will break strings faster, requiring thicker gauge strings (15g or 16g)
    • Poly Luxilon 4G recommended
  • 1-Hand Backhanders' nightmare (for the opponent) :)

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