Nadal and his Aeropro Drive -- World Number One
Boulder, Colorado — Babolat, the official racquet and string partner of Rafael Nadal, congratulates Rafa on becoming the new World No. 1 tennis player. After nearly 160 weeks (since July 25, 2005) at No. 2, Nadal becomes the third Spaniard to reach the top spot in the men’s rankings.

With 4 back-to-back French Open titles, a Wimbledon Championship and an Olympic Gold Medal, Nadal’s accomplishments rival those of the greatest names in tennis. Earlier this year, he became the first man since Bjorn Borg in 1980 to win Wimbledon on the heels of a French Open victory. Dubbed the “King of Clay,” Nadal achieved an Open Era record 60-match clay court winning streak back in 2006, surpassing Guillermo Vilas’ mark of 53 in 1977.
Of course, Nadal has proven that he can succeed on any surface. Eric Babolat, President and CEO of Babolat, congratulated Nadal saying, “Rafa combines natural talent, unmatched athleticism and sheer determination to win at the highest levels.”
Since his days as a young player, Rafael Nadal has played with a Babolat racquet and strings. Just last year, he agreed to an extended contract with the premiere French tennis brand for another 10 years. Nadal’s stick is the Aeropro Drive, developed by Babolat with Aero Modular technology to suit Nadal’s game. The aerodynamic design provides for increased racquet head speed with unmatched topspin.
Rafael Nadal
History: | Team Babolat player since 1999 |
Racquet: | Babolat Aeropro Drive |
Strings: | Babolat Pro Hurricane Tour |
Babolat Aeropro Drive
The Aeropro Drive is one of the hottest selling racquets in the US today. The aerodynamic profile provides for maximum power while the Cortex System offers an optimized feel of the ball at impact. This Cortex technology filters unnecessary vibrations, keeping only those that players are looking for when the ball comes in contact with the racquet.
Product Specifications:
Head size: | 100 sq. inches |
Weight: | 10.6 oz (unstrung) |
Balance point: | 320 mm |
Composition: | High modulus graphite |
Technologies: | Aero Modular technology, Cortex System |
Suggested Retail: | $185.00 (sold unstrung) |
NEW - Coming September 2008, a full line of “Nadal Junior” racquets.
Babolat Pro Hurricane Tour
Nadal uses Babolat Pro Hurricane Tour for his entire string bed. Pro Hurricane Tour is a co-polymer monofilament string featuring an octagonal profile engineered for maximum spin and power, with exceptional durability.
Pro Hurricane Tour specifications:
Gauges | Max. Tension | Length |
---|---|---|
125/17 | 62 lbs | 40’ / 660’ |
130/16 | 66 lbs | 40’ / 660’ |
About Babolat
Founded in Lyon, France, in 1875, Babolat is the first company to have specialized in racquet sports and the world leader in the production of natural gut strings. Easily recognized by its trademark “double-line” (two stripes on the racquet frame and black on the stringing bed), Babolat is still family-owned. Today, with U.S. operations in Boulder, Colorado, the company also manufactures synthetic strings, shoes, and a full range of accessories as well as a best-selling line of racquets used by some of the most renowned names in tennis. To find out where Babolat products are sold, log on to babolat.com or call (877) 316-9435.
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