News

Boulder, Colorado — Babolat, leading manufacturer of tennis racquets, announces the launch of the new generation of Aero racquets enhanced with Graphite Tungsten (GT) technology. The graphite and tungsten combination improves the racquet’s construction without altering the Aero’s key benefits — spin, power and speed — and reduces torque to give the Aero range maximum stability during ball impact.

Originally designed for champion Rafael Nadal’s (#2 ATP) game, the Babolat Aeropro Drive has quickly become one of the hottest selling racquets in the U.S. and one of Babolat’s best sellers worldwide. The racquet generates a faster swing, more topspin and a great balance of power and control, well suited for Nadal’s game. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (#10 ATP) has recently been won over by the Aeropro Drive model: he will have his first Grand Slam rallies as a part of Team Babolat at the Australian Open (January 18-24), new Aeropro Drive in hand!

Racquets Designed ‘With and for Champions’

At Babolat, competition remains the best laboratory for testing the products of tomorrow. Over the years, numerous racquets have become weapons for an entire generation of champions. The Aero line is the result of Babolat’s desire to be an “engine” of the game.

The Aeropro Drive is the weapon of choice for Rafael Nadal, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Caroline Wozniacki (#4 WTA), while the Aero Storm is Dinara Safina’s (#2 WTA). Each model in the Aero line is born from the performances of competition players and evolves from their influence, from their advice and from their demands of the game. In order to respond to the expectations of these target players with wide-ranging games, the Aero line offers several racquet models: for each player, his/her own “weapon” (Aeropro Team, Aeropro Lite, etc.)!

A Concentration of Power and Design

The Aero range integrates not one, but several technologies. GT technology, a hybrid material combining braided carbon and tungsten filaments, reduces torque at impact: hits are therefore more powerful, but also more precise. Next, the Cortex System technology, situated between the handle and the string bed, filters vibrations that interfere with ball feel. The unique Aero frame simulates the aerodynamics of an airplane wing to minimize drag through the air for a faster swing and increased hitting power.

The Aero range design will not disappoint Babolat fans. Surprising, innovative, polished and asymmetrical, the design of the new Aero racquets fully reflects the technology of the products and the spirit of the Babolat brand. The 2010 Aero line also has an all-new look, still keeping the emblematic black and yellow colors.

About GT Technology: Performance Booster

A customized performance booster, GT technology combines braided carbon fibers and tungsten filaments which are integrated throughout the entire racquet. This improves the racquet’s overall construction and strengthens the frame to reduce torque for more precision. Adding tungsten also provides 10% additional energy recovery for even more power. This is all done without altering the racquet’s feel. GT technology can be found in all new Aero models.

The 2010 Aero racquet range

Available in tennis pro and specialty stores February 16th 2010

Aeropro Drive and Aeropro Drive

Aeropro Team

For baseline players with heavy lift game looking for more maneuverability with power and spin

Aeropro Lite

For ladies and high-level juniors looking for an extremely lightweight racquet with spin

Aero Storm

Aero Storm Tour

Aeropro Drive Junior

For junior competitors ages 9-12

Nadal Junior

For children ages 4-13

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, accessories and a best-selling line of racquets. Babolat equips 20% of the top 100 players in the ATP and WTA including Rafael Nadal (SPAIN, #2 ATP), Andy Roddick (USA, #7 ATP) and Dinara Safina (RUSSIA, #2 WTA). To find out where Babolat products are sold, log on to babolat.com or call (877) 316-9435.

Follow Babolat on Facebook and Twitter.