When considering to be a pro racket, Rafael Nadal’s racket is seen as one of the first options that come up. This could be because of the fact that Nadal is ranked second in the world by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP). He also has 11 career titles under his belt. With all this, who would not want to play like Nadal. What is the best way to get yourself playing like Rafael Nadal?
Well, one way could be playing with the same equipment as him. That is why we have put all the information you would need. From racket, Nadal uses, to how it feels on the court. All this and more, all you need to do is keep reading.
Rafael Nadal’s Racket
Currently, Rafael Nadal plays with the original Babolat Aero Pro Drive from the range released in 2005. However, the racket is painted to look like the Babolat Pure Aero. Along with this, Nadal customizes by stringing his racket with Babolat RPM Blast 15L.
Why Is Rafael Nadal’s Tennis Racket Painted Like Another Model?
This may seem quite unusual for a racket to be painted like something else. Nadal’s racket is painted to look like the latest version of the Babolat Pure Aero. However, it is actually the Babolat Aero Pro Drive racket that was released in 2005. You may be asking why is that? Well, the reasons for this can be easily explained. The main reason is for marketing purposes. Many fans of Rafael Nadal want to have the same racket as him.
Babolat Pure Aero
- LEGENDARY SPIN POTENTIAL: Join players like Rafael Nadal, Leylah Fernandez, Félix...
- SPIN: From day one, the Pure Aero was engineered for spin. An aerodynamic frame for...
- POWER: Unload heavy groundstrokes and push your opponents around the court. Hit...
However, this particular racket is not for sale or is not easily and cheaply for sale. Nonetheless, the company that sponsors Nadal, Babolat, paints the racket like one that is available to buy so that they do not lose out on a massive amount of potential sales. A lot of brands practice this type of advertising, as it is very smart. Many players such as Murray and Djokovic participate in this type of marketing. Nevertheless, whether it is correct is another question. However, the Babolat Pure Aero is a racket that Nadal endorses. So, fans can still purchase an item that Rafael Nadal does approve of, although he may not play it.
Rafael Nadal’s Tennis Racket Specs
Let’s explore together Rafael Nadal’s Tennis Racket Specs:
Head Size: 100 sq. in
Length: 27 in.
Weight (unstrung): 11.3 oz 320 grams
Balance: 6 pts HL
Swingweight: 290
Stiffness: 72
Grip Type: Syntec Grip
String Pattern: 16 Mains 19 Crosses
Rafael Nadal’s Racket Customizations
- Paint job to make it look like the Babolat Pure Aero.
- 17 grams of lead – 12 grams at 12 and 5 grams at the handle.
- Grip: Babolat Syntec Pro Black and the Babolat Vs Original White.
- Dampener: Babolat Custom Damp.
- Balance Strung: around 335 mm.
- String: Babolat RPM blast 1.35.
- Weight (strung): 340 grams or 12 oz.
How Does The Rafael Nadal’s Tennis Racket Play?
I was given the opportunity to play with Rafael Nadal’s tennis racket and I can firmly say that it is not a racket for everybody. Here are some more of what I thought about the racket:
- At first, I was shocked to see the amount of whip and spin I was able to provide in my shots. If you have watched Nadal play, then you know that he likes to put a lot of spin into his shots. It was effortless to achieve this spin and that’s why I feel this racket is ideal for him.
- However, I would not consider this a beginner-friendly racket in the slightest. You are able to make very direct shots while you hit the sweet spot. Nonetheless, when you hit outside this sweet spot, the result will be very harsh and unforgiving. However, it is easy to see that if you become quite comfortable with this racket, you can a lot of benefits.
As mentioned before, this is definitely not a racket for players that are new to the game. Instead, I would recommend this racket to players that are at an intermediate to advanced level that are comfortable playing with a relatively smaller sweet spot.
Can You Buy Rafael Nadal’s Tennis Racket?
You are up for a serious challenge if you wish to purchase the exact same racket as the one Nadal plays with. Why is this? Since the racket that he plays with is from 2005, Babolat is not producing anymore. That makes it quite impossible to find a brand new one today. However, if you are happy to play with a second-hand racket, there are sites eBay (https://www.ebay.com/) and Prostocktennis (https://www.prostocktennis.com/) where you can try your luck and see if there are any listing. However, be aware that in order to get your hands on a Babolat Aero Pro Drive, you are going to need to be willing to spend a pretty dime.
Nonetheless, if you are wanting to buy the racket that looks like the racket Nadal plays with, the Babolat Pure Aero, it is easily available online and in many sports equipment stores. It is known around the world as being the most spin-friendly racket out there. So, if spin is a strong feature in your game, I would highly recommend the Babolat Pure Aero to you.
Rafael Nadal’s Babolat Pure Aero
This is the racket that is designed, produced and sold by the sports equipment company, Babolat. It is highly thought-after in the tennis world for its many different features. That is why it is endorsed by Rafael Nadal.
Babolat Pure Aero
- LEGENDARY SPIN POTENTIAL: Join players like Rafael Nadal, Leylah Fernandez, Félix...
- SPIN: From day one, the Pure Aero was engineered for spin. An aerodynamic frame for...
- POWER: Unload heavy groundstrokes and push your opponents around the court. Hit...
The specifications can be seen below:
Head Size: 100 sq. in
Racket Length: 27 in
Weight (strung): 11.2 oz.
Balance: 13 in. 4 pts HL
Swingweight: 324
Stiffness: 67
Material: Graphite
String Pattern: 16 X 19
More info: Babolat Pure Aero Full Review
The Babolat Pure Aero is the perfect choice for anyone that wishes to play a faster-paced game and be able to maneuver around the court easier. This is because of the fast swing weight and design of the racket having a head-light balance. This is why I highly recommend this racket to:
- Strong beginners
- Intermediates
- Advanced players
- Aggressive baselines
- Serious junior players (the junior version of the Pure Aero)
Should You Buy Rafael Nadal Tennis Racket?
In wrapping up, while the allure of wielding the same racket as tennis icon Rafael Nadal is undeniably tempting, securing the original is no easy feat. Moreover, acquiring it might not offer the transformative tennis experience you might hope for, especially considering its rarity and potential cost.
However, there’s a silver lining for enthusiastic players and Nadal fans alike: the Babolat Aero Pure. It serves as an excellent alternative that mirrors many of the qualities of Nadal’s racket. So, before diving deep into the quest for Nadal’s exact racket, consider the Aero Pure. It may just be the perfect blend of performance, availability, and homage to the tennis legend.
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Picture: “Rafael Nadal” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Carine06
Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports/Sipa USA
