Babolat launches the Pure Aero Rafa "Origin": The first racquet based on Rafael Nadal’s specifications

The powerful left-handed player now plays with a new-look racquet. And that racquet is now available to the public as the Babolat Pure Aero Rafa Origin.

Nadal’s eagerly awaited return to the tournament tennis has been accompanied by a new version of his Pure Aero Rafa racquet, which has evolved since he first signed up with Babolat as a 10-year-old. His new racquet, the Pure Aero Rafa Origin is the closest possible to the specifications Nadal himself is using, in terms of weight, balance, technologies, stiffness, lay-up and cosmetic design. This new “full of energy” design in yellow, pink, dark blue and light blue, have been chosen by Nadal himself, which embody his game and personality.

“We have watched with awe, amazement and pride over 18 years how Rafa has worn down his opponents with his spin, allied to his amazing work ethic,” says Eric Babolat, the head of the French family company, “and now we are offering everyone the chance to use Rafa’s principal tool.” says Eric Babolat, CEO.

Rafa makes contact as the ball is descending from the top of the bounce, applying spin from the back of the court with power and explosiveness to keep his opponent pinned behind the baseline. This option is now available to all players, though as Rafa’s swing is unique and few players can match his left arm, Babolat has developed a lighter version of Rafa’s racquet, the Pure Aero Rafa, more manoeuvrable than the Pure Aero Rafa Origin while still maximising power and spin.

The PURE AERO RAFA ORIGIN has a more head-heavy balance increases inertia, allowing players to generate more power and hit heavier spin.

• HEAD SIZE: 645 cm2/100 in2 - WEIGHT: 317 g/11.2 oz - BALANCE: 330 mm*

ABOUT THE PURE AERO RAFA RANGE

The Pure Aero Rafa range has been developed for players seeking heavy spin, which is a combination of power and extreme spin, while the Pure Aero range is for players creating strong spin who make contact at the peak of the bounce or just after the bounce. The racquets in the Pure Aero Rafa range have a higher stiffness (73RA) than the racquets in the Pure Aero range, and a 330mm balance. But while the Pure Aero Rafa Origin (Rafa’s own spec) weighs 317g, the Pure Aero Rafa is just 290g, requiring a little less musculature in the user’s playing arm. There is also a junior racquet in the Pure Aero Rafa range.

*With the Pure Aero Rafa Origin, Babolat has developed a racquet as close as possible to Rafa’s specs (in term of weight, balance, technologies, stiffness, lay-up and cosmetic design). Babolat also makes slight adjustments when Rafa requests it, for example according to the surface he is playing on.

PURE AERO RAFA ORIGIN