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TECHNOLOGIES
tennis Innovation
Babolat is the tennis specialist and the leader when it comes to innovation, thanks to one simple rule that’s easy for fans like us to follow: we watch the players! They constantly surprise us, offering new inspiration and challenges. Above all, they enable us to anticipate future trends and create equipment that will help change their game and the game of tennis as a whole. We’re constantly innovating because, as always, tennis runs in our blood.
THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF STRINGS
STRINGS: ALWAYS AT THE FOREFRONT OF INNOVATION For 138 years, the inventor of natural gut strings has been constantly making progress with strings, pushing the limits and driving technological advancements. Since strings are a racquet’s down-right engine, Babolat designs and manufactures high performance strings built with brilliant innovations adapted to the needs of passionate players, from local clubs to world championships. This ongoing quest to innovate, led by Babolat in collaboration with the Team players, enables Babolat to produce increasingly impressive products.
POLYAMIDE MONOFILAMENT
MULTIFILAMENTS
NATURAL GUT
This new monofilament string made from polyamide is truly a revolutionary advance for the tennis world. Created from a highly innovative natural polyamide, this string offers exceptional power and comfort in the category of synthetic strings.
This synthetic string provides the next best thing to natural gut in terms of performance. Multifilament string is made with several hundred synthetic microfibers assembled into a matrix to form the core. The twisted core gives the string more elasticity and flexibility. The central core is then protected by one or several outer wraps. The main characteristics: comfort, power and good tension hold.
Babolat has been making natural gut tennis strings since 1875, according to the same unique, secret process as always. The ultimate string, it outperforms all other options. Thanks to its natural elasticity, it provides exceptional power, comfort and tension hold.
POLYESTER MONOFILAMENT A single filament that can also be wrapped, monofilament string is usually made with PET. Functional additives considerably improve the string’s performance. It is then referred to as a Co-Polyester string. Monofilament strings are the result of complex processes and chemistry, which are adjusted to produce different types of results. Thanks to their unique structure, monofilament strings are the stiffest of all. The main advantages are durability, control and topspin. The perfect choice for competitive players who want a responsive string that won’t break.
To help you recommend the string that’s best suited to each player’s needs, Babolat developed this chart that matches the three most common player profiles with their four biggest concerns.
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PLAYER PROFILE
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HYBRIDS
WRAP Wrapped strings are made with a central monofilament core, encased in a swirl of surrounding filaments. The string is then wrapped and sheathed in one or several coats of silicon. The central core makes the string tough and the swirl of surrounding filaments makes it flexible. Their main advantages: versatility.
NEW PRODUCTS 2014
String classification by needs
ADDITIONAL BENEFIT POWER
PROFILE A Players looking for power and comfort / players who rarely break strings
PROFILE B Players looking for versatility / players who occasionally break strings
CONTROL
DURABILITY
Xcel power
•
tonic +
ORIGIN
Magic Force Powergy
COMFORT vs touch
VS Team
POWER
Xcel Xcel French open
SG SPIRALTEK
ORIGIN from where it all started
DURABILITY
A breakthrough in the world of tennis strings. This unique and revolutionary new string reflects the years of know-how accumulated by the inventor of the tennis racquet string. Origin pairs an innovative polyamide, Pure Combo, with a monofilament design. This unique combination offers unmatched power and comfort for a synthetic string.
COMFORT
ProfilE A
•
NEW
Control
ADDICTION
•
Hybrids were created based on a clear understanding of the different roles played by a racquet’s main strings and cross strings. On a string bed, the vertical strings (mains) fulfill a different function than that of the horizontal strings (crosses). The mains provide durability and topspin. The crosses provide power and comfort. Hybrid strings are therefore a combination of two different types of strings, made with different materials to reduce the level of friction and extend the strings’ durability. By adding up the advantages of each type of string, countless combinations become possible to meet all players’ various needs.
ProfilE B
ProfilE C
OUR PACKAGING HELPS YOU ! Example from the RPM Blast string
PROFILE C Players looking for durability, control and spin / players who often break strings
•
RPM DUAL
RPM BLAST PRO Hurricane tour
PRO Hurricane
RPM TEAM
PRO XTREME ADDITIONAL BENEFIT
GAUGE THIN GAUGE (ex. 120-125) POWER
THICK GAUGE (ex. 130-135) POWER
FEEL
FEEL
COMFORT
COMFORT
DURABILITY
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TENSION DURABILITY
The gauge affects how the strings behave: • A thinner gauge offers greater power and sensation • A thicker gauge extends the string’s life span
TENSION > NORMAL
Perfect for players who want more control.
NEW
130-16
TENSION < NORMAL
POWER
POWER
control
control
COMFORT
COMFORT
Recommended tension = 25/24 kg or the tension recommended by the manufacturer of a given racquet
Each string has its own recommended tension, which corresponds to a standard tension. Reducing the tension will make the strings give more on impact with the ball, for more power and comfort. Increasing the tension will make the string bed stiffer, for greater control.
PLAYER PROFILE
The ideal string for Profile C players who wants durability, control and spin and who frequently break their strings.
SG SpiralTek Lasting comfort! 130-16 GAUGE
The gauge is the diameter of the string. It influences the sensations players get when hitting the ball.
To help players gain lasting benefit from this versatile single wrap string, the SpiralTek technology includes LCP fibers to ensure exceptional durability. The central core provides added feel and comfort.
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