What Frame Does Nadal Use?

What Frame Does Nadal Use?

Postby Vieira151 » Wed, 17 Apr 2013 11:10

Saw a picture on Eurosport that I found interesting.

Spoiler: show
Image


Now, if you look at the neck of the racquet, the way the word "Babolat" looks makes it appear that he is using a straight beamed racquet, when the AeroPro Drive (and most babolats) are not straight beam. I mean, compare this to the AeroPro Drive from the Babolat website.

Spoiler: show
Image


Note: I used the 3D image function and rotated it to that. They way 'Babolat' appears is clearly different. So I'm wondering, does anyone have any clue as to what type of racquet/frame Nadal actuall uses?

PS Don't say an old AeroPro. All the AeroPro versions are pretty much the same frame. I have 1 of the two older versions, and they are practically identical to the new one on the website.
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Re: What Frame Does Nadal Use?

Postby Rob ITST » Wed, 17 Apr 2013 14:29

He does use the old Aero Pro Drive - before the Cortex. The Cortex part is actually just painted on.

I don't know why the picture looks different.... maybe he's play-testing some frames in that picture. If you want more proof, then search on the TT forums. People who string at pro tournaments love to take pictures and measurements of the pro's frames. You can find discussions about it by people who have strung his racquets at tournaments.
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Re: What Frame Does Nadal Use?

Postby Cro Morgan » Wed, 17 Apr 2013 15:15

A question about racquets/strings, any question, on cue, it's Rob to the rescue. :tu :)
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Re: What Frame Does Nadal Use?

Postby Vieira151 » Wed, 17 Apr 2013 18:02

I know, right? Cheers Rob. See, I always thought that Nadal used the original (and just used updated paint jobs) Aero Pro but that image put some doubt in my mind.
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Re: What Frame Does Nadal Use?

Postby Rob ITST » Thu, 18 Apr 2013 03:09

Cro Morgan wrote:A question about racquets/strings, any question, on cue, it's Rob to the rescue. :tu :)


:c

I have a poster of Nadal in the restroom, that clearly shows the Cortex painted on his racquet. It's great for showing to Babolat sales reps who insist that he's using the "latest" model.

And before someone asks, the poster is in the restroom, it's not a poster of Nadal using the restroom. And before someone else asks, it's in the restroom at the shop, not at my house.
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Re: What Frame Does Nadal Use?

Postby Vieira151 » Thu, 18 Apr 2013 03:54

Excuses, excuses. :P
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Re: What Frame Does Nadal Use?

Postby Rob ITST » Thu, 18 Apr 2013 04:30

I does get a bit awkward when a kid wants to see the poster: "Here, follow me into the restroom. There's something I want to show you." :mrgreen:
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Re: What Frame Does Nadal Use?

Postby emate007 » Mon, 22 Apr 2013 02:48

Rob ITST wrote:a kid wants to see the poster: "Here, follow me into the restroom. There's something I want to show you." :mrgreen:
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Re: What Frame Does Nadal Use?

Postby Vieira151 » Mon, 24 Jun 2013 17:43

Slightly unrelated, but...

Verdasco seems to be using a babolat at Wimbledon (without the babolat logo on the strings). When did he change from the Technifibres?
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Re: What Frame Does Nadal Use?

Postby Rob ITST » Mon, 24 Jun 2013 21:42

Not sure when he changed from Tecnifibre - his most recent sponsor was Dunlop. ATM, I believe he has no contract. Since early June (maybe earlier), he's been seen using an APD, and carrying a Dunlop bag. He's also been testing out some Head sticks.

He's also notorious for complaining about his equipment. One of my contacts at Dunlop works closely with the pros, and told me that Verdasco liked to blame every missed shot on his racquet/strings/shoes/socks/underwear..... he's just a head-case.
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Re: What Frame Does Nadal Use?

Postby Vieira151 » Tue, 25 Jun 2013 00:02

Ah. One to blame his mistakes on the fact he forgot to gel his hair in the morning?

I actually forgot he was using Dunlop. I remember seeing him in Rome or Monte Carlo using a Dunlop.
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Re: What Frame Does Nadal Use?

Postby Rob ITST » Mon, 15 Jul 2013 01:23

Got a little scoop on Verdasco:

He was still sponsored by Dunlop when he showed up to a tournament playing with a Babolat. Dunlop was apparently happy about it: they had the opportunity to dump him without buying him out of his contract. He was a pain to deal with, and quite a head-case. He kept asking them to make his racquet more flexible, and now he is playing with one of the stiffest racquets you can buy. He has no idea what he wants, he just knows that every point he loses is his racquet's fault. :roll:
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Re: What Frame Does Nadal Use?

Postby Vieira151 » Mon, 15 Jul 2013 04:07

Hah. That's pretty amusing. Wonder how long he'll be out of a racquet contract.
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