Babolat AeroPro Drive GT Plus 2013 Racquet Review
Upsides
- Power
- Spin
- Surprisingly maneuverable
- Solid feel
Downsides
- Nothing we could agree on
Summary
The unimaginable has occurred. The best-selling Babolat AeroPro Drive has gotten even better, and the Plus (extended length) version has, too! Babolat has finally introduced its Active Cortex technology (the same innovation they used in the Pure Drive in 2012) into the AeroPro Drive Plus, giving it a much more dampened, comfortable feel. But have no fear AeroPro Drive users, the power and spin that we've grown to love from the AeroPro Drive Plus is still there. All of our playtesters found the added length provided them with monstrous power and spin potential from all areas of the court. The improved feel, coupled with a sweet-looking paint job, makes this the best AeroPro Drive Plus yet.
Overall - Score: 87/100
Groundstrokes – Score 89/100
Our playtesters really enjoyed the AeroPro Drive Plus from the baseline. They felt the added heft and length helped to generate even more power and spin than the standard AeroPro Drive. Most of them needed a slight adjustment to the extra length, but right after that they started enjoying this racquet. They were really happy with the spin and power it offered without scarifying much control, one of them dared to say, “This is a monster off the ground!”. Only one of our playtesters felt uncomfortable with this racquet but it was only when hitting off the sweetspot . Nevertheless, we can assert our team really liked and enjoyed playing with this extended version.
Volleys – Score 77/100
The improved feel from the Active Cortex was apparent around the net, and the power we've come to expect from the AeroPro Drive line was there as well. Even though this racquet wasn’t as maneuverable as the AeroPro Drive, our team had loads of positive things to say about the volleys with this racquet. They liked the weight, balance and power it offered. They also enjoyed putting away the volleys and overheads thanks to its pop and improved feel.
Serve – Score 88/100
Everyone was getting more power and spin on serves with the AeroPro Drive Plus. This racquet shined on serves. All of our playtesters loved the serves they got and only had positive things to say. Power and spin appeared again in this department. The players were able to rip their opponents and to hold their serves easier.
Returns – Score 85/100
The solid feel and spin potential continued to be the theme for this racquet on the return of serve. Returns with this racquet surprised our team. They were able to hit powerful returns and could swing with confidence due to its forgiveness. One of our playtesters felt returns were a little bit uncomfortable when hitting off-center shots, but really impressive when contacting the sweetspot. All in all, this racquet let our players enjoy their returns and shot some powerful shots.
Likes:
Chris - "I'm not usually a fan of longer racquets, but this one has changed my mind. I loved it. I was able to hit a bigger ball by getting lots of spin and pace."
Andy - "Surprisingly, I liked the added length. I also liked the power and spin potential, forgiveness to take big cuts, and the added comfort compared to previous versions."
Brittany - "The extra power I received from the extended length, plus all the other benefits, like spin and maneuverability."
Siobhan - "The maneuverability and power were not only manageable, but enjoyable, which I did not expect."
Dislikes:
Chris - "None. It took me a little time to get adjusted to the length, but it was worth it. I also adjusted quicker than I expected due to how maneuverable this racquet is. There was a little bit of shock up towards the tip, but that was it."
Andy - "Not much to dislike here. Maybe just the adjustment period to the extended length, but that's about it."
Brittany - "unfortunately, this racquet was on the stiffer side."
Siobhan - "Just a tiny bit too much racquet for someone of my size and stature to pull around the court. I don't need that extra power because I don't have the size to control it as well as I can with the standard Aero."
Comparing it to other racquets they've used, our testers said:
Chris - "I found this racquet to be quicker and easier to swing than the previous model. I think that enabled me to adjust to the length much easier. The Pure Drive Plus is probably the closest comparison, and I would say the power and spin potential is right there with the Pure Drive Roddick Standard. This is probably my favorite out of the new AeroPro Drives."
Andy - "The obvious comparison to make would be to the standard length AeroPro Drive. The AeroPro Drive Plus, I felt, offered more power, more spin and maybe a little less control (which you'd probably get back after a longer adjustment period to the extended length). The extended length definitely feels heftier, which I preferred to the standard version. I was skeptical of the Plus versions going into the playtest, but after hitting with it I might say I prefer it over the standard length version."
Brittany - "This racquet played like a mix of the previous AeroPro Drive Plus and the new Babolat Pure Drive Plus. I would say the spin, control and maneuverability are very similar to the 2010 version. With the added Active Cortex the feel was very similar to the Pure Drive (among other things), but I would say the AeroPro Drive offers more spin potential and control and the Pure Drive was slightly more comfortable."
Siobhan - "It plays a lot like the Aero, and the adjustment time between the two racquets isn't long. It plays more like the standard than I would expect, and that extra half-inch is an enjoyable addition. It also reminds me of the Pure Drive Plus 2012, but I would have to say that between the two I found this AeroPro Drive Plus to be more maneuverable and to have more controllable power."
Playtester Profiles:
Chris: 5.0 all-court player currently using the Volkl C10 Pro 2012. Chris uses a full-western forehand grip, has a fast swing style and hits a one-handed backhand.
Brittany: Open level player with a semi-western forehand and a two-handed backhand. She currently plays with the Yonex V-Core 100S.
Siobhan: Open level player with a semi western forehand and a two-handed backhand. She currently plays Wilson KBlade Team.
Andy: Open level all court player with a semi-western forehand grip and a two handed backhand. Andy currently using a Yonex RDiS 100 Mid.
Review date: November 2012. If you found this review interesting or have further questions or comments please contact us: information.en@tenniswarehouse-europe.com.
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