Colourful head tie? Check. Nike shoes? Check. Babolat Pure Aero? Soon to be checked.Emulate the King of Clay himself with Rafael Nadal's tour-specification tennis racket. Babolat, in collaboration with the 22-time Grand Slam winner, has released the latter’s signature Pure Aero Rafa Origin model as the next best thing to the actual frame he competes with on the professional circuit.
Now that Nadal is on the mend from a lengthy hip flexor injury ahead of his planned retirement at the end of 2024, this is the perfect time for tennis fans to celebrate the Spanish left-handed icon by getting their hands on this very special edition memento.
Be warned this specific racket is not suited to all players. It’s for advanced hitters with a fast, long swing, who embrace aggressive spin and power and can control shots at a high tempo. Fear not though, a more forgiving and manoeuvrable version, aimed at a wider group of players, is also available.
Style
Nadal’s playing style is defined by raw power together, devastating helicopter-style whipping forehands which produce outrageous spin and a “fight until the last point” attitude - which is also evident during friendly practice to the amazement of his peers. So the question is, can the average tennis player handle it? Can we play like Rafa?
Before we get to that, let’s take a moment to appreciate the racket’s vibrant look. You can spot it a mile off with its bright pink and blue paint job fused with graffiti-style yellow graphic decals. It’s loud, bold and in your face. Depending on your standpoint, it’s a love-it-or-hate-it affair. I certainly turned quite a few heads at my local club and received more positive comments than with my usual racket.
Feel
The weight and balance of the ‘aeromodular’ frame (340g strung) is also something to behold. Whilst it’s huge fun to hit with, the racket leans towards the head-heavy side, creating forceful shots that will have your opponent struggling to return. I personally doubt I’d be able to last four hours against top competition week in, and week out using this particular model, but at the same time, I’d gladly accept the challenge.
Shots
During the playtests, I noticed way more spin and power, especially from the back of the court. On overheads, it was a beast. Serves and smashes were off the charts with the Babolat Pure Aero Rafa Origin sending the ball zipping through the court and flying higher than I normally produce.
As spin is a big thing, there is the incorporation of the open 16x19 string pattern which is slightly wider apart in the sweet spot and Babolat’s FSI spin tech. The end result has the potential to generate an outlandish bite on the ball.
On volleys, I generally found nice depth and control. The stiff frame gives you great feedback - right down to off-centre miss hits. I did find that the heaviness of the frame made it tougher for me to continually keep my racket up high and ready for the next shot. Do I need to start doing weights?
Verdict
The Babolat Pure Aero Rafa Origin has all the ingredients to become a fan favourite and collector's item. I wouldn’t be surprised if it were to become one of the most iconic tennis rackets of all time.
Whilst the tour specification version is not for all players, the candy-popping colours, ability to hit pulsating groundstrokes with phenomenal spin, and namesake make it a real crowd-pleaser. Now it’s your turn to hit the courts. Trying to play like Nadal is no bad thing!
