Sign of Confidence: Rafael Nadal Enters Extended Partnership With Babolat
April 18, 2007
Boulder, CO – April 18, 2007 – Babolat, one of the leading manufacturers of tennis racquets, announces that the company has just signed an extended contract with back-to-back French Open Champion, Rafael Nadal.
Rafael Nadal (#2 in the ATP rankings) has signed a contract with the Babolat brand that will equip him with racquets, strings, grips, accessories and bags for the next 10 years. Thus, with the 21 year-old champion, Babolat will continue to develop the best technical equipment to suit his game.
With the announcement of the new contract, Babolat is also introducing the new Aeropro Drive racquet equipped with the Cortex System, the result of collaboration between the brand and the young Spanish champion. Rafael Nadal started playing with this new racquet at the Masters Series Monte-Carlo Tournament that began April 14, 2007.
“Rafael Nadal has signed a new contract with Babolat for 10 years. This is a true sign of confidence,” said Eric Babolat, CEO of Babolat. “We are proud of the collaboration with such a champion. We accompany him on his major tournaments; we listen to him to design a racquet that best fits his game. This collaboration is large for him and for us.”
Two-time champion of the French Open in 2005 and 2006 and record holder of 60 consecutive clay court wins, Rafael Nadal has always played with a Babolat racquet. “I am very happy,” said Rafael Nadal. “My first racquet was a Babolat. Today, Babolat has developed a new Aeropro Drive racquet for me. It corresponds perfectly to my game, very fast. Thanks to the Cortex System, I have a new feel of the ball. And I love its look.” Passionate and competitive, Rafael Nadal perfectly embodies the attributes of the Babolat brand, entirely dedicated to tennis since 1875.
About the new Aeropro Drive racquet with Cortex
Third generation of racquets with the aerodynamic profile for maximum power, the new Aeropro Drive racquet has been enhanced with the Cortex System to optimize the feel of the ball at impact. Located at the base of the throat of the racquet, this new Babolat Cortex System technology filters unnecessary vibrations, keeping only those that players are looking for when the ball comes in contact with the racquet.
The state-of-the-art technologies and a new design playing on the asymmetry of the colors make this a decidedly modern racquet. Baseline hitters who like heavy topspin will appreciate the aerodynamics of the Aeropro Drive for its power.
