The eagerly awaited Babolat Pure Drive 2012

The Babolat tennis racquet family is eagerly awaiting its newest member, the Babolat Pure Drive 2012. This new babolat racquet is slated to hit the market early this year with preorders already on the rise. This heavily awaited Babolat racquet has already made a few sneak appearances in professional practice sessions and welded in competition by pros. Receiving nothing but accolades, the anticipation continues to rise. Some rumors state the Babolat Pure Drive Racket 2012 will be in complete circulation by mid-march. Other sources indicate it will be much sooner. I myself have opted to wait patiently for its arrival, forgoing any eagerness to hastily purchase a lesser model tennis racket. Babolat has never let me down and I’m sure 2012 with be no exception.

Babolat Pure Drive rackets are known for their legendary control without sacrificing power. They are designed to give competitive players the edge they need when stepping up their game. This tennis racket is composed of Graphite Tungsten and sports an incredibly lightweight feel. Graphite Tungsten, also known as GT Technology, braids carbon with tungsten creating a truly durable and powerful hybrid frame. This type of frame is known to draw more power from any player from beginner to advanced. Combined with the new vibration elimination technology, this racket will increase feel and ball control immensely. The flashy new look is a welcome addition as well, and won’t take away from court side flair. It is as menacing in sight as it is in performance.

Babolat was founded in 1875 when the company’s creator began developing and producing strings for tennis racquets. The company gradually began adding new products and innovations to the market place for more than a century. In 1994 the first Babolat tennis racquet entered the market. And now in 2012 Babolat tennis rackets have become renowned worldwide, hardly even needing an introduction. Tennis combatants on every continent are choosing the sublime mix between power and control. Tennis pros including Li Na, Andy Roddick, and Kim Clijsters have taken home their fair share of trophies and championships with Babolat PureDrive rackets. I can only hope to achieve the same aspirations for myself.

HEAD YouTek IG Extreme Midplus

Here is our third HEAD YouTek Review for this week. Read our review of the HEAD YouTek IG Instinct and the HEAD YouTek IG Speed Midplus to get in-depth comparisons.

There are rave reviews for the new HEAD YouTek IG Extreme racquet. This is one more to add to that group.

While the Head YouTek IG Extreme racquet is for players who like to hit big yet are also perfect for control-oriented players, the latest version of these racquets, the Head YouTek IG Extreme Midplus Tennis racquet is something else.

With a weight of 11.1 ounces when strung, a string pattern of 16 mains, 19 crosses, a head size of 100 square inches and a standard 27 inches length, the Head YouTek IG Extreme Midplus tennis racquet is a lighter version of the YouTek IG Extreme pro by about 15 gm. It is definitely an improvement on the latter as it retains the latter’s characteristics while allowing for more maneuverability and kindness towards off center hits. Let me put it this way: you will not reach for pain killers after the match though you will definitely know when you strike off center.

Flaunting Innegra Technology which uses Innegra fibers, the Innegra fibers add stability and reduce racquet vibrations by as much as 17 percent. Innegra fibers are quite tough and very thin thereby enhancing performance and as they are applied at strategic points, they give great and solid performance from all areas of the court and produce enough spin to make the Head YouTek IG Extreme Midplus Tennis racquet an asset for aggressive baseliners and all-court players. With the spin, full swings are possible and the ball can be kept deep within the court. There is ease of movement on volleys and sufficient mass to neutralize and direct more difficult and passing shots. The 16 by 19 string patterns are not only able to handle shots but also help spice up serves. In addition, the racquet stick gives a lot of promise to any junior talent hoping to move up to an adult frame.

Plus, having d30, the racquet is able to “feel” the game, adjusting to the needs of the player as the game progresses—giving more power and dexterity when the player revs up and softening up with a lighter shot to give more touch.

On the downside though, there was a hollow feel during off-center hits and the frame wasn’t authoritative on overheads. The distinctive flatter grip however presented an avenue for adjustments. Another downside? The racquet does not come with a cover.

Overall a rapid generation of racquet head speed ensured enjoyment ripping the ball. The racquet was stable and offensive. I definitely would recommend it for aggressive baseliners and all-court players.

Have you read all of our racquet reviews? What do you think? Which HEAD YouTek racquet sounds the best?