NEW YORK—It’s not easy to be a disruptor, especially in a sport as tied to its traditions as tennis. But 30 years ago, that’s exactly what Babolat did. That’s when the French brand, long known for its VS natural gut string, got into the racquet space by releasing the Pure Drive. The rest was game-changing history.
At the time, “players” frames followed a similar formula. They mostly sported small heads, thin, flexible constant beams and were on the heavy side. Their primary directive was control, with power mainly user-generated.
The Pure Drive possessed different DNA. It featured a larger face (100 sq. in.), less weight (only 10.4 oz./300g), and a thick, rigid, variable beam with an elliptical cross section. It added up to heavy hitting, but still managed enough stability and control to compete at the upper echelon of the game. Grand Slam champs such as Carlos Moya, Andy Roddick and Kim Clijsters followed, giving the frame credibility.
But perhaps what made the Pure Drive so unique was it was ability agnostic. Advanced players could harness its power, while developing players took advantage of its forgiving sweet spot. The racquet may not have invented the ‘tweener category, but it arguably came to define it.
“The frame helps that if you don’t really center the ball it still stays in the court and the game is more fun,” says Eric Babolat. “People who are less skilled can have access to hitting hard and having tough rallies. I think it’s true at every level.”
Babolat is the fifth-generation CEO of the family-run equipment manufacturer. His great-grandfather started making tennis strings in 1875. Some quick math reveals next year will be the company’s 150th anniversary in the sport. That’s longer than they’ve been crowning winners at Wimbledon.
It was Eric’s father, Pierre, that introduced racquets into their lineup. When he tragically died in a plane crash in 1998, Eric was thrust into his current leadership role at just 28. He has injected the company with his infectious enthusiasm and passion for the game ever since.
