{"id":278,"date":"2021-07-27T12:43:27","date_gmt":"2021-07-27T12:43:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/toomanyrackets.com\/?p=278"},"modified":"2023-12-13T16:04:24","modified_gmt":"2023-12-13T16:04:24","slug":"rafael-nadal-racket","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/toomanyrackets.com\/rafael-nadal-racket\/","title":{"rendered":"Rafael Nadal Racket"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Rafael Nadal&#8217;s racket, the Pure Aero has been one of the top-selling frames over the last 15 years and has helped <a href=\"https:\/\/toomanyrackets.com\/babolat-pure-drive-vs-yonex-vcore-100\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"19193\">Babolat<\/a> to become a worldwide tennis brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I have compiled the below guide to help tennis fans understand what racket <a href=\"https:\/\/toomanyrackets.com\/rafael-nadal-tournament-schedule\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"3098\">Rafael Nadal<\/a> is playing with on tour and whether the retail version is anything like it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/toomanyrackets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Rafael-Nadal-Racket-1024x576.png\" alt=\"Rafael Nadal Racket\" class=\"wp-image-2559\" srcset=\"https:\/\/toomanyrackets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Rafael-Nadal-Racket-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/toomanyrackets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Rafael-Nadal-Racket-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/toomanyrackets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Rafael-Nadal-Racket-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/toomanyrackets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Rafael-Nadal-Racket.png 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Racket does Nadal use?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/toomanyrackets.com\/rafael-nadal-head-to-head-records\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"7906\">Rafael Nadal<\/a> currently endorses the <a href=\"https:\/\/toomanyrackets.com\/pure-aero-rafa-origin-vs-pure-aero-rafa-2023\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"21425\">Babolat Pure Aero Rafa Origin<\/a> but he actually plays with the <strong>Babolat Aero Pro Drive Original<\/strong>, which is an older model of the Pure Aero.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Babolat released the Rafa Origin tennis racket in 2023, with its main selling point being that its specs were much closer to Nadal&#8217;s Aero Pro Drive Original than the regular Pure Aero Rafa tennis rackets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Out with the old, In with the new. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/BabolatFamily?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#BabolatFamily<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/sY4RlVTElo\" target=\"_blank\">pic.twitter.com\/sY4RlVTElo<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Babolat (@babolat) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/babolat\/status\/1642829643303510016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">April 3, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rafael Nadal Racket Specs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\">Below are the racket specs for the Rafa Origin, which are meant to be very close to the specs of the racket that Nadal plays with on tour. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-white-background-color has-text-color has-background\"><thead><tr><th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Specifications:<\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Rafa Origin<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Release Date:<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">11th of April 2023<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Design:<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" class=\"wp-image-21426\" style=\"width: 150px;\" src=\"https:\/\/toomanyrackets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Pure-Aero-Rafa-Origin-2023.png\" alt=\"Pure Aero Rafa Origin 2023\" srcset=\"https:\/\/toomanyrackets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Pure-Aero-Rafa-Origin-2023.png 250w, https:\/\/toomanyrackets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Pure-Aero-Rafa-Origin-2023-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Head Size:<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">100in<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Length:<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">27in<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Strung Weight<\/strong>:<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">337g (11.9oz)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>String Pattern<\/strong>:<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">16 x 19 (8T,8H mains skip)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Swing Weight:<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">371<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Balance:<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"> 1 pts HL<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Frame Stiffness Rating:<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">70<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Beam Width:<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">23mm \/ 26mm \/ 23mm<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Colors:<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Black, Pink, and Yellow<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Swing Style Required:<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"> You need a long and fast swing<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Power Level:<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"> Low powered<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Recommended Level:<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"> Advanced<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Grip Size does Nadal use?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Nadal uses a <strong>4 and 1\/4 grip size<\/strong> with an overgrip, which is considered a small grip size for someone who is 6ft 1in tall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nadal and other top pros like <a href=\"https:\/\/toomanyrackets.com\/federer-vs-djokovic-rivalry\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"427\">Federer and Djokovic<\/a> favor a smaller grip size with overgrips so that they can get more spin on their serves and groundstrokes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As mentioned in my article on Roger Federer&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/toomanyrackets.com\/roger-federer-racket\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"240\">Wilson Pro Staff RF97<\/a>, just because pros like Rafa and Roger use a 4 and 1\/4 grip size, that doesn&#8217;t mean it is right for you, as everyone&#8217;s hands are different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Therefore, it is better to find a grip size that suits you, as if you play tennis regularly with a grip size that is too large or too small for your hands, then this can lead to wrist, elbow, and arm issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Does Rafa play with a Vibration Dampener?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Like many professional players, Nadal plays with a <a href=\"https:\/\/toomanyrackets.com\/which-tennis-pros-use-dampeners\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"3622\">vibration dampener<\/a> and uses <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3GlZNjj\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow sponsored\">Babolat&#8217;s Custom Dampeners<\/a> in his strings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How does Rafael Nadal string his racket?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As confirmed by Uncle Toni in the video below, Rafa strings his racket with <strong>Babolat RPM blast<\/strong> in the crosses and the mains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Rafa&#039;s string explained by his uncle and coach Toni Nadal\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/uVv6_3uUEs0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Generally, the string tension on his rackets will be <strong>55 lbs<\/strong> on the cross and main strings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unlike many top players like Federer and Djokovic, Nadal does not tend to vary the tension on his racket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can You Buy Rafael Nadal&#8217;s Racket?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It is slightly easier to get your hands on a racket with similar specs to Rafa&#8217;s actual racket than it is for other top players such as <a href=\"https:\/\/toomanyrackets.com\/novak-djokovic-racket\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"261\">Novak Djokovic<\/a>, as you can usually find old Babolat AeroPro Drive Original for sale on websites like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">eBay<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.prostocktennis.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pro Stock Tennis<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although it is fairly easy to get a <strong>Babolat AeroPro Drive Original<\/strong> and customize it so it matches Rafa&#8217;s specs, I would not recommend it, as Rafa&#8217;s racket is far too heavy for the vast majority of club players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nadal&#8217;s specs work for him as he has trained for years to master his craft but if you are a weekend warrior then his specs are not going to be good for your game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the vast majority of cases, you will be better off, going with the Pure Aero Rafa, as it is lighter and easier to play with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Should I buy the retail version instead?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are looking for a frame that looks and feels similar to <strong>Rafa Nadal&#8217;s racket<\/strong> then I think the <a href=\"https:\/\/toomanyrackets.com\/yonex-ezone-98-vs-babolat-pure-aero\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"12800\">Pure Aero Rafa<\/a> is a good option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although the retail version is lighter than Rafa&#8217;s racket, it will be a better option for the vast majority of recreational tennis players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The retail version will also be more spin-friendly and you will be less likely to have arm or elbow issues with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where can I buy Babolat Pure Aero Rafa?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As the <strong>Pure Aero Rafa<\/strong> has been a top-selling tennis racket for many years now, you will find that most online tennis shops will have it in stock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are considering buying it and would like to support my blog, then consider purchasing it by clicking on the Amazon button below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By doing this, I will receive a small commission from Amazon and it won&#8217;t cost you any more to buy it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-font-size has-medium-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-base-3-color has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3y60REX\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\"><strong>Check price on Amazon<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rafael Nadal&#8217;s racket, the Pure Aero has been one of the top-selling frames over the last 15 years and has helped Babolat to become a worldwide tennis brand. I have compiled the below guide to help tennis fans understand what racket Rafael Nadal is playing with on tour and whether the retail version is anything<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2559,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/toomanyrackets.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/278"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/toomanyrackets.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/toomanyrackets.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/toomanyrackets.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/toomanyrackets.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=278"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/toomanyrackets.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/278\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30555,"href":"https:\/\/toomanyrackets.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/278\/revisions\/30555"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/toomanyrackets.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2559"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/toomanyrackets.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=278"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/toomanyrackets.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=278"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/toomanyrackets.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=278"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}