The coming two weeks team mijnracket.nl is proud participant in the Babolat ProjectOne7 . Since the Rolex Monte Carlo Masters a few weeks ago, the Austrian Dominic Thiem plays with a blank prototype racket from Babolat, which goes by the name #projectone7...
In September 2017, the new Babolat Pure Strike 17 (One7) series will be released, for which the ProjectOne7 rackets were the pilot! With ProjectOne7, Babolat wants to 'build the best possible racket for the champions of tomorrow'. To achieve this, a select group of (contract) players, coaches and racket specialists were asked to test the ProjectOne7 rackets and then share their feedback with Babolat. Team mijnracket.nl is one of the lucky ones!
Babolat player Dominic Thiem was reportedly the first to be spotted with ProjectOne7 rackets. Thiem tested both a version with an 18/20 and a 16/19 string pattern. The prototypes that are currently in circulation and of which we also have one at our disposal, have a 16/19 string pattern. Since there is nothing on the frame other than #projectone7, we took a closer look at the racket itself to give you an idea of the specs. It is useful to know that this new line will (most likely) succeed the current Pure Strike line , the line that Thiem played with before. In terms of construction, the racket also has a lot in common with the Babolat Pure Strike racket family. A comparison: Specifications Babolat Pure Strike 16/19 : 98 sq/inch, 305 grams (320 grams strung), 32.0 balance (32.7 strung) and 16/19 string pattern Specifications Babolat Pure Strike Tour : 98 sq/inch, 320 grams (335 grams strung), 31.5 balance (32.4 strung) and 18/20 string pattern Specifications Babolat #ProjectOne7 : 98 sq/inch (according to us), 330 grams strung, 32.4 balance strung (including overgrip that was already on it) and 16/19 string pattern We received the Babolat ProjectOne7 racket strung with overgrip on it. That is why we compare it above with the strung specs, where we normally always do this unstrung on mijnracket.nl.
Then there are a few things that stand out visually. The heart of the racket, especially at the bottom near the text #projectone7, is shaped slightly differently (narrower). This racket, like the Pure Strike rackets, uses Babolat's Woofer technology, where the strings on the outside of the racket lie over the curves of the bumper. This ensures a slightly longer ball-string contact and a little more grip on the ball for spin/slice and a little extra vibration damping. The Projectone7 racket also uses the Stabilizer technology in the heart of the racket for extra stability at ball impact. In terms of frame thickness (beam), I see no difference with the Pure Strike rackets. What is noticeable is that the last cross string is lower than with the Pure Strike 16/19. The strings seem to be pulled apart a little more (lengthwise), probably also to create more freedom of movement for the length string for more spin. The tubings have a normal shape.
Finally, before the fun on the court, the stringing begins. The racket is strung with the Babolat RPM Blast 16 lengthwise and the Origin 16 (both 1.30 mm thick polyester strings) widthwise. The angled RPM Blast provides extra grip on the ball, where the softer Origin string provides a bit of extra comfort. This combination also promotes the snapback (sliding out of position and then quickly snapping back into position) of the length string, good for extra spin potential. We're going on court. In our next update, the playing characteristics of this ProjectOne7 racket . So keep an eye on us!