Price: $185
Head Size: 98 sq. in.
Length: 27 in.
Weight: 11.2 oz.
Balance: 1/2 in. head light
Flexibility: Stiff
Ideal Swing: Long
NTRP: 3.5–5.5

Sales Pitch: If you like Babolat’s AeroPro Drive but want something that has a little less power, this is the frame for you.

Compare To: N/A

How It Tested: Babolat had an Aero Storm on the market last year, but it’s now being called the Aero Storm Tour and is used by Roland Garros fi nalist Dinara Safina. The 2008 Aero Storm is lighter and more maneuverable. As with all the Aero racquets, the profi le of the beam is flattened out to allow for greater racquet-head acceleration. It also has a manageable weight and head-light balance, so baseliners with fast strokes will generate plenty of swing speed. You’ll need it, because as one 4.5 male player described the frame’s power potential, “there’s no free pop.” Still, the Aero Storm has enough heft that you can plow through your ground strokes, and the open string pattern (16x20) helps you hit with spin, particularly on kick serves. While touch isn’t totally refi ned at net, the easy handling makes it more than capable in the front court.

Bottom Line: A worthy option for strong juniors and other players with developed strokes who don’t want the heavy weight of a true player’s frame.