PRICE: $185
HEAD SIZE: 100 sq. in.
LENGTH: 27 in.
WEIGHT: 11.1 oz.
FLEXIBILITY: Very stiff
BALANCE: 3/5 in. head light
IDEAL SWING: Long
NTRP: 4.0

SALES PITCH
The flat, aerodynamic throat helps serious players get more racquet-head speed and action on their shots.

COMPARE TO
Babolat AeroPro Drive

HOW IT TESTED
When we put the original AeroPro Drive through its paces in 2005, the reviews were overwhelmingly positive. Now the second incarnation of the racquet has arrived with the addition of Cortex, a vibration-dampening system in the shaft just above the handle. Other than that, the specs are identical and the on-court performance proves to be much the same. The aerodynamic beam and head-light balance allow baseliners to take a big cut, generating good power and spin while maintaining control. The racquet is very maneuverable at net, but most testers felt that the AeroPro Drive was more productive on ground strokes and kick serves. Cortex does make the frame a little more forgiving, which should appeal to players who found the first version to be a bit harsh when they missed the sweet spot.

BOTTOM LINE
It’s a great choice for aggressive baseliners who want to hit out on their strokes but maintain some margin for error.