The Babolat Story

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If you have caught the tennis bug, chances are you play with a Babolat racquet or you know someone who plays with one. In addition to the invention of tennis strings, Babolat is currently the #2 manufacturer of tennis and badminton racquets, and

they have extended their line of products to shoes, balls, grips, over-grips, bags, accessories and stringing machines.

Babolat was founded in Lyon, France in 1875 - one year after tennis was invented. It is the oldest company specializing in racquet sports, and currently their tennis and badminton products can be found in sporting good stores and partner clubs in more than 100 countries.

Famous Babolat-toting tennis players include Rafael Nadal, Kim Clijsters, Andy Roddick, Samantha Stosur, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Dinara Safina and Fernando Gonzales, to name a few. 
                                                   Slogan: Tennis Runs in our Blood!
                                                                Logo: Double Line

With a long line of family dedicated to the innovation and advancement of racquet sports, Babolat has been indispensable to the game of tennis. 

Here is a just a glimpse of what they have accomplished over the years.

1874: Walter Clopton Wingfield creates tennis

1875: Pierre Babolat invents tennis strings, made of natural gut

1925: VS natural gut tennis string is created with the “Musketeers” in mind by Albert Babolat

Together the Musketeers (French players Jean Borotra, Jacques Brugnon, Henri Cochet and René Lacoste) acquire 20 grand slam and six Davis cup titles with VS string.

1955: Elascord, the first Babolat synthetic string, is invented

1968: Arthur Ashe becomes the first African-American Wimbledon champion, and he later wins the first U. S. Open – with Babolat strings

1980: Double line logo is developed

1994: Pierre Babolat launches the first group of Babolat tennis racquets

1995: Launch of first Babolat badminton racquets

1998: Carlos Moya is the first to win a grand slam with a Babolat racquet at the French Open

2001: European Launch of first Babolat tennis balls

2003: Launch of first Babolat tennis shoe with partner, Michelin

Andy Roddick wins U. S. Open with Babolat racquet and strings

2004: Launch of Aero racquet adopted by Rafael Nadal

2005: Babolat players Nadal and Clijsters both win grand slams – French Open and U. S. Open

2007: Propulse tennis shoe is launched

2008: Launch of new Xfeel badminton racquets for high-level players

Nadal wins 4th consecutive French Open title and Wimbledon

Nadal wins men’s singles gold medal at Beijing Olympics, Dinara Safina wins women’s singles silver medal

Kenneth Jonassen becomes European Badminton champion with Babolat Xfeel racquet

Nadal is ranked #1 men’s singles tennis player in the world

2009 and Beyond: There have been more than 100 grand slam wins with Babolat racquets and strings, making it the #1 brand among TOP 100 ranked players!

The folks behind the Roland-Garros Tennis Venue at the French Open have embraced the Babolat Company as they are driven by a common bond: a passion for tennis. Consequently, they have announced a unique collaboration for 2011 – two historic French Brands joining together for a five-year period to service tennis fans all over the world. In addition to supplying the official tennis balls for the French Open, Babolat will also be providing stringing services to all French Open competitors and a complete line of Babolat/Roland-Garros products to all French Open fans!

Check out our favorites from Babolat!

Favorite racquet - Babolat Aeropro Drive French Open - $199	Favorite string - Babolat VS Touch Thermogut Strings 16g - $42.95
Favorite men's shoes - Babolat Men`s Propulse 3 Tennis Shoes - $109	Favorite women's shoes - Babolat Women`s V-Pro Lady Tennis Shoes - $85
Favorite bag - Babolat Classic Racquet Holder X6 Blue - $39.95	Favorite grip - Babolat Natural Leather Grip - $10.95

Posted in: Babolat , Tennis Brands