Karry
Continuing to review some mid-range and low-end rackets from non-top brands, this time it’s Babolat. The last Babolat racket I tested, the Wind Storm 057, was quite disappointing. I’m curious whether this similarly priced racket will restore my confidence in Babolat’s lower-end models.
Specifications:
- 4UG5
- No cap
- Total weight: 92.7g (in used condition)
- Balance point: 305mm
- Shaft length: 218mm
- Medium stiffness
- Wind-breaking frame
- 76-hole string bed
- 8-4 o’clock string grooves
- Warranty: 26 lbs
- Strung with XB63 at 24-26 lbs
Appearance: This might be the best Babolat racket in terms of paint quality and finish in this price range that I have seen. It looks even better than some flagship models. The paint is deep blue with a slight metallic sheen. The frame is decorated with red, black, and white stickers, with patterns at the 2, 10, 12, 4, and 8 o’clock positions, creating a visual layer without being flashy or excessive. According to retailers, one of the selling points of this racket is its superior paint quality compared to other products in the same category.
Feel and Performance: The head weight of the Aurora 9001 is quite noticeable. Despite being a 4U racket, the feel isn’t particularly pleasing. It might be better if the handle wasn’t so thin, as it feels somewhat uncomfortable in hand.
However, despite the discomfort, the Aurora 9001 performs decently in terms of feedback. It’s less harsh compared to the Wind Storm 057 and doesn’t feel as stiff. The sweet spot is more consistent, and you won’t experience the dead or inconsistent hits you might with the 057. Adjusting to the Aurora 9001 isn’t overly difficult; a few clears or a warm-up game should suffice.
Comparing to the Wind Storm 057, the Aurora 9001 does have its advantages. However, it still falls short compared to the Bluebird series. The overall elasticity isn’t as good, and the frame’s stiffness affects the linearity of power delivery. In simpler terms, it lacks “feel.”
The head-heavy balance makes it suitable for net play, allowing for effective control of small shots. The frame’s torsion resistance and the stability of the string bed contribute to good performance at the net. However, for shots above the net, the head-heavy design might cause the actual hitting point to fall short of expectations, possibly resulting in out-of-bounds shots. The feel is quite stiff and unyielding.
Regarding its offensive capabilities, the frame’s rigidity ensures that even with a wind-breaking design, the directional control remains adequate. The head-heavy balance helps in directing the shuttle downwards, but the speed and power of smashes are not impressive. It lacks the elasticity found in higher-end models, and smashes might sometimes land short, possibly due to the shaft being softer than expected or the string bed’s unexpected ball retention. Adjusting your hitting point is necessary.
For flat drives and defensive play, the racket doesn’t leverage the wind-breaking frame’s potential to enhance swing speed. The lack of speed and elasticity makes it challenging to handle passive returns effectively.
Overall, as an entry-level racket, the Aurora 9001 isn’t particularly user-friendly, lacking the pleasure of play found in better models. Before the Sky series was released, it was one of the best in Babolat’s lower-end range in terms of paint quality. Choosing between external aesthetics and internal performance depends on individual preferences, and neither choice is inherently better or worse.
However, after using the Aurora 9001 in a few matches, it becomes more comfortable to handle, with the initial stiffness gradually diminishing. It ultimately depends on whether players have the patience to adapt to its unique feel.
