text:
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Please include any relevant information such as string type and tension, skill level and style of play.
Comments: Playing with APD and APD Plus strung at 54 lbs with Babolat RPM Blast. This racquet has helped
me improved my serve, overall game, confidence and got me several wins in my USTA matches Recently, I have been
suffering with Tennis elbow after playing an hour with this racquet and thinking of switching to a less stiffer racquet. I have
demoed several less stiff racquets from TW and tried a few arm-friendly racquets from Head, Yonex and found the Head
Microgel Radical Oversize very arm friendly and very manuverable. My tennis friends advice to go with a Hybrid or a soft
poly and some changes to my hitting techique will help with the Tennis elbow. Will have to try that and see and if that
doesn't help I will switch to Head Microgel Radical Oversize. Overall, a great racquet if you can handle it and don't get
tennis elbow.
From: Ramesh, 12/16
Comments: Absolutely, enjoy playing with this tennis racquet. It's a solid tennis racquet. Very well designed
too. In my opinion, this is a great tennis racquet especially, if you hit the ball with lots of spin. I found it to be good with
slices too. I serve with a lot of topspin, spin and kick serves when using this racquet. Would definitely recommend this
racquet to tennis players who hit with a lot of spin.
From: Anonymous, 12/16
Comments: Fast swinging racquet with great spin potential. Forgiving sweetspot but does get pushed around
by heavy balls due to the low overall weight. Great pop on serve and can still get the ball moving fast even without a heavy
static weight. Overall, it's a great racquet for those who have a solid medium-fast groundstroke swing and form and should
be paired with a spin friendly poly like RPM Blast or Solinco Hyper G to make the most out of the racquet and the string.
From: Kyle, 11/16
Comments: This is the first expensive racquet I ever bought and it it was absolutely worth it. I used it for just
over a year before I finally had to get the string replaced. Excellent spin, excellent control, excellent power. 10 out of 10. I
recommend it.
From: Jared, 11/16
Comments: Likes: super spin-friendly, stable, powerful and forgiving. Dislikes: probably the most
uncomfortable one of all previous versions. The Cortex technology doesn't help a darn; slices are floating due to the low
swingweight and total mass. This might be the worst slice racquet of all time.
From: Isaac, 10/16
Comments: AeroPro Drive + a dampener + hitting the ball in the sweet spot + getting the contact point out in
front = power + spin + comfort -- best racquet ever! This racquet is surprisingly horrible without a decent dampener. All
you feel from the strings is shock. Add a Tourna dampener or a rubber band dampener to this racquet. You will be
surprised how good this racquet is.
From: Kevin, 8/16
Comments: Though I am a beginner and at level 2, I bought this racquet from TW. This is really a great racquet
and I can see the change in my game. I am able to compete with level 4 players and can win some games. Good one! I
love this racquet very much. By the way, TW's service and delivery are really good. will buy more with them in the future.
From: Prakash, 8/16
Comments: Been playing tennis since the late 70's and have always used the larger Prince racquets. Due to a
neck injury, I was unable to hit many of my bread and butter shots. Demoed many different racquets, never really liked the
Babolat racquets until I tried one that was strung looser (2013 Babolat Aeropro Drive). This racquet is very different to the
Prince racquets -- smaller sweet spot, faster swing speed. This swing speed has taken a while to get used to especially at
net.The racquet will do every shot I'm used to -- topspin forehands, backhands,slice, drop shots, serves overheads,
although my serve will never be the same due to my injury, it does seen to add more spin to get forced service winners.
Where it really stands out is in the ball placement and control. I am able to stand closer when returning serves, and hit with
more confidence, backspin on drop shots really stops the ball dead in its track. Those who claim it hurts their arm, are not
hitting the sweet spot, because this is a stiff racquet, and I never had a problem with that. Started stringing at 54 lbs then
50 lbs, now I'm at 48 lbs with Volkl Cyclone in a full poly bed. At 58 years old, I am still able to beat my 23 year old son
consistently, who is a 5.0 player
From: Robert, 6/16
Comments: I've had this item for almost a year and I really do reccomend it to others. It's comfortable, feels
smooth and is perfect for all types of players. It increases spin with the right kind of string. I recommend Babolat RPM
Blast and Luxilon strings on this racquet.
From: Adrian, 2/16
Comments: I had the 2012 version and really liked it. Demo'd the new one and it felt similar and is a solid
racquet for most styles of play. A definite winner.
From: Kent, 1/16
Comments: The Babolat AeroPro Drive tennis racquet has taken my tennis game to the next level. I noticed
that when playing with this racquet that it has a lot of power, spin, and excellent control. I was able to place the tennis ball
where I wanted to on the tennis court when hitting tennis groundstrokes. It's no surprise how popular this tennis racquet is.
In my opinion, this is a very efficient and excellent racquet.
From: Anonymous, 12/15
Comments: All I can say this is an amazing racquet! I just received it from TW with super fast shipping and
great phone support to help me choose this racquet. Strung with Babolat Pro Hurricane Tour 16g at 57 lbs. Amazing
control, tons of spin, enormous sweet spot, with lots of controllable power. It has changed my game. I almost feel like I am
cheating. For me, there was almost no transition period and I would like to say again -- the controllable spin has me able to
put the ball exactly where I want too. Highly recommend it and thank you Tennis Warehouse!
From: Jason, 10/15
Comments: After playing with oversize racquets, I felt like I had too much power with those, so I switched to
the APD with Pro Hurricane Tour in the crosses and RPM Blast strung in the mains, and it's pretty perfect. Tension was at
55 lbs. Lots of good spin, pop, and power, but all in a controlled sense. The forgiveness of this racquet is also
unbelievable, and it's certainly hard to match.
From: Ryan, 9/15
Comments: Recently switched to this racquet after using the Head Speed Pro for a few years. I find both are
very similar but the APD felt more solid on volleys and serves. I also liked the handle shape a bit more than the Head SP.
I started stringing this with full poly (Tier One Firewire) at 60 lbs but found it lacked power and dropped it down to 53 lbs
and i'm loving it. I've had tennis elbow in the past but have not had any issues whatsoever with this setup.
From: Pete, 7/15
Comments: Played with the Head Youtek Midplus for the last 4 years before switching to this frame. I was
looking for a stick that provided more control. I started it strung with a poly at 55 lbs and was fairly pleased but was having
shoulder pain. Switched to gut/poly blend at 59 lbs and absolutely love this racquet. I can hit out without thinking due to
topspin this stick produces and hitting hardest serves of my life at 40+ years old! I can't find any holes in this stick other
than maybe some feel on touch shots. Only downside is be careful if you have arm issues as its very stiff. I'm a 5.0 player
From: Anon, 7/15
Comments: I played with this frame for about a year and I agree with pretty much everyone else's comments.
You get great access to topsin and it's a great serving stick, however flattening out is a nightmare with this thing and touch
shots are near impossible. It's a great transition stick, however after switching to the Blade 98 I think I'll have to retire my
love/hate relationship with these sticks. Great transition stick, just not something for my game.
From: Kaipoi, 6/15
Comments: I absolutely love this racquet. I cannot play with any other. And the price is reasonable!
From: Anon, 6/15
Comments: It's my favorite racquet for playing doubles with, where I need to swing fast and pounce on
volleys. It flies through the air and you can generate lots of power quickly. Great for serving, massively looping forehands
and chucking in the odd top spin lob. For singles, it lacks the swing weight I need when pushed wide; there's not enough
touch as it has a hollow feel and the handle shape is awkward for a traditional backhand drive slice. It's more suited to the
modern backhand chop slice and you do get wicked spin. Some of the problems I have may be alleviated with more
practice as I've only had it 3 months but it's still awesome for doubles! Strung with X One BiPhase at 54 lbs. I'm a 5.0
From: Andre, 6/15
Comments: Great topspin and serves. But for me, that's where the good ends. It is over powered (not enough
control) and I cannot swing out. There was a lack of depth for me as well as a lack of touch and feel. It felt unstable and
erratic. Slice was absolutely terrible for me due to the instability, erraticness and lack of touch and feel.
From: Anon, 5/15
Comments: Pros: Amazing topspin; decent on groundstrokes; 10 out of 10 for serving. Cons: I struggled
big hitters, it's too flimsy and it feels unstable; very poor plow through on flat shots; terrible slices, the lack of plow through
detriments slicing; It's OK at net but the instability of the racquet make it difficult for me to place shots; it lacks precision --
fine if you're going for power and crazy spin but if you enjoy playing with finesse there is just not enough feel in this
Perhaps coming from such a different frame (the Head Prestige Pro IG) means that it will take more time and customization
make it playable for me but currently I'm struggling to see what all the fuss is about.
From: John, 4/15
Comments: Phenomenal racquet. I am a 23 year old ex-college player. I used to use a 12 ounce Head Microgel
Prestige Pro all through college. I typically enjoy a heavier frame. My coaches are thrilled with my switch as they all have
trying to get me to switch to this racquet. This racquet is known for its groundstrokes, and made me feel more confident at
when playing doubles. Very little transition period to be honest. Forehand and backhand are smooth and forgiving when
timing is
off. The only area I had trouble with was getting the same kick on my second serve that I had with the Prestige.
From: Roger, 4/15
Comments: Great racquet -- provides great spin and controlled power while also remaining very comfortable.
for hitting flat winners and also with a lot of topspin on regular groundstrokes. Serves are going in more often due to the
encouraged spin potential while also giving more speed. Hit side by side with the Juice 100 and this racquet performs
much better
in all categories. Strings used were Babolat Pro Hurricane 16g at 55 lbs.
From: John, 3/15
Comments: This is a very good racquet. It has a lot of power and extremely maneuverable. As soon as I held
it, I
knew I was going to switch from my Head racquet to this one.
From: Savan, 3/15
Comments: What a racquet! No doubt, it has elevated my game. Is it cheating to play with this?! I can now
on getting in position, getting a good swing on the ball and letting the racquet do the work. Sure it has power but it's
and just helps me win more. I'm a 44 year old 4.5 player. Hope no one else switches to it!
From: CMoney, 3/15
Comments: I tested this racquet, for an hour and half -- it is more than amazing. It has nice power, very good
control and lots of topspin. The feel is smooth and you can accelerate whenever you want!
From: Cuateconzi, 3/15
Comments: I'm a 5.0 senior player with topspin off both sides and solid volleys. This racquet impressed me
with its
power and maneuverability. Great for serving. Not a great slicing, but it's OK. I switched the grip to leather with an
overgrip. I'm
stringing around 54 to 55 lbs with Technifibre X-ONE BiPhase 16 which softens up the contact and seems to wear pretty
well. I'd
highly recommend it.
From: Andy, 3/15
Comments: I love this racquet for my groundstrokes. But usually, my serves and serve returns are what have
me a win. I am a 4.0 player but only up here because of my serves and returns. On groundstrokes, I am barely adequate.
From: Saketh, 2/15
Comments: Great forgiving racquet. Perfect for any type of player.
From: Saketh, 2/15
Comments: I returned to the AeroPro Drive after overcoming my shoulder problems. My setup is with a Prince
pro grip, strung at 48 lbs of tension with Signum Pro Firestorm 1.20. It is a beast -- powerful, soft, lots of control, good
and good slice. I am a 4.5 player and I think this racquet is the best there is.
From: Juan, 2/15
Comments: Tweener frame with a profile of 24/26/23. Has to be stiff and it's not for large swings. It's definitely
fun racquet to try particularly if you are used to thinner frames. There is a learning curve to extract power from it and when
do it's quite a bliss. Low tension a must for more pocketing and feel. I reckon 51 lbs-ish.
From: Simone, 1/15
Comments: This is a proven players racquet which is quite stiff, which allows for very clear feedback
compared to
the Pure Strike, which is a bit dampened (without losing any info though). My favorite way to play tennis is from the
baseline with
tons of spin and power. This racquet will allow you to take full swings at the ball (quite low power when strung and 23kg
and up)
and great control due to the clean feed back. If you want to put spin on your shots you can, you do need some strong arms
really get a strong upwards movement through the hit zone due to the weight of the racquet. If you like to play from the
and you have enough strength, I highly recommend this racquet, it will make tennis easier and more fun.
From: Francis, 11/14
Comments: I just started using this racquet a few months ago. Switched from Wilson 95 6.1 BLX. The
Drive was hurting my upper arm so I lowered the co-poly string tension from 54 to 53 lbs and noticed an improvement. I do
this racquet. Power is greatly improved. Serve spin is improved. Occasionally, a ball floats long but this is decreasing.
takes a few weeks to get used to but my game has definitely improved from mid 4.5 to high 4.5 and possibly 5.0. (I'm
beating all
4.5's I play). I liked the Wilson but wanted more pace with a lighter racquet. I'm 47 and play mostly singles however, my
game has also improved with Babolat.
From: Laurence, 11/14
Comments: I'm a 64 year old senior doubles player mostly. I was looking for a racquet that could give me
more pop
when I needed it, and this is just what the doctor ordered. I play an all around game, hard serve, over the top forehand and
backhand, slice on both wings, drop shots, topspin lobs, etc. I'm able to fully execute all these shots with the APD! Strung
with gut
in mains, poly cross hybrid at 51 lbs. Use of string savers adds a couple pounds of tension probably. Using it stock. Great
and no significant arm problems at all. I have tried a lot of racquets and this is the best I've come across. Hot damn!
From: Bigdaddy, 10/14
Comments: This racquet has pop and control. Used a hybrid to string it at 54/53 lbs, didn't need to add an
grip as the initial feel was fine, friends say once you've found "your" racquet it's like an extension of your arm, never found
out until I tried and then bought this baby. A friend lent me his racquet when the strings broke, never been so thankful for a
busted string! I'm a 4.5 player.
From: Jeremy, 10/14
Comments: Recently switched to the Aeropro Drive, and I have been blown away by the difference it has
Topspin lefty forehand and one handed backhand drive heavier than I have ever hit and much more reliable in putting away
balls. Plenty of pop on serve and easier access to spin on second serve for sure, but still adjusting to placement on serve.
feel on volleys than my old stick but much better maneuverability. All in all, a total game changer. Wish I hadn't waited so
From: Adam, 10/14
Comments: Big differences in weight and balance between frames. 7-8 grams between my two sticks. Love
but not too sure whether I prefer the Roddick Pure Drive for the fun. To play matches, the APD gives me more confidence.
In any
case: spin, power and forgiveness, very (almost too) easy to play with -- very efficient in matches.
From: Vince, 10/14
Comments: My favorite racquet. I started out using the Wilson Pro Open BLX (2012 model) and it did not have
power I wanted. The instant I hit with this racquet, I loved the power. I have a buggy whip forehand, with a semi-Western
grip, so I
enjoyed this racquet and being able to feel like Nadal! I reccomend anyone who likes power and spin to use this racquet.
From: Kendall, 10/14
Comments: This is really an amazing frame. This racquet offers a lot of pop but still has enough control to
you can confidently swing out. However, what separates this racquet to others is the amount of spin it creates. I tried
hitting with
one of the new Wilson spin effect racquets, and the spin does not even compare to the aero. It's stiff, but for people who
enjoy a
crisp feel like myself, they will love this frame. I use a western style grip and this frame suits spin hitters extremely well.
this frame is still a great choice for flat hitters, but is best suited for people who hit spin. I string this with Babolat RPM
Dual 17 at
57 pounds.
From: Josh, 9/14
Comments: I finally demoed this update to a great frame. I played with the cortex model a few years back and
switched to the GT and felt that the GT model was too muted feeling so I switched to a PSLTD. Now, back to this frame, it
amazing, like many people have put it is very forgiving. Easy access to spin and controlled power. I think I can produce
better spin
with this racquet than I could with any of the new extremely open string patterns of other companies. This is a must demo
From: Zach, 9/14
Comments: I just purchased this racquet like a week ago and already my game is improving a lot! It's very light
feels very comfortable especially with spin! I previously played with the Wilson Envy which I thought was very comfortable
but so
far in my experience, nothing can beat the APD.
From: Tim, 9/14
Comments: This model is definitely worth the extra money. The last model has a higher swing weight than this
is a has a small sweet spot. I felt that I had access to a lot more power with this racquet. It had the same stability as the
old one
but with a huge sweet spot compared to the last one. It took me a couple of days to get used to the new model but it is
worth it. Everything was so crisp and smooth that it just hits like a dream. I probably picked an extra 10 mph on serve with
racquet and made my second serve a lot more effective. It truly lets you swing on the ball with confidence. It serves like the
Drive but still plays with the stability of the APD. Don't waste your money on the old model, go ahead and get this one. You
thank yourself in the end.
From: Tom, 9/14
Comments: I am not one to leave a review. But I was using the Babolat Pure Strike Tour and when I switched
to the
APD it was a world of difference. My first serve is so much easier to control, slightly off center hits are incredibly forgiving,
and the
topspin is unreal. I am so happy I made the switch -- newer definitely isn't always better.
From: Stello,9/14
Comments: I purchased this racquet pre-strung with a Wilson synthetic gut at mid range. Most of the balls
landing a foot behind the baseline, but after re-stringing with Babolat RPM Blast at 58 lbs, all the strokes tuned in nicely,
precision and plenty of pop. I felt like hitting with more topspin resulted in both more power and control with this racquet. I
adjusted my grip slightly, with good results. Definitely easier to hit winners from the back of the court than with my previous
racquet, a Wilson Blade 98. I'm a 4.5 player with a one handed backhand.
From: Ben, 8/14
Comments: I bought the AeroPro Drive 2009/2010 cortex version and I have been using it for years and love it.
recently got the 2011/2012 GT version and I thought it felt head heavier and less whippy. I got tennis elbow so I switched
back to
the cortex version and now I am getting the new 2013 cortex/GT version and I think it will be perfect!
From: Brendan, 3/14
Comments: Ok after 6 months with it, I eventually got the control I wished with Luxilon strings Power ALU
Rough at
54/55 lbs. Very string sensitive racquet. For my taste, I also added much lead tape (about 15 grams). Now it is working
All what is written in these comments is true: control and power with easy access to spin. I really hit very hard with it. And
all my
shots improved, especially the serve! Previously played with Wilson Pro Staff 90.
From: Vince, 2/14
Comments: It is an awesome racquet for every level player. Some say that it may feel stiff, but believe me it is
even though i had been playing with Head Prestige midplus for years I can not use the word "stiff" for this racquet! This
stick is
powerful, control-oriented and a spin monster with less effort on the court. Dynamite!
From: Ahmet, 2/14
Comments: I love this racquet. It has improved almost every aspect of my game. It is a little stiff but the extra
mph on my serves make it very worth it. The only problem i have with it is keeping strings in it. Im about to string it with
RPM or
Red Code. Not sure about a tension yet...TW?
From: Bill, 2/14
Note from TW: We would recommend stringing it a bit lower and would suggest 52 lbs.
Comments: Wow! What a racquet! Very stable with a much softer feel than previous versions; powerful, no
with control if you use topspin. This racquet is perfect for a heavy topspin player. I string with Luxilon Original at 50
Fantastic combo!
From: Tran, 2/14
Comments: Honestly one of the best racquets on the market. It doesn't just appeal to the modern baseliner
some may say; it can also be a weapon for the serve and volleyer. It's very forgiving and offers exceptional control and
spin. All in
all it is one of the most well rounded racquets out there. I highly recommend it!
From: Isaac, 2/14
Comments: I felt like the control is not really there in this racquet, the power is alright though and it is quite
to maneuver. I can't get the good feel of it though and am trying to execute great drop shots. Feels rather difficult as it feels
you can't control the spin and placement somehow. I might have to play more with this racquet, but it seems best for
players still
developing and not serious ones.
From: Pablo, 1/14
Comments: I've been using this racquet for about 2 months now. I ordered it with Volkl Cyclone at 55 pounds.
strings feel much tighter than this, but the racquet feels great and has improved my serve and topspin. I was planning on
Technifibre NRG2 strings, but I'm not sure of what tension yet. Any recomendations TW?
From: Scotty, 1/14
Note from TW: Since NRG2 is a soft multi, you can add a couple pounds and will still find this string to be comfortable and responsive -- try it at 57lbs to start.
Comments: Here are my impressions after 3/4 of a year with the APD 2013: Very good racquet for my topspin
forehand and for my serve. The one-handed backhand is also very stable and controlled to play. I like the easy playing
to the Prestige) and can play 3 sets at a nearly constant level. Due to the higher power level, short angles or drop-shots are
difficult to play. I play the APD with Prince Beast XP 1.30 (28 kg) -- very happy with this combination. The strings Nadal
uses in
1.30 are also ok, but only for 5 hours. Two of my 3 have a weight (with strings, overgrip and damper) of 332g and a balance
of 320 mm. The third is 333g and more head heavy (4 g more in the head and 3 g less in the grip), the balance-point of it is
mm. This racquet has more power and a very different feel. In the future, I will not buy my racquets in a internet tennis
shop to
select racquets with nearly the same specs.
From: Andre, 1/14
Note from TW: If you contact us, we can help you select the weight you'd like from our stock.
Comments: I've been using Aero Pro Drives for about 4 years now and they're fantastic racquets. They're not
actually that light, but are extremely aerodynamic lending themselves to spin oriented games. I highly recommend them.
From: Max, 1/14
Comments: Nice racquet, but the feel it is a bit light in its stock form. Though it has a reasonable stability for
weight, but it lacks precison when hitting hard. I compare it to a Pure Drive Roddick or a Wilson Pro Staff 90 that feel much
serious in hand. For the rest it is really enjoyable: big sweet spot, much spin, lots of free power. Sad that Babolat does not
do a
"tour" version of it.
From: Vincent, 1/14
Comments: I have resisted getting a lighter, stiffer, larger racquet. I recently demoed the new Babolat APD and
switched almost immediately. I had been playing with a Prince Rebel 95 (the original) and a Prince Diablo 93 mid before
that. I had
demoed Babolat in the past and didn't like the stiffness on my arm and how the ball seemed to jump off the strings, but
this latest
version strung at 53/55 lbs with RPM Blast-VS Gut hybrid is a game changer for me. Sorry to leave Prince, but Babolat has
From: Warren, 1/14
Comments: I'm a 45 year old 4.5 player that has used every generation of AeroPro Drive. Occasionally try
racquets, but this racquet is unmatched in its ability to produce spin. It took me a couple of hours to get the feel of this
after using the GT. This racquet swings faster and produces even more spin. At first my shots were a little "loopy" so I
more lead tape than I use on the GT, but over the past few months I have taken off most of it. I am now used to the faster
and embracing it. Can get even more spin than before. It definitely works best with a full poly set-up. I usually use RPM
Blast at
53-55 lbs. Only shot I prefer the GT for is slice backhand.
From: Darin, 12/13
Comments: This 2013 APD paint chips more than the any of the previous APDs. After 1 month there are
already 4
paint chips and I don't throw or treat the racquet harshly, just normal play. It is a bit too powerful so you can't hit good
court sharp angles or good touch to ease the ball with angels at the net. Not too good on the arm. But it is great in rallies,
defenses, and spin. It feels a bit more head heavy than 4 points head light. I recommend this stick to any pusher.
From: Ted, 12/13
Comments: I'm a 5.0 rated junior player that has being using an APD since I was a 2.0, and this racquet felt
different to the last generation. I felt as if I needed to swing much faster to get the topspin that i had on the last model; but
as I
went on and got more used to the racquet I found that it was definitely a superior racquet to the last edition, although a bit
different. If you are looking for something similar to the last model or the cortex model, I would be looking at a Pure Drive
maybe a Prince Triple Threat Mid Plus. This racquet is very good with Volkl cyclone 16g or 17g.
From: Anon, 12/13
Comments: I had commented earlier raving about the APD making tennis fun again. My game has improved
and I
agree with others about maneuverability, power and spin. My previous racquet was a 2010 Youtek Pro and it does feel like
cheating with the huge sweet spot. Earlier, I mentioned using Kirshbaum Pro Line X 17 at 55-56 lbs, but now lowered to 54
which works much better. I'm an older player and noticed arm problems stringing at 58 lbs and heartily agree with others
that are
stringing under 55 lbs with a soft poly is ideal. I swing away without any fear for the elbow or shoulder. Also, I used to play
Pro Staffs and am not as accurate with the APD, but this is probably me getting used to a new swing.
From: Anon, 11/13
Comments: I was a long time Pure Drive user, going back to the "swirly" model and have played with them for
10 years. I started wondering what else was out there in terms of racquets and demoed about a dozen. After a year of
playing with
different frames, I picked up the APD and fell right back in love with it. The easy effort to hit spin, pace, and control are
remarkable. I tell my friends that the frame is really like cheating, as it makes the baseline game that much easier than any
frame I've played with. Full poly is a bit much on my elbow, and I recommend a hybrid setup to save your shoulder and
elbow from
the stiffness. Great frame.
From: B, 11/13
Comments: I demo'd this raquet with Djokovic's Head Speed Pro. The two raquets are a study in the
between Nadal and Djokovic themselves. The two raquets were basically the same size and and overall weight. They felt
stiff when hitting the ball. The Babolat has a larger sweetspot and you feel it. The Babolat was more headlight, thus it was
controlable at the net and allowed for a flick of the wrist shots on the run. With the larger sweetspot it was easy to hit
good shots
when you are out of position and stay in points. The Head was more powerful and I was able to generate equal amounts of
spin on
my ground strokes. The Head really rewards you for hitting the ball low in the sweetspot. There is a tremendous amount of
power and spin there if you are able to purposely place the ball on your strings on a groundstroke. As a person who likes
to play
at the net, the Head had inferior feel on volleys which was disappointing. I never felt like the Head was not maneuverable,
when I switched from it back to the Babolat, the swingability of the Babolat was unbelievable. In a perfect world I would
service games with the Head, and return with the Babolat.
From: Att, 11/13
Comments: This was the first time I have ever used a racquet that wasn't made by Wilson and I was very
happy with
it. I felt that I had great groundstrokes and excellent topspin, but this racquet does not have as much control as others I've
From: Ludwig, 11/13
Comments: I am a 37 year old 4.0 player. I was using a Dunlop 400 and changed to the Babolat APD. What a
diferrence! This raquet does everything well, especially topsin shots. It is great at the net, on serves, backhands and with
feel. One
thing lacking is its comfort -- my shoulder and arm were killing me. I had to buy a more flexible Prince 100T raquet and my
feels fine. Overall Babolat is a better raquet, but I just can't use it 3 days in a row.
From: Mario, 10/13
Comments: I've been playing with a racquet from Babolat with the grip size #3/ (4 3/8) for 4 years. When I
with the 4 3/8 demo of this APD, it really felt like I was playing 4 1/2. I absolutely hated the way it felt in my hand. My
bought this frame with grip size #2, (4 1/4) and that one felt much better. If you decide to buy this frame, I highly suggest
buy 1 grip size smaller.
From: Jessie, 10/13
Comments: I'm a baseliner with a topspin forehand and backhand and a long fast swing. Before I switched to
AeroPro Drive, I used the Head Microgel Extreme Pro (strung with Luxillon ALU Power at 58 lbs.). I want to replace my MG
Pro with the Youtek IG Extreme Pro, it would be a good racquet upgrade for me, but unfortunately the racquet is not
available in
our country. Though I was having second thoughts, I went to my second choice, the AeroPro Drive 2013 (strung with RPM
Blast at
56 lbs). I'm amazed because it raised my game to another level. The power level is lower compared to my old racquet,
me more control. And the maneuverability and feel is good. I won my last two matches against the players who defeated
From: James, 10/13
Comments: A little lead tape at 12, strung with RPM Blast 17 at 53lbs, wrapped as tight as possible with
tan leather grip to bring out the bevels and to bring the grip size closer to back to what it's listed at makes this is the best
I've ever played with. Buh-bye Dunlop 200G series -- it was a nice ride, but I had to make the switch.
From: Raizo, 9/13
Comments: Be warned -- this racquet is like crack. So addicting. By far the most user friendly racquet I've
encountered. It has a way of magically winning points and producing shots out of nowhere. Just does everything
effortlessly well.
From: Max, 9/13
Comments: I'm an old Pro Staff guy way back from Sampras days! Federer just needs Babolat AeroPro Drive!
first time I hit with it, it felt exactly like the first time I hit with the Pro Staff, like it was part of my hand! The Babolat 2010
GT or
APD 2013 provides the same feel, control, power, and stability of the Pro Staff, but it does it with a 100 square inch head
and a
10.6 oz racquet! This racquet will bring your reflexes back into zone, end mishits forever, and make you a contender again!
From: JC, 9/13
Comments: I know everyone loves these racquets, but I developed some arm issues after just one week. I feel
racquets are best suited to the younger player, while older players (like me) are better off with a softer, less powerful
racquet. I so
wanted to love this racquet, but it just isn't for me.
From: John, 9/13
Comments: Man oh man, I don't know how Federer can compete against players using these Babolats! I've
been a Wilson 90 guy and I just tried the 2013 Aero Pro Drive and I'm impressed. It immediately improved my 1 hand
The ease of power, stability, access to spin, and maneuverability are second to none. This is the best AeroPro Drive to
date. It
even has feel when strung at the right tension. I had the previous cortex version and it was no way as stable and solid as
this new
release. Better than all of the Head, Wilson, Dunlop, Volkl, Becker and Prince frames I've ever used. This new release truly
is the
best frame on the market today.
From: Nik, 9/13
Comments: Before buying this racquet, I used a Volkl Organix 10 325g that allowed excellent control and
from the baseline, but required a perfect long swing to work, and I could not do that in all the strokes. In addition the Volkl
not performed well to me at the net and I could not find the power that I like on my first serve. I demoed the AeroPro Drive
felt the frame just suits my game, but it was very stiff to my arm. Then I found the perfect combination of tension and type
strings (52 lbs with Topspin Cyber Blue) and was finally able to play comfortably without losing control. I like the forgiving,
sweet spot, the power and spin that transfers after the shots, and it is easy to maneuver at the net and produce a lot of
power on
the first serve. I see many people using this racquet with +55lbs and stiff strings which in my case would be impossible. If
feel any kind of pain in your arm or shoulder when using this racquet I highly recommend stringing below the 55 lbs with a
From: Wladimir, 8/13
Comments: Recently I've demoed many racquets after playing with a thin beam Volkl Organix 10 295g that
incredible control, yet I struggled to generate power. Demos included Prince Warrior, EXO3 16x19 and 18x20, Babolat Pure
Volkl Powerbridge Mid and AeroPro Drive 2012 model, etc. None were as balanced as the APD GT 2013. Paired with
Babolat RPM
Blast strings at 54 lbs, this racquet has proven to have incredible power, control and feel for such a stuff frame. Stringing
the rec 55 lb limit with an 18g string enabled me to soften the racquet enough to avoid arm problems. Aside from ground
strokes, serving with this racquet is amazing.
From: Jason, 8/13
Comments: I recently purchased this racquet after demoing multiple other racquets including the: Blade
Juice 100, Prestige MP, Prestige S, Pro Staff 95, 99 S, Exo Tour and Graphene Speed Pro. I found this racquet to provide
the best
overall performance to my entire game. My forehand was amazing and found spin very easily -- it suited my one hand
very well. I found all of my serves to have the most juice with this racquet and my kick serves were amazing. Overall this is
best racquet I have played with. Give it a demo and you will forever fall in love.
From: Matt, 8/13
Comments: My Pure Storm Tours need replacement, so I thought I'd demo the new version of this stick, since
always felt like the old ones were too stiff. Overall, I liked it. Definitely a bit more power serve and when you had time to
smack a high mid court ball, but the difference was not dramatic. Tennis is a game of many shots and situations, and the
PST was
still better at the net, slicing, touch/drop shots, lobs. I believe it takes about six months of frequent playing (with the same
racquet) for your raquet/arm to become an extension of your brain, in that you know how make it respond a certain way.
The best
thing for your game is to find something you like and stick with it. Pros rarely change racquets, and when they do, their
always drops off for a while. For me, it's a pair of new PSTs
From: Anon, 8/13
Comments: My impressions: 1. Great feel and control. 2. Perfect for one handed backhanders, a lot more
and feel then my former Dunlop biominetic 300. 3. Forgiving. 4. Gives a lot of free power. 5. Easy to swing. 6. Great at the
net. 7.
Some say it is stiff. I did not feel that so much. My Dunlop 300 feels stiffer.
From: Ludvig, 7/13
Comments: I just converted to the APD from a Pure Drive because I wanted a bit smoother ride with more
control. I
also demoed the Volkl Organix 7, Wilson Blade, and the Wilson 6.1 95" -- but in the end, I couldn't find a worthy substitute
everything the Babolats can do. Groundies are so solid, volleys are very effective, power is plentiful, and I can serve more
accurately than with the PD. As others have mentioned, the grip runs large so I bought a size smaller and put an overgrip
the standard grip to build it up as desired. Worked fine. To soften the racquet up, I strung it with a hybrid (45 lbs mains/50
crosses). I highly recommend the APD!
From: Anon, 7/13
Comments: Great stick, to me, it's the best on the market. Went through the Blade 98 16x19, Head Extreme
Head Instinct MP, and a bunch of other demos before settling on this frame, wish I had just bought this first. Feels much
strung to my specs than when I demo'd it. It's powerful and just makes the game easier, great spin potential. there's a
why this racquet is TW's best seller and used by so many guys on tour, it's a great, versatile racquet. It is stiff but the
makes it solid, and you can soften it up by stringing with a good multifilament like Xcel. more maneuverable than the
and way more solid than the Blade and Instinct. Great looking stick as well.
From: John, 7/13
Comments: Tennis Warehouse was spot on about it being very manueverable. Much easier to get it around
into different positions compared to my old APD (first cortex version). Seemed confusing, given the specs are about the
same. But,
when overlaying it over the old one, I noticed the hoop on the new racquet was less wide. The new racquet was actually
too (at 27", vs mine at < 26 7/8" -- noticed others saying their old APDs were not fully 27"). I would say this racquet could
be an
improvement over the old version for those who struggle to volley, or anyone who might find the older one a bit taxing. The
power seems similar, but mainly from a faster, easier swing speed.
From: Trent, 7/13
Comments: I just got this racquet about a week ago and I could not be more pleased with how it feels on the
I am a 3.0-3.5ish player and this racquet has me more confident than i've been in the past. You can swing away, provided
form is still good, and keep the ball in. I had my opponent pinned at the baseline and found it very easy to hit deep shots
hand cuff your opponents especially with topspin. Serves took some adjusting, however I can now hit them with less effort
they have good pop and movement, big improvement to my kick serve. For strings I used Luxilon ALU Rough 17g at 55lbs
is an awesome combo. I didn't get a chance to demo this racquet, it was a blind buy, but I highly recommend it to anyone
for a a pretty decent all court racquet with added spin potential. Absolutely no complaints and no arm pain -- maybe it's
the 17g
strings. I'm just very happy and can't wait to play again.
From: George, 6/13
Comments: Almost everything people said here is true for me as well. Yes the grip size is bigger than
expected, to
fix this, I replaced the Babolat grip with a Wilson leather hybrid, then the size becomes right. The frame feels stiffer,
because it's new; I was not bothered too much about the lower swing weight. But don't string too high in tension, nothing
55lbs. I had mine at 56lbs and the ball leaves the racquet very soon so I do not have time to work on the spin. The racquet
is also
very powerful; my serves had more pace and accuracy. But since it has higher power, I am worried a little about lowering
From: Jeff, 6/13
Comments: This is a truly amazing racquet! It offers me outstanding control and spin, as well as tremendous
power. I am much hitting much harder than I used to and with pinpoint accuracy. The string I use is Babolat Pro Hurricane
Highly recommended!
From: Anon, 6/13
Comments: This racquet was a dream for me! I was getting so much more pop and spin from it compared to
previous version, which is something that other reviewers have not gotten. I found as though I could really hit the ball hard
have not have it go flying out on me. I play with a buggy whip forehand and two handed backhand.
From: Bill, 6/13
Comments: This is the third APD I have tried. This issue is that strung with a multi, it takes the worst attributes
the previous two and amplifies them. After 1/2 hour of play my wrist started to hurt so bad I thought I had really injured it. I
back to my Wilson 6.1 95, 16X18 strung with a dead multi and I could feel my wrist healing. Not for me.
From: Berto, 6/13
Comments: Actually these are my second set of APD racquets. I first had them 5 years ago and loved them.
Unfortunately with time I have developed a tennis elbow and could not play tennis for almost a year. When my elbow was
ok to
play again I did start playing with Yonex V Core S 100 rackets. I remember missing my APD's a lot. After two years with
racquets I got the new APD's hoping the stiffness problem was solved. Actually, I love playing with these racquets. With
the new
APD I can hit very strong accurate groundstrokes. The amount of spin I can generate is amazing. I also believe these
racquets help
me control the ball pretty good. I won important matches and totally enjoyed my results. With APD's I can play my best
tennis but,
the stiffness is a big issue with these racquets unfortunately. Now my elbow started to hurt again. I have been using
Babolat XCell
Power, a reasonably soft string type, but even these strings did not help my elbow. I am so sad (because I love these
racquets), but
I can not play with these due to stiffness. So I do not reccomend these racquets if you do not have iron arms and
From: Kemal, 5/13
Comments: I decided to buy the new APD after a friend suggested I try his. I have played with a Wilson
Hammer for
the last 10 years but the new APD is a beast in comparison. I took a long break from tennis after playing in the juniors and
when I
returned, I found it hard to play some of the shots I really enjoyed. The new APD just suits my game and all of those shots
back in my game, much to the dismay of my hitting partners. I can play with lots of topspin or hit hard flat shots from the
off both wings with a ton of power and consistency. Slice backhands and forehands punch through a lot quicker than with
my old
racquet. I find it easy (and really enjoy) whipping back half volleys from the baseline and mid court. Flat serves are harder
and my
kick serve has more spin and pace on it. Volleys are nice and firm but I am often just following a good approach to the net
to put
away a weak return. This is by far the best racquet I have ever used and I can now enjoy tennis like I used to. One word -
From: Ngahiwi, 5/13
Comments: I have been playing with the previous version of this racquet. This new version feels lighter then
previous one to me, so I can more easily swing fast and out. It also feels slightly stiffer then the previous model. Shots are
although I feel this racquet has less plow through and may be slightly prone to twisting when receiving against certain
From: Mike, 5/13
Comments: This racquet made tennis fun again! I'm probably a 4.0 player with a semi western forehand and
handed backhand (continental grip with eastern grip for the off hand). Switched from a 2010 Youtek Speed Pro because I'm
not a
spring chicken anymore. With the 100 square inch face, it has a huge sweet spot and is very light, maneuverable with
plenty of
access to spin and power. With the right string, it doesn't feel stiff and friends have commented that my shots have more
consistency, depth and spin. I recently switched to a semi-western forehand and it seems perfect for this swing. Serves,
and volleys are easy with this racquet. Pleasantly surprised with how stable this racquet feels and never feel like I'm getting
pushed around. I had to experiment with strings. Demoed an ADP with multifilament at 58 lbs and didn't like it because it
was too
bouncy. Also tried it with polys at 60 lbs but the poly did not have much spin as it should and felt too stiff. Finally found my
perfect setup at 55-56 lbs with Kirschbaum Pro Line X 17 which had plenty of control, spin and power. I think any low
poly would be great with this racquet. Tennis Warehouse recommended Kirschbaum and I am very happy with it. Never
thought I
would like a 100 sq inch wide beamed racquet, but I love this racquet.
From: Anon, 5/13
Comments: Just demo this racquet! I have been through quite a few and this stick rocks! I have a modern
stroke and I was amazed at the spin this thing generates. Both topspin and slice work well. It serves flat bombs and any
variety of
spin. It's not for everyone and you will have to experiment with string. My first set was horrible and had to be cut out on
day one.
The X-cel 17 is great and comfy at 57lbs. My favorite is Vokl Cyclone18 at 50 lbs and that kicks things up to insane! I had
issues with an old racquet, but none with this one. Find what string and tension fits your game and swing away!
From: JD, 4/13
Comments: My demo was strung with a poly and weighed exactly 11.7 oz, which I don't consider light or
but it did not play nearly as light as people are saying in these reviews. It felt like a baseball bat in my hand. The grip was
bigger than normal. Coming from a more traditional thin/flexible frame, I just couldn't seem to adjust to the heft, width and
stiffness. Balls in the sweetspot were comfortable and very muted, but you pay a price on mishits. The power was difficult
to tame
unless you use heavy spin - which in turn created a slower, loopier ball which was easy to track down by my opponents. I
felt like I could step into a short ball and put it away, it forces you to use heavy topspin or the ball will fly on you. And
this is a good thing or not, I found that I only needed to swing about half my normal speed in order to keep the ball in play.
threw my timing off, but it's something you could adjust to. Volleys and overheads were good. With a wide and stiff frame
this, all you have to do is get your racquet on the ball and the point is over. Spin serves were good, but not heavy, and I
never dial in a hard flat serve. Overall the racquet felt to big and unwieldy for my playing style. It seems best suited for
that plays 10 feet behind the baseline and wants to hit loopy groundstrokes all day.
From: Alan, 4/13
Comments: I wrote one of the first reviews on this racquet, and to make a long story short, I talked badly of it,
mainly in the vein of it not being as much of a player's stick, losing some swing weight and all that etc. I just bought it for
second time, and I'm in love with it. Embrace the lower swing weight and use it to your advantage with some great head
and that translates to some very precise controllable serves. Second serves really benefit from the maneuverability, and
just about
every stroke can be easily manipulated with the extra English you can put on the ball in this more whippy incarnation of the
AeroPro. I think this frame benefits from a firm low powered poly (I put Tour Bite 16L at 54lbs. My usual go to is Volkl
17). I recommend anyone to try this racquet. It's everything that a Pure Drive should have been. And in closing, it is
literally a
morph of the PD and APDGT. Oh and I got it in a 4 1/4. These Babolats do run a little large. Try both sizes before you
buy. Trust
From: Danny, 4/13
Comments: Absolutely blown away at how incredible this racquet is - it's mind blowing compared to the Head
racquets I've been using for the past several years including the Instinct MP and the Radical. Amazing feel, control, spin
absolutely effortless power compared to any other racquet I have ever played with. I'm so glad to have finally discovered
made the switch to Babolat and feel like I have discovered all over again how much I love tennis. Anyone in the market for
a new
stick has absolutely got to try this racquet, it's simply incredible.
From: Matt, 4/13
Comments: I tried several different poly strings in this racquet including RPM Blast at 55lbs (it felt too rubbery
a little too much power), Luxilon 4g at 54lbs (good but had trouble controlling and gaging depth) and several other polys.
Then I
tried Solinco Tour Bite at 54 lbs and still had a little trouble controlling depth. This is a very powerful racquet! Then I tried
Tour Bite at 57lbs. It felt very stiff at first but after 2 or 3 hours of hitting, it loosened up and felt much better. I could swing
hard as I possibly could without fear of going long. Now I really like this racquet with this string setup. Note: I hit with an
forehand grip and a one handed backhand. If you have a big topspinning western forehand grip I would suggest starting at
54 or
55lbs. Hope this helps.
From: John, 4/13
Comments: I agree with Alex. There is a lot of confusion regarding this racquet. I have all versions of the
and after playing and experimenting with these racquets for two months now, I may be able to clear up some confusion.
First at
around 55 lbs poly string, the racquet has more power, feel and control when compared to the 2012 model and the TW
review is
spot on. Lower than 55 lbs, the racquet has a lot more power, same feel and less control. At 58 lbs and above there is less
more control and maybe a bit more topspin. At stock weight, the racquet provides incredible topspin, but not much plow
for flat shots or slices. Add about 10 to 20 grams at the 9 and 3 position, the plow through increases, but the topspin
suffers. In
summary, this racket can be anything you want it to be.
From: Eric, 3/13
Comments: All these reviews are pretty much useless, as a group. Alex (claims to be former tour player) says
2013 version is a deterioration due to less control. I've seen this type of review when the '13 AeroPro just came out. Main
I've stuck with the '12 version. Many other reviews, including one by Chris (3/13) state, more or less, the opposite (less
power but
added control). Granted reviews are inherently subjective, however, there has to be a better, more meaningful standard for
reviewing tennis rackets. By the way, the TW reviews are not much better as you'd be hard pressed to find a racquet that
the good
folks didn't manage to like. Looks like demo'ing is still the way to go given the noise (well-intentioned or not) that passes
From: Steve, 3/13
Comments: At first, I strung this stick with Dunlop Black Widow at 55 lbs and I couldn't hit with it because I
it. I stood on the strings to lower the tension, and it felt amazing! It feels cleaner than the older model. I'm a junior at the
level. I have mine now strung with Head FXP Power and it feels amazing. Highly recommended.
From: Matt, 3/13
Comments: The new AeroPro Drive is a significant deterioration on the older model. I was a tour player and
raquet is all but for good players. The softness of the frame makes it like a yoyo/slingshot that prevents any degree of real
control. If you are an average player you will like it as the ball explodes and you feel more power. But if you are a good
player with
good timing and ability to generate your own pace/whip, this raquet lacks the stiffness, control and the balance you would
(i.e., ball does not stay on the racquet long enough to produce real spin). Further, the increased head heavy weight is also a
negative for groundstrokes/top spin players. I am suprised that Babolat does not make a version of this that is really suited
good players (i.e., a racquet with a stiff frame, no fancy yoyo/cortex/woofer that takes away feel/accuracy, but a heavier
that is balanced more towards the grip to enable control and fast whip).
From: Alex, 3/13
Comments: Babolat rep came by our club, I had the good fortune to demo this racquet. Coming from 10+
years of
Wilson usage, I had the opportunity to thoroughly test a number of Babolat models. Pure Drive, Storm, Aeropro Drive. I
would not even consider switching to Babolat. But now, I think this is probably the sweetest racquet I have ever used. By
the way,
I own the BLX Blade 2013 93, BLX Pro Staff 90, Head Speed Pro Graphene 100 18x20 (used by wife). This racquet tops
them all.
Only other racquet I would consider is the Wilson Steam 99 S.
From: GS, 3/13
Comments: For me, the newest version of the AeroPro Drive has continued to improve the power, feel, and
of the series since the generation II (cortex) version messed it up so badly. The racquet feels more stable than the previous
version, along with having greater feel. And despite the higher stiffness rating, the racquet feels softer. The power also
seems to
be slightly lower than the previous version, which isn't a bad thing as the added control allows me to take a bigger swing at
ball more often. My most improved shot while using the 2013 AeroPro Drive is my backhand. I am able to hit much more
consistently with the newer version than with any of the previous (minus the original, non-cortex version). All in all, a step in
right direction from this Babolat racquet.
From: Chris, 3/13
String type and tension: RPM Blast Team at 62 lbs
Comments: I got this racquet when it first came out after demoing it for a week. I've been using it for a little
over 4
months and I can't play with anything else now. My serve has more pace and spin, my groundstrokes consistently land
deeper in
the court putting my opponent on their heels, and I'm enjoying the plow through. This racquet has severely improved my
ability to
add power to my groundstrokes. Since I started using the APD, I have tried the Head Graphene Speed MP, the Head
Instinct, and most recently the Wilson Steam 99. Everything else feels like a toy now. Nothing I pick up gives me the same
and consistency on my groundstroke and bite on my serves. This racquet for me was a game changer. I currently have it
with Babolat Roland Garros Xcel at 57 lbs.
From: Josh, 3/13
Comments: In the right hands, this is a killer racquet, no mistake about it. I think I have tried just about every
racquet out there and this racquet has it all - it is lightning fast, stable, gives you power with control and has a ton of feel. I
am so
impressed with it that I don't have words to describe how good it is. Super!
From: Ken, 3/13
Comments: An improvement over the previous version. More power and control. I could not feel any difference
the swingweight compared to the previous model. I do not understand how the racquet can have the same weight and
but with a lower swing weight as described in the review. I am a 5.0-5.5 player and I believe that if you do not like this
racquet it
is becuase you did not give it enough time to adjust to the extra power or there is something wrong with your swing.
Because of
the extra power, any imperfections in your swing will be amplified. For example, if you hit hard and flat, the ball will go a
little bit
faster and a little bit longer. A simple correction is to hit the ball sooner, and with a little bit more top. If you hit floating
well then the ball will float a little bit longer.
From: Eric, 3/13
Comments: I have always been an old school player's racquet guy using a Dunlop 200g, Wilson 95 and a
up Blade as well as the Head Prestige. Now being on the wrong side of 40 and still playing at a competitive level I wanted
try something more forgiving and demo'd this among many others. Wow, what a nice racquet. Great feel, huge sweet spot,
power. I am not a spin freak but have solid strokes and play an all court game. This racquet suits my game style
fantastically. My
regular hitting opponents have commented on how much heavier my ball is. I am a 5.0 player and definitely recommend
From: Ross, 3/13
Comments: I just got my new APD and I love it. I have not had any issue with arm comfort at all, after a few
hour hard hitting sessions. I'm in my mid-30s and am a 4.0 player who just got back into the game after many years off. I
using a Dunlop Quadro and felt I had grown out of it, so I upgraded to this. Huge difference. I strung this racquet with
Cyclone at 56lbs and I can now take big swings and keep it in the court. Compared to my other racquet (which is much
this has sufficient weight to be stable, but the head comes around so quick I can really rip some top spin. I reviewed and
several racquets, decided on this one, and am not disappointed in my choice. Bottom line is, if you have a modern topspin
type of
swing, you'll like this. If you prefer to hit a flat, heavy ball, you might want something a bit heavier. Also, I agree that the
feels 1/16 bigger than advertised.
From: Mark, 3/13
Comments: I had been playing with the 1st generation APD since it first came out (with mods of 13.9 oz static
weight, and 355 SW). When this 4th Gen APD was available, I decided to give it a try, hoping that it would convince me to
get rid of
my old sticks. I was very disappointed, just as I had been with the 2nd (Cortex) and 3rd gen (GT) sticks. This new racquet,
although quite "spinny," does not have much plow through, which is needed to flatten out balls. Service returns are
mediocre in
comparison to my old stick due to the fact that it's too light. I have to put more weight behind the ball to make a
return, wheras I don't really have to do that with my old racquet. I'm going back to my old faithful! I am a certified
instructor and a
5.0 player.
From: Jay, 2/13
Comments: Long story short, this racquet is not as good as the previous model. Very sad because everyone
expecting an upgrade but its hard to upgrade something that is already so good! I'm sticking with the old for sure!
From: Rafael, 2/13
Comments: I'm a big fan of this racquet. At first I wasn't too happy with the lower swing weight, but it really
make up for this by being a lightning quick stick to swing. I use Luxilon Big Banger Original at 53 lbs and I can put some
stick on the ball. I don't have any problems with plow through and I get huge amounts of topspin on the ball off my ground
strokes. I get a lot of pop and spin on my serve and it volley's like a dream. Some players seem to find the racquet a bit
too stiff,
but its no more stiff than the 2010 APD in my opinion. This is a racquet developed for use with modern strokes and might
not be
overly satisfying or useful to a player that prefers a head heavy racquet and uses a continental grip. I've not experienced
any arm
or shoulder problems. I am an adult 4.0-4.5 player. If you have modern strokes and prefer a lighter racquet, this is the
stick for
you. If its too light there is always lead tape.
From: Anon, 2/13
Comments: I was anxious to try the new version of this racquet. However, so far I am very disappointed with it
contrast to the previous model. Why did Babolat change something that didn't need fixing? Seems like the particular
they made to the racquet is an effort to grab a wider range of players at various levels. They dropped the swing weight and
it is
too light now. There is noticeably less plow through with this racquet then with the previous version. This racquet tends to
pushed around on return of serves unlike the previous version. Because the racquet is noticeably stiffer the ball doesn't
pocket or
sit on the strings as long so less rather then more spin potential, control, touch and feel. Although the racquet is stiffer, I
not found it significantly more powerful then the previous model which is not needed. I originally strung this racquet with
same string and tension as I did with the previous model. I am going to try dropping string tension with hopes of finding a
medium. If I can't, I am going to stay with the previous model and get rid on this one. I don't recommend this version of
From: Anon, 2/13
Comments: This is a great racquet overall. My only "complaint" is I ordered a 4 3/8" grip, but it feels like a 4
My suggestion is order a size lower than you normally would for this one. Other than that this racquet is well ahead of the
in technology.
From: Spencer, 1/13
Comments: Overall, this is a great racquet, although it's rather stiff, so I would suggest you start off with a
tension. I found power from all areas of the court as well.
From: Steven, 1/13
Comments: I don't know if it's just me but the grip seems to feel slighty bigger than the AeroPro GT. This is a
stick, although it's very light, so I will add tons of lead to this ASAP!
From: Billy Bob, 1/13
Comments: Coming from an IG Radical Pro, this racquet feels amazingly quick. I get almost all service returns
and it is great at the net. Groundies feel great but I have trouble from time to time reigning in the power to keep the balls
flying long. I'm currently playing with a hybrid set up and I dont have any arm pains (actually had pains with very flexy
Radical). I
am excited to find the right string set-up for this stick because I know that when I do, I will be very tough to beat!
From: Daren, 1/13
Comments: I really like this version of the AeroPro Drive (2013). My serve is better, with more accuracy and
penetration. My groundstrokes are heavier and my slice backhand goes where I want. I win easily over my regular partners
they told me that my shots have more power and are more near the lines. The control is amazing. Overall, it's the ideal
My only reserve was the stiffness of this racquet. After two hours of play, my arm burned a little bit, even with multifilament
strings at 56 lbs.
From: Guy, 1/13
Comments: I'm an intermediate player and a lot of my activity consists of practicing with my kid, who's
and has been winning USTA tournaments. I had been using old racquets from the 1990s, but after demoing last year's
AeroPro a
few times, I went for it. I am middle-aged and always play nylon multifilament strings. My racquet's strung with blue
Xcel, using a Wilson gel vibration dampener. Comfort is supreme. Actually, I sometimes get a stiff shoulder and right arm
my computer and mouse. Playing with this racquet actually improved it. Any muscular discomfort left from too many years
push-ups and too many years of sitting at a computer is cured by "open book" stretches, but the point is this racquet is
more comfortable than my mid-1990s Head and late-1980s Wilson Profile. One reason I think is because the AeroPro is
light weight and also is head light, so this racquet is very manueverable. Although I can feel the stiffness - to which I'm
accustomed because I was an early adopter of the fat beam with the Profile 3.6 in the 1980s and have always loved the
free power
- it's not at all uncomfortable. The Cortex seems to be working so well that it's curing my computer mouse-elbow! I
wouldn't try
it with polyester, which I oppose any way as a bad idea, when gut and Xcel are available. I'm a recreational player and
want my
elbow to last. My playing style is to hit with topspin on ground strokes on both sides when I'm set up, generally slice high
backhands, slice when I'm running and barely making it, and vary between flat and slice on the serve. Despite having
dating from the early 1980s when Connors was still going strong, I don't hit flat. I hit a lot of topspin when I can, and also
winners are generally power topspin shots on either side. For every shot from this one obviously intermediate player, this
works great! At times, the racquet feels supernatural, with just everything falling in. The additional spin from the
design keeps shots in when I'm barely getting there.
From: Patrick, 1/13
Comments: When I first got the racquet, I strung it with ALU Rough, and it was horrible. I never have a tennis
problem, and this racquet gave me one. I went back to the previous GT version for a while, and decided to give the
another try with softer strings. And this time, it was fantastic. I can swing faster with this frame, hence, more spin and
compared to the previous GT. Also, volleys and slices are much better compared to the previous GT. Having both of
strung with the same soft strings, the new 2013 APD is really a huge improvement over the previous model, and it really
bring my
game to the next level.
From: Karl, 1/13
String type: Topspin Cyberflash mains / Prince syn gut crosses
Comments: Incredible controllable power. So easy to get around, as it feels incredibly mobile. I have a one-
backhand and I have never hit it more consistently and with more power. I didn't want to like this above the other player's
that I tested, but ultimately, I couldn't deny the results. This is my go-to frame. By the way, it's totally comfortable, and I
have no
arm soreness at all. If you have arm soreness with this frame, I would guess that it's a matter of technique, not the frame.
don't string it up in the low 60's or beyond with poly.
From: Jaspar, 1/13
String type and tension: Babolat RPM Blast @ 55 lbs
Comments: Jonny's comment below hits the nail on the head. It's a great racquet for people who hit big loopy
strokes with extremely low to high technique. I would even consider it a "fun" racquet with respect to spin generation. But
you want to flatten out a ball to put it away, it gets uncontrollable and frustrating as you watch the ball sail long. And
visually it's a
thick-looking widebody frame. Overall, there are more pros than cons to the racquet. It's great for serving, power volleys,
overheads, and heavy/loopy groundstrokes. It's not so great for touch shots, feel, slice, or taking a short ball and ending
point. I also noticed that Agassi was using the AeroPro Drive for a few matches on the PowerShares Series events with
Mac, etc. By all accounts he looked terrible and had difficulty putting the ball away. When he eventually switched back to
Radical OS at the San Jose event, nobody could touch him, as he was crushing absolute winners from the baseline instead
hitting high loopy tospinny groundies with the Aero Pro Drive.
From: R.R.N., 1/13
Comments: Old school players need not bother with this racquet. This APD 2013 is built around the platform
one designed for extreme spin technique. If you get this and try to hit driving flat shots as your staple, there are others
designed for that. The lightness of the frame and aerodynamics allow for a lightning fast swing speed with solid torque
contact. It will not cater to old school technique unless maybe with massive amounts of lead, but then you would be
defeating the
purpose it was designed for. Agassi switched back to Head, after trying to adapt to the Babolat in the Masters Series. This
improved his game greatly. On the other hand, if you equipped Rafa with the same Head racquet, it would hinder him as
well. So,
if you are into the Nadal school of offense, you will probably find this racquet a must.
From: Jonny, 1/13
Comments: I'm very disappointed. It plays and feels just like the Pure Drive but with less power. Also, I can't
the ball which makes it less fun to play with and makes it harder to judge when going for your shots. Overall, it feels
muted and weird. Don't bother with this one.
From: Sam, 1/13
String type and tension: Wilson NXT @ 57 lbs
Comments: I own two AeroPro GT and was very excited when the newer version came out. I bought it without
demo'ing it first. Big mistake! I strung it with Babolat Hurricane Pro Tour on the mains and Natural Gut VS on crosses. It
lighter and plays differently than the GT sticks. Yes, control is somewhat better but there is very little power in this stick
and it
feels flimsy and unstable comparing to GT version. I suggest to demo it first and then decide whether or not to drop $200
on it.
In my opinion Babolat failed to deliver an upgrade of a great AeroPro line. I am selling this stick and will continue playing
with GT
From: Svitlana, 1/13
Comments: I play with this racquet 2 times per week, and I string it with RPM Blast at 54/52 lbs. I think this
racquet is the best topspin racquet that I have ever used (I've used the Radical MP and Blade 98), but it's a very stiff
racquet. After
2 weeks I feel the RPM Blast gets a dead feel, so it makes the racquet more stiff.
From: Anon, 1/13
Comments: I demo'ed this racquet last week, and I have to say this is the best racquet I've hit with. The
done to this racquet make it a weapon of choice. I could generate much more spin, power, and control than with my
Babolat Pure
Storm Team. I've ordered mine, and it will be here next week.
From: Josh, 12/12
Comments: I like the feeling of this racquet. It's softer than the previous version and more forgiving on off-
shots. It feels nice with my slice backhand shot. My only reserve is about the stiffness of this racquet, as with other
From: Guy, 12/12
String type and tension: Wilson NXT @ 58 lbs
Comments: I did a demo with this racquet. I was not overly impressed with the feel of the racquet. It's too
light for
me. I needed a fast swing to get power with shots. IMO, the racquet is not worth the hefty price tag.
From: John, 12/12
Comments: The racquet looks nice and provides a lot of spin. However, I have owned and played 10 different
models/brands. I think the apple lands closer to the tree with Head or Wilson. With Babolat, I found myself having to
them with lead tape, special strings/hybrid combinations, different tensions etc. All the Head and Wilson racquets I have
purchased play great off the rack.
From: Reggie, 12/12
Comments: I'm not impressed at all. I played the previous model for a year and half twice a week because I
to be like most players. However, I always felt that the AeroPro felt very hollow and really lacked at the net. I struggled
hitting a
flat, heavy shot with it. I switched to Head Youtek Extreme Pro, and oh boy my world changed, as I could do it all. Now the
AeroPro 2013 comes out, and I had to try it. This one is lighter and stiffer than the past model. The spin is great, but since
model is so light you have got to have a fast swing if you want to generate any power. After all I'm not impressed, and I
think the
only new changes are that it's lighter and has new graphics, but it's still hollow feeling.
From: A.C., 12/12
Comments: I've hit with this racquet a couple of times, and it feels great. I'm a heavy topspin hitter, and this
racquet allows for plenty of spin while still being able to power through the ball and drive it through the court. It does seem
have more power than the previous model, as at first plenty of shots were landing long. However, that could have just
because I was rusty. The control with the racquet is great now.
From: Andrew, 12/12
String type and tension: Tecnifibre Black Code @ 55 lbs
Comments: I agree with Tom's comment. Where I live, it's at 4,500 feet of altitude. I use the previous GT
strung at 56.5 pounds, and now I need to try 1 more pound to tune the racquet with RPM Blast as I've lost control. The
new GT
feels very much like the AeroPro Drive or something like that from like 8 years ago, which was 320 grams (it was similar to
but with red letters).
From: Rafael, 12/12
Comments: When you read all the reviews online, they are very mixed. Some absolutely don't like this
racquet, and
others say its the best they ever played. I believe this is due to a combination of a player's style coupled with string
selection and
tension. I own two of them, with different strings, and I can see where I still needto find the right tension to allow for
control. The RPM Blast at 55 lbs feels good, but your timing has to be spot on, or you lose a lot of control. So I believe it
is a
great racquet that needs fine tuning to suit an individual's style.
From: Tom, 12/12
Comments: This racquet is super lightweight and has super maneuverability, power and spin. I just bought
two of
these racquets. They are my first APDs and I love them. They are awesome.
From: A.K.K., 12/12
String type and tension: Babolat RPM Blast @ 54/52 lbs
Comments: This is my first review. I was impressed by this new AeroPro 2013 frame. Last season I hit with the
previous AeroPro and since that iteration I can discern that the new 2013 frame does have its differences. One difference is
the frame does feel more mobile to me. I can whip the thing around and get the frame on some fast 50-80 mph
groundstrokes. I
like it for this. The thing feels like a topspin baseball bat. I like that too. I can also hit jumping forehands on the run and
from my
baseline and they go deep all the way to the other baseline with dipping spin. The frame hits a great flat ball too. Somehow
feel does feel a bit different. It does feel more crisp. Serves are fast either flat or topspin. The thing has some substantial
but it also has its control to couple it. There is one thing that players need to know about this frame. It has been designed
for new
school stroke production. That means that players who get the racquet "back and down" from the get go might have a
with this frame. Those who keep the racquet cocked and out in front and then explode in a circular motion brushing the
ball low
to high with the follow through over the shoulder will find that this thing is simply a "topspin machine." It has been
designed for
the modern stroke of tennis at full throttle. The other night I was out of breath because I hit the ball so hard with it.
Anyway, this
is a great frame. I'm gonna start experimenting with string set-ups and tensions and dial the thing in!
From: Bear, 12/12
Comments: This racquet is amazing. My serves used to be 60 mph, and now they are 80-100 mph!
From: Voulagh, 12/12
String type: Luxilon ALU Power
Comments: If Nadal is really going to use this racquet, then I will continue to search for the correct
of weighting and technique to allow me to effectively use it also. At this time, I really like it, but I've somewhat been
with it for 2 weeks. There are moments of brilliance, and moments of disillusionment. Sometimes it feels big, light and
but other times when you hit it just right, it all works together to create a great power shot with little effort. I added 5
grams of
lead at 12, and it became more playable to me. I trust the expert opinions of the TW testers, so I'm not giving up on this,
there are times when I can't find my 1H BH, and I throw it to the ground in frustration.
From: Anon, 12/12
Comments: This is a very nice looking racquet. This racquet is very light with fast swing speed. It cuts through
air like butter. The racquet gives less feel when hitting the ball because it's so light and stiff. Next time I will string the
looser than 58 lbs. Overall, it's a very good racquet that offers great maneuverability during matches.
From: John, 12/12
String type and tension: Babolat RPM Blast 16g @ 58 lbs
Comments: I play with the original AeroPro and I have 1 GT racquet, but this racquet seems to play differently.
2013 APDGT swings much lighter than the previous versions and there seems to be less mass in the hoop. With the lighter
weight and less mass in the hoop there is a noticeable difference in plowthrough and power. The 2013 can still hit deep
baseline balls but it lacks hitting a heavy ball. A little bit of lead at 12:00 would help the 2013 out in terms of plowthrough
From: Angelo, 12/12
Comments: What a disappointment. They changed the swing weight from 330 to 316 and it has taken the
racquet feel away. Now it feels like the Pure Drive. But that's a shame because we did not need 2 Pure Drives. The swing
of the
racquet is just too whippy now. There is little to no plowthrough. And changing the headlight balance from 4 to 5 did not
things. I am going to sell this racquet and just keep using the GT version. This line of racquets is more suited for
From: Dan, 12/12
Comments: This racquet is absolutely spectacular. I've been using the past AeroPro Drive models my entire
life, and
I would have to say this is the best one yet. There are major improvements compared to the GT model and the Cortex
model. In
this newer version, the feel is a lot better with more crisp shots, the control was definitely improved, and the groundstrokes
are a
lot more flexible. Serves are excellent with more pop. One thing I noticed was that it was a lot easier with the new AeroPro
flatten out the balls compared to the previous models. Overall, it's a very solid racquet with a similar feel to the Pure Drive,
and I
highly recommend this racquet, especially for previous AeroPro Drive players.
From: Peter, 12/12
String type: Babolat Pro Hurricane Tour 17g
Comments: Awesome racquet. I string it with RPM Blast 17g and love the feel/power that it brings. I upgraded
the Wilson K Six.One 95 and can attest that this racquet is a whole lot better than my previous one. I will stick with this
racquet for
a while.
From: Simon, 12/12
String type and tension: Babolat RPM Blast @ 56 lbs
Comments: It gave me great spin and the power was amazing. This is the best racquet from Babolat, but I
recommend the Wilson K Six.One 95 16x18.
From: Benjamin, 12/12
String type and tension: Luxilon mains / Wilson NXT crosses @ 53/62 lbs
Comments: The only thing that I am really worried about is grip size. Babolat says it is 4 3/8 but I felt it was
than that.
From: Vignesh, 11/12
Comments: I hit with this racquet in early November, and did not a whole lot of time with it since it's not my
stick and my friend wanted to demo it more. Compared to the previous model, there's not a whole lot of change in terms of
and spin. It still offers that generous sweetspot and great spin potential, which I always liked the Aero Line for. In terms of
feel, I
really liked the improvements Babolat made with their Active Cortex. It really makes the racquet play more solid and crisp,
it still has that distinctive Babolat muted feel. There is one interesting spec difference though, the swingweight has
dropped from
331 to 316ish. I couldn't tell much, but it was as stable as the previous version (which was adequate enough). It's a great
many, and will be very popular once it is release. On a side note, I love the cosmetics.
From: Anon, 11/12


text:
Rosie Wilby: I Am Nesia (The Science Of Errr..)
Show type: Edinburgh Fringe 2008
Have you ever lost your car keys / mobile phone / house? Forgotten your partner's birthday / name? Forgotten how annoying your ex was and got back together with them? Had a friend who can remember the 15th April 1987 in precise detail? – particularly the really humiliating and embarrassing thing that you did on that day? This show is for you…
Frustrated science graduate Rosie Wilby embarks on an investigation into the human memory, fitting in some spoof Greek mythology and neuroscience and tracking down the UK memory champion on the way, but can't help being distracted by playing games and telling her life story.
Original Review:
I Am Nesia is a show about memory. Amnesia. Geddit? Oh, please yourselves…
The irony is that for all Rosie Wilby's considerable sexy-geek charm, this very brief show is actually rather forgettable.
She rattles around various ideas concerning memory, from how the brain stores information to mnemonics to aid recall. A lot of this core material is essentially dry scientific stuff, but Wilby crashes through it engagingly, with lots of nervous energy, and a charming smile.
The big joke is that she keeps abandoning her main thread to talk about all the people she's previously slept with, often using them as 'hypothetical' examples to illustrate her points. Only after an extended diversion does she suddenly remember 'but this isn't about me!' and return to the narrative.
This saucy device is funny once, but its over-use means proceedings become samey and predictable; and if you're over-repeating yourself in a show that only runs for about 40 minutes, rather than the advertised 50, it suggests ideas are thin on the ground.
She's still relatively new, still trying to find her feet, and while she can certainly hold the room, the material is still patchy. There are a smattering of sharp lines here, such as her 'locker gremlin' prank or teasing the audience about her supposedly dead sister, but overall the writing lags her hugely engaging presence by quite some distance.
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett
Older Comments
Rebecca Thackray - 10/08/2008
Rosie is the Cointreau of female comedy. Each sip gives you a powerful hit - no words wasted - with loads of hidden depth.
Show Dates
This comic also appears in:
Rosie Wilby: Olympic Swingball Champion 2012
Rosie Wilby: The Science Of Sex
Rosie Wilby: How (Not) To Make It In Britpop
Rosie Wilby: Is Monogamy Dead?

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Time runs out on Mark, Eva
- Last Updated: 10:34 AM, October 24, 2012
- Posted: 12:10 AM, October 24, 2012
The 25-year-old NFL star has been telling friends that he and the Desperate Housewives star, 37, decided to end things before Sundays game, after four months of dating.
One source told us, Mark says he is really upset about the breakup with Eva. He is telling friends he tried everything he could to make her happy, and to make things work between them, but they live in very different worlds.
Reuters Mark Sanchez see more videos The source continued, The problem was Mark is very focused on football, while Eva is a busy businesswoman. She lives in Los Angeles, is doing a lot of philanthropic and political work, and is developing a number of TV shows, including the NBC dating series Ready for Love.
The couple had been dating since the summer, and were first seen together in June, partying in the West Village. The Post spotted lovely Longoria hanging with Sanchez at an outdoor lunch near his home in Bedminster, NJ, in early September.
Longoria then told her pal Mario Lopez on Extra, Were just happy dating. But weeks later, she tried to temper things by telling Chelsea Handler that they had only been dating for a second, adding, Hes great! [But] hes focused right now on football.
Longoria, ex-wife of San Antonio Spurs star Tony Parker, was absent at the Jets loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday, tweeting the Malibu sunset. Yesterday, she was campaigning for President Obama in Nevada.
Our source added that Sanchez has been trying to get over the break with a series of nights out with friends. He was spotted out with pals at the Darby on Friday, and then on Monday had a low-key dinner with friends at Toy Restaurant. A spy said, He was very shy, dressed down in a long-sleeve button-down and jeans.
A rep for Sanchez said last night, It was really more about scheduling . . . they will remain close friends.


text:
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This is an interactive, real-time display system of space science images and data designed for museums and schools. The program displays hundreds of images and movies from space science research, all documented, with web references of how to find... (View More) out more information. The materials also include a large number of space science educational activities. The software is available for purchase. Full-screen versions without support files are available for download but require a registration number after a 30-day demo period. (View Less)
Carl Sagan once claimed that the most important lesson we learn from studying the stars is perspective. To address this concept, this activity offers a scale model of the solar system to be evaluated. There are many versions of solar system scale... (View More) models available; this one is unique for its large scale chosen, the quality of the scaled objects, and the supplementary materials and information provided. The model is extended to include interaction and discovery on the part of learners, and suggested extensions. The set of materials includes a book about the solar system, developed from NASA's "From Earth to the Solar System" (FETTSS) imagery, and appropriate for use with the model. (View Less)
After learning about four stellar classifications and the characteristics of stars, groups of learners act out an improvisation of a personification of the four stars while the audience has to guess which star type is which. This activity was... (View More) designed for use in a library program. (View Less)
Materials Cost: Free
This resource guide is intended for Peace Corps and AmericCorps volunteers, mostly non-experts in astronomy, who are trying to bring more STEM into their fieldwork. Includes a 10-minute guide to the universe and constellations, and links to... (View More) activities and other resources. (View Less)
Materials Cost: Free
Learners create rocky planets out of playdough, and then learn about distances in our Solar System by placing them the correct distance apart. This activity was designed for use in a library program.
This online Flash interactive simulates the process of discovering new exoplanets using the transit method. Learners explore a simulated star field, record data, make measurements and do calculations to discover new planets. Instructional videos and... (View More) guides are included. (View Less)
Materials Cost: Free
NGC 2174: Pillars in the Monkey Head Nebula lithograph and In Search of ... Star Formation classroom activity
This two-page lithograph features an infrared image entitled, Pillars in the Monkey Head Nebula (the nebula also known as NGC 2174), located in the Orion constellation. The accompanying classroom activity "In Search of....Star Formation" is a... (View More) curriculum support tool designed for use as an introductory inquiry activity. During the classroom activity, students use the images and text on this lithograph to generate questions about the electromagnetic spectrum. They will conduct research to answer their questions, then create a presentation to demonstrate their understanding of the material. (View Less)
This lithograph features a Hubble image of the galaxy cluster Abell 2744, which exhibits a special feature known as gravitational lensing. The backside includes a description of the image and its features. Students use the image and the information... (View More) provided to generate related questions, then conduct research to find the answers. Lesson details, including suggested research websites, are provided. (View Less)
This is a two-page lithograph featuring the Cepheid Variable Star RS Puppis, an example of a special class of bright pulsating stars whose light and energy outputs vary over a set period of time. The text on the lithograph explains the historic... (View More) importance of Cepheid variable stars as distance markers. The accompanying classroom activity In Search of … Cepheid Variable Stars is a curriculum support tool designed for use as an introductory inquiry activity. During the classroom activity, students use the images and text on this lithograph to generate questions about Cepheid variable stars. They will conduct research to answer their questions and will create a presentation to demonstrate their understanding of the material, providing supporting evidence from their research. (View Less)
This image from the Hubble Space Telescope reveals a panorama of turbulent star birth, located close enough to Earth that Hubble can resolve individual stars. The star factory resides 170,000 light-years away in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a small... (View More) satellite galaxy of our Milky Way. Included are suggestions for using this in the classroom and an introductory activity in which students use the images and text on this lithograph to generate questions, and research answers, about star formation. (View Less)


text:
DENVER – Honking cars circled the Capitol, a biplane with an anti-gun control message cruised overhead, and "Don't Tread On Me" flags fluttered in the snow as the state Senate took up seven gun bills in its committees Monday.
It promised to be an extraordinary day, with 21 hours of testimony scheduled in two committees that will hear the seven bills that make up the bulk of the Democratic gun-control agenda.
Shooting victims and the families of murder victims led off testimony. Space Shuttle Commander Mark Kelly, husband of former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., spoke out in favor of tighter background checks and smaller ammunition magazines.
Giffords was shot in the head while meeting constituents at a grocery store by a disturbed young man with a handgun and two 33-round magazines. Bystanders tackled him when he ran out of bullets and went to reload the magazine, but not before killing six people, Kelly said.
"Dangerous people with weapons specifically designed to kill quickly and efficiently have turned every single corner of our society into places of carnage and gross human loss," he said.
He urged the Legislature to pass House Bill 1229, which requires background checks for all gun sales, including between private parties or on the Internet.
Giffords' shooter passed an Arizona background check, despite a history in the Army of mental illness and drug abuse, Kelly said.
Sen. Larry Crowder, R-Alamosa, questioned Kelly about the effectiveness of background checks.
"Would we not be far better off going after mental illness than we are background checks?" Crowder said.
The bill's sponsor, Sen. Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora, said her bill requires more timely mental health information to be uploaded into the state's background check database.
Four gun bills have already passed the House and could pass through the Senate within the week. Senators also planned to hear three new bills for the first time Monday.
One of the new bills prohibits gun ownership by people convicted of domestic violence crimes or people suspected of domestic violence who have protective orders that forbid them from contact with their alleged victims.
"I believe we must do everything in our power to address the alarming rate at which Coloradans, especially, our women, are losing their lives," said the sponsor, Sen. Evie Hudak, D-Westminster.
La Plata County resident Dick Dahl spoke in favor of Hudak's bill.
Dahl, who identified himself as a Marine Corps veteran, said he owns a .357 pistol, a 12-gauge shotgun "and a .22 that is older than I am."
He took a narrow view of the Second Amendment, saying that owning a gun is a privilege.
"The only arm in existence in 1791 was a smooth-bore musket," Dahl said.
Opponents to the bill were expected to rule the afternoon. Hundreds of people, mostly wearing pro-gun stickers, packed into the Capitol's hallways and overflowed its committee rooms. A biplane circled overhead with a message for Gov. John Hickenlooper: "Hick: Don't take away our guns."


text:
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December 1, 2012
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Alfred University student Mawia Elawad will be featured in USA Today's "I Am an American" series as a representative of Art Force 5, the Alfred University student group formed in 2006 as part of the university's Drawn to Diversity program.Saxon Bike Hub
Ian Cramer was able to turn his idea for a bike-lending program into the Saxon Bike Hub with help from Student Senate and the Division of Student Affairs.


text:
By Brendan Conway
Volatility trader Christopher Cole makes the observation in today's Wall Street Journal, which reporter Kaitlyn Kiernan backs up with the numbers: The oft-quoted volatility index reflects what's been going on in the market lately — not just traders' future expectations.
In plain English, investors are less willing to pay up for protection — that's what the volatility index is really measuring — if the market isn't showing a tendency to swing. In number-ese, Kiernan notes that the backward measure of actual volatility in the S&P 500 over 30 days ended last week at 10.69, notably below the CBOE Volatility Index's reading under 13.
From the story:
The smaller daily average market swing is partly responsible for the VIX remaining low, according to Christopher Cole, portfolio manager of the Artemis Vega Fund at Artemis Capital Management, a $25 million firm that specializes in trading volatility derivatives[.]
"The VIX is a boat driven by investor sentiment, but it is anchored by the market reality," Mr. Cole said. "Where you might have emotional fear pushing the VIX up, you still have that anchor of low real market volatility pulling it back down."
A backward measure of the VIX reflecting actual volatility in the S&P 500 over the past 30 days finished at 10.69 last week, according to options-data firm Livevol Inc. That is 16% below the VIX's closing level Thursday.
A 360-day historical volatility, a measure of S&P 500 volatility over the past year, fell to 14.94 at the end of last week, down from 20.68 at the end of last year. That one-year reading of S&P 500 volatility had held above 20 from August 2011 through Jan. 14 this year. At the end of 2006, that reading stood at 7.46, according to Livevol data.
Volatility "is starting to resemble 2006, but it remains to be seen whether that is because we are returning to normal or returning to complacency," said Artemis Capital's Mr. Cole.
VelocityShares Daily Inverse VIX Short-Term ETN (XIV) is down 0.5% on Monday. The volatility-bullish VelocityShares Daily 2x VIX Short-Term ETN (TVIX) and ProShares Ultra VIX Short-Term Futures ETF (UVXY) are ahead by 1% or so. Barclays iPath S&P 500 Short-term VIX Futures ETN (VXX) is ahead by 0.6%.