Rafael Nadal and Babolat, a chemistry that revolutionized the game

It is at his home in Malaga, during the Davis Cup, that the Majorcan ends his immense career in November 2024. A moment of emotion that pierced the tennis world. Rafael Nadal entered the Babolat universe at the age of 9 and has remained loyal to the brand and the Pure Aero racquet, strung with RPM Blast strings. The bond between the Spaniard and Babolat goes far beyond tennis and the 22 Grand Slam titles won. And it will endure with the "little guy from Mallorca," as he likes to define himself.

There are athletes who leave an indelible mark on their sport through their achievements. Others attain eternity through their charisma and the emotions they evoke. Rafael Nadal has marked the history of tennis and Babolat for both reasons. Among the images that will stay with us, the last ones will hold a special place. The tears of the Majorcan before his final match against the Netherlands, those that flowed during his farewell speech on court, surrounded by his loved ones, on such a symbolic event: "The circle is complete."

Rafael Nadal is a sentimental man. He wanted to leave the scene with a Davis Cup match because he wanted to retire at home or almost, in Malaga, with the Spanish jersey on his back, the final victory in that competition in Seville in 2004 having given him one of his first big professional emotions. He had even been the flagbearer during the 2000 final in Barcelona that allowed the Spanish team to lift their first Saladier d'Argent. He was a child then. He wants to remain that way in the collective memory: "Beyond titles and numbers, I’d like to be remembered as someone good. Like a little guy from Mallorca, whose uncle, Toni, gave him his first tennis lessons."

A Babolat Collector’s Bag for the Last Dance

The emotional bond is also very strong at Babolat, which wanted to celebrate its most emblematic hero after supporting him for 29 years, unveiling a unique bag featuring the key numbers from Nadal’s incredible journey but also others, more singular, revealing the eternal alchemy between the brand and the champion. Rafa with Babolat is 300 km of strings, 125 bags used, and of course, 1,250 racquets with zero broken: "I’ve never thrown my racquet, even when I was a child. That’s what I was taught." In his career, nothing has been thrown away either.

"I feel close to Babolat because it’s a family company"

The imprint of Rafael Nadal, especially in the Majors (22 titles) and on the clay courts of Roland Garros where he won 14 titles, will never fade. 112 wins for 4 losses, 96.6% success rate, a record for any Grand Slam in the Open Era, such domination in a tournament has never existed and likely never will again. Neither in Majors nor elsewhere. The Spaniard has also won more tournaments on clay (63) than he has lost matches on this surface (51). Astonishing.

Rafael Nadal also boasts 36 Masters 1000 titles, four Davis Cups, two Olympic titles (singles in 2008, doubles in 2016 with Marc Lopez), 912 consecutive weeks in the ATP Top 10 (including 209 at No. 1), and five seasons finished as world No. 1 (2008, 2010, 2013, 2017, and 2019). This is not an exhaustive list.

Babolat had the privilege of living through Rafael Nadal’s entire journey by his side, as he always made the racquet his own, gripping it before even stepping onto the court: "From the moment I left the locker room, I simulated hitting movements. I liked to have the feeling of already being in my match."

With the Pure Aero since 2003, strung at 25 kilos

Rafael Nadal has been part of the Babolat family since he was 9 years old, when he was still undecided between tennis and football. He then signed his first international contract with Babolat in 2001. Through his exemplary conduct, humility, respect for and from others, the Spaniard has continuously been a remarkable ambassador for the brand and its values. He is proud of it: "I feel close to Babolat because it’s a family company. Today, the fifth generation is in charge. For me, that matters."

Babolat has constantly supported him, on and off the court, providing him with all the comfort and confidence needed for performance, beyond the equipment supplied and jointly developed (racquet, bag, accessories). After starting with the Pure Drive, Rafael Nadal has played with the Pure Aero since 2003, a racquet generating exceptional power and specially designed to maximize spin, notably the lift imparted by the famous "lasso" forehand of the Spaniard. Player-racquet, an ideal pairing according to Éric Babolat: "The aerodynamics of the Pure Aero has nothing to do with that of a traditional racquet. Traditional racquets were designed for horizontal strokes, but the Pure Aero evolved to allow almost vertical preparation. And that's what generates the spin."

Determination, commitment, work, virtues shared by Nadal and Babolat

Regarding his equipment, Rafael Nadal cultivated some rituals before starting a tournament, his racquet was always strung with RPM Blast: "Generally speaking, I played with racquets I had already used in practice. In my bag, I always had six racquets, each numbered, so I knew at all times which one I was holding." As for the settings, adjustments were never permanent: "I used the same weight and grip for all surfaces. I always played with the same tension, 25 kg under normal conditions. At altitude, I opted for 25.5 kg."

Rafael Nadal displayed at the museum of his academy in Mallorca the first racquet his uncle Toni had given him, but he is also a hard worker, constantly focused on detail and progress. Determination, commitment, and work are also the virtues that made him align with Babolat. His quest for precision and concern for the future of his sport will not fade with his distance from the courts. Concerned for the well-being of the Majorcan, who will remain a valuable consultant for future innovations, Babolat will help him develop his foundation and academy, with respect as the core value. Rafael Nadal has ingrained that within himself.