Pure Drive Purist

For those new to tennis or just unsure of the structure of the pro tour, this post is for you. Tennis is basically a year-round sport. The first tournaments of the year start in January and the season typically ends in November, although there are some smaller tournaments between November and January as well. Most players have a 6-week off-season, which we could spend a whole post just talking about the schedule. But that's not why we're here now. If you're watching tennis on major TV networks, not the tennis channel, you are likely watching one of the four majors. Here's some info to help you become more well-versed at the nuances and significance of each tournament. Australian Open Dates: from mid-January through early February Location: Melbourne, Australia Court surface: hard court What makes it special: first slam of the year, extreme heat & humidity, party atmosphere French Open (Roland Garros) Dates: from mid-May through early June Location: Paris, France Cou...

In the market for an upgrade to your current racket? Do you consider yourself an aggressive baseliner in today's game? Here are some of the best rackets for your game. Rackets that suit an aggressive baseliner's game will typically be in one of two categories: power or spin. Babolat Pure Drive (Power) The Pure Drive is a great choice for aggressive baseliners with fast swing speeds. The launch angle will be slightly lower and the string pattern is less spin-friendly than some other rackets here (like the Pure Aero), but still a great option for aggressive baseliners who want a combination of spin and pace. The 98 model will be slightly less powerful than the 100, and younger players can look at the Team for a solid, light-weight option. Babolat Pure Aero (Spin) The Pure Aero is Babolat's spin-friendly racket of choice. This is great for baseliners who are looking to generate significant spin and are comfortable with a higher launch angle from the open string pattern. Simi...