Whether or not you’re a fan of Babolat’s AeroPro franchise, its popularity is unquestioned. The frames appeal to players from the casual weekend warrior up to advanced baseline bashers. (It also doesn’t hurt to have Rafael Nadal endorsing the line.) I was recently at a high-level junior clinic in my area and the conservative estimate had at least half the players using some form of the AeroPro Drive.

So if you’re going to update what has become a new classic, there’s going to be a lot of eyeballs on the end result—especially if the company is going to do more than just give it a cosmetic makeover. The head size, beam width, static weight, stiffness, and 16x19 string pattern will certainly be familiar. But Babolat decided to modify the shape of the frame (Aeromodular2) for enhanced swing speed, and widen the spacing of the strings and add oblong grommets (FSI Spin) for greater spin potential.

The new frame, the Pure Aero, will be available next month. In the meantime we asked Babolat HQ in France what went into making this latest Aero, and what will make it attractive to players.

Pro Shop: When you went to the drawing board to come up with ways to update the AeroPro, what were your goals?

Babolat: For more than ten years Babolat has been the pioneer of spin technology, leading the industry in developing tennis equipment dedicated to helping players optimize spin into their game. In 2003, Babolat was the first brand to introduce a racquet entirely dedicated to power and spin with the AeroPro Drive. Demands of the modern game require players to be more aggressive; find sharper angles; hit more powerful shots, all while keeping the ball in play. Babolat's new Pure Aero is the innovation that will allow players to take advantage of the topspin this racquet offers, and grab an edge over their opponents. The objective of the new Babolat Pure Aero is to offer a whole new generation of racquet to players looking for optimal spin.

Pro Shop: What's new about the frame? Specifically, what's the intended benefits of the new Aeromodular2 and FSI Spin?

Babolat: Babolat works closely with players to understand the evolution of the game for developing products that meet their needs. In developing the Pure Aero range, Babolat focused on the player and his game, identifying two key moments for optimal spin: Preparation and ball impact.

Step 1: Preparation—Speed of the Racquet

The faster the racquet moves through the air, the more topspin a player can generate.

Step 2: Ball Impact—Movement of Strings

Mains on the string pattern give movement to the ball. The more they are able to move, the more topspin a player can generate on the ball.

To optimize spin during these steps, the new Pure Aero incorporates two new technologies: Aeromodular2 and FSI Spin. Current Aeromodular technology is implemented only in the frame section of the racquet throat. The new Aeromodular2 Technology is composed of:

—A new optimized frame section throughout the racquet

—The integration of all the technologies—Woofer and Cortex—inside the frame

This technology improves aerodynamics for faster racquet speed and more ball speed. To improve the movement of strings, the Pure Aero features new FSI Spin technology with a redefined sweet spot, oblong grommets at 6 and 12 o'clock and a more open string pattern for increased string movement.

Pro Shop: One of the things that's obviously new is the name: Pure Aero. Is this meant to imply the frame is a hybrid of previous Aero models and some of the "Pure" Babolat lines?

Babolat: With this new Aero version, we are entering a new era; we went even further regarding the previous generation, introducing a new frame with Aeromodular2 and FSI Spin. The design itself stands for a turning point—we aimed at having the purest racquet possible. Therefore we developed a racquet with all technologies integrated inside the frame and only two strong colors: Yellow conveys creativity and Aero's DNA, while black represents technical nature, both in a sleek and pure design.

The new name Pure Aero, identifies both the new design and the technical revolution. It also enables us to be more consistent with our high-end positioning and all the "Pure" Babolat lines (Pure Drive, Pure Strike, Pure Control) in our Pure Tennis segment. The Pure Aero is the next innovation and evolution of the AeroPro Drive.

Pro Shop: How long and elaborate was the testing process? Were there any modifications or developments that took more time to integrate and perfect than others?

Babolat: The testing period is scheduled according to the development milestones. At each step of the development some elements have to be approved and some information is needed to guarantee the performance of the product. Testing gives some information to help make decisions. All along the development, almost 180 players including pro players tested the racquet. The new Pure Aero is the result of almost two years of research.

Pro Shop: The Aero Pro has enjoyed immense popularity. For players already playing with and enjoying one of the previous models, what reasons are there for switching to this latest incarnation?

Babolat: Even though we innovated with the new Pure Aero, we still kept the DNA of the current Aeropro Drive—the same weight, balance and thickness (23/26/23mm) to make this new version as powerful as the 2013 Aeropro Drive. During our play tests, players told us that they felt the same power while spin was more easily generated. They also felt the racquet was more maneuverable. We optimized the current Aeropro Drive in order to have an even better racquet. The best just got better.

Pro Shop: On the other hand, there are players who have found previous Aero Pro frames to be a little too firm and powerful. Is there anything about this newest one that might change their minds?

Babolat: Staying consistent with other Babolat racquet ranges, the Pure Aero range features several models adapted to different types of players. While testing the new range, we incorporated feedback from a wide variety of players so whether it is extra power or more maneuverability you are looking for, the Pure Aero range has a racquet suited to your needs.