About Eric Babolat
In 2012, Eric Babolat presented the "Play & Connect" prototype racquet at Roland Garros, describing it as "la première raquette communicante" (the first communicating racquet). He stated that the racquet would allow players to obtain information about their game, improve their play, and share data with others via a community platform. Babolat noted that the company had explained the project to the tennis community in January and had tested it with a professional player in February. He outlined next steps, including making prototypes available to development teams in September 2012 for testing with academies, professional players, and amateurs worldwide, with a goal of launching a product in 2013.
In a separate overview of Babolat's history, Eric Babolat stated that the company was founded in 1875 by his great-great-grandfather, who invented the first tennis string. He noted that his father entered the racquet industry in 1994, and that he himself decided to launch a range of apparel and footwear in 2003. Babolat also remarked on the company's practice of signing young players, saying, "We signed Rodic when he was 16. Kener is at 13. Nadal at 11."
Source: AI-verified profile updated from Eric Babolat's recent appearances.
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Transcript (12 segments)
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Interviewer0:01
Eric Babolat, after five generations of Babolat, are you becoming a better player with this racket or not?
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Eric Babolat0:10
I hope so. Like we said with a shoemaker, you have the worst shoe. But I'm a tennis lover, not a very good player, but I love the game. This racket gives me more reason to play. I want to play more. I can compare with my friend at the same level and try to be better than them. Not better than Rafa.
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Interviewer0:30
What do you have to do? I mean you have to take out something from the back of this racket now?
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Eric Babolat0:36
All you have to do is use a smartphone, create a profile, and connect your racket to your phone. Before you play, push the button – the light blue one – and then play. Afterward, press the second button, and it transfers data via Bluetooth to your smartphone. You can also plug it into a computer via USB. Then you visualize your game: how many forehands and backhands, first and second serves, rally length, where you hit on the sweet spot. It's the first time you get data on what happens when you hit the ball. You see power, spin, and impact location. The industry always focused on the mathematical center of the racket, but from player feedback with Play, we realized the real sweet spot is a bit higher because the arm is moving. With the swing, the geographical sweet spot is higher. The pros get the most power at that spot.
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Interviewer2:28
And can I compare myself when I play with this racket with Nadal? Nadal's data are secret, and you'd need to spy. For now, Rafa's match data are not accessible because he doesn't play with it yet, but we have his training data. So you can compare. Very soon the racket is authorized by the ITF on tour, so we'll have real match data. So I don't expect to be Nadal, but if I know a little more about him, do you think some can imitate or approach his game? Or is it only for professionals or also for club players?
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Eric Babolat3:15
I think it's good for all. Of course, not everyone wants to be better, but you can compare yourself to see where you are. Maybe your forehand isn't good but your serve can be better. You cannot put Nadal's forehand in the racket and play like him, but it's valuable. It's useful for beginners, club players, and tournament players. It gives extra motivation and fun. Tennis is frustrating; you don't know if you're good. With this, you see improvement, which motivates you to play more, and the more you play, the better you get.
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Interviewer4:02
Sure. You will be selling these rackets in 160 countries, I was told. And the price would be comparable, or every market will have its own?
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Eric Babolat4:12
No, the price is similar. We launched in the US at the end of December at $399, and we launch in Europe on the 19th of May at €399. So it's about the same. $399 is without tax, €399 is with tax, so about the same.
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Interviewer4:27
Okay. So what is the most difficult thing you had to face to produce this racket, which I heard started 10 years ago?
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Eric Babolat4:39
The idea started 10 years ago. The challenge was to include the system in a racket with the same weight and balance as a regular racket. 10 years ago the technology wasn't possible. In the last three years, we made it possible. We qualified to ensure accuracy – if it says your forehand is hitting a bit high, the system tells you, otherwise you can't improve. The good thing is that the racket you buy today is upgradeable; you can update the system in the racket or via your smartphone to get more features without buying a new one. This is the first time a racket is alive. You are not alone on the court; it beeps, so you feel stronger.
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Interviewer5:46
Well, so now I give you this advice: study your data and profile, try to improve, and I will do the same. Then in one year we compare who has done better.
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Eric Babolat5:54
For sure we can do that. It's all right. Thanks.
