On Sunday, January 30, 2022, Rafael Nadal made history in Melbourne at the Australian Open with a record-breaking win, taking him to new heights in the sport of tennis. Signature Babolat Pure Aero Rafa racquet with RPM Blast strings in hand, Nadal claimed an impressive victory, and with it, the top spot in the record books. He now holds 21 total grand slam titles – the most in men’s singles (Australian Open – 2, French Open – 13, Wimbledon – 2, and US Open – 4).
Babolat, the player’s equipment supplier since the beginning of his career, congratulates Rafael Nadal on this achievement, an exceptional performance that writes a new chapter in his storied career and in the legend of tennis.
“Rafa’s victory is extraordinary! Babolat teams around the world are immensely proud of him. They watched Rafa grow up and share in the celebration of his historic milestone. It is an incredible privilege and honor to contribute to the success of such an illustrious athlete,” says Eric Babolat, President of the eponymous group.
Babolat’s long-standing relationship with the Spanish champion is grounded in an unwavering trust and open communication which have enabled the equipment manufacturer to support the evolution of his game over the years. This materialized in 2003 with the development of the Aero racquet frame designed to produce a powerful topspin. It was immediately adopted by Rafa, becoming a formidable weapon to unseat his opponents. With this same collaborative spirit, Babolat developed a new string dedicated to spin: the RPM Blast. After one test in 2009, Rafa adopted it as the “engine” of his frame. Since early 2021, Rafa has been playing with a signature version of the Pure Aero racquet developed in close collaboration with Babolat: the Pure Aero Rafa. This first Rafael Nadal signature racquet, with graphics reflecting his personality and distinctive game, expresses the brand’s bond with this incomparable player and champion.