In my years of experience playing and coaching tennis, I’ve come to realize that when it comes to tennis rackets, players and other coaches place value on two fundamentals.
Power and Spin.
These two essential features are surely responsible for the success of many professional players. This, unsurprisingly, is why this Babolat Drive Max 110 has been making a lot of waves within the tennis community.
Introduced in 2013 as a direct descendant to the Drive Max 105, this Babolat Drive Max 110 has gotten the tennis world on hold and surpassed its predecessors by miles.
What is so special about this racket? Why does it seem to stand out among hundreds of other rackets? Is it worth the hype, and more importantly, should you get it? These and more are some of the issues I’ll be addressing in this Babolat Drive Max 110 review.
Babolat Drive Max 110 Review
Product Overview
This ultra-sleek and durable top tier tennis racket, Babolat Drive Max 110 was released in 2013 as a response to some of the lapses the Drive Max 105 had.
Already a favorite among players and trainers alike, the Babolat Drive Max 110 takes the crown when it comes to tennis rackets that deliver in sheer power and spin force.
Since its release, this racket has received a lot of accolades, and it’s not difficult to see why.
Pros
- Babolat Drive Max 110’s was built with the novel Syntec soft material that improves the hold and allows users to maintain a comfortable grip.
- Equipped with a 16 x 20 string pattern, it generates incredible spin.
- With a graphite construction overlay, the Babolat Drive Max 110 holds incredible potential for powerful backhand and forehand shots.
- Hard to find a better value for your money.
Cons
- It can be stiff and difficult to handle, especially for beginners.
- Only 3 tension options to chose from
In-Depth Features
As a coach, I can understand why this Drive Max 110 is so popular and considered a tier above other power rackets. Apart from its affordability and aesthetics, the Babolat Drive Max 110 has been fabricated with quality materials that ensure high performance and durability.
Don’t take my word for it though, here are the specifics to show you just how impressive the Babolat Drive Max 110 is.
Size And Weight
Stretching at 27.5 inches (7 cm) with a head size of 110 sq. Inches, this Drive Max 110 tennis racket comes with a length that is slightly longer than other rackets of its category. The Drive Max 110 weighs about 9.2 ounces or 260g unstrung, making it lighter than the Drive Max 105.
The effect of this added weight is not so difficult to see, and you can almost feel the difference and added advantage in power and feel right from your first use. The 2 pts head-heavy racket balance is perfectly completed with its swing weight of 311, which explains its firm strung. It also comes with a 27mm beam measure and boasts a flex of 71.
When it comes to string pattern, the Drive Max 110 tennis racket employs one of the most efficient patterns; a dense string pattern that measures one by 20 inches. This gives you a large enough sweet spot and sufficient energy transfer that ultimately improves shot consistency and the overall feel to serving and shooting.
Compared to the other Babolat power racket, Babolat Drive 110 is quite lightweight for its size. At the very least, I’d call it a middleweight racket, perfect for intermediate and expert players for its smooth handling and faster shots.
Grip
The grip type is fashioned from Syntec soft material based on Babolat’s Pride trademark Cortex Comfort. The grip comes in 3 sizes: 4 1/4, 4 1/2 and 4 3/8, all of which provide stability and offer the player excellent hold and comfort.
My experience using these was pleasant as I was able to power through a series of intense practice sessions without having to worry about losing grip due to sweaty palms.
I also noticed that there were significantly fewer vibrations, and even then, they were dampened as opposed to other rackets, which is as a result of Babolat’s new CCT feature.
- Holds 1 racquet
- Adjustable shoulder strap
- Zippered cover
- Nylon
Material
Babolat went all out for this Drive Max 110. I wasn’t in the room when it was designed, but I can imagine the brainstorming session that must have led to using graphite as the primary material for this power racket. It proved to be the right call as the Drive Max 110 is comfortably up on the list of rackets that are not only known for their sleek design but also their strength and durability.
If you always worry about getting decent rackets that work out perfectly from the get-go, then you should consider giving the Drive Max 110 a try.
It was evidently designed with care, not only to serve your playing experience but also for impressive durability. This makes this racket incredibly cost-effective as you rarely have to worry about repairs or getting a new one every few months.
The frame is designed with care to provide an excellent playing experience. It is also built with the latest in elliptic geometry construction technology so that twisting of the racket can be the least of your worries when you enjoy playing time.
Performance
The Babolat Drive Max 110 is comparatively a rather lightweight racket that delivers both in power and flow movement. The design of the upper part of the hoop is such a way that it allows players to generate power and stability quite easily. With extra space in the string, you can be sure to maintain better control and deliver quality topspin shots.
Its intentionally lengthy design ensures you can easily power away volleys when balls are hit rapidly towards you. The extra length, wide beam, and large head are all impressive features that were added as a way to generate an extra weight feel and power to produce more powerful shots.
Additionally, You have access to a much larger sweet spot, a baseline that aids flat hits and generates immense energy transfer at the point of contact. The large head and wide beams make shots much easier to maneuver and control.
The Tie-Breaker
I have been coaching tennis for quite a while, and if there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s the fact that your tennis racket plays a massive role in your game. A magician is only as good as his wand.
The Babolat Drive Max 110 provides answers to almost all the questions a standard tennis racket should. It delivers in performance, design, control, speed, power, and durability. It’s hardly surprising to see that although it has been around for quite some time, it has continued to surpass rackets designed before and after it.
Although it may be a little stiff for beginners, I believe it will continue to be one of the go-to’s rackets for tennis enthusiasts and professionals who want to engage and improve their game.
What’s more to say? It’s completely affordable. With an unbeatable price, the Babolat Drive Max 110 proves that quality is not always expensive.
What features do you think are most important in a tennis racket? Do you value power and spin performance over aesthetic design or you think weight, length, and surface should come first when considering tennis rackets? I’d love to hear what you think. Do not hesitate to share your opinion in the comment section below.