Babolat and Wimbledon Build Upon Long-Standing Relationship
The brand’s unmatched stringing history and expertise set a new standard of excellence for competitors at the Grand Slam. The official Babolat Wimbledon product collection will inspire current players and future champions of the game.
Two brands linked to the origins of tennis, Babolat and The Championships, Wimbledon today announced the reinforcement of their long-standing relationship. Following a successful 10-year licensing agreement, Babolat now becomes the Official Stringer of The Championships, in a move that signals a joint commitment to deliver excellence for Wimbledon competitors. Babolat also becomes the Official Partner of Tennis Rackets, Strings, Bags and Shoe to share The Championships’ experience with fans throughout the year.
Babolat invented the tennis racket string in 1875 in France, one year after the rules of the sport were ratified in England. Drawing from nearly a century and a half of innovation in tennis equipment, the brand emphasizes the importance of strings to a player’s on-court success: the strings account for 50 per cent of the racket’s performance, with the racket itself contributing the remaining 50 per cent.
It’s this interaction between the racket and strings that allows players to maximize their performance. Babolat also understands the necessity to properly string rackets according to players’ needs. During Wimbledon, Babolat’s official stringing service will feature a team of international stringing experts to prepare the rackets of the top ATP and WTA players, carefully and meticulously aligned to their specifications.
Eric Babolat, President of Babolat, underscored the value of the partnership, saying, “This is an exciting new chapter for our shared history. By supporting The Championships with our expertise in racket performance, we’ll enhance the on-site experience for the game’s top competitors. And together, we also have a fantastic opportunity to grow the game with current players and the next generation of champions by sharing the energy of this special tournament and helping fans to live the experience through exclusive products.”
Gus Henderson, Commercial Director of The All England Lawn Tennis Club, said: “We are delighted to welcome Babolat as an Official Partner of The Championships, after a decade-long licensee relationship. Providing a world-class racket service for competitors at Wimbledon is crucial to the success of our event and we have the utmost confidence in the Babolat team’s ability to deliver on this ambition. Through the partnership, fans of Wimbledon will be able to dress the part year-round with the Babolat range of products available through the Wimbledon Shop.”
THE OFFICIAL RANGE OF BABOLAT WIMBLEDON PRODUCTS
Official Partner of The Championships, Babolat designs the official rackets, tennis bags and tennis footwear of the event: a limited-edition collection to serve up a taste of the Grand Slam atmosphere to fans around the world. Many Babolat champions will take to the courts equipped with a variety of Babolat Wimbledon products.
For 2022, Babolat offers a full range of rackets available in adult and junior models, including the Pure Drive Team Wimbledon with its outstanding design conveying both modernity and vintage elegance thanks to touches of gold and dark green as well as a leather grip. Babolat Wimbledon official footwear, perfectly suited for the grass courts of SW19, will be worn by the ball boys and ball girls.
Racket Pure Drive Team Wimbledon, RSP £199.99
Shoes Jet Mach3 Wimbledon, RSP (men and women) £129.99
Shoes SFX3 Wimbledon, RSP (men and women) £94.99
Racket Holder x12 Wimbledon, RSP £119.99
Racket Holder x6 Wimbledon, RSP £89.99
Backpack Pure Wimbledon, RSP £75
Plus, accessories celebrating The Championships.
The 2022 Babolat Wimbledon collection is available at the official Wimbledon Shops (on-site and online at shop.wimbledon.com), through authorised Babolat retailers and at babolat.com.
About Babolat
Founded in Lyon, France, in 1875, one year after the rules of tennis were established, Babolat is the oldest international company specialized in racquet sports. A pioneer of innovation, Babolat invented tennis strings in 1875 and launched its first racquets in 1994. Family-run for five generations, Babolat is an innovative brand providing a complete range of equipment for all players of tennis, badminton, and padel, including racquets, strings, shoes, balls and shuttles, bags, apparel and accessories. Babolat equips many tennis, padel, and badminton players with racquets and strings. Babolat also partners with 20,000 clubs in some 150 countries around the world, as well as legendary tennis brands including Wimbledon.
About Wimbledon
The Championships, Wimbledon, is the oldest of the four tennis Grand Slams and the only one played on grass. Managed by The All England Lawn Tennis Club and staged on the Club’s Grounds, Wimbledon has evolved from its origins as a private members’ croquet club in 1868, to one of the world’s biggest annual sporting events and one of the most respected brands in sport. Visit www.wimbledon.com and follow us @wimbledon on all major social media platforms.