Babolat Evo Drive Tour Gen 2 Tennis Racket – Controlled Power, Stability & Comfort
Overview
The Babolat Evo Drive Tour Gen 2 Tennis Racket is designed for intermediate to advanced players looking for an accessible combination of power, control and comfort. At 285g unstrung, it is the heaviest model in the Evo Drive Gen 2 range, providing additional stability through contact while remaining manageable for a wide variety of playing styles.
Its 660cm² / 102in² head provides a useful blend of forgiveness and control, while the open 16x19 string pattern helps generate depth and spin. A 320mm unstrung balance keeps the racket manoeuvrable enough for quick exchanges at the net, making it well suited to players who regularly combine singles and doubles.
Comfort is a major focus of this generation. Babolat’s Air Handle Touch technology is incorporated into the handle to help absorb shock and reduce vibration transmitted to the arm. Combined with the graphite construction, variable beam and Woofer System, the Evo Drive Tour Gen 2 offers easy performance without requiring an exceptionally fast or technically demanding swing.
Key Technologies
Air Handle Touch
Technology positioned within the handle helps absorb shock and dampen vibrations transmitted through the racket. This produces a softer, more comfortable sensation at impact.
Elliptic Frame
An elliptical frame structure increases overall strength and stiffness, helping the racket efficiently transfer energy into the ball for accessible power and improved stability.
Woofer System
Babolat’s Woofer System improves interaction between the frame and strings and increases ball-to-string contact time, contributing to a combination of comfort, control and responsive power.
Optimised 16x19 String Pattern
The open 16x19 string pattern encourages string movement and a lively response, helping players generate depth and spin while retaining useful control over their shots.
Babolat Evo Drive Tour Gen 2 Specifications
| Specification |
Details |
| Head Size |
660cm² / 102in² |
| Length |
685mm / 27in |
| Weight |
285g unstrung (±7g) |
| Balance |
320mm unstrung (±7mm) |
| Swingweight |
290 |
| String Pattern |
16x19 |
| Stiffness |
70 RA without Air Handle Touch / 67 RA with Air Handle Touch (±3) |
| Beam |
23-26-23mm |
| Construction |
Graphite |
| Recommended String |
Babolat XALT |
| Recommended Tension |
23-25kg / 50-55lbs |
| Recommended Grip |
Babolat Syntec Evo |
| Cover |
No cover supplied |
Pro / Player Review
The Evo Drive Tour Gen 2 occupies a useful position between lightweight, highly forgiving recreational rackets and heavier performance frames. Its 285g unstrung weight gives it noticeably more stability than the lighter Evo Drive models, particularly when returning faster serves or dealing with pace from the baseline.
Power is relatively easy to access. The 102in² head, variable beam and 16x19 pattern provide useful depth without demanding a full, aggressive swing on every shot. The slightly larger head also gives players a little more margin for error than a typical 98in² or 100in² performance racket.
Comfort is another strength. Air Handle Touch helps soften vibration through the handle, making the racket particularly appealing to players who prefer a more dampened response. The trade-off is that experienced players who favour a very direct, connected feel may prefer a firmer, more control-orientated frame.
Overall, the Evo Drive Tour Gen 2 is particularly well suited to improving intermediate and experienced club players who want additional stability and control without moving to a demanding 300g-plus racket. Its combination of manageable weight, forgiving head size and accessible power also makes it a versatile option for both baseline play and doubles.
Q: Who is the Babolat Evo Drive Tour Gen 2 best suited to?
A: It is aimed primarily at intermediate to advanced players looking for accessible power, stability and comfort in a manageable 285g unstrung frame.
Q: What is the difference between the Evo Drive Tour Gen 2 and Evo Drive Gen 2?
A: The Tour weighs 285g unstrung compared with 270g for the standard Evo Drive Gen 2. The additional weight provides greater stability and gives the Tour a more substantial feel through contact.
Q: Is the Evo Drive Tour Gen 2 suitable for doubles?
A: Yes. Its manageable weight and 320mm unstrung balance make it sufficiently manoeuvrable for volleys and quick exchanges, while the additional stability of the Tour model is useful when blocking back powerful shots.
Q: Does the racket provide easy power?
A: Yes. The 102in² head, elliptical frame, variable beam and open 16x19 string pattern are designed to provide accessible depth and power without requiring an exceptionally fast swing.
Q: Is the Babolat Evo Drive Tour Gen 2 comfortable?
A: Comfort is one of its key characteristics. Air Handle Touch technology helps absorb shock and dampen vibration through the handle, while the Woofer System contributes to a softer and more forgiving response from the string bed.
Q: Is this racket suitable for beginners?
A: It can suit athletic or rapidly improving beginners, but its 285g unstrung weight is more substantial than many beginner-focused rackets. Players wanting maximum manoeuvrability may find one of the lighter Evo Drive models easier to use.
Q: What type of player should consider the Tour model?
A: The Tour is a strong option for players who like the power and comfort of the Evo Drive family but want extra mass and stability for more confident hitting from the baseline, on returns and at the net.
