Babolat Pure Drive tennis racquet

Babolat is the world's oldest company specializing in racquet sports. Founded in Lyon, France, in 1875, the brand initially gained fame by inventing natural gut strings for tennis racquets. It wasn't until 1994 that Babolat expanded beyond strings to produce its own line of racquet frames, launching the Pure Drive which would soon become one of the most iconic and best-selling racquets in the world, popularized by champions like Carlos Moyá and Andy Roddick.

While the brand remains headquartered in France and conducts its high-end research, string development, and professional customization there, the mass production of the composite frames is primarily centered in China. The Babolat family continues to maintain a significant role in the business, though the company operates as a major global player in the racquet sports industry, including substantial business in padel, badminton, and footwear.