Vive La France!

It occurs to me, midstroke, that this might not be the best time to take to the field of battle with a tennis racket made by the French. As I charge the net, coiled for the attack, the questions arise: Will my racket be with me? Or will it balk? Is it ready for the overhead smash--or will it want to give the dink shot more time to work? Fortunately, Babolat's Pure Drive combines European style with the kind of raw power Americans tend to favor. Americans like Andy Roddick, famous for his whipsaw forehand, and Pete Sampras, currently testing rackets, who calls the Pure Drive "the most powerful thing I've ever seen."

The secret is Babolat's "Woofer" technology, which creates a slingshot effect while maximizing your touch. Translation: even when you're hopelessly out of position, the racket is light and responsive enough to deliver a crisp return. It pings, instead of thwacking (call it "Tweeter" technology?), but hey, it's French.

Tip: A great racket. One of the hottest sticks on the court.