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BABOLAT AND AUTOMOBILI LAMBORGHINI COLLABORATE IN A PADEL RACQUET PROJECT

April 13, 2024

BABOLAT AND AUTOMOBILI LAMBORGHINI COLLABORATE IN A PADEL RACQUET PROJECT:

TWO WORLDWIDE REFERENCES FOR A UNIQUE AND BOLD PARTNERSHIP.

Iconic brands and world leaders in their field, Babolat and Automobil Lamborghini announce a collaboration combining their technological and industrial expertise to produce exclusive padel racquets. The prototype of the first padel racquet “BL001” model, to be made in a very limited series of just 50 units, has been presented this morning during the Lamborghini Arena at the Imola Circuit, in the presence of Éric Babolat, CEO of Babolat and Stephan Winkelmann, Chairman and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini. Two further racquet collections, BL002 and BL003, will be developed for distribution in 2025. At the heart of this unexpected project is the fusion of Babolat' s mastery of racquet technology and the game, and Automobili Lamborghini's expertise in carbon fiber manufacturing processes and design.

 BABOLAT AND AUTOMOBILI LAMBORGHINI "BL001": EXCLUSIVE LIMITED EDITION

 The first result of this partnership between Babolat and Automobili Lamborghini, respective leaders in racquet sports (tennis, padel, badminton) and super sports cars, will bea totally new unisex racket (BL001), available in five colors: giallo auge,verde viper, arancio livrea, viola pasifae, verde gea, produced in the cradle of the masters of composite materials production, in Sant’ Agata Bolognese, near Bologna (Italy), in the Automobili Lamborghini headquarters. A very limited, prestigious collector's edition racquet, designed with the tools, processes and materials used in the production of the Italian manufacturers of supersport cars.

While Babolat already uses carbon materials for the production of its padel racquets, the"BL001" will benefit from the unrivalled expertise of Automobili Lamborghini, experts in the art of mastering the use of carbon fiber in automotive production.

Directly inspired by the automotive design of super sports car chassis, the racquet has been designed using a single rigid peripheral frame, acting as a cockpit that enables the full control of the racquet. The BL001, created with this extremely rigid peripheral monocoque frame, optimizes the deformation of the striking zone. The monocoque frame, which extends into the handle, allows the hand to be in direct contact with the chassis. This ensures perfect control of the racquet in absolute comfort, while delivering exceptional power and ball speed. Like the high-strength composite fibers, the materials used in this revolutionary masterpiece are directly derived from those used in super sports cars, with a single watchword: the quest for high performance.

The technical conception and design of the BL001 are the fruit of close collaboration between the technical teams at Babolat and Automobili Lamborghini over a period of almost 6 months. The result of an ultra-precise, 100% hand-crafted process, development was followed by the Automobili Lamborghini teams in their Sant' Agata Bolognese factory, in collaboration with Babolat's research and product development teams. Tests were then carried out on court and in the laboratory by Babolat experts, as is the case for every new racquet.

This limited edition of around 50 racquets will be proposed to all public for pre-orders.

BABOLATAND AUTOMOBILI LAMBORGHINI BL002 – BL003: SOON ON THE MARKET

The technology developed through this collaboration on the BL001 is destined to be applied to commercial models. By2025, Babolat will be producing two other racquets from its Padel Studio near Barcelona, Spain, as a result of this partnership with Automobili Lamborghini.

These racquets are called "BL002" and "BL003" and will be both distributed to the general public. They will also benefit from many of the technologies and carbon fiber used in the BL001.

Dedicated website: https://www.babolat.com/babolat-automobililamborghini

About Babolat 

A pioneer of innovation, Babolat invented tennis strings in 1875, the same year tennis rules were established. Babolat is the oldest international company specializing in tennis with great champions such as René Lacoste (FRA),Suzane Lenglen (FRA), and Björn Borg (SWE) playing with VS strings. Babolat launched its first line of racquets in 1994 and won its first grand slam in 1998 at Roland Garros with Carlos Moya (SP), the first of many.    

Family-run for five generations, Babolat is an innovative brand providing a complete range of equipment for all lovers of tennis, badminton, and padel including racquets, strings, footwear, apparel, balls and shuttles, bags, and accessories.    

Babolat officially equips more than 500 professional athletes in the world including in tennis: Rafael Nadal (ESP), Carlos Alcaraz (ESP), and Juan Lebron (ESP, padel world number 1 in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022). Babolat is present in 20,000 clubs in 150 countries around the world including 10subsidiaries (USA, Japan, France, Italy, Spain, UK, Germany, Austria, Belgium, and China).    

Babolat is proud of its exclusive partnerships with great international brands such as Wimbledon, Club Med, and Michelin.   

Media contact Babolat: Shirley Ribeiro – shirley@zrcommunication.com

About Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.

Founded by Ferruccio Lamborghini in 1963, in the heart of Motor Valley, where the roar of engines echoes through the hills, Automobili Lamborghini found its home in Sant’ Agata Bolognese. Here, amidst the rich heritage of Italian craftsmanship and innovation, our circa. 2000 dedicated employees meticulously design, engineer and craft machines that embody the very essence of automotive excellence. At the core of our philosophy lies a commitment to pushing the boundaries of possibility. Every Lamborghini that comes from each one of the three model lines, incarnates the highest expression of design and engineering, a testament to our relentless pursuit of perfection. From the sleek lines of the Super SUV U us, the raw power of the Huracán’s engine, to the innovation that the first hybrid car of the factory, the Revuelto, brings in, every detail is crafted with precision and passion. But it's not just about performance, it's about daring to be different. Our ethos is remaining faithful to our brand DNA always being Brave, Unexpected and Authentic. This spirit is embodied in every curve, every contour of our vehicles, each one a bold statement of individuality. As we celebrated in 2023 six decades of inspiration and passion, we look to the future with unwavering determination. Guided by our heritage yet driven by innovation, we are charting a course towards a more sustainable tomorrow. With the hybridization path set to be completed in 2024 and the electrification on the horizon, we are redefining what it means to be a luxury automotive brand in the 21st century.

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