Babolat, one of the leading manufacturers of tennis products, announces the release of two new high performance tennis shoes: the 2008 Propulse model for men and the new Propulse tennis shoe for women, the Propulse Lady.

The 2008 Propulse tennis shoe, Andy Roddick’s signature shoe, has all the same innovative technological features as its predecessor: Exact Pro, offering quick reaction for recovery and rebound on every step, Michelin OCS allowing for better traction, and an improved Michelin Hi-Tech outsole offering more resistance to abrasion. With these three cutting edge innovations, the Propulse is the most dynamic and durable shoe in tennis.

- A real sensation of forefoot recovery in play

- A shoe that lasts 40% longer than others

- A shoe that offers instant comfort

- Also available in a junior model

- 2008 Propulse with new silver/black color
Suggested retail : $120

The men’s Propulse bears the signature of Andy Roddick, an exclusive among the professional players on the ATP Tour. Roddick has been playing with Babolat racquets and strings since 1999 and wearing Babolat shoes since August 2005. He is premiering the new 2008 Propulse at this year’s Australian Open. “Footwork is essential for winning,” commented Roddick. “In tennis, there are a lot of lateral moves, it’s very important in the game…and the Propulse is made for that. I have been particularly impressed with the traction and quick acceleration I get with the Propulse.”

Thomas Otton, Footwear Senior Product Manager for Babolat explains, “In developing our products, we spend a lot of time on the courts studying the movements of the game and listening to the players. We are very pleased with how the Propulse has been received in the marketplace and in the footwear industry.” The 2007 Propulse was recently awarded the 2007
Product Innovation Trophy by the French economic newsletter Bref Rhône-Alpes and also won the prestigious ‘Escarpin de Cristal 2007’ – an award for the best technical innovation of the year among all categories of shoes. “We are very confident that this new Propulse will meet the demands of top performers,” adds Otton.

For 2008, Babolat is also launching a new Propulse Lady. “The new exclusive women’s last we developed for this shoe is thinner and better suited for the shape of a woman’s foot,” says Otton. “This high performance shoe is designed for top competitors aiming for incomparable performance.” The cosmetics are white with touches of turquoise blue for a strong identity.

- Exclusive materials adapted for women

- A real sensation of forefoot recovery in play

- A shoe that lasts 40% longer than others

- A shoe that offers instant comfort

New! 2008 Propulse Lady tennis shoe
Suggested retail: $110

These high performance shoes will be available in specialty stores beginning March 2008. Please visit www.babolat.com <http://www.babolat.com/> for a list of authorized dealers.

ABOUT THE PROPULSE TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS

Michelin Performance Technologies
Michelin Hi-Tech sole
The exclusive partnership with Michelin was initiated by the launch of the first Babolat tennis shoes in 2003. Since then, Babolat and Michelin have developed a revolutionary outsole for the Propulse shoes that is as much about the rubber compound as it is about the sculpture.

In tennis, one of the principal factors of wear and tear is the abrasion caused by the rubbing of the outsole against the court surface. Propulse outsoles feature an exclusive rubber compound developed by the engineers at Michelin that provide exceptional durability. The outsoles offer 40% more resistance to abrasion than any other shoe on the tennis market*, a sizeable asset for players.

*Conclusion of abrasion and thermo-abrasion tests of outsole durability according to the norm NF G 62001. Comparative tests were conducted on the Babolat Propulse and a selection of competitors’ shoes in March 2006 at the Shoe and Leather Technical Center.
Michelin OCS (Optimized Cell System)
Grip is optimized on all court surfaces through a unique outsole sculpture with Michelin’s Optimized Cell System (OCS) technology. The outsoles of the Propulse integrate the Michelin OCS microcapsules in a continuous circular pattern, inspired directly from tire sculptures. The OCS allows for 20% better traction than classical chevron sculptures. Last year’s Propulse marks the first time this type of outsole has been used in tennis. “The OCS has been a proven classic in auto racing - the microcapsules optimize grip to improve traction and gliding,” said Otton. “And the round shapes of the capsules help with energy restitution and resistance to abrasion.”

Babolat 100 % tennis technologies

Exact Pro
Because in tennis 80% of player movements are lateral and diagonal with propulsion on the forefoot, Babolat has conceived technologies specifically for tennis shoes. Situated in the forefoot of the shoe, Exact Pro is a “booster” including Pebax® material which offers quick reaction for recovery and rebound on every step. “We optimized propulsion uniformly on the forefoot for a more effective relaunch on every step,” explains Otton. It’s highly dynamic and highly responsive – designed to maximize speed in lateral motion with perfect foot control”.

Tests conducted by the CTC* (Technical Shoe Center, a leading independent laboratory in the industry) demonstrate that the Exact Pro system is the best system for dynamic relaunch in tennis: 68% of energy restitution (compared to 62% for the next closest competitor). With Exact Pro, tennis performances have improved: players’ movements and recovery are faster; and footwork has improved in both precision and efficiency.
*Test Results CTCP04, June – November 2005