Counter Veron

Babolat has three lines:

1. The Viper line for advanced players

2. The Veron line for intermediate players (this racket)

3. The Vertuo line for beginner players

Each line has three models for different playing styles:

1. The Technical for powerful attackers

2. The Air for fast attackers

3. The Counter for counterattackers and defenders (this racket)

2023’s Babolat Counter Veron is the French brand’s racket designed for intermediate counterattackers and defenders. This year’s model is the same as last year’s with a few minor changes (the following applies to the entire Veron line):

• The paint job

• The handle’s bulge is slightly higher

• The racket now has a strap interchange system

A hybrid round-shaped racket with a medium touch and a medium balance, this racket is designed for intermediate right-side players or players who win points with patience, intelligence, and counter-attacking. It is easy to play with aside from its weight and size, which make it hard to maneuver for untrained arms.

The Counter Veron has a medium touch and a wide sweet spot. Reviewers remark that it calms them on the court because the ball travels well off its surface no matter where it makes contact.

The wide surface and medium touch result in a very slight spring effect, which can result in minimal loss of control at high speeds at the net.

Babolat uses “Carbon Flex” across the Veron line for “dynamic power”. Carbon Flex is their name for a mix of carbon fiber and fiberglass that offers a compromise between power and comfort.

Due to the wide shape of the Counter Viper’s racket face, it is the softest and most tolerant of the Veron line. The face will absorb the ball on hard shots. This combined with the lack of weight in the head means that this racket is not designed for power.

The racket face’s wide shape amplifies the size of the sweet spot, but, it comes with a cost: maneuverability. This racket can feel slow and bulky. Consider seeking a low weight model to counteract.

I know why we see so many more red Babolats than we do yellows, but perhaps if more of us played with yellows, we could have longer rallies.