The Babolat Propulse Tennis Shoe, an Andy Roddick exclusive

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Robin Ashmore or Annie Coghill
1905 Sherman Street
Denver,
303 832 2700
robin@ameliecompany.com, annie@ameliecompany.com

02/20/07 - Babolat announces that Andy Roddick (#1 American player) has chosen to play with the new Babolat Propulse tennis shoe. Roddick started wearing the shoes at the 2007 Australian Open.

The Propulse is an innovative tennis shoe equipped with the most progressive technologies for maximizing performance on any type of court surface. Notable features of this shoe are three groundbreaking innovations in the tennis shoe market:

- Innovative Michelin rubber outsole compound
Propulse outsoles feature a rubber compound developed by the engineers at Michelin and providing exceptional durability

- Exclusive Michelin outsole sculpture
Grip is optimized on all court surfaces through a unique outsole sculpture with Michelin’s Optimized Cell System (OCS) technology – a first in tennis, a proven classic in auto racing.

- Exact Pro
Propulsion system in the forefoot that works like a booster to recover faster in lateral movements.

The Propulse, the newest model in the Babolat footwear range, bears the signature of Andy Roddick, an exclusive among the professional players on the ATP Tour. Roddick commented, “I am very excited to wear a shoe as innovative as the Propulse. During a match, shoes are subjected to extreme conditions. I particularly appreciate the traction and quick acceleration
that I get with the Propulse.” Roddick has been playing with Babolat racquets and strings since 1999 and wearing Babolat shoes since August 2005.

This high performance shoe will be available in specialty stores beginning March 2007. Please visit www.babolat.com for a list of authorized dealers.

ABOUT THE PROPULSE TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS
Michelin Performance Technologies:

- A new formula for even more resistance to abrasion
The exclusive partnership with Michelin was initiated by the launch of the first tennis shoes in 2003. Since then, Babolat and Michelin have developed a revolutionary outsole for the Propulse shoe 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. The outsoles on the new Babolat Propulse shoe are made of an exclusive rubber compound that offers 40% more resistance to abrasion than any other shoe on the tennis market*, a sizeable asset for players.

*Conclusion of abrasion and thermo-arbrasion 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)
The outsoles of the Propulse integrate the Michelin OCS technology microcapsules in a continuous circular pattern, inspired directly from tire sculptures. The OCS allows for 20% better traction than classical chevron sculptures. This is the first time this type of outsole has been used in tennis.

Exact Pro:
Because 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, the latest technology created by Babolat, offers quick reaction for recovery and rebound on every step.

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; footwork has improved in both precision and efficiency.

*Test Results CTCP04, June – November 2005

ABOUT BABOLAT
Inventor of tennis racquet strings 132 years ago in Lyon, France, Babolat is among the world leaders in tennis racquets. Today, the brand includes a complete tennis offering for competition and club players alike: racquets, strings, shoes, bags, apparel, balls and accessories. Babolat equips 20% of the top 100 players in the ATP and WTA including Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick and Kim Clijsters.

Photos available upon request.

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Amélie Company Contacts: Robin Ashmore or Annie Coghill, (303) 832-2700

Company Website
www.babolat.com
Company Profile
Tenniswire.org/companies/babolat/index.html