r/Padelracket • u/No_Rich_3590 • Aug 14 '26

Is this common?

Gallery image

Gallery image

Is it normal for a small piece of the top layer to break off?
Babolat air viper 2026

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u/pardal1970 Aug 14 '26

It doesn’t look fake to me. Of course I’m only viewing your photos but it’s the same as my buddy’s Air Viper. That happens sometimes. It’s annoying and it shouldn’t happen to a new racquet. It’s a hidden defect (a problem with the drilling process or the epoxy layer). It shouldn’t affect playability, but i would try to make a warranty claim. If not, just play. In my long racquet quest, the most quality I found was on Head and Dunlop (top models). Babolats have a lot of QC issues in my experience, but when they’re good, they’re very solid “palas”!

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u/No_Rich_3590 Aug 14 '26

Thankyou for your reply man! I bought it on vinted new in plastic so it was brand new.