Babolat BRPRR12

Babolat RPM Rough 17/1.25 String Reel - 660'

Line: RPM Rough

$289.00

Reference price as of June 2026 Not a live offer

RPM Rough is the textured version of RPM Blast, one of the most popular co-polys ever made. Like the standard RPM Blast, this string is a co-polymer monofilament with an octagonal shape and a special cross-linked silicone coating. RPM Rough is perfect for aggressive players who like to attack the ball with long, fast strokes. Our playtesters found it a tad softer and more powerful than the original RPM Blast, resulting in a slightly more penetrating shot. With its grippy surface, you'll find plenty of bite for bringing the ball down with spin. The durability is also quite high, making this a great option for string breakers.

String specs

Gauge	17/1.25mm
Length	660ft/200m
Composition	Co-polyester Monofilament
Color	Grey, Red, Yellow

Where to buy

Tennis Warehouse

What players say

Mixed 2 sources

RPM Rough 17 is the textured, thinner version of RPM Blast and reviewers agree it is softer, more powerful, and more arm-friendly than the original. The trade-off is less control and much shorter playable life, since tension and spin fall off within a week or two of play.

Best for

Players moving from multifilament to their first poly
Big hitters who want an arm-friendly co-poly
Players chasing easy topspin over pinpoint control

Pros

more comfortable and arm-friendly than standard RPM Blast
noticeable power boost and easy spin right off the stringing machine
grippy textured surface bites the ball well for topspin and slice

Cons

control is looser than standard RPM Blast, especially as tension drops
tension loss and notching happen fast, cutting playable life to 1-3 weeks
power can turn erratic and unpredictable once the string goes dead
one buyer called the spin boost short-lived relative to the cost of restringing

Voices

Compared to the standard RPM Blast, RPM Blast Rough is much softer, more comfortable and more powerful, but it won't offer the same amount of control, spin and tension maintenance.

— Andy, Tennis Warehouse playtester, Web

I thought it was a little bit muted, which left me feeling a bit disconnected from the ball as it left the strings.

— Andy, Tennis Warehouse playtester, Web

After the tension started dropping the strings started to feel too springy and unpredictable, which made it harder for me to control the ball.

— Troy, Tennis Warehouse playtester, Web

Fresh off of the stringing machine I found nice ball-pocketing and good pop.