babolat pure strike vs tour 320g

After going on hiatus for the second generation, Babolat is bringing back the Pure Strike Tour for its new 3rd generation of the line. The heaviest model in the Strike family, the new version now has a 16 x 19 string pattern and the latest in Babolat Tech. In the hoop the frame uses C2 Pure Feel (a mix of Cortex and a viscoelastic rubber called SMAC) to provide improved dampening and a softer response. The racquet also uses signature Pure Strike designs like Control Frame Technology , a blend of square beam stability and elliptical beam responsiveness. It also has FSI Power which widens the cross strings in the top of the pattern for easier power and spin generation. Having hit with the mainline 16 x 19 Pure Strike, I was eager to get my hands on the heavyweight version to see how it would measure up.

Groundstrokes

The new Pure Strike Tour essentially took all the positives of the regular 16x19 and ratcheted them up a notch. The 21/23/21 mm beam provided solid power without ever feeling too overpowered. The 12 oz strung weight put more mass behind my shots and gave me a heavy, penetrating ball off either wing. It was incredibly rewarding to crush backhands down the line with this frame. The increased mass and beefy swingweight did require some adjustment and I was lagging behind the ball a bit early on until I made the proper adjustments to my timing. The relatively thin beam width allowed for precision targeting from the baseline. I had no trouble lining up aggressive targets and hitting them with consistency. Spin production was more than adequate from the 16 x 19 pattern and I was appreciative that Babolat moved the Tour away from an 18 x 20. At times when I was getting tired, I think an 18 x 20 would have resulted in more balls in the net because of the launch angle. The 16 x 19 gave me some cushion to still get the ball over even if my swing speed slowed. Stability on the frame was outstanding. It was rock solid when dealing with big hitters and was able to consistently send balls back with interest. I never felt overmatched in rallies and appreciated the frame’s ability to avoid twisting or fluttering when I needed it to soak up pace.

Volleys & Serves

The Pure Strike Tour was a finisher at the net. It’s mass and power level made quick work of anything I got a good look at when I came forward. Even just a simple block volley was offensive because the frame’s mass just drove the ball through the court. Control was also very solid, and I had no issue placing volleys wherever I needed to, whether ending the point or setting myself up for an easy next ball. The frame’s outstanding stability also paid off at the net. I was able to consistently deflect high pace balls and extend points. At times I did miss having something a bit lighter overall, but the Tour was the most headlight of the Strike family, so it still played with a healthy dose of maneuverability. The slightly softer feel on contact also made it a bit easier to execute touch volleys but I’d love to see the Tour get a bit more flex for that extra bit of ball pocketing and finesse.

Serving with the Pure Strike Tour was like deploying field artillery. The increased mass allowed me to hit serious first serves with pace and a heavy feel that pushed returners back. The key was for me to relax and let the racquet do the talking when swinging. The weight and swingweight did catch up to me in long matches and I lost a bit of speed over time but that’s more a product of fitness and being used to the weight than any fault of the racquet itself. The excellent control of the frame was present on serve as well. I was able to guide the ball to the corners and serve with confidence under pressure. My kick serve didn’t have quite as much movement but again, it was likely my lack of necessary racquet head speed. I had a lot of fun with my slice serve. I was able to paint the T on the deuce side and go way wide in the ad court. I even started using it as a first serve tactic because of how effective it was at opening the court and giving control from the first ball.

Feel/Comfort

Many racquets that are new for 2019 have had their improvements centered on feel and the Pure Strike Tour was no exception. I felt prior versions of the frame were fairly harsh and unforgiving outside the sweet spot. The addition of C2 Pure Feel in the hoop alleviated much of that complaint. The new Tour played with clean feel on contact and minimal vibration, even on off center shots. It still had a modern, crisp feel but with a shiny layer of dampening spread on top now. I appreciated the uniform response across the string bed as it made it easy to predict how the ball would react off the strings. The racquet was more comfortable for me than prior iterations. I had some arm fatigue, but that was more tied to the swingweight of the frame. It’s still a firmly built frame so sensitive players could pair it with lower tension or softer string to maximize the comfort.

Having been skipped over in the Project 17 version of the Strikes, fans of heavier frames can rejoice in the return of the Pure Strike Tour. It boasts point ending power and control, precise maneuverability at net and the artillery to make quick work of service games. With improved comfort and feel, it makes a great all court weapon for advanced players. The new Pure Strike Tour is an outstanding option for those who want the mass to dictate and the responsiveness to play from anywhere on court.

About the Reviewer: Matt Locke formerly served for 3 years as the Junior Programs & Development Coordinator for USTA-Idaho. He is a PTR certified coach and is an active USTA 4.5 League and Tournament player.

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• Babolat Pure Strike vs Babolat Pure Strike Tour

Product Comparison: Babolat Pure Strike vs Babolat Pure Strike Tour

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• Has a nice steady plow for its lighter-weight and is stable while volleying surprisingly!
• Great racquet, slightly stiff but gives good ball feel.
• I moved from the previous Pure Strike 18x20 and I'm absolutely loving it.
• Wife loves this racquet. I use a pro staff...i tried the pure strike...pretty sweet!
• I play varsity tennis at my local high school and I felt that I quickly mended into this racquet and was able to instantly improve my game.
• Love this racket. Its the perfect specs for my game. It might not be for everyone since its a little on the heavier side but great build and great access to power and spin.
• Lot of plow through and very good control. Although it's very hefty.
• A great racquet with excellent drive and spin...
• Good Racquet. A bit on the heavy side but i like it
• If you're a player with good technique, able to prepare for shots early and have good physical strength over long periods then i would definately suggest giving this a try.
• Flexibility
• Most likely strung to the upper range for control. Spin is satisfying. Great all court racquet.
• The racquet itself is very high quality. After using mid-price racquets for many years, I decided to splurge on a top-of-the-line racquet and this definitely fits the bill.
• I'm an intermidiate player and this raket improved my game by giving more power and control.
• My groundstrokes were much more accurate and felt much more powerful than my old racquet.
• I am in love with this one, I am a powerfull player and the Pure Strike 16/19 is the best buy I ever done.
• Chose the Pure Strike Tour due to the overall specification and was initially pleased with the performance.
• String this with RPM blast at mid tension and you'll be in near tennis heaven (if your technique is good!).
• Stability against big hitters was near perfect and serves gained more power.
• Very well balanced and feels solid even when striking off center.

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Babolat Pure Strike – Review

The Babolat Pure Strike line has exploded in popularity over the last few years. Many people believe that it is as close to perfect with a combination of power, spin, and control.

Does it live up to all the hype in actual play? While taking a look at the Babolat Pure Strike, this is a closer examination of how it plays . This line might just be the next option for people to try out if other options have not worked for them.

Before going into the review, here are our overall ratings.

First Impressions

As soon as a person picks up the Babolat Pure Strike, they notice that it is a bit thinner compared to the other two main Babolat racquets . This helps with control a bit, as the frame can dictate how the ball travels and the connection a person has with the racquet.

It also has a bit more of a closed string pattern, but not too much that a person can’t generate any spin. There is still plenty of spin potential with a racquet set up like this, especially when a person starts to hit around with it.

Groundstrokes

This is a racquet that seems like it was built for solid groundstrokes off of both wings right away . Players can have quite a bit of control as they would expect, and there is a lot of available power. After all, this is a Babolat racquet, so all of their options will be built for the modern game that involves a lot of power.

What makes this racquet a bit unique compared to the other Babolat options is that it is easier to flatten out shots if a person wants to. Players do not necessarily have to hit with a lot of spin, but there will be spin opportunities available if needed.

All in all, groundstrokes are probably the best part of this racquet overall . It feels softer than ever before with the newest version, and that is great news for people who thought that the racquet was a bit stiff in the past. Instead of dealing with arm problems, players can play a modern game without having to go through a lot of stress.

The racquet feels solid and steady when serving . Players can feel like they are getting a good amount of strength behind each serve, and it allows them to place the ball with pinpoint accuracy as well.

Accuracy is always huge, but players should have the ability to tap into both power and spin with a serve as well. This is one of the most versatile racquets on the market today, as players can hit just about any serve they want and have success.

The extra mass and swingweight of the racquet definitely helps with the serve as well. Players notice that they can really start to dial it in after a few trial runs. The racquet might feel a little different for people at first, but then they begin to realize that it is potent and built for solid, dependable serves.

Is it the most powerful or the one with the most spin potential? Most likely not, but think of it as a racquet that is above average in both. It is hard to find too many that offer that combination, which is why many people have fallen in love with how it performs when serving.

Volleys with the Babolat Pure Strike are very good, especially when compared to the other Babolat racquets . There is more maneuverability and stability with this version than the previous two, as the third generation Babolat Pure Strike makes people more confident at the net.

If people like to get to the net as part of their strategy, or compete in doubles a lot, they will like how they can come in and get to the ball with confidence. There is an ability to put some power behind volleys when needed, but there is also outstanding control for touch opportunities.

The best way to put it is that when a person hits a volley with a Pure Strike, they never feel disconnected from the ball . It sits on the string bed a little longer, allowing people to make decisions with control. Sometimes it is not all about hitting powerful volleys, but putting them in the right place. This is exactly what makes this racquet stand out at that net.

Different Versions

With every new release in the Babolat Pure Strike line, there are more and more options popping out. This is good news, as it is slowly becoming a very popular racquet overall for those who want to hit with power and not have the ball go out all the time. This Pure Strike version is what most pro players uses .

One of the more interesting models available includes the 100 in.² version of the Babolat Pure Strike. Many wonder why this even exists, as both the Pure Aero and the Pure Drive already come in a standard 100 in.² version. With the Babolat Pure Strike 100, the beam is thinner, and control steps up a notch. It is fun to directly compare this racquet to the other two and see what feels best.

The Pure Strike comes in a pretty heavy option for those who are older and prefer the more retro type of feel with the racquet. Getting a good amount of mass behind each shot certainly helps some players depending on their style. It is one of the more amazing opportunities to hit with the tour version of this racquet, as it can really feel cumbersome compared to some of the others out there.

As more and more pros count on this racquet during their matches, it should come as no surprise that growing players are starting to want to give it a try as well. It helps to find a little bit more control overall, no matter how advanced or recreational a player is.

These are the specs for the standard Babolat Pure Strike.

Final Recommendation

Initially thought of as the third most popular line from Babolat, it seems like the company is finally starting to embrace what the Pure Strike brings to the table. That is also because more and more shoppers are gravitating towards everything these racquets provide. This is a racquet that seems very versatile, and players love having the ability to get that extra bit of control overall.

There is a reason why many pro players plays with this racquet. Not only on the ATP Tour, but plenty of players on the WTA Tour also plays with the Babolat Pure Strike.

Anyone who is looking for something a little bit different and arm-friendly from Babolat should give this a try. It is definitely different from the Pure Aero and the Pure Drive, which might fit a person’s game well. A person does not have to give up their power and spin for the sake of control, which is why so many people are eager to demo the racquet at least and see how it performs. If you are interested, you can check the current price on Amazon here .

Check out my other Babolat racquet reviews:

• Babolat Pure Drive
• Babolat Pure Aero
• Babolat Boost Drive

I'm Fred, the guy behind TennisPredict. Apart from writing here, I play tennis on a semi-professional level and coach upcoming talents.

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• babolat pure strike tour 3rd gen racket review

Babolat Pure Strike Tour 3rd Gen Racket Review

The Babolat Pure Strike Tour is the most performance focused member of the Pure Strike lineup.

It is the weightiest and most stable version of the racket Dominic Thiem endorses and is a great weapon of choice for an advanced player looking to get the most out of their game.

This weapon brings brute force and control together in one racket that will help you dominate on the court.

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This racket is not for the faint hearted, as it is difficult to swing and unforgiving if you don’t time your shots well.

However, it is a very rewarding racket to play with when you are dialed in, as the high swing weight and static mass offer unrivalled plow through.

It is easy to see how Thiem can generate such heavy shots by using a modified version of the Pure Strike, yet keep the ball in play so consistently.

The new Pure Strike Tour is a powerhouse that remains stable under pressure and can hold its own when the playing intensity rises.

From the baseline, I felt incredibly secure hitting with this racket. It is demanding and you really need to get in the zone to be able to hit with it properly.

It demands respect and intensity from you in order to get the best out of it, but when you do it allows you to hit with a lot of power and spin.

I found all of my shots were heavier when hitting this racket, although towards the end of my session it did start to take its toll on my arm!

This is a racket designed for the more experienced, hard hitting player that is after a weighty racket that can help them compete at the highest level.

Groundstrokes

8.5 out of 10

Off the ground, hitting with the Pure Strike Tour was an intense experience. It is a racket that makes you work for your rewards.

You have to be in the right place at the right time to use this racket to its full potential, since its weight and swing weight mean it will not give you much power for free.

It took me a bit of time to get dialed in with this racket.

I am the type of player that likes to work my way into a play test, starting off a bit slower then ramping up the intensity over time.

This wasn’t the best approach with the Pure Strike Tour. You want to be warmed up and ready to go from the off with this racket.

When you are swinging freely through the ball it does really reward your inputs.

The open string pattern and high swing weight allow you to clobber the ball and generate a lot of heavy spin on topspin forehands and backhands as well as slices.

However, if you are out of position or miss-time the ball, the racket can’t do much to help you.

That being said, the additional mass did mean that even flicking a passing shot had a lot of weight to it.

So in reality, this was a good racket for counterpunching as well as dominating from the beeline and being aggressive.

I felt that I hit my heavy topspin forehand particularly well with this racket.

As someone who sometimes struggles to commit to hitting my forehand aggressively, I found that the do or die nature of the Pure Strike Tour really encouraged me to be proactive and go for it!

The stand out feature of this racket was the accuracy that it offers thanks to that slightly smaller 98 Sq in. frame.

The new C2 Pure Feel technology also helps to dampen any excess vibrations that the racket may generate, which makes the experience of striking one out the middle all the more enjoyable!

This means you can really cover the ball with confidence and it will pocket in the string bed, allowing you to take big cuts at the ball with confidence, even with such a heavy racket.

Overall, the racket felt firm, crisp and stable.

I was able to lean in to my shots and attack the ball with confidence.

It felt as though the ball was coming back with less pace from the other side of the court, as my hitting partner struggled to deal with the extra weight of shot the Pure Strike Tour allowed me to generate.

Therefore, if you like taking big cuts at the ball and want a racket that will reward your efforts, the Tour is a great choice for you.

7.5 out of 10

Of all the tour variants in the Babolat range, the Pure Strike is the most control oriented of the bunch.

It offers a more dampened and neutral feel when compared to the Pure Drive Tour or Pure Aero Tour .

The means it is that much more usable when it comes to putting away crisp volleys or using touch and feel shots around the net.

Naturally, the hefty weight of this racket did make it a bit more challenging to maneuver, so at times I struggled to get the racket behind the ball as quickly as I’d like to.

This meant I had to be very alert and switched on when reacting quickly to a fast oncoming ball.

That being said, when I was able to get the racket into position nice and early it felt great to volley with.

The control frame technology really shone through when I needed that stability to put away fast oncoming balls.

Plus, when I needed to push the ball deep on a low volley when approaching the net, the Pure Strike Tour more than stood up to the task.

It was crisp and feelsome, yet dampened so I felt comfortable.

8 out of 10

Serving with a heavier stick can be a challenge, particularly as you begin to tire.

This is something I have found consistently when playing with performance focussed rackets.

Whilst they are great at offering you great access to power and plow through, they can sometimes be demanding on the body.

This was the case to a certain extent with the Pure Strike Tour, but I found the accuracy and spin that the racket allowed me to generate more than made up for this.

The ball really jumped off the strings and I felt I was rewarded for the extra effort I was putting in, the racket felt stable and well balanced on contact, whilst giving me a few extra MPHs in the process!

9 out of 10

I tend to prefer a more weighty racket to return serve with, as these rackets make it slightly easier to redirect power whilst remaining stable and solid on contact.

Therefore, the Pure Strike Tour from Babolat played right into my wheelhouse!

It was fantastic for managing my opponent’s big first serve, as I felt I could stand closer to the baseline and block the ball back deep on both the forehand and backhand wings.

The racket gave me the confidence to step in and take on the second serve returns, as I knew I could trust it to remain rock solid when direct the ball exactly where I wanted it to go.

Therefore, I absolutely loved returning with the Pure Strike Tour, especially for how early I could take the ball!

In summary, the Babolat Pure Strike Tour was a great racket to hit with.

It is aimed at the more experienced and advanced players out there that are looking for a nice solid, stable racket with good weighting and a responsive string bed.

The racket also delivered good control and feel, two things that you certainly look for as an advanced player.

Whilst its weight did at times make it difficult to react quickly with, the flip side of that meant I could generate a lot of power and spin even when just flicking the racket at the ball.

Overall, this racket was a crisp one that is a great choice for a player seeking that ultimate stability and plow through on their shots.

Is The Babolat Pure Strike Tour 3rd Gen Right For Your Game? Find Out With a Custom Fitting!

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Jan 4, 2024 • Babolat Pure Strike

Babolat Pure Strike Tour 3rd Gen Tennis Racket Review

A Powerful and Precise Weapon for Advanced Players Babolat's Pure Strike is one of our favorite racket families, celebrated for delivering exceptional control and the potential to unleash tremendous power. During our playtest, we experienced firsthand how this racket is tailor-made for advanced players with aggressive, full swings who want…

Nov 7, 2023 • Babolat Pure Aero

Babolat Pure Aero 98 (2023) Review

Looking for a high-performance tennis racket that will take your game to the next level? The Babolat Pure Aero 98 (2023) might just be the answer. In this review, we'll dive into the features and benefits of this popular tennis racket, helping you make an informed decision before your next…

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Babolat Pure Strike Review: Compare Different Models & Other Tennis Racquets

Will Boucek · June 25, 2024

When you buy a product through our links below, we may earn money from our affiliate partners to help support the site. However, this does not affect our evaluation or recommendation of each product.  See our list of partners & how we get paid here . You can also learn our process for reviewing tennis gear here .

The Babolat Pure Strike is one of the best tennis racquets for control on the market. Below, we’ll review the Babolat Pure Strike, including pros, cons, and different models of the racquet. Then, we’ll compare it to other tennis racquets to help you decide if the Pure Strike is right for you.

Review Summary & Ratings for the Babolat Pure Strike

The Babolat Pure Strike tennis racquet is not quite as well-known as Babolat’s other racquet lines. However, this racquet is one of the most balanced and popular player’s racquets in tennis today.

Used by Dominic Thiem, the Pure Strike is Babolat’s best racquet for players looking for better control and feel. Below, we will review the Pure Strike in detail, including the specifications, different versions, and the best alternative racquets. Our goal is to help you decide if the Pure Strike is the best tennis racquet for you.

See our ratings, plus the pros and cons of the Babolat Pure Strike below for a quick glance at how it performs compared to other tennis racquets.

Our Ratings for the Babolat Pure Strike

• Groundstrokes: 8
• Very balanced racquet for advanced players
• Great control and feel on both groundstrokes & volleys
• Generates spin easily (depending on the model)
• Very stable racquet against fast serves & volleys
• Good maneuverability at net
• Not great power on groundstrokes or serves
• Not a good beginner racquet

Different Versions of the Babolat Pure Strike Tennis Racquet

The Babolat Pure Strike tennis racquet comes in several versions that vary in weight and size. Below is a list of the different Babolat Pure Strike racquets on the market today.

• Babolat Pure Strike 16×19
• Babolat Pure Strike 18×20
• Babolat Pure Strike 100 16×20
• Babolat Pure Strike 100
• Babolat Pure Strike Team
• Babolat Pure Strike EVO
• Babolat Pure Strike 97

We’ll review each version in more detail below.

What did Babolat Update with the 2024 Pure Strike?

Overall, Babolat made subtle changes to the Pure Strike racquets for the 2024 versions.

• Babolat dropped the Pure Strike Tour from the lineup.
• New Pure Strike 100 16×20 added to the lineup.
• Babolat Pure Strike VS changes name to Pure Strike 97.
• Pure Strike 100 is softer and offers greater feel.

The main updates with the 2024 Pure Strike are the removal of the Pure Strike Tour and the addition of the Pure Strike 100 16×20. The new racquet offers a little more control than the regular Pure Strike 100, while also being more head light and softer. This makes the Pure Strike 100 16×20 move very fast through the air and more arm-friendly.

Other than the new racquet added to the lineup, Babolat didn’t change very much with this update. The specs are almost identical, with the exception of the Pure Strike 100 going down in stiffness. However, all of the racquets feature a slight increase in control and a more direct feel.

Babolat Pure Strike Review: A Control-Oriented Racquet

This is the 3rd generation of the Pure Strike, and Babolat has made some relevant updates you should know about. First, we’ll take a look at the specifications and show you how they will affect the performance of this tennis racquet.

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Babolat Pure Strike Racquet Specifications

The technical specifications of this 3rd generation are similar to previous versions. However, there are a few updates we will show you below.

There are several versions of the Pure Strike. We will be reviewing the most popular version (98 square inch, 16×19) here, and show you the other models below.

• Weight: 11.4 oz. strung
• Head Size:  98 square inches
• Length:  27 inches
• Stiffness:   64
• Balance:  330.2 mm
• String Pattern:  16 x 19

This racquet is slightly heavier than the other Babolat tennis racquets . It will offer better stability against pace and on your volleys.

The 98 square inch head makes this a high-performance racquet for advanced players who can generate their own power. If you need more help with control, the Pure Strike is a great choice.

This racquet has a 16×19 string pattern which will help players generate spin from the baseline and when serving. However, this racquet can’t offer the same spin or power as the Babolat Pure Aero . The Pure Strike makes up for that with better control and feel.

Other Sellers: Amazon.com

The Pure Strike Offers Excellent Control & Feel

Perhaps the biggest advantage you get with the Babolat Pure Strike is the control and feel on your shots. It is one of the best 8 tennis racquets for control .

The narrower beam, smaller head size, and frame technology all help to increase your ability to move the ball around the court with precision.

This 3rd generation incorporates a new dampening technology that helps you feel the ball on the racquet longer. This may sacrifice a bit of power, but improves your ability to place and control the ball. The frame design makes this racquet great for both groundstrokes and volleys.

This Racquet is Great for Returns, Groundstrokes, and Volleys

The added control mentioned above will help players change direction and feel confident in their shots.

However, the extra stability helps even more. Players will be able to defend more easily against fast-paced balls like returning big first serves or reflex volleys.

If you already have a good serve, but need help with the returns and groundstrokes, the Pure Strike can help. It’s also a great tennis racquet for doubles players seeking more control and stability on their volleys.

The Pure Strike is for Players Who Create Their Own Power

Advanced players with good technique and strength will get the most out of the Pure Strike. ATP player Dominic Thiem uses the Pure Strike 18×20 version. If you’ve watched him play, then you know that he has no problem hitting with pace.

Strong intermediate players should also consider the Pure Strike. It’s certainly one of the best tennis racquets on the market for this group of players.

While the Pure Strike does have good power for a 98 square inch racquet, it is not for beginner to intermediate level players who need help creating power. See the Babolat Pure Drive for Babolat’s best racquet for power.

This Racquet has Good Mobility & Spin

Because this racquet has a 98 square inch head with a narrower frame and isn’t too heavy, the Pure Strike is easy to handle. Singles and doubles players will have no issue moving around the court and recovering for the next shot with this tennis racquet.

The 16×19 string pattern will help generate extra spin as well. Babolat actually uses FSI Technology in the strings, which means there is added space in the crosses towards the end of the racquet. This extra space will grab the tennis ball more and help you create even more spin.

However, for an even more spin-friendly racquet, see the Babolat Pure Aero used by Rafael Nadal.

Reviewing the Different Models of the Babolat Pure Strike

There are several different versions of the Pure Strike 3rd Gen tennis racquet. Depending on your playing style and skill-level, one version might be better for you than another.

The table below outlines each Pure Strike model and its benefits.

For most players, the Pure Strike 16×19 is the best option.

• Only more advanced players should consider the Pure Strike 18×20 or the Pure Strike 97.
• Intermediate tennis players, or advanced players who don’t play too competitively, may consider the Pure Strike 100 or the Pure Strike 100 16×20. They are more forgiving racquets than the other versions, but will still offer excellent control and feel.
• Lower-level intermediate players who aren’t as physically strong and need something more lightweight can consider the Pure Strike Team.
• The Pure Strike EVO is for beginner or intermediate players on a budget. However, our best beginner tennis racquets and best intermediate tennis racquets have better choices.

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The Best Alternatives to the Babolat Pure Strike

Below are other tennis racquets similar to the Babolat Pure Strike that you may want to consider.

• Wilson Blade – Similar in terms of power and control with a bit more comfort due to a flexible frame.
• Head Radical – A racquet with slightly more control and stability, but a bit less spin than the Pure Strike.
• Solinco Whiteout – More comfort thanks to a more dampened feel with just a touch less power.

Is the Babolat Pure Strike Tennis Racquet Right for You?

Ultimately, you have to decide if the Pure Strike is the right racquet for you.

If you’re a high level intermediate or advanced player who can generate power easily, this is a great tennis racquet. It’s a player’s racquet for people with big swings who play fast-paced, competitive tennis.

The Babolat Pure Strike has an excellent combination of control, feel, and stability making it a very popular tennis racquet among elite players.

My Experience with the 2024 Pure Strike

The Babolat Pure Strike has always been a mixed bag for me. I have always enjoyed getting the chance to hit with any racquet from the Pure Strike line, but something always feels a little off, so I have never purchased one.

This time around I was able to practice and play some matches with the 2024 Pure Strike 97, which is the new version of the Pure Strike VS. It is actually the same head size as my current racquet of choice, the Yonex Vcore Pro 97HD with a similarly dense string bed.

I enjoy the extra stability and easy depth I get when using the Pure Strike. It is particularly helpful on the serve return and on defense. It still provides above-average control as well, and offers a very direct feel.

However, I was left wanting a little more comfort and maneuverability.

At net and on serve, I found that the Pure Strike could use a little more maneuverability. It felt a little slow through the air, which made it difficult for me to find the sweet spot consistently. 

The direct feel gave me extremely crisp volleys that devastated my opponents. But that same feel made the racquet feel a little jarring when playing against big hitters. While I don’t like a racquet to feel muted, I do prefer a little bit of dampening technology to help increase comfort.

Overall, the Pure Strikes are great racquets, they just aren’t for me. I would recommend this racquet to intermediate to advanced players looking for a racquet with a great combination of control and stability that don’t mind sacrificing a little maneuverability.

About Will Boucek

Will Boucek is the Founder & CEO of Tennis Tribe. With over two decades of experience playing & coaching tennis, Will now works as a doubles strategy analyst for ATP & WTA tour players and coaches. Will helps tennis players at every level play better doubles through smarter strategy. He also has expertise in tennis racquets & gear, testing the latest products from Wilson, Babolat, Head, Prince, and other tennis brands.

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• Tennis Equipment

Babolat Pure Strike Tour vs Babolat Pure Strike 18x20

• Thread starter henweezy
• Start date Mar 30, 2015
• Mar 30, 2015

The 18x20 feels sluggish as well, just a little lighter. The weight of the Tour seems to help with the unstable wobble these racquets have when swinging. The lighter 18x20 still needs to be strung with a .17 or .18ga string at or below 48 lbs to have any liveliness to it.  

RalphJ said: The 18x20 feels sluggish as well, just a little lighter. The weight of the Tour seems to help with the unstable wobble these racquets have when swinging. The lighter 18x20 still needs to be strung with a .17 or .18ga string at or below 48 lbs to have any liveliness to it. Click to expand...

• Mar 31, 2015

I prefer the PST, however the 305 g version plays very well, I didn't find any stability issues with it, it feels solid and hits a massive ball.  

Hall of Fame

I prefer the tour version for its massive plow through. That helps me to be more aggressive and hit bigger shots. The 18x20 is very nice, but I feel that it does everything less compared to the PST.  

I actually think its the aerodynamics when swinging the racquet that makes it swing slower and heavier. I don't feel it quite as much on volleys as I do on groundstrokes. The 18x20 has a serious dead spot in the upper hoop. It feels like hitting a hard tree branch and the ball immediately dies.  

RalphJ said: I actually think its the aerodynamics when swinging the racquet that makes it swing slower and heavier. I don't feel it quite as much on volleys as I do on groundstrokes. The 18x20 has a serious dead spot in the upper hoop. It feels like hitting a hard tree branch and the ball immediately dies. Click to expand...

I've had the PST since August and it's my primary frame, but in hindsight I would have bought the 18x20 and customized it. The main problem for me with this stick is that the balance is not quite right, which adds to that sluggish feel. Especially on low short balls where you really need to whip through contact. I'd add enough lead to get it up around 12.2 or so, but make it around 9 points head light.  

I tried both and didn't like them at all. I use a PDR+, and generally like babolats. Not the Strikes or Controls though.  

MisterP said: I've had the PST since August and it's my primary frame, but in hindsight I would have bought the 18x20 and customized it. The main problem for me with this stick is that the balance is not quite right, which adds to that sluggish feel. Especially on low short balls where you really need to whip through contact. I'd add enough lead to get it up around 12.2 or so, but make it around 9 points head light. Click to expand...

WhiteStripes

I've hit with the Strike 18x20 since September 2013 before it was even released. I've spent extensive time with all of three of the other Strikes as well (16x19 98, 100, Tour), and for whatever reason, I'm more dialed in to the 18x20 than any of the others. I have modified mine to 12 oz strung at a little over 7 pts HL w/ a RDC measured 329 SW, with much of the added weight in the handle and with a leather grip. I have not experienced one bit of wobble or deadness in the hoop, but all of my 18x20s are slightly over spec'd with a lot of mass in the head, and tailweighting them works extremely work. The 18x20 does have the smallest sweetspot of all of the Strikes, but I don't find it that much of an issue since I string w/ a gut poly hybrid in the high 40s or low 50s depending on conditions. My Strike 18x20s play a bit faster and whippier than my Tours, which is the main reason why I prefer the 18x20s over the Tours. In my younger days, I would choose the Tour. Both to me offer a bit more control than my 16x19, which I preferred of all the Strikes for serving, but favored the 18x20 and Tour for everything else. I've tried the 100 for a little bit (although only a demo for not very long), and it is a bit light and unstable for my tastes in stock form, but I've hit with an excellent junior who plays with it stock and he absolutely tears the felt off the ball. To be completely honest, I'm not completely fond of the feel of the Strikes, and prefer my old Pure Control 2001 and Storm Tours as well, but I play a lot better and win a whole lot more with my modified Strike 18x20. I've also spent a bit of time with the Blades, Speeds, and the Ai98 in the last year as well (and still have an Ai98 in the bag for kicks), and I can't necessarily explain why, but I simply play better with my Strike 18x20. As they say in basketball, "ball don't lie." As always, everyone has different tastes and experiences with racquets, so demo for yourself if possible.  

WhiteStripes said: I've hit with the Strike 18x20 since September 2013 before it was even released. I've spent extensive time with all of three of the other Strikes as well (16x19 98, 100, Tour), and for whatever reason, I'm more dialed in to the 18x20 than any of the others. I have modified mine to 12 oz strung at a little over 7 pts HL w/ a RDC measured 329 SW, with much of the added weight in the handle and with a leather grip. I have not experienced one bit of wobble or deadness in the hoop, but all of my 18x20s are slightly over spec'd with a lot of mass in the head, and tailweighting them works extremely work. The 18x20 does have the smallest sweetspot of all of the Strikes, but I don't find it that much of an issue since I string w/ a gut poly hybrid in the high 40s or low 50s depending on conditions. My Strike 18x20s play a bit faster and whippier than my Tours, which is the main reason why I prefer the 18x20s over the Tours. In my younger days, I would choose the Tour. Both to me offer a bit more control than my 16x19, which I preferred of all the Strikes for serving, but favored the 18x20 and Tour for everything else. I've tried the 100 for a little bit (although only a demo for not very long), and it is a bit light and unstable for my tastes in stock form, but I've hit with an excellent junior who plays with it stock and he absolutely tears the felt off the ball. To be completely honest, I'm not completely fond of the feel of the Strikes, and prefer my old Pure Control 2001 and Storm Tours as well, but I play a lot better and win a whole lot more with my modified Strike 18x20. I've also spent a bit of time with the Blades, Speeds, and the Ai98 in the last year as well (and still have an Ai98 in the bag for kicks), and I can't necessarily explain why, but I simply play better with my Strike 18x20. As they say in basketball, "ball don't lie." As always, everyone has different tastes and experiences with racquets, so demo for yourself if possible. Click to expand...

• Apr 1, 2015

henweezy said: I may try to shoot for a leather grip then add a little bit of tack, maybe 5g or so under the butt cap. Then I'm going to go from there. I've decided on the Tour version. Click to expand...

So IYO, a leather grip is enough tail weight. What about the upper hoop?  

PhxRacket said: So IYO, a leather grip is enough tail weight. What about the upper hoop? Click to expand...

MisterP said: My PST is 347g strung with a tournagrip xl overgrip and a babolat dampener. A leather replacement grip would be probably 5-10 grams heavier than the stock Syntec grip depending on which leather grip you buy, how big your grip is and how you wrap it. That alone would have this stick pushing 12.5-12.6. Adding another 5 grams anywhere would put it up in the 12.8-12.9 range, which I think is way too much. I think the added weight of the leather grip would be sufficient to get the headlight balance a lot of us are looking for, without counter balancing at the hoop. But, as always, you only know for sure if you try it for yourself. Click to expand...

To achieve more HL feel for my Tour G 330, I used the thinnest leather grip (Kimony) that weighed less than the stock grip and applied a crap load of lead in the handle and a little at 12. I'm sure you can do the same with your PST if you think the frame feels sluggish.  

• Apr 2, 2015

henweezy said: I was looking at the kimony grips but they can be so expensive! I think I'll be fine with just the TW private label grips. They're great and pretty inexpensive I do plan on getting another PST soon as I'm making a (semi) permanent switch. Of course I'll still have my PB10 Mid around to play with as she's still my first love. Click to expand...

henweezy said: MisterP, How did it play after you added the leather grip? I normally use a 4 1/4 but ordered a 4 3/8 so that I may use a thin leather grip to compensate. Click to expand...

I would too, but I want to keep it as close to stock as possible so I think I'll just tack on the leather grips and call it a day. Haha I hate messing with lead and others. If I am not satisfied, I will POSSIBLY add some blue tack in the handle but we'll have to see.  

I've tried both more weight through lead under the stock replacement grip and less lead but a TW 1.3 mm leather grip. I ended up keeping the leather grip on my 18x20. Not sure if it's the way the weight was distributed along the handle as compared to lead strips along the bevels, but I liked how my 18x20 played better with the leather grip. The most significant benefit was off the serve. While in the process of tweaking my sticks, I was trying out the mods alongside a stock racquet. Some of my hitting partners and I were pretty surprised how just the leather grip and a couple grams of lead at the handle actually boosted the serve of the 18x20 significantly for me, which had been the weakest aspect of the racquet for me. Except for the Strike 100, all of the Strikes are foam-filled in the handle. So unless you're going to dig all of that out, stuff like silicone and blu-tack aren't going to work.  

WhiteStripes said: I've tried both more weight through lead under the stock replacement grip and less lead but a TW 1.3 mm leather grip. I ended up keeping the leather grip on my 18x20. Not sure if it's the way the weight was distributed along the handle as compared to lead strips along the bevels, but I liked how my 18x20 played better with the leather grip. The most significant benefit was off the serve. While in the process of tweaking my sticks, I was trying out the mods alongside a stock racquet. Some of my hitting partners and I were pretty surprised how just the leather grip and a couple grams of lead at the handle actually boosted the serve of the 18x20 significantly for me, which had been the weakest aspect of the racquet for me. Except for the Strike 100, all of the Strikes are foam-filled in the handle. So unless you're going to dig all of that out, stuff like silicone and blu-tack aren't going to work. Click to expand...

The lead is placed in strips along the four main bevels. I also tried wrapping them around the handle in various spots. Doesn't seem like it would that big of a deal either way because you figure weight is just weight (and a fraction of a gram in this spot or that spot isn't going to make a deal), but I felt there was a noticeable difference as crazy as it sounds. I'm assuming the weight was more evenly distributed along the handle with the long strips, and for some reason, I liked it better. I'm also guessing that's maybe why I also preferred the leather grip over the lead strips. I spent weeks tweaking my Strike over seemingly minor stuff like this (I think some of it was documented in the thread on the Strike playtest that I was part of in December 2013), but in the end it was well worth it to find something that just felt "right" to me.  

WhiteStripes said: The lead is placed in strips along the four main bevels. I also tried wrapping them around the handle in various spots. Doesn't seem like it would that big of a deal either way because you figure weight is just weight (and a fraction of a gram in this spot or that spot isn't going to make a deal), but I felt there was a noticeable difference as crazy as it sounds. I'm assuming the weight was more evenly distributed along the handle with the long strips, and for some reason, I liked it better. I'm also guessing that's maybe why I also preferred the leather grip over the lead strips. I spent weeks tweaking my Strike over seemingly minor stuff like this (I think some of it was documented in the thread on the Strike playtest that I was part of in December 2013), but in the end it was well worth it to find something that just felt "right" to me. Click to expand...

• Apr 6, 2015

I owned the PC Tour and PC and couldn't tell the difference. I highly doubt ANYBODY could play with these two rackets blindfolded and tell the difference. I sure couldn't, and I performed the experiment on myself (without the blindfolds). Seeing as PS is basically PC, I think the same holds for PS.  

• Apr 10, 2015

Just head a short hit with Pure Strike 18x20 yesterday. Liked it a lot in stock spec. It had poly/multi hybrid at about 50 (guess). It served excellent too. The only thing I didn't like is that but cap is pretty small, almost no flare. However, this is pretty easy to fix.  

• Dec 5, 2015

Sorry to bump an older post, how is everyone doing with their PSTs? I went to a 2015 Blade 98 18x20 for a while and modded it up to be around 11.9 oz and 8 pts headlight. Kind of miss my strike tours since (to me) it does everything better. Will probably go back to my PSTs with 8 grams total at 3 & 9. That would probably make the PST 12.3 oz and about 5 pts headlight.  

• Dec 8, 2015

For what is worth I demoed pure strike tour and hated it...it was probably the string but it felt like a paddle to me... Pure strike 18x20 was nice but I thought it was too similar to blade so I did not see the need for it BUT on a whim I decided to modify it to thiem specs when one of the stringers from Japan posted his specs. and...it was awesome...if not touch demanding but really improved pure strike 18x20 stability and overal playability at least for me... One thing to keep in mind is due to terrible babolat quality control you might get one +\-7grams which is terrible and it will greatly influence your impression of the racquet since you might get it at 312 grams and 340 sw or 298 and 320 sw. If anyone is interested to try here's what really works for me in this racquet: Strung with over grip and no dampener 337gr 33cm bal roughly 345 sw Strung with gut mains poly cross (I use tourna big hitter blue rough) For cheaper setup I found that poly bhbr mains and babolat synth gut works well too  

dgoran said: For what is worth I demoed pure strike tour and hated it...it was probably the string but it felt like a paddle to me... Pure strike 18x20 was nice but I thought it was too similar to blade so I did not see the need for it BUT on a whim I decided to modify it to thiem specs when one of the stringers from Japan posted his specs. and...it was awesome...if not touch demanding but really improved pure strike 18x20 stability and overal playability at least for me... One thing to keep in mind is due to terrible babolat quality control you might get one +\-7grams which is terrible and it will greatly influence your impression of the racquet since you might get it at 312 grams and 340 sw or 298 and 320 sw. If anyone is interested to try here's what really works for me in this racquet: Strung with over grip and no dampener 337gr 33cm bal roughly 345 sw Strung with gut mains poly cross (I use tourna big hitter blue rough) For cheaper setup I found that poly bhbr mains and babolat synth gut works well too Click to expand...

henweezy said: How did you customize it to Thiems specs? What lead placement did you use? Also, I was thinking the same but for convenience I just wanted to get my racquets as stock specs as possible. Maybe some slight matching but nothing beyond that, hence why I would want to get the tour version. Click to expand...

dgoran said: It's hard to say since your starting stock specs might be different than mine but if I assume stock specs of 305 gr 32cm bal and 300sw you would have to add roughy 5gr at 3 and 9 like so: And approx 2-3 grams wrapped around the buttcap under the grip again position of lead under the handle will vary according to your starting balance which is usually very off Click to expand...

henweezy said: Thank you very much dgoran. I guess my best bet is to get a pure strike tour and a regular 18x20 and customize the 18x20 to see how it plays against the tour. I'd hate having to go through customizations to be consistent throughout 3 racquets since I will be using 3 of them. Click to expand...

Also I think pure strikes are very string sensitive I even didn't like them with full polyester And I use polyester On most of the sticks  

Doc Hollidae

Has anyone tried the Pure Aero Tour? How does the Pure Strike Tour compare to the PAT?  

• Oct 25, 2016

Doc Hollidae said: Has anyone tried the Pure Aero Tour? How does the Pure Strike Tour compare to the PAT? Click to expand...

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Babolat Pure Strike Tour Racket

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With the Tour model, Babolat adds a more advanced player's racket to the Pure Strike 3rd Gen family. At 340 grams strung and boasting a 330+RDC swingweight, this stick is ideal for the experienced player who wants stability and plow-through. This stick has the same spin-friendly precision of Pure Strike 16x19, but the extra mass, while more challenging to swing, results in a heavier, more powerful ball . Like other members of the Pure Strike family, this racket has a hybrid frame construction (called Control Frame Technology ), which blends the control and feel of square beam with the speed and dynamism of a modern elliptical beam. This racket also has FSI Power technology which features wider spacing between the upper cross strings for easier access to spin and pace. New to this frame is C 2 †Pure Feel , a material technology that combines cortex with a uniquely flexible viscoelastic rubber at 3/9 o'clock for added comfort and dwell time. From the baseline, the Pure Strike Tour doesn't get pushed around when your opponent's pace goes up. It feels wonderfully solid at impact, and it has the potential to generate dangerous levels of power and spin. Experienced players with sound mechanics will have the needed mass to send a simple block or outstretched flick deep into opposing territory. At net, the Pure Strike feels solid when redirecting higher levels of pace, and there is plenty of touch for hitting droppers and sharp angles. The extra mass also comes in handy on service returns where this stick feels very stable on blocks, chips and counterpunches. Aggressive servers who can get this stick moving fast will find the spin and precision to work the corners of the service box with pace. Ultimately, while the Pure Strike Tour is a demanding racket, it provides experienced players with the ability to hit a very precise and heavy ball.

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Babolat Pure Strike 98 Gen 3 Racquet Review

The third generation of the Babolat Pure Strike has been out for a while, but I have not gotten around to reviewing the 98, 16×19 version until now.

The Pure Strike is Babolat’s line of racquets for the more flat-hitting attacking player. What the French company does well is not to introduce too many racquet lines in their range. You can read about the different ones on my page of Babolat tennis racquets . The Pure Strike came out in 2014 in the Darth Maul-inspired black and red paint job and had both Tsonga and Thiem as poster boys. Tsonga went on to the Aero Pro Drive (which later became the Pure Aero ), while Thiem remained with the Babolat Pure Strike 98.

The new Babolat Pure Strike 98 continues the white paint job that was introduced with generation 2 ( Project One Seven ) but makes it bolder with black and red lettering across the frame. It is clear that this racquet is made to communicate towards the daring, aggressive player.

Thanks to All Things Tennis for sending me a demo racquet. It is hard to get the brands to ship things to Malta and we don’t have much of a tennis racquet market here, so I really appreciate it. Use the code TENNISNERD and get 5% off on all racquet purchases and a free stringing. You can buy the Pure Strike 98 from All Things Tennis .

Specs and tech

“ Better vibration dampening thanks to a new material integrated into the graphite of the racket that provides an incredible sound and a pure feel.”

The racquet also comes with FSI Power technology “which features wider spacing between the upper cross strings for easier access to spin and pace.”

What we can learn from all this is that the racquet is supposed to be more muted and comfortable than the predecessor and offer a bit more spin and power.

If this is what they intended to do, they really succeded. The new Babolat Pure Strike 98 16×19 is definitely more powerful, muted, and offers a higher launch angle than the predecessor. Personally, I enjoy the improved comfort, but the power is often too much and I struggled to control my shots at times.

My strung specs (one overgrip) were on the heavier side

Head size: 98 sq inches Beam: 21 / 23 / 21 mm String pattern: 16×19 String: Solinco Confidential 1.25 at 54 lbs Weight: 336g Balance: 32.5 cm Swing weight: 342

How does it play?

Like you can read in the first sentence, the Pure Strike 98 is all about power. More advanced players might find it to be a bit too much and long for the more connected feel of generation 2. I prefer the 2017 version over this one, but I find this racquet to be ultra-stable, powerful, and very easy to generate depth with. The muted feel is not my cup of tea, but I still managed to hit touch shots with it, so it’s not as disconnected as I felt at first.

My racquet felt pretty heavy with those specs. Not sure what happened in the QC department, but the TW review demo was 323g strung and had a 327 SW. So I definitely got a racquet at the top of the range in specs. I have talked about the issue before, so no need to dwell on it. Most manufacturers fail to offer decent quality control, especially considering that a tennis racquet is not cheap – if you pay more than $200 for a product, you need to expect something more.

Despite the heavy specs, I enjoyed hitting with the Pure Strike 98. When I was in the zone and playing well it was a huge weapon and allows the player to blast winners left, right and center. The issue is that the power might be overbearing when you’re not playing and moving well.

Stroke by Stroke

Groundstrokes were POWERFUL. You definitely need to add some spin on your shots to get the ball to land in. This is definitely the racquet in the Babolat range that requires the most from the user. This generation is definitely more spin-friendly than the previous generation. For my game, I enjoy a really controlled launch angle and would probably play better tennis with the improved control of the 18×20 version. If you hit with some spin and want to come at your opponent “all guns blazing”, this is a must demo.

Volleys  were STABLE. This racquet performs really well at the net. I was very impressed by the rock-solid stability of the Pure Strike when directing the pace from my opponent. Yes, I had a high spec racquet, but the high stiffness and the higher swing weight of gen 3 will make volleys easy.

Hitting Serves was a BLAST. Yes, serving with this racquet was another area I enjoyed. It is definitely a racquet for the player who wants to win the point and not wait for the opponent’s mistakes. You get a lot of free power and spin and the racquet comes through the air faster than with a Pure Drive or Aero.

Decent on Touch shots.  It took some time to get used to the muted feel, but once you do, you can actually hit with pretty good touch as well. I was actually positively surprised in this area.

Comfort is still a bit of an issue. Despite the dampening tech, it is not going to be your elbow’s best friend. It is more comfortable than gen 2, but it is still a stiff racquet, so it cannot really be recommended to players who suffer from tennis elbow or wrist issues.

Who is it for?

The Pure Strike 98 is for advanced players who like to play aggressively and go on the attack. The high swing weight makes it more suitable for players ranked NTRP 4.0 or above. If you have arm issues, there are more suitable frames. Using a full bed of multifilament or gut strings in this racquet will make it into a rocket launcher.

Final verdict

This is a nice racquet for players who are looking for power to finish off a point from anywhere on the court. You need to have quite good footwork and technique to harness all that power though and that is where I struggled. I preferred the previous version and felt like the Tecnifibre TF40 plays somewhat similar but with better comfort and feel. Still, there is no denying that this racquet can be quite intoxicating to use when you’re on your game. It could be a very interesting frame for advanced doubles players as it worked great on both serves and at the net.

Video review

Jonas Eriksson

Jonas has been known as "tennis nerd" mainly for his obsessing about racquets and gear. Plays this beautiful sport almost every day.

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The best racket I have hit with in the past 2 years.

UTR 10.5 (2012 PD Roddick user.)

What’s the difference between this and the one in the https://tennisnerd.net/gear/racquets/racquet-reviews/babolat-pure-strike-tour-racquet-review/19869 review ?

Yes, I might do a video of that, but in my case, with the specs being so close – there is no noticeable difference at all.

Looks like you may have got a Tour frame by mistake.

BELLA RECENSIONE, RISPETTO LA BLADE V7 16 19 COME SI COMPORTA? PENSAVO ALLA BLADE PERCHE’ PIU’ CONFORTEVOLE E SIMILE COME PRESTAZIONI, MI SBAGLIO?

The Blade does not need any customization (and does not offer much room for it) and is perhaps a bit plusher. The Ultra Pro offers less power and more control but is up to you how much weight you want to add.

I love this racquet and I fin it’s the best racquwt to rip single BH with. Spin and power is rediculous from 98sq frame. Ur review is spot on thatbu need good footwork and technique. Most players will only get to feel 1st, 2nd, 3rd, & 4th gear with this racquet. Most players wont be able to feel (5th gear) what a weapon this racquet is because it requires excellent footwork, technique, physical strength and spin production. Basically if i have a similar style and swing speed and racquet head speed like Thiem u will be able to access this hidden 5th gear.

Could you compare and contrast this frame with the Prince Textreme Tour 100 (310)? I really like the balance, feel, and solid playability of the Prince but I need enough power and spin to get good court penetration also. Could I get that with the Prince or do I need to go with this frame to achieve an aggressive backcourt style of play? I am a 4.0 counterpuncher aspiring to improve my game with a new frame (coming from Rebel 95). Thank you.

I tried all the pure strikes 1st,2nd and 3rd gen and as TN said the 3rd gen with the muted feel made me feel disconnected to the ball , it was like i was not interacting with the ball enough, it just didn’t work for me.

2nd gen is a good racket with everything in moderation and the feel is also above okayish i would say.

But the first generation pure strike with the red and black paint job is one of the BEST RACKETS i have ever played with ever, every ball that goes from the racket makes you feel the ball, the racket is extremely good at groundstrokes with just the right amount of power and spin considering it is a control based racket, the net play , the slices. I just loves everything about the 1st gen pure strike and couldn’t switch at all specially to the newer pure strikes it seems like they are just mixing pure drive and pure strike to make a newer racket from 2nd gen onwards. I would say if you have a 1st gen pure strike don’t sell it to get a newer one and if you really have to buy a racket similar to this, then try get a 1st gen pure strike if you can and see if it works for you 1) HEAD PRESTIGE (VERY SIMILAR) 3) WILSON PRO STAFF 97(everything is good you just have to get used to this racket) 4)WILSON BLADE (VERY SIMILAR) 5)HEAD RADICAL PRO 2021 ( I did not love it tbh but a good racket works for some people amazingly) 6) PRINCE phantom 7) PRINCE EXO3( very difficult to play with but is awesome) and the textreme is also really nice. there are a few more ik but i think it is enough u can ask me for more though. and tennisnerd you are just the best tennis channel out there , following from the very beginning.

hey ryan, i think you should get the textreme tour superb frame to play with, it also has some good spin potential and is very stable for the high weight it has and considering your requirement check out the pure strike 1st or 2nd gen and maybe the prestige and blade. The prince textreme tour has a very strong feel which you are definitely going to miss on the pure strike 3rd gen

Hello Jonas, Very nice review once again.

Can i ask you about difference in launch angle between this one and Prince beast 98 ? which do you find better on 1HB

Best regards, Drago

Improve feel by adding some copper tape at 3 and 9 extending all the way to 11 and 7…, as the muting rubber is exactly there inside the frame at the sweetspot. This will (re)connect the vibrations/feel to the frame. Also use stiffer strings in this powerframe. Like MSV Co Focus +/- Hex 1.20/1.23. It seems that the specs for this demo is the specs for the Pure Strike Tour.

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Babolat Pure Strike Tour Tennis Racquet

11226 Gold Express Drive #208 Gold River CA 95670 United States

2381 Fair Oaks Boulevard Suite 7 Sacramento CA 95825 United States

Description:

Babolat's proof of concept that we can have the feel of classic racquets but with the advancements of modern frames; The Pure Strike Tour. The thin beam, lower than normal stiffness and more exaggerated headlight feel makes this racquet a great blend of feel and control. Stability combined with feel, placing your shots accurately with the Pure Strike is the aim of the game. 

The Tour comes with a more tight 16x19 string pattern so spin can still be gained while keeping things feel and control oriented. The balance is more towards the handle and makes generating power a bit more tough but makes for a very stable racquet in the hand. I personally love playing with this frame as a serve and volley playstyle. 

Nothing compares to the feeling of hitting the exact spot you aimed for. Feel the Pure Strike's sharp control as you hit hard with full confidence, control the game on your terms, and keep all the pressure on your opponent.

With the 3rd generation of the Pure Strike, Babolat Evolves control for the modern game. Dream of that classic feel? The Pure Strike's sharp control is engineered to meet your demands as an aggressive hard-hitting player, combining dynamic control and pure feel for unprecedented response so you can own the court with every shot.

If you like a heavier racquet, the Pure Strike Tour will have you hitting a heavy ball as you control every shot.

Specifications:

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• The new Babolat Pure Strike VS – maximum control with full confidence

The new Babolat Pure Strike VS – maximum control with full confidence

The set is now complete! The launch of the Babolat Pure Strike VS means that all three of Babolat’s signature racquets – Pure Drive, Pure Aero, and Pure Strike – now have a specialist ‘VS’ version, offering enhanced advantages to those best suited to playing with them.

The VS series is designed to take the regular model of the racquet but make subtle changes that performance players will benefit from. The series began with the Pure Drive VS in 2019, the Pure Aero VS followed in 2020, and now the set is completed with the Pure Strike VS, aimed at high-skilled attacking players whose game is built around taking the ball early and looking for maximum control and precision.

Compared with the Pure Strike, the VS model has a slightly smaller head size. The head is 97 square inches instead of 98, which brings the extra precision, but it is better protected from scrapes with the court surface.

Babolat’s Tennis Group Marketing Manager Olivier Carlier says, “Every racquet has a protective ‘bumper’, a piece of plastic that protects the frame from damage if the player plays a low shot and the racquet scrapes against the ground at high speed. If you think of a racquet frame as a clockface, most bumpers are fitted from 10 o’clock to 2 o’clock, but on the Pure Strike VS we have extended it to running from 9 to 3 o’clock, to protect more of the frame and strings from abrasions, and maintain a high performance level.

“We worked on the stability of the racquet to offer maximum responsiveness,” he adds. “Responsiveness is the capacity of the ball to fly off the string, so the increased stability compensates for the small reduction in the sweet spot. The Pure Strike VS is the racquet in the Babolat range that gives most control, and with these adjustments, attacking players who hit with large swings will be able to play with full confidence.”

Added benefit for competitive players

The ‘VS’ label emerged over the first 50 years of Babolat’s history. The French family-owned company began making strings for racquet sports in 1875, and each experiment at improving the gut was accompanied by two letters to denote the material and the trial number. In 1925 the VS emerged as the highest quality of gut string, and Babolat has used the name ever since, mainly for its original product of high-quality gut strings, but more recently for other top-of-the-range products, like racquets.

The Babolat Pure Strike VS has a recommended retail price of €279.95. It comes with a leather grip for greater feel, and players wanting to buy two racquets can buy them in pairs with a guaranteed maximum weight difference of 1 gramme between the two – most tennis racquets (from all makers) can have a 7g variance across the same model, so the 1g guarantee helps the player know that if a string breaks during a match, the replacement racquet will be effectively identical.  

“Obviously we hope that players at all levels will adopt the Pure Strike VS,” says Olivier Carlier, “but during the two years we researched and tested it across the world, we realised we needed it in our range mainly for the competitive players. We have the three main Babolat models – the Pure Drive for baseliners who need to call on explosivity, the Pure Aero for those who play with a lot of spin, and the Pure Strike for attacking players who like to make the most of the opponent’s power to generate their own.

“By making the frame more flexible, we have given the Pure Strike VS a bit more precision than the standard Pure Strike by enhancing the responsiveness. We call it ‘sharp control’ as it gives even more precision with a perfect power/control balance.”

Babolat’s ‘most beautiful racquet’?

Visually, the Pure Strike VS will be as striking as its stablemates. Like the Pure Drive and Pure Aero VS models, it is a shiny chrome, but with the distinctive red of the standard Pure Strike colour scheme appearing as two stripes on the chrome. One brand ambassador has described it as “the most beautiful racquet Babolat has developed for many years.”

Another visual feature is the string pattern. Whereas the standard Pure Strike has either 16 main and 19 cross strings, or 18 mains and 20 crosses, the Pure Strike VS has a 16/20 pattern which Babolat’s research and testing showed was the best combination to create the optimum balance between control and power.  

So what kind of player will most benefit from the latest addition to Babolat’s range of quality racquets? Olivier Carlier sees a very clear spec: “If you play frequently, compete in tournaments, want a high level of performance and precision from your racquet, then you should certainly look at our VS range. And if you play with a large swing, hit generally flat, stay close to the baseline in order to take the ball on the rise, and often want to go to the net, the Pure Strike VS is the racquet that will allow you to hit freely with full confidence.”

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