Bonjour from Babolat: Part Trois

[gino]

@Babolat Official
im curious about something I’ve never seen before. I’ve changed grips on hundreds of rackets and analyzed hundreds of handles. I’ve never seen this before.

In the below photos are two separate pure aero 98 frames. One came from the TW playtest and another one from a small local local dealer here in Northern California. On closer inspection, there is a large plastic filler in the handle that I have never seen before, this is concerning for a number of reasons:

This is a $300 tennis racket, top of the Babolat range. How many frames have had the same treatment that people aren’t aware of? Does this compromise the feel? Does this compromise the integrity of the handle as a whole? Does this compromise my playing experience? I’m super frustrated and will have to work with my dealer on this . I drive to and from a local shop 30 minutes to give him my business whenever I can. It’s a shame that he might be funneled inferior product because the success of his store that has been going for 40+ years is largely predicated on the quality of the year he sells.

Is this common practice for Babolat in 2023?

@Babolat Official i guess you’re going to just disregard this one

 

[puppybutts]

@Babolat Official i guess you’re going to just disregard this one

what exactly are you expecting? a handle filled with 100% graphene? littered with diamonds? all tennis racquets are some combination of plastic and metal. plastic is a fickle topic as there are very cheap plastics and very high-quality plastics. for all we know, the plastic filler is designed to achieve a certain feel. some handles are hallow, some are foam filled, yonex has their VDM. i doubt any of those other options are much more expensive to implement if at all. I'm curious what you've seen from the hundreds of racquet handles you've analyzed that makes this so concerning.

it's no secret companies took advantage of COVID to inflate prices beyond what the pandemic actually warranted. it sucks, but it's not unique to Babolat. it's not like it's a secret that products cost much less to manufacture than they price they sell for. if it compromised anything about the racquet compared to other products on the market, I'm sure it would have come up by now as one of the most popular and most used lines.

perhaps they filled it with plastic to prevent this from happening again

 

[Injured Again]

If you can find more complete coverage of that Radwanska match and look at the point just before her racquet broke, she either bounces or smashes her racquet on the ground pretty hard. I’d guess the racquet was broken then, before she hit the ball.

 

[danbrenner]

Hi @Babolat Official so the real question here is will the 30th anniversary pure drive be the new model, or just a paint job of the existing model?
I think I speak for everyone here that no one cares about a new paint job on the existing model, it just seems like it’s been way way way way way way way overdue already

 

[Babolat Official]

Happy new year to the GOAT of all babolat reps. Anyway, will babolat make the next Pure aero with lighter SW ? like they did in 2018-19 ?

Thanks Nostradamus! Hope you had a good new year. We didn't lower the swingweight on the Pure Aero, it's the same as it's been. The range is +/- 10, so there are some that are lower than the published target spec, but that target spec hasn't changed.

-Josh

 

[Babolat Official]

Hi @Babolat Official so the real question here is will the 30th anniversary pure drive be the new model, or just a paint job of the existing model?
I think I speak for everyone here that no one cares about a new paint job on the existing model, it just seems like it’s been way way way way way way way overdue already

Hi Dan,

It will be a cosmetic of the current frame, not a new one.

Josh

 

[Babolat Official]

@Babolat Official i guess you’re going to just disregard this one

Hi gino,

I will speak t our quality team in France to see what they have to say and I'll let you know.

Josh

 

[gino]

Hi gino,

I will speak t our quality team in France to see what they have to say and I'll let you know.

Josh

Thanks Josh, appreciate it. I still have the racket, didnt feel comfortable putting my local dealer out trying to get another one

 

[Nostradamus]

Thanks Nostradamus! Hope you had a good new year. We didn't lower the swingweight on the Pure Aero, it's the same as it's been. The range is +/- 10, so there are some that are lower than the published target spec, but that target spec hasn't changed.

-Josh

then why does it feel heavier when i swing the new one ? change in polarity ?

 

[WacTennis2017]

@Babolat Official - will the 103 version still exist in the Pure Strike line? Maybe as a later release to V4? Thanks again for all of the information you provide on this forum!

 

[danbrenner]

Hi gino,

I will speak t our quality team in France to see what they have to say and I'll let you know.

Josh

Hi Josh. Now that the strike line is out-of-the-way maybe you could shed a little bit more light on the new drive line as to about when will it be released ?? Also can you comment on the string spacing. Have they listened and tightened it up like the aero line ?

 

[thelimfactor]

No!....make the string spacing even wider (or at least the same as current line) for the upcoming Pure Drive please Josh...especially for the 110!

 

[SinneGOAT]

Hi @Babolat Official

Was there a mold change between the pure strike Gen 3 and the new version? Maybe it’s the paint playing tricks with my eyes but it looks a little different.

 

[mavsman149]

I have a few old Swirly and 2003 Pure Drives as well as some 2012 PDR, what would be the best way to weigh up the swirly and 2003’s to be about the same specs as the PDR?

Maybe 5 grams at 11 and 2 and 10 under the handle?

 

[Doublebounce]

Will there be a RG or Olympics Colorway of the Pure Aero?

 

[Babolat Official]

Thanks Josh, appreciate it. I still have the racket, didnt feel comfortable putting my local dealer out trying to get another one

Hi Gino,

Sorry it's taken so long, but my guy in France was on an extended holiday over Christmas and just got back in to the office last week. I have a call with him at 8 am tomorrow and will speak to him personally about it and let you know.

-Josh

 

[Babolat Official]

then why does it feel heavier when i swing the new one ? change in polarity ?

Hi Nostradamus,

I imagine it feels heavier because the particular racquet you are trying is on the higher end of the acceptable range of swingweight for the Pure Aero. The target is 290, but it could be 280 or 300, so it's entirely likely you will feel a difference between any two given frames. It's the same reason why the specs listed by TW differ from ours because they test a certain amount and take an average.

-Josh

 

[Babolat Official]

@Babolat Official - will the 103 version still exist in the Pure Strike line? Maybe as a later release to V4? Thanks again for all of the information you provide on this forum!

Hi WacTennis,

Thanks so much! I do my best

The 103 didn't go forward for 2024, and I've not heard any plan to release another one.

-Josh

 

[Babolat Official]

Hi Josh. Now that the strike line is out-of-the-way maybe you could shed a little bit more light on the new drive line as to about when will it be released ?? Also can you comment on the string spacing. Have they listened and tightened it up like the aero line ?

Hi dan,

It will be released this week, and no, the spacing hasn't changed. The grommets are the same other than the color, so there hasn't been any change in the string spacing.

-Josh

 

[Babolat Official]

Hi @Babolat Official

Was there a mold change between the pure strike Gen 3 and the new version? Maybe it’s the paint playing tricks with my eyes but it looks a little different.

Hi Sinne,

I don't think there has been a change, the grommets from the 2020 version will fit the 2024, but it's possible other parts of the frame have changed. I will ask and let you know.

-Josh

 

[Babolat Official]

I have a few old Swirly and 2003 Pure Drives as well as some 2012 PDR, what would be the best way to weigh up the swirly and 2003’s to be about the same specs as the PDR?

Maybe 5 grams at 11 and 2 and 10 under the handle?

Hi Mavs,

I'm a fan of putting weight at the head and under the handle, ie, of it being polarized, but I have found you need to add more weight under the handle than in the head in general if you don't want to change the balance and swingweight drastically. I would check out the TW University's customization tool if you haven't already for help in where to put how much weight: https://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/learning_center/customization.php

-Josh

 

[Babolat Official]

Will there be a RG or Olympics Colorway of the Pure Aero?

Hi Double,

I haven't heard of any plans for any Olympic cosmetics, so unless it's been kept very tightly under wraps, I don't think we'd be able to produce any in time at this point. Unfortunately!

-Josh

 

[Nostradamus]

Hi Nostradamus,

I imagine it feels heavier because the particular racquet you are trying is on the higher end of the acceptable range of swingweight for the Pure Aero. The target is 290, but it could be 280 or 300, so it's entirely likely you will feel a difference between any two given frames. It's the same reason why the specs listed by TW differ from ours because they test a certain amount and take an average.

-Josh

Are you saying when Babolat tested it the Current Pure aero models had exact same swing weight as the previous year's model on average ??

 

[SinneGOAT]

Hi Sinne,

I don't think there has been a change, the grommets from the 2020 version will fit the 2024, but it's possible other parts of the frame have changed. I will ask and let you know.

-Josh

Thank you, like I said the paintjob plays tricks with my eyes but it looks a little different, like the frame hangs over the grommets more in the 2020 than the 2024.

 

[danbrenner]

Hi dan,

It will be released this week, and no, the spacing hasn't changed. The grommets are the same other than the color, so there hasn't been any change in the string spacing.

-Josh

Hi Josh. I was referring to the new model not the anniversary. Can you divulge when they are planning a release ?

 

[danbrenner]

@Babolat Official and if you know about the string spacing on that yet to be released one

 

[gjorg]

Hi Josh,

I tested the Pure Drive Team 2021 and wanted to buy it.

Is the 2022 Wimbledon version exactly the same? Because the distributors have it listed having less stiffness (69RA as opposed to 72RA)

 

[Babolat Official]

Hi Josh. I was referring to the new model not the anniversary. Can you divulge when they are planning a release ?

Hi dan,

Sorry! I read Drive as Strike for some reason. I don't have any info on the new Pure Drives yet unfortunately. Not sure how much I'd be able to divulge before any official announcement anyway, but I'll keep asking.

-Josh

 

[Babolat Official]

@Babolat Official and if you know about the string spacing on that yet to be released one

Hi dan,

Ditto for any technical information unfortunately.

Josh

 

[Babolat Official]

Hi Josh,

I tested the Pure Drive Team 2021 and wanted to buy it.

Is the 2022 Wimbledon version exactly the same? Because the distributors have it listed having less stiffness (69RA as opposed to 72RA)

Hi gjorg,

The Wimbledon Pure Drive Team is the same. The RA difference is likely due to most measure the frames strung, which will lower the reading, and we list ours unstrung. There is also a +/- 3 tolerance for our target spec for RA in general.

-Josh

 

[Chopin]

I have a question: is the Nadal Origin actually the same stiffness as Nadal's racquet? 73? Does he actually use that racquet or is that merely something close to his specs?

 

[Babolat Official]

Thanks Josh, appreciate it. I still have the racket, didnt feel comfortable putting my local dealer out trying to get another one

Hi gino,

Send me a dm with your email and I will send you a label to return that racquet to us. Sounds like the filler isn't supposed to alter anything in terms of specs or durability, and is common practice. The factory yours came from also makes frames for head and Wilson and use this in their frames too when necessary. I have never seen it either, and I agree it is not ideal in my opinion. We would like to replace this frame for you, so let me know your email. Thanks!

-Josh

 

[Babolat Official]

I have a question: is the Nadal Origin actually the same stiffness as Nadal's racquet? 73? Does he actually use that racquet or is that merely something close to his specs?

Hi Chopin,

From all that I have been told, the Pure Aero Rafa Origin is supposed to be exactly what Rafa uses in terms of layup, materials, stiffness, etc. He does tweak balance and swingweight from time to time, but not the frame itself apparently.

-Josh

 

[gino]

Hi gino,

Send me a dm with your email and I will send you a label to return that racquet to us. Sounds like the filler isn't supposed to alter anything in terms of specs or durability, and is common practice. The factory yours came from also makes frames for head and Wilson and use this in their frames too when necessary. I have never seen it either, and I agree it is not ideal in my opinion. We would like to replace this frame for you, so let me know your email. Thanks!

-Josh

Thanks Josh - will PM you ! Appreciate the explanation & thoughtful reply

 

[Boubi]

Hi, will Babolat Origin be proposed in Europe again ?

 

[pedrogcr]

Hey there everyone, especially @Babolat Official.

Does anyone know if the grommets/bumper of any of the more "modern" versions of the Aeropro Drive or Pure Aero will fit on the Aeropro Cortex (second gen - pictured)?

I have a very old Junior version (heavily customized to 27.5 inches) that is one of my favorite sticks, but the bumper is in pretty bad shape (the grommets are actually not bad).

I went ahead and purchased a set or grommets/bumper for the Origin, but haven't worked up the courage to remove the old onesbecause if those don't fit i'll ruin the racket...

Thanks for the help!

 

[Power Player]

Josh do any of your colleagues still use the older Pure Drives like the 2012? Is it possible that we can get grommets for those frames or are they relics at this point? It stinks because I love using the frame but the grommets cracked and split on my old APD and it's basically not usable anymore because I can't find grommets for it. Would hate to see that happen to the PD12.

I can still source grommets from my Head Extreme IG, which is basically like Head's version of the PDR except it still has available grommets to this day.

Honestly I think a LOT of people would buy a Pure Drive that has the normal spacing and feels/plays like the PD12. You all could basically reissue that frame and it would probably sell like crazy. The newer Pure Drives are ok, but more clunky and muted. Plus the open pattern basically gave me a totally different stringbed from one match to the next. On top of that the grip size is huge on the newer Babs, which is a bit annoying, but I still have some skin feels lying around to adjust that.

The PD12 was the perfect tweener, honestly. Changing the string pattern was not a great idea.

 

[David Le]

Hey there everyone, especially @Babolat Official.

Does anyone know if the grommets/bumper of any of the more "modern" versions of the Aeropro Drive or Pure Aero will fit on the Aeropro Cortex (second gen - pictured)?

I have a very old Junior version (heavily customized to 27.5 inches) that is one of my favorite sticks, but the bumper is in pretty bad shape (the grommets are actually not bad).

I went ahead and purchased a set or grommets/bumper for the Origin, but haven't worked up the courage to remove the old onesbecause if those don't fit i'll ruin the racket...

Thanks for the help!

The PARO (origin) doesn’t fit in the APD unfortunately. If I remember correctly, it’s a difference in the drilled holes but I can’t remember exactly which area.

Your best bet is to go on the auction site and get one from there cause none of the PA models (even 2023 with the tighter pattern) would fit on the APD

 

[Doublebounce]

Hi Double,

I haven't heard of any plans for any Olympic cosmetics, so unless it's been kept very tightly under wraps, I don't think we'd be able to produce any in time at this point. Unfortunately!

-Josh

How about a Roland Garros or Wimbledon limited edition paint job? I know this has been done in the past for several models.

Thanks Josh.

 

[David Le]

How about a Roland Garros or Wimbledon limited edition paint job? I know this has been done in the past for several models.

Thanks Josh.

Wimbledon perhaps but Roland Garros is a no. Wilson is the ball sponsor for RG for a while now and has come out with several RG limited edition PJ over the years

 

[mavsman149]

Josh do any of your colleagues still use the older Pure Drives like the 2012? Is it possible that we can get grommets for those frames or are they relics at this point? It stinks because I love using the frame but the grommets cracked and split on my old APD and it's basically not usable anymore because I can't find grommets for it. Would hate to see that happen to the PD12.

I can still source grommets from my Head Extreme IG, which is basically like Head's version of the PDR except it still has available grommets to this day.

Honestly I think a LOT of people would buy a Pure Drive that has the normal spacing and feels/plays like the PD12. You all could basically reissue that frame and it would probably sell like crazy. The newer Pure Drives are ok, but more clunky and muted. Plus the open pattern basically gave me a totally different stringbed from one match to the next. On top of that the grip size is huge on the newer Babs, which is a bit annoying, but I still have some skin feels lying around to adjust that.

The PD12 was the perfect tweener, honestly. Changing the string pattern was not a great idea.

They still show up occasionally, I bought 4 grommets for my PDs but they cost like 50 each

 

[codonnell]

They still show up occasionally, I bought 4 grommets for my PDs but they cost like 50 each

You can definitely find them, however pretty much all of the aeros and drives fit those grommets from 2012 back in the exception of the pure dive original. I do think it would be great if they made some more, could Even charge 20$ per set on tw and get plenty of sales. But a release of an older pure drive would also be appreciated.

 

[SinneGOAT]

@Babolat Official Ive been comparing the beam and geometry of the new pure strike to the prior generation, and I had a few questions.

Was there a mold change between the two? As on the gen 3 the beam hangs over the grommets more, and is more flat on the face.

Also, is the weighting around the gen 3 different than gen 4? I feel the 3 has weight in the throat and swings a little differently.

Thank you!

 

[marceloriosfan]

what exactly are you expecting? a handle filled with 100% graphene? littered with diamonds? all tennis racquets are some combination of plastic and metal. plastic is a fickle topic as there are very cheap plastics and very high-quality plastics. for all we know, the plastic filler is designed to achieve a certain feel. some handles are hallow, some are foam filled, yonex has their VDM. i doubt any of those other options are much more expensive to implement if at all. I'm curious what you've seen from the hundreds of racquet handles you've analyzed that makes this so concerning.

it's no secret companies took advantage of COVID to inflate prices beyond what the pandemic actually warranted. it sucks, but it's not unique to Babolat. it's not like it's a secret that products cost much less to manufacture than they price they sell for. if it compromised anything about the racquet compared to other products on the market, I'm sure it would have come up by now as one of the most popular and most used lines.

perhaps they filled it with plastic to prevent this from happening again

watch the whole match, she cracks the racquet the point before

 

[mavsman149]

Will the 2012 Pure Drive lite white grommets fit the 2012 PDR? I believe it's the same mold, right?

 

[Pekoms]

Quick question. I never tried any Pure strike but would like. I know gen 4 is out but now is very expensive. So between gen 2 and 3 wich one has better connection/feel with the ball, control, and generous sweetspot? I like control over power, to take big swings without the fear of overhitting

 

[Justin_Henin]

Hello,

Yes, the Pure Storm/Pure Control grommets (part number 900029) will fit the 2017 Pure Strike VS/VS Tour.

Josh

Thanks for your reply,@Babolat Official and the 2017 Pure Strike VS grommets(part number 900180)will fit Pure Control/Pure Storm likewise？

 

[Nostradamus]

Hi Chopin,

From all that I have been told, the Pure Aero Rafa Origin is supposed to be exactly what Rafa uses in terms of layup, materials, stiffness, etc. He does tweak balance and swingweight from time to time, but not the frame itself apparently.

-Josh

Josh, there seem to be some major design flaws in pureAero 2023 according to this video. uneven spacing in the grommets and rattling noise in the racket. does this play detrimental role in playablility of this racket ?

 

[Nostradamus]

So what you guys think about this Pure Aero 2023 ?? is this worth buying one and trying it out ?? Racket these days is so expensive that its really tough to just buy one to try out. and Demo really doesn't tell me alot about the racket with 1-2 weeks of testing period. Need good 4-6 weeks of trying to tell if the racket is worth switching to .....

 

[bobeeto]

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