2017 Pure Strike

brettatk

Semi-Pro
I'm getting a 2017 Pure Strike (16x19) demo delivered today. I'm really looking forward to hitting with it after reading all the reviews. I don't want to get my hopes up too much as I saw some negative reviews as well. Also getting a Pro Staff 97 to demo. I've been using Wilson rackets for the past 20 years (currently 6.1 95S) but I'm really hoping I like the Pure Strike.
 

time_fly

Hall of Fame
I'm getting a 2017 Pure Strike (16x19) demo delivered today. I'm really looking forward to hitting with it after reading all the reviews. I don't want to get my hopes up too much as I saw some negative reviews as well. Also getting a Pro Staff 97 to demo. I've been using Wilson rackets for the past 20 years (currently 6.1 95S) but I'm really hoping I like the Pure Strike.

Let us know what you think. I played the Pro Staff 97 regularly for a while, but there was a long enough of a gap -- I went through the Prince TT 100p and then a long injury layoff -- between it and the Pure Strike that I hesitate to compare them.
 

Cnote

Rookie
Have many people tried the PS 100 (2017)? I'm curious as it's been out a few months and there is still no TW racket review. All the talk is generally about the standard version.

I've had it since the end of last year having transitioned from the current PD and about a year before that the Graphene Radical Pro.

Both my previous rackets were great. The PD was better for my game than the Radical Pro.

The PS 100 is the best of the lot IMHO. It has similar levels of control as the Radical Pro and similar power to the PD. For my game it literally excels everywhere. I can't think of stroke which I struggle with. If I got tight with the PD I could tend to over hit. If I was tight with the Radical I would hit short and too flat. I've not experienced this yet with the PS 100 and I've played plenty of competitive (mainly doubles) matches winning and losing. I'm definitely past the 'honeymoon' phase.

Id say anyone who plays with a PD, APD, PA, Burn, Radical Pro, Open pattern Blades or Pro Staff LS should give it a go. I've mentioned these as I've either owned, hit with for a period or one of my tennis partners has one and has used mine and made comments.

I think this is definitely a sleeper racket for 2017 and Babolat / TW may be missing a trick in not trying to push the PS 100 more. If TW reviewed and gave it a high score that would generate more people's interest alone.

I liked the standard PS but IMHO don't think it deserved such a high score but that's my own personal opinion and that won't be the case for everyone. I think the 100 does most things better and would suit recreational and advanced players better.

I play full MSV Focus Hex at 55lbs and I've had no arm or elbow issues. (I've not had any issues with any racket tbh)

PS100
Positives
Forehands - Pace, control and spin
Backhands - As above and slice is great too
Serve - As above
Returns - Stable enough to block and quick enough to manouver to attack
Volleys - way more stable than the weight suggest (no issues playing doubles agains various levels of player) and easy to manouver.
Offence - as per forehand and backhand it can generate tons of pace with great control
Defence - Can flick or push shots back in to play

Negatives
N/A

All this is my subjective opinion.


Thanks for this feedback. From the reading that I have been doing about the 100 vs 98 it seems like the former would be more appealing to the vast majority of club players. I currently use the original 16x19 but thinking about upgrading so again this helps me a lot with the decision process. And I agree, it would be nice to see what the TW staff says about this one.
 

topspn

G.O.A.T.
I certainly enjoyed this racquet for a couple of weeks. It does a lot very well! I have went back to my Angells as to still could not compete on level of precision, feel (one 7 is a bit brassy and you feel it more over time). My angels also serve better especially on kick serves. Really good racquet though
 

lwto

Hall of Fame
Just ordered the 20.18, am I going to like this stick? Please tell me I am.
I am nervous about the 20.18 as the reviewers were saying it didn't have easy power, which in my mind means it might be underpowered somewhat. I've used the BLX Blade 18.20 and had plenty of power, but I think perhaps the stringing pattern on the PS is a little denser, I'm not sure. I shied away from the 16.19 as I've been a little loosy with that combo before and the hopes that it acts more like the blade kept swirling in my head. Anyway, I'll give it a shot and see where we go.
 

DJTaurus

Hall of Fame
The best Strike of the line and in general the best Babolat racquet right now is by far Pure Strike Team. Dont get fooled by low weight. Its pretty stable. I hated project one...overpowered, couldnt lift low balls, it hurted my wrist, i had no consistency/control and in general it was very heavy to play with....after a while it dragged me down on serves. Team is an amazing stick. Even more power from Pure Aero Vs but with control (with pure aero vs you have always to play with a relaxed arm otherwise balls will fly away), huge sweatspot, very easy to swing, very stable (it must be the new material) and ideal also for 1HB. My current favourite rackets are Blade 98S and Yonex DR100 but i was so impressed with Strike Team i am gonna order it and give it a try. The most important thing which i like is its balance (33cm).... like blade you get tons of plow throught and when its combined with super stable stick in a lightweight/arm friendly package then you have a winner. Give it a try and you wont regret it.... its even better than the 100 sq version. And again dont be afraid of its weight... it has all the plow thought you will need in order not to overswing. Enough is enough from the generic reviews that lighweight rackets are only for beginners....
 
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1990's Graphite

Hall of Fame
The best Strike of the line and in general the best Babolat racquet right now is by far Pure Strike Team. Dont get fooled by low weight. Its pretty stable. I hated project one...overpowered, couldnt lift low balls, it hurted my wrist, i had no consistency/control and in general it was very heavy to play with....after a while it dragged me down on serves. Team is an amazing stick. Even more power from Pure Aero Vs but with control (with pure aero vs you have always to play with a relaxed arm otherwise balls will fly away), huge sweatspot, very easy to swing, very stable (it must be the new material) and ideal also for 1HB. My current favourite rackets are Blade 98S and Yonex DR100 but i was so impressed with Strike Team i am gonna order it and give it a try. The most important thing which i like is its balance (33cm).... like blade you get tons of plow throught and when its combined with super stable stick in a lightweight/arm friendly package then you have a winner. Give it a try and you wont regret it.... its even better than the 100 sq version. And again dont be afraid of its weight... it has all the plow thought you will need in order not to overswing. Enough is enough from the generic reviews that lighweight rackets are only for beginners....

Great write up and honest. Does it feel tinny hollow like the p17? Is the team 100sq in?
 

DJTaurus

Hall of Fame
Great write up and honest. Does it feel tinny hollow like the p17? Is the team 100sq in?

Yeap 100sq. Sorry i have to disagree i don't find p17 hollow at all. I found it more solid and lively than those plastic feel rocket launchers like pure drive/pure aero. Team plays like one piece but you can't compare these two rackets. Their only similarity is the paint job. Totally different stick in every area. I am so excited cause most lightweight sticks are even balanced but that's not the case with Strike team. Another great underdog i suggest everyone to test is Wilson ultra 97....
 

dante.hua

New User
How does ps100 or p17 compared to Yonex Ai100? I currently play with the Ai and find it somehow harsh on arm when miss hit to the sweetspot

Gửi từ Lenovo A7010a48 của tôi bằng cách sử dụng Tapatalk
 

1990's Graphite

Hall of Fame
Yeap 100sq. Sorry i have to disagree i don't find p17 hollow at all. I found it more solid and lively than those plastic feel rocket launchers like pure drive/pure aero. Team plays like one piece but you can't compare these two rackets. Their only similarity is the paint job. Totally different stick in every area. I am so excited cause most lightweight sticks are even balanced but that's not the case with Strike team. Another great underdog i suggest everyone to test is Wilson ultra 97....

The teams from bab always seem to produce the best, the pure drive team circa 2002-ish was the best pure drive iteration. I came from classic heada, to the yonex ai98, and dabbled a bit with the babs, and yes you are right the aeros and drives are hollow. The p17 was brassy tinny for me, but maybe given my racquet history and current frame the wilson ps97s which is so solid and plush. The ultra is another one which is praised here... Do post your findings about the team.. it could work in a polarized setup those wanting to add some weight to 12" and the handle...
 

!<-_->!

Hall of Fame
How are you guys finding the quality control on the Pure Strikes? I have a pair and one is about 10g heavier than the other. Balance is about the same though, but one swings noticeably heavier. I have the 16x19 for reference.
 

Automatix

Legend
Warranty it...thats out of Babs specs +-7, They will send you a new one
Only if one of the 2 is more than 7g out of spec. Keep in mind that @!<-_->! wrote that one is 10g heavier than the other meaning one can be +5g and the other -5g so both could be in the tolerance range. Although that would be a case of real bad luck to get 2 frames on the opposite sites of the spectrum.
 

!<-_->!

Hall of Fame
I'll have to wait and check the weight as I've swapped out the original grip for a leather one and have them both strung up differently. No longer have the original base grips, but can't imagine the strings causing that large of a deviation. Given all things equal currently, with the same exact mods on both rackets but just different string setup it's about a 10g difference.
 

time_fly

Hall of Fame
How are you guys finding the quality control on the Pure Strikes? I have a pair and one is about 10g heavier than the other. Balance is about the same though, but one swings noticeably heavier. I have the 16x19 for reference.

TW claims a strung swingweight of 4pt HL, but mine have all been around 7-8. I think 7 is actually more reasonable compared to the Babolat unstrung spec. Aside from that, no issues.
 

brettatk

Semi-Pro
Let us know what you think. I played the Pro Staff 97 regularly for a while, but there was a long enough of a gap -- I went through the Prince TT 100p and then a long injury layoff -- between it and the Pure Strike that I hesitate to compare them.

I hit with the Pro Staff 97 2016 and the Babolat Pure Strike 98 16x19 last week. As much as I wanted to like the Pure Strike, I found myself liking the Pro Staff 97 more. Control just wasn't there when I took a big swing. I think I might have been able to customize the Babolat to work for me but I didn't want to take the chance. I liked the Pro Staff as soon as I hit with it. It felt a lot more comfortable to me. Felt like power and spin were easily accessible from any position on the court. I think it just suits my game more than the Babolat. I just ordered two Pro Staffs and will be receiving them later this week. It looks like I will be getting a Babolat bag though. I just don't like the colors of the Wilson bags, especially the ones with thermal protection. I'm going to keep looking though. I've always matched my racket with my bag but I guess that might be something I have to get over.
 

DANMAN

Professional
As a follow up to people asking what is so good about this racket, I've stated my opinion but there is one observation I'd make. I can't find one in my grip size (5/8) at any major online retailer. I've never seen a frame out of stock for this long. Either initial production was very low or demand was very high. I favor the latter but to be fair have not seen a ton of people in my area using them.
 

!<-_->!

Hall of Fame
As a follow up to people asking what is so good about this racket, I've stated my opinion but there is one observation I'd make. I can't find one in my grip size (5/8) at any major online retailer. I've never seen a frame out of stock for this long. Either initial production was very low or demand was very high. I favor the latter but to be fair have not seen a ton of people in my area using them.

I think the 5/8 is your issue. If you look at the classified section, it's almost always 1/4 and 3/8 being listed. The few that are 1/2 tend to sit for a while. Rarely ever see a 5/8 Babolat being listed for sale.

However, I too haven't really seen anyone in my area using it. I only know of one other person who has them.
 

Bender

G.O.A.T.
Call it whatever you like, it's still a tinny babolat :)
Normally I'd be inclined to agree with you despite being a huge Babolat fan (although I've been on the Wilson PS90 for the last four years), but this Pure Strike is so lovely precisely because it doesn't play like a Babolat.

Played with it on a few occasions, first time with synth gut and ALU crosses--felt like a Volkl frame (in a good way), which was the last thing I expected.
 

DANMAN

Professional
I think the 5/8 is your issue. If you look at the classified section, it's almost always 1/4 and 3/8 being listed. The few that are 1/2 tend to sit for a while. Rarely ever see a 5/8 Babolat being listed for sale.

However, I too haven't really seen anyone in my area using it. I only know of one other person who has them.

Look at tennis warehouse and competitors. Basically every grip size is sold out until at least mid April.
 

bjn74

Rookie
Bought a used 18x20 pure strike just based on reviews to try out. Have been playing with a 2015 blade 16x19 for the last 12 months. Played 2 sets last night. I found serving with the PS a really easy transition and was serving more accurately with more pace and spin from pretty much the first game. I think the balance just allowed me to get more racket head speed. When I switched back to the blade for a couple of games it felt sluggish and my serve was off. Went back to PS and all was great again. My backhand (one hander) was more consistent, both with topspin and slice. Forehand was a bit inconsistent and not as effective as with the blade with not as much power or depth. My forehand is usually my strength. Other than serve I noticed the reduced power of the PS and the smaller sweet spot. PS felt great when making clean contact, but definitely not as forgiving as the blade. I liked the feel of the PS though and am now interested to try the 16x19 version to see how that compares. I'll keep playing the 18x20 until then to see if I can get my forehand dialed in. Overall a good first impression. I also weighed the PS and it's probably about 5 grams under spec. It weighs 324 grams with Wilson pro over-grip and dampener.
 

1990's Graphite

Hall of Fame
Normally I'd be inclined to agree with you despite being a huge Babolat fan (although I've been on the Wilson PS90 for the last four years), but this Pure Strike is so lovely precisely because it doesn't play like a Babolat.

Played with it on a few occasions, first time with synth gut and ALU crosses--felt like a Volkl frame (in a good way), which was the last thing I expected.

Strings can change frames and the way they feel, as I said earlier my current frames make others (not all) feel hollowish /tinny.... Maybe if I tried full gut ./syngut I would have a different opinion... time will tell though, a lot are reporting injuries, then again a lot has to do with technique, strings e.t.c
 
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topspn

G.O.A.T.
So I now have to reverse my position on comfort. I wasn't feeling it at first and really enjoyed this frame in so many ways. I added a fairway grip and a gram lead @12. It takes some time to feel it but I do get forearm soreness when I hit with the PS17. It took a few weeks to build up to that but it’s occurring to my dismay. I have to switch to another frame and it eases off.
 

1990's Graphite

Hall of Fame
So I now have to reverse my position on comfort. I wasn't feeling it at first and really enjoyed this frame in so many ways. I added a fairway grip and a gram lead @12. It takes some time to feel it but I do get forearm soreness when I hit with the PS17. It took a few weeks to build up to that but it’s occurring to my dismay. I have to switch to another frame and it eases off.

This does seem to be a trend that creeps up on you, it's unfortunate because many have great results with this frame. I know some people who stick with it regardless of pain / discomfort, others move on and find something more suitable...
 

beltsman

G.O.A.T.
This does seem to be a trend that creeps up on you, it's unfortunate because many have great results with this frame. I know some people who stick with it regardless of pain / discomfort, others move on and find something more suitable...

What exactly about this causes pain though? It's not THAT stiff.
 

RVAtennisaddict

Professional
In my 18x20. I have to say the tour bite 18g is the best I have tried so far.. Much more spin, better pop, and softer feeling than my rpm blast 18g I have been using. I had ordered my 2017 18x20 with the tour bite, and liked it much more than the previous version. Now that I am back to RPM in the new frame, the difference between frames is not a great as originally perceived (the stringing made a big difference). Next will be ordering Tour bites to put in one of my older 18x20 frames and then reassess again.

I am tempted to try the Thiem set up at some point, just as a comparison.

Not really having elbow pain. I do occasionally get some shoulder pain and some rattling shots, but it is better with the 2017 frame (which is thicker through the loop compared side-by-side).
 

1990's Graphite

Hall of Fame
What exactly about this causes pain though? It's not THAT stiff.

Not sure what the science behind it is, like all other babs they do affect a lot of users at one point more than other brands. Some people have reported issues with flexy frames under 65ra... maybe it's the materials, don't know....
 

Serjojeee

Rookie
Not sure what the science behind it is, like all other babs they do affect a lot of users at one point more than other brands. Some people have reported issues with flexy frames under 65ra... maybe it's the materials, don't know....
If you are not sure about the science behind it and of course you don't have the statistic numbers behind it, why saying this things about Babolat? Or maybe you think that they are cursed with TE spell? I believe Nadal should carry a mojo of dried chicken leg in his pocket!
 

1990's Graphite

Hall of Fame
If you are not sure about the science behind it and of course you don't have the statistic numbers behind it, why saying this things about Babolat? Or maybe you think that they are cursed with TE spell? I believe Nadal should carry a mojo of dried chicken leg in his pocket!

There are posters here including some manufacturers who can explain more in detail what it is about certain babolats that causes pain such as elbow, wrist, e.t.c. I have used and tried some babs that were very good in that regard, pure controls, and some pro stocks which were very flexy. Now before you jump the gun, this has nothing to do with me saying something to offend a company, just echoing what has been said here from apd, pure strike, drive users...
Nadal has his own rituals, and chicken sounds about good right now.
 

Alien

Hall of Fame
There are posters here including some manufacturers who can explain more in detail what it is about certain babolats that causes pain such as elbow, wrist, e.t.c. I have used and tried some babs that were very good in that regard, pure controls, and some pro stocks which were very flexy. Now before you jump the gun, this has nothing to do with me saying something to offend a company, just echoing what has been said here from apd, pure strike, drive users...
Nadal has his own rituals, and chicken sounds about good right now.

There is no secret here, the stiffer the frame the more power but the more chances of having arm problems. It may happen with the Pure Drive but also with Wilson Burn, Juice for instance.
 

Serjojeee

Rookie
Bad technique is the only factor. There are no raquets comfy enough, when you are mishitting lots of balls. And even this will only ruin your wrist, as the first joint, dealing with shockwave. I do some of my fitness routine, hitting the punching bag - that thing have an ra of 7000, your whole body feel that bomb. And guess what - you only feel the affect of it in your wrists. And TE is tendons overuse - too much work though too small muscle. Change the technique or nothing will help you.
 

time_fly

Hall of Fame
I hated project one...couldnt lift low balls ...

This is interesting. Aside from the stiff feel off-center, to me this is the other downside of this racquet. I find it much harder to lift low balls with topspin than I do with other 16x19 rackets, or even my TT Tour 100p. I end up blocking, chipping, or slicing them back even on the forehand, whereas before I switched to this racquet, I would be more likely to slice on the backhand but lift on the forehand. Anyone else notice this? I chalk it up to the 8 mains down the center.
 

smalahove

Hall of Fame
Ok, so I caved in and bought the 16x19 version and have had two training sessions with it. I didn't bother restringing it (it came w/ spiraltek). I did try it briefly a couple of times before and didn't like it, but it was too short of a time to make a fair assessment, so it seems. My initial thoughts (now):

  • It's a great allround frame.
  • Very different to the old version. Plusher, more muted, livelier stringbed, more comfortable, more solid, more easy depth.
  • some compare to the AI family, as being between the DR98 and DR100. To me, I have a hard time finding that common ground to the Yonex frames. But imo, it reminds me a lof the textreme tour frames.
  • It fits in between the Textreme Tour 95 and Tour 100P. On a sidenote, if the TT95 had that extra pop the PS has, it'd be perfect (maybe it should have been stiffer?).
 

topspn

G.O.A.T.
Really enjoyed this frame in so many ways but finally had to sell it. Overtime it gave me forearm discomfort that became too much.
 

Automatix

Legend
Didn't your avatar used to be the Pure Strike? If so you very suddenly changed opinions on that frame.
IIRC Rolands experience was that the frame does everything well and the comfort is OK at first but after a while he developed health issues. A friend of mine had a similar experience with an older Pure Drive. Loved the frame, had a huge serve with it until after a couple of months (?) the health issues started - first an elbow brace, then a break from tennis due to pain... When he healed he tried to use the PD but just couldn't any more. Switched to a MG Radical MP and he was pain free, though his game never reached the same level as back in the day...
 

Roland G

Hall of Fame
Didn't your avatar used to be the Pure Strike? If so you very suddenly changed opinions on that frame.
I played with it for two months. At first, I really enjoyed it and was playing well with it and really starting to gel. Then I got pains in my wrist, forearm and elbow. Once that crept in I found the frame stiff, brassy and uncomfortable to use. I ditched them and pretty quickly the arm issues went away. Same strings, tension and same strokes of course. I wanted to like it but it just wasn't for me I suppose
 

RVAtennisaddict

Professional
What did you switch too? I am just starting to get some elbow issues.. but wondering if I was the string change to 18g rpm blast at 54... I liked the tour bite better.. but may drop the tension and switch back to tour bite... before switching frames

Would consider prestige mp, prostaff 97, head speed pro on my short list, maybe one of the yonnex.. but looking for suggestions..

I know the demo it statement coming, but I find buying and setting up for me (leather grip, strings, etc) and playing with it for a while is the only way I really know.
 

Alien

Hall of Fame
Four months with the racquet. Very intense, like playing six times a week. Some minor discomfort in the wrist but cannot attribute it to the PS17. I used to have TE with other racquets but not the single problem there.

Weiss Cannon Scorpion 17L at 48lbs. 2g of lead at 12.

I love it. Great power, great control. A whole new level opened for me. Serving is where I have had more problems, not really at same pace than with my previous head heavy Blade.
 

Roland G

Hall of Fame
What did you switch too? I am just starting to get some elbow issues.. but wondering if I was the string change to 18g rpm blast at 54... I liked the tour bite better.. but may drop the tension and switch back to tour bite... before switching frames

Would consider prestige mp, prostaff 97, head speed pro on my short list, maybe one of the yonnex.. but looking for suggestions..

I know the demo it statement coming, but I find buying and setting up for me (leather grip, strings, etc) and playing with it for a while is the only way I really know.
Well I have a bunch of Dunlop Biomimetic 400 Tours that I've been using for years. They are pretty headlight with a low swingweight so I've added 7g of lead to the head.
They are powerful enough and comfortable strung with soft-er 18g or 17g poly.

I've tried many frames over the years but keep coming back to them. I did enjoy the Blade 18x20 a lot but found it low-powered. Also, enjoyed the Pro Staff 97 too.

I'm interested in the Volkl 8 315g at the moment so might pull the trigger on one of those soon.
 
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