Babolat Pure Aero 2019

I'm not really a fan of the current pure drive. I liked the one before it more, the 2015 I think. The new ones have more power for sure and a more open pattern which makes them feel softer but they become even more vague feeling if that's possible. Like Pure Aero, I bet people will start having arm issues because the new PD's seem more comfortable than they are. They are sneaky stiff.
 
Carf said:
It will exactly be the much loved and successful previous APD with a new paint job ;)
Current 1st edition Pure Aero = fail
Click to expand...

To each his own it seems.

Sold my 2009 Pure Drives back in 2010. Other than a Pure Control haven't found a Babolat that I liked until my 2017 Pure Aero purchases.

Very happy with my three Pure Aeros all matched by TW's MRT Paul Reed.
 
sma1001 said:
Wow, that is low. :rolleyes:
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I meant 322. I have an APDO which is 332 and a 2013 APD which is 312. 320-325 seems to be a good number. I get enough plow through that the SW can get me depth and I don't feel like I have to over swing to get it, yet I wont get tired in long matches or feel like I'm losing racquet head speed on top-spin serves. 330+ can be a bit much for me these days. I also find it hard to feel the tip of the racquet when volleying with 310 ish SW sticks.

I really like the APDO it's a very solid racquet and like nothing I've ever hit with. It's just a bit harsh if you don't hit dead center. It flexes differently that any Babolat I''ve ever played with and I have played with all of the Aero's and still own most of them.
 
I will wait for the current models to drop in price and buy more

Initial Specs:

10.65oz, 6HL, 295SW, 69 R/A
Customized to previous Initial Specs:
10.75oz, 6HL, 298SW, 69 R/A
Customized Unstrung with Fairway:
11.00oz, 9HL, 298SW, 69 R/A
UNSTRUNG w/ Leather Grip Specs -

e'd pjr
Weight - 11.00oz-DONE
Balance - 9HL-DONE
Swingweight - 298SW-DONE
Flex - 69 RA-DONE
 
g4driver said:
I will wait for the current models to drop in price and buy more

Initial Specs:

10.65oz, 6HL, 295SW, 69 R/A
Customized to previous Initial Specs:
10.75oz, 6HL, 298SW, 69 R/A
Customized Unstrung with Fairway:
11.00oz, 9HL, 298SW, 69 R/A
UNSTRUNG w/ Leather Grip Specs -

e'd pjr
Weight - 11.00oz-DONE
Balance - 9HL-DONE
Swingweight - 298SW-DONE
Flex - 69 RA-DONE
Click to expand...

What is this Specs of ?
 
The pure aero is a topspin frame. Its meant for people who brush the ball with spin and use the frames power to give them a boost since they are not hitting flat.

If you want a low sw frame just use the pure drive. Lowering the sw on the pure aero would be a bad move. I mean, 330 sw is not a huge ask here.
 
I can measure my swing weights on a Prince Precision Tuning Center..suspect they are around 330 considering they are 298 swing-weight unstrung. They all weigh 336 grams, balance is 32.3 (roughly 6.5 pts HL) and were matched by Paul Reed.

A Pure Aero is beast when you do flatten out a short ball.

327 328 329 swing weights

Three different string setups may account for the differences.
 
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pfrischmann said:
I'm not really a fan of the current pure drive. I liked the one before it more, the 2015 I think. The new ones have more power for sure and a more open pattern which makes them feel softer but they become even more vague feeling if that's possible. Like Pure Aero, I bet people will start having arm issues because the new PD's seem more comfortable than they are. They are sneaky stiff.
Click to expand...

That is so true of the Pure Drive line. I never felt like the racket was stiff. But over time the elbow hurt more and more.

It's sad because I really like the performance of the APD and PD line. So much fun to play with. But the arm issues were too much to bear.

Unfortunately I don't think you could come in with acceptable arm friendly specs and have it still be a Pure Aero. You soften those sticks up and you'll have absolutely no control.
 
I had an interesting experience with the new Pure Drive. I’ve been playing with the Aero Pro Drive 2013 since that version came out. I have no pain or issues whatsoever. I bought the Pure Drive 2018 and I was hitting such a great ball. More pace, more spin, a deeper ball, bigger serve. I was astounded. I did not mind the muted feel. But after 1 Week of using it, I play about 5 or 6 x a week, I started feeling both shoulder and elbow pain. I was a bit freaked out as I have never experienced this. After ice, Advil and a week off, pain was gone. I went back to my old racquet and pain free. But I wanted more pop in my game like the Pure Drive gave me. So I bought the Pure Aero to try and I can’t keep the ball on the court. I hit with a lot of topspin but still, the ball is sailing long. So i’m Back to my trusty APD from 2013. I need new racquets though...And I will only play with Babolat...so I’m hoping the 2019 Pure Aero will be different. The current one feels like a trampoline to me and I tried increasing the tension but it didn’t matter.
 
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Jazzguitarman said:
I had an interesting experience with the new Pure Drive. I’ve been playing with the Aero Pro Drive 2013 since that version came out. I have no pain or issues whatsoever. I bought the Pure Drive 2018 and I was hitting such a great ball. More pace, more spin, a deeper ball, bigger serve. I was astounded. I did not mind the muted feel. But after 1 Week of using it, I play about 5 or 6 x a week, I started feeling both shoulder and elbow pain. I was a bit freaked out as I have never experienced this. After ice, Advil and a week off, pain was gone. I went back to my old racquet and pain free. But I wanted more pop in my game like the Pure Drive gave me. So I bought the Pure Aero to try and I can’t keep the ball on the court. I hit with a lot of topspin but still, the ball is sailing long. So i’m Back to my trusty APD from 2013. I need new racquets though...And I will only play with Babolat...so I’m hoping the 2019 Pure Aero will be different. The current one feels like a trampoline to me and I tried increasing the tension but it didn’t matter.
Click to expand...

I'm also back with my 2013 APD. Owned a Pure Aero for a few months and for the first time, I experienced severe wrist pain. The PA pulverized the ball, but, for me, it's like a race car with no brakes and a barely functional steering wheel. I can also report that many 2013 APD owners who are customers at a well known boutique tennis store in NYC, developed pain with the PA, switched back to the APD and the pain went away. I'll definitely try the 2019 PA, but it'll have to go a long way to be better than the 2013 APD - for me, anyway[emoji4].


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
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prjacobs said:
I'm also back with my 2013 APD. Owned a Pure Aero for a few months and for the first time, I experienced severe wrist pain. The PA pulverized the ball, but, for me, it's like a race care with no brakes and a barely functional steering wheel. I can also report that many 2013 APD owners who are customers at a well known boutique tennis store in NYC, developed pain with the PA, switched back to the APD and the pain went away. I'll definitely try the 2019 PA, but it'll have to go a long way to be better than the 2013 APD - for me, anyway[emoji4].


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
For me it wasn’t the Pure Aero that hurt, but it was the Pure Drive. I hit so well with the PD but had to stop because of the pain. So it was then, that I tried the PA thinking maybe it will be similar to the PD. The PA did not hurt me at all. The frame felt similar to my 2013 APD, but I could not control the ball for the life of me. It was sailing long to the back curtain. I mean, not even close. I increased tension, but still, It felt like a trampoline. I’m dissapointed becuase the PD was a significant improvement to my game but it hurt. The PA had the trampoline effect. I want the kind of ball I was hitting with the new PD but I have no choice but to stay with the 2013 APD for now. What are my other options if I want to stay with Babolat?
 
Jazzguitarman said:
For me it wasn’t the Pure Aero that hurt, but it was the Pure Drive. I hit so well with the PD but had to stop because of the pain. So it was then, that I tried the PA thinking maybe it will be similar to the PD. The PA did not hurt me at all. The frame felt similar to my 2013 APD, but I could not control the ball for the life of me. It was sailing long to the back curtain. I mean, not even close. I increased tension, but still, It felt like a trampoline. I’m dissapointed becuase the PD was a significant improvement to my game but it hurt. The PA had the trampoline effect. I want the kind of ball I was hitting with the new PD but I have no choice but to stay with the 2013 APD for now. What are my other options if I want to stay with Babolat?
Click to expand...

New pure aero is comfortable for being stiff, i agree.

I think its a frame that rewards high tip speed and an aggressive SW grip. For me the plus version has been a great match. I dont have any trampoline issues. I hit with full poly at 45#s.

The plus version is really an incredible frame. Not for everyone but i know many who love it
 
I tried switching away from the Pure Aeros and I keep getting drawn back. The spin and power when needed is addictive. I can't use another frame even a Pure Drive and get the same results. The only issue I have is that my sticks have taken a pounding and I hope the new edition will have a better bumper guard. The current specs work great for me so I'm not looking for much change. If the new version's specs are too drastic, I'll probably buy several of the Pure Aeros and keep on rolling along.
 
prjacobs said:
I'm also back with my 2013 APD. Owned a Pure Aero for a few months and for the first time, I experienced severe wrist pain. The PA pulverized the ball, but, for me, it's like a race care with no brakes and a barely functional steering wheel. I can also report that many 2013 APD owners who are customers at a well known boutique tennis store in NYC, developed pain with the PA, switched back to the APD and the pain went away. I'll definitely try the 2019 PA, but it'll have to go a long way to be better than the 2013 APD - for me, anyway[emoji4].


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
I'm with you. My problem with the new sticks is they burn through strings, They are hard to control and I have problems with the trampoline effect on touch shots. Other than the APDO, they've never been great touch sticks for me. They all benefit from a full bed of poly which can make them harsh. It's really tough to switch from the 2013 APD to any of the others as the swing weight is so light, you have to hit through the ball more., which takes some adjusting. All the other Aeros have SW in the mid 320+ range. The 2013 hits a spinnier ball but it's not as heavy as the others. It feels really good!

I wonder what the PA with the APD string pattern would play like?
 
pfrischmann said:
I'm with you. My problem with the new sticks is they burn through strings, They are hard to control and I have problems with the trampoline effect on touch shots. Other than the APDO, they've never been great touch sticks for me. They all benefit from a full bed of poly which can make them harsh. It's really tough to switch from the 2013 APD to any of the others as the swing weight is so light, you have to hit through the ball more., which takes some adjusting. All the other Aeros have SW in the mid 320+ range. The 2013 hits a spinnier ball but it's not as heavy as the others. It feels really good!

I wonder what the PA with the APD string pattern would play like?
Click to expand...

On that last question...I’d like to find out. I’m hoping they will move back to the APD string pattern for the next release. The APD is such a solid stable frame and can be easily mod’d to Up the swingweight a bit. The PA are not a great racquet for most advanced players and I think it’s losing its following.
 
Jazzguitarman said:
Babolat posted on FB, coming soon, Pure Aero Decima. Anybody have an idea what this is?
Click to expand...

http://www.babolat.com/insiders/pure-aero-rafael-nadals-fatal-weapon-0007/#.WoAxi_km-Uk

You can find them for sale now, in shops and on the big auction site...

header_001772_0.jpg
 
scotus said:
I think it's just the same old Pure Aero with a new pj for this year's French Open. The special name "La Decima" is meant to celebrate Rafa's 10 RG titles.
Click to expand...

Yes...my understanding is the same.

Really interested in where they go with the next gen Pure Aero.
 
It depends what market Babolat is going after with the Pure Aero. If it is targeting the middle of the road club player or weekend warrior then there is enough in the current model range to satisfy most people. Babolat will probably simply release a new range with a refreshed paint job and perhaps some minor tweaks.

If Babolat wants to target the more elite player (IE serious competition and tournament player), I think it should consider a slightly softer racquet with a (strung!) RA is the mid 60s, swing weight in the low to mid 320s and a Balance between 6 to 10 points Head Light. Sting pattern should be 16 x 19 with spacing mid way between 2013 APD and 2016 Pure Aero. No shared holes.

The current Pure Aero throat is aero-dynamic but Babolat needs to make the hoop area a little more aero dynamic as well Weight should be distributed more towards each end of the racquet.

Handle should be a little less oval compared to traditional Babolat handle. Handle should be hollow with trapdoor butt-cap. Grip should be midway between existing Syntec Pro and Skin Feel grip. Frame should use parallel drilled holes and should permit stringing in either direction.
 
Karma Tennis said:
If Babolat wants to target the more elite player (IE serious competition and tournament player), I think it should consider a slightly softer racquet with a (strung!) RA is the mid 60s, swing weight in the low to mid 320s and a Balance between 6 to 10 points Head Light.
Click to expand...

300g frame with 320 sw, mid 60s RA and a balance between 6 and 10 points and you'll end up with the tiniest most unstable fischer price racquet. I dont get why people try to "noodle it down" and "player it up" the PA. It just works because of its weight around the head and its open pattern with thick stiff beam. There are plenty other options at the market right now if you want a "players frame".

Even the oval grip you are trying to change, basically you want the new PA to not be a PA. Just get another frame, sir...
 
Interesting comments from the last 2 posts.

I think the PA was a departure from the APD that makes it less appealing to high level players. I don’t have the data to support it, but my observation is that the PA has a declining following among competing players (vs the APD).

Btw, the Pure Drive line still seems to be doing well.
 
LIONZ said:
Interesting comments from the last 2 posts.

I think the PA was a departure from the APD that makes it less appealing to high level players. I don’t have the data to support it, but my observation is that the PA has a declining following among competing players (vs the APD).

Btw, the Pure Drive line still seems to be doing well.
Click to expand...

I have said this before - but... The owner of a well known tennis boutique store in New York who was Agassi’s racquet guy, has been on the cover of tennis industry magazines, etc., reported to me that many of his clients who used the APD tried the PA and hated it, developed wrist pain from using it, found it to be one dimensional, unsubtle, hard to control. When they switched back to their APDs, the pain went away. This is what I experienced. I switched back to my 2013 APDs after a few months of using the PA, and my first time ever wrist pain went away. He thinks that Babolat really blew it with their latest models. For me, it’s going to take something amazing for me to stop using my 2013 APDs.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
prjacobs said:
I have said this before - but... The owner of a well known tennis boutique store in New York who was Agassi’s racquet guy, has been on the cover of tennis industry magazines, etc., reported to me that many of his clients who used the APD tried the PA and hated it, developed wrist pain from using it, found it to be one dimensional, unsubtle, hard to control. When they switched back to their APDs, the pain went away. This is what I experienced. I switched back to my 2013 APDs after a few months of using the PA, and my first time ever wrist pain went away. He thinks that Babolat really blew it with their latest models. For me, it’s going to take something amazing for me to stop using my 2013 APDs.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

The 2013 APD is a true gem.
 
Jazzguitarman said:
For me it wasn’t the Pure Aero that hurt, but it was the Pure Drive. I hit so well with the PD but had to stop because of the pain. So it was then, that I tried the PA thinking maybe it will be similar to the PD. The PA did not hurt me at all. The frame felt similar to my 2013 APD, but I could not control the ball for the life of me. It was sailing long to the back curtain. I mean, not even close. I increased tension, but still, It felt like a trampoline. I’m dissapointed becuase the PD was a significant improvement to my game but it hurt. The PA had the trampoline effect. I want the kind of ball I was hitting with the new PD but I have no choice but to stay with the 2013 APD for now. What are my other options if I want to stay with Babolat?
Click to expand...
I know you’re sold on Babolat but there is a racquet that gives PD like power in a softer and whippier package - Pro Kennex Ki Q+5 Pro (name is way too long). I’m currently using the PD’18, but I have one of these coming as a demo. I tried it before and was amazed by it. It may not be as good as your ‘13 APD (not many are), but it is a racquet that you can be lazy with and still play well. Anyway, certainly worth a try if you can demo it.
 
Moonarse said:
300g frame with 320 sw, mid 60s RA and a balance between 6 and 10 points and you'll end up with the tiniest most unstable fischer price racquet. I dont get why people try to "noodle it down" and "player it up" the PA. It just works because of its weight around the head and its open pattern with thick stiff beam. There are plenty other options at the market right now if you want a "players frame".

Even the oval grip you are trying to change, basically you want the new PA to not be a PA. Just get another frame, sir...
Click to expand...

@Moonarse, where in my post did I mention anything about static weight?

I also qualified a POTENTIAL target market. And by that I mean, if Babolat wants to chase that market it should consider the mentioned specs. Babolat introduced the Pure Aero, copped a lot of flak from one particular group of players, and responded with the Pure Aero VS which IMO has confused the market place.

The 2013 APD was a decent tweener racquet. BUT it was also a fantastic platform racquet that could be customised to produce a real weapon for higher level players. That is not possible with the Pure Aero. The PA and PA Tour are one trick ponies. Hence the need for the PA VS in the line.

As for the oval grips. I don't think they are that bad. But a handle with sharper bevels would be a simple change that would introduce a lot more stability and control potential from the racquet. Oval grips make a decent racquet much more "club" like than they should be IMO.
 
Karma Tennis said:
It depends what market Babolat is going after with the Pure Aero. If it is targeting the middle of the road club player or weekend warrior then there is enough in the current model range to satisfy most people. Babolat will probably simply release a new range with a refreshed paint job and perhaps some minor tweaks.

If Babolat wants to target the more elite player (IE serious competition and tournament player), I think it should consider a slightly softer racquet with a (strung!) RA is the mid 60s, swing weight in the low to mid 320s and a Balance between 6 to 10 points Head Light. Sting pattern should be 16 x 19 with spacing mid way between 2013 APD and 2016 Pure Aero. No shared holes.

The current Pure Aero throat is aero-dynamic but Babolat needs to make the hoop area a little more aero dynamic as well Weight should be distributed more towards each end of the racquet.

Handle should be a little less oval compared to traditional Babolat handle. Handle should be hollow with trapdoor butt-cap. Grip should be midway between existing Syntec Pro and Skin Feel grip. Frame should use parallel drilled holes and should permit stringing in either direction.
Click to expand...


I'd buy that racquet right now.
 
Karma Tennis said:
It depends what market Babolat is going after with the Pure Aero. If it is targeting the middle of the road club player or weekend warrior then there is enough in the current model range to satisfy most people. Babolat will probably simply release a new range with a refreshed paint job and perhaps some minor tweaks.

If Babolat wants to target the more elite player (IE serious competition and tournament player), I think it should consider a slightly softer racquet with a (strung!) RA is the mid 60s, swing weight in the low to mid 320s and a Balance between 6 to 10 points Head Light. Sting pattern should be 16 x 19 with spacing mid way between 2013 APD and 2016 Pure Aero. No shared holes.

The current Pure Aero throat is aero-dynamic but Babolat needs to make the hoop area a little more aero dynamic as well Weight should be distributed more towards each end of the racquet.

Handle should be a little less oval compared to traditional Babolat handle. Handle should be hollow with trapdoor butt-cap. Grip should be midway between existing Syntec Pro and Skin Feel grip. Frame should use parallel drilled holes and should permit stringing in either direction.
Click to expand...


I'd buy that racquet right now.
 
prjacobs said:
I have said this before - but... The owner of a well known tennis boutique store in New York who was Agassi’s racquet guy, has been on the cover of tennis industry magazines, etc., reported to me that many of his clients who used the APD tried the PA and hated it, developed wrist pain from using it, found it to be one dimensional, unsubtle, hard to control. When they switched back to their APDs, the pain went away. This is what I experienced. I switched back to my 2013 APDs after a few months of using the PA, and my first time ever wrist pain went away. He thinks that Babolat really blew it with their latest models. For me, it’s going to take something amazing for me to stop using my 2013 APDs.
Click to expand...

Interesting. I would agree on the control aspect, the more open string pattern definitely offers a higher launch angle and less directional control but more spin for me. However in terms of the pain, I use soft polys (Pro Line II, Black Widow, Alu Power Soft to name a few) at lowish tenisons (around 44 lbs) and have experienced no pain from my Pure Aero (although a little pingy) or my Pure Aero Tour. I can't say the same for my APD 2013, as even hybriding those soft polys with a Forten Sweet, still caused me elbow and wrist pain.
 
prjacobs said:
I have said this before - but... The owner of a well known tennis boutique store in New York who was Agassi’s racquet guy, has been on the cover of tennis industry magazines, etc., reported to me that many of his clients who used the APD tried the PA and hated it, developed wrist pain from using it, found it to be one dimensional, unsubtle, hard to control. When they switched back to their APDs, the pain went away. This is what I experienced. I switched back to my 2013 APDs after a few months of using the PA, and my first time ever wrist pain went away. He thinks that Babolat really blew it with their latest models. For me, it’s going to take something amazing for me to stop using my 2013 APDs.
Click to expand...

Interesting. I would agree on the control aspect, the more open string pattern definitely offers a higher launch angle and less directional control but more spin for me. However in terms of the pain, I use soft polys (Pro Line II, Black Widow, Alu Power Soft to name a few) at lowish tenisons (around 44 lbs) and have experienced no pain from my Pure Aero (although a little pingy) or my Pure Aero Tour. I can't say the same for my APD 2013, as even hybriding those soft polys with a Forten Sweet still caused me elbow and wrist pain.
 
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