It depends on your level, playing style, and goals.
The PD has more power, serves better, and is easier to finish off points with. If you’re a thumper that likes to drive the ball, hit winners, create errors, and end points quickly, you will probably like the PD more.
The PA 2023 is less polarized, gets more spin, is easier to volley with, and has more control. If you’re a baseline grinder that uses a lot of spin or an all-courter, you will probably like the PA more.
If you are a power baseliner that likes to overwhelm opponents with heavy topspin, you would probably like the PA 2019 best.
If you want something between the PD 2021 and the PA 2023, the PA 98 might fit the bill. It’s easier to flatten the ball out with than the PA 2023 but spins and volleys better than the PD.
Demo if you can. Your preference should become obvious very quickly.
Many thanks JD.Hi. I’m not sure what you mean by “competitive,” but if you want something that’s easier to use than the PD with more control, then the 2023 PA would be it. It has less power, a lower SW, and is more maneuverable. The PA 2023 does everything well but nothing outstanding. I ended up adding a bit of weight to the hoop to increase stability.
The PA 98 is definitely not easier to use. It is heavier and has a smaller sweet spot than either of the other 100 sq in Babolats.
If you want easy to use, a big sweet spot, and lots of control with good spin in a similar style 100 frame, check out the Speed MP. The control and consistency are great. The trade off is a definite drop in power compared to the Babolats.
Speed MP is the most centrally specced racket out there. Try it and see what you want more of. If it's more power, go back to the Pure Drive.Many thanks JD.
By competitive I meant more 'agonistic' than pure drive.
Something that would give me a bit more comsistance and precision.
Do you think the pure aero 100 is the right one?
Is the pure aero 98 too difficult compared to e.g. the Head boom pro?
Thanks!
The PA 2023 is less polarized
At an average of 322 strung swing weight (per TWU), the PA23 has a higher strung swing weight than the '21 PD (at 320), and as such, is likely more polarized, not less -- polarization being how much mass is located towards the poles, or ends, of the racquet. This would make the PA23 less longitudinally maneuverable than the PD. That said, it would be more laterally maneuverable, as it has a lower twist weight (14.6 vs the PD at 15.6) and its beam is sharper-edged, which will be a bit more aerodynamic (as the name "Aero" would imply), so it will tend to cut through the air a bit more efficiently, at least from face-on.has a lower SW and is more maneuverable.
Totally agree with everything here (except possibly which has more control.) I have very recently gone back to the PD and it is that ability to nail winners and flatten out a bit that I'm really appreciating.It depends on your level, playing style, and goals.
The PD has more power, serves better, and is easier to finish off points with. If you’re a thumper that likes to drive the ball, hit winners, create errors, and end points quickly, you will probably like the PD more.
The PA 2023 is less polarized, gets more spin, is easier to volley with, and has more control. If you’re a baseline grinder that uses a lot of spin or an all-courter, you will probably like the PA more.
If you are a power baseliner that likes to overwhelm opponents with heavy topspin, you would probably like the PA 2019 best.
If you want something between the PD 2021 and the PA 2023, the PA 98 might fit the bill. It’s easier to flatten the ball out with than the PA 2023 but spins and volleys better than the PD.
Demo if you can. Your preference should become obvious very quickly.
100% agree that specs alone don't tell the whole story. I've swung and played both a decent amount, but would disagree that the PA23 is that much easier to swing. If anything, I think they're about equal. But I guess that's the beauty of personal interpretation. We can agree to disagree there. As for other aspects of the frame, they are less related to ease-of-swing, though your assertions about them are nonetheless relevant overall.Trip, we both know specs don’t tell the whole story. They don’t give a precise depiction of weight distribution, location of flex, size and location of the sweet spot, or racquet face consistency. The only true test of how a frame hits is on the court.