Babolat Pure Drive 98: 2025 vs. 2021

[Eilathen]

As the title suggests, I'm looking at the newest two iterations of the Pure Drive 98. I am wondering what are the differences, if there are any? I know that the new one has a 16x20 string-pattern whereas the old one had 16x19. I hear a lot about the arm destroying stiffness of the last gen Pure Drive and that the 2025 version is "much softer" (whatever that means in relation to a PD).

Has anyone played with both frames? Can you give me a comparison? Is the string-pattern change even noticeable in play? Is there a clear power-difference between those last two models? How about spin potential between those two?

I'm just curious. I have heard that the new one is a pretty demanding frame. Not sure i ever heard that about the 2021 PD 98.

Thanks in advance for all your inputs.

 

[Johnnyrocket]

I’ve demo with the PD98 1st gen so this is what I remember: [Feel] very crisp response. If your striking technique on any front (forehand,serve, etc) is not proper, you’ll probably expect some tendinitis very soon. That said the feel really contributed to the [precision] of the shot and the [placement] as well. Another thing that was starkly apparent was the [maneuverability]; it was quick in the air and in the hands. Of course it did interfere with the obvious drawback to the racket, the stiffness. Sometimes, if i get jammed or strike the ball just a bit off- center, the maneuverability and stiffness would collide with each other creating a weird, harsh sensation in the racket throat. Overall, I had a pretty good first impression of the racket despite not being able to hit my flat 1st serve with it. Every other shot (kick serve, drop shot, volley) was up to standard of a 4.0 level. I would buy one myself if I can find a great price for it.

 

[Eilathen]

Thanks for the reply. Is the PD 98 from 2021 the first gen of the 98s? That's kinda surprising to me if true. Or are you talking about a PD 98 older than the ones I mention in my OP?

 

[mad dog1]

Thanks for the reply. Is the PD 98 from 2021 the first gen of the 98s? That's kinda surprising to me if true. Or are you talking about a PD 98 older than the ones I mention in my OP?

the first 98" PD was the PD VS.

 

[Johnnyrocket]

Correct, PDVS was the first iteration on the 98 pure drive. By first gen, I meant to refer to the 2021 PD98

 

[fullwesternforehand]

First PD98 is softer and has more feel. 2nd gen is definitely stiffer, and is a pure drive for sure. The sweetspot in the first gen is definitely smaller and is more maneuverable, while the 2nd gen to me feels clubbier and way more muted, yet has a bigger sweetspot. Hope this helps

 

[thebigz]

I’ve demo with the PD98 1st gen so this is what I remember: [Feel] very crisp response. If your striking technique on any front (forehand,serve, etc) is not proper, you’ll probably expect some tendinitis very soon. That said the feel really contributed to the [precision] of the shot and the [placement] as well. Another thing that was starkly apparent was the [maneuverability]; it was quick in the air and in the hands. Of course it did interfere with the obvious drawback to the racket, the stiffness. Sometimes, if i get jammed or strike the ball just a bit off- center, the maneuverability and stiffness would collide with each other creating a weird, harsh sensation in the racket throat. Overall, I had a pretty good first impression of the racket despite not being able to hit my flat 1st serve with it. Every other shot (kick serve, drop shot, volley) was up to standard of a 4.0 level. I would buy one myself if I can find a great price for it.

I had the opposite experience with maneuverability with the last gen 2021. Not sure if it’s me having a overspec frame(328 SW) but or you having the an underspec one potentially. PD VSs before seemed to have lower swing weights usually

Agree about amazing precision and crisp feel tho. Very connected to the ball. I just struggled to swing the frame effectively in defensive situations and on serve. But amazing power/control when I’m in position to step in and great confidence in how the ball would come off the strings. Also would note the stability was amazing maybe also due to the higher weight I had and stiffness ofc, one of the most solid frame I’ve hit with.

Made a review here.

Babolat PD98 Review 2021

 

[Chairman3]

Get the new one, it is the best
A great playing racquet.
But it can be demanding and unforgiving.
Also, it is a Babolat so there's always a chance it may not agree with your arm.
But I'm not willing to make the blanket statement "it's a Pure Drive so it definitely will hurt your arm."

 

[Eilathen]

Thanks for all your insights, I appreciate it. I never considered a Pure Drive before, but i AM curious about it. I am not even sure if the 100 or the 98 would be more "my thing", I never played a so called power-racquet before. But luckily, I will have no difficulty getting the racquets to test.
I am a bit surprised that there are not more opinions/insights around on this big forum, though. Maybe the PD is just not that popular around here (or at all anymore).

 

[SackFeral]

Thanks for all your insights, I appreciate it. I never considered a Pure Drive before, but i AM curious about it. I am not even sure if the 100 or the 98 would be more "my thing", I never played a so called power-racquet before. But luckily, I will have no difficulty getting the racquets to test.
I am a bit surprised that there are not more opinions/insights around on this big forum, though. Maybe the PD is just not that popular around here (or at all anymore).

I believe the pure drive is basically the best seller everywhere, always

 

[mmazzini1]

Latest PD is surely more comfy

 

[J D]

There are lots of PD users on this forum and lots of good discussion. There are very few PD 98 users.

The first PD in a 98, the VS, didn’t do anything as well as the PD, had a small sweet spot, and felt stiffer than the PD. The second, the 98, did everything as well or better than the regular PD. It had as much power and spin with better control. However, it felt very, very stiff.

The new 98 is a different animal with a softer feel and denser string pattern. It plays more like other popular 98’s, the PA, Ezone, etc…. It has less power and more control than the 100. Many like the feel, many (like me) thought it felt hollow and somewhat detached.

My biggest issue with it was an inconsistent racquet face. Some balls would just inexplicably fly, like there were spots that got significantly less spin than others. I demoed it twice then gave up. Perhaps it could be fixed by string choice or tension, but I would still prefer the PA 98, so I didn’t bother with it.

The new 100 is worth a demo. Just be careful of the specs. The demo I got had a SW of 333.

 

[Eilathen]

There are lots of PD users on this forum and lots of good discussion. There are very few PD 98 users.

The first PD in a 98, the VS, didn’t do anything as well as the PD, had a small sweet spot, and felt stiffer than the PD. The second, the 98, did everything as well or better than the regular PD. It had as much power and spin with better control. However, it felt very, very stiff.

The new 98 is a different animal with a softer feel and denser string pattern. It plays more like other popular 98’s, the PA, Ezone, etc…. It has less power and more control than the 100. Many like the feel, many (like me) thought it felt hollow and somewhat detached.

My biggest issue with it was an inconsistent racquet face. Some balls would just inexplicably fly, like there were spots that got significantly less spin than others. I demoed it twice then gave up. Perhaps it could be fixed by string choice or tension, but I would still prefer the PA 98, so I didn’t bother with it.

The new 100 is worth a demo. Just be careful of the specs. The demo I got had a SW of 333.

Very interesting comment, thank you! The bolded part is mine - so this is the 2021 PD 98, right? Sounds like I will have to see if I can demo that one.

And yeah, too bad we all still have to fight with QC being alllllllll over the place. 333 SW is quite a lot for the PD 100.

 

[J D]

Yes, I really loved the 21 98, but my arm and wrist didn’t. I probably played my best tennis with it. With the right string and tension, it was almost comfortable, but not quite.

I’ve found a control poly hybrid that actually feels plush in my PD 21’s. I’m planning on eventually picking up a 21 98 and trying it out.

 

[Chairman3]

Thanks for all your insights, I appreciate it. I never considered a Pure Drive before, but i AM curious about it. I am not even sure if the 100 or the 98 would be more "my thing", I never played a so called power-racquet before. But luckily, I will have no difficulty getting the racquets to test.
I am a bit surprised that there are not more opinions/insights around on this big forum, though. Maybe the PD is just not that popular around here (or at all anymore).

There is a huge playtest thread and a huge "Pure Drive 2025" thread.
Plus prior PD threads and playtest threads.

You do have to use the search function