konstantinos kalfountzos
Hall of Fame
I will be sharing my experience with the Babolat Pure Strike VS. First ever Babolat racket. Super easy for me to pick-up and start playing today.
Babolat Pure Strike VS. Intermediate player feedback.
- Thread starter konstantinos kalfountzos
- Start date
Crocodile
G.O.A.T.
Most players that have tried this racquet in stock form found it too underwhelming and underpowered. For the type of racquet it is, it needs weight everywhere but especially in the head.
For an intermediate player I think there are better options out there to try. If you like the control feel of the VS but with a bit more lively feel I think the new Diadem Elevate MP is a good option and so is the Tecnifibre TF 40 305 16/19 and Angel K7 Red. These 3 racquets would suit your game a lot more.
An extra addition which I just forget would be the Wilson Clash Pro and the Pro Staff X.
For an intermediate player I think there are better options out there to try. If you like the control feel of the VS but with a bit more lively feel I think the new Diadem Elevate MP is a good option and so is the Tecnifibre TF 40 305 16/19 and Angel K7 Red. These 3 racquets would suit your game a lot more.
An extra addition which I just forget would be the Wilson Clash Pro and the Pro Staff X.
ZeroandOne
Rookie
This frame asks for racquet head speed.
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konstantinos kalfountzos
Hall of Fame
I've got the Diadem Elevate V2 FS98. The big knock I have about it is the very open 16*20 pattern that causes me issues on flat shots. Other than that, when adjusting to hitting with much topspin, it plays great. Also, the TF 40 315 16*19. It seems like I like the head light small sized rackets.
I do feel I lack plough-through and penetration - which I get a lot easier with the Diadem Nova and the Pro Kennex Ki5 295 - but I can the Pure Strike VS is much easier to play than the Wilson Blade V5 18*20 I used a few months ago (very evenly balanced).
That's the point of my intermediate-level feedback about what I play with. To see if it suits me or can I get to play good tennis with them and compare with other rackets.
GimmeBackMyDog
Rookie
Would like one because I actually think it's the best looking racket on the market.
Looks sleek, modern and vintage all at the same time.
But I'm used to the Babolat VS and Extreme Tour so it probably lacks the kind of spin I like playing with.
But I like the specs and the look of the racket.
I think it's just racket that might appeal to a certain type of player but a lot of players may struggle with it.
Looks sleek, modern and vintage all at the same time.
But I'm used to the Babolat VS and Extreme Tour so it probably lacks the kind of spin I like playing with.
But I like the specs and the look of the racket.
I think it's just racket that might appeal to a certain type of player but a lot of players may struggle with it.
konstantinos kalfountzos
Hall of Fame
I also agree it is the best looking racket out there. Even if I'm not "qualified" to play with this racket, in my opinion, it is interesting to share any kind of feedback, now that I have been playing with several different rackets and will continue to do so.
Probably goes here....
tt.tennis-warehouse.com
Official Babolat Strike VS 2022 thread
As an owner and operator of about twelve of the Pure Control line, I am privileged to open this thread in name of all that is Good and Right about the Sixteen by Twenty stringing density (note I didn't say 'pattern'). Long Live The VS Pure Strike! /Acey Some Babo guru please help...
tt.tennis-warehouse.com
konstantinos kalfountzos
Hall of Fame
Thanks! I will write there too!Probably goes here....
Official Babolat Strike VS 2022 thread
As an owner and operator of about twelve of the Pure Control line, I am privileged to open this thread in name of all that is Good and Right about the Sixteen by Twenty stringing density (note I didn't say 'pattern'). Long Live The VS Pure Strike! /Acey Some Babo guru please help...
konstantinos kalfountzos
Hall of Fame
Didn't know that, but makes total sense. I've made separate threats about other rackets I've used this year and did the same with this one. I will read the feedback shared on the original thread.
RNBABOLAT
Professional
And stiff, thin poly to tame the softness of the frame and prevent the unpredictable feel in some shots
konstantinos kalfountzos
Hall of Fame
It actually felt like I had already been playing with it for several days already. Super easy to pick up and play. Don't know about unpredictable feel yet. I've been reading this for 16*20 patterns more and more often these days... The Boom Pro was unpredictable on the forehand side 3 out of 10 times and never knew why. Yesterday the VS felt less stiff than the Tecnifibre TF40 315 16*19.
ZeroandOne
Rookie
I agree. Stiff poly seems to compliment this frame. My favorite so far is 4g.
What i realized hitting with this frame is that it is plush in the Babolat universe, but compared to other brands it is stiff. Especially when you hit fast or hard. Hitting with normal speed it is plush but if you accelerate fast it gets stiff and with sensible wrist its to stiff. Otherwise a fun racket, sweetspot is small, power is on the lower side but fast in the air and you can customize the racket with lead.
konstantinos kalfountzos
Hall of Fame
It had strips of lead at 3 and 9, but I removed them before hitting for the first time. More feedback, once weather gets better.
That’s true. Had my pair modded/matched to 337g/32.5/338SW and it was fun for a few local leagues matches.
RNBABOLAT
Professional
As soon as the soft or medium stiffness string break in or gets a bit settled in the racquet... that situation become apparent.
RNBABOLAT
Professional
I confirm this situation, I played this racquet for the last six months and even with lead (I think the less the better for this frame) its really "stiff" at high pace or might not hit as precise in the middle and gets brassy. I really hope the next strike will get to the softer vibe and keep that inhirent power to move from the vs
mhkeuns
Hall of Fame
I’m not so sure if the PSVS is a stiff feeling racket. Maybe because I strung it low around 42-44 lbs with the 17G poly, it felt plush and powerful. It definitely is a player’s racket with awesome control, good spin and really powerful with 3grams of lead at 12. I thought it was one of the best controlled playing sticks I’ve used in a while.
RNBABOLAT
Professional
Not at all... Is really soft but when you hit at some speed in the wrong spot it can become a bit unpredictable or brassy if thats the word. I also have mines at 48 and trying to get a bit lower but still the best for my game now
konstantinos kalfountzos
Hall of Fame
Sold my Pure Strike VS today. The Diadem Elevate does everything better and the VS that I've played 5 times always left me with some soreness on the back of my shoulder.
Moveforwardalways
Hall of Fame
Diadem needs something in the 6-7 points headlight strung range
BallsOfFire
Rookie
did you add some lead tape at 3 and 9 and 12 to open the sweetspot and add stability? also soreness can come from not changing out the string when it is done/playbility gone. Just bought a brand new/unused matched pair on sale for a rediculous price. i plan string with syn gut @ 27 kg or hybrid with 27 kg syn gut cross and Poly Gold @ 22 kg mains
konstantinos kalfountzos
Hall of Fame
Boy! Watching a few shots from back then in this clip, makes me realize I've made a lot of progress in my strokes. That's one of the purposes of uploading hitting clips on YouTube: keep track of my progress in tennis.
Back the the subject. I actually bought the Elevate V3. Definitely, an upgrade to the Elevate V2. The added Kraibon has made it more stable on returning serves and volleys, but at the same time, it has muted the stringbed's response making it feel a bit vague.
I'm still using the Elevate V2. I've gelled with it very well, now that I have been using it for more than 2 years. Incredible racket.
The Babolat Pure Strike VS was a very hollow-feeling frame. Sooner or later I would have gotten rid of it. Got my hands on some 15+ year old frames that felt much more well-made, stable and just delivered MUCH better playability than the VS and other new-age rackets.
The VS needs lots of customization.
BallsOfFire
Rookie
Well I have 2 Pure Storm GT 98 in mint condition from era 13 years ago... and now 2 matched PS VS. The Pure Storm GT is grand daddy to Pure Control and VS. I will see if I agree with you after playing with them. I dont think I will test the Elevates as they get some critique for not being able to be stable on return of serve and hard hitters and thus flutteres out of the hand.... I know PS VS is sensitive to tension and stringing but needs from get go 2 gram of lead at 3, 9 and 12. For me that's not a lot to do. Takes 2 min.... Either people think the Pure Strikes are tinny and then Bab put in rubber-tech and then people say that the rackets are too not tinny/ too muted, Maybe Bab just need to spray foam into the rackets like Technifibre do to their rackets. I also note that the Pur Strike VS is aimed for 4.5 players and up. On the video you are not quite that level yet.
Cheers.
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jsm1373
Rookie
After decades of ProStaffs, I used to think that any frame not foam filled was a cheap POS
- but with enough lead on a PSVS, don't miss the foam one bitBallsOfFire
Rookie
They call it a 97 but has exact same size and head shape as my 98 Pure Storm GT from 2011. If its a 97 then it's a 97,7"
It's a 16 x 20 pattern just like the Pure Storm GT and Babolat Aero VS also. The mains/ horizontal strings are more widely spaced than on my Pure Strike 16 x 19.
So plenty of Spin if you have the technique. What makes it better in my opinion is that it is a bit more versatile than the Aero VS/Aero.
