Carlos Alcaraz is using a stock Pure aero vs

[Cas]

mind sharing a photo or link, I looked at high res photos for a good while and come up empty.

Same here. How much I would like the Alcaraz frame be the same as the stock VS There just seem to be very slight differences when you look at the photo's up close.

 

[moon shot]

for instance I would expect to see the raised dot pattern in one of these:

And in the previous paint

All I see are shadows and reflections of the strings in the area around the stripes in the inner hoop

 

[colan5934]

The dimples/pimples are only on the retail models. Pro stock (babolat calls them competition) models, don’t have them. They’re current or old retail frames made to more stringent quality control standards. Often, no specs on them or slightly different graphics too. A friend used to work high up for babolat and has confirmed this to me and even gotten pro stock frames for me from them…

basically, nothing to see here folks. He’s using the new gen aero vs mold. They just don’t put pimples on the pro stocks.

 

[pico]

The dimples/pimples are only on the retail models. Pro stock (babolat calls them competition) models, don’t have them. They’re current or old retail frames made to more stringent quality control standards. Often, no specs on them or slightly different graphics too. A friend used to work high up for babolat and has confirmed this to me and even gotten pro stock frames for me from them…

basically, nothing to see here folks. He’s using the new gen aero vs mold. They just don’t put pimples on the pro stocks.

so then it goes back to the fact that we dont know his specs since he is using a pro-stock?

 

[Cas]

so then it goes back to the fact that we dont know his specs since he is using a pro-stock?

Indeed, I think that is the right conclusion. "Based" on a current stock frame but certainly not the same. There are ever so slight differences on these photo's that just don't resemble my stock VS's. We have no idea of what is underneath the paint (that by the way also does not resemble the paint on my VS's, ever so slightly different in colour and gloss...).

 

[iceman_dl6]

for instance I would expect to see the raised dot pattern in one of these:

And in the previous paint

All I see are shadows and reflections of the strings in the area around the stripes in the inner hoop

Not convinced, from those angles, I believe it isn’t close enough to conclude if they are dimples or not. I personally have a PAVS and I think they aren’t very raised enough for a camera to fully capture them unless it is a couple of inches away. Otherwise, highlights or shadows can take it away from the picture. I use to do a lot of photography on my sparetime. On the OP’s pic, I think I see a hint of dimples on 3oclock and below that (4:30 (between the 2 stripes)).

 

[lidoazndiabloboi]

Now the real question is, "What are the dimples for and why do our retail rackets have them? Does it provide us with extra Alcaraz magic?"

 

[iceman_dl6]

Now the real question is, "What are the dimples for and why do our retail rackets have them? Does it provide us with extra Alcaraz magic?"

It’s their “Pure Feel” dampening system. Also, it’s an “anti-counterfeit” too.

 

[colan5934]

so then it goes back to the fact that we dont know his specs since he is using a pro-stock?

Babolat competition/pro stock models come at retail specs just with tighter qc. Not lighter like head racquets or some Wilson layups. Pretty safe to assume that’s what he has when considering the spec reports that are circulating. Of course, he could have lead under the bumper but honestly does it matter?

 

[colan5934]

It’s their “Pure Feel” dampening system. Also, it’s an “anti-counterfeit” too.

All the marketing material initially for the “pure feel” was that the cortex/Pure feel was internal and not related to the pimples. Unless this has changed…

 

[moon shot]

 

[pico]

I see the Cortex on his face!

 

[Deleted member 781523]

Someone should buy mine, I’ve had a post up on the for sale section at a good price for a while with barely any interest

 

[iceman_dl6]

@Babolat Official

Could you please shed some light?

Is Alcaraz’s actual racquet really the same as retail or is it a prostock?

Judging from his match pictures, we don’t see the dimples at 3 & 9 that is usually found on the retail model.

 

[TennisManiac]

He's using a Pro Stock frame but with obvious customization. And no one can tell me any different.

 

[jindra]

This thread is hilarious.

 

[iceman_dl6]

This thread is hilarious.

Agreed, honestly, I actually don’t give a ***** , as I like my PAVS for MY game and anyway, I always customize any racquet to MY liking. But, in another perspective, I hate that racquet companies are often dishonest to their customers. If Babolat admits that CA uses a prostock, I’d be 100% fine with it, it’s HIS racquet. Another example is FAA’s “Pure Aero” where it is VERY obvious he is using a 2016 Pure VS under the paint.

 

[jindra]

Ridiculous

 

[pico]

Someone should buy mine, I’ve had a post up on the for sale section at a good price for a while with barely any interest

what condition? grip size? will you ship to Canada?

 

[mtommer]

But, in another perspective, I hate that racquet companies are often dishonest to their customers. If Babolat admits that CA uses a prostock, I’d be 100% fine with it, it’s HIS racquet.

This thread is exactly why they don't. This frame was barely selling and now, it will sell like crazy. Big money in "marketed perception".

 

[Lambsscroll]

HeavyHitter gave us the balance and weight. That is all i wanted to know.

 

[Lambsscroll]

In the January 2023 release of the Pure Aero 98 (a replacement of the Pure Aero VS), the grommets are more cylindrical-shaped, so the string does not move as much. This allows for a focus on precision for the "fast spin" player. this was in a Forbes article

 

[travlerajm]

I am a “slow spin” player so it’s probably not for me.

 

[pico]

In the first pic there, I tried to see if there was "Cortex Pure Feel" listed above "Aero Modular" as seen in the retail models but I couldn't see it? Might make the case that he is playing without Cortex.

 

[mikele]

Is it the same case with Runes frame?

 

[Rob209]

Following on my post above, adding the lead at the inner v throat (4 grams), made the racquet more difficult to handle and gave me some wrist discomfort, has anyone added lead at 12 only, like 4 grams? How was the racquet feeling?

I have three PAVS. I found that I sometimes lost the feel of where the top of the racket was when returning serve.
I added 4g at 12 and 4g of putty inside the trapdoor. I think it’s a big improvement. Definitely more feel of where the racket tip is and inevitably a little more pop. Still nice and whippy. Overall, I’m very happy with the change.

 

[iceman_dl6]

For those wondering about the Babolat “dimples” , per link below, post #1623, the 2019 PA did have them while the RG version didn’t and both are retail versions. I believe both versions still had the dampening system (which is internal) and per Babolat Official, they didn’t bother adding those dimples on the RG version.

Therefore, I have a feeling the dimples are there for esthetic purposes to show where is the dampening system is at and for anti counterfeit purposes.

Bonjour from Babolat: Part Trois

The Pure Strike VS is expected in 2021. It has probably been delayed by the Pandemic situation. Babolat usually releases VS versions of the same model at some point after the standard models are released. I would expect the current model VS in 2021 and a new Pure Strike range sometime in 2022...

tt.tennis-warehouse.com

 

[TennisCJC]

Here's some food for thought. I currently have 2 Pure Aero VS, both uncustomized. They are currently strung with a Tecnifibre poly. One racket is SW328, the second racket is SW304. Keep in mind these are strung measurements.

It's most likely that he does have lead at 12 on his racket, not necessarily to increase the SW very high, but instead to at least match each of his racket to one another. So some rackets will have slightly more lead, some slightly less lead. It is much easier to add 2 in. of lead tape to match up the specs, than it is to manufacture the rackets all with the same exact specs.

geez, that is extremely bad QC. I have had rackets that differed by as much as 9 SW units but your rackets have a difference of 24 SW units. I agree though that it is highly likely that he is customizing his rackets. The premier stringing services used by the pros have customization and matching services and the top tier of ATP and WTA are using them.

 

[KingGrayskull]

All these questions on pro stock, dimples pimples, paint, etc, and TW is still putting Alcaraz under the regular Pure Aero section and not the VS?

 

[McGradey]

All these questions on pro stock, dimples pimples, paint, etc, and TW is still putting Alcaraz under the regular Pure Aero section and not the VS?

He is now endorsing the Pure Aero 98, which is not yet released to the consumer market. But he doesn't use the Aero VS paintjob any more, so that's probably why they have him in the main Aero section.

 

[KingGrayskull]

He is now endorsing the Pure Aero 98, which is not yet released to the consumer market. But he doesn't use the Aero VS paintjob any more, so that's probably why they have him in the main Aero section.

maybe this was discussed before, but is there going to be more than a cosmetic difference between the “98” and the current VS for the retail market?

 

[mikele]

They said it will have different materials, so it will be different

 

[Lambsscroll]

They said it will have different materials, so it will be different

In the January 2023 release of the Pure Aero 98 (a replacement of the Pure Aero VS), the grommets are more cylindrical-shaped, so the string does not move as much. This allows for a focus on precision for the "fast spin" player.

Babolat's Updated Pure Aero Tennis Racket Line Introduces New Technologies, Flax (forbes.com)

 

[TennisManiac]

All these questions on pro stock, dimples pimples, paint, etc, and TW is still putting Alcaraz under the regular Pure Aero section and not the VS?

I've been thinking the same thing lately. Btw, love the avatar. I HAVE THE POWER!!!!!

 

[mikele]

In the January 2023 release of the Pure Aero 98 (a replacement of the Pure Aero VS), the grommets are more cylindrical-shaped, so the string does not move as much. This allows for a focus on precision for the "fast spin" player.

Babolat's Updated Pure Aero Tennis Racket Line Introduces New Technologies, Flax (forbes.com)

They also mentioned something about fiberglass fibers but could be a marketing move

 

[Mischko]

 

[pico]

Anyone try 1.20mm strings in their PAVS?

 

[Lambsscroll]

Anyone try 1.20mm strings in their PAVS?

give it a try

 

[Chairman3]

This thread is hilarious.

I see this thread constantly pop-up in the pro player gear section and wonder to myself..
"What could there be left to discuss, the title says it all"
And yet it piques my curiosity and I click in to find out that....nothing
Just confirmed speculation

 

[jm1980]

If Force = Mass x Velocity, if you have less mass you will need more velocity/RHS.

Force = Mass x Acceleration

What this also means is that with the same force, a lighter object will accelerate faster. Intuitively you know this, the heavier the object, the more force you need to accelerate it

 

[pico]

give it a try

but I dont have it

 

[KingGrayskull]

I've been thinking the same thing lately. Btw, love the avatar. I HAVE THE POWER!!!!!

thank you!

 

[tennisintheeighties]

It seems like Alcaraz is playing a racket (before and current) without the Cortex "dimples". What are your thoughts?

Looks like one piece stringing on this picture
( I just saw other pics of his pavs, still in one piece )

 

[danbrenner]

i think its only natural that his specs get so much attention. he is after all the best of the rest.

 

[staryugi]

All pure aero vs in stock form have DIMPLES, Alcaraz's Pure aero VS has no DIMPLES, SO the answer of that big question is simple, maybe he's using a pure aero vs with lower specs ( or not ) etc etc etc...., but guys he's not using the pure aero vs we find in stores !

 

[Lambsscroll]

All pure aero vs in stock form have DIMPLES, Alcaraz's Pure aero VS has no DIMPLES, SO the answer of that big question is simple, maybe he's using a pure aero vs with lower specs ( or not ) etc etc etc...., but guys he's not using the pure aero vs we find in stores !

yep, not anymore but back in 2020 when he was 17 years old he was.

 

[orlin zlatarsky]

Force = Mass x Acceleration

What this also means is that with the same force, a lighter object will accelerate faster. Intuitively you know this, the heavier the object, the more force you need to accelerate it

With heavy racquet you use the inertia of it, not force...

 

[m1k]

Note sure if someone pointed this out before but I count only 19 crosses in this picture?

 

[inwoodnyc]

Note sure if someone pointed this out before but I count only 19 crosses in this picture?

Hawkeye! Yup, definitely 19 crosses…what does this mean hmmm

 

[Wheelz]

Is the new PA98 16x19 ? Maybe he switched to that.