Issues with Babolat Pure Strike 16 x 19

[pburghtennis1]

I have been playing with the Babolat Pure Strike for about a year now. Previously I played with the Wilson blx six one team for about 7 years.

I’m still on the fence about the Pure Strike. I feel the racquet is way too stiff-I can’t get any of that whip on my forehand. At times it also feels too heavy. I think it’s great for volleys and backhand slices but not for my forehand. I don’t have much control and end up sailing a lot of balls long. I just haven’t felt comfortable with it.

The other thing is I have always played with a 4 5/8 grip and an over grip. The grip feels bigger than the previous 4 5/8’s I have played with.

Anyone have similar issues with the pure strike? I’m not sure what to do. I think I plan on playing out the summer with the pure strike and then make a decision.

 

[beltsman]

I have been playing with the Babolat Pure Strike for about a year now. Previously I played with the Wilson blx six one team for about 7 years.

I’m still on the fence about the Pure Strike. I feel the racquet is way too stiff-I can’t get any of that whip on my forehand. At times it also feels too heavy. I think it’s great for volleys and backhand slices but not for my forehand. I don’t have much control and end up sailing a lot of balls long. I just haven’t felt comfortable with it.

The other thing is I have always played with a 4 5/8 grip and an over grip. The grip feels bigger than the previous 4 5/8’s I have played with.

Anyone have similar issues with the pure strike? I’m not sure what to do. I think I plan on playing out the summer with the pure strike and then make a decision.

What's your string setup? I will tell you my Pure Strike experience after..

 

[TennisManiac]

One thing is for sure. All Babolat grip sizes are sized big. They're much larger than all other racket manufacturers. If you normally play with 4 5/8 grips, you need to order a 4 1/2 from Babolat.

I have always played with 4 1/4 grips from Wilson and Head. But if I were to play with a Babolat I would have to order a 4 1/8.

 

[js0930]

I’m playing with the Pure Strike right now. The grips definitely run big. I found it was somewhat too head light for me. Added some lead on the hoop and like it a lot better. Also found it felt less stiff leaded up.

 

[Mathguy]

I have been playing with the Babolat Pure Strike for about a year now. Previously I played with the Wilson blx six one team for about 7 years.

I’m still on the fence about the Pure Strike. I feel the racquet is way too stiff-I can’t get any of that whip on my forehand. At times it also feels too heavy. I think it’s great for volleys and backhand slices but not for my forehand. I don’t have much control and end up sailing a lot of balls long. I just haven’t felt comfortable with it.

The other thing is I have always played with a 4 5/8 grip and an over grip. The grip feels bigger than the previous 4 5/8’s I have played with.

Anyone have similar issues with the pure strike? I’m not sure what to do. I think I plan on playing out the summer with the pure strike and then make a decision.

I`m playing with the PS at the moment, and I find a lot of access to spin and whippiness. Although I do come from a much heavier racquet(about 30 grams more) so that can be why I find it easier to whip around. Another thing is great size, I would definitely go down a grip. Playing at the right grip size helps you stay relaxed and allows for a more whip-like motion.

 

[jmacdaununder2]

One thing is for sure. All Babolat grip sizes are sized big. They're much larger than all other racket manufacturers. If you normally play with 4 5/8 grips, you need to order a 4 1/2 from Babolat.

I have always played with 4 1/4 grips from Wilson and Head. But if I were to play with a Babolat I would have to order a 4 1/8.

I’m playing with the Pure Strike right now. The grips definitely run big. I found it was somewhat too head light for me. Added some lead on the hoop and like it a lot better. Also found it felt less stiff leaded up.

Do Babolat grips actually 'run big'/ are moulded 'big' inherently, or is it - as it has been the case with PDs in the past - simply a case of Babolat installing a thicker than average grip on a correctly sized handle, meaning that by replacing the 'factory' grip with a more middle of the road grip you will achieve a correctly sized grip overall? My personal retail experience with earlier model PDs was that you could remove the Babolat Syntec grip that came with the racquet from new, and replace it with a - theoretically identical - retail Babolat Syntec replacement grip, and achieve correct sizing. I.e. it seemed that the 'factory' Syntec grip was thicker than the 'retail' Syntec grip.

 

[TennisManiac]

Do Babolat grips actually 'run big'/ are moulded 'big' inherently, or is it - as it has been the case with PDs in the past - simply a case of Babolat installing a thicker than average grip on a correctly sized handle, meaning that by replacing the 'factory' grip with a more middle of the road grip you will achieve a correctly sized grip overall? My personal retail experience with earlier model PDs was that you could remove the Babolat Syntec grip that came with the racquet from new, and replace it with a - theoretically identical - retail Babolat Syntec replacement grip, and achieve correct sizing. I.e. it seemed that the 'factory' Syntec grip was thicker than the 'retail' Syntec grip.

The mold actually runs big. It has nothing to do with the grip they use. I tried replacing the factory Syntec grip with Prince Resi Thin and Tourna Pro Thin and it was still bigger than any other grip I've ever used. You need to order a size smaller... trust me.

 

[boris_graf]

Hmmm.....why did you pick the Pure Strike at all ? It seems you do not like the racquet a lot.

 

[mrtrinh]

perhaps you should tell us a bit more about your playing style. The racquet is more suited for modern strokes.

 

[topspn]

I am going to assume you’re referring to the P17 the 98 head size. It is very light in stock form and I had it bumped up with leather grip and weight to 120z and it was still super maneuverable. It played fantastic and my forehand loved it, hit huge balls and precision was good. No flying balls for me so overall i had almost the opposite experience except i agree the stiffness a bit high and I felt discomfort in the arm so stopped playing it.

 

[jmacdaununder2]

The mold actually runs big. It has nothing to do with the grip they use. I tried replacing the factory Syntec grip with Prince Resi Thin and Tourna Pro Thin and it was still bigger than any other grip I've ever used. You need to order a size smaller... trust me.

So yet more 'winning edge' wholesaling from Babolat? Is this across all lines? I haven't noticed any difference with my friends' '18 PDs and '19 PAs, I'll have to check more closely.

 

[TennisManiac]

Is this across all lines?

Yes, all lines.

 

[kkm]

Factory Pure Strikes have the Skin Feel grip, which is 1.5 mm