Struggling to dial in the pure aero 98

[MasterSlice74]

Hi, I've been trying out the pure aero 98 (currently using the ezone 98) and after a few hitting sessions, I'm not understanding how to play with this racket... it feels like I'm missing something. (I'm around a 4.5, I have a big forehand with a lot of spin)

My balls come off with a lot of spin but with less power and penetration, and the partners all end up just teeing off on my normal rally shots. It feels difficult to flatten out and hit hard consistently. I end up just looping the ball back because I don't feel confident going for my shots, or if I do, I end up missing it. I'm stringing it up with hyper g at 52 lbs. I also tried adding weight at 3 and 9 to help with plow through and penetration, but it didn't help much.

Considering what I've heard from reviews of the aero 98 (and compared to the ezone 98) it seems like my experience has been worse than most people, especially considering my playing style.

Have any of you experienced this with the aero 98, and if so, did you manage to fix it? And how?

 

[Yamin]

What do you usually use? Try decreasing tension first.

 

[ichaseballs]

Hi, I've been trying out the pure aero 98 (currently using the ezone 98) and after a few hitting sessions, I'm not understanding how to play with this racket... it feels like I'm missing something. (I'm around a 4.5, I have a big forehand with a lot of spin)

My balls come off with a lot of spin but with less power and penetration, and the partners all end up just teeing off on my normal rally shots. It feels difficult to flatten out and hit hard consistently. I end up just looping the ball back because I don't feel confident going for my shots, or if I do, I end up missing it. I'm stringing it up with hyper g at 52 lbs. I also tried adding weight at 3 and 9 to help with plow through and penetration, but it didn't help much.

Considering what I've heard from reviews of the aero 98 (and compared to the ezone 98) it seems like my experience has been worse than most people, especially considering my playing style.

Have any of you experienced this with the aero 98, and if so, did you manage to fix it? And how?

just get the regular 100 aero

 

[johnmccabe]

Try round poly? The launch angle is a bit higher with PA 98. What happens when you try to flatten the ball? Do you hit long? The handle shape is different too. Takes a while to adjust to.

 

[Anton]

Hi, I've been trying out the pure aero 98 (currently using the ezone 98) and after a few hitting sessions, I'm not understanding how to play with this racket... it feels like I'm missing something. (I'm around a 4.5, I have a big forehand with a lot of spin)

My balls come off with a lot of spin but with less power and penetration, and the partners all end up just teeing off on my normal rally shots. It feels difficult to flatten out and hit hard consistently. I end up just looping the ball back because I don't feel confident going for my shots, or if I do, I end up missing it. I'm stringing it up with hyper g at 52 lbs. I also tried adding weight at 3 and 9 to help with plow through and penetration, but it didn't help much.

Considering what I've heard from reviews of the aero 98 (and compared to the ezone 98) it seems like my experience has been worse than most people, especially considering my playing style.

Have any of you experienced this with the aero 98, and if so, did you manage to fix it? And how?

Hyper G is soft, lots of spin, but very vague on control and flat shots.

Alcaraz plays RPM Team 1.30 at 55lb, should be pretty good to drive the ball.

 

[Hawks9451]

98s kind of punish you for looping the ball. Maybe try to level out your forehand swing. Need to hit w/ the center with this racket. Margin will come w/ enough RHS.

 

[Chairman3]

Carlos..is that you?

 

[MrBD]

I had the same experience but with the previous version of the Pure Aero VS (PAVS). It's a little stiffer, but I had the same issue of not being able to control or flatten the ball, which really affected my confidence. I can only looping. My setup is Confidential 1.2 @ 50lbs.

I've tried so many frames, but this one is really hard to play with, and I don’t know why. I'm really confused why it’s rated so highly and is very popular, it makes me feel very sad about my technique, LMAO.

 

[gutfeeling]

Hi, I've been trying out the pure aero 98 (currently using the ezone 98) and after a few hitting sessions, I'm not understanding how to play with this racket... it feels like I'm missing something. (I'm around a 4.5, I have a big forehand with a lot of spin)

My balls come off with a lot of spin but with less power and penetration, and the partners all end up just teeing off on my normal rally shots. It feels difficult to flatten out and hit hard consistently. I end up just looping the ball back because I don't feel confident going for my shots, or if I do, I end up missing it. I'm stringing it up with hyper g at 52 lbs. I also tried adding weight at 3 and 9 to help with plow through and penetration, but it didn't help much.

Considering what I've heard from reviews of the aero 98 (and compared to the ezone 98) it seems like my experience has been worse than most people, especially considering my playing style.

Have any of you experienced this with the aero 98, and if so, did you manage to fix it? And how?

Make sure your contact point is out in front of you, and hit the ball above the midpoint. Also, this racquet doesn't need additional weight at 3&9 since the stock twistweight is already high. Take the weight you added off or move it to 11&1 or 10&2. You may also want to try a round poly to tame the launch angle.

 

[TF40]

Try using multi- and round poly hybrid. The multi will reduce the launch angle and increase power a bit. I put some lead at 3&9, which also helps on power and stability.

 

[Djinn]

I had similar problems, now its my racquet of choice, even with a one-handed backhand.

- Move the weight to 12
- Round strings
- Lower tension
- Swing more horizontal. I know the aero beam makes you want to swing more vertical, but trust me, swing more towards the opposing fence

If these things do not work out, move on.

 

[thenewbig3]

....it makes me feel very sad about my technique, LMAO.

Thats why we match the racket to the player and not vice versa.

Hi, I've been trying out the pure aero 98 (currently using the ezone 98) and after a few hitting sessions, I'm not understanding how to play with this racket... it feels like I'm missing something. (I'm around a 4.5, I have a big forehand with a lot of spin)

My balls come off with a lot of spin but with less power and penetration, and the partners all end up just teeing off on my normal rally shots. It feels difficult to flatten out and hit hard consistently. I end up just looping the ball back because I don't feel confident going for my shots, or if I do, I end up missing it. I'm stringing it up with hyper g at 52 lbs. I also tried adding weight at 3 and 9 to help with plow through and penetration, but it didn't help much.

Considering what I've heard from reviews of the aero 98 (and compared to the ezone 98) it seems like my experience has been worse than most people, especially considering my playing style.

Have any of you experienced this with the aero 98, and if so, did you manage to fix it? And how?

Do you have to switch rackets? I have the same issue as you : I need a lower launch tight pattern medium power racket to maximize my game. A full switch to an opener or openish pattern can take weeks of suffering and getting tee-d off or missing sitters on reduces the chance that you will ever develop the confidence to complete the switch. Reviews are starting points at best if not glorified marketing videos - not rules and definitely of less use for 4.0+ players.

I am going to switch to the Ezone 98 myself because it just always works for my technique - the extra optional spin is completely upto me.

 

[pico]

Good to see a post on this as I struggled a fair bit with this exact issue except using a PAVS (just like one of the posts above). I still use the racquet though and while the loopiness of shots was an issue, I have noticed that it is the same thing that troubles opponents! So that is one positive way to look at it.
I have been able to decrease the loopiness of my shots. I think part of it is a conscious effort to hit more in front (which would be the case for any racquet I would use). The other has been my setup. I kept reading how this racquet is best with 1.30mm strings mostly. It could be true and anyhow - that stuck in my head. I decided to try the following setup - Weisscannon Rock n Power in mains (prestretched at 45lbs) and Kirschbaum Max Power 1.20 (45lbs) on crosses. I also use 2g of lead each at 10 and 2, leather grip alongwith 4g of lead at the top of the handle. This has given me more the shot trajectory I prefer. I still get the loopiness as well but like I said, it is a deep loopiness that really troubles my opponent. I also use a one hand bh and this setup can slice low n dirty. I strung at 40lbs today n will try it this evening. I think you can make this racquet work for you if you want to.

 

[pico]

Try using multi- and round poly hybrid. The multi will reduce the launch angle and increase power a bit. I put some lead at 3&9, which also helps on power and stability.

I forgot to mention that the idea of a multi/poly helps with a flatter trajectory too. I tried it but the feel threw me off although it was nice feeling.

 

[TennisHound]

Hi, I've been trying out the pure aero 98 (currently using the ezone 98) and after a few hitting sessions, I'm not understanding how to play with this racket... it feels like I'm missing something. (I'm around a 4.5, I have a big forehand with a lot of spin)

My balls come off with a lot of spin but with less power and penetration, and the partners all end up just teeing off on my normal rally shots. It feels difficult to flatten out and hit hard consistently. I end up just looping the ball back because I don't feel confident going for my shots, or if I do, I end up missing it. I'm stringing it up with hyper g at 52 lbs. I also tried adding weight at 3 and 9 to help with plow through and penetration, but it didn't help much.

Considering what I've heard from reviews of the aero 98 (and compared to the ezone 98) it seems like my experience has been worse than most people, especially considering my playing style.

Have any of you experienced this with the aero 98, and if so, did you manage to fix it? And how?

It’s not a good feeling racquet and not easy to play with. I don’t know how Alcaraz and Rune use that thing.

 

[JK208]

Dropping tension to 48 should fix it. Hyper G is an excellent string in the Pure Aero and I don't see any reason to change it unless you really can't flatten it out. In that case, you could try Restring Sync or Silver 7 Tour at 52 then 48 lbs. The last resort would be adding 2g of lead at 12, but I would probably just keep the ezone at that point.

 

[gino]

Hi, I've been trying out the pure aero 98 (currently using the ezone 98) and after a few hitting sessions, I'm not understanding how to play with this racket... it feels like I'm missing something. (I'm around a 4.5, I have a big forehand with a lot of spin)

My balls come off with a lot of spin but with less power and penetration, and the partners all end up just teeing off on my normal rally shots. It feels difficult to flatten out and hit hard consistently. I end up just looping the ball back because I don't feel confident going for my shots, or if I do, I end up missing it. I'm stringing it up with hyper g at 52 lbs. I also tried adding weight at 3 and 9 to help with plow through and penetration, but it didn't help much.

Considering what I've heard from reviews of the aero 98 (and compared to the ezone 98) it seems like my experience has been worse than most people, especially considering my playing style.

Have any of you experienced this with the aero 98, and if so, did you manage to fix it? And how?

I think there PA98 has a really open sweet spot, which makes it hard to dial in the hot feeling. I would recommend playing extended mini tennis and hitting volleys with it. That’s the best way to build feel of a stringbed IMO

 

[morten]

Same here OP.

 

[iceman_dl6]

Same with me, struggling with it too! What I don’t like is its boardy feel at contact but it is still low powered. Can’t bully any opponent with it. Even with added weight, it still lacks pop. The previous gen (PAVS) although still boardy had decent pop because of the higher stiffness.

 

[pico]

I am thinking of trying out the Rad MP.

 

[heavyD]

I am thinking of trying out the Rad MP.

It's an underrated frame. If it had Blade paint job people would talk about it like it was one of the greatest Blade versions.

 

[pico]

It's an underrated frame. If it had Blade paint job people would talk about it like it was one of the greatest Blade versions.

lol - you tried one I take it or perhaps you play with one?

 

[heavyD]

lol - you tried one I take it or perhaps you play with one?

I don't play with one but my brother played with the last two generations so I've used his several times. I just feel the Blade isn't a bad frame but is so average at everything and the Radical being a little stiffer makes it a bit more of a weapon.

 

[vokazu]

Hi, I've been trying out the pure aero 98 (currently using the ezone 98) and after a few hitting sessions, I'm not understanding how to play with this racket... it feels like I'm missing something. (I'm around a 4.5, I have a big forehand with a lot of spin)

My balls come off with a lot of spin but with less power and penetration, and the partners all end up just teeing off on my normal rally shots. It feels difficult to flatten out and hit hard consistently. I end up just looping the ball back because I don't feel confident going for my shots, or if I do, I end up missing it. I'm stringing it up with hyper g at 52 lbs. I also tried adding weight at 3 and 9 to help with plow through and penetration, but it didn't help much.

Considering what I've heard from reviews of the aero 98 (and compared to the ezone 98) it seems like my experience has been worse than most people, especially considering my playing style.

Have any of you experienced this with the aero 98, and if so, did you manage to fix it? And how?

Try lead under the head guard, maybe from 10 to 2 o'clock

 

[pico]

I don't play with one but my brother played with the last two generations so I've used his several times. I just feel the Blade isn't a bad frame but is so average at everything and the Radical being a little stiffer makes it a bit more of a weapon.

I did try a Rad Pro and it was nice too. I haven't played the 2023 Rad MP. Have you played a Rad Pro?

 

[Chairman3]

Carlos..is that you?

OP hasn't responded since, he knows I'm onto him

 

[gsung]

OP you mentioned you're currently using the Ezone 98, and can't get used to the Pure Aero 98. I have a similar experience, but in reverse. Over the years I've used multiple Babolats: Pure Drive / Aeropro Drive / Pure Drive Roddick / Pure Aero Tour, and dabbled on and off with other racket brands. I switched to the Pure Aero 98 about a little over a year ago, and it's been great for me. However, I do remember demoing the Ezone 98 Tour a couple years ago, and I had the same feeling as you: I didn't understand how to play with this racket. I felt like I had to hit completely flat with the Ezone for some reason, trying to hit topspin felt like fighting against the racket. Might be all the Babolat-ness ingrained in my muscle memory, I don't know.

So what I concluded was that the Ezone 98 is just a very different racket than the Pure Aero 98, and building your muscle memory around one would mean the other is going to feel off. Although, I think Casper Ruud used to use the Aeropro Drive, then switched to the Ezone 100 ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[18x20 ftw]

Once I added weight at 12 and matched swingweights, I gelled with it perfectly. I now own four of them. Playing my usual ptp 1.20 at 55 lbs. String doesn’t last very long but it keeps me from having arm issues.

 

[pico]

I revisited a hybrid setup with my PAVS. I used GoldenSet Velvet (multifilament) in mains at 1.30mm at 56lbs and RPM Team 1.25mm in crosses at 54lbs. No mods on racquet except for leather grip. This is the most "flat-hitting" setup I have found for it. I enjoyed it. I will tweak just a little by upping the tensions by a pound, adding 1g each at 10 and 2 and 2g at top of handle.

 

[iceman_dl6]

I took some weight off from the handle with a thinner and lighter replacement grip (Babolat Syntec Team) while keeping the same for the rest: 2g total at 3 & 9, Hyper G Soft 1.20 45 lbs, Yonex Supergrap overgrip. Total static weight at a fast and light 321g. Still plenty stable and ample plow and comfort but I gain more whip/spin with this setup. I actually like it a lot now!!

 

[TripleSSS]

I did try a Rad Pro and it was nice too. I haven't played the 2023 Rad MP. Have you played a Rad Pro?

Rad MP was too light for my specs but I thought it was a nice frame. had plenty of pop and plenty of spin, just a bit flimsy due to lack of weight. Also was surprisingly difficult to flatten shots out with MP.
Rad Pro played more to my liking, played similar to Blade just more beefier because of higher weight. I also think it had better feel on the sweet spot than a Blade but was more demanding to use. Excellent frame though, loved it.
2023 Rad Pro slightly stiffer than 2021 Rad Pro but not enough difference for people to even consider upgrading or to even notice tbh.

For OP, as for Pure Aero 98, if you like to hit big groundies only, maybe try adding lead to 3 and 9, maybe 12 to get more of a balanced weight.
I bought an overspec PA98 and added about 3g total to 3 and 9, overgrip and dampener to make it 2pt HL and have a static weight of 337g.
I absolutely love it for forehands, I can flatten it out, drive it with heavy top spin or loop it high defensively, took a bit of time to get used to with OHBH, slices are AMAZING.
The only negative of this racquet for me (which is quite huge) is the serve. I just have a hard time taming this thing for my serve.
The racquet naturally wants to try slice serves instead of my usual flat serves, and for second serves, it does provide huge kick, but I have to get used to its power and focus a lot more to control the higher launch angle and power compared to my other racquets.