Tennis Warehouse Playtest: Babolat Pure Aero 2023

ajspurs

Rookie
The racquet does look better in person, but I disagree about the feel. 2019 feels softer

The new one was noticeably softer for me, was the first thing I immediately noticed. I guess different people's various setups from this and the previous one can alter experiences a bit also.
 

krautfox

Rookie
Yeah I had a play with mine the other day, didn't get to try many different shots as I had a session of just forehands but it definitely had a softer feeling than the 2019 Pure Aero. I'm really intrigued to see how much I prefer it to the 2003 Pure Drive I've been using as I was having a lot of fun with that. On first impressions I'm definitely able to hit out more with the Pure Aero and everything was falling inside the lines. I only really hit long on the odd wild/mishit shots. Felt like there was really good control there though in comparison with the 2019 one and I definitely prefer it for that reason. I remember having to use dull polys strung quite high to get the control I wanted from that. If anything I just need to adjust and get used to controlling the depth with it as although a fair share fell just inside the baseline, a fair share also fell around the service box. That is also very much a personal issue too though. Strung with RPM Blast at 53lbs.

Oh and pictures almost don't do it full justice, the racket looks so good in the hand! The glossy finish also feels really good.

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Thanks for your review ! What you say about depth control is spot on; most of the time, it's really a personal/technical issue, and not the racquet. Can't wait to get my hands on one.
 

ajspurs

Rookie
Thanks for your review ! What you say about depth control is spot on; most of the time, it's really a personal/technical issue, and not the racquet. Can't wait to get my hands on one.

No worries :) And yeah I fully agree mate. I think certain rackets (combined with certain strings) can sometimes have attributes that allow you to easily get away with certain things. Like I wasn't hitting as short with the Pure Drive, but really I'm not transferring the appropriate energy from my body through the shot and the Pure Drive probably masked that a bit and I actually had a really good forehand session of just getting more out of my forehand with much less effort and I'm looking forward to further developing that with this racket. That's where I may eventually end up enjoying the spin and control of the Pure Aero over the power of the Pure Drive.
 

SOY78

Professional
TW Staff must be busy this week. The OP is not updated and I haven't received anything in the email. Fingers crossed though.
 

mhkeuns

Hall of Fame
My first experiences with Babolat tweeners were 2012 Pure Drive & 2013 Aero Pro. I was coming off from using the Rebel 95 & IG Prestige MP but became interested in the so-called “Spin & Power” frame that made game easier. Iirc, both of those rackets were pretty much used by almost everyone at the time. My guess is that around this time is when Babolat was a big step ahead of everyone else in sales.
In my opinion, Babolat went too much into power & spin with the Pure Drive & Pure Aero in their last two iterations, instead of making improvements on maneuverability & control, Hoping the new version plays a lot like the 2013 APD with a little more focus on control,
 
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TennisHound

Legend
My first experiences with Babolat tweeners were 2012 Pure Drive & 2013 Aero Pro. I was coming off from using the Rebel 95 & IG Prestige MP but became interested in the so-called “Spin & Power” frame that made game easier. Iirc, both of those rackets were pretty much used by almost everyone at the time. My guess is that around this time is when Babolat was a big step ahead of everyone else in sales.
In my opinion, Babolat went too much into power & spin with the Pure Drive & Pure Aero in their last two iterations, instead of making improvements on maneuverability & control, Hoping the new version plays a lot like the 2013 APD with a little more focus on control,
I was also using an IGPMP to a Pro Staff 90 to a ‘16 PA. Coming from a heavy to a light racquet, I added lead right away lol. But the heavy(ish) SW and stiffness gave me some wrist pain. After that, went to the ‘18 PD. Used that for several years :)
 

mogo

Semi-Pro
Congrats to those that get on the playtest. I currently use the plus model and am hoping this updated, tighter pattern gets rave reviews. I like my current setup but would like to see how much difference a tighter pattern plays in comparison on court.
 

TennisHound

Legend
Congrats to those that get on the playtest. I currently use the plus model and am hoping this updated, tighter pattern gets rave reviews. I like my current setup but would like to see how much difference a tighter pattern plays in comparison on court.
You could probably get an AeroPro Drive + and get an idea. The string patterns are pretty similar.
 

Chairman3

Hall of Fame
Just figured those that got picked would be more pumped about It and let everyone know.
At the same time I could understand if notification was delayed, because I'm sure the applicant pool was ENORMOUS
 

Trip

Legend
+1 @Chairman3 - I bet they still haven't sent any/many invites out yet. Given how vocal this community is, we'd be seeing posts indicating so within minutes; at least that's my expectation. Further, considering how quickly TW opened and closed the application window (I believe it was open for only about a day, two at the most), I bet they got absolutely hammered with apps; I wouldn't be surprised if it was well into the hundreds. That, and given how busy the TW team must be, has probably contributed to the delay.
 

mhkeuns

Hall of Fame
You ever had like a cloudy day in your life and then all if the sudden the clouds part and the sun pokes through, and amazingly you see God looking down and he winks?! Okay, me neither, but sometimes a racquet arrives and you think “Maybe I’ll make it.” … IN :)

Lol. Congrats! Pure Aero is a fun frame to hit with. I'm sure the playtest will be a blast and foresee a switch coming soon.
 

TennisHound

Legend
I'm in! Wonderful surprise! I'm really looking forward to comparing this to the Auxetic Extreme MP's that I'll be getting into my pro shop in a week or two. Two of the racquets I'm most excited about trying!
That will be the comparison. The PA's got some tough competition with the AEMP for sure.
 

mhkeuns

Hall of Fame
That will be the comparison. The PA's got some tough competition with the AEMP for sure.
Pure Aero was better for me if you compare the last iterations because while borh were quite spin monsters, it took more effort to control the shots with the Extreme MP. Babolat set the benchmark for 100" tweeners that is hard to top. I don't much like the 100" rackets, but Pure Aero is an exception. To me, it has been the most fun to hit 100" frame since my initial experience with the APD 2013.
 

TennisHound

Legend
Pure Aero was better for me if you compare the last iterations because while borh were quite spin monsters, it took more effort to control the shots with the Extreme MP. Babolat set the benchmark for 100" tweeners that is hard to top. I don't much like the 100" rackets, but Pure Aero is an exception. To me, it has been the most fun to hit 100" frame since my initial experience with the APD 2013.
Yep, I would agree that the PA had a little more control than the EMP. The EMP felt long while the PA felt wide (and bulky). Both of these required me to be on the gas at all times.
 

Chezbeeno

Professional
The comparison with the EMP will be really interesting, because I think both Head and Babolat tightened up the string patterns on their new iterations, which should be a welcome change on both. Can't wait!!
 

djkahn86

Rookie
I’m loving the demo they sent me. Pretty sure it’s a shaped poly but this stick is no longer the launching pad the last few versions have been. Enjoy and we look forward to your reviews.
 

XFactorer

Hall of Fame
Who's with me? BABOLAT AERO PRO DRIVE PURE AERO 2023 Playtest !!
From what I can tell its: XFactorer, Chairman3, Chezbeeno, myself, among others. I guess the US OPEN will have to wait until after this Playtest!!

I'm really looking forward to this one!

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What if I leave Yonex for a Babolat after this play test? Was eyeing the EZONE 100. But I will pump the brakes on that for now. I do have access to the new Auxetic Head Extremes... that would be a good comparison. And I've been playing with my DR100 a little, too. But first thing's first, I gotta figure out what to string the racquet at. I'm used to 45 lbs in my EZONE 98. Maybe 48 or 50 lbs with the RPM Blast?
 

Chezbeeno

Professional
What if I leave Yonex for a Babolat after this play test? Was eyeing the EZONE 100. But I will pump the brakes on that for now. I do have access to the new Auxetic Head Extremes... that would be a good comparison. And I've been playing with my DR100 a little, too. But first thing's first, I gotta figure out what to string the racquet at. I'm used to 45 lbs in my EZONE 98. Maybe 48 or 50 lbs with the RPM Blast?
I would think ticking up in tension from the Ezone would probably be the way to go? Initially I'm gonna just gonna use my go-to setup from my Radical MP and string Lynx Tour at 56 - I'm so glad that they've brought the RA down enough to where just the thought of a stiff poly at a high tension doesn't make me sore haha. I fully expect to need to adjust that setup for optimal performance, but figure I may as well compare as close as I can to my normal setup.
Any other thoughts on stringing?
 

TennisHound

Legend
I would think ticking up in tension from the Ezone would probably be the way to go? Initially I'm gonna just gonna use my go-to setup from my Radical MP and string Lynx Tour at 56 - I'm so glad that they've brought the RA down enough to where just the thought of a stiff poly at a high tension doesn't make me sore haha. I fully expect to need to adjust that setup for optimal performance, but figure I may as well compare as close as I can to my normal setup.
Any other thoughts on stringing?
56 in the Radical MP is pretty tight. I could see stringing this new PA around 53lbs, since the pattern is a little tighter.
 
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