Tennis Warehouse Playtest: Babolat Pure Drive 2025

[TW Staff]

Attention Talk Tennis Members:

It is here! We have our first official playtest of the 2025 season! We have a limited quantity of Babolat Pure Drive racquets (Pure Drive, Pure Drive Plus and Pure Drive 98) to playtest. This playtest is open to USA Talk Tennis members only.

VERY IMPORTANT: Playtesters will be required to get their test racquet strung. Each racquet will be shipped with two set of strings. We will have two grip sizes available - grip 2 and 3 (please note we will do our best to accommodate but playtester may end up with either grip size 2 or 3). Please choose only ONE racquet.

Application period closed. Due to the holiday week, selected participants will be notified early next week.

We have a very limited quantity of racquets to playtest. We select playtesters based on a number of factors, including message board participation and performance on past playtests.

Your review is due by January 3rd, 2025.

Posting a full review by the deadline is necessary to remain in good standing for future playtests. Reviews lacking sufficient effort will resort in disqualification from the playtest program.

Include the following in your review:

String and tension used for test:
Tennis experience/background:
Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley):
Current racquet/string setups:
How many hours did you play with the racquet?

Comments on racquet performance for each stroke (each section should be 3-5 sentences minimum):
-Groundstrokes:
-Serves:
-Volleys:
-Serve returns:

Comments on racquet performance in each area (should be 2-3 sentences minimum)
Power/Control-
Top Spin/Slice-
Comfort-
Feel-
Maneuverability-
Stability-

General reaction/comments on overall performance:

Thanks,
TW Staff

We will delete “request sent” emails, but encourage a lively “pre-game” discussion on the racquets.


 

[pheonix6579]

OOOOOOOhhhhh....this should be fun! Glad they are continuing with the Pure drive plus. Used to be my main racket for years. All the way back to the OG Cortex days. Cant wait to see what they do with this version. The last version caused me to look at other frames.

 

[hdjs94]

Used the pure drive for 90% of my tennis for 10+ years from 2-4th gen so highly anticipated!! Especially if it’s got the new tech the pure strike has.

 

[gsinko1]

Let’s go! Still use my 2015 Pure Drive Tours regularly. Hope babolat has moved back closer to the direct feel of the older gen drives. Very excited for this new generation!

 

[2ndServe]

Hope to get on this. I love to playtest extended sticks

 

[fin61]

Nice! Used Roddick's Pure Drive in high school, and recently switched back to the Pure Drive 98.

 

[Frans Bleker]

Lets start new European tennis forums.

 

[codonnell]

I am very excited for the release of the frame and this playtest! I used a pure drive Roddick all throughout high school, switched to the 2018 weighted up for a year before moving to my aero storm gts. I have since tried all the current pure drives (15-21) and the first pure drive Vs. I have bought a aero 98 as well, I’m most interested in the pure drive 98 to see how they built on the previous renditions as well as compares to the current aero 98. There’s so much potential for a high quality pure drive 98 that will supply plenty of pop in a smaller head size.

 

[Boomersooner]

Gonna give it a try. Getting older and needing some more pop!

 

[dak95_00]

OOOOOOOhhhhh....this should be fun! Glad they are continuing with the Pure drive plus. Used to be my main racket for years. All the way back to the OG Cortex days. Cant wait to see what they do with this version. The last version caused me to look at other frames.

My thoughts EXACTLY!!!

I was literally reading the thread title and saying out loud, “Oooohhhhh!!!!”

 

[PhxRacket]

Gonna give it a try. Getting older and needing some more pop!

Same. Used a friend’s modified Pure Drive Tour the other day-wow!!!

 

[McLovin]

In for the PD+. When I switched to the Blackout XTD 2 years ago, it was down to that, and the current PD+. Will be interested to see if this iteration is better.

 

[dak95_00]

I’ve never used a Pure Drive. I’ve probably hit a few balls but never played a match with one. I’ve strung so many throughout the years but just never bought one. I have played the Pure Aero or Aero Pro Drive though.

 

[Chairman3]

Glad to see they haven't killed off the PD98.
Don't see alot in the wild but it's always been a frame that intrigues me to want to try it.

 

[travlerajm]

I’m interested in this!

I like crispy frames for doubles.

 

[Alcawrath]

This is seriously exciting. It's been so long since the last pure drive release. Babolat's updates to the pure aero and strike lines have been fantastic, and I'm really looking forward to seeing what they've done with the pure drives!!!

 

[shadow10]

Recently picked up a used, current-generation Pure Drive, and while I’ve been hitting with it occasionally and find it to be a very good racket, it does lack some control—a characteristic that isn’t its strongest suit. It excels as a topspin weapon, delivers plenty of power on groundstrokes, and performs very well on serves. That said, I’m in for Pure Drive 98. Hopefully will get selected, so I can compare it with my current Pure Drive. I’m curious to see if it offers better control while retaining the other great qualities I am enjoying.

 

[VanDerVaart23]

Wanna test this !!

 

[Djinn]

This should be a fun test. Feels like forever since a new Pure Drive was released.

 

[datsveryinterestin]

Gonna pray for PD+
Was just remembering yesterday that I probably played my best tennis with PD+. Oh the serves were glorious!

 

[sanjeev7878]

using a pure drive for 14 years

 

[BallBasher247]

Really want to get in on this one. I liked the last Pure Drive 98 a lot, just didn’t switch to it bc I already had an EZ98 and wanted 2 of the same racket. I hope they tightened the stringbed a bit, but I didn’t mind the open stringbed of the last one too much—I hit HEAVY with that thing.

 

[Trip]

Hope to get in on this, and agree with others that I hope they tighten the center mains just a bit, like they did for the Aero, for a bit higher precision level.

 

[WJ155]

I have my thoughts on how I would like a PD98, but I’m always willing to change those thoughts if I think the racquet is interesting.

 

[A_Instead]

Highly looking forward to this release as well as the reviews..
A updated Pure Drive is long overdue..
Good luck to all those who win this raffle..

 

[StringStrungStrang]

So many great choices - I'm with you guys @datsveryinterestin @Djinn @Chairman3 @Alcawrath @shadow10 @McLovin !! Do I have to pick only one ??? I love extended length racquets ( Babolat Pure Drive Plus) , but always loved the standard length Pure Drive (probably have a couple ) but have been most intrigued by the PD 98 since lately I've been playing Babolat's Pure Strike 98 and have strangely bonded with it. Besides - who doesn't like blue?

No doubt they're all dynamic and likely some of the best serving racquets ever made !! Could you imagine if Ben Shelton decided to play a Pure Drive?

 

[A_Instead]

I hope TW Jason is on the thier review..
He is most relatable to me in terms of level.

 

[mesaage85]

I hope TW Jason is on the thier review..
He is most relatable to me in terms of level.

I agree with you

 

[mesaage85]

I hope TW Jason is on the thier review..
He is most relatable to me in terms of level.

But Jason usually is not on power racquet’s review

 

[McLovin]

Could you imagine if Ben Shelton decided to play a Pure Drive?

I don’t need to imagine. We’ve got Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard to show us what it would look like…

 

[SinneGOAT]

 

[travlerajm]

Andy Roddick and Wayne Arthurs 2 of the top 5 6’4” and under servers of all time. Both PD+

 

[TennisHound]

So pumped for this one - in for the Pure Drive, but it would be cool if we could get any of them.

 

[touchdowntrevor]

I have hung onto my trusty Pure Drive Roddick Plus for years, and it's still my favorite Pure Drive iteration. Can't wait to give this version a try!!!

 

[taylor15]

The plus is going to be the power king now that the tour is no longer. One of my favorite sticks is a 2018 tour with leather grip that weighs 358 grams string. It’s a bazooka of a stick

 

[TennisHound]

The plus is going to be the power king now that the tour is no longer. One of my favorite sticks is a 2018 tour with leather grip that weighs 358 grams string. It’s a bazooka of a stick

I also preferred the 2018 PD (I just had the regular version). This racquet seemed softer than other iterations.

 

[stapletonj]

I also have a brother (4.0), teaching pro (5.5), MXD partner (strong 3.0) who also play a Pure Drive, I could therefore give you 4 reviews for the "price" of one.

 

[dak95_00]

I keep checking back to read the post that says….


The application period is now closed. We are surprised by the large number of applicants.
(THIS ONE WILL BE A RECORD NUMBER!)
Those chosen will receive emails.

I feel like Donkey in Shrek….
PICK ME!!!!

 

[taylor15]

I keep checking back to read the post that says….


The application period is now closed. We are surprised by the large number of applicants.
(THIS ONE WILL BE A RECORD NUMBER!)
Those chosen will receive emails.

I feel like Donkey in Shrek….
PICK ME!!!!

Is this two records in a row? Last one with the prestige, which is also a fantastic stick.

Edit: I misread your post, you’re looking for it today that not that it did say that. Ugh.

 

[dak95_00]

Is this two records in a row? Last one with the prestige, which is also a fantastic stick.

Edit: I misread your post, you’re looking for it today that not that it did say that. Ugh.

Correct. That post hasn’t been made yet. But when it does… I fully expect to read it as I wrote it for them.

PICK ME! Ooh. Ooh!

 

[darkother]

Super excited for this racquet! Used the 2018 Pure Drive for my last year of college tennis so would love to get back into this line. It’s been a long time since the last update. Would be great for this to be my first review stick!

 

[McLovin]

I feel like Donkey in Shrek….
PICK ME!!!!

Lol…I’ve actually used that meme here before. Don’t think it worked…

 

[JonnyAbs]

@TW Staff it appears that the drill pattern for the 100 is the same as 2021 and 2018. Can you confirm?

Also I have heard it speculated that the pd 98 will have a 16x20 pattern like the pa 98. Is there any truth to that?

 

[Seth]

Andy Roddick and Wayne Arthurs 2 of the top 5 6’4” and under servers of all time. Both PD+

Wayne Arthurs was legit.

 

[travlerajm]

Wayne Arthurs was legit.

When Andre Agassi describes your serve as “filthy”, it’s safe to say that it’s difficult to return it with a clean ball.

 

[travlerajm]

Sam Groth (163 mph viking serve) also a PD+

 

[McLovin]

Sam Groth (163 mph viking serve) also a PD+

Pretty sure he used the Pure Aero, not Drive.

 

[travlerajm]

Pretty sure he used the Pure Aero, not Drive.

Yes. looks like PA+

 

[travlerajm]

 

[BallBasher247]

Correct. That post hasn’t been made yet. But when it does… I fully expect to read it as I wrote it for them.

PICK ME! Ooh. Ooh!

I second this