Just imagine a blue aero pro drive (all blue) with red strings.Just imagine if Nadal would have stuck with the Pure Drive...
Jordan Thompson had a great year as well and Kenin had a bit of a resurgence also.These have always been a best seller for recreational tennis, but this year they are making a come back in ATP with Perricard reaching top 30 starting 200 in January. He averages 129mph second serves and plays one handed backhand.
Referencing previous pure drive models the main difference is the head size, beam thickness, and the length.Can somebody give a quick synopsis of the differences between the pure drive, 98, and plus?
For the 2021 issue, according to TW, the specs are not very far apart between regular and plus, and the plus is actually less stiff:To summarize
Plus - most power, best reach at net, great 1-2 racquet, high swing weight, sacrifice mobility and comfort (typically the stiffest of the 3)
98 - more controlled response, whippier quicker through air, improved feel, more consistent response, sacrifice some power, not as strong on serve, less forgiving
100 - great power at baseline and serve, quicker and more mobile then plus, less controlled and feel than the 98.
Length | 27.00 inches / 68.58 cm | 27.50 inches / 69.85 cm |
---|---|---|
Weight | 11.20 oz / 317.52 g | 11.20 oz / 317.52 g |
Balance | 12.99 inches | 12.99 inches |
Swing Weight | 320 | 324 |
Stiffness | 71 | 69 |
those are strung swing weights which i really liked. will 2025 have the same SW ?For the 2021 issue, according to TW, the specs are not very far apart between regular and plus, and the plus is actually less stiff:
Length 27.00 inches / 68.58 cm 27.50 inches / 69.85 cm Weight 11.20 oz / 317.52 g 11.20 oz / 317.52 g Balance 12.99 inches 12.99 inches Swing Weight 320 324 Stiffness 71 69
Thank you for pointing this out! When I played with the pluses I always felt as they are more stiff but looking back on previous generations, pretty much all of them are actually less stiff, I have edited my comment to reflect this informationFor the 2021 issue, according to TW, the specs are not very far apart between regular and plus, and the plus is actually less stiff:
Length 27.00 inches / 68.58 cm 27.50 inches / 69.85 cm Weight 11.20 oz / 317.52 g 11.20 oz / 317.52 g Balance 12.99 inches 12.99 inches Swing Weight 320 324 Stiffness 71 69
Babolat is keeping the info about 2025 under embargo for now. We shall find out once we get the playtest racquets. The lucky winners will be announced next week.those are strung swing weights which i really liked. will 2025 have the same SW ?
I thinkbi might like the 16x20 pattern. Tightens it up a bit. I don't line the FSI spacing of the 2018 and 2021 pure drives so I use a 2006 pd currentlyI'm pretty pumped about the 98, hopefully I'll get selected for this one - also hoping it's slightly whippier, comfortable, and connected than the prior iteration.
I'm pretty pumped about the 98, hopefully I'll get selected for this one - also hoping it's slightly whippier, comfortable, and connected than the prior iteration.
The 98 is starting to spec out very similar to the Diadem Elevate. That's a straight beam vs the tapered beam of the PD.I'm pretty pumped about the 98, hopefully I'll get selected for this one - also hoping it's slightly whippier, comfortable, and connected than the prior iteration.
The PD98 is very good, I used it as a main for a little while. Just kills strings though, I was breaking gut/poly faster than I could believe.The 98 is starting to spec out very similar to the Diadem Elevate. That's a straight beam vs the tapered beam of the PD.
I never hit with the PD98 (only "98" variant from Babolat I haven't hit).
Agreed on the strings; I’m not a huge string breaker but I notched 1.30 poly in about 15mins w/ the PD98. It’s a great racket IMO, only problem is the Aero 98 is better. I’m excited that the new one is 16x20 and rlly want to try it. My only concern is that it won’t be different enough from the Aero 98…hopefully they keep the balance differentThe PD98 is very good, I used it as a main for a little while. Just kills strings though, I was breaking gut/poly faster than I could believe.
Pa98 is one if not the best 98 in the market right now. However I have problems with my flat serve with this racquet, its the only 98 I have problems serving flat. Thats why I want to try the Pd98.Agreed on the strings; I’m not a huge string breaker but I notched 1.30 poly in about 15mins w/ the PD98. It’s a great racket IMO, only problem is the Aero 98 is better. I’m excited that the new one is 16x20 and rlly want to try it. My only concern is that it won’t be different enough from the Aero 98…hopefully they keep the balance different
I like it sitting in the 67 (previous gen reported by tw) for stiffness personally. They risk losing the pure drive dna a bit if they drop it too much and the frame will lose some pop which is what the line is known for. But the flax inserts should help and it may get dropped a point or 2 which will go a long way for comfort for some users. The unstrung stiffness is also reported incredibly high on the prior gen (per Babolats website) so maybe there is a disconnect.I hope the stiffness is reduced on the 98 ..
It's probably one of the most stiff rackets I have ever used next to the 1st generation Burn
Yea the PD98 serves flat way better. I still serve decent flat serves w/ the Aero. For me it doesn’t matter as much since my serve only tops out around 105mph (on my EZ98’s) so I mostly kick it. Both of em hit ridiculous kick serves, but I never double fault w/ the AeroPa98 is one if not the best 98 in the market right now. However I have problems with my flat serve with this racquet, its the only 98 I have problems serving flat. Thats why I want to try the Pd98.
Yeah it's more baby blue in color.
I found that my original comment was correct.Pretty sure he used the Pure Aero, not Drive.
Have they confirmed it’s getting NF2?I think what I'm most excited for regarding the new pure drives is the flax inserts and seeing how that softens the harsh feel that accompanies most power racquets. I was pleasantly surprised with the pure aero update because the flax really did soften the aero 98 without sacrificing significant power or feel on the ball. Can't wait to see what the new PD line brings!!
I just assumed since they put it in the aero and strike lines. Is it not?Have they confirmed it’s getting NF2?
For me, Pure Drive is synonym to Fabio Fognini's power shots with his effortless short swings:Does any other modern racquet say "power" and "I'm going to serve you off the court!" quite like a Pure Drive? When you bump in to someone with a bag full of these you know the ball is going to be flying!!
I’m assuming they may not because the pure drive isn’t really meant to be a soft/flexy frame. I think it would be nice if they managed to reduce the stiff feeling without dropping stiffness to like 65, so who knows.I just assumed since they put it in the aero and strike lines. Is it not?
Maybe we had different experiences with flax in babolat frames, but flax inserts did not make the PA flexy or soft. They reduced the harsh vibrations just enough.I’m assuming they may not because the pure drive isn’t really meant to be a soft/flexy frame. I think it would be nice if they managed to reduce the stiff feeling without dropping stiffness to like 65, so who knows.
Totally agree, that tech made a big difference in the PA 100 and especially PA 98 compared to the old VS.I think what I'm most excited for regarding the new pure drives is the flax inserts and seeing how that softens the harsh feel that accompanies most power racquets. I was pleasantly surprised with the pure aero update because the flax really did soften the aero 98 without sacrificing significant power or feel on the ball. Can't wait to see what the new PD line brings!!
In @Tan Tennis ’s recent video, he shows a picture of the new pure drive, and I saw that it included nf2 in this version, which I believe is their flax tech.Totally agree, that tech made a big difference in the PA 100 and especially PA 98 compared to the old VS.
Could be just what the pure drive 98 needs. The PA 98 is an awesome racket albeit a bit demanding.
Good eye !! You win the Pure Drive Detective of the Week award for the playtest !!In @Tan Tennis ’s recent video, he shows a picture of the new pure drive, and I saw that it included nf2 in this version, which I believe is their flax tech.
Just checking in to see if emails went out.
Since I don’t see any “I got in!” posts, THERE’S STILL HOPE!