Fighting phoenix
Professional
It doesn’t say anywhere and I was super curious about that myself - I don’t have the best tools to be precise enough measuring it myself.
Tennis Warehouse Playtest: Babolat Pure Drive 2025
- Thread starter TW Staff
- Start date
McLovin
Legend
lol…I am:
Estimated Delivery:
12/10/2024, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
However, given DC’s history, I’m betting on Wednesday.
codonnell
Semi-Pro
I can’t find mine on ups but also being in the east coast I’ll keep an extra look out tomorrow. Would love to see it come in tomorrow
jimdontcare
Semi-Pro
Wednesday in the *******...
Edit: wow I didn't realize middle America a was a slur lol
Edit 2: Yes I know
Edit: wow I didn't realize middle America a was a slur lol
Edit 2: Yes I know
McLovin
Legend
UPS says it arrived in Chantilly 30 minutes ago. The hub is literally across the street from my office. I wonder if they'd hand it to me if I stopped by...
I've seen it "on the truck", and "in your neighborhood", only to have it update and say "delivery date updated: tomorrow between X - Y". So frustrating. Once it drove by my street and went into the next neighborhood, then turned around & went back to the hug. Sooooo frustrating...
Mine is still 2 days away and still in California (no updates from the 6th). But I expect you to be rocking the Pure Drive 2025 for our doubles match on Thursday
Fighting phoenix
Professional
@TW Staff - some of us were curious whether or not there are any changes to the beam width from the prior model, in particular the 98 (at least from my POV, since that's what I'm testing)? The previous 98 was a 21mm/23mm/21mm variable beam - is this new one the same in that regard? It's not printed on the racquet or the placard. Thanks!
McLovin
Legend
I was wondering if we'd both be sporting the new Pure Drive +. But...it's only Tuesday...there's still a chance!
bobeeto
Hall of Fame
Hit with the 98 last night. Hitting again today, Thoughts to come.
Little Easter egg about the cosmetic - the babolat at the top is reflective. Looks amazing
Little Easter egg about the cosmetic - the babolat at the top is reflective. Looks amazing
Just got about 45 minutes with the PD. 322g, 32.2cm, 312 SW with overgrip/strings/dampener. Strung hurricane 17 @52lbs. Only got to groundstrokes and drop-feed points but first impressions are very positive compared to the 2018 and 2021 PDs. Especially considering I don’t care for RPM blast, the feel was very crisp and direct. Not quite PD swirly or PDT2015 crisp but a very appreciated step in that direction (imo). Classic Pure Drive easy depth and spin on both wings, but I think it could use a bump up to ~320 SW for defensive/reactive shots. Hopefully will get out again this week and try some serves and more point play
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TennisHound
Legend
Got mine today, strung it up with the RPM provided at 52lbs. I like the red accents. Slightly cold and windy today. I forsee hitting with wet balls on the wall at some point.
JonnyAbs
Semi-Pro
Did you beat me? My ups always comes at the end of the day.
Your package was delivered.
From TENNIS WAREHOUSE
Delivered
Tuesday 12/10/2024
4:39 PM
JonnyAbs
Semi-Pro
My initial biggest question is was it comfortable to hit with? The previous stick generally was not from from what I've read/watched. I also don't think the pa 98 is comfortable, especially off center, but it is tolerable.
What has been your experience in the past? To me, the PDT 2015 is perfectly comfortable and I’ve never experienced any discomfort from it. The swirly I recently got is definitely less comfortable off center and could see how it would be harsh on a sensitive arm. This one feels more dampened/muted than the 2015 for sure. The 2018 version was so dampened that I couldn’t trust my full swing and had mild shoulder soreness from that. This one is in between where I was comfortable swinging out and no harsh sensations in the wrist/elbow/shoulder to speak of. Even with a string I wouldn’t have picked out myself (rpm blast 1.25)
HypnoticLasagna
Rookie
My initial thought (of the PD98) was it is very similar to the last iteration, but with more plow.
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TennisHound
Legend
First Impressions: It’s strung too tight - harsh just about everywhere. Slightly unstable and turned a little on off-center shots. Shots in the upper hoop were harsher. When I sped up the rhs everything felt better and I had a few “Wow” moments.
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McLovin
Legend
Nope. You win!
As I predicted, the truck drove all around my neighborhood, stopped at a BP gas station around 4pm, then drove all around my neighborhood again, finally delivering it at 5:22.
Can we all agree to specify the model for all posts moving forward. I never know if we're talking standard, plus, or the 98!
bobeeto
Hall of Fame
Very far from a true review but here’s some thoughts.
It’s pretty much everything you’d expect from a pure drive. The 98 and the 16x20 do offer pretty good control, and a consistent stringbed… but I’m yet to really feel if this racket shines in any areas the 100 doesn’t.
gonna use this for some sets in the near future and report back. RPM blast isn’t the most comfortable in this, but the consistency is what you would want from such a string.
jackiechiles
New User
Can you comment on
- stability
- forgiveness off center
- stiffness
Specifically compared to a PA 98 if you have tried one
- stability
- forgiveness off center
- stiffness
Specifically compared to a PA 98 if you have tried one
codonnell
Semi-Pro
Waiting for mine to come in, how did you feel the power levels of the frame were initially, what tension did you string at?
TwinCinema
Professional
My big takeaway from this is I love living in Los Angeles.
JonnyAbs
Semi-Pro
Perfect, that's all I wanted to achieve out of this experience! Time to return the racquet.
JonnyAbs
Semi-Pro
Ok I have my pd 98. I measured it at 12, 2, 3, and 5 o'clock positions. Where are the measurements supposed to be taken?
12 - 21mm
2 - 23mm
3 - 23.5mm
5 - 23mm
From what I’ve seen online from one of out members here it seems that the 98 is a different mold than the prev gen, and is more box beam at the tip. Anyone with the 98 have the current or VS to compare to? I mained the VS for a while and am interested in the 98 if it’s a bit different
bobeeto
Hall of Fame
I find it to be super stable. The box beam around 10/2 and the higher swingweight really helps. Feels like there’s a lot of mass in the top of the racket head.
It’s stiff as stiff and still pretty thick on the beam, so there’s forgiveness on the off center shots, but there is a pretty small “sweet spot”.
There definitely is a supreme feeling when you connect well, but it’s not that different from off center hits.
I can’t speak to the PA98, but with all my thoughts, I would say just consider it a pure drive with a slightly lower launch angle and a little more point and shoot control
bobeeto
Hall of Fame
I’m not an avid pure drive player, so every time I pick one up I’m always shocked at how powerful they are. The PD98 is no different. Not as “easy” as the 100, but it’s 100% there.
Full bed RPM Blast 1.25 at around 50 (strung drop weight at 55)
bobeeto
Hall of Fame
VS is very elliptical like the 100, the new 98 squares off super flat around 3/9 on the racket like a pretty boxy D shape, then rounds a little more at 12. Ill try to send a video
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JonnyAbs
Semi-Pro
Lower launch angle and more control seems perfect to me!
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JonnyAbs
Semi-Pro
I measured the throat if you are interested. Just under 23mm at the top of the throat. 22.5 mid way down the throat. 21mm at the bottom of the throat.
Compared to previous pure drive 100s, the head of new pd98 is the same exact width, but the height of the head is 0.25" shorter. So the 2 inches of head size is lost really at the bottom only. That's great news IMO because off center shots are unchanged with respect to their distance from the top and sides, which is mostly where we miss, so nothing is really lost.
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stapletonj
Hall of Fame
Got it! gonna try to string it up tonight!
McLovin
Legend
Strung mine up last night (PD+). Unstrung specs were promising:
I like the balance as I prefer headlight frames. I haven't calibrated my Briffidi in a while, so I'll reserve the SW measurement for a later date. Looks nice w/ Restring Zero blue, btw...
302g static weight
~ 10pts HL
I like the balance as I prefer headlight frames. I haven't calibrated my Briffidi in a while, so I'll reserve the SW measurement for a later date. Looks nice w/ Restring Zero blue, btw...
TennisHound
Legend
Standard 100
jimdontcare
Semi-Pro
I can officially say this paintjob rules. I don't think I've seen a photo on here that does it justice. The blue is great, there's a subtle gloss, and while I liked the 2021 paintjob, this one definitely has more universal appeal.
As a first time TT playtester, I've been torn on what to string it with. Maybe you all can tell me what you'd like to see. I typically play Alpha which I am assuming is not a good fit, but I know that string inside and out and I know it will be comfortable. Maybe I can just string it tighter.
Or, I can string up a Hyper G Hybrid, which I had just started testing in my main stick. And Hyper G was my main string when I mained the 2nd gen Pure Strike, and frankly that's my main comparison here. I have some M8 and Lynx Tour too but I'm worried they're thicker than I'd want. Me trying Blast or Hurricane for the first time probably wouldn't be that informative.
I know the real answer is "try a bunch of stuff" but there's less than a month to work with and I want to make the most of it. What do you think?
As a first time TT playtester, I've been torn on what to string it with. Maybe you all can tell me what you'd like to see. I typically play Alpha which I am assuming is not a good fit, but I know that string inside and out and I know it will be comfortable. Maybe I can just string it tighter.
Or, I can string up a Hyper G Hybrid, which I had just started testing in my main stick. And Hyper G was my main string when I mained the 2nd gen Pure Strike, and frankly that's my main comparison here. I have some M8 and Lynx Tour too but I'm worried they're thicker than I'd want. Me trying Blast or Hurricane for the first time probably wouldn't be that informative.
I know the real answer is "try a bunch of stuff" but there's less than a month to work with and I want to make the most of it. What do you think?
jimdontcare
Semi-Pro
Apologies to the non-American crowd for the reference, but no one is going to look at this in a store and think "that's just for women" unless they think the Tennessee Titans uniforms are girly. Once you see it you can't unsee it lol
I generally prefer the thicker deader poly with maybe a softwr poly cross in the stiffer tweeners. Of the strings you mentioned, i would be inclined to try lynx tour mains and alpha crosses
JonnyAbs
Semi-Pro
What string tension are you guys thinking in the pD 98? I will stick with my usual volkyl cyclone 17. In a standard pure drive, I usually use around 55. Last time I strung it at 55/53 on a drop weight machine.
I am thinking maybe 52? Or 53/51. Something along those lines?
I am thinking maybe 52? Or 53/51. Something along those lines?
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Alcawrath
Professional
You're playing the PD98 not the PA98, correct? You've mentioned PA98 on two of your posts now, so I'm getting confused.
codonnell
Semi-Pro
I’ve been stringing from 42/45 in my 98’s May bump it up to around 46 for this play test.
JonnyAbs
Semi-Pro
Doh! Yes pd 98. These are too similarly named for me! Fixed.
In my PDVS I’m at 52/48 gut-poly. I’d probably do the same in this one
TennisHound
Legend
Another hit, I think the strings are loosening up slightly, and I'm getting more used to the HL balance (my current racquet is about 1pt HL with strings around 47lbs 99" head). Racquet (standard PD 100) felt fast and more solid. My first hit, i was hitting with my wife (3.5 ntrp) and keeping the balls in play. My second hit was with a 4.0 solid hitter. The PD definitely feels more solid with a full swing 
. Jury is still out on serves...
. Jury is still out on serves...
This is surprising! The PDT 2018 allows me to hit serves that one of my doubles partners calls unplayable. It’s crazy the action and pace a PD can put on a serve.
Fighting phoenix
Professional
First hit (doubles) with the PD98 - strung with RPM Blast, 49 mains, 47 crosses.
First of all, it's surprising to me how dense the string pattern is - I need to hold it up directly to the PA98, but just glancing at it based on memory it seems denser to me than the PA98 now that it's a 16x20.
Initial impressions were very positive - slightly muted, and a little heavier than what I've been playing with (my vcore 98s are around 318sw and 6 pts head light, while this is 323 and 3-4 pts head light) - but the hitting experience was very direct, medium launch angle, easy and put a smile on your face level of power and depth, especially on the forehand side. Serves were big - everyone commented on it - and my first serve percentage was higher than normal to boot. Putaway volleys and overheads were a breeze.
Downsides so far - not as whippy or maneuverable as my Vcore, definitely feels stiff which didn't help with touch and feel, but I feel like that's the nature of the racquet and could very well be a good trade off given the fun, controllable power.
Excited for my next hitting session, singles this time, this coming Friday. Great stuff so far!
First of all, it's surprising to me how dense the string pattern is - I need to hold it up directly to the PA98, but just glancing at it based on memory it seems denser to me than the PA98 now that it's a 16x20.
Initial impressions were very positive - slightly muted, and a little heavier than what I've been playing with (my vcore 98s are around 318sw and 6 pts head light, while this is 323 and 3-4 pts head light) - but the hitting experience was very direct, medium launch angle, easy and put a smile on your face level of power and depth, especially on the forehand side. Serves were big - everyone commented on it - and my first serve percentage was higher than normal to boot. Putaway volleys and overheads were a breeze.
Downsides so far - not as whippy or maneuverable as my Vcore, definitely feels stiff which didn't help with touch and feel, but I feel like that's the nature of the racquet and could very well be a good trade off given the fun, controllable power.
Excited for my next hitting session, singles this time, this coming Friday. Great stuff so far!
@Fighting phoenix - Maybe try slapping a leather grip on that 98, to lower the balance point to a more tasteful/maneuverable mid-upper 32.x cm mark (5-6pts HL). Curious to see if it would make it play even better.
JonnyAbs
Semi-Pro
Just a heads up, adding weight anywhere always increases swingweight, even if it's in the handle or buttcap. It indeed changes the balance, but it doesn't make it more maneuverable. The leather grip might also make the grip too hard/harsh. That is my issue with leather.
Alcawrath
Professional
Agreed, I kinda want to hear how that would go but I think for play tests they specify that they don't want any modifications made and changing grips is considered a modification.
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