2025 Babolat Pure Drive +
Quick Overview:
What a difference a decade makes...I was on the 2015 Pure Drive + playtest, and I remember how I loved serving w/ it, but couldn't control the power. Fast forward to now, and w/ my aging shoulder, I'm needing that "free power" more than ever. When I finally made the switch to "tweener" frames 2 years ago, I was about to pull the trigger on the 2021 PD+, but a demo from TW proved it to be a bit too sluggish on forehands, especially returns. So I went w/ a different frame that was a bit more HL. My main question going in to this playtest was if it would swing a bit faster than it's predecessor.
String and tension used for test:
Restring Zero 1.23mm, 48lbs w/ 10% prestretch on a ECP
Tennis experience/background:
Aging (56) 4.5-5.0 level player, been playing 50+ years, played D3, coached high school tennis
Describe your playing style:
Since over 90% of this playtest was done playing doubles, we'll say "serve & volley", as that's how I play doubles. Singles, I'm more of an "aggressive baseline counter-puncher".
Current racquet/string setups:
Solinco Blackout XTD, same string/tension as the playtest racquet
How many hours did you play with the racquet?
10+, although most of it was doubles (drilled a few times and played 1 set of singles)
Groundstrokes:
From the first swing I knew this was going to be a different playtest than the 2015. Maybe it was my demo (while within specs, it was definitely on the more HL side), but I had absolutely no problems getting around the ball on the forehand. The frame has a good solid feel, and absolutely plows through the shot (this is going to be a repeating theme). I was able to whip it on low shots to get the ball "up & down", but also drive through shots at shoulder height (which is a significant weak point in my game). Backhands felt smooth...almost effortless. I did lose a decent amount of power off-center, especially near the throat, but the simple answer is...don't hit it there... My only issue off the ground was when I had to generate power, and this is likely due to me not fully trusting in the frame. When give a mid-court sitter, I'd often put it halfway up the net. This was mostly off the forehand wing.
Serves:
It's a Pure Drive +...enough said. But seriously, it really is a great serving frame. I'm never going to clock in a 120mph (I'm 5' 9" 56 yr old...I think I top out at 90mph, with a decent tail wind), but I was able to get enough on them to keep my opponents off balance. I need the ability to hit my spots, both on 1st and 2nd serves, and I had no issues there. Slice wide in the deuce court, kicker or flat out wide in the ad (w/ an occasional flat one up the tee)...they were all there, and I felt confident I could hit them in pressure situations. I'm not sure I was broken in my first 6-7 service games using it.
Volleys:
I know some people have issues volleying w/ extended length frames, but after decades of playing 27.5" (starting w/ the 2001 Pure Control + "Swirly"), I've adjusted, so take this w/ a grain of salt... That said, I absolutely loved being at the net w/ this thing. The plow I experienced off the ground translates to a solid, stable frame at the net. It most definitely rewards good technique (which I probably do 30% of the time...), and if you get the frame out in front w/ a firm wrist, the volley is most likely not coming back. Soften the wrist a little, and you're able to hit nice short angled volleys as well. Overall, just a joy to volley with.
Serve returns:
Since 90% of my time playtesting was in doubles, this is from the perspective of the deuce side. Like volleys, if I met the ball out in front, the result was a solid return, 6-8in above the net, w/ decent spin. I was able to effortlessly redirect my opponent's power back at them, and many times took it solidly up the line off the forehand (not something I usually do). Backhand timing took a bit more time to get used to (likely due to
@Soundbyte 's lefty serve), but after a few games I was able to get decent inside-out returns off that side as well., along with the occasional return up the line (to keep my opponent from cheating too much). There's an extremely satisfying "thud" coming off this frame on the return, especially when your opponents are hitting big serves.
Comments on racquet performance in each area:
Power/Control -
Again...its a Pure Drive +, so there's plenty of power to be had. Control...I honestly felt there were no issues controlling the power. Of course in doubles, I rarely hit more than 2 ground strokes before either I came to the net, or someone put the ball away. The one set of singles I played it took me 2-3 games to get settled with it, but in the end I felt as if I was playing w/ my normal frame, taking the ball early & redirecting my opponent's power. I'm not going to generate raw power on my own (shoulder no longer allows that), but I can feed off my opponent's, and this frame allows me to do it consistently.
Spin/Slice -
(topspin) With an Eastern forehand and fairly flat 2-handed backhand, I'm not tearing up the charts as far as RPMs go. Having said that, my friend commented that he felt I was getting a little more topspin w/ this frame vs my Solinco. I did have that feeling, but it's subjective when its coming from my side. Having an opponent say it somewhat confirmed it.
(slice) While I didn't hit much slice in my doubles matches (I'm not the "chip & charge" kinda player), the few the I did hit felt good. The solid, stable feel of this frame really comes through on the slice nicely, especially on the high ones (I hate backing up on high topspin, and I lose power/control on the forehand side above the shoulder, so I will often slice a high ball to the forehand). The ball is not going to push this frame around.
Comfort/Feel -
I'm combining these 2 as to me they go hand-in-hand. This is where I think they really improved this frame from it's predecessor. I really felt connected on the shots. Not too dampened, but also not harsh. It certainly did not feel like a high 60s RA frame to me. But again, I have a long history of liking stiff frames (again...Pure Control Swirly +, HPS 6.1 +, RD Power 10 Long, etc). The word I'd use to best describe this frame is "meaty". It's firm, solid, stable, plows through the ball on on contact, and gives great feedback.
Additionally, I'm staring at minor shoulder surgery for bone spurs in the next month. There was no unusual pain or discomfort after playing w/ this frame (other than the usual fatigue in the later sets, which is my main issue).
Maneuverability -
Again, my frame was at the "more headlight" side of the balance spec, but it really was noticeable to me as compared to my 2021 demo. Having to react to 110+mph serves indoors at my age, I need something that isn't going to lag, and this performed perfectly. And as I mentioned in the volleys section, quick reactions were definitely needed at the net, and I got a few back that, in all honesty, I had no right getting a frame on the ball, let alone getting it back in the court.
Stability -
Like I've mentioned may times earlier, it's a very stable frame w/ tons of plow. On half-volleys I was able to cheat a little and drop the racquet head (e.g., instead of bending the knees...), and I was still able to control them. Not many shots were able to bully this frame.
General reaction/comments on overall performance:
Overall I'd give this an A+ from my perspective. During my doubles matches we'd usually play 4 sets, and I'd alternate between my Blackout XTD and the Pure Drive +. The switch was effortless, and if I were to change to the PD+ tomorrow, there'd be almost no adjustment period. Honestly, if I demoed this frame 2 years ago instead of the 2021 PD+, I'd have been using the PD+ for the last 2 years.
Also, I do like the new paint job. I made a joke in another thread referencing “Blue Steel”, but it really does remind me of the CSS color “
steel blue”.
Thanks to TW and Babolat for the opportunity to participate in this playtest.