Tennis Warehouse Playtest: Babolat Pure Drive 2025

McLovin

Legend
Playing in the Big Ten... added extra credential to your review..
I believe he played club tennis (and was president of the club), not on the D1 roster.

Having said that (and having played him many times), if he’s a 4.5, it’s at the upper 5% of 4.5. If he played more (READ: any) leagues, he’d get the 5.0 bump rather quickly. That lefty serve is nasty, and this is coming from someone who grew up seeing a lefty serve from day one (my father was a lefty).
 

McLovin

Legend
…and for those following along at home…

Yes, @TW Staff did select two people for the same playtest (PD+), who happen to live less than 5 miles apart, play each other frequently, at the same club.

But I will say that it was a great playtest as we played 8 sets of doubles vs each other over the last week, me alternating between the PD+ and my XTD between sets, and him each match using the PD+ for the first 3 sets, and his Rafa for the 4th.

I will echo the comments about losing significant power as you move away from the sweet spot. God knows I hit tons of off-center shots dealing with the spin from his serve (and they sat up, waiting to get pounded by another PD+…).

I haven’t had the issues he’s had with volleys, but that’s likely because I’ve been playing extended frames since the late ‘90s (Yonex RD Power 10 Long Midplus).
 
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Chairman3

Hall of Fame
Another hour playing singles alternating with my normal racquet...

Felt a little pingy but while Hawk Power looks good, I don't think it's the best string for this racquet. Could just be 48 is too low but it feels like its already lost quite a bit of tension.
Anyway..

Still hitting the ball deep easily and I am not experiencing the lack of spin a few others mentioned. I'm not even especially a spin player but feel like the balls have a bit more arc and dip.
Volleys you can be punished for trying to guide the ball, again, probably also tension related at this point. I pushed a few long because of poor execution. Some good half-volleys, the racquet fell into position nicely.
Hit some better slices when I stepped into the shot.
Directional control was lacking a bit, I sprayed a few down the line approaches a little wide. Willing to chalk that up to tension [mostly].

Playing doubles tomorrow and will use it the whole time.
I'm torn, I'm trying not to like it but I'm still on the fence.
 

jimdontcare

Semi-Pro
Some early half-baked thoughts on the 98 from a 4.0:

  • First of all, I'm definitely going to give a second review after the deadline because I think finding the right string/tension is going to be pretty important.
  • If you didn't like Babolats before, this will not change your mind.
  • Sweet spot is surprisingly defined. I never tried the 2021 Pure Drive or the last gen 98 (maybe I'm not qualified for this review after all lol) so I can't give a direct comparison, but there definitely is reward for striking the ball well and some punishment for missing it.
  • Relatedly, I would describe this racquet as very powerful but not the most forgiving. The power potential feels off the charts, but you have to hit a full, clean shot to get there. In fact, I'd say (at least so far) the top-end power might be the same as regular PD and its counterparts, but there's noticeably less free depth or free power. Not bad, it's still a power racquet through and through, but noticeably less. I'm still trying to figure out depth control, but I get the sensation that I can figure it out; it doesn't feel unpredictable, I just have to learn it.
  • Seems fairly polarized. I actually really, really like the weight distribution and would hesitate to add too much weight, at least right now. It feels pretty fine tuned. That said, mine was on spec at just a hair under 305 grams. The way the racquet is set up really facilitates whipping through contact, so I can generate most of the spin I need easier than I expected.
  • It's very stiff. The flax whatevers are not going to make this useable if you've struggled with Babolats recently. But it doesn't have any hollowness, brassiness, or toy-like feeling like Babolats sometimes got criticized for. I think I actually prefer the feel on contact of the PD98 over the Project One 7, because the P17 had a kind of buzziness to it. This feels pretty solid. I don't use dampeners unless I hate the sound or get a buzzy feeling, and I didn't need a dampener here.
  • Struggling to figure out how to make the most of this at net. I usually like power racquets at net because big sweetspot + big punch = good time, but this doesn't have the same punch or forgiveness that thick-beamed 100s do, nor do I get the feel for touch shots that other racquets in this RA range do.
  • Serves and overheads are laughably good though, but probably no one is surprised there.
Overall, I'm really enjoying this playtest and it makes playing aggressive from the baseline really fun. Still trying to figure out some depth control and I still am sending too many shots into the net because my last few racquets have had high launch angles, but this is a fun weapon so far. Honestly I'm excited to try the regular PD later on to see how it compares. It's tough to give up a massive sweetspot when you've had it for so long haha.

It feels like it has its own identity between the regular PD, Strike 98, and Aero 98, but it's difficult to describe exactly how right now. More precise and confidence boosting (for me!) than a regular PD, less club-like than a Strike 98 (much better for my swing type), and more responsive than an Aero 98 (still trying to figure out what I mean by this... I just never felt like I personally was able to make the most out of either Aero).
 

Trip

Legend
@jimdontcare - GREAT stuff Jim. As someone else put it, it may sound like blasphemy, but the PD98 appears to be giving off vibes of a slightly upsized 6.1 95 in certain ways. As such, perhaps it's best match will be those who've been down both the tweener and player/pleener paths already, and specific want for this kind of stick, even if it means compromising on forgiveness. Not sure how much of a target market that will end up being, but it's always nice to have more options.
 
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jimdontcare

Semi-Pro
@jimdontcare - GREAT stuff Jim. As someone else put it, it may sound like blasphemy, but the PD98 appears to be giving off vibes of a slightly upsized 6.1 95 in certain ways. As such, perhaps it's best match will be those who've been down both the tweener and player/pleener paths already, and already know they want a split-the-difference approach, even if it means compromising on a bit of forgiveness. Not sure how much player base that will fit, but as with all these other great 98's, it's nice to have options, especially those with more unique qualities, of which this PD98 seems to have enough of.
Much of what you've inferred is pretty much what I've been thinking so far. I'm confident this racquet will be *exactly* what some people are looking for, and while I've never played a 6.1 95 myself, I can understand how the type of player I've gathered that racquet served might enjoy this frame a lot. I'll try to save more "who is this racquet for" projections for my final review when I've had more time with the frame.
 

Chairman3

Hall of Fame
I also agree with most of what @jimdontcare said.
Again, not on the playtest but demoing the PD98 so I'm sharing my thoughts.
Played 2 hours of doubles this morning.
Slices you really need to lean into or they can float, basically have good technique.
Serves I have picked up pace but lost a bit of kick oddly.
However, if you are feeling a lack of spin, you may have strung it too high.
I get spin for days with this racquet and pretty easily.
The 16x20 feels reasonably open and the strings have a decent amount of notching for only 4 hours, and a flatter hitter, indicating plenty of string movement.

Feels a little, let's call it "twangy" definitely more solid than some Babolats I've used and no hollow or super muted feeling. Maybe that's just how Babs feel. Babs also seem to be super sensitive to dead poly. I recall this from when I did the PA23 playtest and my BBO had died, it felt more harsh; so that's probably the culprit of the "twangy" feel. I can't necessarily say it feels stiff in an unpleasant way but you do notice the RA.

The only point I disagree with is I am neutral to maybe slightly dislike Babolats but this one is actually changing my mind a bit.
 

jimdontcare

Semi-Pro
Slices you really need to lean into or they can float, basically have good technique.
Agree with this but I also just suck at offensive slices.
Serves I have picked up pace but lost a bit of kick oddly.
However, if you are feeling a lack of spin, you may have strung it too high.
Yeah, I'll reiterate that I get the sense that stringing is going to be very important to your experience of the frame. I want to add dwell time and spin, but I also want to deaden things, but I'm also a little worried about comfort, but I don't want to lose responsiveness. I guess I'm describing every racquet's string journey here, but I just think there's a window where everything should work together like a well oiled machine. FWIW, I strung mine at 47. My reference tension is 48 but I normally don't have 20 crosses. So far I've felt more of a desire to explore string type than tension, but as always there might need to be adjustment from string to string.
I get spin for days with this racquet and pretty easily.
The 16x20 feels reasonably open and the strings have a decent amount of notching for only 4 hours, and a flatter hitter, indicating plenty of string movement.
Yeah the 20th cross sits really low, definitely more open than the Storms of yesteryear. I don't have an Aero 98 on hand to compare with. I know somebody who plays one and if I see him I'll see if I can compare.
The only point I disagree with is I am neutral to maybe slightly dislike Babolats but this one is actually changing my mind a bit.
I will admit this surprises me a bit and would love to hear why this one's different!
 

Chairman3

Hall of Fame
So far I've felt more of a desire to explore string type than tension, but as always there might need to be adjustment from string to string.
Agree with this. My demo was strung at 48 with Hawk Power and this string could stand to be a little higher. But I do like 48 and a more controlled string would work well at this tension I believe.

I will admit this surprises me a bit and would love to hear why this one's different!
Just the feel is better, more communicative in terms of feedback and also more solid feeling. And I really don't get any sense of that mutedness where you feel nothing and don't know where the ball was on the stringbed.
The Bab I wanted to love and attempted to switch to was the Pure Strike VS (the latest one). Low RA but the upper hoop was really stiff and in stock form it felt weak. It had a bit of that hallowness that you mentioned. I could never get the mods right to keep the whippiness and add solidity.
This PD98 also feels predictable even with the now loose feeling strings. If I launch a ball it was me, not the racquet.
 

Lemonater

New User
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 (TBD- please check back soon).

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.

I was lucky enough to try a demo of this yesterday and today from the tennis shop nearby for a couple hours with an employee both days. So this is not an official review from TW. If anyone wants to hear my thoughts let me know. I can say that the color in person is amazing, everyone at the club loved it. The thing I noticed the most from the get go is this version to me ( my wife has current gen and I have used it many times) seems not a stiff on my elbow ( still on the stiffer side) for a racket but felt like it has more control to me than the current version. Happy to share more details
 

JonnyAbs

Semi-Pro
Used the 98 in singles last night. Im an average 4.5 player (not a high or low 4.5). Launch angle is noticeably lower than my 2006 pure drive. When I have time to set up properly, I can hit flat bombs. If I'm on the run or rushed, it's tough to get the ball over the net. I also get considerably less spin with this than my 2006 pd. Directional control is great, but I would prefer more spin, lift and power because my shots drop too close to the service line. Flat serves are good, as are overheads. Kick second serves were weak and landing in the middle of the box. Volleys were weaker than normal but stayed in the ct.

I played an opponent of basically an identical level. We both held serve to go 1-1. Then I struggled with shot height, depth and consistency and he took the next 4 games to take a 5-1 lead. Thinking I'd probably lose the next game and would need some time to adjust back to my normal frame so I could make the next set competitive, I went back to the pd 2006 and wound up winning the next 4 games to tie it at 5. Then we split Games (2 holds) to go to a breaker, and he pulled it out. Needless to say, I needed my pd 2006 for lift and spin to keep the ball deep. The 2018 and 2021 pure drives were too open and launchy for me but maybe the new PD 100 will work.

I'll also experiment with a lower string tension in the 98. I used volkyl cyclone 17 @ 53/51 in it.
 

dak95_00

Hall of Fame
https://ibb.co/Zmghh2t

Here’s some pics, shockingly the previous generation pd 98 looks to have a denser pattern in the middle of the frame and the Beam thickness looks about the same.
I’m looking at that middle picture and I’m very disappointed they didn’t change the design in the grommets channel at the head of the racquet. It’s just way too narrow or shallow and anyone who slightly scrapes their racquet will need to stock up on bumper guards or risk early string breaks often.
 

Chairman3

Hall of Fame
I'll also experiment with a lower string tension in the 98. I used volkyl cyclone 17 @ 53/51 in it.
I definitely would before the end of your review period if you can.
I did 48lbs with Hawk Power and while it lost tension pretty quickly and isn't exactly a control string, I am not experiencing the lack of spin several 98-playtesters have mentioned or the low launch angle.
 

TheBoom

Hall of Fame
Pure Drive 100 2025 Review

Summary:
Babolat made iterative but significant changes to make the frame more comfortable while maintaining what makes it a Pure Drive. With the new changes to the frame, I believe it’s best in class among 100in 16x19 300g rackets.

Tennis experience/background:
  • Former D3 tennis player, ~10 UTR in college, currently working my way back into competitive tennis after a 4-year hiatus due to shoulder injury/burnout. I’m 6’7” so I tend towards big serves and an aggressive baseline game with lots of topspin
Current racquet/string setups:
  • Currently play w/ Wilson Shift Pro w/ a leather grip strung with Solinco Confidential 16L @ 48-52 lbs
  • Before the Shift, I used the Pure Aero 2019 w/ a leather grip and 5g of lead at 12. In college, I primarily used the IG Speed MP 18x20 and Prestige MP 18x20, but used the Pure Drive Roddick GT before that
How many hours did you play with the racquet?
  • I played about 20 hours total, 16 were singles, 4 were doubles
String and tension used for test:
  • Solinco Confidential 16L 50lbs
  • Toroline Caviar 50lbs
  • Tourna Big Hitter Silver 16g @ 54 lbs -> Best setup from what I tested
Groundstrokes
  • Summary: The Pure Drive was excellent when hitting at lower intensity or lower-level opponents, but struggled with power and control against better players with harder shots
    • Forehand: Hitting during warmups or at 60-70%, the racket was great. Easy access to power, lots of spin, nice depth as well. Once I got into competitive play with higher-level players I couldn’t rely on the weight of the racket to plow through the ball and started spraying more. To compensate, I swung up to generate more topspin, but it led to a lot of shots landing shorter and/or sitting up in my opponents strike zone. I’m sure it’s a combination of technique and racket, but it just didn’t suit my semi-western “wristy” forehand in stock form.
    • Backhand: I really gelled with the Pure Drive on the backhand. I have a flatter backhand anyway, and I usually redirect whatever pace is given on my backhand wing. I’ve always liked a stiff racket on my backhand side, and because I have a 2HBH weight is less important here. Combined with the above average stability for the weight The linear response from the racket was great and having two hands on the racket gave me a lot of confidence to rip backhands even against heavy shots.
    • Compared to the Shift Pro: My shots weren’t as heavy as they are with my current setup, but my guess is that’s primarily a weight issue. Groundstrokes are also where the Pure Drive feels more stiff than my Shift, but I think that’s due to the layup of both rackets. I preferred the Pure Drive for backhands, but not for my forehand.
Serves:
  • Summary: There’s nothing quite like serving with a Pure Drive. This is it’s comfort zone.
  • I found it easier to serve with than the shift, purely because it was lighter so it was easier to keep my swing consistent so while overall I didn’t feel there was much of a difference in the quality of ball between my main stick (neither did my hitting partners), my flat serve consistency improved (verified by my SwingVision recordings) and it was easier to hit slice serves which is something I struggle with on my current racket. Kick serves are where I noticed the biggest difference. I’m usually kicking my serve above the shoulder, but was getting similar speeds kicking the ball above my opponents heads with the Pure Drive (6-8 inches higher). Arguably my favorite racket to serve with.
  • Compared to the Shift Pro: This is the one area the weight of the Pure Drive gives it the edge over my Shift. I can swing it faster, and didn’t see a noticeable decrease in pace on my flat serves, so I give it the edge over the Shift on serves.
Volleys:
  • Summary: CRISP. A doubles delight.
  • Volleying with this was a dream. I’ve always loved how Pure Drives feel at net and this was no exception. In fact, the more solid feel gave me plenty of confidence to go after volleys when poaching, and the improved feel (more on that later) was excellent for finessing drop shots. I’d like it to be a bit more maneuverable, I like a 6-8 pts headlight balance, but the swing weight is low enough that it was fine.
  • Compared to the Shift Pro: It’s a bit of a toss up here. Both are crisp frames but I’m going to give the edge to the Pure Drive here as well. It’s heavy and stable enough to deal with most every volley I took. It’s super forgiving relative to the Shift, and although I prefer the balance of my setup, it’s so fast that I could reflex faster with the Pure Drive.
Serve Returns:
  • Summary: Good maneuverability, but needs more weight for me to be comfortable with it on returns.
  • Serve returns are where I struggled most with the Pure Drive and where I felt the racket was most jarring. It wasn’t that the racket wasn’t stable, it just had less mass than I’m used to so I couldn’t rely on the weight to punch the ball back as easily. When I hit the sweet spot the ball left like a laser, very different than what I’m used to so I had to fix my timing. Off-center, the racket didn’t feel unstable but it was pretty jarring. Maneuverability was the highlight of the return game, if I was stretched I could really trust the power of the racket to get the ball back into the court deep enough to give me half a chance.
  • Compared to the Shift Pro: The Shift was just more stable through contact with returns. The Shift also pockets the ball just a bit more so when making clean contact, it feels like I have a bit more time to place the ball (likely due to the Shift’s layup). That said, I think it would be pretty similar on returns if the weight were comparable.
Power:
  • The Pure Drive is powerful, but with an asterisk. The frame (as with all Pure Drives) is easy to tap into the power at lower swing speeds. At higher swing speeds, and especially against players hitting a heavy shot, I feel limited in power. I think this is pretty easily solved with additional weight but I didn’t bother with it during this play test. I never felt that way with the Pure Drives Roddick back in the day, so I assume it would be similar if I were to add weight to this one.
Control:
  • Some will say it isn’t a control frame and I suppose it isn’t in the traditional sense, but I wouldn’t say you get less control than from other rackets. I can and did hit my spots as frequently as I did with my Shift, and my consistency even improved (though shot quality suffered). The racket rewards confidence with control, and if you trust your shot it’ll land where you intended. I prefer the feel of an 18x20 so I think it’s less controlled than the Shift, but it was perfectly adequate.
Top Spin/Slice:
  • Excellent on both. I could trust the racket to produce plenty of both topspin and slice and keep it in the court. I noticed that the string spacing is more open than the 2023 Pure Aero (probably closer to the 2019 PA spacing) and I think that helps it keep pace with the PA in terms of spin if you’re comparing the two. The ball dips pretty naturally and when I needed to really rip it the racket gave plenty of spin. It had plenty of bite, I think slice is better with my Shift Pro and even the Pure Aero, but I think that’s due to the more dense string patterns on both and my preference for that feedback.
Comfort:
  • I’ve hit with every Pure Drive since the cortex model and this is the most comfortable Pure Drive by a mile. Whatever dampening tech they’re doing combined with the lower stiffness is a huge improvement. I’d find it more comfortable if it were heavier like my Shift, but that’s an easy fix. I and my hitting partners who tried it and the Pure Aero 2023 side by side noted that it’s quite a lot more comfortable than the Aero, despite being slightly stiffer.
Feel:
  • It feels like a Pure Drive, if you have your opinion about the feel this isn’t going to change it BUT, the lower flex is noticeable. Despite the dampening, I got plenty of feedback about what was going on in the string bed, particularly when I moved up from 50-54 lbs. It can launch the ball, but unlike other Pure Drive versions it didn’t come as a surprise which I’d say is an improvement. I think it’s going to be fairly string-sensitive, but I think mid 50’s is going to be the right tension for the frame.
Maneuverability:
  • Like I mentioned in the volleying section, it’s a maneuverable racket. The swing weight helps offset the more even balance point. It’s a pretty quick racket with better tip awareness than something like the Ezone, Boom, or Ultra so I found it easier to know where the racket was, and on par with the non-pro version of the Shift. No complaints from me, best in class maneuverability in my opinion.
Stability:
  • Very stable for a 300g racket, but needs some mass if you play against heavy hitters at higher levels. My only complaint with stability was in that situation and I only really noticed it on the forehand side. Even with off-center hits the I didn’t feel the frame twisting in my hand, and on returns where I had to stretch it was solid.
Huge thanks to TW for the opportunity to review the frame! It definitely has a place in my bag for fun hits, and I may even add weight to see how it is around the 320-325g weight like my Shfit… unles my wife snags it first. Happy to expand on any of my thoughts or compare it more closely with the Pure Aero 100 2023.
 

TennisViking

Semi-Pro
Please share your thoughts how it compares to other tweeners (power racquets, Ezone 100, Pure Aero, Ultra 100 etc) you may know, Pure Aero, Ezone 100 etc.

It is surprising that the current Pure Aero has a tighter string spacing than the Pure Drive. How do you think the launch angle compares ? Flat shots ? Feel ? Maneuverability?

Could you comment further on "It’s a pretty quick racket with better tip awareness than something like the Ezone, Boom, or Ultra so I found it easier to know where the racket was, and on par with the non-pro version of the Shift" ? I use the Ezone 100 (2022) which I think is a great racquet but I am definitely keen on the 2025 Pure Drive.

Great review by the way :)
 
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Lemonater

New User
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
Gec6ldNXYAAmGrC
I have had a demo for a week from a tennis shop out here in CA. Everyone man and woman loves the paint on this new version. I actually had my wife current version and held both up next to 20 different people 5 men 15 women. All said they liked the new version better. One woman said she felt it was more for a girl. The most profound comment was from a gal that said the current version looks like a racket you can get anywhere like ***** sporting goods and this new one looks more like a "custom" racket. So it will be a huge success. My sample size were ages 25 to 70. BTW racket feels great. First thing I notice it does not vibrate on my elbow or feel as stiff as my wife current version. Both strung with Multi Excel (in blue ) which makes it look even cooler IMO. All the ladies I showed it too are asking to try it out. Babalot is going to crush this one. It plays awesome, all the power and more control and comfort. I will be purchasing a few.
 

codonnell

Semi-Pro
I had another session yesterday for singles and doubles again tonight. More pre review thoughts as I got some more time in on it.
Power: I think this racquet really has very solid power for a 98, flat serves were easy slices had some good movement on them too.
Forehand: definitely improved from last session still a bit erratic for me but better. I honestly think I’d string higher in this frame next time (46). I have my aero 98 at 45 but this frame really gliding well through the air on flat shots I think it could use a bit more control. I also was able to figure out the topspin better and the spin production is plenty good but I still feel like I accentuate to get that type of dip I like.

Backhand: This is becoming one of my favorite racquets to hit my backhand with, for the low balance and decent amount of mass in the hoop it can just go straight through the ball. I use a 2 hander but my hitting partner who’s a 1 also looked like he enjoyed it too for the little bit he used it.

Stiffness: I agree with one of the reviewers above that despite the flax inserts and stiffness of 67 it’s quite a stiff frame. I’ve definitely played with worse but towards the end of the session it was getting a bit jarring.

I may tinker just one session for some counterbalancing for Tac and then take it out but I think there’s still lots of potential with this frame and I can see it finding a good following.
 

McLovin

Legend
Played doubles again this morning. I think I finally found something this frame does NOT do well for me: generate power from nothing.

Up until today, my opponents have been hard-hitting, hard-serving, and the PD+ was great at taking their power & directing it back at them. But this morning, neither opponent hit as hard as previous opponents. They hit with more spin/slice, and I was constantly over hitting or dumping it into the net. Eventually I settled in and stopped missing more than I made, but I definitely lost some confidence in the frame.

Now…it was 20 degrees outside (and probably mid 40s on the court when we started), so that might have had something to do with it, but when I switched back to my normal frame, I definitely picked up my return game.
 

TheBoom

Hall of Fame
Please share your thoughts how it compares to other tweeners (power racquets, Ezone 100, Pure Aero, Ultra 100 etc) you may know, Pure Aero, Ezone 100 etc.

It is surprising that the current Pure Aero has a tighter string spacing than the Pure Drive. How do you think the launch angle compares ? Flat shots ? Feel ? Maneuverability?

Could you comment further on "It’s a pretty quick racket with better tip awareness than something like the Ezone, Boom, or Ultra so I found it easier to know where the racket was, and on par with the non-pro version of the Shift" ? I use the Ezone 100 (2022) which I think is a great racquet but I am definitely keen on the 2025 Pure Drive.

Great review by the way :)
So, I only briefly hit with the Ultra 100 and it’s been a while so I’ll omit it from this (I put it down quickly because I didn’t like it at all). But I can give some more thoughts compared to the Ezone and Pure Aero 100.

Pure Aero
Compared to the Pure Aero, the Pure Drive has a higher launch angle, but the Pure Aero probably still tops it in absolute RPMs as I found the ball dove more aggressively with the Aero. While the tighter string pattern is more helpful for flat shots, I find the Aero unstable when hitting more linearly, so I’d actually give the Pure Drive the advantage there as well, with the caveat eot that if you hit flatter, you need to string it tighter or it may become erratic. Pure Drive was significantly more comfortable, the PA has a more raw feel, but I didn’t think it had a better feel than the Pure Drive. Whatever Babolat did with the new dampening seems to retain a lot of feel while making the frame more comfortable and feel more solid than its predecessors and competition and (surprisingly) I like it better than the more raw feel of the Pure Aero.

Ezone
Full disclosure, I really dislike the Ezone but have forced myself to hit with it over the years trying to make it work (it just didn’t). The Ezone is still more comfortable and from the sound of it, the new generation will be even more comfortable. The sweet spot feels bigger on the Ezone while the Pure Drive gives much better feedback when hitting (which I prefer). The launch angle is higher on the Ezone, but I personally find the combination of feel and launch angle disconcerting despite the ball landing in just as often. The changes to the PD bring the sweet spot closer to an Ezone (certainly still smaller) while offering better feedback.


To the second part of your question: when I’m talking about tip awareness, I‘m referring to how polarized the racket is. I prefer a more polarized setup because I know where the tip of my racket is and where it’s going. I find the Ezone to be less polarized and combined with the squared off headshape, it feels more cumbersome to me. The Pure Drive isn’t what I’d consider a polarized setup, but it does get closer to it than any of the other manufacturers. Pure Aero is pretty similar and I didn’t notice a dramatic difference between the two in that regard.
 

jimdontcare

Semi-Pro
Played doubles again this morning. I think I finally found something this frame does NOT do well for me: generate power from nothing.

Up until today, my opponents have been hard-hitting, hard-serving, and the PD+ was great at taking their power & directing it back at them. But this morning, neither opponent hit as hard as previous opponents. They hit with more spin/slice, and I was constantly over hitting or dumping it into the net. Eventually I settled in and stopped missing more than I made, but I definitely lost some confidence in the frame.

Now…it was 20 degrees outside (and probably mid 40s on the court when we started), so that might have had something to do with it, but when I switched back to my normal frame, I definitely picked up my return game.
This makes me feel like I really have to try a PD100 to better understand the 98. Maybe the whole layup this time around has exchanged some free power for comfort.
So, I only briefly hit with the Ultra 100 and it’s been a while so I’ll omit it from this (I put it down quickly because I didn’t like it at all). But I can give some more thoughts compared to the Ezone and Pure Aero 100.

Pure Aero
Compared to the Pure Aero, the Pure Drive has a higher launch angle, but the Pure Aero probably still tops it in absolute RPMs as I found the ball dove more aggressively with the Aero. While the tighter string pattern is more helpful for flat shots, I find the Aero unstable when hitting more linearly, so I’d actually give the Pure Drive the advantage there as well, with the caveat eot that if you hit flatter, you need to string it tighter or it may become erratic. Pure Drive was significantly more comfortable, the PA has a more raw feel, but I didn’t think it had a better feel than the Pure Drive. Whatever Babolat did with the new dampening seems to retain a lot of feel while making the frame more comfortable and feel more solid than its predecessors and competition and (surprisingly) I like it better than the more raw feel of the Pure Aero.

Ezone
Full disclosure, I really dislike the Ezone but have forced myself to hit with it over the years trying to make it work (it just didn’t). The Ezone is still more comfortable and from the sound of it, the new generation will be even more comfortable. The sweet spot feels bigger on the Ezone while the Pure Drive gives much better feedback when hitting (which I prefer). The launch angle is higher on the Ezone, but I personally find the combination of feel and launch angle disconcerting despite the ball landing in just as often. The changes to the PD bring the sweet spot closer to an Ezone (certainly still smaller) while offering better feedback.


To the second part of your question: when I’m talking about tip awareness, I‘m referring to how polarized the racket is. I prefer a more polarized setup because I know where the tip of my racket is and where it’s going. I find the Ezone to be less polarized and combined with the squared off headshape, it feels more cumbersome to me. The Pure Drive isn’t what I’d consider a polarized setup, but it does get closer to it than any of the other manufacturers. Pure Aero is pretty similar and I didn’t notice a dramatic difference between the two in that regard.
Similar response to this. If the PD100 is relatively polarized too, and has a similar weight distribution to the 98, then I’m very interested. I’m really loving the 98’s weight distribution and tip awareness, to use others’ terms. The 98 requires good technique more than its 100 tweener counterparts, but it also helps me (at least with my style) commit to that good technique.
 

bobeeto

Hall of Fame
2025 Babolat Pure Drive 98 Playtest

String and tension used for test:
- RPM Blast 1.25 @ 50lbs
- RPM Hurricane 1.25 @ 54 lbs

Tennis experience/background:
-
4.0 USTA
- Self Proclaimed Dingles Legend

Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley):
- All-Court
- Counterpuncher
- Vin Diesel Server

Current racquet/string setups:
Wilson Ultra Pro 16m - CyberFlash 1.25/ OG Sheep 1.20 @ 54 lbs
Tecnifibre Tempo 298 - Restring Zero 1.28 @ 56 lbs
Yonex Vcore 95 (2021) - Polytour Rev 1.20 @ 54 lbs

How many hours did you play with the racquet?
-
About 22 hours in total: Singles, Dubs, Dingles.

Racquet Review

Groundstrokes:
- The Pure Drive 98 stands out in a bag of 98’s for a few reasons:
1. Power
The PD98 is bar none the most powerful 98 I’ve used. When flattening out a ball, or blocking back a return - from first ball to last I was astonished at how much DNA of the pure drive they were able to maintain, while offering a more controlled experience.
Only hitting the PD 100 2012 side by side with this PD98, I noticed that the power levels were very close. Although I think the 98 is not as “spring loaded” as the 100, there is enough under the hood of the Pure Drive 98 to love.

2. Stability
I wasn’t able to check the swingweight of my unit, but I was more than pleased with the weight distribution, and the mold updates in the hoop. I found that the racket twisted very little on off center hits, and had plenty of plow-through from each area of the court. I felt free to swing out on the ball - driving flat and whipping up for extra spin without major shudders or shakes from the racket.

3. Spin / Control Ratio
I was once told that hitting heavy comes at the cost of line margins. This racket being a Pure Drive did have me a bit worried, as I’m not fond of Babolat’s FSI technology. I am happy to report that the Pure Drive 98 delivers a level of confidence in directing the ball, that I’ve never felt from the 100. I’d consider this PD to be a success for Babolat’s vision.
Although it’s not as controlled as other 16x20’s on the market, I find the PD98 to be a good middle ground.

Serves:
- Perhaps the most dominant serving racket shines in it’s latest 98. Tried and true Pure Drive construction drops flat bombs, and trademark Babolat stiffness and string offer complete experience in slices and kick, with easier direction to your spots, thanks to the smaller head size and the extra cross on the string pattern.

Volleys:
- Although this racket delivers the Pure Drive legacy at net, I didn’t see the 98 being as rock solid. Volleys off approach were easy to punch deep into the court, and reaction volleys playing doubles were passable. I don’t see this being as good as the 100 due to the sweet spot size, but for a die hard singles player, I think it’s more than suitable - coming from a power racket. Very quick off the strings.

Serve returns:
- Possibly my favorite aspect of the Pure Drive 98. Compared to my Ezone, or Tempo’s - the stability was unmatched, and the ball was landing very deep in court off of blocking returns, and full cuts. The launch angle yields itself to compact swings and rewards nicely with good penetrating returns. It gave me a confidence that I can’t find with my tempos, to take the ball early due to the added pop and stability.

My Opinions

Top Spin/Slice:
- There’s easy spin in every ball, but the racket I don’t think lends itself to someone who plays with shape. In my experience, spin is certainly on tap, but widely inconsistent with depth if I didn’t connect perfectly in the sweet spot.

Bail out shots were varied in landing short/sailing long - so I found myself making more errors going for a smoker down the line or at my opponent.

Slice felt decent to me. Not great nor bad. Where the racket certainly moves cleaner than the 100, there isn’t much of a “knifing” feel that even exists on 98’s like the Ezone, or Blade. Ball moves inside out like you’d hope, but once again, can vary depending your contact on the string bed. If a bh slice is a weapon for you, I would probably stick with the Ezone.

Comfort:
- What was my big concern going into this play-test was somewhat soothed by the new Flax fibers in the layup. This is a firm racket by all metrics, but did not feel sharp or tinny like other pure drives.

The racket is dampened, but not overly muted. It can send quite a bit of vibration on shots like serve or volleys.

I did feel a slight arm tickle with this racket, but as play continued on, I felt fine with the overall stiffness and feel of this racket.

However, due to the increased vibrations I felt, I would not recommend this racket to anyone with arm issues, if a full bed of polyester is your string choice.


Feel:
- For such a stiff racket, I was impressed with how gentle they were able to make the impact feeling, without being too muted or dampened. The NF2 technology helps create a very “thuddy” impact. It wasn’t too sharp or jarring, but also kept some feed back off the stringbed.

The Pure Drive 98 soared for me on drop shots, and did well at the net. The stiffness and solid feel helps round out less than stellar weight transfer, I found my drop shots and pick ups having the right amount of lift and depth, without having to really push them with my legs. Little flicks of the wrist are rewarded, and angles are very precise off the ground, for anyone looking for those touch and feel winners.

Maneuverability:
- I found this racket to be adequately maneuverable, but because of the balance and swingweight, I think you can find better options. I’ve compared the performance off the ground and on serve to be similar to the Hyper Pro Staff 6.1 95 - but the maneuverability is where this comparison diverges. The redesigned upper hoop of the Pure Drive 98 may be a noticeable change for old PD98 users, as I felt the 98 did not cut through as fast as say my Pure Drive 100 2012.

Don’t get it wrong, this is still a racket that can whip on forehands, find reflex volleys, and hit any defensive lob or squash shot you might need - but I think it’s better suited for a more horizontal, power hitter. The racket shines most when driving the ball. (Pun intended.)

Stability:
- Exceptional. I hope that my QC was fairly consistent with others in the SW department, because I found it to be rather solid through the ball, with much more mass in the head than say my Ezone or IGA stock.

With a thick beam racket, I usually find there to be more head stability - this Pure Drive 98 is no exception. I find the layup and technology of the racket suit it’s stable contact extremely well.

Hitting both two-hand backhands, and one hand, the racket complimented both, making this a viable stick stock for someone with a OHBH, and a real killer for anyone playing two.

But who is this racket for?
- Current Pure Drive players with OHBH
- Big serve + 1 attackers
- Flat strikers wanting a 98
- Counter Punchers
- Holger Rune

TLDR Pros / Cons
Pros:
- Power
- Stability
- Serve
- Groundies
Cons:
- Small sweet spot
- Not forgiving
- Stiff

Summary:
Babolat has found a way to define the Pure Drive identity in the 98 format.

Although I think this racket will likely go under the radar for most, any Pure Drive-r looking for more control will be happy to swing this beautiful 2025 PD 98. I foresee this becoming a cult classic amongst high level Juniors/College players.

Really happy to have been on this play test, and hope that more fans of power 98’s take a chance on this one.
 
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stapletonj

Hall of Fame
Working on my review. Had a young strong 4.5 player hit with it and snapped the multifilament mains in less than 1 hour.

So I have restrung with Babolat Eco Power in the mains and PTP in the crosses at 54/49.... first hitting session last night, strong 3.0 female played with it. (me too)

Old Man playing group tonight.... 3.5 level

then gonna string up with gut/poly for the final analysis and report.

I am gonna have to post my review right before the deadline, but the Christmas holidays have cut into my ability to get tennis in...
 
I’m not part of the playtest but just got an unexpected surprise: must have ordered TW demos right when they became available, because the 2025 PD and PD98 demos that just arrived both still have plastic on the handle. Will post specs later.

Edit: Sterling handle plastic QC: 1.97g on both frames.

Edit 2: Strung specs, no overgrip, with grip band, measured on SW1/BP1:
PD: 314.4g / 315.4 SW / 33.1cm
PD98: 325.3g / 327.5 SW / 33.4cm

Edit 3: These really are great looking frames in person. The blue is less purple than I was expecting based on photos. The red accents on the lettering look really sharp. Not an overly masculine or feminine design, for anyone who cares about that sort of thing. I think this paint is going to appeal to a wide variety of people.
 
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jimdontcare

Semi-Pro
If there’s a difference between the 16x20 density of the PD98 and PA98, it’s very small. Crosses on the PD98 might be a little wider but I’d have to bring out the measuring tape.
 
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gsinko1

Semi-Pro
2025 Pure Drive (standard) Review:

String and tension used for test:

RPM Blast 17 (1.25) @52lbs

Solinco Tour Bite 17g (1.20) @52lbs - Tour bite is my preferred string so it was no surprise that I enjoyed the racket more after putting this in, but I do think a stiffer/crisper string suits this frame better in regards to ball feedback, as well as feel and touch shots

Tennis experience/background: Played competitively and recreationally for ~20 years. 2 years of mid-level D2 tennis 2010-2012. Current NTRP 4.5/UTR ~8 playing USTA leagues and tournaments.

Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): Semi-Western Forehand, 2H backhand all-court counter-puncher. I enjoy absorbing and redirecting opponents’ pace and tend to play with depth and spin while looking for an opportunity to move in and finish at net

Current racquet/string setups: primarily compete with a 2015 Babolat Drive Tour with Solinco Tour Bite 17 @52, but I also enjoy hitting with an old Pure Drive Swirly, and AeroPro Drive original. Enjoy control frames like a Tecnifibre TF40 315 16x19, Head TGT 293.1 as well.

How many hours did you play with the racquet? ~8 hours drilling, drop feeds, and regular point play

Comments on racquet performance for each stroke (each section should be 3-5 sentences minimum):

-Groundstrokes:

  • Forehands: if you’ve played with a pure drive in the past, the experience is very similar with this one. Depth and spin come naturally, and this frame is great on offense or defense. I didn’t experience much instability despite usually using heavier frames, but my model was a little low on swing weight in stock form, so 1-2 grams at 12:00 improved defensive and reactive shots
  • Backhands: my backhand is usually my most solid/consistent shot. In stock form, I struggled to generate my own pace and depth on this wing. Felt like I could get pushed around, and it was difficult to be on offense here. Spin was still nice, but overall felt like I was treading water compared to my PDT. Once again, with a touch of weight in the hoop and swingweight bumped up, the depth and pace came much more naturally
-Serves: serves were well above average for me with this frame. Didn’t feel like I was lacking anything as far as directional control or depth. That being said, the PD swirly felt more effortless and natural to serve with. The PDT is one of the best serving racquets (for me) I’ve ever used, and the 2025 PD was just slightly behind both the swirly and PDT

-Volleys: I was pleasantly surprised by volleys with this racquet. This was one of the areas that the dampened feel of the ‘18 and ‘21 models affected me most, but I was very comfortable hitting punch volleys, feel/touch volleys, drop shots etc. These racquets aren’t known for their feel or touch but after using them for so long, you’re able to learn how to hit these shots

-Serve returns: outside of groundstrokes, returns are one of my favorite aspects of using a pure drive. The thick beam, stiff frame, and power level provided from the racket make serve returns like second nature. The ‘25 model is no different here. Driving/aggressive returns, chip returns, and reactive/defensive shots are all excellent with this frame with the ample spin potential and easy depth

Comments on racquet performance in each area (should be 2-3 sentences minimum)

Power/Control- this racquet is definitely not lacking for power. As a long time pure drive/pure aero (aero pro) user over the years, this frame inspires confidence for full swings to produce incredible depth, pace, and spin from almost any area of the court. I didn't notice much, if any, difference in power potential from previous pure drives.

This racquet obviously isn’t a “control” frame, but the pure drive is a racket that gives me the confidence to swing out and trust my shots, which in turn gives me “control” for my game. I didn’t experience any hot spots or dead spots in the stringbed; it was a very consistent response overall, which again allows even more trust in the racquet.

Top Spin/Slice- while the pure drive isn’t Babolat’s “spin” frame, there is above average spin potential with this frame, especially with the more open patterns on the last few generations. Full swings produced excellent top spin with noticeable kick off the court. In stock form, the frame was slightly lacking on slice, especially the backhand side. Again with a bit of weight in the hoop, this significantly improved the feel and control of slice backhands.

Comfort- this isn’t normally a consideration for me when testing a racquet, as I’m fortunate to not deal with arm issues. That being said, this racquet feels pretty crisp and firm in my experience. If the RA has truly been lowered, I wouldn't be able to tell it, as I would think the dampening tech would be the reasoning for the difference in feel. It is not as direct/boardy as the PDT or the swirly, but the RA of the frame is noticeable, especially when going from this frame to frames like my TF40 or TGT293.1

Feel- This is one of the biggest considerations for me when choosing a frame. The older generations of the pure drive, specifically 2015 and prior, have far superior feel and ball feedback compared to the ‘18, ‘21, and ‘25. That being said, the ‘25 seems to have moved back in the direction of the older generations. I felt noticeably more connected to the ball and confident with feel shots such as volleys and drop shots compared to the ‘18 and ‘21 models.

Maneuverability- My racquet came in about 5mm low on the balance point (31.5cm unstrung) so there were no issues whatsoever with maneuverability there. These racquets are relatively light in stock form so they move nicely at net and swing fast through the air even with the thick beam. I’ve always loved swinging a pure drive or an aero pro/pure aero and this is no different than previous generations here.

Stability- this is one of the best features of any pure drive in my opinion. The thick beam and stiffness provide excellent stability even at a low static weight. This racquet felt very stable even when not hitting the middle of the stringbed, and I had no complaints here, even with my slightly underspec balance in stock form.

General reaction/comments on overall performance: After playtesting this over the last couple weeks, my synopsis is that this racquet plays like a stereotypical pure drive, and that is a good thing in my opinion. The dampening tech feels like it is done well this time, and the overall feel is vastly improved from the last 2 generations - at least for my game. This could easily be a plug and play racquet for me in a tournament or league match with no issues. I might eventually try to weight this up like the old PDTs at 315g/315mm balance/295-300 unstrung SW as this is usually my preferred spec, and Babolat has apparently taken this out of production.

Many thanks to the TW staff for allowing me to be part of my first playtest!
 

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
Had an opportunity to hit with @snoflewis PD100. It’s an improvement over the previous version in every way. More comfort, more feedback and feel, a little more control. Still prefer my 2012 PD with lead. The tighter string spacing provides more control. But I could play with the new PD if I had to replace my PD12s. Hits a great quality ball. What it absolutely does better than any other stick i have used is slices. The new PD slices are full of filth, nastiness and venom. @HypnoticLasagna and @snoflewis were on the receiving end to witness the insanity of the PD slice. All in all as a loyal PD12 user, the new PD is fantastic offering. Won’t be switching but i definitely wouldn’t mind it if I had to.
 

snoflewis

Legend
I think the PD98 is a modernized 6.1 95.
got to try the PD98. i can see why you mentioned the 6.1 95. the feel off the stringbed and the way the hoop vibrates does remind of that unique 6.1 flavor.
however, the one that i tried was balanced horribly and had a lot of weight in the hoop. not sure if that's the norm. the 16x20 seems to be a slightly firmer stringbed which some may or may not prefer.
i think i prefer the previous PD98s more.
 

A_Instead

Legend
To those who played with both the new Pure Drive 100 and the last generation..
How much of an improvement is the new generation?
 
To those who played with both the new Pure Drive 100 and the last generation..
How much of an improvement is the new generation?
Based on my first 1.5 hours of ball machine hitting with the new one - with all the caveats that entails - to me the differences felt pretty small. The feel is a little different, but I don’t think it’s a forgone conclusion that everyone is going to like the new one more. It did feel softer, but also less connected and less solid, even with some added weight to get the swingweight of my demo up. Performance seemed very similar.

To me, the new Pure Drive 98 felt like a more significant improvement over the old one. It’s still much more of a niche frame than the 100, but I think it will be more popular than the last version. Very solid, better directional control than the last version, lower launch angle than the 100, but I could generate better spin than with the 100.
 

TheBoom

Hall of Fame
To those who played with both the new Pure Drive 100 and the last generation..
How much of an improvement is the new generation?
It’s iterative. Still feels like a pure drive, but as I noted it’s quite a bit softer and more solid feeling. If you’re looking for performance gains, skip. If you’re looking for better comfort, I’d look into it
 

Chairman3

Hall of Fame
Initially this was some thoughts after about 6 or so hours of demoing the new PD98. However, it quickly turned into a mini review, so here it is...

The Chairman3's [mini] review* of the Pure Drive 98.

Couple things
-Never used the prior one
-Generally not a Babolat fan
-Normally use more "player's racquets."
-Strung at 48lbs with Hawk Power

Top line: If Babolat can get people to try it or shops/retailers can, it could be a best seller. It's pretty good, overall.

Power/spin: The racquet is still a power-class frame despite the 98 moniker and pretenses of control. Effortless power and just as easy to hit the ball deep in rallies as it is to launch to the fence if you get sloppy. Spin, I have no complaints here at all. I strung low-ish, for a power frame, but ample string movement, predictable launch, and 2-3ft of net clearance. The pattern plays fairly open and I never struggled to get spin from it and the launch angle was moderate. I definitely hit more spin than I usually do; my strokes are on the flatter side. At least one person I play with said the balls I hit with this racquet seemed spinnier.

Touch/volleys: Touch basically means slices and half-volleys. Slices can be good if you step into the shot. Any lazy-sunday slices tend to launch the ball up too much. You can get some very nice action on the ball though. For volleys, it can be a little hard to control the power, again good technique is a pre-requisite. But it felt very stable and solid and great for punching deep. I'm not a good drop-volleyer anyway so the racquet didn't help me there. Half-volleys were very good. The racquet is balanced very well and just fell into place where I needed it. The racquet is also communicative despite its dampening so that helps in this area. There isn't much difficulty feeling where the ball is on the stringbed.

Control: The racquet is still a power frame, but control is above average for the class. Directional control and targetting weren't really at the same level as control frames, but it isn't a control frame. The other aspect is I could go up in tension or get a more control-oriented string. I also think with more time I would adjust to how it plays. When trying to drive a flatter ball up the line I didn't have the same confidence and tended to spin it a bit more to ensure I didn't miss long. I conclude there would be a trade-off in getting more control, you'd probably lose some of the spin. For me, I take higher risk shots and would like more confidence to "go for it" so I'd probably just string a couple pounds higher or use a more control-oriented string.

Serves: I really liked how I served with this racquet. It was very easy to get depth and I really didn't have control issues for hitting spots in the service box. I do think for my serve there was a trade-off of power and spin. It feels like I picked up some pace but lost some kick. I rely on my kick serve as my primary, so this is disappointing. However, being able to hit the spots with more depth was working ok. It didn't turn my serve into a liability and with a spinnier string I may regain the extra kick. Likely also some adjustment time were I to switch to this frame.

Feel: This deserves its own category as Babolats can be love it or hate it when it comes to feel and arm-friendliness. First off, I played about 6 or 7 hours with Hawk Power at 48lbs. Fairly loose in this type of frame and Hawk Power is pretty forgiving/kinder to arms. I didn't experience any arm pain or even sensation of arm pain. That being said, you do notice the stiffness of the racquet when using it; it's still a higher RA frame. But my take is they've achieved a harmonious balance. The frame is firm and powerful and maybe a little crisp but it is nicely dampened and not muted or devoid of feel. It's really in Yonex territory in the best way. It dampens out the stuff you don't want and gives you what you do. I felt it had good feedback but no harshness, hallowness, or pingy feel that some Babolats have. It also feels very stable for the weight class it's in, so high marks there. My one concern and what nags me about making the switch is, I want it strung probably at 50lbs for a little less launch and a little more control...but will it become too stiff? I have major apprehension on that point and it may not be a gamble I'm willing to take. Also, what if I use a stiffer string at 48lbs, does it feel stiffer? I'd hate to feel locked into 48lbs being the highest I can go but there is that concern. It may just require spending the money to restring a demo racquet, probably a small price all things considered.

Bottom line: It kind of is a modern "player's racquet." It is powerful and firm but not devoid of feel. It has effortless power but can be unforgiving. I'm genuinely surprised how much I like it and got along with it. It is probably the first Babolat to which I am considering switching.

*I was not selected as an official playtester so did not write a full review.
 

snoflewis

Legend
Pure Drive 100 Playtest

String and tension used for test
:
Tru Pro Black Knight 1.28 mains and Ghost Wire 1.27 crosses at 50 lbs on an electronic constant pull machine

Tennis experience/background:
Played high school tennis. Currently playing recreationally with plans of playing USTA/UTR in the near future.

Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley):
Aggressive baseliner that likes to move forward to the net

Current racquet/string setups:
2022 Yonex Ezone 98 with some added weight
Strung with Grapplesnake Tour Sniper 1.25 mains and Alpha 1.25 crosses at 53 lbs

How many hours did you play with the racquet?
14 hours total

Unstrung Specs with plastic on handle:
303.1g, 31.1cm, 292 sw

Comments on racquet performance for each stroke

Groundstrokes:
The 2025 Pure Drive (PD) is very easy to use on groundstrokes. The standout difference with this version compared to prior versions was the added flex. Add this to the more open pattern that was introduced with the 2018 PD, there was plenty of ball pocketing and much more comfort compared to previous PDs, especially outside of the already enormous sweet spot. Launch angle is on the higher end but there is plenty of spin on tap to keep the ball in the court. Power level seems similar as previous version (maybe a slight decrease at most).

Serves: PDs have always been the most versatile serving stick in my experience, and this 2025 is no different. It still provides the best combination of power and spin available. PDs have never clocked the fastest flat serves for me on the radar gun, but they were always near the top. The same goes for this 2025 version. This updated model can also add plenty of spin for slice and kick serves that gives it near unparalleled action. Overall, a great serving stick as expected.

Volleys: The 2025 PD was solid on volleys like all other PDs. It did require a bit of an adjustment for me due to the launch angle, but overall, it performed admirably once the adjustments were made. The sentiments on groundstrokes can be repeated here. It’s got a huge sweet spot, it’s stable, and it’s comfortable. It’s also easy to keep volleys low, but more on that with slices later.

Serve returns: The PD was very solid on serve returns. The added ball pocketing in this new model helped on returns compared to previous PD models, and the large sweet spot was especially noticeable on returns. The hoop remained stable in stock form, even on slightly off-center shots. The open string pattern required a minor adjustment just like the groundstrokes, but it was an easy one to make.

Comments on racquet performance in each area

Power/Control:
Power level is high. It’s a PD after all. I perceived similar power levels from previous versions. At most, there might be a tiny drop off in power compared to the outgoing model, but the added control makes it an easy trade-off. I believe this is due to the added ball pocketing because I did not find that the ball to sail long like when I tried the 2021 model. The response off the string bed seemed more consistent with a more predictable trajectory, and it was a lot easier to control depth because it was easier to get the ball to drop back down into the court with topspin as a result.

Top Spin/Slice: The PD really bites the ball regardless of direction of spin. For topspin, I found my ball with the PD to have a higher launch angel and more net clearance on average than my usual stick (Ezone 98), but there was also plenty of spin on tap. This allowed me to hit a flatter trajectory ball or a loopy ball, both loaded with spin to still place the ball in the court. Slices aren’t my strongest shot, but they were noticeably lower and more skidding than almost any other stick I’ve tried. Definitely the best slicing tweener I’ve tried to date. I’m not sure what magic was used, but this one was a pleasant surprise.

Comfort: This is the most comfortable PD I’ve tried, and I’ve tried all of them (and owned most) since 2003. The added flex helps with the comfort without sacrificing stability. It doesn’t have the trademark Babolat hollowness of old. I fully expect folks to complain less about stiffness with this model.

Feel: I think this might be my favorite feeling PD because I’m struggling to come up with one with better feel. Yes, it’s softer, but it’s also quite solid. It doesn’t have that hollow feel like the previous crisp feeling PDs or the extreme mutedness of the 2021. It is a little bit on the muted side, but there is still plenty of feedback coming from the stringbed and frame. It was hard for me to find anything to criticize about the feel because this was one of the strongest aspects of this playtest stick for me.

Maneuverability: My example of the 2025 PD was very maneuverable, but it did come in quite headlight at 31.1cm and 292 sw unstrung. I’ve struggled in the past with Babolat QC, so I’m not sure if mine was an example of this, but my PD was weighted quite nicely in stock form. It didn’t have that clunky feel through the air that some tweeners (including some PDs) can have. It was actually very easy to use in stock form, and I still don’t have any desire to add lead to mine.

Stability: The racquet was very stable in stock form. I’ve never had issues with stability with Pure Drives other than with the 2015 model, and this was no exception. Even with the lower flex rating, I did not observe any twisting or instability even on slightly off-center shots. In short, it was very comparable to previous PDs (minus the 2015).

General reaction/comments on overall performance

Babolat did an excellent job with the 2025 PD. Performance wise, the stick is a complete all-rounder with a huge sweetspot and much improved feel. I really tried to find something to complain about here, but I don’t have anything to report. It was very solid in all aspects. It’s the best feeling PD that I’ve tried to date, and I think it’s my second favorite PD in the last 20 years.

The only thing that’s holding me back from switching to this is the open string pattern. I prefer the closed pattern of the older models, as I found a lower trajectory and even more predictable response. That’s not to criticize this open pattern because I think it makes it more approachable and easier to play with. However, I just found the 2012 model to play better. I think if this 2025 model had the older string pattern like the 2012 model, I would have 3 more PDs on pre-order.

Shoutout to TW and Babolat for the playtest. I’ve been quite critical of racquets in my past playtests, but there wasn't anything to criticize here. Excellent offering from Babolat!
 

TennisViking

Semi-Pro
Excellent review @snoflewis .

Have you ever played with the Ezone 100 ?

The Ezone 98 does have a very low launch angle. Perhaps among the lowest in the 98 category of racquet.

I really like my Ezone 100 as it is one of few powerful 100 tweeners that has a controlled launch angle.

I am really interested in the 2025 Pure Drive. Have you or anyone else here any opinion about launch angle between the 2025 Pure Drive and Ezone 100?
 

snoflewis

Legend
Excellent review @snoflewis .

Have you ever played with the Ezone 100 ?

The Ezone 98 does have a very low launch angle. Perhaps among the lowest in the 98 category of racquet.

I really like my Ezone 100 as it is one of few powerful 100 tweeners that has a controlled launch angle.

I am really interested in the 2025 Pure Drive. Have you or anyone else here any opinion about launch angle between the 2025 Pure Drive and Ezone 100?
I have not had a chance to try an ez100. I can compare it to the current vcore 100. I'd say the launch angle is similar but the PD is easier to wind up the ball with topspin and bring it back down. The vcore was too launchy for me with the same exact string setup.
 

TennisViking

Semi-Pro
I have not had a chance to try an ez100. I can compare it to the current vcore 100. I'd say the launch angle is similar but the PD is easier to wind up the ball with topspin and bring it back down. The vcore was too launchy for me with the same exact string setup.
Thanks. I did own the Vcore 100 for a few months but it was too launchy for my swing. The Ezone 100 allows me to swing freely without having to think about “having to” apply as much top spin as possible to keep the ball in.

Interesting that the Vcore 100 was too launchy with the same string setup despite having a similar launch angle. Perhaps the string pattern is even more spread out ?
 

snoflewis

Legend
Thanks. I did own the Vcore 100 for a few months but it was too launchy for my swing. The Ezone 100 allows me to swing freely without having to think about “having to” apply as much top spin as possible to keep the ball in.

Interesting that the Vcore 100 was too launchy with the same string setup despite having a similar launch angle. Perhaps the string pattern is even more spread out ?
for me, it was a ball pocketing issue. the ball was popping off the stringbed a bit too fast with the vcore. the 2025 PD didn't have that issue for me. also, this PD is more comfortable and better balanced than the current VC100
 

Boomersooner

New User
2025 Pure Drive (standard) Review:

String and tension used for test:

RPM Blast 17 (1.25) @52lbs

Solinco Tour Bite 17g (1.20) @52lbs - Tour bite is my preferred string so it was no surprise that I enjoyed the racket more after putting this in, but I do think a stiffer/crisper string suits this frame better in regards to ball feedback, as well as feel and touch shots

Tennis experience/background: Played competitively and recreationally for ~20 years. 2 years of mid-level D2 tennis 2010-2012. Current NTRP 4.5/UTR ~8 playing USTA leagues and tournaments.

Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): Semi-Western Forehand, 2H backhand all-court counter-puncher. I enjoy absorbing and redirecting opponents’ pace and tend to play with depth and spin while looking for an opportunity to move in and finish at net

Current racquet/string setups: primarily compete with a 2015 Babolat Drive Tour with Solinco Tour Bite 17 @52, but I also enjoy hitting with an old Pure Drive Swirly, and AeroPro Drive original. Enjoy control frames like a Tecnifibre TF40 315 16x19, Head TGT 293.1 as well.

How many hours did you play with the racquet? ~8 hours drilling, drop feeds, and regular point play

Comments on racquet performance for each stroke (each section should be 3-5 sentences minimum):

-Groundstrokes:

  • Forehands: if you’ve played with a pure drive in the past, the experience is very similar with this one. Depth and spin come naturally, and this frame is great on offense or defense. I didn’t experience much instability despite usually using heavier frames, but my model was a little low on swing weight in stock form, so 1-2 grams at 12:00 improved defensive and reactive shots
  • Backhands: my backhand is usually my most solid/consistent shot. In stock form, I struggled to generate my own pace and depth on this wing. Felt like I could get pushed around, and it was difficult to be on offense here. Spin was still nice, but overall felt like I was treading water compared to my PDT. Once again, with a touch of weight in the hoop and swingweight bumped up, the depth and pace came much more naturally
-Serves: serves were well above average for me with this frame. Didn’t feel like I was lacking anything as far as directional control or depth. That being said, the PD swirly felt more effortless and natural to serve with. The PDT is one of the best serving racquets (for me) I’ve ever used, and the 2025 PD was just slightly behind both the swirly and PDT

-Volleys: I was pleasantly surprised by volleys with this racquet. This was one of the areas that the dampened feel of the ‘18 and ‘21 models affected me most, but I was very comfortable hitting punch volleys, feel/touch volleys, drop shots etc. These racquets aren’t known for their feel or touch but after using them for so long, you’re able to learn how to hit these shots

-Serve returns: outside of groundstrokes, returns are one of my favorite aspects of using a pure drive. The thick beam, stiff frame, and power level provided from the racket make serve returns like second nature. The ‘25 model is no different here. Driving/aggressive returns, chip returns, and reactive/defensive shots are all excellent with this frame with the ample spin potential and easy depth

Comments on racquet performance in each area (should be 2-3 sentences minimum)

Power/Control- this racquet is definitely not lacking for power. As a long time pure drive/pure aero (aero pro) user over the years, this frame inspires confidence for full swings to produce incredible depth, pace, and spin from almost any area of the court. I didn't notice much, if any, difference in power potential from previous pure drives.

This racquet obviously isn’t a “control” frame, but the pure drive is a racket that gives me the confidence to swing out and trust my shots, which in turn gives me “control” for my game. I didn’t experience any hot spots or dead spots in the stringbed; it was a very consistent response overall, which again allows even more trust in the racquet.

Top Spin/Slice- while the pure drive isn’t Babolat’s “spin” frame, there is above average spin potential with this frame, especially with the more open patterns on the last few generations. Full swings produced excellent top spin with noticeable kick off the court. In stock form, the frame was slightly lacking on slice, especially the backhand side. Again with a bit of weight in the hoop, this significantly improved the feel and control of slice backhands.

Comfort- this isn’t normally a consideration for me when testing a racquet, as I’m fortunate to not deal with arm issues. That being said, this racquet feels pretty crisp and firm in my experience. If the RA has truly been lowered, I wouldn't be able to tell it, as I would think the dampening tech would be the reasoning for the difference in feel. It is not as direct/boardy as the PDT or the swirly, but the RA of the frame is noticeable, especially when going from this frame to frames like my TF40 or TGT293.1

Feel- This is one of the biggest considerations for me when choosing a frame. The older generations of the pure drive, specifically 2015 and prior, have far superior feel and ball feedback compared to the ‘18, ‘21, and ‘25. That being said, the ‘25 seems to have moved back in the direction of the older generations. I felt noticeably more connected to the ball and confident with feel shots such as volleys and drop shots compared to the ‘18 and ‘21 models.

Maneuverability- My racquet came in about 5mm low on the balance point (31.5cm unstrung) so there were no issues whatsoever with maneuverability there. These racquets are relatively light in stock form so they move nicely at net and swing fast through the air even with the thick beam. I’ve always loved swinging a pure drive or an aero pro/pure aero and this is no different than previous generations here.

Stability- this is one of the best features of any pure drive in my opinion. The thick beam and stiffness provide excellent stability even at a low static weight. This racquet felt very stable even when not hitting the middle of the stringbed, and I had no complaints here, even with my slightly underspec balance in stock form.

General reaction/comments on overall performance: After playtesting this over the last couple weeks, my synopsis is that this racquet plays like a stereotypical pure drive, and that is a good thing in my opinion. The dampening tech feels like it is done well this time, and the overall feel is vastly improved from the last 2 generations - at least for my game. This could easily be a plug and play racquet for me in a tournament or league match with no issues. I might eventually try to weight this up like the old PDTs at 315g/315mm balance/295-300 unstrung SW as this is usually my preferred spec, and Babolat has apparently taken this out of production.

Many thanks to the TW staff for allowing me to be part of my first playtest!
Excellent and detailed review. Let us know how it stacks up to the PD Tour if/when you add weight to it.
 

McLovin

Legend
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.​
 
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drlaura

New User
Does anyone think the new PD team will play compared to the 2021 variation. As a women 3.5 player I found the lighter Team gane me my power without the weight
 

TwinCinema

Professional
Does anyone think the new PD team will play compared to the 2021 variation. As a women 3.5 player I found the lighter Team gane me my power without the weight

I imagine it will play pretty similar but a bit softer. I used to play the Pure Strike Team as a rising intermediate and I agree there’s a magic to lightweight Babolats where they supply power without weight.
 
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