Tennis Warehouse Playtest: Babolat Pure Strike (16x19, 18x20, Tour) 3rd Gen Playtest

Now based on my 1st few good impressions with the 98..I hope to try the 100 ps..
As I feel more at home with 100 frames..2 more inches always seems to help me...
 
A little eye candy. Strung at 44lb using Tour Bite 1.30 which is the standard setup I use for comparing frames.
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Received the PS Tour 16x19 last night with Thiem missing - a bit like the player at recent events.

Intend to test with full bed:
1) Tourna Black Zone 1.25mm @ 52+/- lbs
2) Babolat RPM Blast Rough (included in the playtest package) 1.25mm @ 52+/- lbs
3) Babolat Origin Xcel (included in the playtest package) 1.25mm @56 +/- lbs
 
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Had a friend that normally uses a Clash 100 Tour with Alu Power hit with the Pure Strike 16X19. Says it is fairly comparable. The Clash has a bit more power and he finds it easier to be on the defense, block a shot, and get it back with depth versus with the Pure Strike. He says the Pure Strike has a higher launch angle than his Clash by a little bit, both of which are higher than the v7 Blade 98 16X19. He prefers the Pure Strike over the new Blade due mostly to the lighter and more familiar weight, and he was a former Blade user who switched to the Clash to get some extra pop for his swing style.
 
Got a text message that my racket is ready for pick-up.

What a surge of adrenaline! It reminds me of the excitement when one of my kids was born, but without all the yelling.
 
topspn said:
My frame 16M came out unstrung to 301.1g and 32.1cm balance. So a bit light but at least balance is good
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If the balance is good. Then being light is good. You can always add weight. But you can't take it away. Sounds like you got a nice frame to work with.
 
parasailing said:
How does it compare to the Blade v7 or is there another racquet you think it is comparably to?
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Blade is more comfortable softer ride strike is more like more comfortable Rf97.
Strike is easier to use imho more power with less effort. Non tour strangely feels more head light than blade at same specs.
 
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Oh, wow. I am so very stupid.

I accidentally wrote the wrong thing on the ticket, so my test racket is now strung backward. I put the gut on the mains when I meant to ask them to put the gut on the crosses.

I am reluctant to re-string, so I guess that is how it will be.

Gosh, I'm stupid. I had my current racket and the new one right in front of my face and still wrote it wrong.
 
Cindysphinx said:
Oh, wow. I am so very stupid.

I accidentally wrote the wrong thing on the ticket, so my test racket is now strung backward. I put the gut on the mains when I meant to ask them to put the gut on the crosses.

I am reluctant to re-string, so I guess that is how it will be.

Gosh, I'm stupid. I had my current racket and the new one right in front of my face and still wrote it wrong.
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Might be the best mistake you ever made. You might love gut in the mains, most people do.


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dgoran said:
Balde is more comfortable softer ride strike is more like more comfortable Rf97.
Strike is easier to use imho more power with less effort. Non tour strangely feels more head light than blade at same specs.
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The spec of the tour intrigues me but also 20 g heavier than the blade so not sure I want to lug that around for a 2 hour singles match.


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Cindysphinx said:
Oh, wow. I am so very stupid.

I accidentally wrote the wrong thing on the ticket, so my test racket is now strung backward. I put the gut on the mains when I meant to ask them to put the gut on the crosses.

I am reluctant to re-string, so I guess that is how it will be.

Gosh, I'm stupid. I had my current racket and the new one right in front of my face and still wrote it wrong.
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The softer string is supposed to be in the mains. The stiffer and more slippery string should be in the crosses. So it was strung properly. Are you o.k.? Do you need to see a doctor? :unsure:
 
Chiming in as I've hit extensively with the 100, 16x19, Tour and made the switch to the 16x19. Previously coming from the 2019 Aero Tour with poly @ 50 to 52 lbs depending on conditions.

100: maneuverable and I liked the racket head speed / spin / control, but against big hitting players (5.0+) not enough mass, especially on return of serve or when someone brought a lot of pace. I also tend to catch the ball a little late on defense and returns, which the Aero Tour hid.

Tour: felt great in rally balls and off the ball machine when I had plenty of time to get set up and take a full swing and make contact in front, but mass + swing weight was too sluggish when I played points against big hitters or tried to return big serves. Back in the college days the Tour would have been a strong contender. In my current ability and physical state, I'm not strong enough. I could see myself keeping a Tour in the bag for rill days against the ball machine or practice days against players who don't hit a ton of pace. When you get this thing moving and make contact correctly... it's awesome.

16x19: perfect for my game right now. Not as much free power/spin as my Aero Tour, but way more feel and control. Pickup volleys and angled slices are weirdly easier to hit. Swing weight is almost identical to Aero Tour. I'm still getting used to not being able to just arm when out of position or late on the ball. But as I hit in front and get the body weight moving into the ball, damn... it feels good and lots of action on the ball.

String changed how I liked the Strike. I tried with full bed of poly at different tensions...didn't love it enough to switch. I've been an all poly guy for the last 15 years. Not enough power and the ball wasn't jumping off the court like the Aero Tour. Then I saw someone's comment this racket was "string sensitive": I started testing hybrids, finally settled on gut mains at 50 lbs and poly cross at 47 lbs. I had to adjust my stroke a little: coming over and through the ball more vs. brushing up and catching it a little late. And more driving from the legs forward into the court vs arming it and rotating through and up. The result: more consistency, feel, and control without huge sacrifice to power/spin (expect the serve, you can drop heavy bombs with the Aero Tour and I haven't replicated that with my 16x19 Strike).
 
Cindysphinx said:
Oh, wow. I am so very stupid.

I accidentally wrote the wrong thing on the ticket, so my test racket is now strung backward. I put the gut on the mains when I meant to ask them to put the gut on the crosses.

I am reluctant to re-string, so I guess that is how it will be.

Gosh, I'm stupid. I had my current racket and the new one right in front of my face and still wrote it wrong.
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There is no right or wrong answer to poly in mains or crosses. Conventional wisdom is the mains contribute about 60-65% of the feel to the stringed. So gut in the M will mean a softer more powerful stringed as the gut will influence more. Poly in the M would have influenced more and applied a more controlled and firm feel.
 
I think my pro wants me not to have a "powerful" racket or set-up.

Kind of like how you don't want to give a shotgun to a toddler.
 
A_Instead said:
marceloriosfan
could you give a brief comparing the 100 to the 98 16x19.. thank you kindly if you can..
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The biggest difference to me was the 100 is more maneuverable and I could get away with "less correct" form = flicking the wrist on the run, catching the ball late, pulling up in a pathetic buggy whip attempt, etc. The 100 might have a little bigger sweet spot. The 98 demands better technique (fuller stroke, contact in front, weight moving into court)... but when you get it right, it's so good: for my game it's a nice balance of power/spin/control/feel. Caveat being, I've always played with stiff rackets strung with all poly. If I kept experimenting, I think I could play with the 100 with a soft poly, 17-19 gauge, in the 40s.

As I play mostly with 5.0-5.5 guys, the 100 wasn't enough mass and swing weight to play serious points or return big serves.

It would be interesting to have a 100 customized to the specs of the 98.

edits: grammar
 
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Cindysphinx said:
I think my pro wants me not to have a "powerful" racket or set-up.

Kind of like how you don't want to give a shotgun to a toddler.
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I agree with dgoran. You’re spending a lot of money on gut so if the main purpose isn’t to get a max gut experience in a hybrid and instead it’s control then find a cheaper way to do it. Like a poly main and syn gut (far far cheaper) crosses. Or any other soft cross or just a full bed of softer poly.
 
My initial review after hitting today for around an hour. (will follow up later this weekend after my match)

Racquet Received: Babolat Pure Strike Tour (16x19)
String and tension used for test: Volkl Cyclone 18g, 52/52
Tennis experience/background: 3.5 rated, mostly self taught but take group lessons. Started playing tournaments and matches this year.
Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): All-court. I will play baseline but change pace by coming to net. On serve I will be more aggressive as I have a big first serve relative to my overall rating.
Current racquet/string setups: Blade v7 16x19 (Tour Bite 50/50), TC95 v3 70RA (Gut/YPTP 58/54), Pure Strike Project One.7 16x19 (BHB7 50/50).
How many hours did you play with the racquet? So far, 1 hour with serving + wall hitting. I will update after my match Saturday morning.

Comments on racquet performance: My main comparison is between this and the Blade due to that being a very common question/comparison and also my current dilemma for which racquet to make my main racquet.
-Groundstrokes:
Groundstrokes feel very solid as expected. I would say the racquet feels very much between the Pure Strike One.7 and the Blade v7. It has the heft and increased head heaviness (but not nearly the heavy feel of the Blade) but a more "stiff" feel compared to the blade and easier time generating RHS. I actually really enjoyed the fact that I still had 70% of the plow of the Blade but felt like I had more maneuverability and whether it's poor technique or not, an easier time not being late on my strokes. This racquet is much more forgiving. You definitely don't have a "muted" feel. I know I strung with Cyclone but compared to the Blade with Tour Bite, it definitely had more of that classic Babolat 'stiff' feel, which I happen to like, without arm pain afterwards whereas the Blade definitely had a more dampened feel.

Forehands had moderate to low power, less than the Blade, but much easier to "swing out" on compared to the Blade. The Pure Strike allows you to really take cuts at the ball but is hefty enough with the Tour version to not get pushed around. Again, this goes back to being somewhat of a middle ground between the PO7 and the Blade v7.

Backhands were solid if you like to slice and dice a lot. I play a OHBH and I can definitely see using this racquet if I relied heavily on slice, topspin shots, etc. It's harder to drive the ball / hit flat due to less head heavy feel compared to the Blade, but definitely easier to prep the stroke and be on time to the ball.

Off-center hits did not feel good on this racquet (when do they ever), but the Blade spoiled me in that regard.

-Serves:
I typically hit a hard flat first serve and have a slice and kick serve for second serves. My flat serve suffered a bit compared to the Blade, but the Blade I also found was ridiculous awesome for my first serve so it's a high bar to meet. The second serves is where this racquet shined. I felt like the extra maneuverability allowed me to "carve" around the ball more easily on my slice serves and kicker. It's a bit of a toss up to be honest.

-Volleys:
(will comment once I play this weekend, but so far, against the wall, way more maneuverable at the net IMO)
-Serve returns:
(will comment once I play this weekend, Blade will be a high bar to meet since I felt like I could absorb and redirect literally any serve with it).


General reaction/comments on overall performance:
So far, this racquet is a close second to the Blade v7, maybe first. It's really a personal preference on if you like *slightly* more of that Babolat feel and a bit more head light compared to the Blade v7 which has a very unique feel that is flexy and a bit more like playing with a "hammer". I think regardless of what I choose, I'm hanging onto this racquet as it really checks all the boxes with its strong points being a solid combination of heft + maneuverability + access to RHS and its weaker points being a little stiffer feeling and less of a "cannon" on the serve.
 
BBender716 said:
My initial review after hitting today for around an hour. (will follow up later this weekend after my match)

Racquet Received: Babolat Pure Strike Tour (16x19)
String and tension used for test: Volkl Cyclone 18g, 52/52
Tennis experience/background: 3.5 rated, mostly self taught but take group lessons. Started playing tournaments and matches this year.
Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): All-court. I will play baseline but change pace by coming to net. On serve I will be more aggressive as I have a big first serve relative to my overall rating.
Current racquet/string setups: Blade v7 16x19 (Tour Bite 50/50), TC95 v3 70RA (Gut/YPTP 58/54), Pure Strike Project One.7 16x19 (BHB7 50/50).
How many hours did you play with the racquet? So far, 1 hour with serving + wall hitting. I will update after my match Saturday morning.

Comments on racquet performance: My main comparison is between this and the Blade due to that being a very common question/comparison and also my current dilemma for which racquet to make my main racquet.
-Groundstrokes:
Groundstrokes feel very solid as expected. I would say the racquet feels very much between the Pure Strike One.7 and the Blade v7. It has the heft and increased head heaviness (but not nearly the heavy feel of the Blade) but a more "stiff" feel compared to the blade and easier time generating RHS. I actually really enjoyed the fact that I still had 70% of the plow of the Blade but felt like I had more maneuverability and whether it's poor technique or not, an easier time not being late on my strokes. This racquet is much more forgiving. You definitely don't have a "muted" feel. I know I strung with Cyclone but compared to the Blade with Tour Bite, it definitely had more of that classic Babolat 'stiff' feel, which I happen to like, without arm pain afterwards whereas the Blade definitely had a more dampened feel.

Forehands had moderate to low power, less than the Blade, but much easier to "swing out" on compared to the Blade. The Pure Strike allows you to really take cuts at the ball but is hefty enough with the Tour version to not get pushed around. Again, this goes back to being somewhat of a middle ground between the PO7 and the Blade v7.

Backhands were solid if you like to slice and dice a lot. I play a OHBH and I can definitely see using this racquet if I relied heavily on slice, topspin shots, etc. It's harder to drive the ball / hit flat due to less head heavy feel compared to the Blade, but definitely easier to prep the stroke and be on time to the ball.

Off-center hits did not feel good on this racquet (when do they ever), but the Blade spoiled me in that regard.

-Serves:
I typically hit a hard flat first serve and have a slice and kick serve for second serves. My flat serve suffered a bit compared to the Blade, but the Blade I also found was ridiculous awesome for my first serve so it's a high bar to meet. The second serves is where this racquet shined. I felt like the extra maneuverability allowed me to "carve" around the ball more easily on my slice serves and kicker. It's a bit of a toss up to be honest.

-Volleys:
(will comment once I play this weekend, but so far, against the wall, way more maneuverable at the net IMO)
-Serve returns:
(will comment once I play this weekend, Blade will be a high bar to meet since I felt like I could absorb and redirect literally any serve with it).


General reaction/comments on overall performance:
So far, this racquet is a close second to the Blade v7, maybe first. It's really a personal preference on if you like *slightly* more of that Babolat feel and a bit more head light compared to the Blade v7 which has a very unique feel that is flexy and a bit more like playing with a "hammer". I think regardless of what I choose, I'm hanging onto this racquet as it really checks all the boxes with its strong points being a solid combination of heft + maneuverability + access to RHS and its weaker points being a little stiffer feeling and less of a "cannon" on the serve.
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Man this is really accurate review.
I felt the same i would just add that with Strike I get more of that six one 95 I will split the ball in half feel, if you nail your forehand vs blade absorbs more and does not feel like you are killing the ball...Who knows maybe the end result on the other side of the court is the same it’s just how it feels
 
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I got to play with the 18M first time today during a doubles match. A very clean hitting stable frame, much easier than I thought in generating topspin, FH and OHBH, and slices are like a dream in accuracy and ease of shot.

I strung it with VS Touch for the mains and RPM Blast Rough for the crosses, 52/48#. Along side I also strung a PST with same strings at 55/52#. Both racquets came off the stringer with DT/SBS at 35. After the warm up and few match games with 18M, I started noticing arm fatigue and sensitivity. I switched to PST, fatigue and sensitivities went away, played well, won the match and bagged both racquets up.

I really want to like the 18M, but if it even hints at arm/wrist/elbow/shoulder issues, it is a no-go for me obviously. And I have been enjoying the PST for nearly 3 weeks a lot thus far, just a superb frame all around.
 
topspn said:
Ready to go strung with S7T @48lbs

vHZPoWA.jpg
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I did 46 pounds and it's a bit too springy. Because I'm not a big fan of springy stringbeds, but also because the regular 16X19 is so light, it might be that S7T isn't the right string and something a bit less powerful and internally dampened might be better. So it will be good to see what your impressions are.
 
@TennisManiac Yes, certainly used AluP although its been a while. I also have some of the spin version 1.27 in my string stash but haven’t used it yet. I’ll do my best to remember.
@Injured Again I am not a fan of springy strings either and got this one since it was touted as the example of crisp.
@anfield I played the P17 @48 and it was fine with total weight of 12oz. Still gave me discomfort so looking to play this one at below 50 with a good crisp control string so there is comfort as well
 
I'm actually demoing the Tour and the 100. Man, I miss the plow through of racquets like the Tour. Sort of reminds me of the Volkl Super G Mid 330, but a little head heavier. I was literally blasting my opponent off the court for about 30 mins (outside temp was about 97, with around 50% humidity - hot). Then reality set in, and it felt like I was swinging a tree limb - everything was late and the mishits started. For that 30 mins, though, I couldn't miss. Granted it, it was on a fast hard court, so I didn't have to swing it as fast as I would on clay. But I'm 51yo, out of shape, and only play about 1x per week and use a granny PD. It wouldn't take much to get in shape to gel with this racquet (probably playing 2-3x/week for a couple of weeks, with some ball machine sessions mixed in). The Tour was harsh, stiff, and slightly unstable when balls hit the top of the string bed, but nothing bad, or as unstable as the 100, or as bad as the Pure Aero, or any Graphene racquet (eegh-scary). The string pattern is tight for a 16x19, so the launch angle was pretty low to what I'm used to (PD), and after I tired out balls began hitting the net or flying to the fence. Its hard to pick out one shot that I like the best with this one since they were all really good, but right now it would be a low backhand volley, and high forehands (I was able to crush high forehands and running around the bh on kick serves). There's something about the smaller head and heftiness that makes this shot easier and more punishing than with any other racquet I've used (other than the original PS 16x19 and the original Graphene Rad Pro). Using it on clay may be a different story, but I'll try it and give an update. (Why Head refuses to make a Prestige Pro at this weight, I'll never understand. And why Babolat waited till now to make this, is a complete mystery - since they needed it back when the originals came out. How cool would this racquet have been, if it was flexy, powerful, and had the cool pj like the original PST? I know, just my opinion).

I think the 100 has potential with added weight. I added about 3 grams of lead at 12 on the 100 and it started to come to life, but felt a little sluggish (no surprise there). I actually think it would benefit from lead at 3&9 (I rarely put lead there) and a little weight in the handle (probably a little blu tac). However, I'm not seeing a real benefit of weighting this up vs the regular 16x19, since the heads are really close.

As shallow as it may seem, I wish it wasn't as white. Its better than the previous version, but its still a whole lot of white white.
 
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TennisHound said:
The Tour was harsh, stiff, and slightly unstable when balls hit the top of the string bed, but nothing bad, or as unstable as the 100, or as bad as the Pure Aero, or any Graphene racquet (eegh-scary). The string pattern is tight for a 16x19, so the launch angle was pretty low to what I'm used to (PD), and after I tired out balls began hitting the net or flying to the fence. I
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I think the genius of the PST is the the grommet design/string spacing. The main 4 strings are spaced as tight as in the 18M, the next 4 are slightly wider spaced, then the next 8 are spaced gradually wider. I think that tightness of strings in the middle eight gives it the control, the next 8 allows for more than average topspin. The RadicalPro has similar string spacing. I just compared the PST with a customer's RadicalPro, the spacing in the middle 4 is wider in the Head frame, and the remaining 12 strings are wider as well without gradual increase in spacing.

Combined with the weight and balance of the PST, you get a solid all-around all-court frame that I find to be very stable and equal plow-through as the RF97A; the RadialPro, IMHO, is lacking significant plow-through compared to the PST.
 
Ft.S said:
I think the genius of the PST is the the grommet design/string spacing. The main 4 strings are spaced as tight as in the 18M, the next 4 are slightly wider spaced, then the next 8 are spaced gradually wider. I think that tightness of strings in the middle eight gives it the control, the next 8 allows for more than average topspin. The RadicalPro has similar string spacing. I just compared the PST with a customer's RadicalPro, the spacing in the middle 4 is wider in the Head frame, and the remaining 12 strings are wider as well without gradual increase in spacing.

Combined with the weight and balance of the PST, you get a solid all-around all-court frame that I find to be very stable and equal plow-through as the RF97A; the RadialPro, IMHO, is lacking significant plow-through compared to the PST.
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That is the genius of 8 mains in the throat of a 16x19 pattern.
 
TennisHound said:
I'm actually demoing the Tour and the 100. Man, I miss the plow through of racquets like the Tour. Sort of reminds me of the Volkl Super G Mid 330, but a little head heavier. I was literally blasting my opponent off the court for about 30 mins (outside temp was about 97, with around 50% humidity - hot). Then reality set in, and it felt like I was swinging a tree limb - everything was late and the mishits started. For that 30 mins, though, I couldn't miss. Granted it, it was on a fast hard court, so I didn't have to swing it as fast as I would on clay. But I'm 51yo, out of shape, and only play about 1x per week and use a granny PD. It wouldn't take much to get in shape to gel with this racquet (probably playing 2-3x/week for a couple of weeks, with some ball machine sessions mixed in). The Tour was harsh, stiff, and slightly unstable when balls hit the top of the string bed, but nothing bad, or as unstable as the 100, or as bad as the Pure Aero, or any Graphene racquet (eegh-scary). The string pattern is tight for a 16x19, so the launch angle was pretty low to what I'm used to (PD), and after I tired out balls began hitting the net or flying to the fence. Its hard to pick out one shot that I like the best with this one since they were all really good, but right now it would be a low backhand volley, and high forehands (I was able to crush high forehands and running around the bh on kick serves). There's something about the smaller head and heftiness that makes this shot easier and more punishing than with any other racquet I've used (other than the original PS 16x19 and the original Graphene Rad Pro). Using it on clay may be a different story, but I'll try it and give an update. (Why Head refuses to make a Prestige Pro at this weight, I'll never understand. And why Babolat waited till now to make this, is a complete mystery - since they needed it back when the originals came out. How cool would this racquet have been, if it was flexy, powerful, and had the cool pj like the original PST? I know, just my opinion).

I think the 100 has potential with added weight. I added about 3 grams of lead at 12 on the 100 and it started to come to life, but felt a little sluggish (no surprise there). I actually think it would benefit from lead at 3&9 (I rarely put lead there) and a little weight in the handle (probably a little blu tac). However, I'm not seeing a real benefit of weighting this up vs the regular 16x19, since the heads are really close.

As shallow as it may seem, I wish it wasn't as white. Its better than the previous version, but its still a whole lot of white white.
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You should try the 98. It sits right between the Tour and the 100. It's perfect.;)
 
Yep, got myself another one :D To the left, all stock just OG and strung with revolution @48lbs (326.2g and 33cm balance). To the right, added leather grip and some weight at 7” from butt cap, strung with S7T @48lbs (339.9g, 31.9cm and 330SW). I will play for a bit that way and contrast the stock vs the one weighed up closer to my specs.


kK2f3ZC.jpg
 
TennisManiac said:
You should try the 98. It sits right between the Tour and the 100. It's perfect.;)
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Yep, the Tour is an excellent racquet, but a little heavy for me atm (Its pretty sad to say its too heavy, since I've won the most matches with racquets over 12oz). The 16x19 is (like you say) probably the perfect balance of the Tour and the 100, since it sits right in between both.
 
Last weekend I hit with the new Pure Strike 98 16x19 and absolutely loved it. It had more power and control than my current racket of choice "the 2015 ProStaff 97" and it felt great on the arm. I was just hitting around for about an hour. No match play. I was very happy with the way it performed on ground strokes and serves. Not so much on volleys though. I would need to do some tinkering with lead tape in the hoop for added stability.

So today I played a Semi Final match in a tournament in my area. I played a guy that I had beaten about 10 times before within usta league play and other tournaments. So being extremely confident I decided to play the match with my new Pure Strike 98 16x19 instead of my bread and butter 2015 ProStaff 97 that I've been playing with for the past 4 years. I lost the first three games and was down 0-3. :oops: I couldn't believe what was happening. I was getting so frustrated with this new frame. Nothing was working well today at all. I switched back to my ProStaff97 and won the next 6 games in a row winning the set 6-3. Then finishing the match winning the second 6-2. I'm not sure what the hell was going on today but I couldn't play a match with this new Pure Strike 98 to save my life. It seemed like with all of my normal strokes 90% of the balls were going long. And I mean way long. I was actually holding back to keep balls in the court on both sides. So needless to say I wasn't able to hit winners as I normally do. Heck... even my serves were going long. So I don't know If I need to string this Pure Strike up a few pounds tighter or switch to a deader stiffer poly. But for right now I'll be sticking to my 2015 ProStaff 97 for the rest of this season. I'll hold onto the Pure Strike and mess around with string and tension to see if I can find a winning combination for next season. But I can tell you that using Alu Power in this frame strung at 46 lbs. does not work at all. Way to powerful. I'm thinking of trying Hyper G next strung at like 48 and seeing how that works. If that doesn't work I'll probably be selling the racket and trying out the new Blade V7 next.
 
TennisManiac said:
Last weekend I hit with the new Pure Strike 98 16x19 and absolutely loved it. It had more power and control than my current racket of choice "the ProStaff 97" and it felt great on the arm. I was just hitting ground strokes for about an hour. No match play. I was very happy with the way it performed on ground strokes and serves. Not so much on volleys though. I need to do some tinkering with lead tape in the hoop for added stability.

So today I played a Semi Final match in a tournament in my area. I played a guy that I have beaten about 10 times before within usta league play and other tournaments. So being extremely confident I decided to play the match with my new Pure Strike 98 16x19 instead of my bread and butter ProStaff 97 that I've been playing with for the past 4 years. I lost the first three games and was down 0-3. :oops: I couldn't believe what was happening. I was getting so frustrated with this new frame. Nothing was working well today at all. I switched back to my ProStaff97 and won the next 6 games in a row winning the set 6-3. Then finishing the match winning the second 6-2. I'm not sure what the hell was going on today but I couldn't play a match with this new Pure Strike 98 to save my life. It seemed like with all of my normal strokes 90% of the balls were going long. And I mean way long. I was actually holding back to keep balls in the court on both sides. So needless to say I wasn't able to hit winners as I normally do. Heck... even my serves were going long. So I don't know If I need to string this Pure Strike up a few pounds tighter or switch to a deader stiffer poly. But for right now I'll be sticking to my ProStaff 97 for the rest of this season. I'll hold onto the Pure Strike and mess around with string and tension to see if I can find a winning combination for next season. But I can tell you that using Alu Power in this frame strung at 46 lbs. does not work at all. Way to powerful. I'm thinking of trying Hyper G next strung at like 48 and seeing how that works. If that doesn't work I'll probably be selling the racket and trying out the new Blade V7 next.
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Could be that you were thinking about new racquet instead of playing it happens to my when I demo. I rarely win when I’m thinking about how racquet plays instead of just playing w/o thinking about racquet
 
Took the PST out for some singles the first time today and still liking it a lot. The racket definitely has a higher launch angle than my EZONE which worked well for my forehand. My forehand tends to be loopy and quite spinny so I can be prone to hitting short balls but was hitting most forehands heavy and deep today.. My backhand tends to be more flat so I struggled a bit on that side with a lot of balls sailing long so will need more time to adjust on that wing. Serving was great and was able to place plenty of spin serves and hit some flat ones once in a while as well. Volleying is also great due to how maneuverable the racket feels. Definitely doesn't feel as sluggish as other sub 12oz rackets can be.
 
topspn said:
Yep, got myself another one :D To the left, all stock just OG and strung with revolution @48lbs (326.2g and 33cm balance). To the right, added leather grip and some weight at 7” from butt cap, strung with S7T @48lbs (339.9g, 31.9cm and 330SW). I will play for a bit that way and contrast the stock vs the one weighed up closer to my specs.


kK2f3ZC.jpg
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Whoa! That was quick! :D

Did you ask T dubs to match the specs of the test racquet to the one you recently got? Look fwd to your feedback of stock vs weighted one. Clearly this seems to be a softer version of the PS17 you were looking for! (y)
 
haqq777 said:
Whoa! That was quick! :D

Did you ask T dubs to match the specs of the test racquet to the one you recently got? Look fwd to your feedback of stock vs weighted one. Clearly this seems to be a softer version of the PS17 you were looking for! (y)
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I already spent a few hours playing this frame and even played a match. No issue for me picking it up and grooving. I certainly would not describe it as high on comfort. However compared to P17, its a bit more dampened and pockets a bit. They did a good job dampening just a bit but still retain ok feel so didn’t over do it. I think just enough to make it playable for me. Playability is excellent with power and precision
 
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