TE is probably measuring unstrung and TW strung - it's usually ~3 pts lower RA strung. Could also be how the frame is mounted on the RDC. Measuring a slightly different spot or mounting tighter/looser can affect the reading. Even flipping the frame over can result in a difference of a couple points. Or it's a typo. Every source I've seen has stated 61, my friend's pro shop included.
Tennis Warehouse Playtest: Babolat Pure Strike 2024 (98 16x19 and 100 16x20)
- Thread starter TW Staff
- Start date
netlets
Professional
Me too. I'm loving my 98 16x19 Strikes but now that the 100 is 11.4 OZ strung and more flexible, so better on the shoulder, I think it could be something I would consider switching too. It depends on how much pop the racquet has compared to my 98s and how maneuverable they are.
As far as I can see, it's the same mold, just a different drill pattern. (Way cheaper to use the same mold)
TennisHound
Legend
Sounds like the 100 is pretty maneuverable - 7pts HL, SW 320.
As I said earlier in the thread, it could be a goldilocks platform, especially for one-handers.
StringStrungStrang
Professional
It looks to me like we are seeing a move to the next generation of "modern" racquet development and this is Babolat's take. Slightly larger, open, firm but comfortable, maneuverable and powerful - this is today's modern game.
Let's see how it plays!!
I was selected for the 100 16x20 (Grip 3). Woohoo! Thank you @TW Staff! You can expect a comprehensive review from me!
If anyone has any particular string requests, let me know and I'll do my best to get them in if I have them. I plan on at least one full-bed of poly (either a single string or a p/p hybrid, maybe both) and then a non-poly/poly hybrid. Maybe more if time allows.
If anyone has any particular string requests, let me know and I'll do my best to get them in if I have them. I plan on at least one full-bed of poly (either a single string or a p/p hybrid, maybe both) and then a non-poly/poly hybrid. Maybe more if time allows.
McLovin
Legend
<refreshes email>…nothing
<refreshes email again>…still nothing
<refreshes email again>…still nothing
Fighting phoenix
Hall of Fame
This one hurts since I was a long term user of the PS 98, and have been testing a ton of racquets in the last year and feel hyper qualified for this one...maybe I'll get an email later tonight...ugh.
On the bright side, I have a 100 16x19 and 100 16x20 on the way as demos, which gives me an opportunity to compare those two directly with racquets freshly strung by TW vs. me having to re-string a terribly old demo string set. Definitely excited for that, and I did not expect these specs to be where they're at and didn't have a potential switch to the new Pure Strike on my radar at all! This should be fun.
On the bright side, I have a 100 16x19 and 100 16x20 on the way as demos, which gives me an opportunity to compare those two directly with racquets freshly strung by TW vs. me having to re-string a terribly old demo string set. Definitely excited for that, and I did not expect these specs to be where they're at and didn't have a potential switch to the new Pure Strike on my radar at all! This should be fun.
Ahh, I feel you FP. At least you got first dibs on the demos -- clean string jobs and all.
The interesting thing to me right now is a bit of discrepancy on specs (which often happens as new frames release). On the 100 16x20, for example, TW lists a 61 RA and 320 SW, where as T3nn!s Express lists 64 and 317. Regardless of who's more "right", considering the silo history, I'm willing to bet most of the Strikes play as or slightly more firm that the listed RA might suggest. One thing I do hope is that the listed SW is dead-on, which will keep them swinging fast and maneuverable, and allow for a wider customization window.
Fighting phoenix
Hall of Fame
Yeah for sure - I have a briffidi and balance board, so I'm super curious to see the specs on the demos I get. Stiffness is definitely not an exact science, but I have extensive playing time with the PA98 and can compare how these feel compared to the new PAs.
taydbear7
Professional
I'm curious what poly and multi will come with the racquet. I'm guess it will be RPM Blast and Xalt.
Same. I would guess RPM and Xcel, but it would be nice if it was Xalt instead of Xcel, as it's the new kid on the block, and I've heard good things (not just another "me too" multi, but somewhat unique with the glass beads in it).
tennisfan17
Professional
Ah dang. Sad to see i didn't get selected. Have a player on the team that uses the last model of the strike and was hopeful to get to try this one! Maybe next time
darkother
Rookie
Same, had one of my players ask me last night if I was getting one anytime soon haha
netlets
Professional
Hopefully they are still selecting people - I've been using the Pure Strike 98 16x19 for the last couple of years and am very familiar with this line - I teach and play with it. I'm a racquet and string nerd, so I would give a very in depth review. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Fighting phoenix
Hall of Fame
Interesting for those who care about recoil weight - the 16x20 100 Pure Strike at TW listed specs is ~163 (perfect fit for me once I put on an overgrip), the 16x19 100 is 155rw. Nerdy I know, but directionally accurate for me it seems in terms of racquets that I tend to prefer.
netlets
Professional
That would be great to see those numbers. How do you like the briffidi? I was thinking about getting one - reviews were very good.
Fighting phoenix
Hall of Fame
Why are you looking to move away from the extreme tours? That’s my current stick too that I’m likely to move on from, mostly due to stability issues.
Fighting phoenix
Hall of Fame
The Briffidi swing weight tool is awesome - I recently got their balance device as well, both have been game changers for me
SinneGOAT
Legend
Same here, plow through and stability. The frame even with weight is still quite whippy and doesn’t have a stable feeling on volleys and redirecting pace. The racquet is fun but as my game progresses I want something more stable.
SlowTiger
Professional
I used to bleed head but haven't been a fan since IG
Cowboy
Semi-Pro
This is my hope too. That would allow a direct comparison to that combo in my (now weighted) Blade 100L.
I didn't need another rabbit hole of research to go down, but here we go....
This is why I started playing with adding weight to my Blades. I love the stiffness, but hated hitting 1HBH. I hit with a friend's Blade 98S (18x16) and immediately knew I needed something different. The plow through with his racquet was that of dreams. 4g in the head of the 100L and 5g in the handle and I have a very stable and fun racquet.
But this time it wasn't a waste?
SinneGOAT
Legend
I already had an idea to an extent the specs before they came out, player frames like the strike/blade/radical tend to sit in the same area of balance, swing weight, and weight. I have watched some reviews though but I am keeping an open mind as to how it will play.
I'm consuming everything I can get my hands on in anticipation of the 100" 16x20. I don't think there's any point in taking the ostrich-head-in-the-sand approach. You might as well know what you're dealing with ahead of time; and it's not like any big mystery, anyways. In the 100 16x20 you've got a 100" slightly-less-crispy Strike with a lifty-but-still-composed 16x20 and a probably a very Prince Tour 100P-like mass distribution, with a fast 320-ish swing weight -- assuming the darn thing is on spec. So I think I have a pretty good idea of what to expect.
What I'm hoping for is enough string bed consistency, control, free power (despite the lowered stiffness) and feel (with the insertion of flax and hopeful removal as much other dampening nonsense as possible). Will that be the case, all together? I have my doubts, but I'm going to remain cautiously optimistic, ala @SinneGOAT.
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Cowboy
Semi-Pro
I'm not suggesting going in totally blind. I would expect everyone to have reviewed the specs. I have my own theory about how the racquet will play based on static weight, swing weight, balance point, and stiffness. I've just been avoiding the reviews from others, as I don't want to just parrot what others have said. I want to give a totally fresh perspective, or maybe validate what the others say if my experience is similar.
badmice2
Professional
The only spec that’s an outlier is RDC. Every company has a different interruption to how they measure. From personal experience the feel and response between a Wilson RDC 61 cannot be compared to a Head RDC 61, and so forth. Static stats aside, feel is the comfort most players look for down the road in their playing experience.
Babolat traditionally makes stiff frames…can they deliver a “softer” frame that’s player friendly?
TennisHound
Legend
Downvote
Cowboy
Semi-Pro
LOL. Why?
I feel like I'm being inundated with suggested articles by Google, videos by YouTube (also, owned by Google), and Facebook. I haven't clicked on any of them because I don't want it to set any expectations based on other's opinions.
Fighting phoenix
Hall of Fame
I for one think you're doing the right thing by avoiding watching/reading reviews of others before the playtest. Better to come into it with a clean slate to see how it feels to you and provide that unbiased perspective in your write-up.
XFactorer
Hall of Fame
I'm avoiding reviews. I'm only looking at specs and the marketing claims. Definitely needed to look at specs before I deleted the 98 or 100. I wanted the 98 to compare to my current EZONE 98.
Totally agree, I was on the PSVS playtest and am wondering if the feel changed dramatically or if it's just marketing talk.
Also wondering if when they say the feel is "more refined" in the new 97 they really mean muted; which I do not want.
TW Staff
Administrator
Wow! We had an amazing response to this playtest, one of the biggest we have ever had. We have sent out the racquets to the selected playtesters and they should be arriving in 1-5 business days depending on where you are located. For those who were not selected, thanks for your willingness to participate. We have a lot more racquet and shoe playtests scheduled for this year so there will be plenty of opportunities. Some helpful hints to get selected: apply for string playtests and participate productively in the forum (especially in the racquet and shoe). We also tried to spread the wealth between playtesters and try to select playtesters that haven't been on a review within the last year or so.
Thanks,
TW Staff
Thanks,
TW Staff
XFactorer
Hall of Fame
Got mine! Strung it up w/ Tecnifibre Razor Code 1.20mm at 45 lbs, same setup I'd use for my EZONE 98.
Initial, pre-hit thoughts:
*Had a hard time figuring out which holes were tie-offs
*There's not much clearance in the grommets (it might be that whole lock booster system)
*Definitely more head heavy than I'm used to, I'm looking forward to it, though
*The handle is pretty short for someone like me who has a 2HBH, I overgripped up a lot hire than the normal grip
*The throat design is giving me VCORE vibes
*String spacing seems pretty tight for a 16x19 (but that's what the "FSI Control" tech is)
Initial, pre-hit thoughts:
*Had a hard time figuring out which holes were tie-offs
*There's not much clearance in the grommets (it might be that whole lock booster system)
*Definitely more head heavy than I'm used to, I'm looking forward to it, though
*The handle is pretty short for someone like me who has a 2HBH, I overgripped up a lot hire than the normal grip
*The throat design is giving me VCORE vibes
*String spacing seems pretty tight for a 16x19 (but that's what the "FSI Control" tech is)
SinneGOAT
Legend
Mine arrived today as well! I need to string it up with my trust razor code 1.25, and I felt the same. The handle felt a little short for 2hbh like a blade. Being used to head saying where tie offs are it hopefully will go well!
usatennisfan
New User
Wasn’t selected but I have a demo. I’ll post my feedback soon.
SinneGOAT
Legend
Got mine, gonna string it once I find my protection pad for my stringer! Would white or blue go better with this racquet?
White, plus red stencil ink aligned to the Babolat logo "bars" @ 4 and 8.
