Tennis Warehouse Playtest: Babolat Pure Strike VS 2022

[TW Staff]

Attention Talk Tennis Members:

We have another extremely exciting playtest opportunity for you. We have a limited number of Babolat Pure Strike VS available to playtest in a grip size 2. 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 a set of Babolat RPM Blast 17 and Xcel 17 strings. Please note that we only have one grip size available - grip size 2.

Application period is now closed. Selected participants will be notified via email by Monday, May 2nd.

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 June 3rd, 2022 at 5 pm PST.

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.

 

[tennisboy2121]

So far this is the most excited I have been for a racket release in the last couple of years. This seems like the best Babolat offering for me in over a decade. It is a perfect platform racket to customize to your liking. Love the low tw and 16x20 is magical, especially happy with 8 mains in the throat. Amazing job Babolat!

 

[A_Instead]

None stop good times y'all..

 

[Devil_dog]

Best of luck for those who get to playtest this racquet! I'm eager to read all the reviews!

 

[mad dog1]

Tried the Pure Strike VS that @BabPlayer-JohnnyG brought out to the TW demo court at IW. Nice stick but not my cup of tea. I prefer the Babolat 2012 and 2015 Pure Drives and 2019 Pure Aero.

 

[mpournaras]

I would love to try it and review it but I know L2 is not for me. Good luck y'all! Eager to hear user reviews

 

[jangotango]

This would be perfect for me. Fingers crossed! Just in time for my first year of college to be over.

 

[mogo]

I like the grommet setup. I wonder how this would compare to the Pure Storm Tour model.

 

[wenseleydale]

i'm a long-time Prestige user and typically stay far away from Babolats. However, the CAP-like grommets peaked my curiosity (hopefully they protect as well as Head CAP grommets). Also the lower RA is very un-Babolat and might be comfortable enough for my wrist and elbow

 

[Dishiki]

Really interested in the lower flex for Babolat. I tend to shy away from them because they are just too boardy. Will be curious how precise the racquet is and compare it to the Blade Pro, and my Volkl PB mid 10s.

 

[Yamin]

Haven't played with a Babolat since the pure control due to the stiffness. Using the clash 98 right now, but considering something more traditional. Specs sound very good.

Nice stick but not my cup of tea. I prefer the Babolat 2012 and 2015 Pure Drives and 2019 Pure Aero.

What didn't you like? Any redeeming qualities?

 

[Kozzy]

This racquet is awesome. I already have 2. Needs lead at 12, but takes weight well.

 

[ne1410is]

I'm also very interested in the low stiffness (always my hesitation with Babolat, even though the few hits I've had with Babolats, I found really easy power + control that put me in command straight away).

The low stiffness combined with leather grip reminds me of my high school stick (Prince Michael Chang Graphite extended OS).

Sounds like its gonna have a more old school feel: can really tell where the ball is going, what it's doing, and (in my imagination/mind) make last second adjustments to keep the ball in. 16x20 should be interesting too, I wonder if it's gonna still deliver the monster spin I feel is Babolat's forte. Although I don't mind an emphasis on control. In fact, that's what's most exciting.

 

[Crimsonchen]

Used the pure storms back in 2011 and had them for several years until switching to the pure aero vs in 2016. Definitely enjoyed the 16x20 pattern from Babolat so I'm wondering how this plays

 

[PhxRacket]

I loved the old Pure Control Tour!! If Babolat brought them back…we’ll, I would buy more than a few. The update Pure Strike VS (the white one) was dissimilar to the point that they didn’t feel the same. I moved on to Blades, but would be tempted to dip my toe back into the PSVS if it has similar feel.

 

[SlowTiger]

Used the pure storms back in 2011 and had them for several years until switching to the pure aero vs in 2016. Definitely enjoyed the 16x20 pattern from Babolat so I'm wondering how this plays

I'm actually really curious to which way this will lean towards too. I liked the pure strikes a lot more than the pure storms

 

[Crimsonchen]

I'm actually really curious to which way this will lean towards too. I liked the pure strikes a lot more than the pure storms

Yeah I haven't tried the latest strikes or the previous pure strike VS because I got addicted to 95s but this racquet might change things for me

 

[mhkeuns]

Loved the Pure Control that came out just before the Strike VS. Babolat needs a soft feeling, control oriented stick. Love Babolat power, but Babolat does need a stick with a bit more finess.

 

[snoflewis]

The last stick on my demo list after the tf40 16x19 and boom pro

 

[mad dog1]

What didn't you like? Any redeeming qualities?

Too “wobbly” on contact. Redeeming qualities: old school flex and feel.

i can see how some players would this frame.

 

[LetsPlayKennis]

Man, this one has me excited. I used to play with a Pure Control Tour back in the day, and I'm still chasing that 16x20 pattern high every time I'm out on court. Eager to see what folks think of this one.

 

[A-Rich]

Very big fan of the strike gen 3 so I am super curious and intrigued with this racket. Should be fun to hear how it performs for the play testers

 

[NickJ]

The only racquet I've bought full price when new since my DR98. All others have been 2nd hand finds. Due to arrive today/tomorrow from TW Europe and never been looking forward so much to hitting with anything. Although I used to use the Pure Storms for s short time when between 'regular' match racquets, I never have liked Babolat as a company mainly due to my dislike of the PD and APD (arm wreckers). But the specs on this VS look just perfect if set up with the right strings. Game on!

 

[OldManStan]

Looking forward to all your reviews everyone!

 

[Karma Tennis]

Completely different stick but hope that some players familiar with the 2013 APD will get to playtest the new PS VS so we can get some "Straight from the horse's mouth" comparisons.

 

[Trip]

As a user of numerous Vcore 95s, VCP 97s, Phantoms and Prestiges, my interest is definitely peaked! Emailed!

 

[Okinawa Puroresu]

As a Pro Staff/Prestige user, I’m incredibly curious to see Babolat’s take on a low powered player racquet. I’ve played and jelled with the Project One7 in 18x20, so I’m most definitely used to working for my shots while getting just the little bit of extra help. I’d be intrigued to see just how accurate the seemingly universal sentiment is regarding the instability at the tip (usually necessitating lead at 12) and, to a lesser extent, the testimonies regarding grip size being closer to L3 than L2. I want to see if the whippiness will make up for this seemingly lower power generation with RHS.

 

[shadow01]

@TW Staff Is the playtest expected to be performed with the provided strings?
Also please confirm that it should be strung with the following pattern:
16 Mains / 20 Crosses
Mains skip: 7T,9T,7H,9H

Thanks - looking forward to the reviews on this one!

 

[StringStrungStrang]

This is a stunning racquet!! Great color scheme.
Love the fact that Babolat decided to go with a lower RA (63) on the PS VS !! Oh and the swing weight of 322 is accessible to a wide range of Players. Can't wait to try this one out!

 

[AMGF]

Canada is once again out for this playtest. With two canadians ahead of all the american players on the ATP, maybe you should consider us for your playtests, maybe we know a thing or two about tennis that you guys don't...

 

[iceman_dl6]

Canada is once again out for this playtest. With two canadians ahead of all the american players on the ATP, maybe you should consider us for your playtests, maybe we know a thing or two about tennis that you guys don't...

Agreed!!

 

[shankofbeef]

Looks promising, I have fond memories of my doubles partner's Pure Storm from back in the day.

 

[StringStrungStrang]

Used the pure storms back in 2011 and had them for several years until switching to the pure aero vs in 2016. Definitely enjoyed the 16x20 pattern from Babolat so I'm wondering how this plays

I had one of those too and really liked it. I always thought it was a mistake getting rid of that racquet. Curious to see how this 97" 16 x 20 (310) plays compared to my Duel G 97 16 x 20 (330).

 

[BBender716]

I am playing with a Pure Aero VS that I have fallen in love with after playing with a Pure Strike Tour. I'd love to do an in depth comparison between the two. I think these VS racquets from Babalot are finding a sweet spot in the modern racquet market for sure.

 

[BBender716]

Completely different stick but hope that some players familiar with the 2013 APD will get to playtest the new PS VS so we can get some "Straight from the horse's mouth" comparisons.

I recently picked up an OG APD so def want to compare those as well.

 

[ngoster]

I played with the Pure Storm Ltd GT for close to a decade and loved it. Low RA, 16x20 pattern and 97" lands this between the VCore 95 and 98. I'm excited to see this one in action!

 

[samprasbackhand]

Applied. Have been using the Pure Strike Tour (which I switched to after getting from a previous TW playtest). Have definitely thought about trying this racket since it was announced.

 

[OldManStan]

Love the gloss on it. Does it look metallic in real life?

This is a stunning racquet!! Great color scheme.
Love the fact that Babolat decided to go with a lower RA (63) on the PS VS !! Oh and the swing weight of 322 is accessible to a wide range of Players. Can't wait to try this one out!

 

[StringStrungStrang]

Love the gloss on it. Does it look metallic in real life?

Can't say for sure. That's a stock photo from Babolat! Hope to see it here in person! It does sparkle.

 

[taylor15]

Not enough racquets come with leather. There are so many control frames now that I like the specs of, but adding leather gets them over 325gm unstrung. Kudos to Babolat for putting this out there with leather

 

[colan5934]

Can't say for sure. That's a stock photo from Babolat! Hope to see it here in person! It does sparkle.

It is that shiny in real life. Our club demo is constantly picked just because of how nice it looks!

 

[haqq777]

Honestly, if it turns out anything like these, we have a straight out winner.



Excited for the new PS VS 2022 release. Hopefully it doesn't disappoint.

 

[LeftyJunk]

I have been itching to give these a try as they are a little under spec'd of how I have my Ultra Pro's set up. It would be really easy to get these PS VS's up to where I'd like them. With the quality control and supply issues (grommets and the racquets themselves) of Wilson right now I'm tempted to move on.

 

[SlowTiger]

Honestly, if it turns out anything like these, we have a straight out winner.



Excited for the new PS VS 2022 release. Hopefully it doesn't disappoint.

Lol. That was my first babolat. They were like $80 and came with a free set of VS gut 1 black Fri. They were strait beams so they were like prestige on steroids and with cheat codes for lazy form. The strike line including the vs' throat has a tampered shape on the inside of the throat. I feel like even if they play similar, they will feel different

 

[darkother]

Super excited for this racquet. The 310g weight plus 16x20 string pattern has been my sweet spot lately, so I'm really intrigued in how Babolat's version of that setup will feel.

 

[StringStrungStrang]

Honestly, if it turns out anything like these, we have a straight out winner.



Excited for the new PS VS 2022 release. Hopefully it doesn't disappoint.

Loved those! They look even better now!

 

[Devil_dog]

Love the gloss on it. Does it look metallic in real life?

I picked one up at the local pro shop and the finish is glossy. It’s gorgeous.

 

[haqq777]

Lol. That was my first babolat. They were like $80 and came with a free set of VS gut 1 black Fri. They were strait beams so they were like prestige on steroids and with cheat codes for lazy form. The strike line including the vs' throat has a tampered shape on the inside of the throat. I feel like even if they play similar, they will feel different

Yeah, I agree. The PS VS 2022 isn't 21mm constant beam construction like the mold of yore. The feel isn't going to be the same. Here's to hoping however that it is a great stick on it's own merit.

 

[colan5934]

Honestly, if it turns out anything like these, we have a straight out winner.



Excited for the new PS VS 2022 release. Hopefully it doesn't disappoint.

I was able to spend 15 minutes with it, and it’s not like these. Needs weight. The layup is crisper. But I’m hoping I get the play test to really put one through its paces. I don’t get to customize the popular demos or hit with them much haha.

 

[Chidoc]

Been playing with mine for a month. It's been a delight. Wondering when grommets will be available?