Babolat Pure Strike VS Gen 3 Review - PART II
Groundstrokes:
The first surprise for me was how my OHBHs were easier to hit and the level of precision I had with the PSVS. The second surprise was how difficult it was for me to hit my FHs. I had tremendous difficulty with all of my FH shots. I normally use an Eastern grip, and change between Continental and Semi-Western depending on the shot I want to hit and the height of the incoming ball. With the PSVS using my Eastern grip resulted in balls sailing past the court by yards. Not only I could not generate enough topspin to control the trajectory with that grip, regardless of the height of the ball and my strike zone, but nearly all of my flat shots sailed long as well.
What made my topspin FH work at the end was switching completely to a Semi-Western grip. Once I made that adjustment and pushed myself to take the ball on the rise, things got a lot better. Unfortunately, at my age and weight, it is not possible for me to sustain a performance in which I can get to every ball on the rise to hit the FH I want to hit, even in doubles.
The flat FH shot is a critical tool for me playing doubles, I rely on it for serve returns and going against two-up opponents. Not being able to figure the flat shot with the PSVS was concerning, but I thought with more play time, I’ll figure it out. This did not turn out to be the case. Actually, I experienced mostly the trampoline effect when blocking some incoming serves. Totally uncontrolled flying return without a purpose. I felt a similar effect with the Pure Strike 16x19, and ProStaff 97 in the past.
Another shot I rely on frequently is the BH slice. Unfortunately, I have not been able to figure out how to hit BH slices, as it is so natural with the PST. For doubles play, this is also a critical shot to have in the repertoire for me.
The PSVS provides a more authoritative feel with groundstrokes when compared to the regular 16x19, and 18x20 versions of the Pure Strike, and certainly more lateral and spin control over any ProStaff that I tested previously. Actually, the level spin, when proper grip is used, is very similar to the latest Pure Aero VS (PAVS) and offers far more stability and forgiveness compared to it.
One area that the PSVS helped me with was significantly reducing the number of shanks I tend to hit. With the PST I shank responding to low incoming slices when I try to hit with heavy topspin to raise the ball over the net. With the PSVS, because it is easier to generate RHS, I was shanking far less frequently.
Serves:
I felt the difference in racquet power, between the PST and PSVS when serving. I was far more precise with the PSVS in placing the ball in all zones on both sides, but I could not generate the pace that comes so easily with the PST. The PSVS feels very similar in this regard to the PAVS. During the matches, I relied mostly on placement on both my first and second serves, rather than going for pace and placement.
The PSVS amplifies the issue when players try too hard to generate pace, compromising their techniques, which often results in faults and double faults. The racquet is not lacking power if the player’s technique is conducive to generating the pace, but if the player’s technique is already flawed, like mine, the PSVS will shine a bright light on that weakness.
The best way I can explain the situation I experienced is that the power level at the top end of the PSVS is not forgiving, whereas the PST will hide the lack of technique regardless of how I hit the ball. In this regard, the PSV is very similar to the PAVS, rather than other Pure Strikes.
If you want to hit aces, while serving at ~70 mph, and targeting the lines, look no further than the PSVS. It will deliver exactly that. The PST in contrast is the bully. You’ll hit aces, while getting close to the lines, but primarily by pace.
Volleys:
Crip, immediate and precise. This sums it up I think. High volleys, low volleys, stretched volleys, all come easily with the PSVS. I expected it to shine here, but it does exceed my expectations. It is a marginal improvement over the PST, but significantly more powerful and precise than other Pure Strike models. This is again an area in which the PSVS is more similar to the PAVS.
For doubles players, if one needs immediate improvement, this racquet will help deliver that improvement.
Serve returns:
Besides FH groundstrokes, this is where I had the most difficulty. The racquet has very good plow-through and it is stable; however, I think I have been spoiled with how easy it is to return any type of serve, first, with the RF97 and now with the PST. Both of those racquets are not only stable, like the PSVS, but they are far more forgiving.
As I mentioned, I could not successfully hit flat or slice returns with the PSVS, so I had to rely on topspin drive returns only, which is not ideal, or even it is impossibly difficult for me against advance serves; such as twist/kick serves to the Ad side, or even heavy sidespin serves. So, I struggled and made more errors than usual which eroded my confidence.
Again, this is an area in which players who are more athletic, faster with their reactions, and have good footwork won’t have the same issues. Regardless, the PST just cannot be matched, in my opinion, on how broad the shot selection it offers in returning any type of serves.
Comfort:
To me the gold standard in comfort was the RF97A. It is plush, perfectly balanced, zero vibrations felt through the arm even with off-center hits, no impact on the shoulder at all, while preserving enough feel for the ball. The PST has been even more comfortable, and it is the only racquet I have been able to use full poly string setup. The PSVS takes what PST offers in comfort at least one more notch. It is more comfortable without a doubt in my mind.
Granted I used a couple of pounds lower tension on the PSVS than on the PST, but I believe the lower possible tension a player can use without compromising their game, is a good thing. With the PSVS there was no compromise in control with lower string bed tension, directional, and trajectory, notwithstanding the issues I experienced with certain shots, which are not tension-related.
Babolat and the issues around discomfort are, by now, a misconception.
Final Thoughts
The Pure Strike VS Gen 3 is a winner. It is a brilliant racquet than combines some of the Pure Strike virtues with that of Pure Aero VS. The focus is on technique and control via super spins. Applying modern techniques being thought and practiced on courts nowadays will get rewarded. It pushes the player to take the ball early and on the rise. Apply as much topspin as you can muster and it will deliver. If you are timid with your shots, don’t come knocking on this door, look elsewhere, maybe the Pure Drive.
The PSVS is ideal for players who currently use the regular 16x19 or 18x20 versions of Pure Strike, who are looking for power without compromising the spins and improving on their volleys. I think it is also the next step up for players that utilize any of the Wilson ProStaff models. The feel of the Pure Strikes are very similar to the ProStaff, but Gen 3 Pure Strikes offer more on every front, including comfort.
Wilson Clash users should take note of the PSVS as well. They tend to complain about lack of feel and stay impressed with the level of spin they say they achieve. Those sentiments will only last until they get their hands on the PSVS for an hour.
I also think Yonex VCore and Pro players should give the PSVS a serious test. It will add more variety to their groundstrokes, while significantly improving their volleys without even changing their techniques.
In the end, however, the PSVS is for players with a solid foundation in their techniques. Any weakness in technique will be amplified, whereas strong techniques will be rewarded in spades. It is easy to narrow down this racquet to 4.5 level players, but I don’t think the NTRP level is a measure here. There are many 3.5 and 4.0 players that have great techniques, and this racquet will help them get to the next level for certain.
For players like me, the “hacks,” we’ll continue cheating with heavier racquets that foregive our shortcomings and hide our mistakes, so we can continue to brag about our game.
For me, the Gen 3 Pure Strike Tour remains to be the Holy Grail of frames.
As always, I am very appreciative of Tennis Warehouse giving us, the regular players, the opportunity to test and voice our review publicly. Thank you!
