Babolat Pure Drive racquets have been the staple of the Babolat family since they were introduced in 1994. The racquet has been popular because of its ability to generate power and spin easily. Babolat created this racquet with extensive input from tennis players and it shows.

Previous versions of the Babolat Pure Drive were very stiff. To address this, Babolat has added special materials to reduce vibrations. The racquet has diamond-shaped grommet holes and wider string spacing which gives players impressive power and spin. The wider 16 x 19 spacing also allows players to hit a heavy ball from the baseline. The contact point for the Babolat Pure Drive is shifted more towards the top of the racquet.

This 100 sq. in racquet weighs 11.2 oz and should work well for both beginner and intermediate players. The larger head offers a bigger sweet spot for your shots. Even with the recent changes, some players may  find the racquet a little stiff. 

Racquet Specs

• Weight: 11.2 oz.
• Head Size: 100 sq. in. 
• Length: 27 inches
• Stiffness: 71
• Balance: 12.99 in 33 cm (4pts Head Light)
• String Pattern: 16 mains x 19 crosses

It’s an ideal racquet for players who like to hit big shots from the baseline. The racquet has good maneuverability and allows players to hit a big serve. Andy Roddick used this stick to serve 140 mph serves. Kim Clijsters also used this racquet with good success from the baseline. Among the current players, Karolina Pliskova, Fabio Fognini, and Garbine Muguruza use the Babolat Pure Drive. 

This racquet does not offer the same level of control as the Babolat Pure Strike. But beginner and intermediate players will have a lot of power and spin to work with from the baseline.

Most tennis fans will know the Babolat Pure Aero as the racquet that Rafael Nadal uses.  While it’s true that Nadal is a beast and can generate power and spin that most people can only dream of, his Pure Aero Racquet can offer plenty of help to any tennis player. Felix Auger-Aliassime and Carloz Alcaraz also use the Babolat Pure Aero racquet.

Weighing 11.2 oz, the Babolat Pure Aero is ideal for intermediate and advanced players who play an aggressive baseline game with pace and spin. The latest version of this racquet is less stiff and has a better feel than the previous generations. The open string pattern, combined with the generous 100 sq. in, allows players to add topspin that will keep the opponents on the defense.

The racquet will add a nice boost to your serve.  You can surprise your opponents with the speed this racquet can generate. Compared to the prior versions, this racquet has improved control. Even then, if you miss the big sweet spot on the racquet, some of your shots may lack control. If you are looking for more control, check out the Babolat Pure Drive or Babolat Pure Strike racquets.

In addition to the base Pure Aero, Babolat has a Pure Aero Light (less power), Aero Team (better control), and Aero Plus (more power, less control).

This lightweight racquet is ideal for baseliners who like a lot of power on their groundstrokes. Overall, it’s another great racquet in the Babolat Pure Aero line.

Pros
Excellent top spin
Good power

Cons
Difficult to control shots