Babolat Pure Aero 98
- Head Size: 98sq in / 632 sq cm
- Length: 27 in/ 68.5 cm
- Unstrung Weight: 10.8oz / 305g
- Strung Swing Weight: 323g / 11.4oz
- String Pattern: 16x20
- Strung Weight: 327g / 11.5oz
The Babolat Pure Aero 98 is a recent addition to Babolat’s renowned Pure Aero series, designed to cater to players seeking a blend of power, spin, and precision. With a smaller head size compared to its predecessors, the Pure Aero 98 promises enhanced control while maintaining the series’ signature spin potential. This review delves into various aspects of the racquet, including its design, performance, and overall playability.
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Design and Build
The Pure Aero 98 stands out with its sleek, modern aesthetic. The racquet features a 98 square inch head, a departure from the 100 square inch head of the classic Pure Aero. This change aims to provide better control and precision. The frame is constructed with Babolat’s updated graphite composition, offering a perfect balance between flexibility and rigidity. The aerodynamic beam enhances swing speed, allowing players to generate significant spin effortlessly.
Grip and Comfort
Equipped with Babolat’s Cortex Pure Feel technology, the Pure Aero 98 ensures a comfortable hitting experience by dampening vibrations. The racquet feels solid on contact, providing good feedback without being overly harsh on the arm.
Aesthetic
9
Out of 10
Design and Appearance
The Babolat Pure Aero 98 not only impresses with its performance but also stands out in terms of its visual appeal. Here are some key aspects of its aesthetic design:
Color Scheme
The Pure Aero 98 features a sleek, modern color palette. The dominant black and yellow hues are a nod to Babolat’s iconic design, but with a contemporary twist that makes the racquet look aggressive and sporty.
Graphics and Branding
The racquet boasts a dynamic, eye-catching graphic pattern that accentuates its aerodynamic frame. The Babolat logo is prominently displayed, yet tastefully integrated into the overall design, avoiding an overly cluttered look. The matte finish on the frame gives the Pure Aero 98 a premium feel. Combined with glossy accents, it strikes a balance between sophistication and high-performance aesthetics.
Build Quality
The aerodynamic beam design not only enhances performance but also adds to the racquet’s futuristic appearance. The clean lines and smooth transitions between the head and the handle contribute to a cohesive and visually appealing profile.
Overall Aesthetic Rating
The Babolat Pure Aero 98 excels in both performance and design. Its sleek color scheme, dynamic graphics, and premium finish make it a standout on the court. The racquet’s aesthetic appeal is sure to catch the eye of both players and spectators, making it not just a tool for winning matches but also a statement piece in any tennis player’s arsenal.
Groundstroke
9
Out of 10
On-Court Performance
The Babolat Pure Aero 98 is particularly notable for its performance on groundstrokes, catering to players who rely on a combination of power, spin, and control from the baseline. Here are the key aspects that contribute to its groundstroke performance:
Control
The smaller 98 square inch head size offers enhanced control compared to its larger counterparts. This allows players to place their shots more accurately and confidently, making it easier to construct points and dictate play from the baseline.
Stability
The racquet’s weight (approximately 305 grams unstrung) provides excellent stability during groundstrokes. This weight distribution allows for a solid feel on contact, helping players to handle heavy shots from their opponents with ease.
Overall Groundstroke Rating
The Babolat Pure Aero 98 is an exceptional racquet for groundstrokes, combining power, spin, control, and comfort in a well-balanced package. Its ability to generate heavy topspin and deliver deep, powerful shots makes it a formidable choice for baseline players. Whether you are hitting aggressive forehands or consistent backhands, the Pure Aero 98 enhances your game with its outstanding groundstroke performance.
Volley
8
Out of 10
Maneuverability
The racquet’s weight (approximately 305 grams unstrung) strikes a good balance between stability and maneuverability. This makes it easier to quickly position the racquet for volleys, enabling rapid reactions and effective play at the net.
Control and Precision
The smaller 98 square inch head size offers improved control, which is crucial for precise volleying. Players can direct the ball accurately, whether placing touch volleys or putting away high floaters with authority.
Overall Volley Rating
The Babolat Pure Aero 98 performs admirably at the net, offering a combination of maneuverability, control, and stability that suits aggressive volleyers and all-court players. Its ability to provide precise and stable volleys, along with a comfortable feel, makes it a reliable choice for those who like to attack the net. While it may not be as specialized for net play as some other racquets, it nonetheless holds its own, complementing its strong baseline performance with solid volley capabilities.
Serve
8.5
Out of 10
Power
The racquet generates ample power on serves, allowing players to hit strong, penetrating first serves. The aerodynamic frame design aids in producing a fast swing speed, translating into powerful serves that can put opponents on the defensive right from the start of the point.
Spin Potential
Spin generation is a standout feature of the Pure Aero series, and the 98 model is no exception. The open string pattern (16×20) and the aerodynamic design facilitate excellent spin potential, making it easier to hit effective slice and kick serves that can keep opponents guessing and off-balance.
Stability and Feel
The smaller 98 square inch head size offers enhanced control, which is crucial for placing serves accurately. Players can target specific areas of the service box with precision, whether going for a wide serve to pull the opponent off the court or a down-the-T serve to catch them off guard.
Comfort
The Cortex Pure Feel technology ensures a comfortable hitting experience by dampening vibrations. This provides a solid and stable feel on serves, allowing players to serve with confidence without worrying about discomfort or excessive vibrations.
Overall Serve Rating
The Babolat Pure Aero 98 delivers impressive serve performance, combining power, spin, and control to give players a well-rounded serving tool. Its ability to generate both powerful flat serves and high-spin kick or slice serves makes it versatile for different serving strategies. The racquet’s comfort and stability further enhance its appeal, making it a reliable choice for players who want to dominate their service games. While it excels in many areas, the slight reduction in power compared to larger-headed racquets may be a consideration for some players, but overall, the Pure Aero 98 stands out as a strong performer on serves.
Returns
8.5
Out of 10
Control and Precision
The 98 square inch head size enhances control, allowing players to precisely place their returns. This is particularly important for aiming returns deep in the court or for targeting specific areas to put the server on the defensive.
Stability
The racquet’s weight (approximately 305 grams unstrung) provides excellent stability, which is crucial for returning powerful serves. This stability helps in maintaining control and accuracy, even when facing fast, heavy serves from opponents.
Maneuverability
The racquet’s balance and aerodynamic design contribute to its maneuverability, enabling quick reactions and fast swings. This is especially beneficial for handling serves that come at various angles and speeds, allowing players to adapt quickly.
Spin
True to the Pure Aero series, the 98 model excels in spin generation. The open string pattern (16×20) and aerodynamic frame design make it easier to add topspin or slice to returns, giving players the ability to vary their shots and keep opponents guessing.
Overall Return Rating
The Babolat Pure Aero 98 is a formidable racquet for returning serves, offering a balanced mix of stability, control, spin potential, and maneuverability. Its ability to handle powerful serves with stability and control, combined with its spin-friendly design, makes it an excellent choice for players looking to improve their return game. Whether you’re aiming for deep, controlled returns or aggressive, spin-loaded shots, the Pure Aero 98 provides the necessary tools to excel. Overall, it stands out as a reliable and versatile racquet for effective returns.
Overall
8.8
Out of 10
Summary
Overall, the Babolat Pure Aero 98 is a top-tier racquet that provides a balanced mix of attributes, making it a strong contender for players seeking a blend of power, spin, and control in their game.
The Babolat Pure Aero 98 is an outstanding racquet that excels in various aspects of the game, making it a reliable choice for advanced players. Its combination of power, spin, control, and comfort makes it versatile for different playing styles. Whether dominating from the baseline, attacking the net, serving with precision, or returning effectively, the Pure Aero 98 delivers consistently high performance.
Pros.
- Exceptional spin generation.
- Enhanced control and precision with the smaller head size.
- Comfortable feel with good vibration dampening.
- Versatile performance for both baseline and net play.
Cons.
- Smaller head size may require an adjustment period for some players.
- Might not be as power-oriented as racquets with larger head sizes.
