Babolat Pure Strike 100 3rd Gen
- Head Size: 100sq in / 645 sq cm
- Length: 27 in/ 68.5 cm
- Unstrung Weight: 10.58oz / 300g
- Strung Swing Weight: 319g
- String Pattern: 16x19
- Strung Weight: 315g / 11.1oz
The Babolat Pure Strike 100 3rd Gen is a versatile tennis racquet designed to cater to intermediate and advanced players seeking a balance of power, control, and spin. Here’s a comprehensive review based on various aspects of the racquet:
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Technology
- C² Pure Feel: Powered by SMAC, this technology enhances the feel of the racquet by filtering vibrations, offering a smoother and more comfortable hit.
- Control Frame Technology: Combines the stability of a square beam frame with the dynamic benefits of an elliptical structure, providing excellent control without sacrificing power.
- FSI Power: Wider spacing between cross strings for improved power and spin, making it easier to generate depth on shots.
Grip and Comfort
The C² Pure Feel technology plays a significant role in enhancing the racquet’s feel. The dampening system effectively reduces vibrations, making the racquet comfortable even during extended play. This feature is particularly beneficial for players who suffer from tennis elbow or other arm discomforts.
Aesthetic
9
Out of 10
Design and Color Scheme
- Color Palette: The racquet features a predominantly white frame, accented with bold red and black elements. This combination gives it a modern and aggressive look, suitable for players who want to make a statement on the court.
- Finish: The matte finish on the frame adds a touch of elegance, making it look premium and professional. The quality of the paint and the durability of the graphics are also commendable, maintaining its fresh look even after extensive use.
Graphics and Branding
 The sleek graphics and minimalistic detailing contribute to its sophisticated appearance. The contrast between the white background and the colored accents enhances the racquet’s visibility and appeal.
Build Quality
The paint and graphics are durable, holding up well against the usual wear and tear. However, as with any racquet, heavy use can lead to minor chipping and scratches over time.
Overall Aesthetic Rating
The Babolat Pure Strike 100 3rd Gen scores high in aesthetics, making it a visually appealing choice for players who value style along with performance. Its sleek design, bold color scheme, and premium finish collectively offer a racquet that looks as good as it performs. With a strong aesthetic rating, it’s sure to turn heads on the court while providing top-notch functionality.
Groundstroke
8.8
Out of 10
On-Court Performance
The Babolat Pure Strike 100 3rd Gen is renowned for its performance from the baseline, making it a favorite among players who prioritize solid groundstrokes. Here’s a detailed breakdown of its groundstroke performance:
Control
Control is one of the standout features of the Pure Strike 100 3rd Gen. The Control Frame Technology offers excellent stability and precision, allowing players to place their shots accurately. Whether hitting flat or with spin, the racquet responds well to different strokes, making it easy to dictate play from the baseline.Â
Stability
The Pure Strike 100 3rd Gen provides solid stability on groundstrokes. It holds up well against heavy hitters, offering a firm and controlled response even on off-center shots. This stability ensures that players can confidently trade powerful baseline shots without losing control.
Overall Groundstroke Rating
The Babolat Pure Strike 100 3rd Gen is a top performer when it comes to groundstrokes. Its blend of power, control, and spin potential makes it an excellent choice for baseline players. The racquet’s comfortable feel and stability further enhance its appeal, providing a well-rounded and reliable option for those looking to dominate from the back of the court. Whether you’re hitting with heavy topspin, slicing, or driving through the ball, this racquet delivers consistent and impressive results.
Volley
8.4
Out of 10
Maneuverability
With a head light balance and a strung weight of around 318 grams, the racquet is reasonably maneuverable. It allows for quick adjustments and fast reactions, which are essential for effective volleying. While it might not be the lightest racquet, it strikes a good balance, offering enough stability without feeling cumbersome
Control and Precision
Control is a strong point for the Pure Strike 100 3rd Gen. The racquet’s design allows for accurate placement of volleys, making it easier to hit your spots. Whether hitting deep, angled, or drop volleys, the racquet provides the control needed to execute a variety of shots effectively.
Overall Volley Rating
The Babolat Pure Strike 100 3rd Gen is a strong performer at the net, offering a blend of touch, control, and stability. Its maneuverability and comfortable feel make it suitable for players who enjoy coming to the net and playing an aggressive volleying game. While it might not be the most powerful racquet for volleys, its controlled power and precision more than make up for it, providing a reliable and versatile option for volleying.Â
Serve
8.6
Out of 10
Power
The racquet offers a good amount of power on serves. Its 100 square inch head size provides a nice blend of power and control, allowing players to hit serves with depth and pace. While it may not generate as much power as some heavier racquets, it provides enough to hit strong, effective serves.
Spin Potential
The racquet excels in generating spin on serves. The 16×19 string pattern and FSI Power technology contribute to excellent spin potential, making it easier to hit effective kick and slice serves. This spin capability can help keep opponents off balance and add variety to your service game.
Stability and Feel
The racquet provides solid stability on serves. It feels stable and solid at impact, even when serving at high speeds. This stability helps maintain accuracy and control, particularly on flat and powerful serves.
Overall Serve Rating
The Babolat Pure Strike 100 3rd Gen is a strong performer on serves, offering a well-rounded mix of power, control, and spin potential. Its maneuverability and comfort make it suitable for a variety of serving styles, from powerful flat serves to spin-heavy kick serves. The racquet’s stability ensures consistent performance, making it a reliable choice for players looking to enhance their serving game.
Returns
8.5
Out of 10
Control and Precision
Control is a key strength of the Pure Strike 100 3rd Gen. The racquet allows for precise placement of returns, making it easier to hit accurate shots under pressure. This is particularly beneficial when returning against aggressive servers, as it provides the confidence to go for targeted returns.
Stability
The racquet provides excellent stability on returns, handling the impact of fast serves well. The Control Frame Technology ensures that the racquet remains stable and solid even on off-center hits, allowing for consistent and reliable returns.
Maneuverability
With its head light balance and moderate weight, the Pure Strike 100 3rd Gen is maneuverable enough to handle quick reactions needed for effective returns. While not the most lightweight racquet, it offers a good balance that allows for swift adjustments and fast swings.
Spin
The racquet’s open string pattern and FSI Power technology enhance its spin potential. This allows players to hit effective topspin and slice returns, helping to keep the ball low or generate heavy topspin to push opponents back. The spin potential makes it easier to vary returns and create different angles.
Overall Return Rating
The Babolat Pure Strike 100 3rd Gen excels in return of serve situations, offering a balanced mix of power, control, and spin potential. Its stability and comfortable feel make it a reliable choice for handling a variety of serves, from fast and flat to spin-heavy. The racquet’s maneuverability allows for quick reactions, making it an excellent option for players who need to be aggressive and precise on their returns.
Overall
8.66
Out of 10
Summary
The Babolat Pure Strike 100 3rd Gen is a racquet that combines excellent performance with striking aesthetics. It excels across various aspects of play, including groundstrokes, volleys, serves, and returns, offering a well-rounded performance for intermediate to advanced players. The added aesthetic appeal with its sleek design and modern color scheme further enhances its attractiveness.
With an overall rating of 8.66/10, the Pure Strike 100 3rd Gen is not only a reliable and high-performing racquet but also a stylish choice for players who want to make a statement on the court. If you’re seeking a racquet that delivers both in terms of performance and looks, this model is definitely worth considering.
Pros.
- Balanced blend of power and control
- Excellent spin potential
- Comfortable feel with reduced vibrations
- Maneuverable and stable
- Appealing designÂ
Cons.
- May lack the raw power of heavier racquets
- Might require a transition period for players used to more traditional framesÂ