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The Babolat Pure Strike is one of the best tennis racquets for control on the market. Below, we’ll review the Babolat Pure Strike, including pros, cons, and different models of the racquet. Then, we’ll compare it to other tennis racquets to help you decide if the Pure Strike is right for you.
Review Summary & Ratings for the Babolat Pure Strike
The Babolat Pure Strike tennis racquet is not quite as well-known as Babolat’s other racquet lines. However, this racquet is one of the most balanced and popular player’s racquets in tennis today.
Used by Dominic Thiem, the Pure Strike is Babolat’s best racquet for players looking for better control and feel. Below, we will review the Pure Strike in detail, including the specifications, different versions, and the best alternative racquets. Our goal is to help you decide if the Pure Strike is the best tennis racquet for you.
See our ratings, plus the pros and cons of the Babolat Pure Strike below for a quick glance at how it performs compared to other tennis racquets.
Our Ratings for the Babolat Pure Strike
- Power: 6
- Control: 8
- Spin: 8
- Serve: 7
- Return: 8
- Groundstrokes: 8
- Volleys: 7
- Price: $$$
Pros
- Very balanced racquet for advanced players
- Great control and feel on both groundstrokes & volleys
- Generates spin easily (depending on the model)
- Very stable racquet against fast serves & volleys
- Good maneuverability at net
Cons
- Not great power on groundstrokes or serves
- Not a good beginner racquet
Different Versions of the Babolat Pure Strike Tennis Racquet
The Babolat Pure Strike tennis racquet comes in several versions that vary in weight and size. Below is a list of the different Babolat Pure Strike racquets on the market today.
We’ll review each version in more detail below.
What did Babolat Update with the 2024 Pure Strike?
Overall, Babolat made subtle changes to the Pure Strike racquets for the 2024 versions.
- Babolat dropped the Pure Strike Tour from the lineup.
- New Pure Strike 100 16×20 added to the lineup.
- Babolat Pure Strike VS changes name to Pure Strike 97.
- Pure Strike 100 is softer and offers greater feel.
The main updates with the 2024 Pure Strike are the removal of the Pure Strike Tour and the addition of the Pure Strike 100 16×20. The new racquet offers a little more control than the regular Pure Strike 100, while also being more head light and softer. This makes the Pure Strike 100 16×20 move very fast through the air and more arm-friendly.
Other than the new racquet added to the lineup, Babolat didn’t change very much with this update. The specs are almost identical, with the exception of the Pure Strike 100 going down in stiffness. However, all of the racquets feature a slight increase in control and a more direct feel.
Babolat Pure Strike Review: A Control-Oriented Racquet
This is the 3rd generation of the Pure Strike, and Babolat has made some relevant updates you should know about. First, we’ll take a look at the specifications and show you how they will affect the performance of this tennis racquet.
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Babolat Pure Strike Racquet Specifications
The technical specifications of this 3rd generation are similar to previous versions. However, there are a few updates we will show you below.
There are several versions of the Pure Strike. We will be reviewing the most popular version (98 square inch, 16×19) here, and show you the other models below.
- Weight: 11.4 oz. strung
- Head Size: 98 square inches
- Length: 27 inches
- Stiffness: 64
- Balance: 330.2 mm
- String Pattern: 16 x 19
This racquet is slightly heavier than the other Babolat tennis racquets. It will offer better stability against pace and on your volleys.
The 98 square inch head makes this a high-performance racquet for advanced players who can generate their own power. If you need more help with control, the Pure Strike is a great choice.
This racquet has a 16×19 string pattern which will help players generate spin from the baseline and when serving. However, this racquet can’t offer the same spin or power as the Babolat Pure Aero. The Pure Strike makes up for that with better control and feel.
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The Pure Strike Offers Excellent Control & Feel
Perhaps the biggest advantage you get with the Babolat Pure Strike is the control and feel on your shots. It is one of the best 8 tennis racquets for control.
The narrower beam, smaller head size, and frame technology all help to increase your ability to move the ball around the court with precision.
This 3rd generation incorporates a new dampening technology that helps you feel the ball on the racquet longer. This may sacrifice a bit of power, but improves your ability to place and control the ball. The frame design makes this racquet great for both groundstrokes and volleys.
This Racquet is Great for Returns, Groundstrokes, and Volleys
The added control mentioned above will help players change direction and feel confident in their shots.
However, the extra stability helps even more. Players will be able to defend more easily against fast-paced balls like returning big first serves or reflex volleys.
If you already have a good serve, but need help with the returns and groundstrokes, the Pure Strike can help. It’s also a great tennis racquet for doubles players seeking more control and stability on their volleys.
The Pure Strike is for Players Who Create Their Own Power
Advanced players with good technique and strength will get the most out of the Pure Strike. ATP player Dominic Thiem uses the Pure Strike 18×20 version. If you’ve watched him play, then you know that he has no problem hitting with pace.
Strong intermediate players should also consider the Pure Strike. It’s certainly one of the best tennis racquets on the market for this group of players.
While the Pure Strike does have good power for a 98 square inch racquet, it is not for beginner to intermediate level players who need help creating power. See the Babolat Pure Drive for Babolat’s best racquet for power.
This Racquet has Good Mobility & Spin
Because this racquet has a 98 square inch head with a narrower frame and isn’t too heavy, the Pure Strike is easy to handle. Singles and doubles players will have no issue moving around the court and recovering for the next shot with this tennis racquet.
The 16×19 string pattern will help generate extra spin as well. Babolat actually uses FSI Technology in the strings, which means there is added space in the crosses towards the end of the racquet. This extra space will grab the tennis ball more and help you create even more spin.
However, for an even more spin-friendly racquet, see the Babolat Pure Aero used by Rafael Nadal.
Reviewing the Different Models of the Babolat Pure Strike
There are several different versions of the Pure Strike 3rd Gen tennis racquet. Depending on your playing style and skill-level, one version might be better for you than another.
The table below outlines each Pure Strike model and its benefits.
| Model | Technical Differences | Result in Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Pure Strike 16×19 | N/A | N/A |
| Pure Strike 18×20 (Thiem’s Racquet) | A more dense string pattern. | More control and feel. Less spin and power. |
| Pure Strike 100 16×20 | 100 square inch head size (+2 in.) 16×20 string pattern | Extra power and stability. Less mobility. Still great control. |
| Pure Strike 100 | 100 square inch head size (+2 in.) 11.1 oz. strung (-0.3 oz.) | Bigger sweet spot. Great for intermediate players. |
| Pure Strike Team | 100 square inch head size (+2 in.) 10.7 oz. strung (-0.7 oz.) | Bigger sweet spot & more lightweight. Great for lower level intermediate players. |
| Pure Strike EVO | 102 square inch head size (+4 in.) 10 oz. strung (-1.4 oz.) Lower cost. | Beginner-friendly racquet with large head sizes. Very lightweight. |
| Pure Strike 97 | 97 square inch head size (-1 in.) 11.7 oz. strung (+ 0.3 oz.) | Controllable power & spin from the baseline. Not as stable on returns and defensive volleys. |
For most players, the Pure Strike 16×19 is the best option.
- Only more advanced players should consider the Pure Strike 18×20 or the Pure Strike 97.
- Intermediate tennis players, or advanced players who don’t play too competitively, may consider the Pure Strike 100 or the Pure Strike 100 16×20. They are more forgiving racquets than the other versions, but will still offer excellent control and feel.
- Lower-level intermediate players who aren’t as physically strong and need something more lightweight can consider the Pure Strike Team.
- The Pure Strike EVO is for beginner or intermediate players on a budget. However, our best beginner tennis racquets and best intermediate tennis racquets have better choices.
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The Best Alternatives to the Babolat Pure Strike
Below are other tennis racquets similar to the Babolat Pure Strike that you may want to consider.
- Wilson Blade – Similar in terms of power and control with a bit more comfort due to a flexible frame.
- Head Radical – A racquet with slightly more control and stability, but a bit less spin than the Pure Strike.
- Solinco Whiteout – More comfort thanks to a more dampened feel with just a touch less power.
Is the Babolat Pure Strike Tennis Racquet Right for You?
Ultimately, you have to decide if the Pure Strike is the right racquet for you.
If you’re a high level intermediate or advanced player who can generate power easily, this is a great tennis racquet. It’s a player’s racquet for people with big swings who play fast-paced, competitive tennis.
The Babolat Pure Strike has an excellent combination of control, feel, and stability making it a very popular tennis racquet among elite players.
My Experience with the 2024 Pure Strike
The Babolat Pure Strike has always been a mixed bag for me. I have always enjoyed getting the chance to hit with any racquet from the Pure Strike line, but something always feels a little off, so I have never purchased one.
This time around I was able to practice and play some matches with the 2024 Pure Strike 97, which is the new version of the Pure Strike VS. It is actually the same head size as my current racquet of choice, the Yonex Vcore Pro 97HD with a similarly dense string bed.
I enjoy the extra stability and easy depth I get when using the Pure Strike. It is particularly helpful on the serve return and on defense. It still provides above-average control as well, and offers a very direct feel.
However, I was left wanting a little more comfort and maneuverability.
At net and on serve, I found that the Pure Strike could use a little more maneuverability. It felt a little slow through the air, which made it difficult for me to find the sweet spot consistently.
The direct feel gave me extremely crisp volleys that devastated my opponents. But that same feel made the racquet feel a little jarring when playing against big hitters. While I don’t like a racquet to feel muted, I do prefer a little bit of dampening technology to help increase comfort.
Overall, the Pure Strikes are great racquets, they just aren’t for me. I would recommend this racquet to intermediate to advanced players looking for a racquet with a great combination of control and stability that don’t mind sacrificing a little maneuverability.
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