Introducing the Babolat Pure Aero 2023

There are 3 series of Babolat tennis racquets :

• Pure Drive: the most powerful Babolat tennis racquets,
• Pure Strike: the least powerful Babolat tennis racquets,
• Pure Aero: racquets with intermediate power and access to topspin facilitated by the shape of the aerodynamic frame.

This 2023 version of the famous Babolat Pure Aero, available for sale from the end of August 2023 at Tennis Warehouse, is close to the previous version, but the power and the access to top spin are a little lower.

Differences with the previous Babolat Pure Aero

Tighter string pattern

The string pattern has been tightened slightly in the sweetspot, as for the Pure Aero Plus, it slightly reduces access to top spin access and power.

On the Pure Aero Team (285 g) and on the Pure Aero Lite (270 g), the string pattern is more open, which will favor power and access to top spin.

Smaller grommets

The enlarged grommets of the previous version (Spin Grommets) located on the central vertical strings have disappeared, to make way for grommets with a more classic size.

This feature will also slightly reduce the movement of the strings and therefore the access to topspin.

NF²-Tech

This technology aims to filter vibrations, absorb shocks and improve the quality of sound when hitting the ball.

SWX Pure Feel

This technology corresponds to a more extensive use of the SMACWRAP technology, already present on the previous Pure Aero, which aims to absorb vibrations and provide comfort.

Note that it is present only on the Pure Aero Team, Lite, Junior 25 and 26.

The power of the Babolat Pure Aero 2023

The Babolat Pure Aero gives an intermediate lever of power, but the control, which had already increased with the previous version, is in my opinion still a little more present with this version.

The racquet still offers a nice power, it will be accessible to many players, despite its slightly more accentuated "control" side.

From the baseline, I had a good mix between power and control, despite a few mistakes from time to time on powerful shots or certain backhands but as long as you don't hit the ball very strongly and flat, you should have a good level of control.

On my serve, which is a weak shot for me, I had a decent power.

To help you locate the racquet in terms of power, here is a comparison with other racquets:

More powerful racquets:

• Babolat Pure Drive
• Wilson Burn
• Yonex EZone 100
• Head Extreme MP, Instinct MP
• Tecnifibre TF-X1

Similar racquets:

• Yonex VCore 100 (maybe a bit more powerful)
• Head Speed MP
• Dunlop SX 300

Less powerful racquets:

• Babolat Pure Strike (not that far from the Pure Strike 100)
• Wilson Blade 98 16x19, 18x20,
• Wilson Pro Staff 97
• Yonex VCore Pro 100
• Head Prestige, Gravity
• Tecnifibre TFight, TF40

Access to spins with the Babolat Pure Aero 2023

On my backhand slice, I sometimes had a little lack of control, but overall I had a good feeling.

From the baseline, I had correct access to top spin, however, on my serve, It was more difficult.

It's better to have a good technique on that shot.

It was fine for my slice serve.

Overall I found there was good access to topspin, but a little less easy than on the previous version of the Pure Aero, because of the tighter string pattern in the center of the stringbed and also because of the grommets that are smaller and restrict the strings more from moving.

Manoeuverability and stability of the Babolat Pure Aero 2023

The balance of the Babolat Pure Aero 2023 racquet is located at 32 cm for an unstrung racquet, which corresponds to a neutral balance.

The racquet has a slight head-heavy feel, really light, it helps with power and stability.

On my forehand, I had a good maneuverability, like on the previous model. For me, the maneuverability is the same as the previous version.

The effect of the aerodynamic profile is really present, it allows to have a nice swing speed on topspin shots and to feel it even more if you use a semi-western or western forehand grip.

On my one-handed topspin backhand, in general, I prefer head sizes smaller than 645 cm² because they can facilitate maneuverability, but it was ok with the Pure Aero.

Personally, it's also a question of compromise that must be found between my backhand and my forehand, to have good maneuverability on my backhand that has not much top spin and to keep power, access to topspin and tolerance on my forehand, a shot where I put more top spin and that is less powerful than my backhand.

Overall, the maneuverability was correct.

On the other hand, I found the racquet to have decent stability both from the baseline and at the net.

Comfort of the Babolat Pure Aero 2023

I found the feel to be slightly different from the previous version where I felt a bit more softness and the noise on impact also felt a little more muted than on this version.

Overall, I found the comfort level to be correct, not crazy, with a classic feel.

Forgiveness is good, thanks to the 645 cm² headsize and 16x19 string pattern.

Grip size

Regarding the size of the grip, I find that Babolat has handles that cut a little big but I was less surprised than during my previous tests where the handle was at the limit of the upper size.

The safest thing remains  to take some racquets in your hand before buying, to be sure you find the best grip size for you.

To whom I would recommend the Babolat Pure Aero 2023

I would recommend this racquet to tennis players who meet these criteria:

• not for beginners (see the Pure Aero Team or the Pure Aero Lite instead)
• intermediate or advanced players,
• players with medium or large swings,
• players with an intermediate level of power and little topspin or powerful players who use topspin to increase control,
• players who are looking for a racquet giving an intermediate/slightly high power but at the same time with a control clearly present,
• players with a modern game, power and top spin,
• looking for a racquet with a good forgiveness,
• who are looking for a good access to top spin, without being extreme,
• looking for a racquet with a neutral balance,
• players who didn't like the previous Pure Aero because it was a little too powerful for them.

Here are my tips for other racquets in the Babolat Pure Aero range:

• Babolat Pure Aero Plus (300 g): extended version of the Pure Aero, for players with 2-handed backhand or very good level in one-handed backhand, who will know how to handle an extended racquet with a higher swingweight than the classic version to obtain more power.
• Babolat Pure Aero Team (285g): Intermediate players who want power and easy access to top spin.
• Babolat Pure Aero Lite (270 g): beginners or intermediate players who want a very light racquet, children who are switching to an adult racquet. Easy access to top spin and nice power.