Introducing the Babolat Pure Aero 98 racquet (2023)

The Babolat Pure Aero 98 is the new model of the Babolat Pure Aero VS.

I found it close to the Babolat Pure Aero VS of 2020, except for the maneuverability which I found superior on the 2023 version.

Differences in terms of specifications :

• the swingweight goes from three-sixteen 316 to three twenty seven 327.
• Stiffness changed from 67 to 69.

This is a reduced power version of the Babolat Pure Aero.

The Pure Aero 98, compared to the classic 300g Pure Aero:

• is a little heavier, with a weight of 305 g,
• has a balance located at 31.5 cm, more on the handle side,
• has a head size of 632 cm²/98 in², smaller than the classic Pure Aero which is 645 cm² / 100 in²,
• has a tighter 16x20 string pattern instead of 16x19,
• a thinner profile of 21 mm / 23 mm / 22 mm instead of 23 mm / 26 mm / 23 mm.

These characteristics will reduce the power of the racquet as well as access to topspin, but it remains really very good.

The racquet still has the aerodynamic profile at the throat of the racquet, interesting to increase swing speed on topspin shots.

This racquet is a Tennis Warehouse exclusive, it will be available only at Tennis Warehouse Europe/TW USA.

The Power of the Babolat Pure Aero 98 racquet (2023)

The Babolat Pure Aero 98 (2023) is a control-oriented racquet with reduced power.

The racquet is a little demanding, without being too hard to play for a racquet in this category.

This racquet corresponds well to the modern game, with power and topspin, with a control side that is present but also a correct dose of power.

The feeling of power will of course depend on the string used and its tension.

I played two times with this racquet, each time with a Luxilon Element 1.25 mm : first time with a tension of 24 kg, second time with a tension of 20 kg.

During the test at 24 kg, I lacked power, the ball did not come out of the racquet.

However, at 20 kg, I had the good amount of power, sometimes a little lack of control but overall the right power/control compromise, even on the serve which for me is a weak point.

This control-oriented racquet is therefore able to provide a good dose of power, provided you adjust the tension properly according to your sensations.

Still, I recommend it to players of a good level, able to produce power with their game, their technique, their physical skills, but at the same time who are not looking for the highest level of control.

This racquet is a control oriented but at the same, you can get a correct amount of power, if you find the right tension for you.

More power:

• Babolat Pure Drive 300 g, VS
• Babolat Pure Aero 300 g
• Babolat Pure Strike 100
• Head Extreme MP
• Head Radical, Speed, Boom
• Prince Tour 100P
• Tecnifibre TF-X1
• Yonex EZone 100

Similar power:

• Babolat Pure Strike 16x19
• Tecnifibre TFight 300
• Head Extreme Tour

Less power :

• Solinco Whiteout 98
• Babolat Pure Strike 18x20
• Head Prestige Pro, Tour
• Tecnifibre TF40 305 18x20
• Yonex VCore 98, VCore Pro 97
• Wilson Blade 98

Access to spins with the Babolat Pure Aero 98 racquet (2023)

On my slice backhand, I had good feelings, at 24 or 20 kg.

Access to topspin is a little reduced compared to the Pure Aero in 300 g but it remains very good for a racquet with a 98 head size, as for the 2020 model.

As for the power, the tension of the string will play an important role for access to topspin; with the racquet stretched at 24 kg, I had correct access to the topspin, stretched at 20 kg, I had excellent access to topspin.

So, I would say that for a racquet with such a head size, a bit small, the access to top spin is very good.

Maneuverability of the Babolat Pure Aero 98 tennis racquet

I found the maneuverability very good with the Pure Aero 98.

Elements that help with maneuverability are:

• the balance point located at 31.5 cm for an unstrung racquet, a balance located slightly on the handle side.
  With this balance, you don't really feel the weight of the racquet, you have the feeling of having a relatively light racquet in the head, which facilitates swing speed and access to topspin.
• head size of 98 in² / 632 cm²
• the medium profile 21mm / 23mm / 22mm

I found I had better maneuverability with this racquet than with the 100 in² version.

I also found the maneuverability superior to the 2020 Pure Aero VS which is surprising as the weight and balance are identical and the swingweight is higher on the Pure Aero 98, so I’d have expected less maneuverability with this version.

There’s a bit of a mystery with that, what I can say is that on my test, I really found the maneuverability very good with this racquet.

Comfort with the Babolat Pure Aero 98 racquet 

As with the previous model, I found the Pure Aero 98 to feel classic and fairly firm.

By classic sensations, I mean sensations that are not filtered by very present vibration and shock absorption systems.

The shots are less soft than those provided by the Babolat Pure Strike, for example, except the Pure Strike VS which gives in my opinion a bit the same sensations.

I recommend this racquet to players who do not have arm pain, who are looking for a racquet with fairly firm sensations, who are not looking for excessive softening of the sensations when hitting.

Keep in mind that the feeling of comfort will also greatly depend on the string and its tension.

I had much more comfort during my test with the string stretched to 20 kg.

Who would I recommend the Babolat Pure Aero 98 racquet (2023) to?

I would recommend the Babolat Pure Aero 98 to players:

• of an intermediate or advanced level, not for beginners,
• able to play with a racquet that is a bit heavy,
• who want a control-oriented tennis racquet, with slightly reduced power, which at the same time gives quite decent power,
• with a modern game, power and topspin,
• who want good access to topspin,
• who appreciate the Pure Aero in 300 g and who want a heavier and slightly less powerful racquet,
• who are looking for a racquet with good maneuverability,
• looking for a normal level of comfort, with classic sensations, without any particular softening of the sensations when hitting,
• who have no arm pain,
• who enjoyed the previous Babolat Pure Aero VS from which it is very close, except for the maneuverability I found better on the Pure Aero 98.