Introducing the Babolat Pure Aero Rafa 290g 2023 racquet

In 2023, Babolat released the Babolat Pure Aero Origin, a racquet that has exactly the same technical characteristics as Rafael Nadal's racquet.

The Pure Aero Origin is a demanding racquet, with its unstrung weight of 317g, its balance located at 33cm and its high swingweight of 371.

With the Rafa Origin, the idea is to have a racquet identical to Nadal's racquet, which corresponds to what the Pure Aero was originally, without all the technologies integrated into the more recent Pure Aero.

With the Pure Aero Rafa, we stay in the same idea as the Pure Aero Rafa Origin, in the sense that the racquet does not have all the latest technologies and that it also has a balance towards the head but the swingweight is lower and it is much easier to play with its weight of 290 grams.

Differences with the Pure Aero Team and Pure Aero 300 g

In terms of weight, the Pure Aero Rafa falls between the 285g Pure Areo Team and the 300g Pure Aero.

As with Pure Aero Origin, the recent technologies of the Pure Aero are not integrated into this model (NF², SWX, technologies aimed at filtering vibrations and improving comfort).

Pure Aero 300g

• For the Pure Aero Rafa, the string pattern is not tight in the center like on the Pure Aero 2023 in 300g, which will allow better access to topspin and will further promote power,
• the balance is more in the head than on the Pure Aero in 300 g, we feel slightly more weight in the head,
• the stiffness of 69 is slightly higher than on the Pure Aero in 300 g which is at 67 Ra.

Pure Aero Team

• the Pure Aero Team weighs 5g less and has a balance point located at 32 cm, it will be easier to swing,
• the Pure Aero Rafa string pattern will be more like the Pure Aero Team,
• the stiffness of 69 is slightly higher than on the Pure Aero Team which is at 67 Ra.

The Pure Aero Rafa will therefore be a little less maneuverable than these 2 racquets, with more power and access to topspin than the Pure Aero in 300 g and power and access to topspin close to the Pure Aero Team, with sensations firmer.

Technology

AEROMODULAR

Technology specific to Babolat Pure Aero tennis racquets, with an aerodynamic frame shape that facilitates swing speed for topspin shots.

ISP SPIN

The string pattern is designed to promote power and spin.

WOOFER SYSTEM

This technology corresponds to the grommets that are designed to increase the contact time between the string and the ball, to improve the sensations and comfort of play.

The power of the Babolat Pure Aero Rafa 290 g racquet

The Pure Aero Rafa has a fairly high power, thanks to:

• the 100 in² / 645 cm² head size,
• the fairly open 16x19 string pattern,
• the rather thick profile of 23mm / 26mm / 23mm
• the stiffness close to 70 Ra.

I find that all its characteristics go in the direction of giving power to the racquet.

Compared to the Pure Aero in 300 g, these racquets do not have the same weight and the characteristics are not very far apart.

It's all about giving the Pure Aero Rafa more power, the only thing that can reduce the power is the average racquet weight of 290g.

For players who are comfortable with this weight because 300g or more would be too much for them, the power level will be very satisfying.

On the other hand, players who like a higher weight may have the impression that their ball lacks a little weight and they may have more power with the Pure Aero in 300 g, although the string pattern is tighter and the racquet is less stiff.

Personally, this has been my case, because I am used to, I need and I am able to play with heavier racquets, it depends on each player.

I liked the power on the forehand but since I can play with a heavier racquet, more weight would have helped me produce heavier balls.

On the backhand side, I felt the easy power of the racquet and as in the forehand, I would need more weight.

For power, you also have to take into account the maneuverability of the racquet; indeed, the power is linked to the weight of the racquet but also to the speed of your swings.

Players who aren't bothered by the light head balance will be able to have good swing speed and produce good power.

In addition, the Babolat Pure Aero is a racquet designed to help generate topspin and it is excellent in this area, however, players with a little topspin game can also appreciate this racquet, for its versatile and powerful side.

For a 290g racquet, provided you are not bothered by the slight feeling of weight in the head, the Pure Aero Rafa is a pretty powerful racquet.

Similar racquets

• Dunlop SX300 LS 285g
• Head Boom MP
• Head Extreme MPL
• Yonex Ezone 100L

Less powerful racquets

• Wilson Pro Staff 97L
• Tecnifibre TFight ISO 295
• Babolat Pure Strike Team
• Dunlop Srixon CX 200 LS (290g)
• Wilson Blade 98S

Access to spins with the Babolat Pure Aero Rafa 290g racquet

I had good feelings on my slice backhand with fairly decent control.

Access to topspin is excellent thanks to the aerodynamic shape of the frame as well as the combination of the 100 in² / 645 cm² headsize and the fairly open 16x19 string pattern which facilitates the movement of the strings.

I found access to topspin better than with the new version of the Pure Aero in 300g on which the string pattern is tighter.

Manoeuverability of the Babolat Pure Aero Rafa 290 g racquet

Despite the slightly headheavy balance at 33cm, I found the manoeuverability to be decent.

290 g racquets often have a balance located at 32.5 cm.

The Pure Aero Rafa sits slightly above it, something to watch out for players who don't like to have too much weight in the head.

This feeling of weight at the head may bother players who are just at their limit with a weight of 290 g or who do not like this kind of balance at all, but I find it necessary on a racquet of this weight, relatively light, to have stability and help put weight in the ball.

Personally, I was not too bothered, especially on my one-handed backhand where it could have been more difficult, but be careful if you have a one-handed backhand or simply a game with an approximate technique and a weight of 290g is a bit on the limit for you.

In this case, having a balance in head can complicate things.

Playing comfort with the Babolat Pure Aero Rafa 290 g racquet

Comfort is a little less present than on the classic versions of the Pure Aero, which have technologies intended to reduce vibrations and improve comfort.

I found the comfort to be decent, with no excessive vibrations but rather a fairly firm and stiff feel at impact.

If I were to play with this racquet, I would use a fairly soft string, with a tension not too high, around 23-22 kg or less, to promote comfort as well as easy power and access to topspin.

To whom I would recommend the Babolat Pure Aero Rafa 290 g racquet

I would recommend the Babolat Pure Aero Rafa 290g racquet to :

• players with an intermediate or good level,
• junior players of a good level who cannot yet play with a weight of 300 g,
• players with a modern, rather powerful and topspin game style,
• or slight topspin with medium power, to benefit from the power of the racquet,
• who want a racquet of reasonable weight, with decent maneuverability and a slight feeling of weight in the head,
• with an average amplitude for their swings, so as not to be bothered by the balance a little in the head,
• who will appreciate a racquet with fairly firm and classic sensations,
• who want a lighter, more powerful version, with better access to topspin, than the Pure Aero 2023 in 300 g and at the same time more weight and a balance more in the head than the Pure Aero Team,
• who want a racquet in the same idea as the Pure Aero Rafa Origin but much easier to play.