Introducing the Babolat Pure Aero Rafa Origin racquet

With the Pure Aero Rafa Origin, Babolat presents for the first time a racquet that has the exact characteristics of the version that Rafael Nadal uses to play.

The racquet was designed for him, with his collaboration, he was supposed to use it for the 2023 Roland Garros tournament in which he was ultimately unable to participate.

At the time of writing this test, we do not exactly know when he will be able to play again and we wonder if this racquet will not ultimately be the last one for Rafael Nadal.

Rafael Nadal has always played with the original version of Pure Aero, which was called the AeroPro Drive, customized for him according to his needs.

The idea with the Pure Aero Origin is therefore to return to the original version of the Pure Aero, the one used by Rafael Nadal.

It is a demanding racquet, in terms of weight (317 g unstrung, approximately 340 g strung) and above all in terms of balance, located at 33 cm, with a high swingweight of 371, which will make the racquet rather hard to swing without a very good technique.

Players who have the technical level to handle the racquet will benefit from the power, access to topspin and stability of this racquet.

Note that Babolat has released a version of the Pure Aero Origin somewhat in the same idea but much easier to play: the Pure Aero Rafa (290 g).

Technology

This racquet, which corresponds to the original model of the Pure Aero, does not have the technologies present on the latest models, which aim to improve comfort.

AEROMODULAR

The shape of the frame specific to Babolat Pure Aero, aerodynamic, to facilitate swing speed on vertical swings to help generate topspin.

ISP SPIN

More spacing between the strings to promote their movement and thus access to topspin and power.

WOOFER SYSTEM

The grommets are designed to increase the contact time between the string and the ball, for topspin and comfort.

The power of the Babolat Pure Aero Rafa Origin racquet

The Pure Aero Origin has features that promote power:

• the 100 in² / 645 cm² head size,
• the 16x19 string pattern not too tight in the center,
• stiffness close to 70 Ra,
• the fairly thick profile of 23mm / 26mm / 23mm.

The essential problem, to benefit from the power that this racquet can provide, is to be able to handle it with enough swing speed.

Indeed, the high weight of 317 g unstrung (about 340 g strung), combined with the balance located at 33 cm (34 cm racquet strung) and the high swingweight of 371 will make the racquet demanding and difficult to swing without a good technique.

The weight is relatively high but it is above all the balance in the head that makes the racquet demanding.

We can therefore say that the Pure Aero Origin is a powerful racquet, but only if you can manoeuver it over the length of a match.

Personally, I had an excellent level of power when I had time to organize myself, to prepare my swings well, with the right tempo, the right amplitude, to hit the ball well in front of me.

In this case it was very nice to feel that I could put a lot of weight on the ball.

It's in backhand slice and at the net that I felt the least the demanding side of the racquet, because these swings are more simple.

It was a little difficult on the forehand where my swing tends to lack amplitude, I had to force myself to make very loose and relaxed swings.

It has also been a good exercise for me and I could almost use the racquet as a one-time training tool that forces me to have large and relaxed swings.

Backhand topspin, I did well because it's a shot that I master well but it was a bit difficult and also demanding.

From the baseline, when I managed to get in the right conditions, I loved the feeling of weight I could put on the ball from the baseline, I had nice feelings when the game was not too fast and when I had time for my swings but with time the racquet became a bit tiresome.

On the serve, a shot on which I lack amplitude during the racquet drop, it was also difficult, especially if I wanted to get more swing speed for more power.

It's even harder to bring the racquet up and accelerate to hit the ball.

This racquet may be suitable for players with good physical qualities, no injuries, with a very good technical level, with large, relaxed swings, who know perfectly well how to use the weight of the racquet to generate power.

Access to topspin with the Babolat Pure Aero Rafa Origin racquet

As for power, the Pure Aero Origin has features that make it an ideal racquet for topspin :

• the aerodynamic profile,
• the 100 in² / 645 cm² head size combined with the open 16x19 string pattern.

The whole problem will be to be able to handle the racquet fast enough to be able to produce topspin.

Personally, I was able to generate a nice amount of topspin, but I could generate more topspin with a more head light racquet with which I would have more swing speed.

The topspin potential is greater than the 300g Pure Aero 2023 which has a 16x19 string pattern with tighter strings in the middle but those who handle the 300g version better, certainly the most, will produce more swing speed and certainly more topspin.

Again, excellent technical and physical level required to make the most of the topspin that this racquet can provide.

Manoeuverability of the Babolat Pure Aero Rafa Origin racquet

This is the essential problem of the Pure Aero Rafa Origin.

With its balance at 33 cm and its high swingweight of 371, the feeling of weight in the head is very clear and this makes the racquet difficult to handle.

This gives the racquet a lot of stability and puts a lot of weight on the ball, provided you can feel comfortable with these specifications.

This racquet will suit players of a good physical and technical level, who really appreciate having weight in the head and who know/can use this weight to produce power and spin.

Playing comfort with the Babolat Pure Aero Rafa Origin racquet

The Pure Aero Origin is the base model of the Pure Aero, which lacked the current comfort technologies found on the 300g Pure Aero.

I didn't find the racquet to vibrate much, however, I did feel aa firm and stiff feeling at impact.

The racquet also has a good forgiveness, with the 100 in² / 645 cm² headsize and the fairly open string pattern.

I would therefore say that the comfort is average, with quite firm sensations.

To whom I would recommend the Babolat Pure Aero Rafa Origin racquet

I would recommend the Babolat Pure Aero Rafa Origin to players:

• of a very good technical and physical level, able to handle a heavy and clearly head heavy racquet,
• who have no physical problems, no injuries,
• who have large swings and know how to use the weight of the racquet,
• with a powerful and topspin game style, like Rafael Nadal, or a little topspin to take advantage of the weight, stability and power of the racquet, a bit like Adrian Mannarino (who plays with a similar weight but a swingweight lower than Rafael Nadal),
• who rather have a 2-handed backhand,
• who like classic sensations, quite firm,
• players on a more modest level:
  • who want to have fun for a few minutes with a racquet that produces heavy hits, before switching to a racquet that is easier to play,
  • who like heavy racquets and do not play very fast, so they will be less bothered by the weight and balance to produce swing speed,
  • who would maybe like to use this racquet as a training tool to improve their relaxation and range of motion,
• fans of Rafael Nadal, who want to have in their collection a racquet with the same characteristics as the racquet of their favorite player, before he ends his career and maybe a racquet of this type is no longer available for sale.