Presentation of the Babolat Pure Drive 2025

Here is the 11th generation of the Babolat Pure Drive, one of the most popular tennis rackets, known for its excellent power and versatility.

I tested this racket strung with Babolat RPM Blast at 22 kg.

Technologies and New Features

Stiffness

The Pure Drive has often been criticized by players for its high stiffness rating of 72 Ra, which some associate with arm discomfort.

• It’s a possibility, especially if you pair this racket with a monofilament string at high tension.
• However, keep in mind that a very flexible racket is not always a guarantee of arm comfort: while it will absorb impacts better, you’ll need to provide more effort to generate power, which can lead to more fatigue compared to a stiffer frame.

Regarding the stiffness of the 2025 version of the Pure Drive, I currently have differing information:

• Tennis Warehouse measures it at 68 Ra instead of 71 on the previous model.
• Babolat states a value of 72 with a margin of error of 3 points, which is equivalent to the previous model.

In terms of on-court feel, I find it similar to previous versions in stiffness, but with a bit more comfort and dampening of vibrations.

NF2 Tech 2.0

Babolat improves comfort with NF2 Tech, flax fibers located in the throat of the racket to absorb vibrations.

HTR System (High Torsional Rigidity)

This technology enhances the frame’s torsional rigidity, contributing to the racket’s stability and power.

FSI Power

FSI Power is back, a set of technologies designed to give the racket more power.

Grip Size

I tested the racket with a grip size 3 and found the handle relatively large for this size. I recommend holding the racket in hand before purchasing to make sure the grip size suits you.

The Power of the Babolat Pure Drive 2025

Like its predecessors, the Babolat Pure Drive 2025 offers excellent power.

You can feel the ball leave the string bed quickly, and the racket feels very lively.

That doesn’t mean that by making a slow swing the ball will automatically fly at 150 km/h, but for the same swing speed and effort, this racket will send the ball farther than a lower-powered/more control-oriented frame.

This is interesting for players who lack power or depth in their shots.

The Pure Drive can also be a good option for powerful players who can manage the racket’s liveliness, for example by using topspin.

Its easy power doesn’t limit it to intermediate players; it can suit players of all levels who want to benefit from its power.

Personally, I see this racket as a way to save energy on court and still get plenty of power without tiring myself out. I’m increasingly gravitating toward this type of racket to help me stay relaxed in my strokes and easily generate power.

I appreciated the racket’s power on my forehand, where I didn’t make many long errors even while playing fairly aggressively.

Be cautious if you’re a powerful player who doesn’t hit with much spin and requires a high level of control. In that case, the Babolat Pure Strike range might be more appropriate.

On my one-handed backhand, a strong part of my game where I don’t use much topspin, I also got good sensations, though I’d personally have a bit more confidence with a slightly less powerful racket.

I really liked how lively the racket felt on serve, which is a weaker part of my game.

Comparable Rackets

This racket is comparable to:

• Dunlop FX 500
• Head Extreme MP
• Tecnifibre TF-X1
• Wilson Ultra/Burn
• Yonex Ezone
• Prince Beast/Warrior
• Solinco Blackout 100

Spin Potential with the Babolat Pure Drive 2025

At Babolat, the Pure Aero range is the most spin-oriented, yet I’ve always found the Pure Drive series to be very versatile and quite good for spin, especially with a 645 cm² head size (100 sq in).

With this 2025 Pure Drive, I got the usual feel for spin: very good, even if slightly less than the Pure Aero.

• I was pleasantly surprised by how good the racket felt on my sliced backhand, a shot I often find less reliable with very powerful rackets.
• I had a solid level of control on my slice.
• I also found it very easy to generate spin on my serve.

Maneuverability of the Babolat Pure Drive 2025

The balance point of the Babolat Pure Drive 2025 is at 32 cm unstrung, which corresponds to a neutral balance.

The swingweight of 317 is moderate, and overall the Pure Drive’s maneuverability is good, quite similar to previous models.

I did notice the racket’s weight a bit in hand, which makes it feel solid even though it weighs 300g. By comparison, I found the Yonex EZone 100 slightly more maneuverable despite having similar specs.

Overall, the maneuverability of the Pure Drive is versatile, with a slight sense of overall weight that did not bother my swing speed.

Comfort of the Babolat Pure Drive 2025

With the 2025 version, Babolat has made an effort to improve the Pure Drive’s comfort by using technologies that soften the feel at impact.

While the difference from the previous model isn’t huge, I still felt this version was somewhat more comfortable.

I really liked the feel of playing with this racket, and above all, I enjoyed the lively response of the frame without compromising decent comfort.

I used a Babolat RPM Blast monofilament strung at a reasonable 22 kg, which is also essential for comfort.

I probably could have gone even lower in tension for added comfort, given that I still had good control at 22 kg.

Who Should Consider the Babolat Pure Drive 2025?

I would recommend the Babolat Pure Drive 2025 for players who:

• Are of any level.
• For athletic beginners, it can work, but if in doubt, check out the Babolat Pure Drive Team or Pure Drive Lite.
• Want a powerful, lively racket.
• Lack power or depth in their shots, or for strong players who use spin and can handle a lively racket.
• Want to save energy and still generate strong shots.
• Want very good spin potential.
• Need a neutral level of maneuverability.
• Appreciate previous Pure Drive models but want a bit more comfort.
• Play doubles and want maneuverability, forgiveness, and ease at the net.