Here are the characteristics of the Babolat Pure Strike VS 2022, for an unstrung racquet :

• Weight : 310g
• Balance : 31cm
• Swingweight : ?
• Head size : 626 cm² / 97 in²
• String pattern : 16x20
• Beam width : 21/22/21 mm
• Stiffness : 66 Ra
• Length : 68.5 cm

The grip of the racquet I tested was in size 3 (4 3/8), my usual size, however I was surprised by the size of the grip which bothered me a bit because I found it rather large, more like a size 4 (4 1/2).

I also had in hand a Babolat Pure Aero Rafa, size 3, which gave me the same impression.

If purchasing a Babolat racquet, I recommend that you check the grip size to make sure it fits you.

The Babolat Pure Strike VS, without being one of the hardest racquets to play, is still in a demanding and low power racquet category.

On my topspin backhand, which is my best shot, I had a good level of power and control.

On my forehand, I had overall decent power at the start of the session, but the weight of the racquet a bit high for me (310 g unstrung) combined with the relatively low power of the racquet, meant that over of training, I found it difficult to produce power.

On the serve, as on the forehand, I had decent power, but I would be more comfortable on this shot with a racquet that gives more power easily.

To sum up when it comes to the power of the Babolat Pure Strike VS 2022, it is clearly a control oriented tennis racquet, intended for players of a good level, who are able to produce power with their technique and their physique and who are looking for a racquet with which they can let go of the arm without being afraid of making mistakes.

Here is a comparison in terms of power with other racquets :

More powerful rackets

• Head size >= 645 cm²
• Head Extreme Tour, Radical
• Babolat Pure Drive, Pure Aero, including VS versions
• Babolat Pure Strike 100, 16x19
• Tecnifibre TFight 300
• Wilson Clash 98, Blade 98
• Prince O3 Beast 98
• Yonex Vcore 98, Ezone 98

Similar power :

• Wilson Pro Staff 97
• Yonex Vcore Pro 97
• Head Gravity Pro, Tour
• Babolat Pure Strike 18x20

Less power :

• Head Prestige Tour, Pro
• Tecnifibre TF 40
• Yonex VCore 95
• Prince Phantom 93P

The racquet is relatively head light, with its balance located at 31 cm, which helps to give the racquet a good maneuverability.

The average head size of 626 cm² and the rather thin profile of the frame also help to have maneuverability.

The racquet is therefore easy to swing and stable, but you have to be sure that you can play with a 310g racquet.

Indeed, playing with a raquet whose weight is too heavy for you, regardless of its other characteristics, will produce a lack of maneuverability and swing speed.

Some may find a little lack of stability due to the fairly light racquet head.

In this case, it will be possible to add lead tape, provided that you can play with this additional weight.

I found the Babolat Pure Strike VS comfortable, yet less smooth than what I felt with the Babolat Pure Strike 100.

The sensations for me are different from those we have with other Babolat Pure Strikes; the vibration damping is correct but less marked than with the other models, we find sensations a bit old-fashioned.

Regarding tolerance, one should not expect extreme indulgence from a racquet with a 626 cm² head size, however, I found it to be correct given this reduced head size and the slightly narrowed 16x20 string pattern.

The Babolat Pure Strike VS 2022, while not the hardest to play tennis racquet, falls into the category of control oriented racquets, which do not give much power.

It is intended for good, powerful players who play flat or with slight top spin, who are looking for control and a little old-fashioned feel in terms of vibration damping.

The maneuverability is very good, access to top spin is average, the racquet is comfortable and it offers good forgiveness for this type of racquet.