Babolat Pure Aero – Review
As the racquet made famous by Rafael Nadal, there are definitely high expectations around the Babolat Pure Aero with each new release. Many believe that it is one of the best modern racquets in the game, and players at all levels have had success with it.
Is it truly a well-rounded option that players of all levels can enjoy? With an extended playtest, this is a closer look at the Babolat Pure Aero and everything it brings to the table.
Before going into the review, here are our overall ratings.
First Impressions
The racquet feels very much like one of the best modern options that a person could find. This company has spent a lot of time and energy and getting into the tennis racquet game, and many consider this to be the flagship option.
Every single iteration comes with something new, but the focus will always be mostly on doing what it does best. That means hitting with a good amount of pace and plenty of spin.
The racquet feels a little hollow and even cheap when players first pick it up. However, they do make some heavier versions for people who need that extra power, and there is always the option of adding lead tape if necessary as well.
Most people enjoy the comfort level that comes with a pretty light racquet, and once they start to hit with it, it performs just as solid as many of the others out there.
Groundstrokes
Players do not have to necessarily hit like Rafael Nadal to get the same type of benefits off the ground. This is a racquet that produces a lot of spin and pace, and a huge sweet spot definitely helps out considerably. Players who naturally hit a pretty heavy ball will love the extra benefit of swinging with this racquet, but there is a way to flatten things out as well.
One little bit of a change is how the cortex in the Babolat Pure Aero racquet has moved around the head. Located at 3 and 9 o’clock, there is now a slightly softer feel every time a person makes contact with groundstrokes. It is a subtle, but welcomed change so that it feels a little more arm-friendly.
The FSI Spin is the signature technology found in the Babolat Pure Aero. This really helps with groundstrokes, in particular, because the wider string spacing provides extra spin and overall movement.
People might burn through strings a little faster than they will with other racquets, but the good news is that they create spin that is hard to handle.
From the baseline, this is one of the best options a person can find. It is very easy to turn defense into offense, and players are running all around the court to get in control at some point.
Serving
There’s a lot to like about serving with the Babolat Pure Aero. It has a lot of spin and pace potential, just like with groundstrokes. It is also effortless to swing through and really create a lot of power naturally, which benefits players of all calibers.
For players that like the kick-serve, this racquet is one of the best racquets I’ve tried for that. The spin comes so naturally and requires far less effort compared to other racquets. Most beginners won’t feel any difference, but for more advanced players, this is something to have in mind.
Volleying
If there is one shortcoming when it comes to the Babolat Pure Aero, it has to be the fact that volleys are not quite as crisp as some people would like. It is not completely out of the question to get crisp volleys overall, but many people will be unsatisfied with everything that it brings to the table initially. There is definitely some getting used to, but it is not recommended for players who are serve and volleyers by any means.
What makes it a little rough around the net? While it is easy to maneuver, it seems like it can be pushed around a bit too much. It also lacks the feel some of the other racquets have at the net, which is always problematic for players who want to make sure that they are angling the ball off in the right way.
This new release is certainly a step in the right direction, so people who have used this line of tennis racquet in the past will be satisfied with the improvements.
However, it is still not going to be something that is going to allow people to play the net super confidently all the time. Some players still pull it off, but that usually requires having quite a bit of patience to get through some of the hard parts in the beginning.
The best way to describe volleying with the Pure Aero is that it takes more than a quick demo to get the proper feel. Do not judge it too quickly, and everything should be more than fine.
Different Versions
Since this is one of Babolat’s flagship options, they come in so many different choices for players of all skill levels. Juniors can start with a racquet that looks just like Rafael Nadal, and they can start to play like him as well.
There are bigger options for older players who need all the extra head area possible, which is certainly something to take a look at. However, this is the most popular version of the Babolat Pure Aero.
Even the heaviest of options are not exactly heavy, so this is where some lead tape can come in to play. If players feel like they are not getting the right amount of power they want behind the racquet, there is always the opportunity to customize things that way. Babolat encourages this so the players can get the type of feel they are truly hoping for.
These are the specs for the standard Babolat Pure Aero.
| Babolat Pure Aero | Specs |
|---|---|
| Head Size | 100 sq. in |
| Length | 27 in |
| Weight (strung) | 11.2 oz / 318g |
| Balance | 4pts HL |
| Flex | 67 |
| String Pattern | 16×19 |
| Swingweight | 324 |
Final Thoughts & Recommendations
Babolat likes to claim that the Pure Aero is built for just about any type of player, and for the most part, they are correct. It scores very well in many different categories, but things such as maneuverability, stability, and feel lag behind just a little bit.
Players who spend the majority of time near the baseline are not going to have any problems, and it is the best topspin racquet out there right now. However, keep in mind that flat shots might fly a bit, and it is just overall a little bit more difficult to control than some of the others out there.
There is a reason why it’s used by many pro players on both the ATP and WTA Tour. Here are the top ranked players that currently plays with the Babolat Pure Aero:
Give everything a try, and see what ultimately works. For the most part, people are satisfied when they invest. It seems like they are only improving, and more and more people will count on the Babolat Pure Aero line at some point in their tennis career.
Check out my other Babolat racquet reviews:
