Babolat Pure Aero 98 2026 Tennis Racquet Review

The Pure Aero 98 is the control end of Babolat's 2026 spin line, and the frame Carlos Alcaraz takes on court. A smaller head and a denser pattern, with a little more weight, are built for a player who already swings fast and wants that speed turned into heavy spin.

What changed for 2026

The Pure Aero has always been a spin racquet with a wing-shaped beam that cuts through the air. For 2026, Babolat reworked the throat section to help the vertical, low-to-high swing, the brushing action Nadal made famous, and that most juniors and coaches now teach. It is an efficient way to make power and spin, and our testers felt the new frame was a tick faster through the air than the 2023 model. On the 98, that adds up to a racquet that plays a little easier than the version before it.

The payoff shows up when you are late. Because the head moves so quickly on that vertical path, a tester who got rushed or caught out of position could still brush up against the back of the ball, find spin, and keep it in the court. Spin-focused grommets and the shape of the head do a lot of that work, so you are not fighting the racquet to get the ball down.

There is a comfort change too, and it matters on this line. The Pure Aero has run firm for years, and the stiffness rating put some players off. Babolat added flax inserts to the sides of the head to dampen vibration, so the RA number no longer tells the whole story. Our demos wore RPM Rough, but a softer multifilament or a synthetic gut takes the edge off further if you want it.

How it plays

This is a fast-swinging racquet. It asks you to bring the head speed, and it pays you back in spin and its own power. One of our testers, a control-oriented all-court player, went straight to the 98 over the 100. He wanted the smaller head and the sweet spot that feels genuinely sweet, and with solid ground strokes, he did not want the extra forgiveness of the bigger frame.

Spin without the full buggy whip

You do not need a Nadal swing to enjoy it. Sam, who does not live on heavy topspin, still found more rotation than he expected and stayed comfortable through the session. The Nadal finish is in most players' arsenals now, and the frame meets you partway, so even a flatter backhand gets help getting the ball up and in.

Suzy, on the forehand

Stability against a heavy ball

A spin racquet moves fast and wants to twist, so stability is the real question. On the 98, it held. A heavy-topspin tester with a semi-western grip could make the move on the spin and take on a heavy incoming ball at the same time, hitting through it and putting power through it without the head shifting. That is why the 98 suits a player who has to stand up to bigger and heavier hitting, and why an advanced player can lean on it to generate power on the forehand and the serve.

Quick to the ball and sharp at the net

For a heavier control frame, it is easy to move. Our tester was surprised by how maneuverable it felt, hitting defensive balls back with confidence and then stepping in to finish volleys, where the stability showed up again. It is an all-court racquet, strong from the baseline where the pros use it, and just as willing to come forward for a drop shot or a put-away.

98 or 100?

The 98 and 100 share the 2026 tech but play to different players. The 98 has the denser 16x20 pattern, the smaller head, and the extra weight, so it rewards control, a fast swing, and a player who makes their own pace. Our control player picked it without hesitation. If you want the lighter, more forgiving option, read our take on the Pure Aero 100.

Spencer, on choosing the 98

Who should buy it

The 98 is a frame for advanced juniors in tournament or UTR play, and for future college players who will face people hitting bigger and heavier. It gives a strong player a stable platform to take that pace on and put their own power back through the forehand and the serve.

It rewards a full, modern swing and a player who supplies the pace. If you want free power and a large margin for error, or you cannot yet bring the frame up to speed, start with the lighter Pure Aero 100. And if you want control ahead of spin, a frame like the Blade sits further that way.