Babolat has once again updated their best selling frame, the Pure Aero and it’s better than ever! This frame is geared for player’s that hit heavy groundstrokes with massive topspin similar to Rafael Nadal’s playstyle. The French brand has further improved this racquet by updating current technologies, like FSI Spin and Aeromodular³, as well as adding new technologies like Carbon Ply Stabilizer and Cortex Pure Feel. I was truly excited to get this racquet on court and see the difference in play.

Groundstrokes
Compared to the previous versions, the new Pure Aero will feel pretty similar from the baseline but less jarring on the arm. The addition of Cortex Pure Feel throughout the frame is great in minimizing the shock whenever you hit the ball. Off center hits won’t feel as cumbersome on the arm enabling you to play longer. Improved Aeromodular technology allows you to whip the racquet head faster through the strike zone. The spin potential with this racquet is still very good so you can push your opponent back further behind the baseline. I personally found the ball to jump more with this version thanks to the oblong shaped grommets. I didn’t feel like I needed to force my swing to get topspin or power.

Volleys
Volleys stood out to me with this version which was a pleasant surprise. Previous versions of this racquet didn’t seem to be stable enough to hit crisp volleys and half-volleys. With the addition of Carbon Ply Stabilizer, I felt way more comfortable hitting volleys and coming to the net more often. The added stability allowed me to put the ball away as well as hit touch shots. Whether the ball came in fast or slow, I could simply direct the ball where it needed to go and add a little spin.

Serves & Overheads
This racquet still gives you that added power/spin to your serves and overheads without feeling super heavy. I immediately felt the added power on my flat serves which allowed me to penetrate the court and start points off in the winning position. Kick and slice serves had extra spin thanks to the updated FSI Spin technology. I didn’t feel any lack of control which was a needed improvement from the previous versions.

Feel/Comfort
Feel is amazing with this racquet and much improved. The increased flexibility and shock absorption allows you to not get a stiff feeling during or after play. I felt more connected to the ball compared to the previous models. If you use nylon or multifilament strings you will get a comfortable controlled response. If you prefer an all polyester setup then you will love the control and locked in feel.

Overall
Babolat has once again done a great job improving this racquet and I believe it will be enjoyed by all levels of players. I couldn’t find anything the Pure Aero was lacking and it had me scratching my head because it is an outstanding racquet. Whether you like Babolat racquets or not, you may fall in love with this new version!

Note: The playtest racquet was strung with RPM Blast 17G at 52 pounds.

About the Reviewer: Chris Virk-Brown currently works at Tennis Express on the Content Marketing team. He previously played at Neumann University and coached at the collegiate level for 3 years. He is an active USTA League and Tournament player.