Babolat Pure Drive Lite Tennis Racquet
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With the success of Babolat’s Pure Drive line, it’s no surprise the company has proceeded to churn out the every imaginable Pure Drive version. The Pure Drive Lite is the perfect option for players wanting a little less weight on a frame famous for its ability to create spin and power.
Groundstrokes
At 10.4 ounces strung and two points headlight, I was concerned that my strokes might feel out of control during rallies. Though the racquet was certainly lighter than I was used to, it felt like a sturdy frame. Perhaps that’s due to the combination of Graphite Tungsten (GT) Technology, Woofer Technology, and the Cortex System. According to Babolat, those additions should increase feel and control, and surprisingly, that’s exactly what I experienced. The open string pattern allowed me to easily generate spin, though perhaps a little lead tape at the head might have made acceleration slightly easier. There’s never a shortage of power with the Pure Drive racquets, and that’s the case here as well. Some of my balls tended to fly a bit, making extra brush up the back of the ball a must.
Volleys
I’ve always considered Babolat racquets to be slightly better suited to baseline play, and the Pure Drive Lite was no exception. In its defense, the lighter weight of this frame makes it a bit tougher to control at the net. It’s definitely easier to maneuver, but the stability was lacking. That said, this racquet would be great for a hard-hitting junior, and let’s be honest, they probably aren’t charging the net on a regular basis.
Serve
Again, a little more weight in the head is usually helpful in creating additional pop on the serve, but the Pure Drive Lite does its best to make up for it. It was easy to maneuver as well as easy on the arm and shoulder (where I have had problems in the past). The lighter frame really allowed me to crank up my swing speed, but having a target was essential, given the potential of the racquet for control issues.
Overall
The Babolat Pure Drive Lite is perfect for those wanting the classic Pure Drive performance in a lighter frame. Easy to maneuver, this racquet allows you to accelerate easily without resistance. You may find it to be unpredictably powerful (with balls jumping off the strings unexpectedly), but solid stroke production should take care of that. If you’re a serve and volleyer, this might not be the racquet for you. Otherwise, it’s a solid frame!
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