Racquet Review: Babolat Pure Drive

Babolat Pure Drive

• Price: $259
• Head Size: 100 sq. in.
• Length: 27 in.
• Weight: 11.1 oz.
• Balance: 4 pts. HL
• Swingweight: 315
• RA Rating: 69
• Beam Width: 23 mm / 26 mm / 23 mm
• String Pattern: 16x19

What’s New

For the 11^th generation of the seminal franchise Babolat mostly sticks to its winning formula. The elliptical frame shape, High Torsion Rigidity system and FSI Power technology all return to give the racquet its best-in-class power and stability. However, there is a notable tweak in the comfort and feel departments. NF2 Tech 2.0—the latest version of the natural flax fiber dampening—has been inserted in the throat of the racquet to filter out harsh vibrations and improve the response at contact.

What Works

Now in its fourth decade in the game, the Pure Drive’s popularity remains as strong as ever. The racquet combines effortless pace and depth with top-notch stability in a forgiving, relatively lightweight package. Its magic lies in how well you can play with it without actually needing to play that well. (60 percent of the time, it works every time). It has a unique ability to turn substandard technique into a workable shot, and a proper swing on the ball into a stone cold winner.

“Not so muted that I couldn't feel the ball on the string bed, yet it was dampened enough to not feel hollow and harsh when I mishit slightly.”Tester Comment

This is the reason the Pure Drive has attracted players of all stripes. It helps the game improvement crowd succeed and grow, while more advanced players appreciate not having to work as hard or as precisely to be productive. Even for those players who balk at the looser control and stiffer response, hitting with a Pure Drive is still a guilty pleasure.

Compared to the prior version, this latest model doesn’t present much difference in terms of playability. Pace and spin come easily, and off-center contact is often excused. The most noticeable change comes from the addition of the Flax Tape 2.0. The natural fibers positioned in the throat are arranged in one direction to better filter out vibration to give the frame a touch softer and more comfortable feel. It’s still a firm-feeling racquet, but the feedback is more muted and enjoyable at contact.

Which is appreciated, because it’s the frame’s chunky, stiff elliptical beam that helps deliver its sturdiness. It remains rather light and maneuverable yet still manages to be potent and unwavering. If you want to bomb a serve, crank a forehand or get yourself out of trouble with one quick swipe, few can match its prowess at this weight.

The guidance system for the Pure Drive’s missiles isn’t state of the art, but it’s far from hit and hope. Shots are predictable off the string bed and reliable as long as aggressive swings are to more conservative targets. You don’t perform jazz with the Pure Drive—it’s more like classic rock. It has fewer chords to play, but it plays them really well.

The frame’s 16x19 string pattern is perfectly spin-compliant. Players already capable of putting heavy top on ground strokes and kick serves will have no issues generating enough to provide extra work and safety to their shots. It doesn’t have the same aggressive string spacing or technology as some spin frames, but the upshot is higher aptitude flattening out shots. Slices have just enough work and bite to keep points at neutral.

At net, the Pure Drive offers a sturdy, almost uniform response. No matter where you make contact on the string bed it seems to block the ball back over the net—it almost feels like cheating. It’s also agile when defending a body shot during quick exchanges or to dispose of anything above the shoulders. Throw in a knack for deflecting back smashes and heavy serves with regularity and the Pure Drive shapes up to be a solid doubles frame.

What Needs Work

It’s comfortable…for a Pure Drive. That’s the modifier testers use when complimenting the improved feel of the racquet. Even being a bit softer, it still isn’t a warm, plush frame that earns arm-friendly status. Of course, it’s not designed to be one or attract players looking for that kind of response.

Similarly, it has respectable control for a racquet that’s so powerful and forgiving, but occasional wild streaks can arise. Most often when being too ambitious rather than an inherent flaw in the design. It also possesses average finesse and touch; again, a symptom of its DNA. It’s a racquet that begs to hit big strokes with abandon—littering the stat sheet with winners and errors is part of the bargain.

“It feels true to its identity and reputation, but possibly more playable and reliable—no unexpected nukes to the back fence.”Tester Comment

Bottom Line

The new Pure Drive still thrives at doing Pure Drive things. It keeps the best aspects of the earlier models but adds a bit more flex and comfort for the most refined version yet.