Babolat, the famend French firm, has gained recognition for its tennis rackets, which quite a few skilled gamers favour.
Among the many elite athletes who’ve chosen Babolat racquets are Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, Garbine Muguruza, and Fabio Fognini.
The model has produced a number of rackets which have achieved vital success amongst gamers of all ability ranges, however maybe their most notable sequence is the Pure Aero which Rafael Nadal has wielded because the begin of his profession
In 2023, the Babolat launched a number of refreshed Pure Aero fashions that includes modern know-how to ship excellent spin and energy.
Fortuitously, I had the chance to check the most recent Babolat Aero Pure 2023, and I’m excited to share my firsthand expertise with you within the following evaluation.
Babolat Pure Aero 2023 Cosmetics and Options
Options
The brand new options of the Babolat Pure Aero are all based mostly on it’s aerodynamic prowess. For the 2023 model of the Pure Aero, Babolat applied a listing of recent applied sciences that make the racquet extraordinarily enticing.
The mixing of the brand new AEROMODULAR 3 know-how goals to boost aerodynamics with a body that integrates bumpers and grommets, rising racket head velocity and producing extra spin.
Furthermore, the FSI Spin function takes it additional by barely closing the string sample for extra management, however permitting for extra vital string motion and optimum ball grip.
The SWX Pure Really feel know-how enhances the design with its prolonged wrapping of the “SMAC” know-how, successfully filtering vibrations to supply a cushty really feel upon affect.
The NF² – Tech provides pure flax fibres into the body to make sure heightened sensations and optimum vibration discount.
Cosmetics
Earlier than taking it to the courtroom, it’s unattainable to disregard the notable shift in aesthetics, and the as soon as recognisable banana yellow racket has been considerably reworked.
It now options yellow graphical components, such because the title at its core, the twin facet stripes, and the Babolat brand nestled inside the oval.
These components stand out towards a gray, black, and white backdrop, making a winter camouflage-like design.
This distinctive visible overhaul brings a contemporary perspective to this traditional racket, subtly altering its speedy recognisability.
Specification and Setup
My Pure Aero got here in at 302.1g unstrung, near the goal of 300g, and as soon as strung with Stringlab Hydrogen Devo, it weighed 320.6g.
| Babolat Pure Aero | My Babolat Pure Aero | |
|---|---|---|
| Head Measurement | 100 inch / 645 cm | 100 inch / 645 cm |
| Size | 27 inch / 686 mm | 27 inch / 686 mm |
| Unstrung Weight | 300 g | 302.1 g |
| Strung Weight | 320 g | 320.6 g |
| Stability | 320 mm | 320 mm |
| Swingweight | 322 | ~ |
| Stiffness | 65 | ~ |
| Beam Width | 23mm / 26 mm / 23 mm | 23mm / 26 mm / 23 mm |
| Composition | Graphite | Graphite |
| Racket Colours | grey, black, yellow, and white | grey, black, yellow, and white |
| Grip Kind | Babolat Syntec Professional | Babolat Syntec Professional #3 |
| String Sample | 16 Mains / 19 Crosses | 16 Mains / 19 Crosses |
| String Stress | 23- 27 kg | 23 kg (with Stringlab Hydrogen Devo) |
Babolat Pure Aero 2023 Playtest
First Impressions
On the courtroom, the Pure Aero DNA is instantly recognisable from the primary contact with the ball: the obtainable energy is undeniably good, however the stage of management is equally beneficiant.
The stability between these two elements offers a sensation of confidently hitting the ball and acquiring good assist with out the ball flying away. This encourages a decisive strategy even with topspin pictures.
The sensation is that this aggressiveness and dedication to push (quite than merely depend on the opponent’s shot) is a exact demand for many who select the Pure Aero.
The shot turns into heavy and pretty exact when hitting forcefully and masking the ball. Nonetheless, when taking part in defensively, there’s a danger of dropping some depth within the pictures.
Groundstrokes
When hitting groundstrokes, I might instantly sense the true essence of the Babolat Pure Aero once I took my first full swings with this newest model.
The acquainted mixture of energy and spin was available. Nonetheless, it was accompanied by a shocking management favoured by Babolat’s minor adjustment to the racquet’s string mattress.
Even my most aggressive pictures remained reliably constant in route and size, a attribute usually missing in frames primarily targeted on producing energy.
Moreover, as I discussed within the “Design paragraph”, Babolat launched their proprietary dampening know-how, NF2-TECH, into this racket.
This modern function successfully counteracts vibrations and reduces some stiffness usually related to the Pure Aero household of rackets.
Nonetheless, the 2023 Pure Aero stays a comparatively stiff racquet which could elevate considerations for these with delicate and injury-prone arms.
However, arm accidents could possibly be prevented by paying additional consideration to picking a cushty string and stringing rigidity to go well with our wants.
Positively, stiffness interprets into energy, and my groundstrokes left the body with fierce velocity.
Primarily on my forehand, I observed that the ability and weight I might switch on the ball allowed me to take care of/regain management of the rally even from a number of meters behind the baseline.
Volleys
Relating to volleying, the Pure Aero 2023 could stumble a bit.
As a light-weight racket with a decreased swing weight in comparison with its earlier era, it lacks a number of the top-notch stability I worth in heavier frames.
Nonetheless, I can not deny that the substantial beam and 100 sq. inch head measurement contribute to its commendable efficiency on the web, though not flawlessly.
It’s vital to notice that the Pure Aero persistently feels extra manoeuvrable than different rackets in its particular class.
You would possibly assume that the Aerodynamic throat design is merely a advertising and marketing trick, however relaxation assured, it’s removed from it.
In actuality, it permits the racket to glide by means of the air at an accelerated tempo, surpassing all different 300 grams racquets I’ve encountered.
This assists the racket in swiftly propelling by means of groundstrokes (as talked about above) and enhances its manoeuvrability throughout web play.
In abstract, whereas the soundness concern bothered me barely when countering swift pictures, I found that the racket’s distinctive manoeuvrability made up for this flaw.
It enabled me to execute highly effective pictures throughout volleys and overheads effortlessly whereas persistently sustaining management and holding the ball in play throughout intense rallies.
Serves
Relating to serving, the Pure Aero 2023 didn’t ship an excellent or disappointing efficiency.
If I have been, to sum up its general efficiency on serves, I might say that “it will get the job achieved” with out exceeding expectations.
I might rely upon the Pure Aero to execute fast slices persistently, and excessive kick serves.
Moreover, I observed good accuracy and energy when hitting flat serves.
In essence, the racquet was dependable and versatile throughout serving. Nonetheless, I might have achieved larger velocity, top, and energy with a distinct (doubtlessly heavier) body.
Returns
When returning, I shortly observed that the Pure Aero’s massive head and control-oriented string sample have been helpful once I tried to redirect quick and highly effective serves.
In my view, this racquet didn’t demand me to generate my very own energy whereas returning; as a substitute, it proved to be a dependable companion, enabling me to successfully oppose and “ricochet” the ball again to the alternative facet of the courtroom.
However, when confronted with slower serves, I skilled an enhanced potential to generate substantial velocity and energy.
This attribute, mixed with the racquet’s manoeuvrability, instilled confidence in me to execute aggressive returns, positioning my ft in entrance of the baseline. Nonetheless, I typically encountered a slight problem in persistently attaining desired depth with my pictures, which I wanted might have been simpler to achieve.
Who’s This Racket For?
Executing exact serves and using spin to dominate the rally, pressuring the opponent into errors or offering us with opportune pictures to shut out the purpose: this fashion of play finds excellent synergy with the Pure Aero 2023.
That isn’t to say that different types, reminiscent of counting on a strong backhand or attacking the web, can’t be employed with this body. Nonetheless, different selections inside the Babolat vary are additionally value contemplating for many who possess a pure inclination in direction of such methods and gameplay.
However, the racquet is appropriate for gamers throughout all ability ranges. Whereas the excessive manoeuvrability and beneficiant head measurement would possibly indicate that the Babolat Aero Pure caters extra in direction of newbie to intermediate gamers, its efficiency has the potential to satisfy the calls for of superior {and professional} gamers as nicely.
Professionals
- Nice mix of energy, spin and management
- Very manouverable
- Person pleasant and versatile for a lot of taking part in types
Cons
Have you ever tried the most recent model of the Babolat Pure Aero? Let me know within the feedback.
Energy – 8.5
Management – 8.5
Manoeuvrability – 9.5
Stability – 7.5
Consolation – 7.5
Contact/Really feel – 8
Serves – 8.5
Groundstrokes – 9
Slice – 8
Volleys – 7.5
Returns – 9
