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 talent 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 progressive know-how to ship excellent spin and energy.
Happily, I had the chance to check the newest Babolat Aero Pure 2023, and I’m excited to share my firsthand expertise with you within the following overview.
Babolat Pure Aero 2023 Cosmetics and Options
Options
The brand new options of the Babolat Pure Aero are all primarily based 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 reinforce aerodynamics with a body that integrates bumpers and grommets, rising racket head velocity and producing extra spin.
Furthermore, the FSI Spin characteristic 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 offer a snug really feel upon impression.
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 unimaginable 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 emblem 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 instant 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 Dimension
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 Sort
Babolat Syntec Professional
Babolat Syntec Professional #3
String Sample
16 Mains / 19 Crosses
16 Mains / 19 Crosses
String Rigidity
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 accessible energy is undeniably good, however the degree of management is equally beneficiant.
The steadiness between these two features supplies a sensation of confidently hitting the ball and acquiring good help with out the ball flying away. This encourages a decisive strategy even with topspin photographs.
The sensation is that this aggressiveness and willpower to push (fairly than merely depend on the opponent’s shot) is a exact demand for individuals who select the Pure Aero.
The shot turns into heavy and pretty exact when hitting forcefully and protecting the ball. Nonetheless, when taking part in defensively, there’s a danger of dropping some depth within the photographs.
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 stunning management favoured by Babolat’s minor adjustment to the racquet’s string mattress.
Even my most aggressive photographs remained reliably constant in course 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 progressive characteristic successfully counteracts vibrations and reduces some stiffness sometimes related to the Pure Aero household of rackets.
Nonetheless, the 2023 Pure Aero stays a comparatively stiff racquet which could increase issues for these with delicate and injury-prone arms.
Nonetheless, arm accidents might be prevented by paying additional consideration to picking a snug 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 keep up/regain management of the rally even from a number of meters behind the baseline.
Volleys
Relating to volleying, the Pure Aero 2023 might stumble a bit.
As a light-weight racket with a lowered swing weight in comparison with its earlier era, it lacks a few of the top-notch stability I worth in heavier frames.
Nonetheless, I can’t deny that the substantial beam and 100 sq. inch head measurement contribute to its commendable efficiency on the internet, though not flawlessly.
It’s essential to notice that the Pure Aero persistently feels extra manoeuvrable than different rackets in its particular class.
You may assume that the Aerodynamic throat design is merely a advertising trick, however relaxation assured, it’s removed from it.
In actuality, it permits the racket to glide by the air at an accelerated tempo, surpassing all different 300 grams racquets I’ve encountered.
This assists the racket in swiftly propelling by groundstrokes (as talked about above) and enhances its manoeuvrability throughout internet play.
In abstract, whereas the steadiness concern bothered me barely when countering swift photographs, I found that the racket’s distinctive manoeuvrability made up for this flaw.
It enabled me to execute highly effective photographs 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’d say that “it will get the job completed” 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, peak, and energy with a unique (doubtlessly heavier) body.
Returns
When returning, I rapidly observed that the Pure Aero’s massive head and control-oriented string sample have been useful once I tried to redirect quick and highly effective serves.
For my part, 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 other facet of the courtroom.
Then again, when confronted with slower serves, I skilled an enhanced capacity 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 reaching desired depth with my photographs, which I needed might have been simpler to realize.
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 photographs to shut out the purpose: this model of play finds good synergy with the Pure Aero 2023.
That isn’t to say that different types, reminiscent of counting on a strong backhand or attacking the online, can’t be employed with this body. Nonetheless, various decisions inside the Babolat vary are additionally value contemplating for individuals who possess a pure inclination in the direction of such strategies and gameplay.
Nonetheless, the racquet is appropriate for gamers throughout all talent ranges. Whereas the excessive manoeuvrability and beneficiant head measurement may suggest that the Babolat Aero Pure caters extra in the direction of beginner to intermediate gamers, its efficiency has the potential to fulfill the calls for of superior {and professional} gamers as properly.
Professionals
Nice mix of energy, spin and management
Very manouverable
Consumer pleasant and versatile for a lot of taking part in types
Cons
Have you ever tried the newest 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
8.3
GREAT
The Pure Aero 2023 permits a variety of taking part in talents to dominate the courtroom with enhanced spin, energy, and management.