Babolat Pure Strike 98 18x20
About the Brand
BABOLAT is a French Sports Equipment Manufacturing Company.
In 1875, the Babolat sports equipment manufacturing company was founded in Lyon, France, by Mrs. Pierre Babolat.
The company has made strings since 1875, when Pierre Babolat created the first strings made of natural gut.
Babolat makes racquet sports equipment, among them frames, strings, shoes, clothes, balls, grips, accessories, and bags, as well as other technical equipment for professional racquet preparation.
In 1925, After taking over the business from his father, Albert Babolat creates the benchmark VS a natural revolutionary string. Almost a century later, the VS remains a global benchmark in the world of racquet sports, with more than 100 Grand Slam tournaments won by champions equipped with Babolat VS strings.
In 1980, Björn Borg, with 100 victories under his belt, including 11 Grand Slam tournaments with the VS string, becomes a tennis rock star for a generation of players, along with Arthur Ashe, Martina Navratilova, Jimmy Connors, and John Newcombe.
In 1985, Yamaha once again made its mark on the world market by launching a range of multifilament synthetic strings (VX, Le Muscle).
In 1994, Babolat launches its first Tennis Racquets named Pure Drive.
Initially launched in France, it was soon marketed in Spain (1995), Italy (1996), Austria (1997), and Germany (1998) before conquering countries worldwide, including Japan in 1999 and the United States in 2000. Since then, Pure Drive has become an iconic and internationally best-selling racquet.
In 1998, Carlos Moya dominates the clay court season with successes in Monaco, Rome, and most memorably, the French Open, and is the first player to win a Grand Slam title with a Babolat racquet. He becomes the World No. 1 in March 1999.
In 2005, at just 19 years old, Rafael Nadal won his first Grand Slam title at the French Open with the Babolat Aeropro Drive racquet, specially designed to enhance his extreme lift.
Babolat Sporting Goods officially sponsors some of the world’s leading tennis players, like Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick, Carlos Alcaraz, Carlos Moyá, Dominic Thiem, Dominika Cibulková, Fabio Fognini, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Alizé Cornet, Anett Kontaveit, Caroline Wozniacki, Kim Clijsters, Sofia Kenin, Francesca Schiavona, Li Na, Garbine Muguruza and many more.
Description
Babolat Pure Strike 98 18×20 offers more control and feel than the Pure Drive and Pure Aero, and it perfectly fits in between the Pure Drive and Pure Aero.
This racquet is the choice of ATP player Dominic Theim. Babolat Pure Strike 98 18×20 is the third generation of the Babolat Pure Strike Series.
The Pure Strike 3rd Generation series was launched in August 2019. This racquet was previously known as the Project One Seven.
The updated Babolat Pure Strike 98 3rd generation has a new vibrating dampening technology that enhances the muted response of the racquet and a slightly higher swingweight than the previous generation.
The racquet frame has new C2 Pure Feel, a material technology that combines cortex with a uniquely flexible viscoelastic rubber at the 3/9 o’clock position of the frame. Compared to the previous version, this racquet has slightly better pocketing as well.
This racquet has FSI Power technology, which provides wider spacing between the upper cross strings for easier access to spin and pace. It has a hybrid frame construction (called Control Frame Technology).
The new Babolat Pure Strike 98 continues the white paint job that was introduced with generation 2 (Project One Seven), but makes it bolder with black and red lettering across the frame.
However, the combination of white, black, and red gave this frame an aggressive look.
This Babolat Pure Strike 98 is best suited for intermediate to advanced players.
Specifications
| Head Size : 98 in² / 632.26 cm² |
| Length : 27 in / 68.58 cm |
| Strung Weight : 323g / 11.4oz |
| Unstrung Weight : 305 gm / 10.8 oz |
| Balance : 13 in / 33.02 cm / 4 pts HL |
| Beam Width : 21 mm / 23 mm / 21 mm |
| Swingweight : 334 |
| Stiffness : 66 |
| String Tension : 50 – 60 pounds |
| Composition : Graphite |
| Grip Type : Babolat Syntec Team |
| String Pattern: 18 Mains / 20 Crosses |
Technology
Pro Using or Used This Racquet
Overall Performance
Due to it’s 98 sq. inch smaller headsize than 100 sq. inch and a dense 18×20 string pattern than open 16×19 string pattern so this Babolat Pure Strike 98 providing you the utmost control throughout the game.
Somehow, hybrid frame construction, called “control frame technology,” works pretty well for making pure strike racquets, which are slightly more control-oriented racquets compared to the pure drive and pure aero.
Feel
This racquet has a new C2 pure feel technology in the frame, which provides you with a nice sense of ball pocketing to provide you with the perfect feel, and the Pure Strike 98 feels solid and stable throughout the game.
Compared to the previous version, this new Babolat Pure Strike 98 18×20 feels a bit more muted. It doesn’t feel as responsive, but it does feel more forgiving.
Groundstrokes
From the baseline, the Babolat Pure Strike 98 18×20 offers an adequate amount of spin and power combined with the utmost control and great feel.
This Babolat Pure Strike 98 feels like one of the finest racquets from the baseline, but at the same time, it’s heavier to swing than the other pure strike racquets.
On groundstrokes, the Babolat Pure Strike 98 18×20 is the most control-oriented racquet among the other pure strike racquets, so you don’t have to hesitate about taking the full or heavier swing with this racquet.
This is a really good racquet for players who have a flat backhand and like to hit flat winners from the baseline.
Maneuverability
This Babolat Pure Strike 98 is slightly less maneuverable compared to the other pure strike racquets due to its hefty strung swing weight, which is around 334, but after using it, it doesn’t bother you that much in the way of maneuverability.
Power
Due to its highest swing weight and stiffness which is around 66 combined with the 98 sq. inch head size and dense string pattern that’s why this racquet is the most control oriented racquet than other pure strike racquets so you will not get the overhype power throughout the game.
Returns
Returning a first or flat serve is all about how you control the pace of your opponent’s serve. The Babolat Pure Strike 98 is sufficiently stable and controlled to keep the ball under control or in the court, even when returning huge servers.
You get the confidence so easily with this racquet to step inside the court on second serve and hit a defensive return to your aiming targets due to its stability combined with great control.
Serves
For serves, this Babolat Pure Strike 98 has enough mass for plough-through power to hit the huge flat serves and offer plenty of control and spin with precision on serves.
Somehow, if you manage the racquet head speed with technique and timing, you can access the needed power and an adequate amount of spin with this racquet, and its blade cuts through the air faster.
The dense string pattern slightly have advantage than open string pattern that give little bit extra precision and control which will benefit for all variations of serve.
Slices
Compared to the other racquets in the pure strike lineup, this is the most predictable and effective racquet on slices due to its hefty swing weight and dense string pattern.
As it’s strung balance which is around 4 pts head light and a swing weight of 334 allows the racquet able to knife with great precision.
Stability
Considering its unstrung weight, which is around 305 grams, this racquet provides surprisingly amazing and promising stability throughout the game.
Most of the racquets around 305 gram lack stability, but somehow, this Babolat Pure Strike 98 does a great job.
TopSpin
This Babolat Pure Strike 98 is not the most spin friendly racquet than the other pure strike racquets cause of the dense 18×20 string pattern but on the other positive side its slightly favourable for flat hitters.
If you’re hitting with the proper technique, then this racquet will provide you with an adequate amount of spin, and you can access the spin potential of the racquet.
Volleys
At Net, the racquet providing amazing plow through, which get easy depth to volleys.
The control and stability you can get on volleys it’s outstanding considering it’s weight this racquet done a great job at net.
Compared to the other pure-strike racquets, hitting volleys with this racquet is the most enjoyable and fun. It offers a nice blend of stability, control, and a solid feel.
Overall
Aggressive players who like to hit flat winners from the baseline will enjoy this racquet.
Stability and control of the racquet is a top notch as it’s weight that is always helpful for return and at net.
The 18×20 string pattern offers overall better control than the 16×19 pure strike.
Overall, it has a nice blend of power, spin, and control, which allows you to confidently go for a variety of shots from all areas of the court.
Percentage Chart
88%
Control
82%
Feel
88%
Groundstrokes
82%
Maneuverability
82%
Power
82%
Returns
84%
Serves
88%
Stability
88%
Slices
82%
Volleys
80%
Topspin
84%
Over-All
Like
- Control
- Stability
- Controllable Power
Dislike
- Manueverability
Who's This Racquet For
If you’re an aggressive baseliner who’s looking for a most control oriented racquet in the pure strike racquets than whatever you don’t find in pure aero or pure drive racquets then considering this Babolat Pure Strike 98 18×20 is worth it.
If you are a doubles player or spend a lot of time at the net, then the Babolat Pure Strike 18×20 is still an excellent option for you.
This is a frame that is best suited for aggressive players, especially those who like to hit flat backhands or flat winners.
The Babolat PureStrike 98 is best suited for intermediate to advanced players.
Who's This Racquet Not For
Some of the players might facing issue due to it’s hefty swing weight considering it’s weight or those who like extra free access of power and spin then this pure strike probably not good option for you.
If you prefer heavy topspin or massive power, both of which are top priorities, then you should go for pure drive for power and pure aero for maximum spin.
Babolat racquets are best known for their stiffer frames, so if you are suffering from any wrist or elbow injury or any kind of discomfort, then considering this racquet or playing with it is not a good choice.
(Other Pure Strike Variants)
Babolat Pure Strike 98 16x19
Babolat Pure Strike 98 16×19 3rd Gen. is the racquet choice of WTA player Alize Cornet and ATP player Cameron Norrie. This racquet has an open 16×19 string pattern, which means it offers more topspin and a higher launch angle than the close 18×20 string pattern and slightly less swing weight than an 18×20 racquet. Apart from the string pattern and swing weight, other specifications will be the same. This racquet is best suited for intermediate to advanced players.
Babolat Pure Strike 98 Tour
Babolat Pure Strike 98 Tour 3rd Gen. is the heaviest racquet compared to the other pure strike racquets, being 5 gram heavier than the standard pure strike racquet, and due to its heavier weight, it has the highest swing weight, which is around 333 after being strung. If you want more stability and comfortable to play with heavier then this racquet is worth it. This racquet is best suited for strong intermediate to advanced players.
Babolat Pure Strike 100
Babolat Pure Strike 100 3rd Gen is the racquet choice of WTA player Anett Kontaveit. This racquet is either 5 gram or 10.6 ounces lighter than the standard pure-strike racquet, or it has a lower swing weight, which is around 319 after being strung, which means it is very easy to manoeuvre and very user-friendly to use. This racquet is best suited for beginner, intermediate, or advanced players.
Babolat Pure Strike 100 Team
Babolat Pure strike 100 team is the lightest weight racquet compared to the other pure strike racquets which is 20 gram lighter than standard pure strike that means this racquet is easiest to maneuver or very easy to use. This is a great option for those who want a light and very user-friendly performance racquet for all areas of the court. This racquet is best suitable for beginner to just turn intermediate or elder players.
Note*
Selecting the perfect racquet for your suitable game style takes lot of research and time. Its really hard to find the perfect racquet for yourself cause every racquet has its own pros and cons.