The new Babolat Pure Aero is here and it’s very yellow. It has received positive reviews due to its reduced rigidity. Apart from that, many things remain the same. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Find out more in this review of the Babolat Pure Aero racket.

 4.7/5

Contents

1 Introduction
2 Best Offer of the Babolat Pure Aero
3 Babolat Pure Aero racket 2023 - Specifications
- 3.1 Babolat Pure Aero 2023 Stringing Specifications
4 Babolat Pure Aero racket 2023 - Performance
5 Babolat Pure Aero racket 2023 - Who is it for?
6 What does the Babolat brand say about the launch of the new Pure Aero?
7 Babolat Pure Aero racket 2023 - summary
8 Buy it now with this offer on Amazon!

Introduction

The Babolat Pure Aero 2023 is an update of the previous edition that came out in 2016. But the racket’s line dates back to 2003 when Rafael Nadal started using it. Back then it was called the Aero Pro Drive and that’s what Rafa is still using under the latest paint. But let’s continue with the analysis of the Babolat Pure Aero 2023 racket. The Pure Aero 2023 definitely feels less substantial than the Original Aero Pro Drive. The raw graphite feel has disappeared and been replaced by something so light to the touch it almost feels like a toy. With the aggressive yellow coloration it also looks like a toy, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a weapon on the tennis court.

Best Offer of the Babolat Pure Aero

Babolat Pure Aero Tennis Racket

Babolat Pure Aero racket 2023 - Specifications

The specifications of Babolat Pure Aero are not very distinctive of its tradition. Where we see the biggest change is in the rigidity (measured in “RA”, where below 62 is flexible and above 67 is rigid). It has dropped a few points from around 70 in the previous edition to 67 in this one. This is something you can feel when you hit the racket. It offers a little less power (although power is not something you need more with this racket). However, it is more comfortable for the arm and the feel has been improved.

Babolat Pure Aero 2023 Stringing Specifications

What else is new about the Pure Aero? They have now added something called “Spin Eyelets” to allow more movement of the main strings for even more effect. Also, the bark dampening technology has been moved to the head instead of the handle. A positive change if you ask me. My all time favourite Aero, the original edition, has no Cortex at all and is for me the best racket in the series (mainly because it offers less throw on the ball). However, this one is more comfortable.

Babolat Pure Aero racket 2023 - Performance

Good – with the specifications and features of the racket out of the way we can talk about the playability and performance of the Babolat Pure Aero 2023. First of all, I want to say that if you are a flat hitter and/or do not intend to change your mechanics from an eastern to a western grip (see what they are on this page), you should look elsewhere. This racket is not for the classic player with a traditional tennis technique. Flat balls tend to go crazy with this racket, even when hit correctly. However, it is not a racket for slice players or serve and volley players. It’s a spin machine that rewards a modern game of topspin and a Western grip. It’s made for that style and works very well if that’s your game. The spin potential is impressive and the power level can be great. This makes it a good choice for both defensive and aggressive baseliner, as long as you hit with a lot of spin. As mentioned earlier, the racket works well as long as you hit with spin. If you try to flatten the strokes, you lose some control. On drop shots and volleys, I think it was pretty decent too, but I think it lacks some mass to feel really safe at net. This is for you who, like Rafa, belongs at the baseline and never intends to lose a point before it’s over!

Babolat Pure Aero racket 2023 - Who is it for?

The Babolat Pure Aero 2023 is, like previous generations, for the basic player with a modern game and technique. If you like to hit hard with lots of spin, this is a great racket for you. If you rely more on touch and flat strokes, there are many other options that will suit you better. This edition offers a better feel compared to the previous version. Personally I think it is quite close to the 2013 GT edition (which was very good). Maybe even a little softer. If I was 16 years old and going up to the national ranks with a heavy clay court game, I would definitely love this racket. It’s unique in the way it makes it easy to hit from the corners. You imagine you’re Rafa Nadal for a while as you run into the corner and hit that “banana shot” across the court despite being two meters behind the baseline. It’s just a racket designed for that kind of play style.

Just as Federer’s Wilson RF97 Autograph is adapted to his game, Babolat Pure Aero (and Aero Pro Drive) is adapted to Rafa’s. It rewards spin and fast swing speed and will deliver incredible RPMs to the ball if you have the game for it. Not a racket I would consider switching to as I am more of a classic player, but it is a lot of fun to hit. In fact, sometimes I wish I had a more modern game so I could use it more. I certainly noticed that I liked the racket better when I adjusted my grip and started cleaning the windshield from my strokes. But it can also be quite tiring to keep hitting and have the ball go out of bounds unless you are used to it. So I wouldn’t say it’s a very easy racket to use. Especially because if you want to take advantage of the benefits and play with it properly, you need to have a high swing speed.

I would also like to say that many beginners and lower level players will buy this racket. It’s relatively light, Rafa backs it up and many find it great. The racket can be strung with the rigid RPM Blast which they will then use until it breaks (which is never the case here). This is a great way to get arm injuries… Because this racket is still rigid (although softer than before) and will impact the elbow and wrist more easily than more flexible rackets, especially with a polyethylene string. But that’s how it asks to be played and when played correctly, by a player with expert technique, a modern swing stroke and fast swing speed, can be a glorious thing to watch.

What does the Babolat brand say about the launch of the new Pure Aero?

“The Babolat Pure Aero is for players who use spin as the ultimate weapon to dominate the competition. Based on feedback from players around the world, we’ve redesigned the racket to add more control and increased feel. The aerodynamic frame allows the head of the racket to move faster, thus increasing ball speed and improving spin. This is a very responsive racket for players looking for optimum power and spin.

Babolat Pure Aero racket 2023 - summary

Wow, that’s a long guide, isn’t it? Well, it’s a great release by Babolat and it’s worth looking into. In short, I think it’s an upgrade worthy of the Aero line. It’s better than its predecessors and gives the series back the feel of the 2013 GT. Many professionals like Benoit Paire and Adrian Mannarino still use it. I like how they have lowered the stiffness rating and maintained the power level. The spin is still there and I won’t say that anyone needs more than this. For me, it’s probably too much and the ball gets a little off-centre. But on the other hand, this racket is not for a flat hitter, so you can miss because of that. However, I would have liked a little more weight on the swing. Something around 328-330 would have been perfect. It wouldn’t have needed lead tape and if you wanted a lighter balance in the head, you could have added a leather handle. The downside is that some players might find the swing more difficult, but the increased stability might be worth it. Aside from the weight of the swing, I like this tennis racket. It’s not for me, but I like to imagine that I’m Rafa Nadal sometimes. I’d like to put a little warning about the stiffness. It’s lower than before, but it’s still high and therefore something to be aware of. A multifilament or hybrid configuration will not suit this racket as it will become too much of a rocket launcher. You’ll probably go around adjusting your strings throughout the session. Therefore, use a softer polyester and try to find a good tension. I think 24-25 kg works well, but you may have to ask your elbow first.