The Babolat Pure Strike Tour is a lethal weapon for the attacking player. This 2nd generation Pure Strike packs power, precision, but lacks some feel.
Before I move on with this Babolat Pure Strike Tour racquet review I want to thank All Things Tennis for the demo racquet. Since I have difficulty getting demo racquets from Babolat, it is great to have an alternative. If you purchase a racquet from All Things Tennis you can use the code TENNISNERD and get 5% off on your purchase.
The Babolat Pure Strike Tour took a break for the 2nd generation of the Pure Strike but is now back in generation number 3. And we should be happy it is back because it actually plays like a proper weapon for advanced players. Power, precision, stability, they’re all there. The missing ingredient is the feel and that is likely due to the dampening tech involved in making this racquet more comfortable.
Babolat Pure Strike Tour – Specs and Tech
The Babolat Pure Strike Tour comes with the following unstrung specs:
Weight: 320 grams
Head size: 98 sq inches
Balance: 31.5 cm or 9 pts HL
Stiffness: 68-ish
Swing weight: 300
String pattern: 16×19
Grip: Synthetic
I strung the racquet with Babolat RPM Blast at 24 kg / 54 lbs and added an overgrip. The strung specs were:
341 grams, 32.2 cm balance (6-7 pts HL) and a swing weight of 343.
The racquet comes with Control Frame Technology which is: “Developed to ensure maximum control, this technology combines the stability of a square beam frame with the dynamism of a regular elliptic structure.”
And C2 Pure Feel which Babolat describes like this: “Powered by SMAC, this is the latest generation of the Pure Feel technology, a cutting-edge vibration filtration lay-up system that brings a pure feel on every shot.”
Read about the new Pure Strike on Babolat’s official website.
How does it play?
Like most Babolat racquets, the Pure Strike Tour packs a lot of power and spin. Compared to the Aero and Drive series, the Strike is more about directional control and less about spin, which makes it more suitable for players who hit flatter shots. It really is a series perfectly suited to aggressive baseliners.
The Tour version is stable, powerful and precise. It allows you to really go for the lines and attack the ball with aggression and intent. I liked it a lot from the back of the court but struggled with touch shots. The feeling is a bit too muted and you lose the ball a bit on drop shots and touch volleys. The comfort is improved over the previous version, but you need to be careful when you work with dampening technology so you don’t lose that precious connection to the ball.
If it had offered a bit better touch, I would seriously have considered this as a racquet of choice because it is a lot of fun to hit with and I really enjoyed hitting with it. But I just like a bit more feel. This does not mean that a lot of players won’t fall in love with this racquet. If you like a bit of extra weight and want to really make the ball explode on impact – the Pure Strike Tour is a must demo.
7 comments
Great review Jonas! Was wondering if you could give more details on how the Strike Tour compares to the latest Vcore Pro 97 330? What would have more power and would be easier to use? Also, which do you prefer of the two? Thanks!
Interesting! I’m getting addicted to the heavy RF97 but I suspect this is because I grew up with the old school technique with not so much open stance and high racquet speed. Trying to re-learn and switch to modern mechanics so a faster stick with the same feel sounds good. At least until I have increased muscle mass to > Nadal levels :)
Anyone tried the 315 gram Pro Staff 97 ?
Is it like the autograph or something different?
@Hans
I have one “standard” (315 gm) Pro Staff 97 in the 2018-19 black on black colorway.
I really like the stick: stiffness, ball feel (where it is on the stringbed), power is all great for my game.. I just wish it was 18×20. I have one Ultra Tour which supplies the string pattern I prefer but it’s a little soft for me.
The Pure Strike 18×20 is like a blend of the two. You may prefer the 2017 gen (still available) over the 3rd gen as it is pre C2 Pure Feel, but either way it’s a frame that you might like if you are a fan of the Pro Staff line. And, yes, I’m switching , or at least, “cohabitating” with my trusty Tfight 315 XTC Ltd. 18×20, my current primary weapon.
(me: I’m a former 5.0+ getting back into the game after a couple decades away.)
/Acey
Thank for the info! The spec of Pro Staff 315g says Counterveil. Is the response not muted compared to the autograph?
I now have a Pure Strike 16×19 on order. I hope I get to try it before i die in CV19…
I guess I can customize a bit with strings and balance. Starting with Luxilon Alupower at 24kg.
I can’t seem to decide what I like. I like all racquets in some way it seems and I now have a bag full of different ones.
Surprisingly, Wilson Clash was the only disappointment so far.
@Hans
Don’t confuse yourself: they still had the “standard” 315 gm Pro Staff 97 without Countervail, which is what I have. fwiw, I’d heard Wilson was dropping the CV version in 2020, which doesn’t break my heart in the least. When real players hit a crappy, off-center ball we want it to *feel* like a crappy, off-center ball, am I right ?
/Acey
I’m with you with the “feel it all” strategy. I never really thought I would like RF97 much but figured it would be a good training tool to practice precision. Now, I can’t stop playing with it even though I can really feel the effect on my arm after an intensive session.
I have only played with one CV racquet but it was the SW104 autograph so it’s not a normal stick. I can’t make it work well but I keep trying every now and then because it serves like a monster compared to everything else I tried.
Confusing with the changes between model years and the lack of info around it.
I have now played a bit with the Pure Strike.
Very easy transition from Pro Staff and I felt right at home. More plush feel. Maybe a bit more power and not quite the same connection.