Overall, the Babolat Pure Drive stands out as the best all-round tennis racquet. Its perfect blend of power, spin, and control/touch cements its status as the top choice for players seeking a versatile and high-performance tool on the court. Show The PD has more power, serves better, and is easier to finish off points with. If you’re a thumper that likes to drive the ball, hit winners, create errors, and end points quickly, you will probably like the PD more. The PA 2023 is less polarized, gets more spin, is easier to volley with, and has more control. If you’re a baseline grinder that uses a lot of spin or an all-courter, you will probably like the PA more. If you are a power baseliner that likes to overwhelm opponents with heavy topspin, you would probably like the PA 2019 best. If you want something between the PD 2021 and the PA 2023, the PA 98 might fit the bill. It’s easier to flatten the ball out with than the PA 2023 but spins and volleys better than the PD. Demo if you can. Your preference should become obvious very quickly.
The PD has more power, serves better, and is easier to finish off points with. If you’re a thumper that likes to drive the ball, hit winners, create errors, and end points quickly, you will probably like the PD more. The PA 2023 is less polarized, gets more spin, is easier to volley with, and has more control. If you’re a baseline grinder that uses a lot of spin or an all-courter, you will probably like the PA more. If you are a power baseliner that likes to overwhelm opponents with heavy topspin, you would probably like the PA 2019 best. If you want something between the PD 2021 and the PA 2023, the PA 98 might fit the bill. It’s easier to flatten the ball out with than the PA 2023 but spins and volleys better than the PD. Demo if you can. Your preference should become obvious very quickly.
If you are using a PD I assume you don't suffer from arm issues but a 23 PA should feel more comfortable on your arm as the new NF2-Tech seems to work as the 23 PA is definitely more comfortable than the 2019 PA.
Thank you very much for the review JD! I got on well with the Pure Drive but was looking for something a bit more 'competitive' and switched to the Boom Pro. That extra 10 grams of weight in a tight match makes it felt too much though. Do you think the Pure Aero 98 could be a good compromise? Sorry for my English..
Hi. I’m not sure what you mean by “competitive,” but if you want something that’s easier to use than the PD with more control, then the 2023 PA would be it. It has less power, a lower SW, and is more maneuverable. The PA 2023 does everything well but nothing outstanding. I ended up adding a bit of weight to the hoop to increase stability. The PA 98 is definitely not easier to use. It is heavier and has a smaller sweet spot than either of the other 100 sq in Babolats. If you want easy to use, a big sweet spot, and lots of control with good spin in a similar style 100 frame, check out the Speed MP. The control and consistency are great. The trade off is a definite drop in power compared to the Babolats.
The PA 98 is definitely not easier to use. It is heavier and has a smaller sweet spot than either of the other 100 sq in Babolats. If you want easy to use, a big sweet spot, and lots of control with good spin in a similar style 100 frame, check out the Speed MP. The control and consistency are great. The trade off is a definite drop in power compared to the Babolats.Many thanks JD. By competitive I meant more 'agonistic' than pure drive. Something that would give me a bit more comsistance and precision. Do you think the pure aero 100 is the right one? Is the pure aero 98 too difficult compared to e.g. the Head boom pro? Thanks!
Speed MP is the most centrally specced racket out there. Try it and see what you want more of. If it's more power, go back to the Pure Drive. Speed MP is softer and more controlled than both Babolats. If you're dead set on Babolat, demo the PA100. It's less powerful than the PD, less stiff, a little whippier.
First off let's correct some potential misinformation: The PA 2023 is less polarized has a lower SW and is more maneuverable. At an average of 322 strung swing weight (per TWU), the PA23 has a higher strung swing weight than the '21 PD (at 320), and as such, is likely more polarized, not less -- polarization being how much mass is located towards the poles, or ends, of the racquet. This would make the PA23 less longitudinally maneuverable than the PD. That said, it would be more laterally maneuverable, as it has a lower twist weight (14.6 vs the PD at 15.6) and its beam is sharper-edged, which will be a bit more aerodynamic (as the name "Aero" would imply), so it will tend to cut through the air a bit more efficiently, at least from face-on. With that out of the way, the rest of the advice is fairly accurate, but the PA23 won't be any more or less "competitive" than the PD based on just comparing specs. They'll both provide a roughly similar level of top-end competitive capability, which will fluctuate based on your technique and play style. If you're looking for something that is out-and-out more potentially competitive (which usually means enhanced control, without sacrificing too much power), I would suggest trying to get your hands on a Pure Drive 98. It will play more true to what you're used to, and give you more free power than a Pure Aero 98, while being only slightly less controlled, if any less controlled at all. Last edited: Oct 19, 2023
The PD has more power, serves better, and is easier to finish off points with. If you’re a thumper that likes to drive the ball, hit winners, create errors, and end points quickly, you will probably like the PD more. The PA 2023 is less polarized, gets more spin, is easier to volley with, and has more control. If you’re a baseline grinder that uses a lot of spin or an all-courter, you will probably like the PA more. If you are a power baseliner that likes to overwhelm opponents with heavy topspin, you would probably like the PA 2019 best. If you want something between the PD 2021 and the PA 2023, the PA 98 might fit the bill. It’s easier to flatten the ball out with than the PA 2023 but spins and volleys better than the PD. Demo if you can. Your preference should become obvious very quickly.Totally agree with everything here (except possibly which has more control.) I have very recently gone back to the PD and it is that ability to nail winners and flatten out a bit that I'm really appreciating.
The PA 2023 will definitely be easier to use and will have more control than the PD with the same string at the same tension. The solution for me was to use a lower powered string (TB) strung on the high side (55 lbs) with the PD. I have the control I need but still the power to finish points easily. Everyone’s arm won’t be able to tolerate this set up, though. If you still want more control after experimenting with string set ups in the PD, then definitely try the PA 2023. It will give you more precision and control. It’s still a fairly high powered frame designed for a big spin game. If you find you want even more precision and control, then check out the Speed MP. Trip, we both know specs don’t tell the whole story. They don’t give a precise depiction of weight distribution, location of flex, size and location of the sweet spot, or racquet face consistency. The only true test of how a frame hits is on the court. The PA 2023 is easier to swing and more maneuverable than the PD 2021 and has less power. It still has a lot of power, though, and works better for big spin hitters. The PD 98 swings like a log and is definitely not easy to use. It is very rewarding if you can handle it and want a lot of power with decent control, but it is stifffff. I agree, Ross, the PA line isn’t designed for those looking to flatten out the ball and hit winners. The PD is, but needs the right string/tension for good control.
100% agree that specs alone don't tell the whole story. I've swung and played both a decent amount, but would disagree that the PA23 is that much easier to swing. If anything, I think they're about equal. But I guess that's the beauty of personal interpretation. We can agree to disagree there. As for other aspects of the frame, they are less related to ease-of-swing, though your assertions about them are nonetheless relevant overall. What is the best tennis racket in 2023?The best tennis rackets in 2023. Yonex VCore 100, $259.. The Blade 98 features a new layup, improving stability and delivering a more connected-to-the-ball feel popular with aggressive players and precise hitters. ... . Wilson Blade 98 V8 Tennis Racket (unstrung), $245.. Tecnifibre T-Fight ISO Tennis Racquet Series, $249.. Is there a Pure Drive 2023?BABOLAT Pure Drive Team 2023 Tennis Racquet Specifications: Playability: The Pure Drive Team 2023 is a great option for the Advanced tournament players looking for control-oriented racquet. Do any pros use the Babolat Pure Drive?Babolat Pure Drive racquets are endorsed on tour by Karolina Pliskova, Fabio Fognini, Garbine Muguruza, Julia Goerges, and Bob and Mike Bryan. It is one of the most popular tennis racquets for professionals, college players, and recreational players as well. |
