After playing with the Babolat Pure Aero 98 (2026) for a while, it quickly became clear that this is one of the most fun racquets I’ve ever used. Babolat has improved an already great frame so that it feels faster, more explosive, and more complete on the court.
The most noticeable thing about the first few rallies is how easy it is to get a lot of spin and speed. The Aero line has always been known for being good at spinning, but the 2026 version feels like a real step forward. The ball seems to jump off the strings with a lot of energy, which lets you take hard cuts while still keeping the ball inside the lines.
The new Babolat Pure Aero 2026 racquets (gen 9) is now available from Tennis Warehouse (North America) and from Tennis Warehouse Europe (use code TNERD10 for a 10% discount) and Tennis Only (Australia).
Power and Spin
The Pure Aero line has always been known for spin-heavy tennis, and the Pure Aero 98 (2026) does a great job of keeping that tradition alive. The racquet makes great spin and depth, so you can hit aggressive shots with confidence.
With this frame, topspin forehands feel especially dangerous. The ball leaves the stringbed with speed and spin, making heavy, dipping shots that push opponents back behind the baseline. This makes it very easy to hit groundstrokes that go through the net while still having room to play.
The racquet’s ability to spin also helps serves. When you commit to the swing, kick serves jump high and wide, slice serves move smoothly through the court, and flat serves have a lot of speed.
In general, the racquet works best for players who speed up the racquet head and use a modern swing path.
Feel and feedback
The feel of the 2026 Pure Aero 98 is one of the most obvious improvements. Some of the older Aero models felt a little stiff or disconnected, but this one feels more polished and in control.
There is better feedback when you hit touch shots like drop shots, angles, and volleys. The racquet still has the explosive power that comes with an Aero frame, but the better feel makes it easier to control and have fun with during long rallies.
Control
When you hit with topspin, the racquet usually gives you good control. But there is one small downside: flatter hitters may sometimes see the ball go long.
If you don’t add enough spin to the ball, flatter drives can sometimes go a little higher than you expect because the racquet gives them so much power and spin.
That being said, once you change the way you swing and get used to how the racquet spins, the control becomes very easy to understand.
Maneuverability and Stability
Despite being a 98 sq in players-style frame, the Pure Aero 98 feels very quick through the air. The aerodynamic beam design helps the racquet accelerate easily, allowing players to generate plenty of racquet-head speed.
At the same time, it feels stable when facing heavy shots. During rallies against big hitters, the racquet holds up well and produces a solid, confident response.
The combination of maneuverability and stability makes it comfortable in fast exchanges as well as extended baseline rallies.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Exceptional spin potential
- Easy access to power and depth
- Improved feel compared to earlier Aero models
- Very fun and exciting racquet to play with
- Excellent for aggressive baseline tennis
- Great performance on serves and heavy groundstrokes
Cons
- Flatter hitters may occasionally launch balls long
- Can feel slightly powerful if strung too loosely
- Requires confident swing speed to maximise control
How Does It Compare to the Pure Aero 98 (2023)?
The Pure Aero 98 (2023) was already one of the best racquets, and it became popular with advanced players who wanted a frame that was easy to spin and had a little more control than the standard Pure Aero 100.
The 2026 version, on the other hand, feels more like a real improvement than a complete redesign.
Better Feel
The biggest change is how it feels overall. The new version feels more connected and responsive, giving better feedback during contact and making it easier to hit touch shots.
More Stable
The 2026 model also feels a little more stable when there are a lot of baseline exchanges. It keeps up with the pace and gives a more calm response during aggressive rallies.
Faster in the Air
The new frame design looks like it moves a little faster through the air, which makes it easier for players to get more speed on their racquet heads. This adds to the racquet’s impressive ability to spin.
More polished response
Sometimes the 2023 version felt a little rough or too lively. The new model feels more stable and controlled, but it still has the power and spin that make the Aero line so popular.
What Didn’t Change
A lot of the main specifications are still the same, such as:
• Head size: 98 sq in
• Weight unstrung: 305 g
• Pattern of 16×20 strings
• Pure Aero DNA that focuses on spin
To put it another way, the 2026 version feels like a polished upgrade to the Pure Aero 98 (2023).
Final Verdict
The Babolat Pure Aero 98 (2026) is one of the most fun racquets I’ve used in a long time. It’s not often that you find a frame that has this much spin, power and feel and is still easy to use.
You might lose some control on flatter balls and see the ball sail long, but that’s the price you pay for the racquet’s explosive performance.
In general, this seems like a big step up from the last generation. Babolat has improved the feel, made it more stable, and kept the Aero series’ famous explosive spin.
The Pure Aero 98 (2026) is a great choice for aggressive baseline tennis players who want a racquet that makes them want to swing big and play attacking tennis. It’s also one of the most fun racquets you can put in your bag right now.
