Babolat Pure Drive Review (2025)

Written by: Jonas Eriksson | January 30, 2025

The Babolat Pure Drive is an icon in the game. Is this power racquet still relevant after 30 years? Read or watch our Babolat Pure Drive Review.

The first edition of the Babolat Pure Drive was released in 1994 and was made famous by players like Carlos Moya, Kim Clijsters and Andy Roddick. Nowadays, you have Giovanni Mpetschi Perricard, Arthur Cazaux, Jordan Thompson and Fabio Fognini still endorsing the line on the ATP Tour. Players like Sofia Kenin and Yulia Putintseva use it on the WTA Tour.

What’s new?

The Babolat Pure Drive 2025 is the follow-up to the Pure Drive 2021. The main thing that Babolat has sought to work on is comfort. They have introduced the NF2-Tech, which worked so well for the Babolat Pure Aero 2023. They also seemed to have reduced the stiffness a tad. The racquet overall feels more gentle on the arm and also more forgiving when you hit outside the sweet spot.

What’s still there is FSI Power tech, which is supposed to assist in transferring more energy to the ball (the Pure Drive is all about power, after all). And the HTR system, which is supposed to stiffen the hoop for better stability and power.

In terms of feel, it is a tad more dampened than the previous generation.

Video review

We made a video review on our YouTube channel also dealing with the Babolat Pure Drive 98.

Specifications

Head Size: 100 in² / 645.16 cm²
Length: 27in / 68.58cm
Strung Weight: 11.2oz / 318g
Balance: 12.99in / 32.99cm / 4 pts HL
Swingweight: 317
Stiffness: 68
Beam Width: 23mm / 26mm / 23mm
Composition: Graphite
Power Level: Low-Medium
Stroke Style: Medium-Full
Swing Speed: Medium-Fast
Racquet Colors: Blue
Grip Type: Babolat Syntec Pro
String Pattern:
16 Mains / 19 Crosses
Mains skip: 7T,9T,7H,9H

Performance and playability

Right from the first hit, you notice that Pure Drive playability. Easy power, large sweet spot, stable at the net. Just a joy to play with. Okay, it’s not your finesse frame. If I want to hit deft drop volleys and caress the ball, I play better with my old Prestige. But when I am trading strokes with strong players from the back of the court, few racquets help me stay in the rally and be dangerous more than the Pure Drive.

I am always a little worried that the high stiffness will be felt in my arm, but I have hit with this one on and off for months with various string setups and tensions and not experience any discomfort. Of course, any frame can be harsh with 30 kg of Luxilon 4G, but with a sensible setup – no concerns. I have used semi-firm polyester strings at 53/51 lbs (24/23 kg) and not been bothered a bit. My Pure Aero 98 is softer on paper, but the smaller head size and denser pattern make that a little firmer with a similar setup.

The Pure Drive shines on the serve. Duh! some tennis nerds will cry out. Everyone knows the PD is a serving machine. But it’s worth reiterating. I cannot get the annoying shape and spin on the ball that I can with the Aero, but the flat power is quite addictive. It can be used efficiently for some serve and volley. An be an excellent doubles racquet.

Sure, the downside with the Pure Drive will always be control. If you are giving the player explosive power, it is up to him or her to control that power. Either with impeccable timing or by applying loads of top spin and going for bigger targets. The explosive power can sometimes feel like too much and I don’t feel like this is less powerful than the predecessor.

Overall, a super fun racquet, which is the one I have used the most of all the test racquets I have had for January 2025. It’s just so easy to pick up and play and I feel it makes me a more dangerous player when I meet strong opposition. You have to stay up on your stringing, though, because when the string gets a bit mushy, the ball can start spraying.

Pros and Cons

The pros and cons of the Pure Drive are kind of obvious after the above paragraphs, but here they are in short form.

+ Power

+ Sweet spot

+ Improved comfort

— Control

Who is it for?

The Babolat Pure Drive works well for aggressive baseliners who want to dictate and prefer to get some assistance from the racquet. An aggressive and relatively flat-hitting striker will love it, though.

This racquet will not work as well for control freaks or players who want maximum spin potential.

Overall, it is a versatile racquet, so anyone who could love it, but those are my estimations of the demographic.

Where to buy it?

If you want to buy the new Babolat Pure Drive when it is released, please consider doing so from our friends at Tennis Warehouse (US, Canada), Tennis Warehouse Europe or Tennis Only (AU). You can of course also check it out at Amazon or your local tennis shop. We get a small commission if you purchase anything from the links above, so we appreciate it if you do that (but no pressure :)).

Summary

This Babolat Pure Drive review was not a surprise to me. I had a feeling the NF2-tech would improve the Pure Drive and I am glad my intuition was right. If you like a more raw feel, the predecessor might work better for you, but if you appreciate comfort and a more forgiving sweet spot, this is the one for you.

I have been using the Aero 98 in matches in recent months, but this has tempted me. The flat power was always something I enjoyed from racquets like the Yonex Ezone 100 and the Dunlop FX 500, but this one is the current favorite in the category.

Have you tried the Babolat Pure Drive 2025 (11th Gen)? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

One comment

  1. As always, a good review by TennisNerd. I have an Ezone 100 but will definitely get the new Pure Drive as well.

    Seems the launch angle is suited also for flatter hitters. This is why I love the Ezone 100. Do you think the launch angle between the Pure Drive and Ezone 100 differ? Do you feel any difference in how the racquet suits your OHBH? Some say the the Isometric head shape , especially on thick beamed racquets, can sometimes make it a tad more difficult to handle….?

Jonas Eriksson

Jonas has been known as "tennis nerd" mainly for his obsessing about racquets and gear. Plays this beautiful sport almost every day.