Babolat gave us the opportunity to make our first test hours with the Pure Strike 2020 well before the release, for which we thank you! We were also able to test the previous Pure Strike, then launched as 'Project One7'. This review includes a comparison with that racket. We received a Pure Strike Team 2020 for this test session. This racket is a good 20 grams lighter than what I normally play with, but nevertheless gave an excellent impression of what the new Pure Strike series stands for.
Specifications Babolat Pure Strike Team 2020
Brand: Babolat Model: Pure Strike Team 2020 Head size: 100 sq/inch Weight: 285 grams Balance: 33.0 cm Stringing pattern: 16x19 Length: 27 inches RA: 72 (unstrung) Stringing: Babolat RPM Blast 1.25 , 22/21 kg
Tester
Name: Mike Playing strength: 4/4 Type of player: more classic player, flat groundstrokes, generates little spin. Had shoulder problems in the past. Player's racket history: Head Ti Fire, Babolat Pure Drive, Prince EXO3 Rebel Team, Wilson Steam 100 BLX2, Head Graphene Radical MP and the Prince Textreme Warrior 107 , among others. Recently started using the Diadem Elevate 98 .Updates
Babolat has integrated the C2 Pure Feel damping system into the frame for improved vibration damping. Control Frame Technology combines the stability of a classic frame with the dynamics offered by a rounder frame housing. All very nice words, but what it really comes down to is a clearly noticeable more stable playing feeling and better vibration damping.
Baseline
The racket is easy and quick to move from the baseline. The spinning potential is fine, but controlled. What actually struck me most was the improved stability. The racket offers a similar direct playing feeling as its predecessor, but feels more solid. The previous Pure Strike 16x19 aka Project One7 felt very direct in play, but could be a bit stiff on the arm on off-center hits. Although this new Pure Strike 2020 maintains a similar RA value (stiffness), it still feels more comfortable and cushioned! For an exact comparison, we will have to wait until mid-September 2019 when the Pure Strike 16x19 2020 (also a 98 sq/inch blade) will be released. The launch of this new Pure Strike 2020 will first take place with a Pure Strike 100 and Pure Strike Team in mid-August. Well, from the baseline this is a nice and controlled weapon, with still the necessary punching power. Now I expect to be able to hit even fuller balls with the Pure Strike 100, which is more in my own range in terms of weight. This Pure Strike Team was just a bit too light for me. What is already noticeable is the good update in vibration damping and stability.Service
This prototype of the new Pure Strike is very easy to move around when serving. The balls flew off my racket easily, and the serve was also great for slice or kick. All in all great!
Just
The net showed that the racket does not have the body and weight of my current racket. The racket is nice and stable once you get it behind the ball.
Power/control
In terms of power and control, the new Babolat Pure Strike 2020 is nicely balanced. On the one hand you have the power and 'open sweet spot' of a 100 sq/inch racket, on the other hand the slim frame offers enough feeling and touch. The improved stability of the racket means that it also performs well under pressure and is not quickly 'pushed away'. I do have higher expectations of the slightly heavier Pure Strike 100 and Pure Strike 16x19. I think that with these rackets it is even more noticeable how strong the update is in terms of stability and vibration damping. Nevertheless, a nice balance between power and control.
Comfort/arm-friendliness
The previous Pure Strike 2017 aka Project One7 was a tough frame with a very direct playing feel. With balls outside the sweet spot, this racket was more effective on the arm. Babolat definitely adds more comfort to the Pure Strike with this update. In terms of comfort, this racket does not compare to, for example, the new Wilson Clash series, but the Pure Strike is a different segment of rackets: slightly more control-oriented. The Pure Strike is not exactly an arm-friendly weapon, but it still offers good comfort for a racket that is heading towards the 'Tour' segment.Bottom line
Great update of the Pure Strike series from Babolat! I personally think the new cosmetics are cool, but apart from this personal note, the racket offers a more stable playing feeling and more vibration damping. This without denying the direct 'point and shoot' feeling of the Pure Strike. In my opinion, this makes the new Pure Strike series interesting for a wider audience!
The new Pure Strike 100 and Pure Strike 100 Team will be available in mid/end of August. The new Pure Strike 16x19 will follow in September 2019. These will of course be available in our webshop .