Babolat Pure Drive 2018 Tennis Racquet
Select 2 Day Racquet Shipping at checkout.
Babolat introduces a new 2018 update to the iconic Pure Drive. Babolat's new updated version of the Pure Drive provides a newly improved vibration dampening system known as Cortex Pure Feel. The new Cortex Pure Feel technology offers better vibration dampening thanks to new material integrated into the graphite of the racquet. This helps provide pristine sound and a more direct feel during ball contact.
Like previous generations of the Pure Drive, the racquet will keep its anti-twisting Elliptical Frame Shape which allows for ample power within the frame. Woofer technology is also integrated into the new 2018 frame. Babolat's Woofer technology allows strings to interact more with the ball upon impact, giving more stringbed snap-back resulting in added spin. Babolat updates their FSI technology, with wider spacing to go with diamond shape grommet holes. This will allow more forgiveness and additional power on each hit.
To go with the technology updates, Babolat gave the 2018 Pure Drive an updated paint scheme with a light blue and white look. Overall, the new 2018 model is a fantastic update to the Pure Drive series, serving as a versatile power racquet with a comfortable, controllable feel.
For Optimal String Performance Babolat Recommends:
- Durability: Babolat RPM Blast
- Playability: Babolat Xcel
Item #: 101334
- Racquet Specifications
- Headsize:100 sq. in.
- Length: 27.00 in.
- Weight (strung): 11.2 oz.
- Stiffness (Babolat RDC): 71
- Balance: 13 in. Head Light (4pts)
- Cross Section: 23/26/23mm
- Swingweight: 325 kg*sq. cm
- String Pattern: 16x19
- Grip: Babolat Syntec Pro
- Stringing Tips: Two piece racquet. Main String Skips: Throat: 7,9 | Head: 7,9
Cortex Pure Feel Technology
Babolat’s Cortex Pure Feel is powered by SMAC: better vibration dampening thanks to new material integrated in the graphite of the racquet that provides an incredible sound and more direct feel during the game.
FSI Technology
Babolat created a higher sweetspot on the string bed for additional power and comfort in the hitting zone. Frame String Interaction technology is located in the hoop of the racquet, allowing the ball to stay on the stringbed 25% longer than traditional racquets.
GT Technology
Babolat’s GT technology was implemented to provide ideal stability at ball impact. With GT technology, the frame is strengthened which reduces the torque, allowing for great precision. The additional rigidity through GT technology provides ultimate control and additional power.
Elliptical Geometry
Babolat’s elliptical frame shape is designed specifically to eliminate any added weight, frame twisting or racquet bending.
Woofer System
Babolat’s Woofer system is the first and most effective frame to string linking system. This technology allows for longer ball and string contact time, creating maximum comfort and greater control.
Evo Beam
Unique frame thickness that gives the racquet less torque at ball contact, creating a livelier clean response
- Overall Rating: 5.0 / 5.0
- Write a Review
Great customer service to go along with a great racquet!
Love this racquet
Incredible racquet. Light enough to be able to whip it Rafa style but firm enough to hit heavy topspin and have a great response from the racquet. I’m a heavy topspin hitter and just switched to it after using the Pure Drive Roderick for 15 years. Wish I would’ve switched to it 15 years ago.
Great racket! Excellent control; just the right amount of weight and stiffness. Couldn't be happier.
Easy Power
I like the power the Pure Drive adds to my game. It also allows for easy topspin, in order to reign in the power as needed. I can easily absorb pace from my opponent and put it back at them with additional pace. Very stable in all aspects of my game, great power on the serve.
Great Racquet
Improved feel, power, and control. Nice color/design.
Consistent Quality
A well designed frame that delivers desired power and control on ground strokes, serves, and volleys.
True Pure Drive
Lots of power and spin brought about by a very muted and dampened feel.
Great racquet!!
Have had a Wilson for years but this racquet helps me gain some power and still have control ! Highly recommend
My 20 year old daughter decided to demo this racket after seeing so many WTA and ATP using it. Its different than all of her previous rackets which had smaller beams. She is a college player UTR 10.5. People talk about the power of this racket but its actually not all that powerful. If you read the specs it says low/medium power. It feels so light when you swing it that I think people just swing it faster than they realize and therefor get more pace or spin. Ive asked my daughter if she feels like she gets more pace compared to her Radicals and she said she doesn't really notice more pace but she feels she defiantly gets better spin. Ive hit with the racket and I really like it as well, Its completely different than my rackets which have smaller heads and thinner beams but it feels great in my hands. It feels half the weight when you swing it compared to other rackets with similar weight. She loves it on serve. I haven't really served with it. Its an expensive racket. All of her previous rackets were around $100. This is more than double that but she gets a very significant discount from Babolat due to her being a college player. As far as stiffness being an issue on the arm. Its only untrained players that complain about stiffness because they aren't hitting the ball in front of their bodies. Any racket will hurt your arm if you play tennis for 20 years and hit the ball at the side of your body.
Take this over the earlier update
This is my third Pure Drive generation. I started with the pre-2015 version. It worked well for me despite providing more power than feel or control. Unfortunately, the power to weight ratio of the 2015 update wasn't right for me, and it didn't offer better feel or control. In fact, it seemed sloppy. So, I kept playing with the earlier version. Finally, the 2018 version arrived, and it is perfect. The necessary power was so thoroughly restored, the feel was so significantly improved and the control was so greatly enhanced that this racquet now is peerless.
Racquet Upgrade
I recently switched from previous Pure Drive frame to the new 2018 model. The control and spin potential with this frame is a step above the previous version. Better control and accuracy on ground strokes. The racquet is perfectly balanced. I have honestly tested seven other frames but no other frame felt as comfortable.
Perfect
bought 2 for my teen, and he loves it.
Trading in my Wilson ProStaff 97 for this one!
I strung this racquet with gut on the mains and poly on the crosses. Wow this racquet have an awesome balance of power and spin. I'm a 3.5 player, but was playing like a 4.0 with this racquet.
Excellent Racquet
I'm in love with the 2018 Babolat Pure Drive. I like everything about the racquet. This racquet has a lot of power and control.
Nice racquet
I was playing with the Babolat Pure Areo, and I like this racquet better. I did go with a 1/4 smaller grip (it fits my hand better). It produces a fair amount of spin and has nice control and power. I'm thinking of buying a second one for a backup.
Nice update
I like this racquet when use it hit to the first ball. I have used my 2015 version pure drive for many years, and the 2018 version really make difference. No hesitation, update your pure drive!
Best racquet
The last model was perfect but this is a notch up just as much of that same power with more control
