Babolat Pure Drive 2021 Tennis Racquet Review and Playtest Verdict

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

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[@sportscastercanada]

You know what I like about the 2021 rackets? The 2020 rackets go on sale.

[@ronaldhuang2053]

Lol u know what I like about 2022 rackets?

[@fixfamily]

Yes, I'm trying to justify the price difference (nearly double). Are the new upgrades of the pure drive worth the price difference? I'm coming from a 10 year old racket so not sure what to buy. Any thoughts please?

[@sportscastercanada]

@@fixfamily I’m sure the last few generations of pure drives are very adequate and much cheaper than the new models. Coming from a ten year old racket, it can only be better! Check the specs of your old racket and compare it to clearance models. Weight? Stiffness? String pattern? The lighter or mid plus models are usually cheaper, but you can always add weight. The multifilament strings are the best overall value.

[@fixfamily]

@@sportscastercanada thanks for that. That's very helpful!

[@kabir.dhingra]

@@ronaldhuang2053 There will not be a 2022. It’s 3 year incriminates.

[@alexgrant4864]

Like the no bs review. All pros and cons have been considered.

[@mauricioreginato]

Pure drive is super versatile when it comes to strings. You can change its behaviour hugely just by changing strings and tension, that's why we have so many different opinions about it.

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

True

[@Daniel-rk3vf]

Nice review guys. Wish I had your ground strokes! Simon - I saw what you did there at 7:57 👍🏻

[@g.michos]

This racquet might actually be one of the best racquets I've ever played with

[@canas888]

I can agree on that

[@H4veS0meH3art]

Same!

[@D4rkM4773r]

Got this racquet recently. Love it, the tech built into it for control and feel is impressive. You won’t be hitting the fastest but you will be hitting accurately. Fully agree sweet spot is small and this is by no means a beginner racquet, you must have precision in mind.

[@BullyGarfield.]

@@D4rkM4773r the pure drive is not made for control. i bet my pro staff 97 is more control oriented. the pure drive is made for power and forgiveness. it might be more control oriented than like a big bubba but it’s not control oriented.

[@amardilloamarillo7681]

Same for me

[@rainbowracquets2670]

I really like it and feel it gives me way more confidence, control and power, feels really solid. On power?.....for me it felt really powerful when hit on the sweet spot. It was much easier to hit very strong serve return, feels like it is quite good in absorbing strong serve and when well timed was able to produce really strong return without putting a lot of effort . For those who feels like they need more power(i didn't) prerhaps play with diferent strings and tensions which is probably as important as the frame. So for me ...feels more solid and precise and provides a lot of control i love it, only had it for a week before this lockdown which is really annoying because i want to do more playing with it.

[@tiendzung541]

I agreed with you on this, I’ve played with this racquet for a week now and it seems pretty powerful. It has lots of spin potential and the launching angle was great also. It gives me great controlled depth on both swings and also on the slices. The dampening feature is good for the arms but it mutes the racquet quite a bit.

[@Editor_Hound]

Quite interesting that this newer version of the Pure Drive feels softer than the Aero, since per specs the Drive maintains it's 71 stiffness rating, while the Aero is listed at 67. It means they might have tweaked a lot with the frame in some shape of form.

[@allenrodgers1577]

I’d like to see a video of your favorite rackets you use and own

[@mollyseymour10]

Brilliant review as always. I’m currently using the pure drive as I’ve just switched from the aero, if you want more power I would recommend stringing it with Babolat’s rpm power string you get crazy amounts of power with that string. However you do lose a lot of spin so my forehand topspin I used to have has nearly gone but I can flatten the ball and create more winners. The string is still good with a backhand slices which is good many thanks as always TTT 💖

[@rubeneliasdabdoubramos3625]

One of the best reviews about the Pure drive 👍👍👍

[@florian6138]

Simon casually hitting a forehand slice on his backhand side👀 0:14

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

🤣 good eye

[@leop7241]

Lol it was a clean shot as well

[@jandroid33]

So if you wanted more power from the racket wouldn't you just need to decrease the string tension? To like 23 kg instead of 25?

[@deuxbaone1025]

I’m surprised that you have found this new version of the pure drive have less power than the pure aero ! I ve been playing with the latest version of the pure aero for two years and juste made the switch for this one and to me , that’s all the way around. I have more power with this new pure drive knowing that I string this one at 22kg while i use to string the pure aero at 20 /21 kg ! Just drop the tension and I m pretty sure you ll enjoy this raquet way more 😉🎾🏏!

[@dmf30]

Pure drives play differently with different strings. Put a hybrid in and it will have more power especially with gut on the mains That’s my preferred setup

[@Lanky009]

what about rpm blast?

[@dmf30]

@@Lanky009 too stiff for my old body in a full bed. but rpm blast in a hybrid set up at say 48 should be a good set up. i had used that before. rpm doesn’t hold tension well though

[@Lanky009]

I just got rpm hurricane strings at 52 on a brand new pd , they are suited for spin not power so maybe I should go lower tension next time

[@dmf30]

@@Lanky009 also try a hybrid. You can use a gut in the main ( or cross) but suggest for spin the poly is in the crosses. Or hybrid it with a nice multi such as Head Velocity MLT which is a nice string and relatively inexpensive

[@vonanthony1942]

You're tension is probably too high especially using signum pro poly plasma. I string mine at 48 pounds or 50 pounds and the power is there. Just saying

[@lloydryandavid7820]

Very helpful review! Very timely for me too since I’m currently looking for a new racket!

[@rikmcdik6662]

I’ve always had trouble choosing between the aero and drive models. They both suit my game well in different ways.

[@pleaseenteraname1103]

I agree personally I prefer the pier strike over the pier Drive in the pier arrow.

[@mini10s]

HNE TTT !🎆 The plus model’s a nice option for added power on serves and ground strokes.

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

What do you think of the new Babolat Pure Drive 2021?

[@canas888]

@@williamsannuto8239 have you tried it? Ive been playing with babolat for 27 years and no problems whatsoever. And this one ist the best one so far

[@canas888]

@@williamsannuto8239 i guess thiem and nadal are then some mediocre intermediate players :)

[@neilhyman8165]

Have been a long time (15+ years) Aero Pro Drive and then Pure Aero player. Tried several times over the years but could never connect with the Pure Drive. That is until this version. The 2021 PD is not as harsh as previous versions and has a good stable feel. I did not perceive any loss of spin over the Pure Aero and find the PD 2021 more stable at the net and despite the comparable swingweight, seems to come around faster; not sure why but I like it. I like the additional power it provides on serves and serve returns and backhand slices with this stick are great. Been playing with it now for three months and love it. I'm a 4.0 NTRP level player and I string with Hyper-G 17ga at 52lbs...

[@willecutlip]

@@neilhyman8165 52 seems very low (?) Can you explain your reasoning? Thanks in advance for your response! 🙏🏻

[@peterochester2320]

@@neilhyman8165 72 RA + full poly. Hope you are young.

[@GlennReschke]

Great job. I was going to buy this but I think I will look at the Babolat Pure Drive Plus instead as I want some plough through and power in addition to control. Again, great review guys and thank you.

[@91amh]

Best one is the 2003 version. Played with one as a junior, picked one up recently and it’s bliss... free easy power and still decent control

[@pilroone]

I still play with one 2003 model and another with the 1st version cortex. Going to try the new model and a Strike also and see.

[@69srayner]

likewise, Andy Roddick version, hard to beat, that racquet's a gem

[@johnp1]

I was hoping they'd compare this racquet with the older model. I tried this version but I like mine (probably 2003 version) better. I've been wondering whether it's because of the string that came with the demo racquet.

[@CP-ym9eh]

You guys think that the tour version might be a better racket? Seems like it will fit the gaps of the shortfall of the standard version.

[@ollie1471]

How would you compare this to the ezone tour?

[@arrnavvchawla5260]

Hi. Wonderful Review. Makes me edge towards buying it 😂. Perfect timing you've got there. I'm looking for a new racquet. I would love it if you guys could create another awesome review on the Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13 or the Babolat Pure Strike.

[@arrnavvchawla5260]

Loved that left hand slice at kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYXQlmepe9x4d5o too, Simon. 👍 And I would also like to know that for your game, which racquet would you buy right now as per your preference, without any biases. Would love Alex to opine to on this. Thanks!

[@hansolsson3409]

Very nice review TTT! Thank you.

[@madscientist664]

A bit quick on the verdict me thinks. If one wants more power, just string differently. Or just play for two hours and let the strings loosen up a bit. Just adding a standard 3 gram dampener would increase swing weight enough to give noticeably more power. If that is not enough, then use a 6g dampener of two 3g ones. This is literally a 10 second modification. Then there is lead if one needs to go further. There are different racquet models for different levels of players for a reason. The heavier version of the Pure Drive will suit advanced players like Alex and Simon better. Alex has a slow swing speed style, which means a heavy racquet would normally be easy to work while transferring more energy into the ball.

[@harryedwards9318]

Hi I have this Racket and I totally agree with you guys . I find it a bland racket to play with , it’s smooth and solid with the best stroke being the backhand slice I’d really like to try some hi spin poly strings on mine hopefully it would put some life back in it Just wondering if anybody has any suggestions on the best spin string and what tension to try , I have a fast strike style but I’m struggling to get the ball to go over the net at a more forgiving height Thanks Harry

[@Lanky009]

the tenniscompanion channel review of this racquet says it's a powerhouse, they did a play test with RPM blast which you said was similar to yours so it's very confusing

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Compared to a Pure Aero this racket really doesn’t give you the same pop

[@SaptadipMalakarUEE]

It's so weird that some reviews say it has too much power and spin where this video says it has less power and spin.

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

It could be the tension we used 👍

[@SaptadipMalakarUEE]

@@TopTennisTrainingOfficial Okay, I hope with a lower tension the racquet would perform better in terms of power.

[@Dima-td9mi]

@@SaptadipMalakarUEE Wow I know this is very late but I took the babolat pure drive 2021 and the head radical mp as demos because I wanted to test them out. The strings were obviously just regular because it’s a demo racquet but the man who was helping me with the racquets said that the head provides more power and spin while babolat has control but after checking out a couple of vids they say that the babolat is very powerful and has a lot of spin which I did see when demoing it. It has only been a day of testing but I seem to like the head one much more because it present more power and spin, that may be because my previous racquet was head and I’m only 15 so I haven’t tried many racquets but ye that’s just my experience with the racquet.

[@PizzaPartify]

@@Dima-td9mi so the man helping you was wrong ?

[@devm1734]

It would be great to review the Tour version and see if that provides more benefits

[@justinlatimer326]

m a intermediate player looking to upgrade to the Pure Drive 100 or Yonnex Ezone 100. Which would you recommend and why? Thank you.

[@mgb9957]

did he play that point with left hand :) 4:50

[@michaelbrohl1625]

The racquet itself is only one part of the power, control, and comfort equation. The strings are every bit as important and allow for tuning the racquet to your preference.

[@martinrosemary5654]

Hello, Can somebody help me?, i bought the Pure Drive(strung) online today, i asked the tennis shop to measure the specs for me, according to them all specs are pretty much spot on except an extra 6g of weight, they told me balance is 32.5 mm( 7 pts head light) yet when i balance the throat of the racket on my finger it is pretty much evenly balanced, so no towards the head nor the handle.., does this mean the stated 32mm balance is incorrect?.. , by the way the strings are Rmp blast 17g whit an Wilson sensation overgrip , would really appreciate your opinions!

[@brandonward3998]

I have this racquet and the pure drive vs. personally I like the vs but both are great racquets I feel like I have more control and power with the vs but less spin. It’s a bit more expensive though but it feels higher quality.

[@joem2252]

Hey Simon and Alex, first of all, thanx for your great content! You're definitely the best Tennis-Channel on KZbin! I have a question for Alex, because he's saying he is using the Pure Aero. As someone who plays Tennis as good as you do, do you play the regular 300 g Version of the Pure Aero or do you play the heavier Pure Aero Tour Version (315 g I think)? Thank you guys! Greetings from Munich, Joe

[@ahrumnkim]

Appreciate your reviews! Can you please review on Yonex VCORE?

[@ginotashlambating9296]

Same observation here! Been using this racket for 7 months already but, this pure drive has lesser power compared to my aeropro drive.

[@megaswet]

Great review, thanks!

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Thank you for watching 👍 Are there any lessons you would like to see in the near future? All the best Simon

[@Alex-er7wu]

Hello! I bought a Babolat Pure Drive 2021 racket, weight 300g and strings Babolat RPM Blast Rough 1.25. Tell me which force to pull and do prestretch? I would like a good ball control

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Do you mean string tension?

[@Alex-er7wu]

@@TopTennisTrainingOfficialyes, string tension👍 How many kilograms?

[@williammolina9792]

@@Alex-er7wu 23 - 24 kilosgrams

[@prabalpaul9464]

For both single handed and double handed backhand?

[@tomzeto]

What is your string and tension recommendations for the pure aero if the player has issues with tennis elbow and carpel tunnel?

[@bipinkarki9664]

How do you compare with pure aero. Im confused with this version and aero 2019.

[@bbriann100]

Hi from Brazil! I am having some issues with my pure drive: very stiff, lack control. But I like the power and spin it gives me. What kind of racket I should look for? Babolat or other brand/model?

[@colinbyer3018]

4:56 is that a left hand forehand slice?! 😂😂

[@paulwal222]

Who needs footwork when you can just switch hands.

[@juliusbutcon7330]

How l wish l could have a racket like(just a dream)...being poor is very difficult to purchase a tennis racket like that sir... superb power racket...

[@andrewwinters2123]

Enjoyed your breakdown of this particularly the talk about how different styles of players will experience how the racquet plays.

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Thank you for watching 👍 Are there any lessons you would like to see in the near future? All the best Simon

[@7eevvan]

Just got this racket! How do you think it would suit me coming from using the 2015 version for the past 3 years?

[@Tennissensitive]

I love the PD Tour 2021

[@Dima-td9mi]

If you’ve tried the head radical mp 2021 how would you compare this racquet and the head one?

[@mauricioreginato]

Radical is totally control oriented. Pure Drive used to be very power oriented, but this last version it seems that its kind of balanced, between power and control. Cheers

[@jatuput1]

What is string is test Babolat pure drive 2021?? and How much tension

[@vijaydashore]

Hi .. Thanks for very nice review. I am using this racket from past 6 months. Initially it was generating good power but now i feel the shots are not going with that power. I use synthetic guts with 54 tension. Do you recommend to lower the tension to generate more power? If yes , what would be the tension you recommend

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

I would try with 50lbs or even 48 and see how it goes

[@leop7241]

I like the colour on the racket

[@ekysyafrianchannel]

What string do you use? And tension?

[@willecutlip]

How would taking the tension up to 58 change your thoughts about the racquet?

[@TheGroupli]

What string is used here? Thanks

[@karimeldinkamel6470]

For a tennis player , level 3, and uses one handed backhand , would you advise babolat pure drive team or head instinct s ???

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

We’d advise testing both and seeing for yourself which one is better

[@AARONAVIATION]

Canva is a very good thumbnail thing to use! Great! Learned a lot! I can’t get enough spin on my back hand and I have this racket.

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Glad you like it!

[@prabalpaul9464]

Can you review yonex vcore 95?

[@VincentDuxD]

Nice review, plz do more xD

[@pabace1420]

add some weight and lower the tension and see how powerful it can be...:)) this is what I suggest

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

👍

[@bajadrifter]

Which is the best racket is like asking which is the best sandwich? Too many different tastes. I use a Clash 98.

[@mattiastennis]

As long as there is no wheat or gluten in the sandwich and there is nice beetroot with kangaroo meat then its good to go!

[@hacken1983]

I have the similar opinions on the PD but I think 50% of the difference between the PD and PA could be explained by the ball's launch angle. After adding 4 grams to the head, the racquet has become a beast.

[@Lanky009]

hey man how did you do that to the PD?

[@bernadettedaly9548]

Hi guys just a quick question should you make contact on the backhand volley with the left hand on or with just one hand

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

You bring the racquet out to meet the ball with the left hand, but at contact you volley with one hand only and left hand goes back. If you are handling a super fast ball at the net some players volley with two hands as a block.

[@bernadettedaly9548]

Ok thanks as someone who hasn’t been volleying with one hand have you got any drills to help strengthen that hand so it won’t break down under pressure

[@santhoship2677]

Great review guys what racket do you guys normally use?

[@saltoncheese3655]

Hi I have been practising like I always have been for the past 4 years and for the past 3 months instead of improving like the usual I have been getting worst and worst till the point where I am struggling to hit a forehand. What might be some reasons to this because this is making me bored of tennis and I now want to quit

[@suwengu6335]

Can you do a review on Dunlop cx 200 tour 2021?

[@mattiastennis]

Dunlop CX200 + also. Would like to hear the opinions..

[@paulaakram3025]

Are you sure that the aero is stiffer than the drive? RA for aero is 67 while drive is 72!

[@markomlakar6863]

Will you do a review of Pro Staf v13 315g ?

[@drbookie2169]

very nice forehand simon

[@mattiastennis]

Out of interest, Did you like the Pure Strike 3rd generation more or less? Seeing as you are reviewing Babolat equipment might as well do Strike as well..

[@ivanpalaca6230]

You should do more racket review

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

We just filmed a bunch of new one's. Coming soon

[@ivanpalaca6230]

@@TopTennisTrainingOfficial highly requested . Both wilson blades v7 and v8 and the big 3 rackets and some past babolat pure drives please

[@euroclyde]

Does this mean they’ll be dumping the previous version soon??!?!?

[@bretts5571]

This is my kind of racquet

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

👍

[@enesfab]

Liked your swings Simon,make a video of you two playing a serious game 👋👋

[@khaz5928]

Nice swing!

[@LVLVLVLVLVLV]

New paint job only

[@kylebrackin268]

I agree, this version plays too muted and dead. The 2015 version was the last good pure drive in my opinion.

[@Ray_eddi]

Is it me.... or does that look like a real indoor tennis court?

[@PokeCourier]

if I close my eyes I'd think Nadal was playing

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Haha

[@prabalpaul9464]

Also yonex vcore 95 D

[@tennisdebali7632]

I dont see you have power in all department using this rackets, not like I usually seen you guys when training the balls powerful n superfast.

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Absolutely

[@eldartop1634]

So basically the verdict here: power racket is not a power racket, spin racket is a power racket.

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

🤣

[@itschris013]

No power? 🤣 Pass the racquet to me 😄

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

🤣

[@andreigandila6763]

It's a good racquet but you're not holding it correctly in your preparation stage for the one handed backhand 😂

[@adamsauve]

Demo'd this racket and I got awful power from it.

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Not a normal Babolat for sure

[@Dima-td9mi]

Same here but I think that’s because of the strings

[@Dima-td9mi]

I liked the head radical mp much more but that may be due to the strings idk it’s a hard decision.

[@soniaandre4568]

For women leftists, what is the best 4 1/8 handle babolat 2021 tennis racquet that’s not heavy??

[@rodctenis]

54-58! with a 70 stiffness. Man you want to destroy your arm.

[@ml_gamer8344]

It's the other way around, stiffer rackets allow for a lighter and easier swing due to more power transfer from the racket to the ball

[@rodctenis]

@@ml_gamer8344 I completely disagree with you. Stiffer rackets and strings cause arm injuries. That's why if there are arm issues the use of more flexible rackets and softer strings and lower tensions are recommended.

[@MyekalBenham]

The frame plays way more comfortable than the 70ra suggests. A lighter frame is better for some injuries and a heavier frame for others. This frame is great.

[@MiguelAcantaros]

I agree with you. I use a a 70-stiffness racquet with 44x42 lbs tension. It's also true that my timing is not even close to his: I'd surely destroy my arm.

[@rodctenis]

@@MiguelAcantaros I use the Pure Drive 2015 at 50lbs. I have a good technique and I don't have arm issues, but going up to 58 sounds scary for my arm and wrist.

[@muh.ridhofatoni4402]

you strung it too dense

[@michaelo.1320]

So you have no idea what you’re talking about, good to know

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

What makes you say that?

[@michaelo.1320]

@@TopTennisTrainingOfficial The pure drive is literally designed for more power over spin. You somehow came to the conclusion that the aero has more power which makes literally no sense.

[@Nicolae829]

a 6 and a 7 out of 10 for a new raquet= garbage :)