Executive Summary
The Babolat Pure Aero 98 is the precision variant of the Pure Aero family — it delivers the same spin identity as the standard Aero but adds control and feel for players who want to dictate exactly where the ball lands.
Key Characteristic: A tighter 16x20 string pattern and a thinner, more flexible beam distinguish the 98 from the standard 100. This combination produces a more muted, connected feel at contact — you sense the ball on the strings rather than it simply launching off.
Key Positioning: Sits between a pure power frame (Pure Drive) and a pure control frame (Pure Strike). It's the choice for aggressive baseliners who generate heavy topspin but also need the precision to finish points flat when the opportunity arises.
Performance Profile
The 98 trades some power and forgiveness for a significant gain in control and feel versus the standard Pure Aero.
Performance Comparison: Pure Aero Models
Pure Aero 98 leads in control and feel · Pure Aero 100 leads in power and spin
On-Court Playtest
We took the Babolat Pure Aero 98 through a full hitting session — groundstrokes, serves, returns and net play — strung with a soft co-poly in the low 50s. Here's how it plays, shot by shot.
Groundstrokes
This is where the Pure Aero 98 makes its case. It still spins the ball heavily — this is unmistakably an Aero — but the tighter 16x20 pattern and thinner beam give it a more penetrating, controlled trajectory than the standard Pure Aero. Where the 100 wants to loop the ball with a high launch, the 98 drives through the court with a flatter, heavier ball. The high ~327 swingweight rewards committed, full swings: plant and rip a forehand and you get a dipping, dangerous ball that you can aim at lines. Half-swing it and the frame feels sluggish and demanding — this is not a racquet you can arm. Backhands feel stable and direct, with enough plough-through to redirect pace, though one-handers will need to keep their swing speed up to get the spin working for them.
Serve
The Pure Aero 98 serves well above its retail weight thanks to that high swingweight and stiff beam. Flat first serves come off heavy and fast, and the spin DNA makes kick and slice serves a genuine weapon — the ball jumps off the court. You have to bring your own racquet-head speed to access it, but for a strong server the 98 delivers free pace and big margins on the second serve.
Volleys & Net
At net the 98 is more capable than the standard Aero's reputation might suggest. The thinner beam and NF² dampening give a more connected, controlled feel on punch volleys, and the stability from the high swingweight means it holds firm against pace. It isn't a feel-first players' frame — touch volleys and delicate drop shots take some adjustment because the response is firm and muted — but for an aggressive baseliner who finishes at net, it does the job confidently.
Return & Defence
On the return the stability really shows: the 98 stays planted against big servers and lets you block back heavy, deep returns. On defence, the easy spin lets you hit high, looping recovery balls that buy time, and the frame's plough-through means scrambled slices still carry. The trade-off is maneuverability — the high swingweight can feel a touch slow on fast reflex exchanges, so quick hands at net against a hard hitter is where you feel the weight most.
Comfort & Feel
The Pure Aero 98 is a stiff frame (~69–71 RA), and you can feel it. Babolat's NF² dampening takes the edge off and makes the feel more muted than older Aeros, but this is still a firm, direct response rather than a soft, flexible one. Strung with a firm poly at high tension it can be punishing on a sensitive arm; drop the tension and lean on a softer poly or a hybrid and it becomes far more forgiving. Players with arm concerns should string it thoughtfully — the frame gives you no free comfort.
Pros & Cons
The quick scannable summary of what we liked — and what to be aware of — with the Pure Aero 98.
Pros
- Heavy topspin combined with a flatter, more penetrating ball
- Excellent control and precision from the tight 16x20 pattern
- Very stable against pace thanks to the high ~327 swingweight
- Serves and drives above its 305g retail weight
- More connected, muted feel than the standard Pure Aero
- The closest off-the-shelf frame to Carlos Alcaraz's setup
Cons
- Stiff (~69–71 RA) — needs careful stringing for arm comfort
- Demanding: rewards full swings, punishes half-swings
- Less effortless spin and forgiveness than the open 16x19 Aero
- High swingweight costs some maneuverability in fast exchanges
- Not suitable for beginners or improvers
Model Context
The Pure Aero family spans three distinct profiles. Understanding where the 98 sits helps clarify whether it's right for your game.
Pure Aero 98
The control-oriented spin machine. Tighter pattern and thinner beam than the standard Aero. Built for precision strikers who generate their own pace and need to hit targets, not just land balls deep.
Pure Aero (Standard)
The baseline for spin. Larger head and more open pattern provide maximum forgiveness and a higher natural launch angle. Ideal for players who want to develop heavy topspin with less precise technique.
Pure Aero Team
A lighter version of the standard Aero for players who lack the physical strength to swing the heavier frames consistently. Preserves the Aero's spin identity with reduced effort required.
Pure Aero Lite
The lightest Pure Aero at 270g. Preserves the Aero's topspin identity while reducing the physical demand significantly. Ideal for juniors transitioning to full-size frames or older club players who want the Aero's spin benefits without fatigue. A step down in stability versus the Team.
Technical Must-Knows
Who Plays With This?
The Pure Aero 98 is built for elite players who combine aggressive topspin with flat precision finishing. Tour frames are heavily customized — use these profiles to understand the playing style the 98 serves, not as a guarantee of identical spec.
Alcaraz's game demands everything the 98 offers — explosive topspin, flat finishing on short balls, and the stability to handle heavy incoming pace. The tighter pattern supports his ability to go from defensive looping to flat, inside-out winners in a single stroke.
The legend who defined the Pure Aero identity. Nadal's extreme topspin game — particularly the looping forehand — is the blueprint this frame was designed around. His heavily customized tour version is significantly heavier, but the Aero 98's DNA traces directly to his style.
The world No.1's relentless, high-RPM baseline game is perfectly matched to the 98's spin-and-control profile. The tighter pattern supports her ability to hit precise, penetrating groundstrokes while generating the spin needed to pull opponents wide.
Fognini's touch-heavy, creative game benefits from the 98's enhanced feel versus the standard Aero. The frame's connected sensation at impact lets him execute his disguised angles and drop shots with precision.
String Setup Guide
The Pure Aero 98's tighter pattern and stiffer beam make string selection crucial. The right setup unlocks the frame; the wrong one makes it feel stiff and unforgiving. Reference range (Pure Aero 98): 45–60 lbs (20.5–27 kg).
Quick Start (Most Players)
- Start point (soft poly, 1.25mm, full bed): 50–53 lbs (22.5–24 kg) — the 16x20 pattern provides control; let the string do the rest.
- If the ball is flying long: Add 2 lbs, or move to a firmer/thicker poly (1.27–1.30mm). The tighter pattern is already helping — don't overcorrect with very high tension.
- If you want more topspin: Drop 2–3 lbs and try a shaped poly. The 16x20 limits snapback vs the 16x19, so shaped strings compensate by creating more bite on contact.
- If your arm is struggling: Drop 3–4 lbs and add multifilament crosses (hybrid setup). The ~70 RA stiffness + a firm string at high tension is a recipe for arm problems.
- Pure Aero 100 note: More open pattern + lower swingweight means it launches more naturally. Go 1–2 lbs higher vs your 98 tension to maintain similar control.
Pro Reference
Setup idea: RPM Blast in mains and crosses, reportedly strung in the high-50s to low-60s lbs.
His aggressive, full-swing game needs firm tension to keep the ball in at high ball speed. Tour setups vary by surface, conditions, and customization — use as a reference point, not a rule. Alcaraz's tour frame is also significantly heavier than retail.
Recommended Setups by Goal
| Goal | Recommended Setup | Starting Tension | What You'll Feel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balanced | Soft poly (full bed), 1.25mm | 50–53 lbs (22.5–24 kg) | Clean, precise response — control without stiffness |
| More spin | Shaped poly mains (1.25mm), optional soft poly crosses | 48–52 lbs (21.8–23.5 kg) | More bite at contact, compensates for tighter 16x20 pattern |
| More control | Firmer poly or thicker gauge (1.30mm), full bed | 53–57 lbs (24–26 kg) | Very low launch, surgical precision — for high ball-speed players only |
| More comfort | Hybrid: poly mains + multifilament crosses | Poly mains 48–52 lbs (21.8–23.5 kg) | Significantly softer impact, better pocketing, much easier on arm |
| Max durability | Thicker poly (1.30mm) full bed | 52–56 lbs (23.5–25.5 kg) | Long-lasting consistent feel — ideal for heavy hitters who break strings |
Maintenance Rule
- Restring proactively. A dead poly in the Pure Aero 98 becomes punishing quickly — the stiff frame has no forgiveness to compensate for a dead string bed. As soon as you notice loss of pocketing or a harsher feel on off-center hits, cut it out.
Top 3 Recommended Strings
These strings consistently perform well in the Pure Aero 98, based on community feedback and playtests. The 16x20 pattern and stiffer beam reward strings that prioritize feel and spin bite over raw power.
Best for: Advanced players wanting the signature Aero control and spin response.
The factory pairing — Babolat designed the Pure Aero around RPM Blast. Its round co-poly composition slides and snaps back cleanly, complementing the 16x20 pattern's precision focus. Crisp feel, excellent tension maintenance, and a low-launch trajectory keep aggressive swings in the court.
Best for: Advanced players (4.5+) seeking maximum precision and directional control.
The gold standard for tour-level control. ALU Power's aluminum-alloy composition creates a crisp, defined response that pairs perfectly with the 98's precision-oriented design. Excellent spin with minimal unwanted string movement — the 16x20 pattern and ALU Power are a surgical combination. Drop 2–3 lbs below your normal tension to offset its firmness.
Best for: Players who want to compensate for the 16x20 pattern's reduced raw spin with a high-bite shaped string.
The square shape creates aggressive bite at contact — useful in the 98 where the tighter pattern naturally limits snapback. Hyper-G brings the spin back while the 98's control geometry keeps the ball in the court. String at lower tension (48–50 lbs) to offset its firmness in a stiffer frame.
Pro tip: The 16x20 pattern is less forgiving of "wrong" string choices than the 16x19. If something feels off, change one variable (string or tension) at a time to isolate the issue rather than swapping both simultaneously.
Full Specifications
| Specification | Pure Aero 98 | Pure Aero (Standard) | Pure Aero Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head Size | 98 sq in (632 cm²) | 100 sq in (645 cm²) | 100 sq in (645 cm²) |
| Weight (Unstrung) | 305g / 10.8oz | 300g / 10.6oz | 285g / 10.1oz |
| Length | 27 in | 27 in | 27 in |
| Balance | 315mm / 6–7 pts HL | 320mm / 5–6 pts HL | 325mm / 4–5 pts HL |
| String Pattern | 16x20 (tighter, more control) | 16x19 (open, more spin) | 16x19 (open, more spin) |
| Stiffness (RA) | ~69–71 (with NF² dampening) | ~71–73 | ~68–70 |
| Swingweight | ~327 | ~320–323 | ~305–308 |
| Beam Width | 23–25–23mm (thinner) | 23–26–23mm (thicker) | 23–26–23mm |
| Target Player | Advanced / Precision | Intermediate–Advanced | Junior / Light Swing |
Our Verdict
The Pure Aero 98 is the thinking aggressor's spin racquet — all the topspin the Aero line is famous for, but with the control, stability and penetration to hit lines instead of just landing balls deep.
It's the frame we'd recommend to advanced topspin baseliners (4.5+) who already supply their own pace and want to graduate from the more forgiving standard Aero to something with sharper teeth. You have to commit to full swings and string it thoughtfully to protect your arm, and it gives up some maneuverability and effortless spin to the open-patterned 100. But for a strong player who wants heavy, controllable, penetrating tennis, it's one of the best spin-and-control frames on the market. If you want easier power and forgiveness, choose the standard Pure Aero 100; if you want even more control and a flatter ball, look at the Pure Strike.
Frequently Asked Questions
What racquet does Carlos Alcaraz use?
Carlos Alcaraz plays with a Babolat Pure Aero. His tour frame is a heavily customized version that is significantly heavier than the retail racquet, but it is built on the Pure Aero platform reviewed here. The retail Pure Aero 98 (98 sq in, 16x20, 305g) is the closest off-the-shelf match to his control-and-spin playing style.
Is the Babolat Pure Aero 98 good for beginners?
No. The Pure Aero 98 is an advanced frame (4.5+) with a tight 16x20 pattern, a high ~327 swingweight and a stiff ~69–71 RA beam. It rewards full, committed swings and punishes half-swings. Beginners and improvers should start with the standard Pure Aero 100 (16x19, more forgiving), the Pure Aero Team (285g) or the Pure Aero Lite (270g).
Pure Aero 98 vs Pure Aero 100 — which should I buy?
Choose the Pure Aero 98 if you generate your own pace and want more control, precision and a more connected feel from the tighter 16x20 pattern and thinner beam. Choose the standard Pure Aero 100 if you want more free power, a higher launch angle and easier, more forgiving spin from the open 16x19 pattern. The 98 is the precision tool; the 100 is the spin-and-power workhorse.
Is the Babolat Pure Aero 98 bad for your arm?
The Pure Aero 98 is a stiff frame (~69–71 RA), so it can be hard on sensitive arms if you string a firm co-poly at high tension. Babolat's NF² dampening softens the feel versus older Aeros, and you can make it much more arm-friendly by dropping tension to the low 50s lbs and using a soft poly or a poly-mains/multifilament-crosses hybrid. Players with a history of tennis elbow should approach any stiff power frame with care.
Does the Pure Aero 98 produce a lot of spin?
Yes — spin is the Pure Aero's whole identity. The 98 generates heavy topspin, though its tighter 16x20 pattern offers slightly less effortless snapback than the open 16x19 of the standard Aero, so you earn spin with racquet-head speed and technique. Pairing it with a shaped poly such as Solinco Hyper-G restores extra bite if you want maximum spin.
What is the best string and tension for the Pure Aero 98?
A soft co-polyester such as Babolat RPM Blast at 50–53 lbs (22.5–24 kg) is the best all-round starting point and the frame's factory pairing. Drop 2–4 lbs or add multifilament crosses for comfort, go to 53–57 lbs or a thicker poly for more control if the ball flies long, and use a shaped poly like Solinco Hyper-G for extra spin. Because the frame is stiff, restring proactively — a dead poly becomes harsh quickly.