Babolat

Pure Strike 98 (18×20) review

Control with flat power. Drive through the ball and it goes exactly where you aim.

Racquet product shot
Highly recommended
Head 98 100: 100
Weight 305g 100: 300g
Pattern 18×20 100: 16×19
Stiffness 72 RA 100: 68 RA
Swingwt 322 100: 315
Balance HL 100: HL
Full specsPure Strike 98 (18×20) · Pure Strike 100 · Pure Control Tour
Pure Strike 98 (18×20)Pure Strike 100Pure Control Tour
Head size98 sq in100 sq in98 sq in
Weight (unstrung)305 g300 g315 g
Weight (strung)330 g325 g340 g
Swingweight322315335
Stiffness72 RA68 RA66 RA
String pattern18×2016×1916×20
BalanceHead LightHead LightHead Light
Fit check

Is it for you?

Level (NTRP)
Swing
Arm
Your match Strong fit
Strong fit. Your swing supplies the pace; the Strike converts it into controlled, penetrating depth.

    Performance

    Pure Strike 98 (18×20) Pure Strike 100

    Playtest

    Flat, penetrating, precise.
    Full notes

    It asks you to drive through the ball and rewards you with a deep ball that goes where you aim. A lazy swing gets a flat, lifeless ball. The 16×19 adds spin and pop; the 18×20 is tighter and lower.

    + Pros

    • Excellent directional precision
    • Clean, crisp, connected feel
    • Genuine flat power
    • Confident at net and on touch shots

    − Cons

    • Less free power than the Pure Drive
    • Still stiff: string carefully
    • Less spin help than the Pure Aero
    • Demanding for beginners

    String for

    50–54 lbs 22.7–24.5 kg Co-poly, full bed, 1.25mm Pick: Babolat RPM Blast

    Recommended strings

    1. 1
      Babolat RPM Blast Control poly · factory pairing Clean, controlled snap: the tour pairing.
      50–54 lbs 22.7–24.5 kg · 1.25mm
    2. 2
      Solinco Hyper-G Shaped spin poly Adds real topspin to a flat-power frame.
      48–52 lbs 21.8–23.5 kg · 1.25mm
    3. 3
      Babolat VS Touch Natural gut mains · RPM Blast crosses The premium, arm-friendly setup.
      52–56 lbs 23.5–25.5 kg · 1.25mm

    Who plays it

    Tour frames customised
    • Hamad MedjedovicAggressive Baseline
      ATP #76 · Babolat RPM Blast · 22 kgThe demanding 18×20 behind a powerful, driving baseline game.
    • Alexander ShevchenkoAggressive Baseline
      ATP · Luxilon ALU Power
    • Sebastian OfnerAggressive Baseline
      ATP · Isospeed poly thin mains + thicker crosses · 25 kg

    Verdict: 8.3

    Babolat's precision frame: control with genuine flat power and a clean, connected feel, for confident ball-strikers who supply the swing. Heavy topspin: Pure Aero 98. Effortless power: Pure Drive.

    Related racquets

    FAQ

    Is the Babolat Pure Strike good for beginners?

    No. The 98 18×20 suits 4.5+ flat hitters, the 16×19 opens it to 4.0–5.0, and the Pure Strike 100 is the most accessible.

    Pure Strike 16x19 vs 18x20: which should I buy?

    The 18×20 for maximum control and a lower launch. The 16×19 for more spin and an easier, more forgiving response; most players start there.

    Is the Pure Strike arm-friendly?

    It runs stiff, but Hybrid Frame Construction removes much of the harshness. Low-50s tension with a soft poly, hybrid or gut mains helps.

    Pure Strike vs Pure Aero vs Pure Drive: which should I buy?

    Strike for control and flat power, Aero for heavy topspin, Drive for easy power.

    What is the best string and tension for the Pure Strike?

    RPM Blast at 50–54 lbs (22.7–24.5 kg). 18×20 users should start 2–3 lbs lower than their 16×19 tension.

    Is the Pure Strike a control or power racquet?

    A control frame with flat power: it controls through precision and a crisp energy return rather than a soft, pocketed feel.