Executive Summary
The Babolat Pure Strike is the precision and control variant within the Babolat family — the deliberate counterpart to the spin-assist Pure Aero. Where the Aero generates heavy topspin through aerodynamics and an open string pattern, the Pure Strike rewards flat, penetrating ball-striking with clean feedback and a more direct trajectory.
Key Characteristic: A stiffer beam than most "control" frames (~71–74 RA), combined with an open 16x19 pattern and a relatively low-powered response, produces a frame that launches the ball cleanly and flatly. The Pure Strike is not a "soft" or "feel-first" frame in the traditional sense — it's crisp and direct, communicating impact clearly without excessive vibration dampening.
Key Positioning: Sits between the Pure Aero (more power and spin assist) and traditional player's frames (more flex and feel). It appeals to flat hitters and all-court players who want Babolat build quality and spin capability in their serves, combined with a tighter, more controlled baseline response that doesn't launch aggressively.
Performance Profile
The Pure Strike 98 leads the range in control and flat power. It gives up some topspin assist versus the Pure Aero while gaining precision and a cleaner ball-exit at impact.
Performance Comparison: Pure Strike 98 vs Pure Strike 100
Strike 98 leads in control and stability · Strike 100 offers more forgiveness and a larger sweet spot
Model Context
The Pure Strike range covers flat hitters and all-court players from advanced to intermediate. The 98 18x20 is the most demanding variant; the 100 broadens accessibility without abandoning the Strike's flat-power identity.
Pure Strike 98 (18x20)
The densest, most precision-focused Pure Strike. An 18x20 pattern minimises spin assist and maximises directional control. Suited to players who drive through the ball with pace and precision rather than generating topspin as a primary weapon.
Pure Strike 98 (16x19)
The more accessible flagship. Restores spin potential and some forgiveness via the more open pattern while preserving the Strike's clean, direct feel identity. The preferred starting point for players transitioning into the Pure Strike range.
Pure Strike 100
A lighter, more accessible version for players building toward tour-level technique. The larger head and reduced weight retain the Pure Strike's flat-power identity while lowering the physical demands. Used by Lulu Sun on the WTA tour.
Technical Must-Knows
Who Plays With This?
The Pure Strike attracts flat hitters, big servers, and all-court players who want Babolat's build quality with a more controlled, less spin-assisted response than the Pure Aero. Tour frames are customised — use these profiles to understand the playing style the Pure Strike serves.
Humbert's serve-dominant, net-attacking style benefits from the Pure Strike's clean, flat power output. His heavy, flat serves and aggressive first-strike forehand exploit the frame's crisp energy return — he doesn't need topspin assist, he needs precision and pace. The Pure Strike's volley feel and directional control also support his frequent net approaches.
Darderi's powerful, technically polished baseline game generates its own topspin through mechanics and swing speed rather than relying on frame geometry. The Pure Strike's controlled, precise response lets him drive flat, penetrating balls crosscourt and inside-out with confidence — a frame that amplifies his already excellent technique.
Medjedovic's choice of the demanding 18x20 variant reflects serious technical confidence. His powerful, driving baseline game suits the dense pattern's precision focus — he generates topspin through swing speed and technique, not frame assistance, and uses the 18x20's directional precision to control aggressive drives deep into the court.
Sun's athletic, attacking style on the WTA tour — built around aggressive net approaches and clean, flat hitting — suits the Pure Strike's flat power identity perfectly. The 100's larger head and lighter weight make the frame's precision accessible for her game, while preserving the directional control and clean feel that define the Pure Strike family.
String Setup Guide
The Pure Strike's stiffer beam makes string selection critical for arm comfort and feel. The right setup softens the frame's crispness into a clean, controlled response; the wrong combination makes it feel harsh. Reference range (Pure Strike 98): 46–60 lbs (21–27 kg).
Quick Start (Most Players)
- Start point (co-poly, 1.25mm, full bed): 50–54 lbs (22.7–24.5 kg) — the stiffer frame needs moderate tension to avoid feeling like a board; err toward the lower end of this range initially.
- If the ball is flying long: Add 2–3 lbs, or move to a slightly thicker poly (1.27–1.30mm). The open 16x19 pattern provides good natural launch control at higher tensions.
- If you want more topspin: Drop 2 lbs and try a shaped co-poly (pentagonal / hexagonal). The 16x19 pattern allows good snapback; shaped strings maximise bite to complement the flat-power frame identity.
- If your arm is struggling: Drop 3–4 lbs and switch to a multifilament or natural gut hybrid. The ~72 RA stiffness is real — at high tension with a firm poly, it will eventually load the arm. Softer strings and lower tension are the remedy.
- 18x20 variant note: The dense pattern already controls launch effectively — start 2–3 lbs lower than your 16x19 equivalent tension to ensure adequate pocketing in the tighter bed.
Pro Reference
Setup idea: RPM Blast 1.25mm full bed, at mid-to-high 50s lbs to match his aggressive, flat-hitting style.
Humbert's choice of the Babolat factory string reflects the natural pairing of the Pure Strike and RPM Blast. At his ball speed and swing confidence, higher tensions keep his flat, powerful shots in the court without sacrificing the crisp, clean feel the Pure Strike is designed to deliver. Tour setups vary — treat as a directional reference only.
Recommended Setups by Goal
| Goal | Recommended Setup | Starting Tension | What You'll Feel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balanced | Co-poly (full bed), 1.25mm | 50–54 lbs (22.7–24.5 kg) | Clean, crisp response — flat power with directional precision and adequate control |
| More spin | Shaped poly mains (1.25mm), optional soft cross | 48–52 lbs (21.8–23.5 kg) | More bite and snapback — brings spin to a flat-power frame effectively |
| More control | Firmer poly or thicker gauge (1.27–1.30mm) | 53–57 lbs (24–26 kg) | Lower launch, very precise — for high ball-speed flat hitters. Watch arm comfort above 55 lbs. |
| More comfort | Hybrid: poly mains + multifilament crosses | Poly mains 48–52 lbs (21.8–23.5 kg) | Noticeably softer impact — the crosses absorb the stiff frame's vibration effectively |
| Premium feel | Natural gut mains + ALU Power / RPM Blast crosses | Gut 52–56 lbs / poly 48–52 lbs | Outstanding comfort and touch — gut transforms the Pure Strike's stiff-frame crispness into something far more refined |
Maintenance Rule
- The stiffer Pure Strike amplifies string degradation more aggressively than flexible frames. A dead poly in a stiff frame has nothing to soften its harsh, dead response — restring at 20–25 hours for poly users, or when you notice the characteristic "cardboard" impact feel of tension-lost co-poly in a rigid frame.
Top 3 Recommended Strings
These strings consistently perform well in the Pure Strike based on tour usage and community playtests. The stiffer frame rewards strings that soften impact feel and contribute spin bite, rather than adding further stiffness.
Best for: Advanced players wanting the factory pairing — clean control with Babolat's signature crisp response.
The natural factory pairing used by Humbert and Darderi on tour. RPM Blast's round co-poly composition complements the Pure Strike's direct feel — no excessive softening, no harsh stiffness, just a clean, controlled snap at contact. Excellent tension maintenance and a low-launch trajectory keep aggressive flat shots in the court reliably.
Best for: Players who want to add meaningful topspin to the Pure Strike's flat-power identity.
The square shape creates aggressive bite at contact — compensating for the Pure Strike's flat-oriented geometry. In the 16x19 pattern, Hyper-G and good snapback geometry combine to produce genuine topspin potential without losing the Strike's directional precision. String at lower tension (48–50 lbs) to offset the combination of frame stiffness and string firmness.
Best for: Players managing arm sensitivity or wanting a premium feel upgrade from the factory full-poly setup.
Natural gut mains transform the Pure Strike's stiffer feel profile into something genuinely refined. The gut's elasticity absorbs the frame's vibration at impact, producing a plush, connected response that is difficult to achieve with any co-poly setup. RPM Blast crosses provide control and durability to balance the gut's elasticity. A premium setup that reveals the best version of the Pure Strike.
Pro tip: The Pure Strike is less forgiving of very high tension than flexible frames. If you're coming from a Prestige or T-Fight, start 3–4 lbs lower in the Pure Strike than your habitual tension before making adjustments upward — the stiffer beam plays significantly firmer at equivalent tension.
Full Specifications
| Specification | Pure Strike 98 (18x20) | Pure Strike 98 (16x19) | Pure Strike 100 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head Size | 98 sq in (632 cm²) | 98 sq in (632 cm²) | 100 sq in (645 cm²) |
| Weight (Unstrung) | 305g / 10.8oz | 305g / 10.8oz | 300g / 10.6oz |
| Length | 27 in | 27 in | 27 in |
| Balance | ~320mm / 5–6 pts HL | ~320mm / 5–6 pts HL | ~325mm / 4–5 pts HL |
| String Pattern | 18x20 (dense, maximum control) | 16x19 (open, more spin) | 16x19 (open, more spin) |
| Stiffness (RA) | ~71–74 (stiff, HFC dampened) | ~71–74 | ~70–73 |
| Swingweight | ~322–328 | ~320–325 | ~310–316 |
| Beam Width | 23–25mm (HFC construction) | 23–25mm | 23–25mm |
| Technology | Hybrid Frame Construction (HFC) | HFC | HFC |
| Target Player | Advanced / Dense Pattern | Advanced (4.0–5.0) | Intermediate–Advanced |