Introducing the most surgical member of the Pure Aero family
Babolat adds another chapter to the most controlled and surgical member of the Pure Aero family. Formerly called the Pure Aero VS, the Pure Aero 98 gives big hitters a powerfully precise weapon. Compared to the standard Pure Aero, this racquet features a more compact head along with a denser string pattern and a thinner, more flexible beam. The payoff is extra control, which comes in handy on bigger cuts or when targeting the lines. That said, this stick still packs enough pop to put your opponent in check. For 2023 Babolat adds NF² Technology which uses flax inserts at 3/9 in the head to soften ball impact. Babolat also updates its FSI Spin technology with slightly tighter string spacing. The result is greater control (and confidence) when maximizing stroke speed in the service of power and spin. With some nice updates to the response, the Pure Aero 98 delivers the spin and power of a modern player's racquet but with the control and feel needed to fully engage with your targets.
BASED ON ADDITIONAL SAMPLES MEASURED, THE SWINGWEIGHT WAS LOWERED FROM 327 TO 321 ON 6.13.24.
Specifications
| Head Size: 98 in² / 632.26 cm² | ||||
| Length: 27in / 68.58cm | ||||
| Strung Weight:11.4oz / 323g | ||||
| Balance: 12.79in / 32.49cm / 6 pts HL | ||||
| Swingweight: 321 | ||||
| Stiffness: 66 | ||||
| Beam Width: 21mm / 23mm / 22mm | ||||
| Composition: Graphite | ||||
| Power Level: Low-Medium | ||||
| Stroke Style: Medium-Full | ||||
| Swing Speed: Medium-Fast | ||||
| Racquet Colors:Black/Yellow | ||||
| Grip Type: Syntec Pro | ||||
String Pattern:
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| String Tension: 50-59 pounds |
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Customer Reviews
If you like spin in your game...If you are a player with lots of spin in your game, you will love the way it compliments your game. The Pure Aero 98 2023 is also going to give you extremely good control with medium power, depending on how you get it strung. I also own the Pure Aero 100 which I love as well. It ads a bit more bounce/power to my game, but the 98 offers excellent control and allows me the ability to place the ball where I want it. Power has not been a problem in my game and I like the heavier weight.
Nice racquetNot too heavy not too light for me.
Extremely overratedI'm amazed of how many amazing reviews this racquet has, to break it down, it does have amazing power spin, but launch angle is very inconsistent and unless you have PERFECT footwork you hit a lot of balls in the back of the fence.
Additionally it's very "shanky," I've been playing for 20 years (5.0) and was amazed how easy it is to hit the frame, not sure how this is not talked more.
It also does not have the stability a lot of people claim, you have to add quite a lot of weight to accomplish that.
First Babolat racquetI love this racquet you can feel the spin it adds and the extra control took a few days to get used to the head size being smaller but totally worth it.
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My StickI really like this racquet! I have had several Wilson's and they are good. This Aero 98 fits my game. It does it all for me and I am very confident playing with it. I play between 3.5 and 4.0 and I am 61. This racquet makes it easy for me to hit a heavy ball. I could always hit with topspin, and this makes it easier. If just fits like a really good shirt.
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5-Star but quality control is subparThis is probably the 35th racquet I’ve purchased for my daughter within the past seven years. I used to think Wilson Blade had quality control issues until I bought these Pure Aero 98 just a few weeks ago. Purchased the set without the match/customization services that TW offers. (That I usually get from them especially when buying three racquets at the time) Daughter moved from the 2024 Pure Strike 97 to the Pure Aero 98. Figured, I’d just buy a set right “off the shelf” because, “what could possibly go wrong by not spending the extra cash on matching services”…. Well, six grams difference between the two, and the worst part is, the heavier racquet is 6 points headlight (335 grams total) with the extra six grams all in the head. The lighter racquet comes to 324 grams with full bed of 17 poly and a thin overgrip and (!) is seven points headlight. This is her preferred spec. So if I wanted to match the two racquets and dial them to seven points headlight, I’d have to start by adding extra weight on the 335 gram (in the handle) and bring it to seven points headlight probably ending up with 340-345. That’s nuts! No way my 15 year old could last two hours of group let alone an entire match swinging that excalibur… Another issue: Grip size. I got her the 4-3/8 just like her previous (and various) racquets. The diameter of this grip - in my opinion - is like a true 4-5/8 or even bigger…(?) Seriously? Removed the grip, measured the pallets and these are at least 1mm larger than other racquets in the same 4-3/8. What’s going on here? Is this some “special sizing” for the Pure Aero 98 or is this another QC related issue? Kind of unhappy spending over 500 and ending up with just one racquet because they play completely different. Aside from these issues, the racquet is really awesome! Has great control, very good pocketing even with stiff Lux 4G at 55/51, and provides more spin than the Pure Strike 97 or the Pure Strike 100. Babolat just needs to address the quality control issues and explain about the Godzilla sizing of the grip. (????)
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AwesomeThis is my first big tennis racquet purchase and I love the absolute heck out of it
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Pure Aero 98I had always wanted the rac based upon looks alone. I came off of the Yonex Ezone 98. On every metric specs to specs the Aero 98 wins. If I could ever pour into the brains of tennis players this... racquets out of the manufacturers specs mean nothing. The Pure Aero 98 is better. One point to make is every Yonex I have tried has been string and tension specific. The dog wags the tail. Great racquet
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Surprisingly good (feel) for a BabolatI'm a tennis nerd. I buy lots of racquets and treat them like usable art. Historically, I've been much more drawn to racquets from Head, Prince, and Wilson (Blades mostly) because they have a lot more feel. While I've owned many Babolat's, I sold most of them off as they've always felt very 'boardy' to me. The only two Babolat's I've kept are:
- Pure Strike VS (2022-ish release)...the grey one... has since been replaced in the line-up by the Pure Strike 97. This is the most classic feeling racquet Babolat has released of late. Very nice.
- Pure Drive 30th Anniversary... it looks cool... and is a blast to hit with when you just want to pound the ball... think fun hour with your favorite hitting partner. I'm less inclined to try to win many points with it. It's a dragon.
This Pure Aero 98 really is special. It has very controllable, ample power and is not overly spin oriented, like the traditional Aeros. Most importantly, it has a very nice ball pocketing effect and feel. It's a players' racquet for sure. I attribute these traits to its generally thinner, more constant beam and a strong pattern that has a slightly more dense spacing at the center.
Mine came in on spec for weight and swingweight. Thankfully, mine had an underspec twistweight. Mine was just under 14 strung. That's just right. The TW samples and many online reviewers on YouTube cite twistweights of over 15. That's a lot for an amateur chucker to handle. Therefore, at $280, this is a racquet one should consider paying the small premium to have TW pluck one with the specs you like.
I did modify mine to boost the swingweight and recoil weight. I added 2.5 grams to the tip and 3 grams to the inside of the butt cap. That boosted the swingweight to 329 and recoil weight to 170. It feels ideal with those specs.
An added plus is the more classic, gloss paint finish. Wilson uses that for their Pro-spec models and Head is added more gloss now. It's a great move. It looks better and holds up a lot better with use.
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Great Racquet - classic BabolatDefinitely happy with my purchase... it's a big upgrade over my ancient Babolat Aero Storms. Feels like it provides me a solid mix of power and control while also feeling like a very stable, solid frame. I ended up buying two.
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Perfect balance of control and power.Never been a player to use much topspin, but this racquet makes it effortless. Amazing racquet.
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Exactly what I was looking forUsed to use the old Aero pro way back. Decided to get back into the sport and was very excited when Babolat announced this racquet as I prefer the slightly smaller head size. Dreamy stick.
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It’s a very good racquet for advanced playersIt’s definitely a good racquet and it does what you want it to do, but it requires good fundamentals, good form on all strokes and someone that is able to generate their own spin, power, and direction. Once you have all those it’s the best racquet. Feels like I have the ball on a string. I have good feeling and touch with the racquet.
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A Grand Racquet!What a racquet... Who is this racquet for? If you're looking for effortless spin, pace, deeper shots, a more consistent shot, a heavier ball, then look no further! This racquet is a true gem. Forehands are extraordinarily great. Consistently spinny shots. Swing as fast as you can and the ball will go in no matter what! I normally hit a laser slice but for whatever reason with this racquet my slices are more of a defensive shot. My backhands are good, reliable but I won't be getting a winner from them, probably because I have a one handed backhand and this racquet suits a two handed backhand more. The serve is great! This racquet gives so much cut for a confident second serve. I can truly aim and feel where the ball is gonna go when I serve. This racquet is great at net. Great stability! Good feeling when you punch volleys. After a year and a half of trying so many racquets I have decided to choose this as my racquet! This racquet beat out the Wilson Blade's, Pro Staff's, Shift, Yonex Ezone 98/100, Solinco Whiteout, Head Gravity Pro, Head Speed Pro/MP, Babolat Pure Drive's, Pure Strike's... the list goes on and on. The cosmetic is succulent! I absolutely love the look of this racquet and the bag. Very classy for a Pure Aero. On the contrary to what people say; This racquet is very easy to use. Doesn't feel hefty at all due to it being headlight. I highly recommend this racquet for anyone who wants to up their game! Great job Babolat on making the best frame to date!
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My fourthControl, power, and feel… I play everyday with a pro just hitting … Stringing at 50 pounds using Hyper-G, my pro loved it so much, I bought him one… Prior, he used 100 square inch five year old aero... He teaches eight hours per day... His quote “my backhand is like a rocket, topspin, slice or flat… this racquet simply thinks by itself and does!" I thought it was a true quote for me as well … enjoy a pure strike and the sound is amazing !
An extraordinary racquetI have been playing tennis regularly, once a week, for about two years. In this process, I used Wilson Clash V1 100, which is a 295 gram racquet. At the end of two years, I realized that due to the Clash's technology, I could not transmit the power I was transmitting to the ball to the other side as much as I wanted. For this reason, I needed to switch to a harder racquet. As a result of my research, I wanted to buy a Babolat Pure Aero and wanted to make differences in my game by reducing the head size to 98. After I started using the Pure Aero 98, I noticed that the racquet had an incredible feel. Also, finding the sweetspot of the 98 head was not as difficult as I expected. It can correct small errors with successful technology. I think that the 7% wider area situation in Yonex is also valid for this racquet. I customized my Wilson Clash V1 100 racquet and increased it to 312 grams. I did not need any customization on the Pure Aero 98 305 grams. I measured the total weight at 340 grams, including the racquet, overgrip, dampener, and a head protection band that I added to the Pure Aero 98. These values have a tremendous impact on me as a mid-level player. The main differences I feel in the Pure Aero 98 are the ability to make quick effects on the ball, the swing creating a real Aero effect through very little air friction, controlled volleys, and high feeling. Individually, I found that playing the ball to the other side's baseline in baseline games was a bit more difficult and required some getting used to, compared to Clash. I should point out that this only applies to long rallies where you have to stay defensive.
Very good racquet in the right handsThe Pure Aero 98 is a very good racquet if you have the tennis skill to handle it (i.e. high 4.0+). It's still a spin machine that Pure Aero's are expected to be, but the power level is noticeably more controlled. The volleys and slice can get the job done and help set up your shot. The ball precision is fairly good, and I can predict where my shots are going. The serves have effortless pop and spin. This racquet completely shines if you like to hit heavy, deep topspin shots at your opponents. Since the sweetspot is noticeably small, you need to be able to make good contact with good racquet head speed. If you can do this, you will be rewarded with a precise, powerful weapon that will give your opponents a nightmare to deal with.
Amazing racquetThe Aero 98 is an excellent update in the versions of the Aero. It is very light and faster for more topspin, control and power. Thanks to Tennis Warehouse for delivering a quality racquet.
Racquet hits amazing!This racquet hits amazingly well. Spin, power and control; it has it all. My wife keeps asking to grab this racquet over her own and uses it as a benchmark for all other demo racquets. My only real complaint is that it is a bit harsh to hit with and I did have some arm pain when starting to use it. I adjusted my technique a bit and then put in Solinco Hyper-G Soft at 48lbs, and it feels much better. I'd give it a 4.5/5 just for the harsh feel, especially on mishits.
Excellent Tennis Raquet & PurchaseI purchased 3 of these Pure Aero 98 racquets for my oldest son who is on the varsity tennis team. He loves them - reports they play really well - light & nimble and is glad he has them. Great racquets and purchase!
Great racquetI have been using the Ezone 98 and I love it. Compared to the Ezone, the new Pure Aero 98 gives me a similar feeling, except it is not as muted. One thing that makes me personally like this one more is the grip shape. The grip feels slightly more rectangular than the Ezone's, which is very rounded. Hard to spot the difference visually from the butt cap, but the handle does feel different. The rectangular grip shape gives me a bit more stability when I hit topspin on both forehands and backhands.
Best racquetRecently I upgraded to Pure Aero 98. It’s been a fantastic experience so far. I was little hesitant on how it would affect my game when it comes to spin but it exceeded my expectations. I would definitely recommend this racquet.
Best Tennis RacketLove this racquet, switched from Rafa’s Aero.
Great racquetI have 2. Great overall. Good balance of control and power. Great for 4.0+ player who can generate their own pace and want ultimate control.
Best control + spin racket I’ve hadThis racquet hits the sweet spot between control and power! I was using the 100 sq inch Pure Aero before but switched to the 98 because of the more control i get while retaining the signature aggressive spin from the 100 sq inch. It’s also more stable than the Head extreme tour which makes it easier to use on volleys.
Improvement on the VSI really like the Pure Aero VS and was not looking to switch but had to after I demoed the 98. The slightly higher weight on the 98 was the reason I changed. It really made a difference for me especially on my one handed backhand. I'm in my 50's still trying to play like I have 2 good knees, but I can still manage some good ground strokes. I can't always produce the needed swing speed on every shot so the extra weight on the 98 is a benefit for me.
Incredible RacquetGood for all kinds of play. Groundstrokes, volleys, serves & control, etc.
Real Power!!I been using Babolat Aero most of my life so I switch to 98 to see how it goes, at first was a little strange but them everything change more power in the serves and strokes. I will be using 98 for a long time that is for sure.
Exceeded ExpectationsI'm a 4.0/4.5 player. I had played with the VS, other Aeros as well as Yonex and other rackets. I was looking to replace my Prince Composites I had been using since the 80s. Demoing is hard because there isn't much time with each racket to really settle in on the nuances, but overall I liked the VS. I had a little slight hesitation, as it did feel a little stiff and lack some feel, but I was about to move forward with the VS because I was tired of demoing and didn't think I would find the perfect racquet. I also do have some arm issues. But after hearing about the 2023 98s, I decided to hold out hoping that there could be some improvements to the VS which refined it. I am glad I did. I love this racquet. There is a lot more feel to the 2023 98, less stiff and has a lot more pop or power IMO. The control is great, the spin was great. (and I play with lots of spin, top and back). It may take me some time to hit the sweet spot more consistently because I am coming from a larger head, but when you do hit it, you get all those things, control, power, and spin. I didn't get to serve with it yet as I am recovering from surgery and didn't want to stretch like that, but overheads felt really good and volleys good too. I love my decision and importantly my arm didn't hurt more after playing a hard hour as it did before I played.
My search for a new racquet is over!What do you want in a racquet? Controllable power, precision, spin and feel all in one? That's the Pure Aero 98!
its an awesome racquetPure aero 98 feels pretty solid, very nice. Sweet sweetspot.
Magic racquetSuper happy -- good balance, spin, power and incredible control.
Just the right amount of control and feelThis racquet has considerably more control than the 100 sq inch version. I love that added control and feel at net. It still has plenty of pop and spin, so it’s a great balance in my opinion. I highly recommend this aero 98 racquet!!
AmazingI've tried a lot of racquets from Wilson Pro Staff to the new Ezone from Yonex. This racquet is like the Ezone 98 and the Wilson Blade had a baby. Amazing control with ability to change directions well that allows me to hit both one-handed and two-handed backhands but also has enough power that I don't have to over-swing to get good pace on the ball. And all my hitting partners said there was a much more noticeable amount of spin on my shots then with my Ezone and Wilson rackets.
Highly recommend. My tennis racquet search is over.
