Calling it now, candidate for Racquet of the year. I've already demoed and will purchase. Enhanced feel with more precision with the new 16/20 pattern.
I agree with your points and verdict. I currently use Pure Aero 98, but because I switched from the Pure Drive Tour from the previous generation, I had a keen interest in this iteration, hoping to get the same level of power with more control. After hitting only a little, I realized similar points as you did, especially with the narrower sweet spot and slower swing speed no matter what I did. Serve and volleys were fine, but I couldn't dial in to produce the ground strokes I could create with Pure Aero 98. Similar to what you pointed out, it felt like Wilson Blade 98 from their 7th version back in the day. I was really hoping to be able to get back to the Pure Drive line again, but I guess not. Hope Babolat would come to a quick fix, either by making an 18x20 Pure Drive with a 100 square inch head or opening up the string pattern a bit more by reverting back to 16x19.
I would love to see an 18x20 Pure Drive 100. Maybe go for more of a "tour level" spec with a high static and swingweight. I imagine this would be quite popular among high level players.
Awesome and timely review! One question: i play with the Aero 98 with stuff poly (similar to rpm blast) which i like a lot, but I'm always looking for a bit additional power. i have extra lead tape at 3 and 9 o'clock. Do you think that i should give the pure drive 98 a try? also, how much stiffer does it feel like? i like stiff, but the drive high RA combined with my stiff strings does scare me a bit. Appreciate your thoughts as always! Cheers!
What you said at 4:00 to me is the 16/20. I don’t know why but I can’t stand that string patter. Exactly what you said is what happens anytime I use a 16/20.
I always wanted a pure drive 100 18x20 (Volkl V8 pro is nice.) to bring in more control to the pure drive power. Plus, I always thought it was more of a flat power frame that lost identity when the string pattern opened up.
I agree that PD100 hits flat balls much nicer than spin balls for me. I didn't really have consistency issues from the pattern though. Whatever they are doing with that one doesn't launch the ball and I didn't walk away wanting a tighter pattern like I do with my own Rafa sometimes.
@@TennComThe newer 2021/2025 sounds like they might have brought back a more honned experience back to the pure drive 100. I am happy you had a better experience with the latter versions. I was using a model from 2005/2012 and tried a 2018. The 18 was terrible compared to the older version. I felt it was too open of a pattern. I am splitting hairs. The Pure Drive is still the original user friendly power frame that set the stndard for the industry. The 98 never looked appealing. This version still looks like a pass.
Of you had clarity of ball positioning it would then be a purestrike 97 . This is why they try to be distinctive while similar in characteristics to the pure strike . I guess the Dunlop FX is more pure drive than the pure drive .
PD 98 is being used by JC Sheng so I suspect Babolat is tailoring it to get the endorsement, same with Alcaraz/Aero , rec players will be catered to with the PD100.
It could be I guess but probably not. I generally don't believe that stiffness causes elbow issues. I think stiff/forgiving racquets allow us to get away with movements that cause tennis elbow, but if you hit the ball clean you elbow should be fine
Excessive string tension and string choice, dead poly strings, too light too heavy, grip size, bad technique, these are all bigger reasons for tennis elbow than the RA stiffness which never is a cause by itself.
@@TennCom The Ezone isn't as powerful, not even close. It's also not nearly as stable as this Pure Drive. The Ezone does have slightly more ready access to spin, though, given the weighting.
Sounds perfect for me as a 65 year old 3.0 with tennis elbow. I’ve just chucked my awesome 105 Ezone in the bin because I like to torture myself while throwing money away.
This 2025 Pure Drive 98 was on the top of my racquet grocery list right up until I watched this video! NOW I scratched out the "98" part and changed it to "100?" I really like my Pure Drive 98 (2021) and Pure Drive Plus (2018) so I'd probably better stick to those and get me a 2025 Pure Drive 100. I'll make sure to watch EVERY review I can find on TH-cam first, though !!
@@wilsoch We'll see. It's also why I hardly buy a second racquet of one I like. The QC (or rather the spec deviation) is so all over the place it makes it a huge gamble! First thing I thought after Beckett's review was I'll just get me a 2nd 2021 Pure Drive 98 but it's too much of a crap shoot these days.
Yeah me too, i used to buy 2 frames but i could never make them feel quite the same and the number of times i actually break a string in a match i can risk going back to an old faithful frame for the remainder and still play ok @@WaltKurtz68
@@WaltKurtz68 Agree with that. That might be one of the reasons I hated the new Gravity Tour 98 so much; it was so slow to swing it must have been out of spec. You can always try TW's matching service; they measure the swing weight, twist weight, static weight and balance and let you choose among rackets.
@@caseysmith544 It feels good but it doesn't tell you a lot about what's going on with the strings. I was more connected to the previous version even though the new one feels "better."
I just demoed this frame and also found the same clunkiness he's talking about in the throat. By comparison to my Yonex Vcore 98, the Vcore is more of a scalpel.
I hit with the pd98 for about a week and found similar issues with the inconsistencies between shots. Sometimes you hit it right and then the next ball it feels like you swung the same and the ball dies or launches. The weight distribution on my demo felt off. It feels like a prototype racquet moreso than a racquet for retail and doesnt really fit the pure drive line.
Babolat killing itself, sad to watch. Pure Drive has a firm and strong client base who only wants improvements over the same platform. Changing the platform is suiccide. The Rafa origin Aero with a 33.5 mm Balance and 317g is impossible to move. My feelings are hurt
@@TennCom is not the same thing... I ve been playing since my junior days with the Pure Drive Tour, what I want from this racket I cant find it anymore in their portfolio
@@greg5892 yes. Plenty of people, but once you made it past your 17, 18s people generally wanted something a little more heavy. However, from 10 to 17 the 300g version was the most popular by far. The Aero was popular too but not as much, it feels like a less powered pure drive
Beckett has got to put more consideration into whether if it was him or the racket that causes the miss hits(mostly him with his 3.0 groundstrokes lol).
I can’t tell if this is ribbing, but respectfully it did seem like that at this moment. Like the ball flew out because poor positioning made him hit way low. I’m not sure how that’s on the racquet.
It did not work at all. I think it was mainly the balance point as there are plenty of racquets designed for a flatter ball that I can make work like the Prostaff 97, Percept 100D and Gravity Pro but this was just a complete fail for me.
I can see how this racquet can appeal to tinier players, especially females, willing to play a control oriented 98 inch 16x20 head, but not strong enough to drive a typical control frame
It's 305 grams. Which apparently regular sized people nowadays find "on the heavier side" (of course it's totally ridiculous, but still). I grinned when I read your comment bc I am a very happy Pure Drive 98 (2021) user and I'm a cranky old(ish) 6'5", 260 lbs guy 😆😂
@WaltKurtz68 I am precisely your height, a tad lighter though. Used to play a regular PD, too! Lots of women play power frames - obviously it is not why I switched :D And I agree that the idea that racuets should not exceed 300 g in weight is simply wrong
Simon was actually mortally wounded at 2:00 and perished soon after
NOOOO, SLIMOOON! 😭
Thoughtful context in the review is much appreciated
Tennis Warehouse should sell this frame as “Pure Drive Bastard”.
😂😂
Calling it now, candidate for Racquet of the year. I've already demoed and will purchase. Enhanced feel with more precision with the new 16/20 pattern.
I agree with your points and verdict. I currently use Pure Aero 98, but because I switched from the Pure Drive Tour from the previous generation, I had a keen interest in this iteration, hoping to get the same level of power with more control. After hitting only a little, I realized similar points as you did, especially with the narrower sweet spot and slower swing speed no matter what I did. Serve and volleys were fine, but I couldn't dial in to produce the ground strokes I could create with Pure Aero 98. Similar to what you pointed out, it felt like Wilson Blade 98 from their 7th version back in the day. I was really hoping to be able to get back to the Pure Drive line again, but I guess not. Hope Babolat would come to a quick fix, either by making an 18x20 Pure Drive with a 100 square inch head or opening up the string pattern a bit more by reverting back to 16x19.
I would love to see an 18x20 Pure Drive 100. Maybe go for more of a "tour level" spec with a high static and swingweight. I imagine this would be quite popular among high level players.
@TennCom Yes, it would be a very interesting racket to play with, potentially making a good rivalry with the Head Speed Pro.
Sounded way better on paper. Now waiting for the TF review!!
working on it now hopefully good for next week
Awesome and timely review! One question: i play with the Aero 98 with stuff poly (similar to rpm blast) which i like a lot, but I'm always looking for a bit additional power. i have extra lead tape at 3 and 9 o'clock. Do you think that i should give the pure drive 98 a try? also, how much stiffer does it feel like? i like stiff, but the drive high RA combined with my stiff strings does scare me a bit. Appreciate your thoughts as always! Cheers!
Wat is the pink string on PD98 in the first part of the video? 0:05
Toroline Toro Toro
How does it compare to RF01 line in terms of power and control?
What you said at 4:00 to me is the 16/20. I don’t know why but I can’t stand that string patter. Exactly what you said is what happens anytime I use a 16/20.
Nah, works pretty well in the Pure Aero 98, for Beckett too.
Do the older model has bigger sweet spot n more power n raw feel... new model just has softer feel?
Mans dropping a "gut like prototype" teaser like nothing 👀
The perricard 98
206kmh 2nd serve in the TB blew my mind
just gonna ask the obvious question, how does it compare to the pure aero 98?
IMO worse in every way except it feels better
I always wanted a pure drive 100 18x20 (Volkl V8 pro is nice.) to bring in more control to the pure drive power. Plus, I always thought it was more of a flat power frame that lost identity when the string pattern opened up.
I agree that PD100 hits flat balls much nicer than spin balls for me. I didn't really have consistency issues from the pattern though. Whatever they are doing with that one doesn't launch the ball and I didn't walk away wanting a tighter pattern like I do with my own Rafa sometimes.
@@TennComThe newer 2021/2025 sounds like they might have brought back a more honned experience back to the pure drive 100. I am happy you had a better experience with the latter versions. I was using a model from 2005/2012 and tried a 2018. The 18 was terrible compared to the older version. I felt it was too open of a pattern. I am splitting hairs. The Pure Drive is still the original user friendly power frame that set the stndard for the industry.
The 98 never looked appealing. This version still looks like a pass.
Of you had clarity of ball positioning it would then be a purestrike 97 . This is why they try to be distinctive while similar in characteristics to the pure strike . I guess the Dunlop FX is more pure drive than the pure drive .
Wow, man, 6:00 tells us how much time, effort, and thought you put into testing and analyzing a frame; "You crazy, gurl."
Maybe it's your loopy swing path that you developed for your Pure Rafa?
any chance you got any idea when the current pure drive 98 will go on sale? Currently use the pure drive 98 and don't see a reason to upgrade models
Add in the previous Ezone...when will the price drop.
Prices should drop when the new models are released. Yonex seems to hold their value more than Head on previous models.
@@sportscastercanada Agree on that.
PD 98 is being used by JC Sheng so I suspect Babolat is tailoring it to get the endorsement, same with Alcaraz/Aero , rec players will be catered to with the PD100.
Question: if a frame has a very stiff RA like this one yet feels 'muted' is it still trashing your elbow silently?
It could be I guess but probably not. I generally don't believe that stiffness causes elbow issues. I think stiff/forgiving racquets allow us to get away with movements that cause tennis elbow, but if you hit the ball clean you elbow should be fine
Excessive string tension and string choice, dead poly strings, too light too heavy, grip size, bad technique, these are all bigger reasons for tennis elbow than the RA stiffness which never is a cause by itself.
Best frame for your family pictures.
Pure Dad
@@TennCom We all sink deeper and deeper in the racket and string rabbit hole.
Great spot on and candid review
I use to have the previeus 98 and it was so hard to play...
Is it similar to Wilson Shift?
No the Shift is way easier to use, hits better spin, is more stable and feels more connected.
shouldn't it be an EZONE 98 equivalent? would be interested to know how they compare
The EZONE is more forgiving, stable, powerful, has power towards the tip of the hoop as well. I don't think the EZONE sacrifices much control either.
@@TennCom The Ezone isn't as powerful, not even close. It's also not nearly as stable as this Pure Drive. The Ezone does have slightly more ready access to spin, though, given the weighting.
Sounds perfect for me as a 65 year old 3.0 with tennis elbow. I’ve just chucked my awesome 105 Ezone in the bin because I like to torture myself while throwing money away.
This 2025 Pure Drive 98 was on the top of my racquet grocery list right up until I watched this video! NOW I scratched out the "98" part and changed it to "100?"
I really like my Pure Drive 98 (2021) and Pure Drive Plus (2018) so I'd probably better stick to those and get me a 2025 Pure Drive 100.
I'll make sure to watch EVERY review I can find on TH-cam first, though !!
Dude, just try this frame; don't go off of one review. The reviews on TW forums have been quite positive.
@@wilsoch We'll see. It's also why I hardly buy a second racquet of one I like. The QC (or rather the spec deviation) is so all over the place it makes it a huge gamble! First thing I thought after Beckett's review was I'll just get me a 2nd 2021 Pure Drive 98 but it's too much of a crap shoot these days.
Yeah me too, i used to buy 2 frames but i could never make them feel quite the same and the number of times i actually break a string in a match i can risk going back to an old faithful frame for the remainder and still play ok @@WaltKurtz68
@@WaltKurtz68 Agree with that. That might be one of the reasons I hated the new Gravity Tour 98 so much; it was so slow to swing it must have been out of spec. You can always try TW's matching service; they measure the swing weight, twist weight, static weight and balance and let you choose among rackets.
I will be upgrading my racket in 2034 so I’ll see you then 💖
Try this without the last cross. Make it a 16x19 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Is this one more dampened than the previous version?
I would say yes for sure, less buzzy and hollow, more solid and muted
@@TennCom But is it more bad muted where feel is all gone or is this model have feel?
@@caseysmith544 It feels good but it doesn't tell you a lot about what's going on with the strings. I was more connected to the previous version even though the new one feels "better."
I just demoed this frame and also found the same clunkiness he's talking about in the throat. By comparison to my Yonex Vcore 98, the Vcore is more of a scalpel.
I hit with the pd98 for about a week and found similar issues with the inconsistencies between shots. Sometimes you hit it right and then the next ball it feels like you swung the same and the ball dies or launches. The weight distribution on my demo felt off. It feels like a prototype racquet moreso than a racquet for retail and doesnt really fit the pure drive line.
rematch when
@@AllanTennis you name the time and place for your next L
Babolat killing itself, sad to watch. Pure Drive has a firm and strong client base who only wants improvements over the same platform. Changing the platform is suiccide. The Rafa origin Aero with a 33.5 mm Balance and 317g is impossible to move. My feelings are hurt
at least they make the Pure Aero 98
@@TennCom is not the same thing... I ve been playing since my junior days with the Pure Drive Tour, what I want from this racket I cant find it anymore in their portfolio
Nobody touched the PD 100 though? This is an entirely different racquet even if it’s the same line
@@greg5892 yes. Plenty of people, but once you made it past your 17, 18s people generally wanted something a little more heavy. However, from 10 to 17 the 300g version was the most popular by far. The Aero was popular too but not as much, it feels like a less powered pure drive
I’m pretty sure this is gonna be the only honest review on the TH-camverse. Once again thanks @tenncom
Didn't the last one flop despite having the VS tag.
Original PD VS was decent.
Other trash
4:00 it’s indeed you being a bad player lol
Beckett has got to put more consideration into whether if it was him or the racket that causes the miss hits(mostly him with his 3.0 groundstrokes lol).
@@jasonle6417 That probably goes for most of us 😁
So true dude, don’t get me started lol
I can’t tell if this is ribbing, but respectfully it did seem like that at this moment. Like the ball flew out because poor positioning made him hit way low. I’m not sure how that’s on the racquet.
Respectfully idk how your game could make this racket work
It did not work at all. I think it was mainly the balance point as there are plenty of racquets designed for a flatter ball that I can make work like the Prostaff 97, Percept 100D and Gravity Pro but this was just a complete fail for me.
I can see how this racquet can appeal to tinier players, especially females, willing to play a control oriented 98 inch 16x20 head, but not strong enough to drive a typical control frame
It's 305 grams. Which apparently regular sized people nowadays find "on the heavier side" (of course it's totally ridiculous, but still).
I grinned when I read your comment bc I am a very happy Pure Drive 98 (2021) user and I'm a cranky old(ish) 6'5", 260 lbs guy 😆😂
@WaltKurtz68 I am precisely your height, a tad lighter though. Used to play a regular PD, too! Lots of women play power frames - obviously it is not why I switched :D And I agree that the idea that racuets should not exceed 300 g in weight is simply wrong
So, I get it... this is crap. You look very frustrated. Stiff ... in the 70's ???!!! NOT the specs ? ... >67 RA then ?
Pure Drive 98 always sucked arse historically
This video review sounds like "What a sh... frame!" in every minute I watched.
Quite a "don´t buy" warning.