Introducing a new racquet into the Pure Aero family was never going to be an easy task for French manufacturer, Babolat. The Pure Aero and Pure Drive continue to be the top two selling racquets in the world and it isn’t even close.
That said, when taking into account the powerful characteristics of Rafa Nadal’s Pure Aero and attempting to make a slightly more control-friendly frame that still provides the power and plow-through that the Aero Series has been known for, Babolat has come forward with another hit by introducing the 2020 Pure Aero VS.
Featured in a 98 square inch frame, a tapered beam, stiffness index of 70 and weighing in at 10.8 ounces unstrung, the Pure Aero VS is slightly heavier in its stock form over the likes of the Pure Aero or Pure Drive. Both of which are 10.6 ounces and are 7 points head light. The Pure Aero VS comes in at 9 points head light.
The wider grommet feature in the throat of the racquet and at the top of the beam certainly do provide a great degree of string movement and spin when hitting topspin ground-strokes or serves, especially when using the new RPM Power string that was provided.
The 16×20 string bed will take some getting use to for Pure Aero users, but if you’re in the market for a racquet that provides great power (not exactly as much as the Pure Aero) but will give you a tad more control (perhaps more towards a Pure Strike), then the Pure Aero VS 2020 is a great racquet to try this Spring/Summer.
The tapered beam feature along with the glossy finish to the frame surely do provide this frame with what seems to be more racquet head speed compared with the Babolat Pure Aero. That’s not to say that the Pure Aero doesn’t allow you to bludgeon ground-strokes from the baseline, but the streamline feel of the Pure Aero VS did give it a tad more speed through the ball compared with any other racquet from the Babolat family.
Returning serve and volleying were made easy with this frame, courtesy of the smaller head-size and more compact sweet spot. Simply put: You can swing out on your returns with the Pure Aero VS and keep more balls in the court. Volleying – much like with the Pure Strike – were hit crisp and clean. We generally find that a slightly smaller head size will provide a better, more consistent volley.
Used by Canadian upstart Felix Auger-Aliassime and three time Grand Slam doubles winner and former No. 8 Jack Sock, the Pure Aero VS brings forth ample power with the right amount of control for the avid rec player, to the world-class professional.
All in all, the Pure Aero VS continues the lineage of high-standard frames by Babolat. The Pure Aero VS will provide most users with the perfect blend of power and control.
To purchase the all-new Babolat Pure Aero VS, checkout the following stores:
