Reviewing the Babolat Pure Drive 2025
Babolat’s Flagship Racquet Returns – The Pure Drive Gen11
Continuing to rank as the No. 1 racquet in tennis, the Babolat Pure Drive returns with its latest Gen11 for 2025. Used by some of the greatest players the game has ever seen, the Pure Drive is not only the easiest racquet to play with in its category, but also the most potent.
Branding itself as a frame that a first-day beginner can use to a seasoned, Tour level champion, the Pure Drive Gen11 retains most of his great qualities this time around and has become even more flexible.
Allowing for a great combination of stability and power on an array of shots from the back and forecourt, the latest version of the Pure Drive allows for even more racquet head speed.
There’s also an all-new Pure Drive 98 for 2025, which offers a 16×20 string pattern for added control and power. This racquet is a great option for those looking for an overall control oriented racquet that still packs some serious power.
Let’s now take a look at how the 2025 Pure Drive held up with the our play-test.
GROUNDSTROKES
Known for its ability to create spin on command, the Pure Drive Gen11 allowed for more than enough power and control on backhands and forehands, irrespective of the players location on court.
The racquet allowed for great net clearance and spin to be coupled into every shot from the corners of each court. Players won’t have to sacrifice any plow-through with this model, even though the stiffness rating has dropped to 66.
Buy the 2025 Pure Drive Gen11 here.
VOLLEYS
Volleys have always been an easy task with the Pure Drive series. With more and more players needing to develop their games at the net to be competitive, the Pure Drive is a great choice as it allows for great angles to be created or depth of shot to be made in critical moments.
Overall, shorter/drop volleys, were easier to hit than deeper ones, but that is not to say that all types of volleys weren’t hit with excellence.
Pure Drive 2025 STRUNG SPECIFICATIONS
Head Size: 100 in² / 645.16 cm²
Length: 27in / 68.58cm
Strung Weight: 11.2oz / 318g
Balance: 12.99in / 32.99cm / 4 pts HL
Swingweight: 317
Stiffness: 66
Beam Width: 23mm / 26mm / 23mm
Composition: Graphite
Power Level: Low-Medium
Stroke Style: Medium-Full
Swing Speed: Medium-Fast
Racquet Colors: Blue
Grip Type: Babolat Syntec Pro
String Pattern:
16 Mains / 19 Crosses
Mains skip: 7T,9T,7H,9H
Two Pieces
No Shared Holes
SERVING
Still to this day, it’s really hard to find a racquet on the market that is better to serve with than the Pure Drive or the Pure Aero. Both racquets provide prime-time pace, accuracy and spin, courtesy of the open string bed and 100 sq in frame.
The drop in stiffness did perhaps take down the pace of first serves from the previous version, but not to any significant degree.
Slice and kick serves were hit with overall ease, and flat serves were easily struck through the back of the ball.
RETURNING
Rinse and repeat when returning with the Pure Drive Gen11. Step up to the line and have the confidence that the racquet is able to wield around wide serves or save that ace up the line. Attack a weak second serve, or rocket first serve with great stability, and enjoy breaking your opponent more often than not.
Depending of course on how you string your racquet, the performance of your returns will differ. In general, it’s recommend that all Pure Drive users string somewhere between 50-60 LBS. Going higher than 60 LBS in tension will likely result in less power on slower returns and going less than 50 LBS will likely result in a more erratic return game.
OVERALL IMPRESSIONS
The Final word on the 2025 Babolat Pure Drive Gen11 is that is will continue to be the highest selling racquet in the world. When everyone can play with racquet, from a beginner to a Grand Slam champion, you have a created a timeless product that keeps getting better with age.
If anything, the latest version of the Pure Drive is more arm-friendly, easier to get back into position, better for angles and creates a bit more snap on the ball from the baseline.
It remains, without question, a racquet for every player to try in 2025.
RATING
9.5/10
