Babolat Pure Strike 16×19 – Tennis Racquet Review

Babolat’s Pure Drive and Pure Aero racquets are well known for their excellent levels speed, spin, and precision. Their sister racquet, the Pure Strike could be characterized as a “softer Pure Drive,” delivering much of the same power and spin, with a little bit of added control, and a softer, more forgiving feel. It’s a very good tennis racquet and claimed a spot on our list of best tennis racquets.

In this Babolat Pure Strike 16×19 review, we’re looking at the features that earn this racquet a spot next to its iconic siblings.

Highlights of the Babolat Pure Strike 16×19

The Pure Strike 16×19 is a very well-rounded racquet. It performs well in all areas we reviewed. Let’s take a look at some of the key features and benefits that make this racquet exceptional. 

Exceptional Comfort & Feel

The frame of the Pure Strike 16×9 features a dampening technology that allows for more ball pocketing and shock absorption, which provides a more forgiving feel on contact. 

Comfort and feel of a racquet are still a subjective measure and can vary from player to player. Some players complain that the Pure Strike 16×19 is still too stiff, unforgiving, and hard on the arm. If this is the case for you, you might try using softer strings. 

Balance of Power and Control

The Pure Strike has a similar emphasis on power as the Pure Drive, while offering a bit more control. You’ll find that you have enough power to hit with consistent depth and easily put away shots, and enough control to place them anywhere on the court.  

Great Stability & Maneuverability For Returns

While better stability is usually associated with heavier, more substantial racquets, the Pure Strike 16×19 offers an unlikely balance of stability and maneuverability. So although stability on returns is not something you’d expect from a lighter, more maneuverable racquet, that’s what you can expect from the Pure Strike 16×19. 

It has a large, forgiving sweet spot, making it easier to connect with incoming balls with a lot of speed and power. And the excellent maneuverability means you’ll have a much easier time getting your racquet where it needs to be in time. 

Combining these two features, the Pure Strike 16×19 gives you everything you need to be prepared for returning aggressive serves. 

Great for Both First and Second Serves

After getting accustomed to the racquet, you might feel like anything is possible standing on that serve line. The combination of power, spin, and control in the Pure Strike 16×19 makes it a great weapon for both first and second serves. 

It’s got enough mass to help you deliver your flatter first serve with some serious heat. And it’s maneuverable enough to really swing through contact to generate significant spin for second serves.

Alternatives to the Babolat Pure Strike 16×19

If you’re looking for something slightly different than the Pure Strike 16×19, we recommend you take a look at these other Babolat racquets. 

If you’re looking for a racquet with a similar feel to the Pure Strike 16×19, try the Pure Strike 100. The lower swingweight creates even more maneuverability than the Pure Strike 16×19. But it comes at the expense of some control and stability. 

Try the Babolat Pure Drive if you’re looking for something with more power and easy spin potential than the Pure Strike 16×19. The Pure Drive doesn’t have the level of control the Pure Strike does, but if you’re looking for raw, unbridled power and more spin, you might find a better fit in the Pure Drive. 

Summary & Recommendations

The Pure Strike 16×19 is a great all-around racquet, and it scores consistently high across all categories. It’s light and easy to maneuver, but still solid and stable. It offers a good amount of power and spin, while still offering exceptional control. And to top it off, it has a comfortable, forgiving feel that’s easier on the arm.
We recommend this racquet for aggressive players who want a high level of control and a responsive feel. You can find the Pure Strike 16×19 on Amazon.

Post last updated on May 26, 2020