Speed. Spin. Accuracy.
Featuring the smallest head size, tightest string spacing, and thinnest beam in the Pure Aero family, the Pure Aero 98 delivers truly impressive command over the ball. As such, it gives aggressive players the confidence to swing big and hit their targets with pace. In addition to its controllable power, the Pure Aero 98 packs a sub-325 swingweight, giving it easy acceleration on groundies and quick handling at net. It also shines on serve, where the combination of power and accuracy makes it easy to keep your opponent off balance. For 2026, Babolat reengineers the geometry of the shaft to reduce wind drag, giving this speedy racquet an even more explosive feel, making it easier to whip up spin, generate pace, or reset the point with an outstretched flick. Other updates include the latest version of NF2 Tech, a dampening technology that uses flax fibers in strategic locations to provide a softer, more arm-friendly ride. As with the previous generation, this update has FSI Spin Technology, which combines Babolat's time-tested Woofer system with strategically placed Spin Grommets to increase dwell time and string movement, generating greater spin and a more responsive feel on angled contact. Ultimately, this update to the Pure Aero 98 continues to be an obvious option for experienced players who want a spin-friendly weapon that rewards full swings with impressive accuracy. The boost in speed is a nice bonus.
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: 322 | ||||
| Stiffness: 66 | ||||
| Beam Width: 21mm / 23mm / 22mm | ||||
| Composition: Graphite | ||||
| Power Level: Low-Medium | ||||
| Stroke Style: Medium-Full | ||||
| Swing Speed: Medium-Fast | ||||
| Racquet Colors: Grey/Yellow | ||||
| Grip Type: Syntec Pro | ||||
String Pattern:
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| String Tension: 46-55 pounds |
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Customer Reviews
This thing is INCREDIBLEFirst things first --this is NOT the 2023 Aero. It does play and feel very similar enough with a few notable changes:
1. This has significantly greater feel than the 2023 version. Not only is it better on touch and slice shots, but it is also much softer on the arm without surrendering too much by way of power which often times feels like a board.
2. Access to spin is much better with this 2026 model. This does some of the work for you but I've found that when you push it, you can hit shots with incredible arc that fall out of the sky providing great depth and margin.
I am a former D1 player who has played all my life and I suspect for anyone not at least at the 4.5 level, you probably won't notice too much of a difference between this model and the 2023 version aside from overall stiffness of the frame but for players who can generate greater swing speed, this racquet will offer you both enhanced comfort and more importantly, significantly more control than achievable with the Aero 2023.
Happy hitting!
Extremely DisappointingFor context, I'm a strong 4.0 player and I've been a Pure Aero user for over ten years. I used to play with Aero 100, then switched to the 2023 Aero 98, which is my favorite racquet of all time. Like many others, my only issue with the 2023 is its stiffness. I was hoping the 2026 version would address this while keeping the same attributes that made the previous versions so iconic. Instead, Babolat seems to have done the unthinkable. While the new Aero 98 is definitely more dampened, it is also sluggish, doesn't cut through the air like any Aero before it, and spin generation is nowhere near the levels of the 2023 model. It honestly doesn't even feel like an Aero. It's as though Babolat stripped all the Aero DNA out of it, and turned it into a generic mush of Pure Drive, Yonex V-Core, and some heavy Head racquet.
I've stocked up on the 2023 model from TW and I suspect many others have as well. RIP the Aero line. You were truly a gift to tennis for over two decades.
Great racquetExcellent control, spin and comfort.
Aero with a little Ezone feel to itI love the 2026 Aero 98. I prefer the added flex & dwell time on the string bed. It is more dampened than the 23, so I would recommend a crisp string like Tour Sniper in it. It’s definitely more forgiving & easier on the arm than the 23. Both are great racquets though. So it just comes down to preference in feel.
To much flexI play doubles and singles as a 4.5, and hit hard. Played with the previous version since it's release. Not a fan of this newer version. Much better arm friendliness compared to the previous version, but as a consequence there is too much flex leading to a disconnected dampened feel. Some may like this, but I find it a major issue. Spin is great, power is similar to previous version, but control takes a hit with the flex.
PerfectBabolat hit the nail on this one. As a Head loyalist, I have to admit the is one of the best racquets made in recent years. I was a fan of the gravity tour but this blows it out of the water. It has the spin and power of the previous generation but a more comfortable feel.
A different racquet with old Pure Aero DNAI'm an aggressive baseliner with heavy topspin (USTA 5.0). I played the 2023 for years and switched to the 2026 after a test session – primarily because the new model addressed exactly the things that slightly bothered me about its predecessor. Both tested with the same setup: Luxilon Alu Power (22kg mains / 20kg crosses), customized to 340g, 315mm balance, 330 swingweight.
The 2023 was always a touch too direct/harsh, especially on off-center hits. The 2026 is noticeably more connected and dampened without losing feedback – a real difference in long sessions. Had sometimes arm issues with the 2023, nothing with the 2026.
Faster head speed through the improved aerodynamics translates directly into heavier topspin with better shape. For me this is the biggest win. The 2026 handles pace much better. Blocking back big serves or absorbing a heavy ball from the baseline feels more controlled and predictable. That improved stability and feel give me genuine trust in the racquet so I swing with more confidence and conviction.
Highly recommended.
Very different from previous modelI prefer this one to the 2023 Pure Aero 98 but some might not like the new changes. This version seems more forgiving and has a more dampened feel. Also the throat shape has changed noticeably from the iconic aero shape.
Background: I've used many iterations of the Aero Pro 100 and Pure Aero 100 over time. I briefly switched to the Wilson Blade 98 16x19 for more control but felt it was too low powered for me. I demoed the 2023 Pure Aero 98 hoping to find a middle ground but never liked that one. Found it only marginally more spinny and powerful than the Blade but significantly harsher feel and inconsistent response. I ended up settling on an Ezone 98 instead. This new update is making me consider a switch back to Babolat
A different kind of good, but not for me:The 2023 Pure Aero 98 was one of the best racquets I have ever used, so I was extremely interested to demo this new 2026 update. The 2023 version was a phenomenal stick, but I ended up switching to something else because it was just too hard on my shoulder, and also because of the horrible grip geometry. This new 2026 version has improved grip quality, and is better on serves and also great on my one-handed backhand, but pretty mediocre everywhere else. To me it felt more stable, but also quite dead and less responsive in the direction of the Pure Drive. Gone is that great raw feel of the previous model. I was also expecting to like the new paint job much better, but in-person I actually find I prefer the old finish.
The 2023 version was very sensitive to string setup, so I would like to think it may have performed better with a different string and tension. While I do believe Babolat made some notable improvements, for me they came at the expense of the core DNA that made the outgoing version such a classic.
An Interesting but Phenomenal Upgrade!**4.5 stars
The new upgrade I got to playtest, and honestly, it was a bit of switch at first given the new balance point. Surprisingly after a while, the racquet felt heavy too even though the racquet is the same weight at the old model. However, once dialed in, I loved the amount of pace, depth, volley punch, and serve pace that this racquet produced! Highly recommend it for anyone, but will say I honestly prefer the 2023 model for my game.
Good but Not What I ExpectedI think this frame performs really well but I felt like I wasn't hitting with a Pure Aero line. The 2023 version had a lovely feel on the hoop area during impact with lots of rpm, but felt a slight disconnection in the shaft. So when I see the new design of this frame, I was excited to see if it solved my personal issue. After much hitting, I find that this new frame's shaft is much more stable and perhaps a bit too solid that the hoop/overall frame felt more muted. However, I did find myself having better depth/height control of the ball. Serves are also much more consistent, and I felt more aggressive and confident at the net. Slices also stayed a bit lower. Overall, even though this frame was more muted comparing to the 2023 version, I guess I didn't really had that disconnected feel with the shaft, and I liked how I performed better with this one/played more aggressively.
THE GOATThis is the GOAT 2.0. I made the switch when we got the prototypes on the challenger tour. The hype is real. Getting a new set of 12 for this new season.
