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.
Check out this Babolat racquet guide from our playtest team!
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
Prince 03 Speedport black to PA98I'm a transitioning 3.5 to 4.0 player, and the Pure Aero 98 is built for players like me - especially if you have a medium to large swing and play an aggressive court game.
For years I played a serve-and-volley style with the Prince O3 Speedport Black. That frame worked, but it was dated. It got me to net, but it wasn't giving me the tools to finish points with authority. The serve was serviceable. The volleys were solid but lacked precision.
After one week with the Pure Aero 98, my serve-and-volley game has a different dimension.
The serve is faster with real kick. The headlight balance generates pace without requiring you to dial it back. I'm hitting bigger first serves and getting depth on the second. That's the foundation - get to net with advantage.
Volleys are where this frame excels. The stability at net is firm without being dead. I get excellent feel and control, but the frame doesn't collapse on hard blocks. Dwell time is short. This is what I was missing with the Prince - precision with authority. I'm finishing points at net instead of extending rallies.
Groundstrokes back up the aggressive game. Full-swing drives stay in. The string bed is responsive enough that you feel the ball, but forgiving enough that you're not punishing yourself for mistakes. I compared it to the Vcore 98 and Ezone 98 - the Pure Aero outperforms both for my swing style and net-focused game.
This isn't a frame that asks you to shorten your swing or dial back aggression. It's built for players who load a bigger swing and come to net. If you're developing a 4.0 game with serve-and-volley tendencies, this is the racquet.
Rocket launcherFun, but not something I want full time. Particularly fun returning deep shots out of the air. Appreciate the pop.
For your prosIt generates massive spin, but string it below 50 lbs or risk destroying your arm! Even pros like Alcaraz have suffered wrist and arm issues using this racquet.
My Forever RacquetsLong time user of the pure aero line and this racquet fixed all of the issues I had. I've been with a 2016 pure aero 100 for a while and made a brief stop at the pure aero rafa origin, skipping the 2023 version because I didn't like the paint job. I can't stand light racquets and even at 305g, the model I demoed was hitting like magic right out of the box. Adding 2 g in the butt and another 2 g both at 10 and 2 turned this thing into a hammer. The throat feels amazing, more aerodynamic than the previous models without sacrificing ergonomics and comfort like a box beam would, which is what turned me away from my second favorite racquet the 18x20 had radical pro (I also don't love the head handle.) Speaking of the string pattern, it's the perfect medium 16x20 as opposed to the dense 16x19 of the pure aero rafa origin, or the extremely open pure aero 2016. I was able to quickly hit with 2023 pure aero 100 I borrowed from someone at public courts, and the drop off in dampening and feel, based on my tastes, is night and day. The 2026 model is far superior. It just feels and sounds orders of magnitude more premium. That said, coming from older models as well as 100sq inch models, I have had to drastically drop my tension by roughly ten pounds (from 57/55 poly/multi to 48/46 poly/gut since the racquet probably doesn't hit as far, to be fair--tradeoff for increased dampening I assume), and the 98sq inch size did expose a host of technical issues (timing and racquet face angle) which when addressed have had me hitting smaller and smaller targets. These were "boardy" at 55lbs with a full bed of toroline caviar and pretty jarring off-center, but from extremely brief research, that may be mostly just the physics of a smaller head size. When I'm playing with my preferred overgrip, my natural gut hybrid set up, and I'm particularly warm, the racquet just disappears. I can't even imagine where they could possibly go from here, maybe if they invent a new material or something. Equally importantly, they're incredible-looking. These things genuinely bring me joy. I'll have them for the next 50 years
Babolat Has Went in a Different DirectionThe new 2026 updated PA98 is geared towards a higher caliber player/play-style than it's 2023 predecessor, which is objectively great for college/high performance juniors and 4.5+ ntrp players, but the 2023 PA98 offered a lot to even the lower levels of players that this model has taken away (in favor of extra control/stability when you have a fully developed swing and very, very consistent swing speed).
Taking this down to a 1/5 if you are below a 4.5 ntrp and a 4/5 or 5/5 if you are very advanced.
Not neccesarily a bad thing since they have the PA100 line that is the intended line for the players below that margin, it was just very insane to see how good the PA98 2023 was at reaching across almost the entire spectrum of players.
Bat out of HellCurrently playing with PD 98, which allows me to hit as big as I want, I mean really mash the ball with full strokes and just hit with total abandon. I tried both the 100 and 98 previous PA versions and found them a bit clunky to be honest. I had thought this new version would just be a bit quicker through the air and a bit easier to use.
It plays nothing like the old model. First it feels much heavier than the 326g strung weight (RPM Blast) in the hand. It just feels so solid for some reason. Some of the play testers said it is whippier than the old model, but I found it slower than the old model when hitting flat or straight up 90 degrees. However if you step out to the ball and hit low to high it just takes off. It is really really quick through the air with a full stroke.
I can’t remember the ball ever exiting the string bed so quickly with anything I have played with. Not even a RF Autograph. The ball is on the opponent before they have had time to react. Everyone I have hit with really disliked the pace and spin the frame generates and struggled to cope. The ball absolutely flies even compared to what I can hit with a PD when I am thrashing the ball. The frame is an absolute treat with a one handed backhand.
If you can hit with a full swing you will love this frame. It is like nothing I have ever hit with before, everything else just seems anaemic.
Big MistakeThey took the best performing racquet in tennis and made it kludgy. Swings slower than the '23 Aero 98 and the '20 VS.
Totally numb feedback, just as stiff as the VS, and less powerful than both predecessors. An error. Also the paint job is still about as ugly as the weird digital camo from '23.
Not as goodThe previous version is better. This new one doesn’t generate as much spin and power I feel
Paint Job IssueAs others have stated on Reddit, this racquet has an issue with the neon vinyl stripes.
After a few shanks, the strips are coming off. The racquet has yet to touch the ground.
In my opinion, unacceptable for $300+ racquet.
I do love this racquet otherwise though. Just sad I spend so much money on these for them to look 3 years old after 5 sessions
MehWe did find this racquet slightly more user friendly than the 2023 PA98. Not sure if my demo was slightly lighter in swingweight as friends said it was slightly more difficult to maneuver. The new 2026 version definitely does not have the same pop/power/ spin/ heaviness of the previous version
and feels very different. A big step backwards in my opinion. Unless babolat just wanted to head in a different direction. Hopefully babolat has the next 2029 version play much closer to the 2023. The good news is you can still buy the 2023 PA98.
Try the 2026 100 pure aero as that was very nice to hit with.
