Most players pick a racquet off a spec sheet or a pro’s name on the throat, then wonder why their game doesn’t follow. I care about one thing when I put a frame in a student’s hand: does it let you swing fast and keep the ball in? The Babolat Pure Aero 98, refreshed for 2026 (the Gen 9 update), is one of the more interesting answers to that question, so here’s my honest take as a coach.
The specs
| Head size | 98 sq in (630 cm²) |
| Weight | ~305 g unstrung (~323 g strung) |
| Balance | Head-light |
| String pattern | 16x20 |
| Beam | 21 / 23 / 22 mm |
| Stiffness | RA ~69 |
| Length | 27” |
The short version: this is the control-and-precision member of the Pure Aero family. Where the Pure Aero 100 is the bigger, more forgiving, spin-first frame, the 98 tightens everything up — smaller head, denser 16x20 pattern, a bit more demand on you. The 2026 refresh keeps that character but reworks the shaft to cut wind resistance, so it whips through the air a touch faster than the outgoing model.
Who it’s for
This racquet rewards a committed, fast swing. It’s built for the advanced, aggressive baseliner who already generates their own pace and wants a frame that adds spin and precision without spraying balls long. If you take big cuts at your forehand and your misses are usually long rather than into the net, this is squarely your kind of stick.
Who should look elsewhere: beginners and improvers still building a consistent swing (the smaller sweetspot punishes off-center contact), and anyone with a sensitive arm — more on that below.
On court
Spin. This is the headline, and it’s the part I care about most as a forehand coach. The Aero beam is designed to swing fast through the air, and paired with a fast racquet-head-speed forehand it produces the kind of heavy, dipping topspin that pushes opponents off the baseline. Playtesters on the 2026 model specifically call out how whippy it feels and the extra RPMs it puts on the forehand, which tracks with that reworked shaft. The 16x20 pattern is denser than the 100’s 16x19, so you trade a sliver of raw spin for noticeably more control — the ball comes off more predictably.
Power and control together. The thing testers consistently note, and what I’d expect on court, is that you can swing hard and still be accurate. It’s not a cheap-power board that launches balls; the power is there when you supply the swing, and the 98-inch head keeps it on a leash. That’s the whole appeal.
Comfort. Babolat’s older Pure Aeros had a reputation for a stiff, harsh feel. The current frame adds flax inserts at 3 and 9 o’clock to soften impact, and it does help. That said, at RA ~69 this is still a firm, stiff-ish frame — if you have a history of tennis elbow or wrist trouble, demo it before you commit, and pay attention to your string setup.
Serve and net. The head-light balance keeps it maneuverable enough to be quick to the ball and stable through volleys, and there’s enough mass to get good plow-through and spin on the serve. It’s a full-swing racquet, though — when you’re tired late in a match, it asks for effort. That’s the trade for the stability.
The forehand verdict
For the players I coach on their forehand, the Pure Aero 98 is a genuinely good match once the technique is there. It amplifies a fast, clean swing with spin and precision. But it will also expose a swing that isn’t there yet — it won’t paper over a leaky kinetic chain or a late contact point. Fix the stroke first, then let a racquet like this reward it.
My rating: 4.5 / 5
A precise, spin-friendly frame for advanced players who bring their own pace. Docked a touch for the demands it places on you: the smaller sweetspot and firm feel mean it’s not for everyone. If you’re an aggressive baseliner with a big forehand, it’s an easy racquet to recommend. If you’re still building that swing, the best gear upgrade you can make is your technique.
Want me to look at your forehand before you spend on a new racquet? Start the free 7-day forehand challenge and send me your swing.