Expert Review: Babolat Pure Drive 107 Racquet · Unstrung


All photos courtesy of Russell Christensen
About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the tennis racquet, which I tested for one week in October of 2022.
My take
With the light swing, easy power, and 107 sq. in. frame, the Babolat Pure Drive 107 racquet is geared for intermediate baseline players who are aggressive and are looking for an excellent sweet spot on contact.
About the gear
- Model: 2021 Pure Drive 107
- Grip Size: 4 3/8
- String and Tension: Tennis Warehouse Multifilament string, 55 lbs
- Head size: 107 sq. in.
- Racquet Length: 27.2 in.
- Any Customizations: None
About me
- Height: 5’10”
- Weight: 210 lbs
- Previous Racquet Played With: Babolat Pure Aero
- Experience: 23 years of tennis playing
- NTRP/UTA Rating: 8/9
Test conditions
- When I bought these: October 2022
- Days tested: One week
- Court Surfaces: Hard court
- Match Play/Practice Session/Both: Practice session
- Where I’ve used it: South Jordan City Courts
How it performs
What I was looking for
I wanted to find something that would be fitting for my wife, who is starting up tennis. I wanted to test it for myself to get a good feel for it.
Why I chose this gear
I liked the head size of 107 for my wife versus the standard 98-100 racquet head size. The head size provides a little more forgiveness on the ball at contact and a bigger sweet spot. I was looking at boost racquets from Babolat, but I wanted something that would last longer as she develops into a player.
What I love about it
- Power: This racquet was made for easy power. It is one of the stiffer racquets on the market. The spacing on the grommets and strings from the FSI Power tech help make the power even more accessible.
- Feel: Babolat has upped the game in feel, especially with the bigger sweet spot. This makes the shots feel like butter.
- Maneuverability: This racquet is on the lighter side due to the thinner graphite frame, which is nice for those who like the swing big.
Issues I’ve encountered
- Control: It provides excellent spin access because it is lighter and has the racquet more racquet heavy. Despite the access to spin, if I hit it incorrectly, the ball can fly.
- Stability: The racquet was not built for long rallies due to the excess power. It is more for shot points with aggression.
- Versatility: It is definitely geared for the baseliner. It provides easy power with groundstrokes. But I had a tough time with volleys. They were sailing long. Also, I couldn’t get another spin on my serves. I made a good amount of double faults and misses.
Favorite moment with this gear
I was doing a slice drill with a friend, and my shots looked great! They stayed low, and I got a great angle on the slice. My friend was having a tough time getting them back over the net. It made my slices look easy.
Value for the money vs. other options
Babolats tend to stay high in price and rarely lower their prices. I believe this racquet goes for over $200. If someone is just starting out and looking to commit long-term to tennis and has extra money, go for it. If not, I would recommend similar playability racquets like the Head Extreme racquets, which go for around $180.
Final verdict
If someone is looking for a racquet that has a big sweet spot on the strings and easy power, this is for them. Unfortunately, the price