Babolat Pure Strike 98 18x20 Tennis Racquet Carbon Grey

The Babolat Pure Strike 98 18x20 (Gen4) in the signature Carbon Grey (with white and orange accents) is the "Pro" flagship of the lineup. It is the most precise, stable, and low-powered racket in the family, designed specifically for heavy hitters who want total confidence to swing at 100% speed without the ball flying long.

This is the model most closely associated with the "Pure Strike" identity: a true player’s frame.

Gen4 Enhancements

1. Carbon Grey Aesthetic: The Gen4 features a "Carbon Grey" base—a darker, more aggressive look than the mostly-white Gen3. It utilizes a high-quality finish that highlights the graphite construction.
2. NF²-Tech (Natural Flax): This is the biggest functional upgrade. Babolat added flax fibers to the frame to solve the "harshness" of previous versions. This provides a more traditional, "plush" feel that purists often felt was missing from modern Babolat frames.
3. SWX Pure Feel: Integrated into the layup, this viscoelastic material works alongside the flax to dampen high-frequency vibrations, giving you a better "connection" to the ball.

Performance Breakdown

1. Precision (The "Sniper" Effect): The 18x20 pattern is built for directional control. If you aim for a spot two inches inside the baseline, that is where the ball goes. It offers the most predictable trajectory of any Babolat racket.
2. Stability: With a healthy swingweight and 305g mass, this racket is a rock against heavy pace. It doesn't flutter when returning 100mph serves or handling heavy topspin.
3. Spin: Because the string bed is dense, you won't get the "easy" spin of a Pure Aero. You must have technically sound, fast swings to "brush" the ball effectively.
4. Power: This is a low-powered frame. It is meant for players who provide their own power and are looking for the racket to tame that power rather than add to it.

Ideal Player

The Pure Strike 98 18x20 is the gold standard for:

1. High-Level Competitors: Advanced players (4.5+ NTRP) who have long, fast strokes and high physical strength.
2. Flat Hitters: Players who hit through the ball rather than over it and need a dense string pattern to prevent the ball from "sailing."
3. Aggressive All-Courters: Players who want maximum "touch" and feel for volleys, drop shots, and precision lobs.

Key Technical Specifications

• The 18x20 string pattern creates a very dense "shield" of strings in the hitting zone, offering maximum resistance and directional accuracy.

Head Size: 98 in² (632 cm²)

Weight (Unstrung):  305g (10.8 oz)

String Pattern:  18x20 (Dense)

Balance (Unstrung):  320mm / 7 pts Head Light

Swingweight:  ~325–330 (Strung)

Stiffness (RA):  ~64 (Slightly softer than Gen3)

Beam Width: 21 / 23 / 21 mm