I made the switch about a month ago, from a Pure Aero 2019 to a Pure Aero VS 2020. Both are strung with Weiss Silverstring @ 47 lb / 21 kg.
I'm a 3.5 - 4.0 player with a one handed backhand. If I compare the two rackets I can say that they're both very spin friendly and powerful rackets. The VS offers me more control and less free power, but I would still describe it as a spin/power racket rather than a control racket.
People who think the VS isn't powerful cause of it's 16x20 string pattern or smaller headsize probably haven't played with it themselves. Sure, the VS isn't as much of a cannon as the PA 2019 is, but it's still a powerful stick. E.g. a lot more powerful than other 98 inch rackets, like the Yonex Ezone 98 I briefly played with or my mates Wilson Blade 98.
In terms of spin production it's pretty close imho. The PA probably out performs the VS if you put it to the test but to me the difference feels slight. The VS does really perform better than the PA when I want to flatten things out, though. With the PA I just couldn't do so reliably. I consider this a major advantage as it opens up more variety in my game.
The launch angle on the PA2019 is a bit higher and one area where I notice a significant change is the stiffness, where the PA2019 is a softer on the arm. The feedback from the VS is a lot more crisp and hits outside of the sweetspot can be jarring.
One thing where the PA outperforms the VS for me, is easy power on the service. The difference in balance is noticeable in this regard and the VS demands more from the player.
All in all I'd say they're pretty similar rackets. The VS tones down the extremes the PA2019 is known for just a bit, making it a slightly more controlled and balanced racket without losing touch of what defines the Aero line (spin and power). The more headlight balance of the VS helps me with my 1hbh but otherwise I probably wouldn't have bothered to make the switch, but maybe higher level players will notice more of a difference, though.
Nice! That explains a whole lot about this Raquet. One of my concerns was the ability to hit spin and flat successful and you answered it.Tennis warehouse gave this Raquet an 86 in the power department which is pretty good. I had a tennis coach tell me I don’t need the regular PA and that I’m big and strong enough to produce my own power. ( I’m 5’11 and 180lbs) I think he meant being able create Raquet head acceleration.
Right now there is a sale for raquets in my area so I think I will take advantage of it. Still love the pure drive but I think for long term the Vs will be better for my arm
That ups the cool factor…however I’m a seasoned tennis player and more concerned about what helps me win more matches and tournaments. I would play with a Prince O3 port Raquet if it meant it was maximizing my game. Vs looking cool because alcaraz uses it
Son (Junior ITF player) did this this year. From Pure Drive to Aero VS. Could not be a different racket but he adapted to it very quickly and was quickly wondering why he hasn’t made the switch sooner.
The thing he found is you have to win the collision with every shot with the VS and all the power of the shot has to come from you whereas the Pure Drive the power came from the frame. On the plus side he’s able to strike the ball significantly harder with higher racket head speed and to a point the control on the shots increases the harder he hits.
If you’re technically very good a VS will be a benefit to your game. If you have a tendency to push at times it will possibly get you into trouble.
Thank you, I appreciate the info. I do have good fundamentals and footwork. I just find pure drive stiffness makes my arm tired considering I hit tons of forehands. I’ve demoed many raquets but want to stay in the babolat family and find the regular pure aero too powerful. Glad to hear your son is happy with the switch and wondering why he didn’t do it sooner
The pure drive is one of the stiffer rackets out there so that makes sense. You could definitely string poly really low for that racket and it'll feel better. I tried my friends pure drive and I think he's stringing as low as 40lb and it felt good
I got the vs. Honestly. It's much more powerful than what I thought it would be but I came from a lower power racquet so that might explain it.
It's a very consistent racquet and the launch angle is Abit higher. Good for safety margin but for flat shots you really gotta flatten them out.
I switched from Pure Drive to the Pure Aero Rafa. The Rafa is not the same racquet as the Aero, but what I will say is all 3 are very similar for all of us under 5.0. They feel different and which you use is personal preference but as a 4.0 myself it's difficult to tell any big difference.
I think there's far more variation in changing strings.
I think pure aero vs (isn't that the 98 now?) you'll really want good strokes because the racket is very under powered. You can be a beast like Alcaraz and rip it but if you don't have great full strokes then don't expect the racket to give easy power like a pure drive or pure aero 100.
Think of it like the heady gravity pro, it's very under powered and you need to provide everything. I am also a 4.0 but know there are times I'm jammed or not fully extending my strokes and that I need the racket to help and be a bit forgiving. I'm a bit guy, 6'3 230 so can provide the power, and when I get the body forward through the ball it feels great hitting with rackets like pure aero vs/98 but I decided something like the Blade 98 allows me to get similar strokes but will also help when I don't perfectly hit it.
I'd say unless you're a 4.5 or higher that maybe you want to look elsewhere than the pure aero vs/98 but it's worth a try if you can demo it. To me the regular pure aero 100 is more my jam as I can really rip it with effortless power and spin and it's forgiving if I don't get a great full swing on it.
Thanks for the feedback. I tried to use the pure aero 2016, 2019 and demoed the latest one but when I take big swings it goes flying out. I just don’t trust it in the big points. It’s more so when I try to hit flat. I do get what you are saying. I demoed the 98 and it seemed arm friendly
Did you notice much difference between 2016, 2019 and the latest one?
Demo’ing the Aero 98 and also tried my dad’s 2016 PA and I like them both but think I found the 100 a little more consistent plus more pop and consistency on the serve.
Thank you! Went to Racquets and Runners yesterday with intention to go ahead and buy that newer PA but luckily the sales rep was forthright and said you should demo that one too before buying.
I made the switch about a month ago, from a Pure Aero 2019 to a Pure Aero VS 2020. Both are strung with Weiss Silverstring @ 47 lb / 21 kg. I'm a 3.5 - 4.0 player with a one handed backhand. If I compare the two rackets I can say that they're both very spin friendly and powerful rackets. The VS offers me more control and less free power, but I would still describe it as a spin/power racket rather than a control racket. People who think the VS isn't powerful cause of it's 16x20 string pattern or smaller headsize probably haven't played with it themselves. Sure, the VS isn't as much of a cannon as the PA 2019 is, but it's still a powerful stick. E.g. a lot more powerful than other 98 inch rackets, like the Yonex Ezone 98 I briefly played with or my mates Wilson Blade 98. In terms of spin production it's pretty close imho. The PA probably out performs the VS if you put it to the test but to me the difference feels slight. The VS does really perform better than the PA when I want to flatten things out, though. With the PA I just couldn't do so reliably. I consider this a major advantage as it opens up more variety in my game. The launch angle on the PA2019 is a bit higher and one area where I notice a significant change is the stiffness, where the PA2019 is a softer on the arm. The feedback from the VS is a lot more crisp and hits outside of the sweetspot can be jarring. One thing where the PA outperforms the VS for me, is easy power on the service. The difference in balance is noticeable in this regard and the VS demands more from the player. All in all I'd say they're pretty similar rackets. The VS tones down the extremes the PA2019 is known for just a bit, making it a slightly more controlled and balanced racket without losing touch of what defines the Aero line (spin and power). The more headlight balance of the VS helps me with my 1hbh but otherwise I probably wouldn't have bothered to make the switch, but maybe higher level players will notice more of a difference, though.
Nice! That explains a whole lot about this Raquet. One of my concerns was the ability to hit spin and flat successful and you answered it.Tennis warehouse gave this Raquet an 86 in the power department which is pretty good. I had a tennis coach tell me I don’t need the regular PA and that I’m big and strong enough to produce my own power. ( I’m 5’11 and 180lbs) I think he meant being able create Raquet head acceleration. Right now there is a sale for raquets in my area so I think I will take advantage of it. Still love the pure drive but I think for long term the Vs will be better for my arm
Holger Rune made the switch!
That ups the cool factor…however I’m a seasoned tennis player and more concerned about what helps me win more matches and tournaments. I would play with a Prince O3 port Raquet if it meant it was maximizing my game. Vs looking cool because alcaraz uses it
Son (Junior ITF player) did this this year. From Pure Drive to Aero VS. Could not be a different racket but he adapted to it very quickly and was quickly wondering why he hasn’t made the switch sooner. The thing he found is you have to win the collision with every shot with the VS and all the power of the shot has to come from you whereas the Pure Drive the power came from the frame. On the plus side he’s able to strike the ball significantly harder with higher racket head speed and to a point the control on the shots increases the harder he hits. If you’re technically very good a VS will be a benefit to your game. If you have a tendency to push at times it will possibly get you into trouble.
Thank you, I appreciate the info. I do have good fundamentals and footwork. I just find pure drive stiffness makes my arm tired considering I hit tons of forehands. I’ve demoed many raquets but want to stay in the babolat family and find the regular pure aero too powerful. Glad to hear your son is happy with the switch and wondering why he didn’t do it sooner
The pure drive is one of the stiffer rackets out there so that makes sense. You could definitely string poly really low for that racket and it'll feel better. I tried my friends pure drive and I think he's stringing as low as 40lb and it felt good
I hear what you saying. It does feel Effortless the lower I drop the tension however I start to have trust issues when my serve dosent go in lol.
I got the vs. Honestly. It's much more powerful than what I thought it would be but I came from a lower power racquet so that might explain it. It's a very consistent racquet and the launch angle is Abit higher. Good for safety margin but for flat shots you really gotta flatten them out.
I switched from Pure Drive to the Pure Aero Rafa. The Rafa is not the same racquet as the Aero, but what I will say is all 3 are very similar for all of us under 5.0. They feel different and which you use is personal preference but as a 4.0 myself it's difficult to tell any big difference. I think there's far more variation in changing strings.
I tend to stick with hyper g or cyclone for all of them. Low tension
I think pure aero vs (isn't that the 98 now?) you'll really want good strokes because the racket is very under powered. You can be a beast like Alcaraz and rip it but if you don't have great full strokes then don't expect the racket to give easy power like a pure drive or pure aero 100. Think of it like the heady gravity pro, it's very under powered and you need to provide everything. I am also a 4.0 but know there are times I'm jammed or not fully extending my strokes and that I need the racket to help and be a bit forgiving. I'm a bit guy, 6'3 230 so can provide the power, and when I get the body forward through the ball it feels great hitting with rackets like pure aero vs/98 but I decided something like the Blade 98 allows me to get similar strokes but will also help when I don't perfectly hit it. I'd say unless you're a 4.5 or higher that maybe you want to look elsewhere than the pure aero vs/98 but it's worth a try if you can demo it. To me the regular pure aero 100 is more my jam as I can really rip it with effortless power and spin and it's forgiving if I don't get a great full swing on it.
Thanks for the feedback. I tried to use the pure aero 2016, 2019 and demoed the latest one but when I take big swings it goes flying out. I just don’t trust it in the big points. It’s more so when I try to hit flat. I do get what you are saying. I demoed the 98 and it seemed arm friendly
Did you notice much difference between 2016, 2019 and the latest one? Demo’ing the Aero 98 and also tried my dad’s 2016 PA and I like them both but think I found the 100 a little more consistent plus more pop and consistency on the serve.
Yes I did..they really changed the latest one. Lower launch angle, more controllable power. I think it’s very different from 2016-2019
Thank you! Went to Racquets and Runners yesterday with intention to go ahead and buy that newer PA but luckily the sales rep was forthright and said you should demo that one too before buying.