Tsonga’s new weapon: the Babolat Pure Strike

 

Originally published on: 27/09/13 00:00

The Frenchman, who returned from a knee injury at the Moselle Open in Metz last week, reached the final using the new Babolat Pure Strike.

Tsonga has been working with Babolat on the new racket for almost a year but the black and fluorescent red Pure Strike was tested in competition for the first time in Metz.

The 98-square-inch head with 18×20 string pattern is smaller than Tsonga’s previous racket, the 100-square-inch AeroPro Drive, the range used by Rafael Nadal.

Designed for baseliners who hit the ball on the rise, the Pure Strike’s hybrid frame construction (a mix of square and elliptic), is a cutting edge design which offers both response and precision.

The Pure Strike range will go on sale in December 2013 featuring three versions – the 305g Pure Strike, a heavier Pure Strike Tour and the lighter, more forgiving Pure Strike 100 with a larger head size.

A fourth version of the Pure Strike, with a more open 16×19 string pattern will be released shortly before the 2014 French Open, while Babolat are also set to release a new string in time for the Australian Open.

Tsonga, who was forced to withdraw from Wimbledon with a knee injury, made his comeback at his home event in Metz, where he fell in the final to fellow Frenchman Gilles Simon.

The world No.8, who is currently 10th in the Emirates ATP Race To London, is bidding to play in the year-end finale for a fourth time.

Babolat Pure Strike range
Pure Strike 18×20: Head Size 98sq. inches. Weight: 305g
Pure Strike Tour 18×20: Head Size 98sq. inches. Weight: 320g
Pure Strike 100 16×19: Head Size 100sq. inches. Weight: 290g
Pure Strike 16×19 (available May 2014): Head Size 98 sq. inches, Weight: 305g

For more information, visit babolat.com

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