Comments: This racquet is awesome. I found great depth off of the ground and good power, yet I had great control too. The best part of this racquet is serving. I was playing with a PS88 and serving was great. But now serving is amazing and effortless. I recommend this racquet.
From: Andrew, 12/12

Comments: There's great power and spin with this racquet, and serves were also good. I would say the control is ok. Due to the stiff frame and decent weight, it was too harsh on my wrist and elbow. Other than that, it's a great stick. The EXO3 Tour I am using now is a similar weight but I've had no wrist or elbow issues. I recommend this stick to young spin crazy players who still have limbs they can afford to abuse.
From: Chris, 12/12

Comments: A few months back I tore my labrum, putting an end to my summer of tennis. After taking a few months off to let my shoulder heal, I finally returned back to the tennis. Unfortunately, after an hour of tennis, my shoulder was killing me. I decided it was time to replace my BLX 90 with something lighter, something that would be a little easier on my arm. It was recommended I try using the Pure Drive. I wanted to go lighter, but not too light that it was going to be a huge difference from the BLX that I would have to change my game drastically. Hence I decided to go with the PDR Roddick, lighter than the BLX but not as light as the PDR regular. I'm glad I went with the PDR Roddick. This racquet is amazing! It made everything so easy that it felt like I was cheating. Coming off injury, I lost a lot of power when hitting with my forehand and serving with the BLX. When I served with the PDR Roddick, that power returned and then some. The ball was flying off the racquet on serve! This racquet generated so much spin! Forehand shots that I thought were going to fly out stayed in with all the spin the racquet generated. Using my OHBH was a little difficult at first, but after a while I was able to control all my BH shots. This racquet is great for me with all the added power and spin it generates. I played a friend of mine who is at the same level as me (games are always close) and won easily 6-1. After months of not playing tennis, this racquet made it seem like I was never injured and was never away from the game. I highly recommend this racquet.
From: Dalton, 11/12
String type and tension: RPNY poly mains / Babolat VS Gut crosses @ 55/58 lbs

Comments: This Pure Drive is the best stick that I have played with! Babolat has done a great job with mixing the power, control, comfort and swing weight of this Pure Drive. It just does everything well!
From: B.K., 9/12

Comments: I've been using this racquet for the last 6 months moving from the AeroPro Drive GT and I'm really happy about my choice. First, I changed the original grip with a leather one (Babolat VS I think is the name) and I'm using an overgrip. I'm usually stringing it at 25/25 or 24/24 kg with Signum Tornado Pro thinnest version (1.17 I think). So, even though its heavier than my previous racquet I can swing it faster. Three things are much now; service (extremely fast and quite good control), net play (much more control) and baseline hits (I can hit winners from the baseline, more power). Overall my feeling is that my game is improved. The weight is now (equipped as I said, leather grip, overgrip and strings) 344-343 grams (I have 2 identical racquets).
From: Cristian, 8/12
String type and tension: Signum Tornado Pro 17g @ 54 lbs

Comments: This racquet is fantastic, as it does everything well. It's nice not having to think about your equipment at all, and just play. However, I do not understand how TW gets the 11.9oz strung weight. Mine comes in at 11.65oz and with a listed unstrung weight of 11.1oz on the racquet and Babolat site, I find it hard to believe that strings will add that much weight to bring the racquet up to 11.9oz.
From: Max, 7/12
String type and tension: Volkl Cyclone @ 52 lbs

Comments: Wow this racquet is great! The best thing I noticed was I got a lot more depth and I was really able to unload on ground strokes! Definitely recommend this!
From: Anon, 7/12
String type and tension: Babolat Pro Hurricane Tour @ 57 lbs

Comments: I have never been able to use a Pure Drive Cortex or Pure Drive GT because it always felt too harsh on my arm, even with a full bed of multi. The Pure Drive Roddick 2012 is the first Pure Drive Roddick of any version I have used. I played with this frame for several day with a full bed of Babolat Pro Hurricane Tour and did not feel any arm pains! Whatever they did to improve comfort, it works. Looking inside the handle it seems like the two tubes cut off somewhere about 1/4-1/3 down the handle and then it becomes 1 tube. This racket feels very smooth and vibration free with a multi but buzzy and very little feel with a full bed of poly. Groundstrokes have lots of power and spin/kick, serves are huge as expected and surprisingly consistent. This frame swings like a 330-ish swingweight as indicated but in play it feels lighter than 11.9oz. This is a great frame but the biggest weakness of this racket is almost zero feel with a poly string. The Wilson Juice 100 with lead added to the hoop so that it swings like the PD Roddick, hit serves and groundstrokes just as big and with as much spin but with better feel and no vibrations when strung with full poly.
From: Anon, 5/12

Comments: Always been a Wilson pro staff user starting from Triad and then 3 generations of Federer's sticks N-code, K-factor and a BLX which I enjoyed using for more years than the rest. I decided to purchase the latest Babolat Pure Drive Roddick from day 1 it arrived in our local sports store hoping this will be more forgiving on my aching tennis elbow and since its weight was not to far from my previous racket I this would be better for me than the Aero. On the first day i tried it, wow is all I could say, this is really works for me at this point when my swing is slower and we're not getting any younger (mid 40's) but want to play tennis forever. Generally it produced more power with less effort. Top spin forehand, backhand, volley and serve increased my play a few notches. Initially hesitant cause I have never really gone beyond 90 sq in and used to thin frames of pro staff, so glad i made the right decision and thank for to the feedbacks here that helped me further decide. TW, thumbs up, highly recommended.
From: Maraf, 5/12

Comments: I just got this racquet today. I was swinging through really fast at first coming from a player's stick. I was way out of tune at the start. But then the spin came along and I was getting good depth. Serves were extremely zippy, very quick serves! I got some nice returns in doubles play. Got some nice volleys; very maneuverable at net. I expect to grow my game with this Babolat Pure Drive.
From: Zev, 5/12
String type and tension: Babolat Addiction 16g, 58 lbs

Comments: I bought this racquet on a whim (after playing for years with more of a player's frame - Wilson KBlade Tour 93) This racquet almost immediately elevated my game. The access to spin and power is noticeable, but you hear that in every review. What I would say really surprised me was the stability and plow through of this frame. I was debating between this Roddick or the original lighter frame. I am glad I went with this one. The weight made it an easier transition from the player's racquet I used before. You will be amazed at the all around playability of this racquet. I really feel like there is not one shot on the court where I have made a sacrifice in moving to this frame. Worth every penny!
From: Rob, 5/12

Comments: This is possibly the greatest racquet available for the power/spin hitter who also wants variety and touch on their shots. I would strongly recommend using gut at least in the mains. It is a perfect match for this racquet, especially with poly crosses for extra spin and control.
From: PP, 5/12
String type and tension: gut/poly, 60/56 lbs

Comments: I demoed this today and used it in a match. Right away my shoulder and elbow are hurting, even with multi strings. Serve and volleys are nice, which surprised me. But just too stiff for me.
From: Sanchez, 4/12
String type and tension: Babolat Addiction, 58 lbs

Comments: Of all the current Babolat's that I have tried this one is one of the best. Huge power and spin is available from the baseline and it is one of the most impressive sticks I have ever served with. However this thing is so powerful on its own that it can be uncontrollable. Demo this and several others before you buy to make sure that it doesn't ruin your arm and that you can control the unfathomable power.
From: Charlie, 4/12
String type and tension: Babolat RPM Blast, 59lbs

Comments: I love this stick! The power is great yet controlled at the same time and the plow through is addictive. I hit with a very loopy, topspin shot primarily from the baseline and this stick really helps me flatten out the ball from time to time and go for the winner. All in all it's a great stick with excellent power, control, spin potential and plow through. It's also surprisingly easy on the arm. 5 out of 5 stars!!
From: Jon, 4/12

Comments: This racket is awesome. The power, spin, and even more surprising, the feel was all there. This racket is great from all parts of the court, but especially on ground strokes and serves. I personally haven't had any arm issues with this racket (strung with Solinco Tour Bite 16 at 57) after a week of playing 1.5 hours a day. This racket is just great, try it out and you won't regret it.
From: Tony, 4/12

Comments: I switch from AP GT. I was looking for a little more power. Loved the AP GT because of the control and comfort, but there were times when it let me down on the power. PDR has not disappointed. I have been very pleased with the power that it has. But the biggest surprise is how comfortable the racket felt from the first hitting session. Power was great with no sacrifice in control or spin. Also, with the AP GT, my arm would feel sore after hitting with it. But with the PDR, I don't have that soreness even though it is heavier and stiffer. Overall, I am very happy with the PDR. It has hit all the spots with its power, control, and comfort.
From: Jack, 4/12

Comments: What a great racket! True baseliners stick. There is so much power to have on groundies, top spin is great, so your shots are not going long. Zero vibration in your shots. It's really rock solid. The control is pretty good as well. And then, the serve... I can rip my serves with ton of speed and spin. It definitely got my serve better. All in all, I recommend this beast to everyone who likes playing from the baseline, with tons of power and spin.
From: Vovan, 4/12

Comments: Great power, control, spin,and feel (due to the mass of it). Wow factor, period!!!!!
From: Alexander, 4/12

Comments: I am very pleased with the PDR. I've been playing with PS 90 and found more power without much loss of control in the PDR. The larger size of the head makes it easier to play. The weight makes the racquet solid, but maintains good maneuverability. In all, I recommend this racket.
From: Carlos, 4/12
String type and tension: Genesis Typhoon, 53lb
Headsize: 100
NTRP Rating: 4.5

Comments: I'm loving my new Babolat PDR. This is the 3rd generation of a Pure Drive Roddick I've been playing with. When I switched from the earlier model to the PDR GT, I hated it at first because it felt stiffer and said why do they make us buy a new version of the racket. But after several months, I got used to the racket and felt it was an improvement and I played much better, with more power. Now, they have the new PDR, so why do they make us buy another version again, lol. Anyway, for the first 2 weeks, it felt as if the cortex dampening was saving my arm more, but the shock of the ball was distributed instead to my whole body, I would finish and it felt that every cell in my body was vibrating, lol. I'm used to that now and I don't feel that anymore, so it probably is an improvement. What I do notice most of all, is that the new PDR actually has more power on groundstrokes when you really go for your shots, and also correspondingly more depth. It took me a while to adj ust since power shots would go 4 feet farther (and out), lol. Also, it did feel a bit heavier, I just verified now that it is .1 oz heavier. Is it just me, or does anyone else notice they can control drop shots better due to the cortex. Anyway, now I'm loving my new PDR, can't wait to see what else I can do with it in the weeks ahead. Hopefully, I'll access more power on the serve. Btw, I started with the PDR series because of the tennis warehouse reviews which gave it top marks for power on the serve and groundstrokes, I don't think I've found any racket reviewed here with higher marks in these areas, let me know if you ever find higher.
From: Derek, 3/12

Comments: I'm extremely disapointed in this frame. My friend had this racquet for less than a month and it already cracked at 6 o'clock. I've been playing the PDRgt for 2 years now and I'm not planning to update.
From: Jessie, 3/12

Comments: Amazing stick, powerful, precise and very comfortable. Spin potential is also ridiculously very high, if you have a high swing speed you will love this racquet. I am an all court player, and mix up heavy top spin with powerful flat shots regularly coming to net. I strung this beauty with Prince Beast 16g in the mains at 55 lbs and X one biphase 17g in the crosses @ 57 lbs. This combo is perfect for this stick try it out you will not be disappointed. So far I have played 8 hours with this set up and tension is still there although crosses are a little frayed. Originally went for a full bed poly (Alu Power at 55lbs) but felt a little dead and lacked feel for me on touch and volleys. Have just ordered another 2 sticks as I'm sure this will be my weapon of choice for the next few years. WELL DONE BABOLAT!!!
From: Michael, 3/12

Comments: Came from Prince EXO3 Tour 16x18 and Wilson Kblade Team. Got to semi-finals of National age group event with the latter. I've never been a Pure Drive fan, and I expected PDR to be too stiff and too powerful, but really surprised at how solid this racquet is. Weight is a little higher than I'm used to but plow-through is terrific and control much better than expected. Frame stability was biggest asset - this is just a really solid frame. Agree with everything in the TW review. Only caution is that frame is string-sensitive. Full RPM felt a little dead. Would recommend low tension poly in the mains and a high quality multi or gut in the crosses to combine string longevity (mains break sooner) and feel (stiff racquets and stiff strings not a great combo for me). Normally I have control problems with stiff frames - somehow Babolat figured out how to combine the control of a softer frame with the power of a stiffer frame. I never felt I had to hold back to keep the ball in the court, like I have with other stiff frames. Bravo - a testament to the practice of continuous refinement.
From: Rich, 3/12
String type and tension: Klip X-Plosive 17 Poly main 55lbs, gut crosses 60lbs
Headsize: 100
NTRP Rating: 5.0

Comments: I didn't like this racquet. The power level is way up there and it has very little control to reign it in. The previous version I think had much more control and I didn't hit it long as much. The mass of this racquet takes some getting used to as well. It felt very much more head heavy than I'd like and getting it around on the serve (which was always my favorite shot with the old racquet) seemed to reward you with very little. The volleys are crisp but it always seems like the high power of this racquet works against you rather than for you. Of course I am used to my Head YOUTEK IG Instinct which does not have this kind of power so it may just be me.
From: Donovan, 2/12

Comments: Wow, I just got this racket and it's amazing. I can get easy depth on my groundstrokes but the biggest differences I noticed between this and my old racket are serves and volleys. The mass from this stick gives my ALOT of power on my serves and the stability really helps with volleys. Overall, an amazing racket.
From: David, 2/12

Comments: Perfect racquet for the big serve/big forehand game that is so common today. Anybody looking to harness their strength on serve or for a racket that is stable on big shots, this is the racquet for you. I previously used a Head Extreme MP and was looking for a more stable racquet in a higher weight class. This racket is perfect, and will take my game to new heights.
From: Elliott, 2/12

Comments: The new PDR improved on all the small lacks of the PDRGT. I loved the PDRGT but compared to the new PDR, I would occasionally feel the vibrations on off centered hits and the balls occasionally go flying on you. You can notice the slight difference immediately upon play testing both racquets. The new PDR made all my shots feel extremely stable and controlled without feeling stiff. The power and spin potential are evidently there as usual. Serves were always a monster. Nothing changed about that. The overall improvements include better feel, stability, and control. An already wonderful PDRGT becomes perfect with the new PDR. You can't ask for a better all around stick.
From: Michael, 2/12

Comments: WOW, this racquet rocks! Have been looking for a heavier racquet that was more stable and solid especially on my backhand returns and volleys. This racquet delivers in spades. The sweet spot is so generous and the stability so strong that I did not experience any arm/elbow discomfort that I've been feeling with much more flexible (but lighter) racquets. Plowthrough is incredible and spin is easy to generate if you can put the right swing on it. Control was very good, especially on serves. Easily able to hit hard flat serves, heavy spin second serves, or control/placement serves to the corners. Don't be afraid of the stiffness on this racquet, it is much more comfortable than the specs would indicate.
From: David, 2/12

Comments: I also used to play with the APDGT, had a love-hate relationship with it, now I found a replacement. It's a little heavier than I am used to, but after 4 sessions with a demo, I pulled the trigger and am getting better with each match. The power and maneuverability due to the lower SW, are simply awesome. Demo this racquet, you won't be sorry.
From: Srvnvly, 2/12

Comments: I took a gamble and bought the 2012 PDR after reading the great reviews on TW thinking this racquet could not be that good. Well I've been pleasantly surprised, it is that good if not better! I've been playing the APDGT for the last 8 months and thought it was the great but I can honestly say for me, the PDR is even better! The weight feels great, stability/plow through is awesome, volleying with this stick is sick, slicing is a breeze, return of serve is the real deal, serving is perfect and the ability to hit topspin is just as good if not better than APDGT. It felt great in my hands right from the first hit! I've seen people complain about the stiffness causing elbow problems but for me it has helped my soreness/tenderness to go away! I would highly recommend this racquet to any player that loves to hit topspin or doubles players.
From: Ho, 2/12
String type:Solinco Bite 17
Headsize:100
NTRP Rating: 4.5

Comments: WOW! What a beast! My opponents can not handle the spin and power this thing generates. It's incredible! The feel is so much improved. The control is what really stands out compared to last years model as well. It's so stable too. I normally play with wilson tour 90, but this stick lacked power. I'm so glad I bought this stick. I'm blowing away my opponents now with shear power and spin. My ground strokes are super high with loads of spin from which my opponents can't handle. I've tried many string on this racquet already but I've found the one..try Solinco Tour Bite 16L. Incredible strings! 58lbs It's pure bliss.
From: Craig, 2/12

Comments: New paint, same racquet, for the most part. Rumors of this racquet being more arm- friendly are unfounded; my arm hurt merely bouncing a ball with it in the kitchen. As firm as rock and just as punishing, and I didn't notice much change in swing weight from the old version. The good news is that there's plenty of power and plow here, excellent stability, secure volleying if you can get it into position early enough. Serves are blistering, but it's February now, and I don't know that I'd want to serve an hour and a half into a match on a very hot day with this thing. If you're fast, strong and believe your arm to be indestructible, this is as formidable a weapon as you'll find.
From: Paul, 2/12

Comments: I have played with dozens of racquets in more than 30 years of competitive tennis and this stick is amazing from the very first stroke. The power is off the charts but the things that jumps out is the stability and control on groundstrokes. Access to spin is incredible and, as the testers indicated, it will instantly add otherworldly pop on serves. It's possibly the best racquet I've ever touched.
From: Jerry, 2/12

Comments: I tried many rackets in 2012 (Prince Tour 100 18x20, Head IG Prestige Pro, Dunlop 400 tour,Volkl Organix 10 325). Out of these I found the Exo3 Tour to be the best. Before making up my mind to purchase it, i decided to try the new Pure Drive Roddick because of the amazing reviews it had. All I can say is brilliant! This Stick is great and works well in all areas of the court. Loads of Power and spin. Babolat has softened the feel and also enlarged the Sweet Spot slightly compared to the previous Pure drive Roddick GT. However, I'm not switching to this racket as my elbow felt very tender after playing for about 3 hours, it is pretty stiff. Overall, a great racket, and previous Pure drive owners will love this one.
From: Harrison Kotecha, 2/12

Comments: Excellent racket. Powerful and stable. Perfect for hard hitting baseline players, returners and servers. Despite having a higher stiffness rating than the prior version of the standard Pure Drive, and PDR for that matter, it feels far more flexible. 5 points headlight balance allows for great head speed and resulting spin. The racket sacrifices feel and touch shots for big winners. I am already a fan after only using for a few hours. It is a rock solid racket for 3.5+ players. Also, PDR 2012 is far easier on the arm than its stiffness rating indicates -- active cortex isn't just a gimmick.
From: Adam, 2/12
String type and tension: Babolat RPM Blast, Babolat Hurricane Feel, 56lbs
Headsize:100
NTRP Rating: 4.0-4.5

Comments: Just got done testing this bad boy out. Plenty of power, spin, control and it is very forgiving. I am using a poly main and a multi cross set up at low tensions. I will be making the switch from my PB10 mid.
From: Bob, 2/12

Comments: I've just tried this racket with my son and we love it better than ours (dunlop 400 tour) we have found more powerful but with good control ,good slice and spin , balls was heavier and the stick's very easy. It was also very tolerant and what a wonderful serve..
From: Chris, 2/12