If you looking for a lighter alternative to Babolat’s Pure Strike 98 and Wilson’s Pro Staff RF97 then the Pure Strike 100 and the Pro Staff 97 are good rackets to consider as they offer many of the benefits of those heavier rackets but in a lighter frame.
In this article, I will look at the specs of both rackets to see how they compare to each other.
Racket Specs Comparison – Pure Strike 100 vs Pro Staff 97
Below is a comparison of the technical specifications of the Babolat Pure Strike 100 3rd gen (or “PS 100”) and Wilson Pro Staff 97 V13 (or “PS 97”) tennis rackets.
Main Differences: The Pure Strike 100 has a bigger head size (100in vs 97in), a less head light balance (4 pts HL vs 7 pts HL), a lower strung weight (315g vs 332g), a slightly lower swing weight (319 vs 321), a higher frame stiffness rating (69 vs 66), and an overall thicker beam width (21mm / 23mm / 21mm vs 21.5mm) when compared with the Pro Staff 97.
Similarities: Both rackets have the same racket length (27in) and string pattern (16×19).
| Racket Specs: | PS 100 | PS 97 |
|---|---|---|
| Version | 3rd Gen | V13 |
| Deisgn |  |  |
| Head Size (sq cm) | 645cm | 625cm |
| Head Size (sq in) | 100in | 97in |
| Length (cm) | 68.58cm | 68.58cm |
| Length (in) | 27in | 27in |
| String Pattern | 16 x 19 | 16 x 19 |
| HL or HH1 | HL | HL |
| Strung Balance (cm) | 32.99cm | 32.00cm |
| Strung Balance (pts) | 4 pts HL | 7 pts HL |
| Strung Weight (grams) | 315g | 332g |
| Strung Weight (ounces) | 11.1oz | 11.7oz |
| Swing Weight | 319 | 332 |
| Unstrung Weight (grams) | 300g | 315g |
| Unstrung Weight (ounces) | 10.58oz | 11.11oz |
| Frame Stiffness | 69 | 66 |
| Beam Width (mm) | 21mm / 23mm / 21mm | 21.5mm |
1 Head Light or Head Heavy
Pros and Cons
The PS 100 is a solid racket that has good maneuverability but doesn’t really excel in terms of the balance between power, spin, or control.
The PS 97 offers tons of control, has decent maneuverability, and is a great racket to use on slices, volleys, and drop shots, but it is a very low-powered frame that is best suited to advanced tennis players.
Head to Head
The Pure Strike 100 is the better option in terms of power and spin, while the Pro Staff 97 will give you more control and is slightly more arm friendly to play with.
| H2H | PS 100 | PS 97 |
|---|---|---|
| Power |  | – |
| Control | – |  |
| Spin | | – |
| Arm Friendliness | – | |
Player Recommendations
The PS 100 is suited to intermediate to advanced tennis players, while the weight of the PS 97 means that it is only suitable for advanced players.
| Player Level | PS 100 | PS 97 |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner |  | |
| Intermediate |  | |
| Advanced | | |
Pro Player Endorsements
The Pro Staff 97 is currently endorsed by Grigor Dimitrov, Ons Jabeur, Petra Kvitova, Reilly Opelka, and Roberto Bautista Agut, while the Pure Strike 100 was endorsed by Anett Kontaveit until she retired in July 2023.
Where can you buy these rackets?
The rackets are for sale in most good online tennis shops and through the official Babolat and Wilson websites.