Carlos Alcaraz can whip a forehand that spins at more than 5,000 revolutions per minute, then follow it with a drop shot so soft it barely clears the net. That kind of range makes fans ask the same question over and over: what racket does Alcaraz use to pull off both shots with the same frame? The short answer points to a yellow-and-black Babolat, but the full story involves pro stock molds, custom weighting, and a string setup that most club players would find brutally demanding.
This guide breaks down every part of the Alcaraz setup, from the exact model name and its official specs to the strings, tension, grip size, and overgrip he wraps on before every match. You will also learn how his frame differs from the version sitting on a shop wall, why the racket suits his aggressive baseline game, how his equipment changed as he grew from a skinny junior into a Grand Slam champion, and whether copying his gear is actually a smart move for your own tennis.
The Racket Carlos Alcaraz Actually Plays With
Carlos Alcaraz plays with the Babolat Pure Aero 98, a 98-square-inch, 16×20 frame from Babolat’s spin-focused Pure Aero family, though his match rackets are custom pro stock versions weighted and balanced to his personal specs. Babolat has sponsored him since his junior years, and he has stayed loyal to the brand through every major title.
The Pure Aero 98 sits at the control end of the Pure Aero line. Where the standard Pure Aero uses a 100-square-inch head and a 16×19 string pattern built for maximum spin and power, the 98 tightens things up. The smaller head, denser string bed, and slimmer beam trade some free power for precision and feel. That combination fits Alcaraz perfectly, because he generates his own pace and needs a frame that keeps the ball inside the lines when he swings out.
Babolat markets the frame with Alcaraz front and center, and it shares its shape with the older Pure Aero VS and Aero Storm models that control-minded Babolat players loved for years. If you have ever heard commentators mention that Alcaraz uses “the same racket as Rafael Nadal,” that is only half right. Both play Babolat Pure Aero frames, but Nadal has stuck with the 100-square-inch 16×19 version while Alcaraz went smaller and denser.
One important detail: the racket you buy in a store carries the same paint job and the same name, yet it will not feel identical to what Alcaraz swings. Professional players almost always add weight, adjust balance, and sometimes use older molds hidden under new paint. We will unpack that difference in detail further down.
Babolat Pure Aero 98 Specs at a Glance
Numbers tell you a lot about how a racket plays before you ever hit a ball. The retail Pure Aero 98 lands in the “player’s frame” category, meaning it rewards long, fast swings and punishes lazy ones. Here are the published specifications for the stock version.
| Specification | Babolat Pure Aero 98 |
|---|---|
| Head size | 98 square inches (632 sq cm) |
| Unstrung weight | 305 g / 10.8 oz |
| Strung weight | Around 320 g / 11.3 oz |
| Unstrung balance | About 315 mm (roughly 4 points head light) |
| String pattern | 16 mains x 20 crosses |
| Beam width | Approximately 23 mm, fairly uniform |
| Length | 27 inches (standard) |
| Stiffness (RA) | Around 66 |
| Swingweight (strung) | Roughly 320-325 |
| Typical retail price | About $279-$299 USD |
Those numbers put the frame in a sweet spot. At 305 grams unstrung it is heavy enough to absorb pace from big hitters, but not so heavy that a strong club player cannot maneuver it. The 66 RA stiffness rating is firm without being harsh, so the ball leaves the string bed quickly.
The 16×20 pattern deserves special attention. Sixteen main strings still let the ball bite and grip for spin, while the twenty crosses tighten the bed and add durability plus control. Compare that to a 16×19 layout, which opens up the sweet spot and launches the ball higher off the strings. Alcaraz swings fast enough that he does not need extra launch; he needs the ball to come down inside the baseline.
Babolat also builds the Pure Aero family with an aerodynamic frame shape, meaning the hoop is designed to cut through the air with less drag. On the 98 version, that shape helps racket head speed on those enormous forehand swings without forcing him to shorten his takeback.
Pro Stock vs Retail: What Is Really in His Bag
Here is where casual fans and gear nerds part ways. The frame Alcaraz brings to a Grand Slam final is not a random racket pulled off a shelf. It is a pro stock frame, built or customized to his exact preferences and then painted to match whatever model Babolat currently sells.
How pro stock frames differ
Professional players get frames that are matched to within a gram or two of each other, so every racket in the bag feels identical. Manufacturers also let players keep older molds they love, hiding them under fresh paint jobs. Reports and photos from the tour suggest Alcaraz’s match frames trace back to the Pure Aero VS and Aero Storm family, which shares the same 98-inch, 16×20 layout as his current retail model.
- Added weight: Lead tape or silicone in the handle raises static weight and stability, often pushing pro frames to 330 g or more strung.
- Custom balance: Weight placement shifts the balance point so the racket feels head light while still plowing through the ball.
- Matched swingweight: Every frame in the bag is tuned to the same swingweight number, sometimes within one or two points.
- Custom grip build: Pros often reshape the handle with heat shrink sleeve or extra bevels for a specific feel.
- Personal molds: Some pros use frame shapes that never reached the public, or discontinued ones they refuse to give up.
Think of it like a race car that shares a badge with the street version. The logo matches, the shape looks close, but the internals have been tuned by specialists for one driver. That is why a player who buys the retail Pure Aero 98 might find it lighter and slightly less stable than the version Alcaraz swings.
None of that makes the retail racket worse for you. Pro specs are built for people who train five hours a day and generate enormous racket head speed. A stock 320-gram strung frame is already plenty of racket for most competitive amateurs.
Strings and Tension: The Other Half of the Setup
Ask any coach and they will tell you the strings matter as much as the frame. Alcaraz strings his rackets with Babolat RPM Blast, the black co-polyester string that the brand built its spin reputation on. He typically uses the 1.30 mm (16 gauge) version, which is thicker than what many pros choose and gives him extra durability plus a slightly firmer response.
Reported tensions for Alcaraz sit around 24-25 kilograms, which converts to roughly 53-55 pounds. Like most pros, he adjusts based on conditions. Hot, dry, high-altitude venues push tension up so the ball does not fly. Cool, damp, heavy conditions push tension down so he can still get depth.
Why RPM Blast works for his game
- Grip and snapback: The octagonal shape of the string bites the ball, then slides back into place, adding spin on every swing.
- Control at high speed: Polyester strings stretch less than gut or synthetic, so aggressive swings still land in.
- Durability: The 1.30 gauge holds up against the friction that heavy topspin creates.
- Consistent feel: He knows exactly how the ball will respond, which matters when he takes a drop shot on a break point.
A practical warning for recreational players: full polyester at 55 pounds is a punishing setup. Poly strings go dead quickly, sometimes within 10 to 15 hours of play, and they transmit more shock to the arm. Alcaraz changes strings constantly, often multiple times per match, and his young, well-conditioned arm handles the stiffness. If you have any elbow or shoulder history, a hybrid setup with multifilament or natural gut crosses at 48-52 pounds will give you similar spin with far less strain.
Here is a simple way to picture the difference. A 4.0-level player who strings full RPM Blast at 55 pounds might find the ball landing short because they cannot swing fast enough to activate the string bed. Drop that tension to 48 pounds, or swap the crosses for a softer string, and the same player suddenly gets depth back without losing control.
Grip Size, Overgrip, and the Small Details
Small equipment choices shape how a racket feels in your hand, and Alcaraz keeps his setup refreshingly simple. He uses a grip size around L2 (4 1/4 inches), which is smaller than many players his size choose. Smaller grips allow more wrist action, which helps generate the wrist snap behind heavy topspin forehands and disguised drop shots.
Over the base grip, he wraps a white Babolat overgrip, replacing it constantly during matches. That is standard practice at the top level, since sweat kills traction fast, and a slipping racket ruins timing on the very shots that win points.
- Base grip: Babolat’s stock replacement grip, usually the Syntec-style leather-feel grip.
- Overgrip: White Babolat overgrip, swapped several times per match.
- Grip size: Around 4 1/4 inches, then built up slightly by overgrip layers.
- Dampener: He keeps the string bed clean, without string savers cluttering the mains.
- Bag: A Babolat Pure Aero racket bag holding a stack of matched frames.
Here is a detail worth copying: pros carry multiple identical frames and rotate them constantly. Alcaraz will switch rackets at fresh-ball changes so his string tension stays consistent. Even if you only own two rackets, stringing them at the same tension with the same string and alternating between them keeps your feel steady through a long match.
Grip size also affects injury risk. A grip that is too small forces you to squeeze harder, which tires the forearm. A grip that is too large limits wrist mobility. If you are unsure, measure from the middle crease of your palm to the tip of your ring finger, then test the closest size before committing.
Why This Frame Fits the Alcaraz Playing Style
Equipment only makes sense in the context of how someone plays. Alcaraz builds points with heavy topspin forehands, then breaks patterns with drop shots, net rushes, and flat backhands down the line. He needs a racket that does three things at once: spin the ball, control the ball, and feel soft enough for touch shots.
The numbers behind his forehand explain the spin priority. Tour tracking data has clocked his average forehand around 3,200 to 3,800 rpm, with peaks above 5,000 rpm on high-arcing crosscourt balls. Meanwhile his serve has been measured at over 135 mph. That mix of heavy rotation and raw speed demands a frame with an aerodynamic hoop and enough mass to stay stable against big returns.
The control side of the equation
The 98-inch head and 16×20 pattern shrink the launch angle compared to a 100-inch 16×19 setup. In plain terms, the ball comes off the strings flatter and more predictably. When Alcaraz stands two feet inside the baseline and rips a forehand at 90 mph, that predictability keeps the shot from sailing long.
The touch side of the equation
Drop shots are the signature Alcaraz weapon, and they demand feel. A denser string pattern gives more consistent contact on soft, sliced touches, because the ball meets more strings and sinks less unpredictably into the bed. Combine that with a slightly head-light balance and he can decelerate the racket head at the last moment without losing control.
Picture a rally at the French Open. He hits three heavy forehands to push his opponent five feet behind the baseline, then takes the fourth ball early, opens the racket face, and floats a drop shot that dies on the second bounce. The same frame produced 4,000 rpm of topspin and then a shot with almost no pace. That range is exactly what the Pure Aero 98 design targets.
From Junior Frames to Grand Slam Titles
Alcaraz did not always swing the Pure Aero 98. Like nearly every young pro, he moved through lighter frames as he grew stronger, and his equipment tracked his development from a talented junior into a complete tour player.
- Junior years: He signed with Babolat as a teenager and trained with Pure Aero frames, the same family that helped make Babolat famous in Spanish tennis.
- Early pro breakthrough: As he climbed the rankings and won his first ATP titles, he stayed in the Pure Aero mold, adding weight as his physical strength increased.
- First major title run: By the time he broke through at the highest level, he had settled into a 98-inch, 16×20 control-oriented frame rather than the wider 100-inch model.
- Current setup: His match rackets appear in Pure Aero 98 paint, customized to his personal weight and balance targets.
That progression teaches a useful lesson. Young players often want the exact racket their favorite pro uses, but the pro arrived there gradually. Alcaraz built his swing first, then let his equipment catch up to his strength and technique, not the other way around.
There is also a brand story here. Babolat became the dominant force in Spanish tennis largely because of Nadal and the Pure Aero. Alcaraz continuing that line keeps the connection alive, and Babolat has leaned into it by featuring him heavily in Pure Aero marketing. Expect his input to shape future versions of the frame.
Pure Aero 98 vs Other Popular Player Frames
If you are shopping, it helps to see how the Alcaraz racket compares to other frames in the same category. Each one delivers a different mix of power, control, and comfort.
| Racket | Head Size | Unstrung Weight | Pattern | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babolat Pure Aero 98 | 98 sq in | 305 g | 16×20 | Spin plus control, fast swingers |
| Babolat Pure Aero (100) | 100 sq in | 300 g | 16×19 | Maximum spin and easy power |
| Babolat Pure Drive | 100 sq in | 300 g | 16×19 | Raw power and big serving |
| Wilson Blade 98 v9 | 98 sq in | 305 g | 16×19 or 18×20 | Feel and flexible comfort |
| Head Speed MP | 100 sq in | 300 g | 16×19 | All-court balance and maneuverability |
| Yonex EZONE 98 | 98 sq in | 305 g | 16×19 | Comfort with solid power |
The Pure Aero 98 sits between the free-swinging Pure Aero 100 and the more traditional, flexible Blade 98. If you love the crisp, fast response of Babolat frames but find the standard Pure Aero too unpredictable on flat shots, the 98 solves that problem. If you prefer a softer, more flexible feel, the Blade or EZONE may suit you better.
One honest comparison: the Pure Aero 98 is stiffer than a Blade. Stiff frames return energy quickly, which feels powerful, but they also transmit more vibration. Pair a stiff frame with a stiff polyester string at high tension and you have a demanding combination. Many players solve that by softening the string setup rather than switching frames.
Demo before you commit. Most specialty shops let you test three or four frames for a small fee that often applies to your purchase. Hit with each for at least a full practice session, ideally against a live opponent rather than a ball machine.
Should You Buy the Alcaraz Racket? Practical Advice
Copying a pro’s gear can help or hurt, depending on your game. The Pure Aero 98 rewards a specific style, so be honest about how you play before you spend $280.
Who this racket suits
- Intermediate to advanced players, roughly 4.0 NTRP and above.
- Players with long, fast, modern swings who finish over the shoulder.
- Baseliners who hit heavy topspin and need help keeping the ball in.
- Anyone who finds the standard Pure Aero too powerful or unpredictable.
- Players who already use polyester strings comfortably.
Who should look elsewhere
- Beginners still developing a full swing path, who need a lighter, more forgiving frame.
- Players with short, compact strokes who rely on the racket for power.
- Anyone with a history of tennis elbow or wrist pain, unless they soften the string setup significantly.
- Doubles specialists who prioritize quick hands at net over baseline spin.
Consider a real scenario. A 4.0 player switches from a 100-inch, 300-gram frame to the Pure Aero 98 and immediately hits the ball into the net for two weeks. That is normal. The smaller head and denser pattern lowered the launch angle, so shots that used to clear the net by three feet now clip the tape. The fix is not switching back; it is adding more upward brush on the forehand and swinging with more commitment. Give any new frame at least six to eight hitting sessions before you judge it.
If you want the Alcaraz feel without the full demands, start with the stock frame and softer strings. Try RPM Blast in a thinner 1.25 gauge at 50 pounds, or hybrid it with a multifilament cross. You will keep the spin and control while protecting your arm.
Myths, Mistakes, and Frequently Asked Questions
Plenty of misinformation circulates about pro equipment. Let’s clear up the most common confusion.
Myth: buying his racket will make you play like him
Equipment optimizes what you already do; it does not create technique. Alcaraz produces 5,000 rpm because of his kinetic chain, leg drive, and racket head speed, not because of the paint on his frame. Spend your money on lessons first and gear second.
Myth: he uses the exact retail model
He plays a customized pro stock frame in retail paint. The shape matches, but the weight, balance, and swingweight differ. This is standard across the entire ATP and WTA tour, not something unique to Alcaraz.
Do Alcaraz and Nadal use the same racket?
They both use Babolat Pure Aero frames, but different versions. Nadal has long favored a 100-inch head with a 16×19 pattern, while Alcaraz uses the tighter 98-inch, 16×20 layout. Their string choice overlaps, since both rely on RPM Blast.
What tension should I use if I copy his setup?
Start 5-8 pounds below his reported tension. If he strings around 53-55 pounds, most club players should begin near 46-50 pounds with polyester. You can always tighten later once you know how the frame responds to your swing.
How often should I restring?
A common rule says restring as many times per year as you play per week. Polyester strings lose tension fast, so if you play three times weekly, three restrings a year is the bare minimum and every six to eight weeks is better.
What is changing in racket technology?
Manufacturers keep pushing aerodynamic frame shapes, dampening materials that cut vibration without killing feel, and connected sensors that track spin and impact location. Babolat pioneered smart rackets years ago, and analytics-driven customization is spreading, with more players matching frames to data rather than feel alone. Expect future Pure Aero updates to chase more spin with less arm shock, and expect Alcaraz’s feedback to influence those designs.
So when someone asks what racket does Alcaraz use, the accurate answer covers more than a model name. He swings a customized Babolat Pure Aero 98, a 98-square-inch, 16×20 frame weighing roughly 320 grams strung in stock form and more once his team adds lead. He strings it with Babolat RPM Blast at around 1.30 gauge and 53-55 pounds, wraps a white Babolat overgrip over a roughly 4 1/4 inch handle, and keeps a stack of matched frames ready to rotate through every match.
Understanding that setup helps you make smarter choices about your own gear. The frame gives him spin and control because his swing is fast enough to unlock both, and that same logic should guide your decision. Match the racket to your stroke, soften the strings if your arm needs it, and demo before you buy. Do that, and you will get more out of your equipment than any paint job alone could deliver, whether you end up with the Alcaraz frame or something built for the way you actually play.
