Project in development · Whichracket tracker
Babolat PP01: everything we know about the mystery racket
Status: prototype in testing, not on sale yet
Last updated: 12 October 2026
Babolat is quietly testing a racket that looks like nothing else in its range: a head that is no longer oval and an 18×18 pattern, almost unheard of on a 100 sq in head. Code name: PP01. Here is what is verified, what comes from first tests, and what is still just rumour.
The prototype in pictures
Where the project stands
- ✓
August 2026
First on-court sightings: the Québec Challenger, then in the US and China.
- ✓
Late August 2026
A password-protected teaser site, PP01Project.com, goes live.
- ✓
September 2026
Demos with testers, in two versions: the PP01 (300 g) and the PP01 Tour (310 g).
- ✓
October 2026
First play-tests published by independent reviewers.
- ?
Coming
Retail name, final specs, price and release date.
Two models: PP01 and PP01 Tour
| PP01 | PP01 Tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Unstrung weight | 300 g (10.6 oz) | 310 g (10.9 oz) |
| Unstrung balance | 310 mm (10 pts head light) | 305 mm (12 pts head light) |
| Head size | 100 sq in (645 cm²) | 100 sq in (645 cm²) |
| String pattern | 18 × 18 | 18 × 18 |
| Recommended tension | 21-25 kg (46-55 lbs) | 21-25 kg (46-55 lbs) |
| Length | 27 in (68.5 cm) | not stated |
| Stiffness, beam | not disclosed | not disclosed |
Read off the specs printed on each prototype's frame (see the photos), with a ±7 g and ±7 mm tolerance stated by Babolat. Length per Tennis Rackets Europe. These are prototypes: values may change before the retail version.
Players seen with the PP01
Ugo Blanchet
France · born 5 January 1999 · right-handed, two-handed backhand
- Career-high ATP ranking: No. 139 (September 2024), No. 199 at the end of August 2026.
- Two Challenger titles (Málaga 2023, Koblenz 2025).
- Third round at the 2025 US Open, beating 16th seed Jakub Menšík.
Diego Dedura (Dedura-Palomero)
Germany · born 12 March 2008 · left-handed, two-handed backhand
- Career-high ATP ranking: No. 186 (21 September 2026).
- First player born in 2008 or later to win a match on the ATP Tour (Munich 2025).
- First Challenger title in Tampere in 2026. Usually plays a Babolat Pure Aero 98.
"Seen with" means spotted or photographed with the prototype, in practice or at a tournament (per Tennisnerd, October 2026). We don't know whether they use it in official matches or will switch to it. Rankings and results: Wikipedia, as of the dates given.
What makes it different
A head that is no longer oval
The upper hoop is wider and squarer, the sides straighter. Tennisnerd compares it to old odd-shaped frames and to the Yonex Muse school.
A hitting zone that is "shorter, wider"
That is the teaser site's promise: a sweet spot more forgiving across its width.
An 18×18 pattern
Babolat's 100 sq in frames (Pure Drive, Pure Aero, Pure Strike) are all 16×19. An 18×18 on this format is rare: more control expected, likely a little less spin.
Technologies named by the teaser
A four-shaft geometry at the throat, NF²-Tech 2.0 (flax fibres against vibration) and a "Stabilizer 60 Shaft". These three come from a single source, which read them off the teaser site.
First impressions from testers
From Tennisnerd's play-test of both versions, published 3 October 2026:
Stability
Its standout trait: very solid on defence, forgiving sweet spot.
Control
"Impressive for a 100 sq inch racquet" when hitting flat.
Power
Moderate: some free depth, but well below a Pure Drive or Pure Aero.
Launch
Fairly low. It rewards driving through the ball more than heavy topspin.
Comfort
Noticeably more flexible than a typical Babolat, kinder to the wrist.
Manoeuvrability
Surprisingly manoeuvrable for such a shape.
Character
Neither a Pure Aero nor a Pure Drive: more of a Head Speed-style all-rounder.
PP01 Tour
More power and stability from the extra mass. The standard version is easier to swing.
Who is it for? Our reading, to be confirmed
If these first reports hold, the PP01 targets players who take the ball early and hit flat or driven, and who want stability and control more than free power. Its flex could also appeal to those worn out by stiff Babolats. Heavy topspin players will probably be better served by a Pure Aero.
What is NOT confirmed
- The retail name: "Pure Pulse" is going around, but it is only a rumour.
- The family: a new line, or part of Drive, Aero or Strike? Unknown.
- The release date: 2027 is often mentioned, with no confirmation from Babolat.
- The price and the final specs.
Our tracking
We update this page with every official piece of news. Once it is out, the PP01 joins our catalogue and our recommendation engine. In the meantime, these are the rackets in our catalogue with the closest profile (control, stability, 100 sq in):
Babolat PP01: frequently asked questions
›When is the Babolat PP01 coming out?
Babolat has announced no date. Prototypes have been around since August 2026 and demos started in September. A 2027 release is often mentioned, but nothing is confirmed.
›What is the difference between the PP01 and the PP01 Tour?
The PP01 weighs 300 g with a 310 mm balance, the PP01 Tour 310 g with 305 mm. According to the first published play-test, the Tour brings more power and stability, while the standard PP01 is easier to swing.
›Will the PP01 be called Pure Pulse?
That is a rumour going around, but Babolat has confirmed no retail name. For now, PP01 remains a prototype code name.
›How much will the Babolat PP01 cost?
The price is not known. We will add it here as soon as it is official.
›Which players use the PP01?
Ugo Blanchet and Diego Dedura have been seen with the prototype. That does not mean they use it in official matches.
›Why an 18×18 string pattern?
A denser pattern usually gives more control and a little less spin. It is rare on a 100 sq in head: Babolat's other frames of this size are 16×19.
Sources
- Tennisnerd — Babolat PP01 Racquets, first impressions · 3 Oct 2026
- Tennis Rackets Europe — Babolat PP01: new 2027 racket or Pure Pulse? · 26 Aug 2026
- Racqix — Babolat PP01 Tour revealed · 31 Aug 2026
- Wikipédia — Ugo Blanchet · 1 Sep 2026
- Wikipédia — Diego Dedura · Sep 2026
- Tennisnerd — Diego Dedura-Palomero's racquet · 24 Apr 2026
It isn't out yet. So what do you need right now?
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