188-4A. ACTIVESG - Tennis - BABOLAT Pure Drive Rackets (2nd Hand) - 17 July 2026

BACK TO SCHOOL in 2026 - 
I WANNA PLAY TENNIS!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

17 July 2026

From July 2026... saw some free ActiveSG tennis 2hr sessions 
at yck and burghley tennis courts!

but i didn't have any rackets so couldn't join yet.
 
i thought i lost my rackets but they're safely tucked away under the window cabinets Lol - so by the time i found my rackets, i've already bought 2 used Babolat pure drive rackets!




i got myself some 2nd hand rackets!

1. Babolat Pure Drive JR26 (Junior), Grip L0/4" - $45
GT Technology, FSI Power
- bought 13 July 2026 Mon

2. Babolat Pure Drive, likely 2012, Grip L1/ 41/8" - $100
GT Technology, Cortex Damping System, Woofer System
- bought 15 July 2026 Wed

after i got my rackets, the sessions were fully booked 
and i can't get a slot for the next month either :(((( 
sooooo disappointing!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BABOLAT PURE DRIVE RACKET SPECS

 left: JR26 // right: 2012

1. Babolat Pure Drive JR26 
not sure Year/Gen, likely bought in 2024-2025
Junior, Grip L0/4" - $45

GT Technology, FSI Power

The Babolat Pure Drive Junior 26 is a graphite tennis racket built for competitive young players who are 140–150 cm (55–59 inches) tall and looking for power.

Key Specifications
Head Size: 100 sq. in. (645 cm²)
Length: 26 inches (660 mm)
Weight (Unstrung): 250 g (8.8 oz)
Balance: 325 mm (head light/even balance)
String Pattern: 16 mains x 19 crosses
Composition: Graphite
Stiffness (RA): 64
Recommended Tension: 19-23 Kg
Recommended Player Height: 140–150 cm (~10 to 13 years old

FSI POWER
New string pattern and diamond grommets that provide an enlarged sweet spot over the whole width of the racquet to maximize power on every shot, even when off-centered.


2. Babolat Pure Drive 
likely 2012 Pure Drive, similar to Roddick's model, 
Grip L1/ 41/8" - $100

GT Technology, Cortex Damping System, Woofer System

The standard Babolat Pure Drive 2012 specifications feature
a 100 square-inch head size,
a 27-inch length, and
a strung weight of 11.1 ounces (315 grams)

Racquet Specifications
Head Size: 100 sq. in. / 645 sq. cm
Length: 27 in. / 68.58 cm
Strung Weight: 11.1 oz / 314.7 g
Balance: 4 pts Head Light (13 in. / 33 cm)
Swing weight: 308 
Stiffness (RA): 72 (Stiff)
String Pattern: 16 Mains / 19 Crosses
Composition: Graphite / Tungsten (GT technology)
Beam Width: 23.5mm / 26mm / 22.5mm
Recommended Tension: 50–62 pounds

GT (Graphite Tungsten) & Key Technologies

GT Technology: 
Combines high-performance graphite and tungsten fibers interwoven at the head of the racquet to reduce frame twist, enhance precision, and add solid stability upon ball impact.

Cortex Damping System: 
An active interface filtering system located between the handle and the frame that dampens harmful vibrations, increasing comfort and feel for the ball.

Woofer System: 
The first frame-string interaction system that allows the strings and frame to interact upon ball impact, providing 25% more contact time and extra control with shock absorption.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

17 July 2026
below: this is likely the 2012 Babolat Pure Drive,
almost looks like the Roddick pure drive babolat racket.

----------------------------------------------------------------
1. Babolat Pure Drive - $100
- looks like the 2012 model
----------------------------------------------------------------

what i bought seems to look like the 2012 Pure Drive racket. 
(also looks similar to the Roddick Pure Drive 2012 racket - ref pic below)

the previous owner said he got his racket in 2018 - 
but the Pure Drive rackets then were already blue.

when i first held the racket as the new owner,  the racket was dusty, 
a bit scratched and the over grip was old, powdery, yucky.... 

not sure if $100 was worth it or not, but the internet says that
the price range should be $80-$200 for used rackets of this model.

after cleaning up the racket with wet wipes 
and using a new grip wrap, the racket looks pretty good! 

can't wait to test the racket out in court!





----------------------------------------------------------------
below: BEFORE CLEANING UP THE RACKET
----------------------------------------------------------------
very powdery and dirty overgrip wrap...
racket was dusty and a little dirty too (see below close ups)...







----------------------------------------------------------------
below: AFTER CLEANING & WRAPPING THE GRIP
----------------------------------------------------------------
wow. all it takes is a little wipe and change for the overgrip wrap!




----------------------------------------------------------------
below: what the original grip looks like -
i had to unwrap 
4 layers of old, powdery, worn-out overgrip 
to reveal the original handle!
----------------------------------------------------------------
handle looks old but it's now very clean!












----------------------------------------------------------------
2. Babolat Pure Drive JR26 - $45
junior racket
----------------------------------------------------------------













----------------------------------------------------------------
below: Tennis Racket Accessories
- dampeners and overgrip
----------------------------------------------------------------



----------------------------------------------------------------
below: info on activesg tennis programmes
----------------------------------------------------------------





----------------------------------------------------------------
below: info on babolat rackets
----------------------------------------------------------------






Tennis - found 7 Rackets! - https://jt-write.blogspot.com/2026/08/188-4b-2026-tennis-YonexR22-7rackets.html
Tennis - ActiveSG Seniors - https://jt-write.blogspot.com/2026/09/188-4c-2026-tennisforSENIORS.html
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Comments