Carlos Alcaraz’s Racquet, Strings, Grip & More

Racquet

When talking about Carlos Alcaraz’s tennis racquet, there are two frames to consider, the one he endorses based on his sponsorship and the one he actually uses. We’ll look at each individually so you can understand the differences.

Endorsed Racquet

When a tennis brand sponsors a player, they’re paying for them to endorse a specific racquet that they hope will drive sales.

However, frequently it’s not the exact racquet or specifications of the racquet they’re actually using. Instead, the player will use a different racquet painted to look like the model they’re endorsing.

One of the main reasons this happens is because professional tennis players don’t switch racquets often, so the best way for a brand like Babolat to maintain the endorsement with a player is to make their old racquet look like the new one.

That’s the case with Carlos Alcaraz, who endorses the Babolat Pure Aero but uses a different racquet that will discuss in the next section. Here are the strung specs for the Babolat Pure Aero 2023.

The Babolat Pure Aero is a fantastic tennis racquet that’s stiffer, offering high levels of power and spin with an open 16×19 string pattern ideally suited for baseliners who swing big to generate the topspin required for maximum control with the racquet.

It doesn’t offer the best comfort or feel, especially paired with a low-powered polyester tennis string, but it’s an excellent option for players with healthy arms and an appetite for hitting big.

The Babolat Pure Aero is one of my picks for the best racquets on the market, so it’s a worthy option to consider.

Actual Racquet

Often, top players use a customized version of an older tennis racquet model that’s no longer for sale, referred to as a pro stock racquet that the manufacturer creates specifically for the player.

In the case of Carlos Alcaraz, he uses the stock Babolat Pure Aero VS, the same one you can purchase at any major retailer and released in 2020. This racquet is the evolution of the Aero Storm, which Babolat initially released in 2007.

Here are the strung specs of the Babolat Pure Aero VS.

It’s important to note that Carlos or a tour stringer who’s handled his racquet or measured its specs hasn’t confirmed the racquet’s weight, swingweight, or balance, so many fans and players remain unconvinced.

The main reason for speculation about him using the stock version of the Aero VS is the frame’s lighter weight for a professional tennis player at only 11.3 oz (320 g) strung.

A racquet’s weight plays a significant role in its stability, so there’s a belief that this weight isn’t enough to handle the power he deals with competing against the world’s best players.

However, a counterargument is that his fast swinging style of play that relies heavily on topspin is ideally suited for the frame’s lighter weight, which makes it highly maneuverable. Paired with a smaller head size and tighter string pattern, it’s not unreasonable to assume that the lighter weight is more than sufficient.

With that said, the exact specs remain unknown for now, so I’ll update this resource if more information becomes available.

Pure Aero vs. Pure Aero VS

Coming from the same family of tennis racquets, the Babolat Pure Aero and Pure Aero VS exhibit similar playing characteristics, but they have distinct differences.

Notably, the Pure Aero VS has a smaller 98 in² (632 cm²) head size, thinner beam, and a tighter 16×20 string pattern, which combine to scale back the racquet’s power and enhance its control and precision, which is why Carlos uses it.

Overall, Babolat designed the Pure Aero VS for a more advanced player who demands added control. At the same time, the more approachable Pure Aero caters to a wide range of players, from improving beginners to advanced, especially when customized.

Babolat Since 10 Years Old

According to Babolat, Carlos first signed with the brand when he was ten years old, initially using the Babolat Pure Aero before switching to the Pure Aero VS in 2021.

However, if you look back far enough, a few images of him online show he used to play with a Head Speed tennis racquet before transitioning to Babolat. Considering his success, it’s unlikely he’ll ever use another racquet brand during his career.