Moderation is the buzzword with the Babolat Pure Storm Tour LTD GT racquet, which makes it a lethal tool in the hands of a player looking to add either a bit more control, or a bit more power. Looking for a lot of one, or a lot of the other...might want to look at another of the Babolats.

No one feature overloads or speaks too loud for this frame, which makes it an interesting playtest, and probably why this stick is a favorite among high-level control players.

 

Specs of the Babolat Pure Storm GT Ltd. racquet fall in the middle of just about everything many players are looking for (95 square inches, 11.3 unstrung weight, 18 x 20 string pattern). That means the frame can take a lot of the heavy lifting out of your hands. Suffice to say, if you're not looking for too much of a game-changer or transformer in a frame, this racquet is worth a swing.

 

Control oriented baseliners will find the sturdy feel of the throat very suitable for amping up the h. It's a bit unpredictable on off-center hits, but it's a generous spin producer when true to the mark. I found it hard to smack a ball long with Pure Storm GT Ltd. , even on some really big cuts. That damping effect was a godsend, as I'm more of an over-hitter than anything. Couple it with a polyester string or a slightly increased string tension and you'll become a maestro of control.

 

The previous incarnation of this racquet used Carbon Extrem technology, and the new GT (Graphite/Tungsten) composite mix of the Pure Storm GT Ltd. gives it an even more rock-solid feel at contact. Serves aren't going to fly off the stringbed, so you will have to muscle up to get that added pop.

 

This racquet is definitely for those that already have a bit of a power game or longer, loopier strokes, but might be in the market for a more updated frame.

 

Volleyers will like the firm feel at net, but make no mistake...it's a control baseliner's stick of choice, and with that said, one probably more suitable for the higher-NTRP levels (4.5 and above). My only complaint on this one was the cosmetics. I loved the previous black and soft yellow color scheme of the 2008 version.