Tennis

Babolat Boost Drive Tennis Racket Review & Buying Guide (India)

At ₹8,399 strung and with a cover, the Boost Drive is aimed at improvers. Here is what it does well — and who should skip it.

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Babolat Boost Drive strung tennis racket with cover for club and improving players in India

Babolat Boost Drive tennis racket review: who should buy it at ₹8,399?

The Babolat Boost Drive Strung Tennis Racket (With Cover) (₹8,399) is the entry point to Babolat's most recognisable family. The Boost line takes the shape and intent of the Pure Drive — the racket a very large share of club players worldwide use — and rebuilds it lighter, cheaper and easier to swing.

The result is a racket aimed at a specific player: someone past their first month of tennis, playing socially or in club matches, who wants free power without having to generate everything themselves.

What the Boost Drive is built to do

Three design choices define it. It is light, which makes it quick to get into position with and easy to swing for players still building racket-head speed. It has a large head with an open string pattern, which gives a forgiving sweet spot and helps the strings bite for spin. And it comes strung with a cover, so it is ready to play the day it arrives — no separate stringing bill.

On court, that translates to depth without effort. Slightly late on a forehand and the ball still travels; a defensive block still clears the net. For an improving player, that forgiveness is worth more than any spec sheet.

Where the trade-offs show up

Light rackets give up stability. Against a heavy hitter, the frame gets pushed around on off-centre contacts and volleys can feel thin. Advanced players who already generate their own pace tend to find light power frames unpredictable — the ball flies long on full swings.

The other consideration is comfort. Light, stiff frames transmit more shock to the arm than heavier flexible ones. If you have had tennis elbow, get the string tension set on the lower side and consider a softer multifilament string when the factory string wears out.

Who should buy it

  • Improving club players who want more free depth and a bigger sweet spot
  • Players moving on from a starter racket and not yet ready for a 300g performance frame
  • Social and doubles players who value manoeuvrability at the net
  • Buyers who want a ready-to-play package without a separate stringing cost

Who should look elsewhere: strong players with full swings who need control and stability — a heavier 300g frame such as a full Pure Drive or Pure Strike will suit better. Juniors should be sized by height and age instead: the Babolat Drive JR 23 NC Tennis Racket (₹6,299) and Babolat Drive Junior 25 Tennis Racquet (₹5,839) cover the common junior lengths.

Getting the grip size right

Grip size matters more than most buyers realise, and it is the one thing you cannot fix later without changing the feel of the racket. The quick check: hold the racket in a forehand grip and you should be able to slide the index finger of your other hand into the gap between your fingertips and the base of your palm. Too tight and you get forearm fatigue; too loose and you squeeze harder to stop it twisting.

If you are between sizes, take the smaller one — an overgrip adds roughly half a size, and you cannot remove material from a handle that is already too big.

Living with it in India

Humidity finishes grips faster than play does. Keep spare overgrips in the bag and change them when they go slick rather than when they look worn. Do not leave the racket in a car boot in summer; heat degrades the strings and the grip glue. And restring roughly as many times a year as you play per week — twice a week on court means about two restrings a year, even if nothing has snapped.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the Babolat Boost Drive good for beginners?

It suits improving beginners and club players well. It is light, easy to swing and has a forgiving sweet spot with an open string pattern, and it arrives strung with a cover so it is ready to play. Advanced players with full swings will generally want a heavier, more stable frame.

Does the Babolat Boost Drive come strung?

Yes. It is sold strung and with a cover at ₹8,399 in India, so there is no separate stringing cost when you buy it. Plan on a restring roughly as many times a year as you play per week.

How do I choose the right grip size for the Boost Drive?

Hold the racket in a forehand grip: you should be able to slide the index finger of your other hand into the gap between your fingertips and the base of your palm. If you fall between two sizes, choose the smaller one, since an overgrip adds about half a size.

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