Brandon Nakashima is a rising star in the world of tennis, known for his dynamic and powerful playing style. As with any top athlete, his equipment plays a crucial role in his success. One of the most notable pieces of gear in his arsenal is his tennis racquet, the Babolat Pure Strike 98.
The Pure Strike 98 is a popular choice among recreational players and professionals alike, known for its precision and control. Nakashima’s use of this racquet has garnered attention from tennis enthusiasts and has helped to establish it as a top choice for players looking to improve their game.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Nakashima’s use of the Babolat Pure Strike 98 and explore what makes this racquet a standout choice for players of all levels.
Brandon Nakashima
Early Life
Brandon Nakashima was born on August 3, 2001, in San Diego, California. His parents, Wesley and Christine Nakashima, are both dentists. Nakashima has one older brother, Ryan Nakashima, who is also a tennis player.
Nakashima started playing tennis at the age of three, and his parents were his first coaches. He attended Torrey Pines High School, where he played on the tennis team and won the CIF San Diego Section singles title in 2018.
Tennis Career
Nakashima turned professional in 2019, and he quickly made a name for himself on the ATP Challenger Tour. In 2020, he won his first Challenger title in Orlando, Florida, and he finished the year ranked No. 166 in the world.
In 2021, Nakashima continued to climb the rankings, and he reached his first ATP Tour final in Los Cabos, Mexico. He lost to Cameron Norrie in the final, but he showed that he had the potential to compete at the highest level.
Nakashima’s racquet of choice is the Babolat Pure Strike 98. He has used this racquet for most of his professional career, and it has helped him to develop his aggressive playing style. He strings the racquet with a combination of Babolat RPM Blast and Babolat VS Touch.
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Tennis Racquet
Brandon Nakashima is known for his impressive skills on the tennis court, but his choice of racquet is also worth noting. The Babolat Pure Strike 98 is the racquet that Nakashima has used in the past, but he has recently switched to the Yonex EZONE 98.
Features
The Babolat Pure Strike 98 is a high-performance racquet that is designed for intermediate and advanced players. It has a head size of 98 square inches, which provides a good balance of power and control. The racquet is 27 inches in length and weighs 327g/11.5 oz when strung. It has a balance point of 3pts HL, which means that it is slightly head-heavy. The string pattern is 16×19, which is a relatively open pattern that provides good spin potential. The swingweight of the racquet is 325, which means that it is relatively easy to swing.
Technology
The Babolat Pure Strike 98 incorporates several technologies that enhance its performance. The racquet features C² Pure Feel, which is a technology that provides a better feel and sound upon impact. The racquet also features Control Frame Technology, which is designed to provide more stability and control on off-center hits.
The racquet’s Hybrid Frame Construction is another technology that enhances its performance. The frame is a combination of square and elliptical shapes, which provides a good balance of power and control.
While Nakashima has switched to the Yonex EZONE 98, his previous use of the Babolat Pure Strike 98 is a testament to its quality and performance. With its advanced features and technologies, it is no wonder that the Babolat Pure Strike 98 is a popular choice among intermediate and advanced players.
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Performance
Strengths
Brandon Nakashima’s Babolat Pure Strike 98 Racquet is a versatile and powerful tool that allows him to play an athletic brand of all-court tennis. The racquet’s head size of 98 sq. in gives him a good balance of power and control, while its 16×19 string pattern allows him to generate plenty of spin. The racquet’s swingweight of 325 and weight of 327g/11.5 oz provide him with the stability and heft needed to hit powerful groundstrokes and serves.
Nakashima’s solid serve has improved exponentially since he began using the Babolat Pure Strike 98, creating a glut of ‘plus one’ opportunities. The racquet’s balance of 3pts HL allows him to generate more power on his serve, while the string pattern and swingweight provide him with the necessary spin and stability to hit accurate and consistent serves.
Weaknesses
One potential weakness of the Babolat Pure Strike 98 Racquet is its relatively small sweet spot. This can make it more difficult to hit clean winners and can result in more mishits. Additionally, the racquet’s weight and swingweight may make it more difficult for some players to generate the necessary racquet head speed to hit consistent groundstrokes and volleys.
Another potential weakness is that the racquet can be difficult to control at times, particularly when hitting high-speed shots. This can result in more errors and missed opportunities for Nakashima.
Conclusion
Brandon Nakashima is a rising star in the world of tennis, and his choice of racquet, the Babolat Pure Strike 98, is a popular one among recreational players. While he has recently made a switch to the Yonex Ezone 98, it is clear that the Pure Strike has served him well throughout his career.
One of the key features of the Pure Strike is its ability to offer power without sacrificing control. This makes it an ideal choice for players like Nakashima, who rely on their precision and accuracy to outmaneuver their opponents on the court.
While there are several different versions of the Pure Strike available, Nakashima’s specific frame has a head size of 98 square inches, which provides a good balance of power and control. Additionally, he has used the same racquet for at least 5-6 years, which speaks to his loyalty and confidence in the product.
It’s safe to say that, the Babolat Pure Strike 98 is a reliable and popular choice for tennis players of all levels, and Nakashima’s success with it is a testament to its quality. While he may have switched to a new racquet, it is clear that the Pure Strike will continue to be a top choice for players looking to improve their game.