Carlos Alcaraz Racket Setup – Player Profile

Carlos Alcaraz plays an explosive all-court game built around exceptional speed, heavy topspin, aggressive court positioning, and the ability to finish points from almost anywhere. His racket setup reflects that style by combining the spin potential of the Babolat Pure Aero family with the additional precision of a 98in² head and 16×20 string pattern.

The racket and string models are officially confirmed by Babolat, but his exact tournament specifications are not fully public. Like most professionals, Alcaraz uses frames that are matched and personalized before competition, so the retail racket should not automatically be treated as identical to the one in his hand.

Carlos Alcaraz Racket Setup at a Glance

The measurements in this table describe the retail Pure Aero 98 Gen9 unless otherwise stated. Babolat specifically notes that sponsored professionals may use customized equipment or a different version from the racket depicted on its retail pages.

Carlos Alcaraz Player Profile

The personal measurements and professional information are listed on Alcaraz’s official ATP profile and Australian Open player profile.

What Racket Does Carlos Alcaraz Use?

Carlos Alcaraz uses the Babolat Pure Aero 98. Babolat’s current player page associates him with the Pure Aero 98 Gen9, while the manufacturer’s previous announcements confirm that he has used the Pure Aero 98 name since the 2022 US Open.

Alcaraz originally played with the standard Pure Aero before moving to the more control-focused Pure Aero VS in 2021. Babolat later updated the Pure Aero VS and renamed it the Pure Aero 98.

According to Babolat’s profile of Alcaraz, he wanted additional control and became interested in the smaller model because it had an extra cross string. He found that the racket gave him the combination of quick ball speed, confidence, and control he wanted.

The 98in² head provides a more precise response than the 100in² head used by the standard Pure Aero. Its 16×20 pattern also places slightly more string material across the hitting area than a 16×19 pattern, helping control the launch angle without removing the spin potential expected from the Pure Aero family.

Does Alcaraz Use the Retail Pure Aero 98?

The retail Pure Aero 98 is the closest publicly available racket to Alcaraz’s official model, but it cannot be described as an exact replica of his tournament frame. Babolat includes a disclaimer explaining that professional players may compete with customized equipment or a different model from the one displayed.

Professional frames are normally selected and matched for weight, balance, swingweight, grip shape, and overall feel. Two retail rackets of the same model can have small manufacturing differences, while a professional needs every racket in the bag to respond almost identically.

Alcaraz has also personalized his setup. In an interview published by El País before the 2025 Australian Open, he confirmed that his team had experimented with adding approximately 5g around the neck of the racket. He said the additional weight improved stability and helped on returns, serves, and situations where he wanted the ball to leave the strings with more force.

Therefore, buying the Pure Aero 98 provides the same general platform, head size, pattern, and design philosophy. It does not guarantee the exact weight distribution, flex, balance, grip construction, or tournament string tension used by Alcaraz.

Babolat Pure Aero 98 Retail Specifications

These are the specifications published on the official Pure Aero 98 Gen9 product page. They should not be presented as verified measurements of Alcaraz’s customized tournament racket.

The 305g unstrung weight gives the retail model enough mass for stability while keeping it manageable for fast swings. Once strings, an overgrip, and any additional customization are installed, the match-ready weight will be noticeably higher.

Carlos Alcaraz’s Racket Customization

The clearest publicly confirmed customization is the addition of approximately 5g around the racket’s throat or neck. Weight placed in this area increases the racket’s overall mass without producing the same dramatic swingweight change that would result from placing it near the tip.

This can improve stability when returning heavy serves or redirecting fast groundstrokes. It also gives the racket more mass behind the ball, which can create additional depth and power when the player maintains the same swing speed.

Alcaraz explained that he previously used a relatively low racket weight compared with many professional players. His team tested the heavier setup carefully to ensure that he could still accelerate the racket freely and that the change did not create discomfort in his arm.

The adjustment fits his game because maneuverability remains essential to his success. He frequently changes direction, accelerates late, uses drop shots, and defends from difficult positions, so an excessively heavy or head-heavy racket could restrict the creativity and speed that make his game effective.

What Strings Does Carlos Alcaraz Use?

Babolat’s current player profile lists Alcaraz with Babolat RPM Team. The manufacturer also confirmed that he used the Pure Aero 98 with RPM Team during his 2025 Roland Garros victory.

RPM Team is a co-polyester monofilament designed to provide spin, control, and durability. According to the official RPM Team product page, it uses an octagonal shape and a low-density construction intended to create a softer response than a traditional firm polyester string.

The shaped profile helps the strings grip the ball, while the controlled response allows Alcaraz to swing aggressively without producing an uncontrollably high launch angle. This is particularly valuable on his forehand, where extreme racket-head speed must be balanced by predictable control.

Players interested in the string should read a complete Babolat RPM Team review before copying the setup. A full bed of polyester is primarily suited to players with developed technique, fast swings, and the ability to break or replace strings regularly.

Did Alcaraz Previously Use RPM Blast?

Alcaraz previously used Babolat RPM Blast. In its 2023 partnership announcement, Babolat confirmed that he was using the Pure Aero 98 with RPM Blast in a 1.30mm or 16-gauge version.

The manufacturer’s later tournament reports and current player page identify RPM Team instead. This provides clear evidence that his listed string changed after the earlier RPM Blast setup.

RPM Blast offers strong spin and control but has a firm response. RPM Team maintains the shaped polyester construction while using a lower-density material intended to produce a more forgiving feel.

The change does not mean one string is automatically better. RPM Blast may suit players who want a firmer, more direct response, while RPM Team may be preferable for someone seeking controlled spin with a slightly softer sensation.

What String Tension Does Carlos Alcaraz Use?

Alcaraz’s exact current tournament tension has not been officially published by Babolat. Specific numbers found elsewhere should be treated as reported estimates because professional players can change tension according to the court surface, temperature, altitude, tennis balls, and playing conditions.

Babolat recommends a range of 21-25kg or 46-55lb for the retail Pure Aero 98 Gen9. This is a manufacturer recommendation for consumers, not confirmation of Alcaraz’s personal match tension.

Recreational players should not automatically use the highest tension in that range. A sensible starting point with polyester could be approximately 21-23kg or 46-51lb, followed by small adjustments based on control, depth, comfort, and launch angle.

A tennis string tension calculator can provide a more suitable starting point based on skill level, racket, string type, and playing style.

Why the Pure Aero 98 Fits Alcaraz’s Playing Style

Spin

Alcaraz produces exceptional racket-head speed, particularly on his forehand. The aerodynamic Pure Aero frame and spin-focused grommet system allow the racket to move quickly through the air while encouraging string movement.

RPM Team supports this by combining an octagonal profile with the snapback and control of a polyester monofilament. The result is a setup designed for aggressive swings and heavy topspin rather than effortless power from a short motion.

Precision

The 98in² head and 16×20 pattern provide a more controlled response than the standard 100in² Pure Aero. This allows Alcaraz to attack smaller targets, redirect the ball down the line, and use sharp angles without giving up the spin characteristics of the Aero family.

This balance explains why he moved away from the standard Pure Aero. His technique already generates considerable power and spin, so greater precision is more useful than the additional forgiveness of a larger head.

Maneuverability

Alcaraz needs a racket that can accelerate quickly from different positions. His game includes explosive forehands, compact backhands, passing shots, volleys, defensive flicks, and disguised drop shots.

The Pure Aero 98 provides enough mass for stability without starting from an extremely heavy retail specification. The added 5g appears to be a controlled adjustment that strengthens the racket without completely changing its maneuverable character.

Stability

Returns and defensive groundstrokes expose a racket to considerable force. A lighter setup can be pushed around when contact occurs away from the center or when redirecting a powerful incoming shot.

The added throat weight gives Alcaraz more resistance against twisting and impact. Because the mass is placed closer to the center of the racket than the tip, it can improve stability without making the frame dramatically more difficult to accelerate.

Control Under Power

Alcaraz does not need a racket that creates all the power for him. His footwork, timing, rotation, and acceleration already generate exceptional ball speed.

The smaller head, denser pattern, and polyester string provide the control needed to contain that power. This allows him to swing freely while still producing the sharp angles and sudden changes of direction that define his attacking game.

Can You Buy Carlos Alcaraz’s Racket?

The Babolat Pure Aero 98 Gen9 is the officially promoted retail version associated with Alcaraz. It provides the same 98in² head size, 16×20 pattern, aerodynamic design, and control-focused position within the Pure Aero range.

However, the retail frame should be considered an Alcaraz-inspired platform rather than a guaranteed copy of his match racket. Professional customization, frame matching, string preparation, and manufacturing tolerances can create meaningful differences.

Players considering the racket should evaluate the Babolat Pure Aero 98 review based on their own technique instead of buying it solely because Alcaraz uses it. His physical ability and racket-head speed allow him to handle a demanding setup that may not be appropriate for every player.

Who Should Use a Similar Setup?

The Pure Aero 98 is best suited to strong intermediate and advanced players who generate their own swing speed. It rewards full strokes, aggressive acceleration, and players who want spin without the higher launch angle of a more open 100in² racket.

It can work particularly well for aggressive baseliners, all-court players, and competitors who alternate between heavy topspin and flatter attacking shots. The 16×20 pattern provides more directional control than many traditional spin rackets while remaining open enough to produce movement and rotation.

Beginners may find the smaller sweet spot and heavier match-ready weight less forgiving. Players with slow swings or a history of arm discomfort should also be cautious about combining a firm racket with a full bed of polyester.

How to Create an Alcaraz-Inspired Setup

Start with the retail Pure Aero 98 and play with it in standard form before adding weight. This establishes whether the racket already provides enough stability, power, and maneuverability for your game.

RPM Team can be used for a spin-and-control setup, but recreational players should choose the gauge and tension according to their needs rather than attempting to reproduce an unconfirmed professional specification. Players who do not regularly break strings may benefit from a softer polyester, multifilament, or hybrid.

If more stability is needed, add weight in small increments of 1g or 2g and test the racket after each adjustment. Adding 5g immediately can change the feel, timing, and total weight more than expected.

Any customized rackets should also be matched for static weight, balance, and swingweight. A professional racket technician can make the changes more accurately and ensure that every frame responds consistently.

Carlos Alcaraz Career Highlights

Alcaraz became the youngest World No.1 in ATP rankings history after winning the 2022 US Open at 19 years old. He later won major titles on hard, grass, and clay courts, demonstrating that his aggressive game could succeed on every surface.

At the 2026 Australian Open, he became the youngest man to complete the Career Grand Slam. The victory gave him his seventh major singles championship and completed a collection that included titles at the Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open.

His official ATP biography documents his ranking records, Grand Slam achievements, Olympic silver medal, and other major career milestones.

Final Verdict

Carlos Alcaraz’s officially listed setup combines the Babolat Pure Aero 98 with Babolat RPM Team strings. The 98in² head, 16×20 pattern, aerodynamic frame, and controlled polyester response complement his blend of speed, spin, power, precision, and all-court creativity.

The retail Pure Aero 98 is the closest available starting point, but it should not be described as an exact copy of his tournament racket. His frames are likely matched and personalized, with the most clearly reported modification being approximately 5g added around the throat for greater stability and weight behind the ball.

For advanced players with fast swings, the setup offers an appealing combination of controlled spin and attacking precision. For everyone else, it is better to adapt the racket, string, and tension to individual ability rather than attempting to copy a professional setup exactly.