Wilson Blade 98 v9 Mega Review | 16x19 vs 18x20 | Pro Player Opinion
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- Опубліковано 30 чер 2024
- 2024 Wilson Blade 98 V9 Review. What's better, the 16x19 string pattern for spin or the 18x20 for control? Is the V9 better than the V8 or the V7? What does a pro player think of the new Blade? What do recreation players think of the V9 Blade?
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00:00 Intro
00:26 Previous Blades
01:47 Updates to the V9
02:51 16x19 vs. 18x20
05:11 Pro Player Review
07:42 Best Part of the Blade
09:35 What I Don't Like
11:41 Player Recommendations
13:00 Best Strings for the Blade
13:57 Final Market Analysis
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*Grapplesnake USA only ships to the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Mexico. Cannot ship to Europe or Asia unfortunately. - Спорт
Damnnnn, one of the best all round reviews ever made, amazing job
thank you, brotha
To me you're the most eloquent voice on YT on matters relating to tennis equipment that I've found.
Making graphite and petroleum plastic come alive through words like you do, to the point where I can almost feel it in my hands simply by listening, is no mean feat!
Thanks for putting in all the time and effort, which makes it much easier for casual rec players like myself navigate the myriad of options available.
Thanks for watching! Really appreciate your viewership and I'm glad to see that my words are making a connection. It's an honour to be part of your tennis journey.
I'm probably speaking for everyone here...
More 'Alejandra "AMG" Gutierrez' in your racquet reviews/content 💯
(If she's up to it)
I know this particular line is her expertise,
but definitely would love to see her opinion with similar
racquets that fall into this caterogory that she feels a comfortable connection with.
A great addition to the TennComm team 👏
Ale needs new sticks badly, her V7's are moments away from cracking, so AMG Racquet Journey content is coming!
@@TennCom hi, we know top10-20 can get custom racquets, how do the other 100s of pro players go about buying pro racquets? do they just buy/order from the official manuf site, or they are in contact with a rep and they get sent pro racquets and pay differently? thanks
@@zlmdragon. I don't know the whole answer, but I have some info. Depends on the country they are from I think. In Canada, retail shops can offer "player's packages" to high performing local players and coaches at a good discount. Some manufacturer's have a "Team" portal those with access can just order what they need. I heard Head pro's (say top 500 or so) can order whatever at cost, but this would probably be done through a rep or something.
Great video, and you were great in Dune 2
Thanks it was an honour to work with Denis and the rest of the cast. If I could have rewritten the script, I think I should have killed lil Timmy and won, but, that's life.
Totally agree with your assessment of the V8. I’m currently playing the 16x19, but looking at a new stick for the reasons you cite. It’s a weapon at net due to the maneuverability, control, and feel, but a liability from the baseline because of its anemic power and stability against big hits. Might need to test the V9 and double-down on the attacking style it dictates, or go to the opposite end of the spectrum to find something that fits me better.
Most of the negative comments I see of the 98 get sorted with the 100. The 100 is an easier to use Blade 98, the blade for most mortals or those of us who play on clay against the Babolat brigade. More power but still control oriented and more importantly forgiveness. I was struggling with the v8 98 16x19 as you mention with depth. I switched to the Blade v8 100 a few months ago, it was my first 100 racket and took perhaps 3-4 training sessions to get used to it but I knew I wanted the v8 feel because I had real bad tennis elbow last year and the v8 98 was the racket that my elbow agreed with the most. Haven't looked back, elbow is all healed, no soreness whatsoever and got the v9 100 a few weeks ago. They also play very similar but the added stability is very welcome. I find myself more confident with the v9 I think for its muted feel which is what I'm used to from my previous rackets. If you think you like the Blade 98 but for whatever reason it doesn't completely convince you, give the 100 a try.
Hey man, given your TE history, what strings/tension would you recommend for the Blade v9 100? I am currently playing with the v8 100 and use VCT 16g / Head Lynx. I much prefer the VCT
@@afifahmayuddin7494normal head lynx. Tension maintenance is a problem but a secondary problem for you given you seek comfort. To mitigate you can string a little higher than normal. For me V8 is better than v9 in terms of comfort.
Tell that to tsitsipas he's bashing the babolat brigade on clay. You can spec a blade 98 to have what it's missing. You want some crispness with nice ball bite and pocketing put something like a lux original rough in mains with poly tour pro crosses there You have a blade 98 playing like a pure drive with tremendously more feel. These things are easily adjustable. Blade 98 isn't a racket for a full bed of rpm blast at 55 pounds. You'll get nothing..
@@revio000 the 100 just a better racquet.....for me. Control with way more spin and a bit more power. And is more manuverable
Another great review. Growing up Wilson were at the top of the tree and you didn't really see many other racquets bar the Donnay, when Agassi was using it, however, over the years I feel that Wilson have been trying to find their USP, and it feels to me that they are struggling to find that winning formula. They're obviously still strong in the Pro area as a large majority of players are using them, but the general population people seem to struggle with them. That's the feedback I've had from many club player.
Which is why the likes of the Ezone's are so popular, most of us club players don't have the footwork or fitness to utilise these pro racquets and end up frustrated due to the fact that in order to utilise their full capability you need to really improve the basics, and most of us club players just want a hit without tearing our achilles tendon.
I really loved this review. Makes me want to get this stick 😊
The video is very informative 👌
Percept 100D review next?
Beckett, the V9 Blade 100 is making its way to us. Please review! Ciao, John
I use the V7 16x19, and I love it
I had the 18/20, beefed it up to 357g. That was a nuclear weapon, but my arm can´t take that much weight anymore.
Without that weight it felt terrible, so I dumped it.
waiting to know your thoughts on the blade 100
Great review!! Thanks for sharing. Do you think that Blade 100L with multifilament string could provide a little more power for recreational intermediate player?
Thanks!!
Yeah totally, Head Velocity is a nice all arounder if you aren't sure which multi to go with
Do you advice the 18x20 with gut? I recently tried it on my current tecnifibre and loved it. But I want a new 632 one, and thought about the Blade, what do you think about it? I used to love Icecode in past, but trying some gut atm.
May I ask where is the court Alejandra is playing in? Fantastic scenery.
Thanks a lot, great review. Amy thoughts on the SW102?
I've never tried it but i think its ultra cool
restring zero at 52lb on my v9 18x20, love it, but im not sure if i should lower the tension or go with another string
Hi Becektt, thanks for the great review. What string tension would you recommend for the new Blade V9? I was thinking Babolat VS gut in the mains and Luxillon Alu Power Rough in the crosses. Normally I play with 25 kg/24 kg but in the V8, that set up feels too much like a board.
I think that would be ok. 24kg with ALU wasn't too demanding in the 18x20
Tour Bite 17 @ 52 lbs on my V8 and EZone 98 are perfect for those racquets.
With all that said, your two charts makes no distinction between 16x19 and 18x20. Also I am getting the impression from this video hat it might be better for most users to save money now by buying discounted V8's. FWIW the Blade is my secondary stick. It's lack of power forces me to swing out more and thus helps me with my technique especially my OHBH. My primary is the EZone 98 which took me some time and setup properly.
9:35, I'm dying!
Can you compare this racket to the CX200?
Thanks for the great insight on the 98s. I’m looking to switch out my ALU Power. You mentioned Technifibre X-One Biphase for the mains, what about your recommendations on the crosses?
ReString Sync would work really nice, genuinely, even though I am affiliated, but anything stiffer and slicker. Regular Hawk, Tecnifibre Ice Code, stuff along those lines would be good too. If you are using a full bed of ALU now, and shipping is reasonable to where you live, I highly recommend trying either ReString Sync or Grapplesnake Tour M8 and options that give you 80% of the feel of ALU with playability that 5x longer.
Thanks for the recommendations! Grapplesnake is not available and won’t get sync for a long time more, I’ll give the Lynx tour a try. Before switching to the v9, I use the whiteout 18x20 based on your reviews, keep up the great content!
Hi Beckett, loving ur channel and content as always! Wanted to ask about the swing weight of the 18x20, u mentioned that it was too heavy for most including urself at 338, I notice u corrected urself on screen indicating that it was actually 334. My question is, do u still feel that also at 334 it was too high and if so what would u say is optimal and would be better? 330? I’m planning on getting the Wilson Blade v9 18x20 and I’m very conscious of the specs particularly the swing weight and they are going to measure up for me and give me one as close to ideal/my preferred specs as possible. Hope to get a reply from u soon 😊
I felt it was too heavy not because of the number 338, but because of how I thought it played. I didn't learn the SW numbers till after we hit and I got them mixed up with the Strike we had that day. So ignore the 338 vs 334. But yes, 334 was still too much for me. I've tried getting my Whiteout to that spec too and its noticeably more tiring after 45mins-1h especially against players who push me around. 330-333 is my personal sweetspot. The only racquets that have worked for me with higher SW's are the Sinner-spec GT Speed and the new Strike (mine at 339). I can use both of these for a full session, though they high SW does limit my shot selection.
Yonex racquets, do it the best!
Bought 2 Ezones for a family member, spec weight was 275 grams, both Ezones came in 276 grams, impressive! Japanese quality with in house manufacturing vs all other companies outsourcing manufacturing in China to 2 plants, where quantity is more important than quality.
Head and Wilson both have some great racquets, but too many models, bordering on absurd.
Diadem and Solinco deserve an honourable mention.
I had to add more weight to my v8 for me to fall in love with it.
how much more?
Me as well. I got my Noirs to 338g, 32mm balance, 14TW and 332SW and they play fantastic. Maneuverable and all the power you need. Thanks to Wilson’s famous quality control matching the 3 frames was interesting, but got it done lol.
So we should buy this racket or not wilson blade v9 as advance .
Hoping for your answer❤
Great job fellow Canuck! The more I watch reviews, the more confused I am. Trying to move from Pure Strike 100 2nd generation that I customized like hell to get to 135 strung weight with still a head light profile. I’d like to get a lower launch angle since my swing path is already a bit loopy and I tend to overshoot the court when I really hit my shots. Tried the following : EZone 98, Gravity Pro, new Speed MP, Radical MP and Pro, Pro Staff 97 and the Blade V8 16x19. Best so far for me are Speed MP (great manoeuvrability with surprising swing weight) and Gravity Pro (for launch angle but need my A game not to be late when I play with hard hitting guys). Was waiting to test the new Blade as well as the Pure Strike 100 16x20 but can’t find this one anywhere yet in Quebec. Any thoughts? Some suggested the Percept but I just can’t stand the color (this is superficial I know but I keep my racquets for a long time and need to like the look). Thanks again and keep up the great work.
Thanks for watching! I haven't tried it yet, but maybe CX400 Tour? Will reveiw soon, am picking it up from post today.
@@TennCom Thanks Beckett. Looking forward to it.
I’ve been playing with the V7 Blade 16x19 for over four years, and I gotta say it’s probably the best racquet I’ve ever played with. I’ve been demoing many new racquets to switch to (at least 8), and nothing really compares. It’s not too heavy being a 305g, easy depth, easy plow, lots of pop, and control with a 330+ SW! One racq that actually feels somewhat similar because of a new change in higher SW would be the new 2024 Head Speed MP (I know, usually not a comparable racquet). It’s funny because the 2024 Speeds have a velvet finish like the blade V7s.
Ale's fav new racquet atm is the VCORE 95 just in case that leads you down a path
Agreed. I own the v7, v8, and now v9 blade. I really enjoy the v9 more than the previous versions. I'm an aggressive baseliner with Eastern grip that likes to hit through the ball. I still get enough spin but my flats are more laser-like. My hitting partner says my shots are more aggressive now and he has to defend more. I love this racket and want to play more. However, my partner, who owns an aero, can't hit with it.
Una pregunta : a cuatas lb tienes tensada las cuerdas
I bought the blade 98 even though i found it too demanding in an experiment to see if adjustment to an advanced racquet can advance your game or hurt it. The journey begins. I’ve recently progressed to advanced level.
I love my blade v7 but didn’t like the v8 that much. I found I got way more control with the v7. So you’re review makes me wonder if the v9 would be a good upgrade although another reviewer said the v9 was if the v7 and v8 had a baby
To me, the V8 and V9's feel very similar, definitely from the same lineage, but the V7 is quite different feeling, more along the lines of an Extreme Tour
Tested the 100L today. Felt like hitting with a wood board, granted I come from using aero 100. But it was the L version so was expecting it to be more maneuverable.. it was not.
Great review. The Blade V9 vibes well with my game. You mentioned the ALU Power string, but wasn’t on your string recommendations. Are the other strings a better fit than the Alu power with the blade? TIA
Tour Sniper, Lynx Tour, Tour Bite in order of most control to most spin
@@TennCom thanks! What are your thoughts on alu power rough with the V9?
I had no idea you liked the Pro Staff 97 that much!
sneaky good for me, only the fondest memories and sold it too soon after the review to fall out of love hahaha
@@TennCom Wilson should do a GD97 no pws 18x17. Grigor needs a little more pop in his twighlight years.
Hey Becket- I am returning back to playing from shoulder surgery but ready to get back playing Masters events. I went from the Pure Strike Tour (you did a great job matching those 5 frames for me, thx again) and switched to the Head Extreme tour. I never could get any power from the extreme tour at all. So thinking of the new Blade B9. How do you think it compares to the Pure Strike? I am hitting with the Pure Drive but perhaps a bit too powerful for me and having control issues. Thanks as always, great review! CM
Good to hear from you again! I'm a big fan of the new Pure Strikes. They have a lot more feel than the last ones but you still get all the power and stability. A lot more power and stability than these Blades. There is something off for me with the weight distribution on the Blades and I just can't get the right racquet head acceleration. If you get a chance to try them, and its not an issue, than maybe a good choice, but I also struggled with topspin which seems quite important for your clay court career. I'd recommend checking out the Speed MP as well.
Thanks for the suggestions! So Is there any of the Technifibre frames you would put into the mix? I used to love the TF315 back about 3 version ago.
Are there. Sorry bad grammer😊
How would you see the v9 vs. the all-time-favoured blade v5 ? Is the v5 still even more solid feeling?
True confession: have never hit the v5
This is best i ever saw you play, is your t shirt fred perry?
yeyeye
I play with the 100 v7 with an eastern forehand and a 1hbh , with a solinco confidential. It's a dream. Totally agree on crisper strings in these blades.
Beckett how does the Blade play compared to the Pro Staff 97?
I felt a lot more comfortable using the PS97. Spin was better, torsional stability worse, but more solid feeling on contact. Power worse but feel was so much more connected. I could attack, defend, serve, volley, slice, do anything with that PS97, but the Blade didn't give me that freedom.
You missed the best stick in this category - TF40 18x20 305g.
have you tried to compare blade V9 to Yonex percept 97? I found them similar but definitely there is little difference, which one you think is better ? thanks
I much prefer the Percept 97
@@TennCom whats the reasons you prefer the percept 97 in terms of power, spin, control? thanks
For a blade v8 16x19 player, VCORE 95 plays in the same style? Is much more demanding?
Its not much more demanding, but it swings quite differently. The VC95 swings more like the V7 Blade and works exceptionally well for my strokes personally.
Do not like the Blades for my game but I like the idea of a "mega review" and you delivered. Edit: hang on how long has the Prostaff been your number 2 frame
It's my number 2 of racquets that I'm called "player's sticks," aka anything under 98 sqin or 310g+ with some other important 305g 98s like the Blade, TFIGHT 305 and Strike 98. Is it my number 2 overall? I'm not sure. I loved it during the review, could have easily switched, but sold it right after and haven't hit it since, so I only have good memories to look back on.
how would you adjust your racquet based off if you put on 20 lbs of muscle on your upper body? lower swing weight? tension changes? both?
Interesting question! If I only put 20lbs of muscle in my upper body I don't think I'd be able to play the same kind of tennis as I play now because it would be too hard on my knees and lower back to carry around all the extra weight without adding supporting strength to the rest of my body. If I put on 20lbs for optimal tennis playing, say mostly core/back and legs with only 1 or 2lbs in arms, I would probably move to 345g and 335SW. I tried this setup a few weeks ago and it was a lot better for the first 45 minutes until I noticed a drop in swingspeed. I assume the extra muscle I'm gaining in this hypothetical includes improved full body stamina as well.
But really, I think the answer to this question hinges on how one's game might change from a change physicality. Does the increased strength lead to technical changes in my stroke? Does it lead to game style changes now that my options are different?
@@TennCom I think my swing speed is higher now, I still use the Dunlop aerogel 200 95 sq. 18x20 Lux rough / bab ALot gut hybrid. I did about 55/57 tension. I feel I’ve lost the “touch and feel” with my swing speed being a bit faster now. tension or string suggestion?
@@TennCom maybe a wider string pattern ?
@@tylerrauch4655 maybe try dropping the tension by 5lbs? This should increase the ball pocketing so you can feel the strings hold the ball a bit longer. Or keep tension the same but swap to gut mains.
why do you recommend grapplesanke m8 and not the tour sniper for this frame?
How do they compare to each other and how's the tension maintenance on each one? (considering you've already said nothing compares to tour sniper when it comes to tension maintenance)
Tension maintenance is 10/10 on both. Both strings would play great in the Blade but I think most players would benefit from M8s additional forgiveness. In general, if M8 plays well in a racquet, Sniper does too as they are pretty similar. M8 is an advancement of the Sniper/Alpha formula and is a more complete all-around string whereas Sniper prioritizes control.
@@TennCom Firstly, thank you for your answer!
By the same logic would you say silver 7 tour is a more complete string than Tour sniper?
@@LouisVBelt No I don't think it lasts quite as long nor do I think it feels quite as good.
I found a big difference between the two string patterns. I greatly preferred the 16x19 as it felt faster and less HH.
Ultimately chose to switch to the shift pro over the blades due to the versatility of the racket compared to the blades. I agree that it almost forces you to hit flat where the shift pro can do both.
As always, fun commentary. Love your perspective!
It sounds like you got some over spec v9 and that is why you struggle with spin and defense. My first v9 18x20 had a 312 swing weight and my second is basically the same as yours. Huge difference in playability. First blade had tons of spin but I had to add bricks of lead to get it to play the way I wanted.
I had an easy time accelerating through the court, but struggled to brush up as much as usual. It's honestly possible that I play better this way even though it doesn't feel natural. I think its just the natural weight distribution of the frame. The 16x19 (327SW) is a lower spec than my Whiteout (330SW), but the Whiteout just works with my strokes perfectly.
What I got from this video:
1) Besides SW going up, not other difference from V8, Pointless to switch if you already have V8 (and possibly due to Wilson's poor QC, your V8 may be already on V9 specs)
2) Beckett hated it. He wants to swing and Blade is cumbersome.
You read me like a book haha
So is it like a 98sqi pro staff? Am I missing something here ?
PS97 is more connected feeling, spin is better, lateral stability is better, power comes more easily and naturally, but I agree, not enough product differentiation within Wilson's like
will you review blade 100?
undecided at this point
I bought 2 of the v9's not realizing they were bringing out a pro version. What do i do?
don't stress it too much enjoy the Blades or panic sell them at a loss for something way cooler
@@TennCom Thanks for replying, happy to sell at a loss if theres a significant difference between the two. My UTR is 11.5, what do you reccomend?
@@1999NOZA I've never tried any version of the Blade Pro. If you are 11.5 UTR and you actually care about being good I would just stick with what you've got and maybe modify them a bit with weight to dial in the spec for your swing.
9:50 the grey car behind is a golf VW?
ye brand new GTI, belongs to the pair hitting next to us
Blade v9 16x19 is better than radical mp and ezone?
For my game its probably Radical > Ezone > Blade
@@TennCom i like radical too. But for my style the ball is too short sometimes, and i think the spin and power could be better, maybe spin strings should be better in radical.I switch my radical for ezone because the radical trembles in my defensive game and i prefer keep my oppent away from the "t" too
@@rafaeldutra3252 I totally understand that experience, had a similar one for myself, which is why I'm using the Whiteout now. Game me all the feel and contrl I loved from the Rad but with the spin and power from the EZONE.
@@TennCom what is the best style string for radical in your opinion? I dont like the combination: radical and alu power, because i loss spin,
The ezone 100 is best racket for flat serve i ever seen. I switch the polytour pro to solinco tour bite, and i like it!
Tourbite add power and spin to my game, and flat continues..
I want whiteout, but in Brazil we have just version 16x19
. What do you think about head speed pro? Better than radical? Im counter puncher, i think my game is similar your game.
I have aero 98 in the past too but i think was little bit Harder to maneurevability, and always too hight balls and no power, but
i think my game level copes with this. aero 98 is the best choice for me when i play bettter than now
Are you still extremely pleased with your shirt?
hell yeah brother (goated call back)
The 18x19 pro is going to be lit
If it’s ever going to get released
Hahahahaha Still made it all the way to the “Steaming pile” on Beckett’s list after all that praise. 😅
yeah get this thing away from me
Where that chart at bb
end
Came for Beckett "one punch' Chungus
Yeah the v7 is awesome for me. The v8 was meh. I guess this indicates it's probably not even worth trying the v9.
If you do some push ups, you'll have more than enough power with V8.
im allergic to fitness
how tall are you
6 ft
thanks was curious for your recoilweight, reading you whiteout post and comparing to that chart@@TennCom
V9 is pretty
man Vancouver looks moist as hell
it has been a moist hell until yesterday and now its so nice!
@@TennCom awesome! When I lived there I had to rotate shoes every day over the winter
lol, a lot of college/pro players seem to like the steaming pile
Promo-SM
Plebs using 310+ S/W = failure!!! Your vids prove low SWs, stiffer strings 40-45lbs = daily consistency. btw Try Angell custom racquets.
I hit the React 99 18x19 and it was so nice
Wtf??? Dude you lost me at 0:32 seconds when you said they ‘lacked power’… I had to switch to a heavier racket because these rackets were TOO powerful.. balls were sailing into the fence!
Why did you go heavier for less power?
@@TennCom the heavier racket felt like it was helping me slow down my swing vs the blade felt like I was using a toothpick giving too much acceleration, resulting in balls sailing past the baseline into the fence.. So, I tried adjusting string tension to 58lbs which resulted in less spin forcing me to change my swing motion for more topspin but I didn’t make much difference.. Occasionally when I hit the ball right where I wanted, it was indeed powerful but I’d rather hit more consistently with less power keeping my shots in the court. In conclusion the heavier racket helped me with control and timing. The power with my heavier racket is a byproduct of hitting the ball with proper mechanics, but with the lighter racket it was overkill. I felt like I had to tone down everything.. I didn’t like that.
@@kyzersoze.musicology Totally see what you mean. When I review racquets, I try to look at things through the lens of the racquet's inherent qualities, doing my best to hold player's inputs as constant when possible, though it may not be realistic. For example, if a player can swing a heavy racquet at the same speed as the lighter one, the heaver racquet will hit the ball harder (F=MA), so that's why I say heavier is more powerful.
@@TennCom i agree with the theory but i feel the blade was too flighty for me. Maybe adding an 1.5oz around the head at the 9&3.. that could make a difference but at that point might as well use the prostaff RF97..
I have two blade v8s 16x19 at 328-330 SW and the pack plenty of power if you can swing it fast