Test scores:

Power: 7.5
Control: 8.5
Spin: 8.5
Comfort: 8.5
Agility: 8
Touch: 9

Baseline:

I have the previous Blade series at the time of release Blade 98 18×20 CV tested. A wonderfully solid frame from the baseline. This Wilson Blade 98 16×19 V7.0 is no different! The racket feels wonderfully 'full' at ball impact and you can pull through without having to worry about overheating. This 16×19 version logically offers a bit more spin potential than the 18×20 CV, but what is particularly noticeable is the feel of the racket at ball impact. It is a bit difficult to describe, but the racket gives more feeling with the ball. This will partly be due to the nice low RA (stiffness) of 62, but probably also due to the Feel Flex technology. For this update of the Blade, Wilson partly uses the successful Clash technology . The racket has a different flex, simply put. I have experienced more ball feel and connection with the ball but also more 'put-away power' with balls that you want to blast away in one go/tack hard.

In my opinion it gives the Blade 98 16x19 V7.0 a bit more liveliness from the baseline, without losing the stable character of the Blade. Really a very nice playing experience!

Service:

Serving with this new Blade 98 16×19 was surprisingly easy. The service is not exactly my strongest weapon, but with this racket I served very consistently. Also especially kick serves from the left to the outside went very easily. I have served more consistently with this racket (and better) serving than with my current racket.

Just:

At the net it's a party with this racket! Hard balls are easy to parry because of the good stability of this frame, but also the more refined work like stop volleys went really well. I produced some of my best stop volleys of the season with this Wilson Blade 98 16×19 V7.0!

Power/control Wilson Blade 98 16×19 V7.0:

Fortunately, the Blade sticks to its roots and it is control over power with this racket. This 16×19 Blade is therefore for players with a good full swing and technique. Yet there is plenty of power in it if you let the mass of the racket do its work. The racket has a swingweight of around 325. Yet you do not need enormous muscles to be able to handle this racket. If you play nicely on technique, you can fully utilize the mass of this racket. The control and stability are top, the damping and touch as well. Compared to previous versions, I had more feeling with the ball, but in my opinion also a bit more 'put-away power': the power to easily grab balls to set up a point or to finish it off immediately. A nice balance, where control ultimately wins over power. Fortunately, because it remains a Blade!

Comfort/arm friendliness:

The lower RA value and the Feel Flex technology contribute to perhaps the most comfortable Blade 98 16×19 ever! Clearly improved comfort, without the racket feeling too 'dampened' and you missing the connection with the ball. In short: excellent!

The Wilson Blade 98 16×19 V7.0 is now available in our webshop , including free string of your choice!

Bottom line:

It's a bold statement, but for me this Wilson Blade 98 16×19 V7.0 is an absolute contender for racket of the year! It is simply an excellent racket. The small, subtle adjustments that Wilson has made to this version of the Blade provide more comfort and more feel. But all this without denying the stability, control and therefore roots of the Blade. Good chance that this will be my new racket!