Wilson Blade 98 16×19 V7.0 tested

Mike has had a great time testing the Wilson Blade 98 16x19 V7.0 over the past few weeks! This update to the Blade offers more feel and comfort. A strong contender for racket of the year!

Tested racket:

 

Brand: Wilson

Model: Blade 98 16x19 V7.0

Head size: 98 sq/inch

Weight: 305 gr

Balance: 32.0 cm

String pattern: 16x19

Length: 27 inch

RA: 62

Beam: 21 mm constant

String tension: Diadem Solstice Power 17 at 22/22 kg

 

Tester:

Name: Mike

Skill level: 4/4

Player type: Classic player, flat groundstrokes, generates little spin himself

Racket history: Head Ti Fire, Babolat Pure Drive, Prince EXO3 Rebel Team, Wilson Steam 100 BLX2, Head Graphene Radical MP, Prince Textreme Warrior 107, Diadem Elevate 98

Test scores:

 

Power: 7.5

Control: 8.5

Spin: 8.5

Comfort: 8.5

Maneuverability: 8

Touch: 9

 

Baseline:

Compared to the Blade 98 18x20 CV , this Wilson Blade 98 16x19 V7.0 is wonderfully solid from the baseline. The 16x19 version offers more spin potential, but the most striking thing is the improved feel at ball impact. This is due to the low RA value of 62 and the new Feel Flex technology, derived from the Wilson Clash. The racket offers liveliness, a solid impact, and stability, allowing you to swing through fully without worrying about overhitting.

Service:

Serving with this new Blade 98 16x19 was surprisingly easy. Serving is not exactly my strongest weapon, but with this racket I served very consistently. Especially kick serves from left to out went very easily. I stood and served more consistently (and better) with this racket than with my current racket.

Net:

At the net, it's a party with this racket! Hard balls are easy to parry due to the good stability of this frame, but also the more refined work like stop volleys was truly wonderful. I produced a few of my best stop volleys of the season with this Wilson Blade 98 16x19 V7.0!

Power/control Wilson Blade 98 16x19 V7.0:

Fortunately, the Blade sticks to its roots and is control over power with this racket. This 16x19 Blade is therefore for players with a good full swing and technique. Still, there is plenty of power if you let the mass of the racket do its work. The racket has a swingweight of around 325. Still, you don't need huge muscles to be able to handle this racket. If you play beautifully with technique, you can make full use of the mass of this racket. The control and stability are top, the damping and touch likewise. Compared to previous versions, I had more feel with the ball, but in my opinion also a bit more 'put-away power': the power to easily handle balls to start a point or to finish it immediately. A nice balance, where control ultimately wins over power. Thank goodness, 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 16x19 ever! Clearly improved comfort, without the racket feeling too 'damped' and you missing the connection with the ball. In short: excellent! The The Wilson Blade 98 16x19 V7.0 is now available in our webshop, including free string of your choice!

Bottom line:

It's a strong statement, but as far as I'm concerned, this Wilson Blade 98 16x19 V7.0 is absolutely a contender for racket of the year! It is simply an excellent racket. The small, subtle adjustments Wilson has made to this version of the Blade provide more comfort and more feel. But all this without compromising the stability, control, and thus roots of the Blade. Good chance that this will become my new racket!