The Wilson Blade 98 18/20 has been the most successful model in the Blade line for years. For 2017, Wilson introduces several innovations, including the introduction of Countervail technology , originating from the aerospace industry. This material ensures less shock load on the body, without compromising stability, control and power. This makes the Blade 98 18/20 CV ideal for players who have to generate a lot of speed themselves through full swings.
Brand : Wilson
Model : Blade 98 18/20 CV
Blade size : 98 sq/inch
Weight : 304 gr
Balance : 32.5 cm
Stringing pattern : 18/20
Length : 27 inches
RA : 65
The look and feel of this new edition has also changed. The matte black frame with a more grippy surface looks very chic, while the bright green accents at 3 and 9 o'clock provide the recognizable Blade look. The 'laser-engraved' Blade logos complete the design.
The Wilson Blade 98 18/20 CV is from the first racket family with Countervail technology. Next year, this material will also be used in the new Burn series. What is Countervail and what does it do? Countervail is a material that originally comes from the aerospace industry. Bianchi has recently also successfully applied the material in racing bicycles. The addition of a layer of Countervail in the frame structure ensures less shock load on the body, which means the body gets tired less quickly. This without making concessions to (in this case) the performance such as stability, control and power of a tennis racket. How does the Wilson Blade 98 18/20 CV play? The Wilson Blade 98 18/20 CV is, as you are used to from the Blade 18/20 low-powered. The racket offers a lot of control for players who put the speed in the ball themselves by means of a big, full swing. This version with 18/20 string pattern offers the most ball-string contact, for optimal steering and placement of the ball and is therefore the most control-oriented of all Blade rackets. The only exception is the 'old' Blade 93. This will not be introduced for 2017. 
The bare (static) weight of the racket of 304 grams unstrung (approximately 320 grams strung) in combination with the almost even balance of 32.5 cm give this racket a firm 'swing weight' (or swingweight) of almost 330 grams. The racket feels light in the hand, but offers quite a bit of mass through the ball from the baseline. This gives the racket a lot of body from the baseline for heavy, full strokes, while still maintaining ball control! The racket has been given a slightly higher stiffness (RA 65) compared to its predecessor (RA 64). It only differs by 1 point on the RA scale, but for the feeling this 'new' Blade 98 18/20 gives just a little more (free) acceleration from the baseline. The new Countervail material ensures that the new Wilson Blade 98 18/20 CV feels slightly more cushioning compared to its predecessors. In terms of comfort, the racket has certainly improved. Some players who prefer the direct feedback of a racket may need some time to get used to the new feel of the Blade. These are sounds we have also heard from players who have tested the new Head Graphene Touch Speed series . These frames also feel a bit more 'dampening'.
The Wilson Blade 98 18/20 CV performs well across the court. The racket also feels nice and solid at the net; when serving, there is enough mass behind the ball to generate good speed. The 18/20 string pattern has slightly less spin potential than the 16/19 version of this racket. However, string eaters will swear by this clearly more durable and more control-oriented 18/20 string pattern. All in all, a very tight update of the Wilson Blade 98 18/20! Next week we will start our own playtest of this Wilson Blade 98 18/20 CV. You will find it very soon here on mijnracket.nl! The Wilson Blade 98 18/20 CV is now available in our webshop! The Wilson Blade 98 18/20 2015 version is now available extra cheaply.