Wilson Blade 98 16x19 V9

Brand: Wilson
Model: Blade 98 16×19 V9
Blade size: 98 sq/inch
Weight: 305 gr
Balance: 32.0 cm
Stringing pattern: 16×19
Length: 27 inches
RA: 62
Beam: 21mm
Swingweight: 324

This racket is delivered free strung with a string of your choice from our webshop. Excluding cover.

Playing characteristics Wilson Blade 98 16x19 V9:

For this update of the Blade 98 16×19, Wilson has made a number of adjustments. For example, the RA (stiffness) has been increased slightly. The quality control should also have been increased. The rackets should be closer together in terms of specs (weight, balance and swingweight). Always nice if you need multiple rackets as a competition player of course. Our demo was at least neatly on spec, so that is promising. Stablefeel technology should provide more stability and the renewed bumpers (recognizable by the 2 green grommets at 10 and 2 o'clock) are super easy to change/remove. This is very useful for tuning/matching rackets, but also for replacing the bumper itself in due course.

Baseline:

From the baseline, it's a blast with this new Blade 98 16×19 V9! You can deliver great (controlled) hits and the frame feels super solid. You get exactly what you put in, so you'll have to deliver yourself in terms of stroke/technique. The racket feels a bit more direct than its predecessor, without being too stiff. I tested this racket in the hall (on carpet) and the balls really come super directly from the racket. Even when you are put under pressure and have to make corners, you don't quickly lose control over the ball. The V7 and V8 may have had a bit more touch/a softer playing feel, but performed a bit less under pressure than this V9. And even so, the touch is still more than sufficient. The spin potential is solid and controlled. Just to be complete: this 16x19 version of the Blade 98 offers more spin than its 18x20 brother. This in turn has more control and a very durable string pattern because the strings are more compactly packed together for less friction.

Network and service:

At the net the racket is agile enough and super stable. Hard incoming balls are easy to parry. When serving you can also notice that the swingweight of this Blade has been screwed up. You can produce a full service more easily. Services with slice and kick are also easy and above all consistent.

All in all, the Blade retains its familiar feel and strong playing characteristics, but the stability has clearly improved. This racket is not easy to push away! Due to the slightly higher swingweight, this racket also produces a full ball a little easier, read: a little more (controlled) power. A strong update all in all!