The only real issue I had was that it felt somewhat stiff at times and I wondered if Countervail would reduce that feeling. This vibration dampening technology specifically helps people who suffer from joint pain and tennis elbow. The dynamic specs are measured during the impact between a ball and racquet. I also liked the grip I was getting on the ball from the dense string pattern. I use the blade 98 (18x20) So I may be a bit biased, but I absolutely love it. The new Wilson Blade 98 V7 16×19 is the real deal. in. Wilson has removed Countervail from the Blade and replaced it with FeelFlex technology. There were times during fast exchanges at the net that I found the tip of the racquet lagging somewhat, which is likely due to me being used to racquets that are around 7-8 points headlight. Condition is Used. The blend between power, control and that slightly head-heavy feel is favored by both pros and amateurs. He said, "This racquet's stability and plow through allowed me to hit returns deep into my opponent's court. Ultimately though, when you add this racquet's stability and surgical precision to its arm-friendly feel, the Blade 98 18x20 Countervail is an awfully attractive option for intermediate and advanced ball strikers. I found this to be one of my favorite racquets to return with, especially on my backhand side. Many other racquets that are similar in terms of weight and head size lack a substantial swingweight, which means I usually need to add weight to the hoop. I wanted to like this new iteration, but unfortunately, I just never got comfortable with it at the baseline. For competent players who’d like a little more help—but who’d still like to retain the feel of a player’s stick—try the Blade 104. With my customized Wilson Blade 98 (18x20) 2015 racquet I have added a good amount of weight in the handle to help with maneuverability. Yonex VCORE 95. (98) ; 27.5 in. The feel is slightly stiffer and crisper than the previous version, but it still feels solid, with little vibration coming through. My touch volleys were working well, and I felt pretty dialed in when looking to softly caress a volley. Also if you can handle it, I would put just a bit of weight in the buttcap, at 7 pts headlight it plays best in my opinion If you’ll follow me down analogy lane for just a moment, the Clash 98 can be incredibly precise when used by the right person, but it’s always devastating with … Swingweight: 326 (98); 303 (104) Although a couple playtesters had minor complaints about the feel and weight, Mark had zero problems. Troy currently plays with a Wilson Blade 98 18x20. Summary. "I like having total command over the ball from the baseline, and this update did not let me down. I wasn't getting as much spin and kick as I do with a more open string pattern, but I like that I can really attack the kick serve with a lot of racquet head speed and still maintain good control. ", Mark - "I am a function over form person, but I do like the cosmetic of the new Blade 98 Countervail frames. racquets available. The Blade v7 also comes with some slight changes. How It Tested ", Troy - "The standout feature was control, which gave me trust in where the ball was going to land. On the plus side, the tight string pattern did provide some nice control and the 'deader' feel that allowed me to get the ball to my intended target consistently. In fact, the highest score for this playtest was awarded for comfort. Andy: Open level all court player with a semi-western forehand grip and a two-handed backhand. A minor complaint against this racquet's very dampened feel came from one of our playtesters who found the Blade too muted, which made it harder for him to feel the ball at contact. All Rights Reserved, Secondary Colors: Wilson releases Reverse frames. He explained, "I served decently with the Blade 98 18x20 Countervail. Condition is "Used". That’s spearheaded by the Wilson Blade 98 (used by Milos Raonic) and the Wilson Blade SW104 autograph countervail, used by tennis queen, Serena Williams. Spin was very easy to develop off either wing, and I had great confidence when hitting my slice backhand. The 18x20 is on its way, but I think I've already made my decision and I probably will switch to the 16x19 version unless the 18x20 blows me away, but the 16x19 is very tough to beat. I could block back big first serves, knowing that the racquet would win the collision and I could find my intended targets consistently. However, through all of these changes, this racquet's rock solid stability and surgical precision has not wavered. First launched in 2006, the Blade 98 18x20 is becoming a Wilson classic. Please check photo's before you purchase. When hitting second serves I really appreciated the controlled feel of the racquet. While not every playtester warmed up to this racquet's hefty feel, our team definitely appreciated having the needed mass for powering the ball through the court or redirecting heavy pace deep into opposing territory. Updating the iconic Blade line for its seventh iteration, Wilson re-engineered the Blade 98 18x20 v7 for 2019 to offer players ample plow through, control and precision. If you stay on this website, you agree to the use of cookies. ", Andy - "Good control and stability. ", "Surprisingly, I struggled a bit with this racquet from the baseline," said Andy, who logged copious hours with the previous generation Blade 98 18x20. Originally launched in 2006 with the nCode version, the Blade 98 18x20 has evolved through many technological updates and composition tweaks. The new Blade 98 (16x19) v7, Wilson has taken the Blade line back to its crisp, clean and precise feel. This particular iteration felt a little more muted to me compared to previous examples of the Blade 98 (18x20), which helped make even a full bed of monofilament pretty comfortable on the arm. With a slightly stiffer feel compared to the previous version, I had a good amount of pop on my flat heaters. We use cookies to make our website and your shopping experience effective, secure and user-friendly. Features: 29. See more details on Wilson Pro Staff vs Blade below. ", Chris - "I liked the feel, control and overall response of the Blade 98 18x20 Countervail. The directional control allowed me to mix up my returns with ease and keep the ball away from the net man in doubles. The Wilson Blade 98 also incorporates Wilson’s Amplifeel technology which reduces vibrations throughout the frame in order to enhance player feel and comfort. He explained, "When I was serving with the Blade 98 (18x20) Countervail I definitely noticed a difference in the way the ball came off the stringbed, and although my serve improved the more I played with it, I never quite adjusted to that difference. Compare. $82.00 13 bids + shipping . It felt light and easy to maneuver. Wilson removes the Countervail dampening material and replaces it with an updated version of the technology first introduced in the Clash line. "I loved the previous version of this racquet, but my groundstrokes didn't feel quite as dialed in with this update. There was also enough pop to help me finish off the point. You can always loosen up your tension a bit to get more topspin and power (mine is at 48). The lightweight shoe gets faster thanks to a more streamlined fit. Ideal Swing: Long (98); Medium to Long (104) Click here to see all Tennis Warehouse reviews. NTRP: 4.0+. Beam Width: 20.6mm (98); 22mm (104) ", This racquet's dense pattern proved a bit of a hindrance for Mark when serving. 27. Compared to other brands, I'd consider the Prince Textreme Tour 100P and Yonex Duel G 97 310. It has good stability for its maneuverable 11.3 oz weight. I also found the racquet to be sluggish and not very spin friendly. I found a little more forgiveness in this racquet compared to my old Wilson Six.One 95 (18x20). Head Graphene 360 Radical Pro. The new Blade V7 is a scalpel, where the Clash 98 is a sword. 00 Wilson Blade v7 98 18x20 Tennis Racquet 22 I have to say the newer example of the Pro Staff 97S is similar with its 18x17 pattern and muted feel. The Babolat Pure Strike (18x20) is comparable and at an average weight difference of 0.2 oz., the Prince Textreme Tour 100P is in the conversation. Backhand slices felt smooth, and I could keep the ball low and deep, near the server's feet. You’ve seen our comparison article showing it against the Clash 98, but now we’re getting into it.. Balance: 2 pts. Alex De Minaur – Wilson Blade 98 16×19. The more I hit groundstrokes with this racquet the more I was finding my groove, and I enjoyed the slightly crisper feel over the previous version. Since I rely on placement more than outright power, I found this racquet to work well for my game. ", (Scores are determined by averaging individual play test scores). As for the 98’s two string patterns: Players with flatter strokes preferred the 18x20 pattern, while others with spin-oriented games—as well as big kick serves—liked the 16x19 pattern. (98); 10.8 oz. The 2019 update does not disappoint. It did feel a bit cumbersome at times we I was trying to get it over my head quickly, but I think the mass of the racquet was more beneficial than bothersome. He explained, "I had my Blade 98 18x20 Countervail test racquet strung up with some Big Banger Original at 47 lbs, and it felt great. Both models are also constructed with Wilson’s Double Hole grommet design, which the company says allows for more string movement and an expanded sweet spot. My slice serve had ample spin, and I was able to pull my opponent off the court with it. Head Size: 98 in² / 632 cm² Length: 27in / 68,5cm Strung Weight: 323g / 11,4oz Unstrung Weight: 305g/10,8oz Balance: 33,02cm / 4 pts HL Swingweight: 328 String Pattern: 16 Mains / 19 Crosses The Head Graphene Touch Speed Pro swings similarly but had a lower powered and even more control oriented feel. Andy currently using a Yonex EZONE DR 98. He explained, "I had a little more success around the net with this racquet than I did at the baseline, but I still struggled with the feel. (104) Not only was I getting more feel on my chip returns, I also felt more dialed in on my aggressive returns. There was also no shortage of love for how smooth and solid this stick felt on chips and slices. He said, "I found a good blend of power and control with this racquet on serve. Shipped with UPS. Second, the 'feel' is more muted and dampened compared to the previous version, which left me a little disconnected from the ball as it left my strings. Volkl V-Sense 10 Tour. Ball impact felt very solid on my backhand slice, and the dense string pattern gave me the control and confidence to drive the ball deep. © 2021 Tennis Channel Network. I did have to aim my swing in a more upward direction to get the desired net clearance, but on every subsequent session I played better from the baseline. He said, "This was another area where I really noticed that solid, precise feel, which must have something to do with the stability and dense string pattern. in. I felt like the tighter string pattern helped keep my ball from sailing too high over the net, which can be a problem with open patterned racquets. Compare. With the Blade 98 18x20 Countervail, Wilson adds another impressive chapter to the Blade racquet family. Chris uses a full-western forehand grip, has a fast swing style and hits a one-handed backhand. ", "I use the 2015 version of the Blade 98 18x20, so I felt right at home with this racquet," said Troy, who was clearly impressed with this update. $218.99 - $219.00. With swingweights in the 320s, I am going to swing a stable feeling low 11 oz. Check out our review on the new Wilson Blade 98 18x20 v7 Tennis Racquet. Here is my Wilson Blade 98 V7 Racquet Review. ", Troy - "There is definitely a more modern, crisper feel compared to the 2015 version, which has a bit more flexible and classic feel to it. The racquet also felt very comfortable when set up that way. Compare. Physically, the Blade 98s have always been among my favorites. The sweetspot felt very generous, and I was able to find effortless depth with no loss in precision. This innovative multifilament string combines high comfort with above average control. If you found this review interesting or have further questions or comments please contact us. The Blade 98 and 104 are power baseliners’ delights: They’re thin enough to allow for good maneuverability and racquet-head speed, but still have enough mass and rigidity to crush the ball off the ground. Summary. I felt confident enough to keep my swing speeds up and that enabled me to find the spin I wanted. 30. Armed with the optimal string and tension, Chris settled into quite a groove with this racquet. I found an acceptable level of pace going down the T on my faster serves. With the Blade 98 18x20 Countervail, Wilson adds another impressive chapter to the Blade racquet family. racquets paired with tight 18x20 patterns, the selection list will look like my hairline -- thinned out. New hybrid strings 3-months ago on both. Main Changes This new Blade for 2013 has a very closed pattern racket. This racquet's precision allowed me to hit my targets. Head Size: 98 sq. All content copyright 2016 Tennis Warehouse. This is the most I've ever enjoyed a Blade 98. 4 3/8 grip size. A Blade, Clash and Ultra with flipped cosmetics. But one question that gets a lot of people stuck is which string pattern they should buy. I felt in control when I was punching volleys deep, and I was confident enough to be very aggressive. Although it's still far from the sacred status of the wooden Jack Kramer or the original 6.0 85, the Blade 98 18x20 is emphatically no slouch, especially when it comes to control and feel, the bedrock of so many Wilson … 32. He currently plays with the Babolat Pure Aero Tour. 2013 Racquet Reviews, MSRP: $230 I was extremely confident with this racquet when I was anywhere near the net. Expect the 16x19 version to play slightly more spin friendly and powerful than the 18x20. Marin Cilic – Head Graphene Touch Prestige Mid. ", Although Troy loved the control and feel, he could have used a little more maneuverability at net. ", Troy - "In stock form, I would have preferred more weight in the handle to help with maneuverability and to make it closer to the weight and balance of my typical stick. The low tensioned poly allowed me to find easy depth and lots of spin to get my shots diving inside the lines. Troy was impressed. The 16×19 Pure Strike has a very precise, fast, spin-friendly feeling to it. Grip is new under Luxilon dry overgrip. With the 18x20 string pattern I felt very connected to the ball, which provided good touch and precision. The mass was there for good stability and easy depth, but it wasn't all that maneuverable. ", Mark - "Personally, I would probably add some weight and experiment with different string/tension configurations, but that is not really a knock on the frame itself. The healthy swingweight packed a punch, resulting in good pace on my serves. All Rights Reserved. The cosmetic blemishes will not impact playability.

Although topspin isn't necessarily this racquet's strong suit, those who like to flatten the ball out will find great depth control. Thanks to an RDC swingweight in the upper 320s and some effective mass north of the handle, this racquet gave our team a remarkably solid and stable ride. On the other hand, Wilson Blade 98 is actually a little bit lighter, but most of the weight is placed at the head in order to deliver more power. ", On serves, this racquet's combination of spin and control was a source of confidence for Chris. I didn't like how muted and dampened it was, so I found it difficult to use finesse when I needed to carve out tough volleys. ", This racquet's beefy swingweight helped Mark plow through the ball on chip returns. ... Blade 98 16x19 Countervail Blade 98 18x20 Blade 98 18x20 Countervail Blade 98L 16x19 ... Blade 98 18x20 BLX Blade 98 16x19 BLX Blade 104 BLX Juice 100L BLX Search. Some added weight to the handle would help me get some extra wrist-snap to increase the spin on my serves. For starters, it felt a little cumbersome coming through contact. I found lots of control, and I felt connected to what I was getting out of the racquet. ... Wilson Blade 98 V7 16x19 4 3/8 grip tennis racquet used, strung+new grip. Furthermore, I thought the Blade 98 18x20 Countervail offered more power, and consequently less control, than its predecessor, and with the 18x20 string pattern I didn't feel like I could generate enough spin to harness some of that added pop. I thought the level of control was top notch. The newest iteration of the Blade stands up with any of your favorites in the family, whether it’s the N-Code, 2015, or the Countervail. Milos Raonic – Wilson Blade 98 18×20. ", Andy appreciated the stability and control at net, but the feel was a little too muted for his taste. This was the best Blade 98 I've hit to date. My test Blade 98 18x20 Countervail had a swingweight of 330, which gave it a very solid feel compared to most other 11.3 oz. "I enjoyed taking a solid cut at the ball. The other that comes close to it is the Wilson Blade 98 (which I also love a lot). Yonex VCORE 98 (305) Galaxy Black. (104) I used the previous version of the Wilson Blade 98 (18×20) quite happily for about six months until racquetholism set in and I went to the Prince Textreme Tour 95. It’s lighter and thicker than the 98s, and so supplies a tad more oomph around the court. Judging from the scores and comments of our crew, the new Blade 98 18x20 Countervail delivers on its promise to provide a dampened, low vibration feel. There is a firm feel in this new update, similar to the K Factor version, but with the solid dampened feel I found with the 2015 version. Testing the Wilson Blade 98 with Countervail. Wilson Blade 98 (16x19) ... players that trend towards more flat and slice play might want to look at the Blade 18x20.
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