The Blade sequence has been Wilson’s flagship racket for precision and management for almost twenty years. Whenever you see any best-selling record, the Blade is usually amongst the Prime 5, with a number of execs on the ATP and WTA Excursions utilizing the newest and earlier inventory Blade rackets on tour.
With the discharge of the Blade 98 (16×19) V9, this legacy continues, and this newest iteration marries basic Blade efficiency with a number of refined adjustments that provide rivals a well-known racket.
The V9 model introduces a tweaked body composition and design enhancements that promise a extra secure and highly effective response whereas sustaining the meticulous management and sharp really feel that Blade lovers have come to anticipate.
Sporting an attention-grabbing Emerald Night time matte end, the racket additionally appears extremely fashionable, however how does it play? Is it value altering if you happen to’re a V8 or V7 Blade person?
On this overview, I’ll study how the brand new Blade 98 (16×19) V9 performs beneath match play and what kind of participant can maximise its potential.
Wilson Blade V9 Tour Cosmetics & Options
Parallel Drilling: Modern grommet development permits for a constant and extra forgiving string mattress response, considerably enhancing the candy spot.
FORTYFIVE° Know-how: This patent-protected body layup enhances the connected-to-the-ball really feel, completely complementing fashionable, vertical swing paths. The distinctive materials mix improves flexibility and stability all through the swing with out compromise.
Braided Graphite + Basalt: A mixture of elastic and reactive supplies that reinforces the racket’s flex to extend ball contact with the strings, enhancing really feel and growing management.
Prime Grip Taper: The tapered grip design gives an improved really feel for top-handed grip placement, which is particularly helpful for two-handed backhands.
DirectConnect: This function extends the carbon fibre deal with to attach straight with the tip cap, bettering the general really feel and enhancing torsional stability.
StableFeel: The most recent Blade know-how gives a firmer and extra secure really feel, fostering a deeper connection to the ball. This function is designed for avid gamers seeking to sharpen their sport with a extra responsive racket.
Specification and Setup
Blade 98 16 x 19 v9 Specs
My Blade 98 v9
Head Dimension
98 in² / 632.26 cm²
98 in² / 632.26 cm²
Size
27in / 68.58cm
27in / 68.58cm
Unstrung Weight
10.8oz / 305g
10.7oz / 303.6g
Strung Weight
11.4oz / 323g
11.3 / 320.8g
Steadiness
13in / 33.02cm / 4 pts HL
12.8in / 32.6cm / 5 pts HL
Swingweight
324
318
Stiffness
62
62
Beam Width
21mm / 21mm / 21mm
21mm / 21mm / 21mm
Composition
Basalt/Braided Graphite
Basalt/Braided Graphite
Energy Degree
Low-Medium
Low-Medium
Stroke Type
Medium-Full
Medium-Full
Swing Velocity
Medium-Quick
Medium-Quick
Racquet Colours
Inexperienced
Inexperienced
Grip Kind
Wilson Professional Efficiency
Wilson Professional Efficiency
String Sample
16 Mains / 19 Crosses
16 Mains / 19 Crosses
String Pressure
50-60 kilos
40lbs with MSV Bussard.
My Wilson Blade v9 16 x 19 got here in at 303.6g unstrung, just below the goal 305g, so it’s an A+ for high quality management on this racket. Good job, Wilson.
When strung with MSV Bussard, it weighed 320.8g and had a swingweight of 318g as measured on my Briffidi SW1 swingweight machine. Steadiness was 5 pts headlight.
These specs are within the vary I like, though a contact beneath my most popular swingweight.
Wilson Blade V9 Playtest
First Impressions
The Wilson Blade 98 16×19 V9 arrives with a recent new look, and I believe the emerald inexperienced matte end appears nice.
After stringing, I hit the courts with a ball machine, and my preliminary ideas have been that the racket felt extra secure and fluid than the V8, permitting for simpler tempo era.
I hit with the racket for round 90 minutes in a variety of drills, beginning with static hitting, side-to-side drills, lobs, volleys, after which a cardio-type drill the place you get one ball into the forehand nook, one down the center, after which one into the backhand nook, so that you’re primarily hitting on the run.
Put up-session, I believed, “Yup, this can be a Blade, and that’s about it.” Wilson has a keen formulation for the Blade, so there’s no motive to vary the setup dramatically. If it’s not damaged, don’t repair it.
Over the following few days, I examined the racket throughout some hitting periods and 10-point tie breaks, and my preliminary ideas didn’t change—it had a barely crisper really feel, a contact extra stability, and is total a pleasant enjoying body however that you must have first rate footwork in any other case you’ll run into issues.
Groundstrokes
On the baseline, the Blade 98 16×19 V9 has a superb degree of stability for its weight class. In comparison with the V8, the twistweight has jumped a number of factors, and the marginally larger swing weight in comparison with its predecessor gives a extra strong really feel on affect, particularly noticeable on off-centre hits.
The racket permits for aggressive putting and managed, exact pictures. I may simply transition from topspin to flat, penetrating drives, so it’s versatile from the baseline.
I selected to string the Blade with MSV Bussard at 40 lbs, so depth and energy have been obtainable in spades. The one actual drawback I had from the baseline was the slice, as I both ballooned it or dumped it into the online. String stress difficulty? I’m undecided, however I struggled to familiarize yourself with that shot when it’s sometimes one among my greatest.
Volleys
On the internet, the Blade 98 16×19 V9’s manoeuvrability performs effectively. Its secure but responsive body permits for fast changes and strong, exact volleys.
I additionally practised drive volleys and the racket excelled. I’m not sure whether or not I used to be simply having a superb day, however I felt like I couldn’t miss the shot, hitting each ball cleanly with tempo.
Serves
Serving with the Blade 98 16×19 V9 was a rewarding expertise. The racket’s design facilitated a wonderful mixture of energy and spin, permitting me to put my serves confidently. Whether or not I used to be going for a flat, exhausting serve down the T or a slicing serve out vast, the racket delivered constant outcomes. I a lot favor it over the V8 18 x 20 I additionally had in my bag.
Returns
On return, the soundness of the Blade 98 16×19 V9 labored effectively. You continue to have to swing, and it’s not a racket effectively suited to simply blocking returns, however its spin-friendly string sample means if you happen to again up a bit behind the baseline, you possibly can add depth to your flip, organising offensive alternatives from the baseline.
Wilson Blade V9 vs Wilson Blade V8
I had a Wilson Blade V8 available to check with, however this was the 18 x 20 model. Whereas it’s not a like-for-like comparability, because the denser string sample adjustments issues, it nonetheless provides me a really feel of what’s modified.
I additionally performed with the 16 x 19 V8 model a few weeks earlier than this overview, so it was nonetheless recent within the reminiscence to check.
Elementary Modifications within the Blade V9
Swing Weight: The V8 16 x 19s swing weight was round 317 when strung, whereas the V9 swings heavier at round 325 (when on spec). This enhance will improve stability and energy however can barely scale back manoeuvrability if you happen to can’t swing it as quick.
Flex Ranking: The V9 has a barely stiffer flex ranking, a +1 enhance from the V8. This variation is negligible, however the V9 has an improved really feel and responsiveness, with extra of a crisper suggestions throughout play.
Secure Flex Know-how: Wilson has launched a brand new layup know-how within the V9 referred to as Secure Flex. This know-how is designed to offer higher stability whereas sustaining that conventional Blade-type really feel, refining the texture additional than the V8’s layup.
High quality Management: Wilson claims to have considerably improved the standard management with the V9. This enchancment means gamers can anticipate extra consistency within the product, addressing a standard critique of variability in earlier fashions just like the V8.
On-Court docket Efficiency Comparability
Groundstrokes
V8: Offered a dependable and managed really feel, however I at all times felt a slight mushiness and fewer outlined candy spot.
V9: Presents a crisper response and a extra pronounced candy spot, which reinforces suggestions on good and dangerous contacts. The rise in swing weight provides stability, making the V9 really feel extra strong throughout high-impact pictures.
Volleys
V8: Felt secure and exact, however the suggestions may really feel dampened as a result of softer flex and layup know-how.
V9: Provided me a extra exact volleying expertise.
Serves
V8: Stable efficiency and gives a superb steadiness of energy and management.
V9: The elevated swing weight and stiffer body improve energy on serve, and I felt I may hit the primary serve quicker.
Who Ought to Improve?
Gamers glad with the V8’s efficiency is not going to discover the V9 a groundbreaking improve, as the elemental traits stay related; nevertheless, for many who felt the V8 may enhance stability and supply a much less mushy really feel, the V9 is value demoing to see if you happen to favor it.
Who’s This Racket For?
The Wilson Blade 98 16×19 V9 is a racket for larger intermediate and superior gamers who worth precision and management.
It fits gamers assured in producing their very own tempo and spin as they’ll profit from the racket’s balanced traits.
Nevertheless, it’s not a racket on your typical ‘weekend warrior’ sort participant – any shortcomings in footwork and stroke manufacturing flip the Blade from a weapon to a legal responsibility. As a substitute the Blade 100 or Blade 104 swimsuit these in search of a extra user-friendly racket.
With its barely enhanced stability and fewer mushy feeling, it would enchantment to a broader vary of gamers than in comparison with the earlier era, however that you must be an achieved participant with full, quick strokes to wield this racket successfully.
Total, the V9 is just not considerably totally different from earlier iterations— however the fabulous new beauty and refined adjustments make it a surefire greatest vendor within the management racket market.
When you get a racket like mine with specs of 320g and 318 swingweight, there’s additionally loads of scope for customisation.
My Professionals
Nice beauty
Extra secure really feel in comparison with the V8
Retains what individuals like in regards to the Blade – management & precision
Glorious high quality management (has Wilson turned a nook?)
My Cons
Demanding racket to play with
Muted really feel
