I've Hit With Unknown Pro Stock Wilson Blade 101L v7.0 And It Was Amazing!

[@msalvs]

You only have to look at the grommets in the throat to know it’s a steam 100 16x20. Lots of players play with this frame, painted as the blade.

[@09tran]

It could be Ostapenko's rackets. I read that she plays with an actual blade 101l in a steam mold painted as a Blade.

[@experientialtennispickleball]

the 101L retail is the Steam mold, 100 sq inch 16x20 pattern. I guess the layup is different than the pro stock, but the mold is the same.

[@CzechTennisGuy]

101L is oversized, 101 in². 650 cm². The mold looks the same as retail, but the "guts/layup" are definitely different.

[@experientialtennispickleball]

@@CzechTennisGuy the "guts/layup" is different, I agree. The 101L is the Steam mold and is actually 100 sq inches. I don't know why they write it 101. This is 100% checked with a very good friend from Spain who has the Steam and the 101L. All 101L are the Steam mold, espically some older Blades with the 4 white grommets at the throat, same as the Steam

[@markosarko]

Every Wilson for you is Amazing

[@CzechTennisGuy]

I don't think so. Blade - yes, Pro Staff - yes. RF 01 - yes. Ultra - ok. Shift - no. Clash - ok. Burn - no.

[@markosarko]

@@CzechTennisGuyyou said that blade v9 16x 19 is something incredible. but after For 11 months, everyone says that he is not that good and that he has big variations in weight and swing weight. quality control like Tesla's. hahaha.

[@sinand881]

One more option, when the matt paint wears out on the v7 s this glossy paint shows under and still have the Wilson logo perfectly present. Normally pro stocks differ in weight to retail.

[@GeorgeT370]

This is interesting. I am a grown man...not weak at all....and I play my absolute best with a 249 grams Wilson Six one lite with Solinco Hyper G and just 21 kilos. Not long ago I thought having a heavier racket with high tension would be better....but boy was I wrong!

[@hobbyfuntennis6287]

Your Blade 101L is the old Steam 100 16/20 Mold. Ask Badosa or de Minaur why this racket is so special. I think Halep plays with Steam 99 still 16/18 😅

[@ef4186]

Blade 101L = old Steam 100 16/20 -> Really the same in size??

[@hobbyfuntennis6287]

@ the size is 100 inch, search on google for ex Simona Halep Racket, you will find the Blade Paintjob and 98inch, 16/19 on the Frame, and the real specs are 99 inch 16/18.

[@CzechTennisGuy]

It looks like something between 100 and 98. Maybe 99. Or maybe as you say 100. Thanks for pointing this out. 👍

[@Tennissensitive]

Did you ever try the Serena Blade? 102 sqinch. A pretty nice stick, if you can handle.

[@CzechTennisGuy]

I have it brand new at home! Looks absolutely fantastic. I bought it about 2 years ago for $120 from some guy who didn't know about tennis much. I'm saving the racket for some special video. 😉

[@Tennissensitive]

@ yes, I also kept mine

[@tennis-fan]

Interesting review ❤

[@eduardmoron529]

Wilson steam 100 Badosa's racket,

[@CzechTennisGuy]

I didn't know that 👍. Looks like the head is really smaller, doesn't look like 101 in2 when I compared it to 100.

[@marcinsobolewski7984]

I’ve got some question related to Blade 98 v9 16/19. I’m thinking to buy it but I’m concerned about one thing. Beckett from Tencom said in his review that racket is not really good for extreme grips. The racket force you to play more eastern forehand grip. My grip is something between semi western and full western. What do You think about it ?

[@k1ytennis304]

Bullshit

[@CzechTennisGuy]

I agree on this one. Blade in general is great for players with semi-western or eastern grip. Why? Because they work best when hitting more flat. The beam is quite thin and the head shape is more classic let's say. Let's say you hold the racket like Sinner or Djokovic. I can't imagine these two players hitting with Blade. It just doesn't seem right. For western grip it's always better to have wider frame for better free power and stability. I think for your style it's better to have a racket like Head Speed or Head Extreme. Or Yonex Ezone. Something similar with more power/spin potential.

[@marcinsobolewski7984]

@ thank You for the answer. I already noticed that but wasn’t sure. Last week I played with Pure Aero 2019 version I believe and that flat throat of the racket felt incredible helpful and natural for me but I was thinking about something with more control like a Blade . Maybe I will try pure aero in that case.

[@007FlipScot]

What was the weight?

[@CzechTennisGuy]

Strung weight + 1 overgrip was 298g. Unstrung weight minus overgrip is around 275g, so like the stock version.

[@bushmenaa]

What's the grip size? Maybe was for some kids :)

[@CzechTennisGuy]

Grip 1 + overgrip.

[@bushmenaa]

@ pro stock rackets are interesting I have h22 xl 18/20 and it has a lot of power and I maybe strung it too low it’s very flexible.

[@dmytrogalakhov5366]

330mm is not head light at all

[@CzechTennisGuy]

It's strung. So unstrung 320mm. And for such a light frame (around 275-280g) it's very head light. Usually rackets with weight around 280g have balance of 330mm or higher unstrung. So 340mm strung. Stock Blade 101L has balance 330mm unstrung.

[@dmytrogalakhov5366]

Did you try the stock one? Your video got me very curious and i am thinking of buying a v9 one and use it as a platform for customization.

[@CzechTennisGuy]

@@dmytrogalakhov5366 No I didn't but I tried the previous Blade 100L V8 and it was excellent. Lighter frames offer more than most people are willing to admit or accept. But it's getting better in the last year or two. People start discovering that lighter frames benefits are huge. Faster swing, better control, greater free power, superb manooovrlbity etc. Also advanced players are nowadays looking more on the lighter frames with more respect. Intuitive Tennis channel is the best example.

[@dmytrogalakhov5366]

@@CzechTennisGuy it’s exactly the reason why it got me thinking - your channel and intuitive tennis. But also, one of hitting partners who used to play with ultra light babolat pure drive team with zero customization, simply crushing the ball with huge RHS. On clay courts you just struggle against him, even with super stable beefy racquets. His spin is so huge and the ball jumps so high. I am still using my RF97A and i simply love it but it’s the first time i started to consider some changes in my equipment. I definitely prefer stiffer frames and 16x20 is a very nice string pattern. This is what got me thinking if i should buy this 101l v9. It is stiff, it is 16x20, it is super light so that you can customize it to your preferences.. could be a hidden gem.

[@CzechTennisGuy]

@@dmytrogalakhov5366 That's why rackets like the Percept 97 are so popular now. They are well balanced and they provide enough stability and plow without sacrificing manooovrlbity. It's all about your swing and technique. If you have full swing, lighter rackets are better. If you have half-swing or you play with a more stiff hand, heavier and more stable rackets are better for you because they can create balls with better speed for you. The RF97 is for most players not very usable because even though it's pretty head light and I can also hit some great shots with it, I still end up being very tired using the racket mainly on my serve. You can try the regular Pro Staff 97 instead.