Wilson Blade 98 V9 16/19 Review

[@jerome_morrow]

Amazing stick, the Blade V9. It led to me being able to acquire a couple of Blade v8’s at bargain price!

[@DerekLe]

Same! I got 2 v8s for $90 each right when the v9 came out!

[@rafini549]

underrated comment

[@nathanielsnyder7396]

right?? i feel really weird; i’m watching this from the toilet and you’re filming from it 🤣🤣

[@12GaugePadawan]

🤢

[@kiesbett]

that was my first thought

[@johnbrondumau]

I’m glad that I’m not the only one who had that thought 😂

[@osteouk]

Yep, me too 😊

[@osteouk]

You said 2.5g tape at 9&3. The frame you have seems to have about 6 inches on either side?

[@visio4964]

You gave high good comments on the Blade 100 V8. Looking forward to seeing you review Blade 100 V9.

[@brentwalker8596]

FYI for any Blade users who are curious about the fairly new Gamma Sapphire string. I'm a 5.0 player who has been using the V8 16/19 for a 1.5 years. I strung one up recently with the new Gamma Sapphire in the mains and Pro's Pro Red Devil in crosses (52/48). The Sapphire gives me so much pocketing and spin that I'm going to start using it in this setup.

[@scottwalker9354]

Looking forward to the blade 100 review and how it compares to the cx 400t!

[@Tennisnerd]

Me too!

[@philanthropenos1074]

My main racquet is Blade V.8 18x20. Recently I started to play with a Head LM Radical MP. Expecting to have a lot of similarities between those (Since, as far as I know, they share some genes) I was surprised by the differences. First of all Blade is less head light which I like on my 1HBs but makes it cumbersome on forehands. Whereas Head is quite agile and does decent job on the backhands. Both strung with the same string (Head Velocity, mid range tensions) Head is way more control racquet than Blade, bringing the former to a level close to CX200 Pro (Well, both have 95 in headsize) However when faced hard hitters, Blade starts to shine and Head MP begs for some added weight.

[@philanthropenos1074]

After my comment above I acquired a Blade V.8 16x19. I knew that there is a difference of 10 g between the swingweights but still it is very different. Faster serves, I don't have to avoid forehands, control is still there (Not at the level of LM Radical but once again that one is 95 in, plus 18x20). Now it is my main, until I bump into a heavy hitter and had to play totally a defensive game with 18x20.

[@aaronp0324]

I literally played with someone's V7 Blade today. The 16/19. A little heavier than i was used to but had easier power than mine.

[@foodandtennisislife]

I switched to a 16/20 a few months ago, love it

[@Tennisnerd]

Sounds good, enjoy Thomas

[@petershort936]

curious what you think about the Radical MP's launch angle and spin capability compared to the Blade V9?

[@andresgarcia6337]

I used the blade 93 and it’s one of my all time favorite racquets. Its small head size makes it a challenging racquet, specially now that I’m older and slower, though

[@tophersuwita]

Great analysis! Is Blade Pro 16 will be much more difficult than the retail one? I used Blade Pro 18 and it really amped up tennis difficulty haha

[@quentincrisp6933]

Love your videos! Why are there no more flat beam racquets produced?

[@andresgarcia6337]

Exactly! Really miss racquets with a flat beam. Maybe the babolat strike has a flatter beam

[@Meckka72]

Hi Jonas, How would you stack up the Blade V9 16x19 98 vs the Yonex Percept 100D 18x19? Also, currently playing with the Ultra Tour v2 97 with a Leather grip and 2 grams of lead at 3 and 9. Amazing stick! Cheers, Mick

[@pedrocostajuniorr]

alright friend, thanks! and taking into account that it is a little more rigid, which string do you recommend for it? Lynx Tour, Hyper G, Confidential or 4g? All 1.25

[@sinand881]

I went and bought v8 after switching to vcores from v7. Came well over speced with 327 sw. Nothing like v7, almost more powerful than vcore 98, close with vcore 100. Really enjoy it but nothing like blade, flattens like a tank :))

[@svetli2181]

I want to switch speed mp 2024 to a racquet with more control and my choice for now - blade v9 16x19 or precept 100d. What recommend for intermediate player?

[@goggleboy2464]

Perception 100d is quite a bit stiffer.

[@markmurphy4513]

Percept 100D is worth a serious look. Been hitting with it for 3 months. Great control and spin is pretty easy despite the 18x19 string pattern.

[@jonasp4822]

I went from v7 (98) to v9 (100) recently and noticed the grip was noticeable bigger on the v9 (both size 4). Great for me since id prefer grip 5 if possible but that came as a surprise. 🎉

[@chrishancock6498]

currently use the blade 98 v8 16x19 and have previously used the v1, v2, v3. also tried the v5 and 6. might give this a try to to compare.

[@ryan_hayes]

Hey great video but just letting you know in case you might have forgotten blade v6 also came out with a non countervail version. Plays much better than the countervail original v6. Same paint job just without CV.

[@Tennisnerd]

Thanks! Good point!

[@ryan_hayes]

@@Tennisnerdno worries man. They didn’t promote it very much so many didn’t hear about it. Tennis warehouse had a Black Friday sale this past year and picked it up for like $70 or something. Got 2 for my fiance trying to teach her tennis. I play with the Rf97 so had to get something lighter for her.

[@crazySeafood]

Anyone also tried the 18x20 and compared it to 16x19? I found the 18x20 more playable than the 16x19. On groundstrokes, unless under extreme pressure, but if I can rotate and swing out, the ball was heavier and had more spin. I could also get the launch angle high if needed, despite most people saying 16x19 has higher launch (perhaps easier to get higher launch, but I didn't have a problem with the 18x20). If anything, a full out swing with the 16x19 was more likely to spray. Volleys tbh I didn't feel too big of a difference other than I felt the ball more on the 18x20. It was quite easy for me to drive the volley or cushion it with either racquet. Serves is the only area I think the 16x19 was easier to get power. This is probably due to the higher swing weight on the 18x20 making the racquet speed not as high on contact. Could also be my strength and technique since I did not have racquet head speed problems with ground strokes. The modifications I had were leather grip with 3g lead tape on 3, 9. Curious what other people's experience have been? Thanks

[@delplaya5]

I had a similar experience with the V8s. I was getting just as much spin and liked the higher swing weight more. The 16x19 also felt stiffer. Liked the results on my serve with 18x20 too. Ended up getting it.

[@gregiffer]

I love the blade 16x19 V9. Switched over from a head extreme tour graphene 360+ and have no regrets. I can attest the quality control is better. Went to the pro shop and of the 4 rackets available in my grip size, 2 and 2 of them matched perfectly to each other and were +- 3 grams within spec and close to swingweight/balance

[@jakubmichta7919]

What is better in blade over the extreme ?

[@gregiffer]

@@jakubmichta7919 stability and control. Get better spin and feel on the extreme. Although the stock extreme was very hollow feeling and I had to customize it with weight to get more plow through/court penetration.

[@ommpaloomplak53]

How would you say the blade spin potential is?

[@trentmccormick6171]

Hey Jonas, what do you think you bumped your SW up to? I just bought one at 294 unstrung. Loving it so far!

[@kikibeldandy]

Mine is the same sw as yours. On spec.

[@Tennisnerd]

Good stuff

[@Tennisnerd]

It was around 340 strung, which is kind of what I like

[@Bradadsgdafg]

I transitioned from blade v7 to Pure Aero 100 2023, I'm mad I did not switch earlier

[@ommpaloomplak53]

Do you think the ball flies if you try to hit heavy spin like other reviewers say?

[@LOSTINTENNIS]

That’s the feeling I had as well

[@jorgetirado3201]

How does this compare to the strike 98? I’m guessing the strike has a little more free power and spin, less comfortable?

[@medianera2008]

Do you prefer the new blade 98 16x19 or strike 98 16x19 or 100 16x20 2024?

[@1234utub]

Hi Jonas. Big fan of your content and all the information you provide. I wanted to check with you regarding the pro staff v14 noir. I recently got my hands on the racket and am seeing a very noticeable change in the playability when compared to my normal 97 v14. Has wilson made any changes to the mould, or is the paint making a difference? Since the noir is limited edition, i am thinking the qc would have been better from wilson. Appreciate any info you can provide here.

[@Tennisnerd]

Hi, thanks! I heard several people experienced a difference between Noir and normal. Not sure what it is. Factory inconsistencies, something with the cosmetic, not sure. The mold is the same. What did you experience as different?

[@1234utub]

​@@Tennisnerd The overall feel-in-hand of the racket, the swing and the plow on the ball. Tried changing the strings out as well, but the differences persist. I am getting more depth, better directional control and spin even when hitting comparatively flatter with the noir. My normal 97 is feeling more and more like a 97L. Serves were generally the same, but that is more to do with my technique than the racket. Even though the weight seems more in the noir, it is more comfortable on the wrist and elbow than the normal version. Hence my confusion.

[@RobManser77]

On the QC: I bought two V8s and they were 300g and 305g unstrung as they arrived! All that was near the handle, so they had radically different balance.

[@TheBlessedLion]

Wilson is made in china, because it’s a china company…. So quality is china-style….

[@vinceliu2]

Ttgygggggggg1​@@TheBlessedLion

[@bengray5013]

I have 2 Blade BLX 18x20’s as backups, they have that old skool feel that I find the modern Blades are missing...

[@Twoothless]

Thank you Jonas for the great review! Sorry if i missed your comment about comfort, but how did you find it? I'm debating between the Gravity Pro and the blade and understand that the Gravity has a reputation for good comfort. Thanks again!

[@ommpaloomplak53]

Blades are very plush

[@jordanaksamit1873]

I injured my arm this year while trying some racquets like pure strike, pure aero, head extreme tour, tfight 305 and vcore 98. The only one which gives me 0 arm problem or discomfort was the blade.

[@Tennisnerd]

Thanks! The comfort is very good, I would say better than Gravity Pro

[@rouajohn]

@@jordanaksamit1873 Dude me too, I tested an Aero 98 and ever since my arm is all sorts of fucked up. Never had issues before that. Babolat racquets are the devil

[@lsfire3489]

What are the sw spec abd wright of the racquet you used? It is big difference due to qc some say.

[@prostringlondon]

Need to try it with Pro-string nemesis 😊

[@hanseat7290]

Hi Jonas! Have you tested the Blade Pro 98 V9 16 x19 yet?

[@SaqibSheikh]

is this good for a one handed backhand?

[@elmotabuzo]

Hello jonas. How would you compare speed MPL 2024 to blade 100L v9?

[@wozmac771]

do you know if I can get player's rackets? i.e., Wawrinka 95 Sq in or Nadal pure aero exact specs.

[@samster978]

How is this compared to the older KBlade 98?

[@rottafi]

What tension did you use with 4g?

[@rubinsingh4779]

How is it for when you want to flatten out the shot and drive through the ball? Do you need to go 1820 to do it?

[@Tennisnerd]

No, this racquet handles flat balls well

[@rubinsingh4779]

@@Tennisnerd thanks, I’ve got a 360+ extreme tour and it had too much launch and poor court penetration, had to use 1.3mm confidential and weight to tame and stabilise it. Hopefully this is better with less need for customisation.

[@ArturAndriasian-TennisOn]

@@Tennisnerd What tension did you use with 4g?

[@SaqibSheikh]

Is it comparable to yonex percept 97

@tennisnerd No comparison to the ProStaff X mentioned?!

[@melaleucatree]

Would you say this has a similar feel to the 2024 Head Speed MP?

[@Tennisnerd]

No, quite different in feel and performance

[@jesuscamargo6820]

Hi Jonas, is there much difference between this model and the Prostock model? I am referring to the Prostock model, not the H 22. I think the Prostock is more rigid and sheds more than this new commercial sheet. , very thanks!!! ❤

[@bengray5013]

The pro stocks could be any of the past iterations, so it really depends on the specific racquet as a Blade pro stock may differ a lot...

[@jesuscamargo6820]

@@bengray5013 They tell me that it is a kblade with v7 paint, but the real model is kblade, so can you tell me if it sheds more? It has rigidity 66

[@bengray5013]

@@jesuscamargo6820 don't know who told you that but there is no one single pro stock blade. For example Tsitsipas uses the BLX Blade under what ever the current cosmetic version is (currently v9)

[@bengray5013]

@@jesuscamargo6820 and what do you mean by sheds more? This wording doesn't really make much sense

[@sjol6126]

Pls review the 18 x 16 V9s Wilson Blade

[@msalvs]

*98S

[@pedermittet2248]

Curious to hear users preferred spec. What about you, @tennisnerd

[@Tennisnerd]

My specs are 348g, 31.5 cm, 335 SW strung approx

[@quentincrisp6933]

" slicker, a little less grabby, a bit spinny" ?? That is a misnomer!🤔 Your FH looks nice but keep your head still & quiet on your BH‼

[@mskcrc]

IMO, the reason you see that racquet everywhere at the club level is because Wilson marketed it as a "control" racquet. I was recently playing with a 3.0 guy who hits a 40 mph forehand on average and he told me he got a Blade for "more control." It's the same reason that my 3.0 stringing customers ask me for a stiff polyester at 55#. "More control." It also looks pretty nice. Wilson has a history of cranking out some horrid racquets (remember the Blade v6 and Clash v1, two of the ugliest, lowest-effort racquets ever made) so the fact that they're actually trying to make them looks decent is an improvement.

[@vijaynarsapur147]

Might there a reason for a radical user to change to a blade?

[@Tennisnerd]

The Radical is more direct in feel, the Blade a bit more dampened. If you like the Radical, there is no point in changing.

[@melusimtshali9391]

7:38 I think you meant 306g unstrung weight right ? Unless you really customised it up

[@brandomaxwell]

I vote that 360g is NOT a typo given the low b/p of 31.2cm and high SW of 340, which means he had to weight this frame up considerably to get it to sing for him. Jonas...?

[@Tennisnerd]

Yes, 360 strung. It was good in stock and this was perhaps a bit high, but the answer might be somewhere in between

[@CH-yp5by]

The racquets matched because Wilson knew they were sending to you!

[@jamesbittle9789]

My thought exactly.

[@Tennisnerd]

I said in the video that I bought one from one source and one from another...

[@Official.tadiwa]

Nblade is the og

[@zlmdragon.]

​ @Tennisnerd Hi, can you do a video of playing 1-2 hour tennis with different weight racquets starting from your normal heaviest going lighter every 10 minutes as your arm would get tired, as an exercise, does it feel any different than sticking to the heaviest racquet? Thanks

[@Tennisnerd]

I can look into a video where we dive deeper into racquet weight

[@zlmdragon.]

@@Tennisnerd I think a simpler option would be to pick the ligher racquet after playing 1 hour with the heavier/normal one and review the difference in how it feels continuing playing.

[@brianlee5584]

Has Jonas ever given a poor or even a lukewarm review on any rackets? I know he probably gets them for free but I would like to hear him say this racket is just trash or something. I mean all his reviews sound the same now.

[@Tennisnerd]

I have given plenty of lukewarm reviews. Few racquets are trash these days as teh standards have gone up. I think the reason many reviews might sound the same to you is that the differences between models are quite small these days, so there is not a lot going on with most racquets. Which is a little boring, but at least the products are good overall.

[@v205]

Who else still using kbkade tour 93?

[@MrFrescocotone]

Thus guy has a talent for failrd shooting background 😂 Btw it's just a paint job, exactly the same racquet, the usual trick to sell more racquets to the same people

[@TheBlessedLion]

Once upon a time you mentioned to go down with your racketweight…. 360 overall is the other direction…😂

[@Tennisnerd]

Haha experimentation is FUN

[@karepy]

Sabalenka does not use the v9 come on I thought you were better than Wilson’s pets

[@peterkavanagh64]

Heathy u here. Super inteo to the many

[@tsyf]

Out of topic: where were you seated? 🙂

[@Tennisnerd]

On a chair in a Maltese balcony, but this will be remembered as the "toilet video"

[@tsyf]

@@Tennisnerd sorry for that, me and the other guys were just joking, I love the way you work and I don't miss a single test!

[@klauswinzig4997]

Room no. 00

[@sbgtrev]

Were you sitting in the toilet while filming this? Nice idea! 😅

[@Tennisnerd]

Man, I got a lot of comments like these! I'm on a chair in a Maltese balcony, but this will be remembered as the "toilet video"...

[@sbgtrev]

No worries, all is forgiven for a favorite youtuber. In fact, bring on more of these bloopers!

[@weyman4317]

Good marketing and massive financial endorsements. Still not sure about quality and chinese manafacture.

[@sichinawa]

Tried switch to blade 3 time. With different iterations. But this 16x19 is not for spin and control. 18x20 is for control, and 16x19 for trashbox. Muted and unstable (v7,8,9). How are you prefer Blade over ExtremeTour or Radical or Whiteout or Percept?

[@goggleboy2464]

Vcore 95 is sweet

[@graelii7440]

Are you sitting on the toilet? ;)

[@jordanaksamit1873]

Damn, how do you know 😮

[@Tennisnerd]

Many asked...sadly. I'm on a chair on a Maltese balcony, but this will be remembered as the "toilet video" :D

[@peterkavanagh64]

The french syock matket jusy vomingbthtough now . Is he ok hitbthe ball . Shoulders tuemnvalling holy maty nthe cladic palms elbows grsvuty fed its the yuringbthe showingbof the back tp the rest ofb16 courts me ejy me , ????? × power 12

[@venc3907]

Is it just me or are you sitting on the toilet?

[@Tennisnerd]

Many asked...sadly. I'm on a chair on a Maltese balcony, but this will be remembered as the "toilet video" :D

[@pedrocostajuniorr]

alright friend, thanks! and taking into account that it is a little more rigid, which string do you recommend for it? Lynx Tour, Hyper G, Confidential or 4g? All 1.25