WILSON BLADE 98 V9 VS BABOLAT STRIKE GEN 4 - WHICH RACKET IS BETTER FOR YOU?

[@justinmelland3846]

I absolutely LOVE the Pure Strike Tour V3. The 334 swingweight, just swings itself if you trust the racquet and let it come through. It's a beautiful control stick, with extra pop, and the swing weight is 10 points higher than the blade. Even the stock form 16 X 19 V4 Pure Strike is a significant bump in SW from the blade, so they are pretty different sticks. I love the crisp feel of the strike and I hate the muted feel of the blade. I love the way the strike plays with Toro Toro in the main and Sync in the cross. But I also adore the way the strike plays with VS Touch in the mains and Sync in the cross. I have also taken a 16 X 19 V4 Strike and added a leather grip and 1 gram at 12 O'clock and the spec matches the Strike Tour exactly, and the two sticks play VERY similar. So those of you that are bummed that Babolat has stopped making the tour, you can know that it is possible to customize the Strike V4 16 X 19 to play pretty much exactly the same as a PS Tour V3. For me, there is nothing like the Pure Strike Tour. It's the best frame for me. I love it the way coach Rob loves the Staff. The balance and the SW are so different in the strike and the blade, I play like crap with the blade, and I'm my best tennis self with the strike.

[@kaoushik11]

I just bought the new Pure Strike 98 16x19 2024 and I must say it’s amazing! My racquet is a tad bit underspec but I just got so used to playing with this feel and the power is great too, I am super happy with my purchase!

[@jamespitty6920]

I've been waiting for this comparison thanks! I want the PS but so many QC issues popping up online with swing weights all over the place. Puts me off a bit!

[@benjaminjensen111]

Bought 6. only one had issue and got sent back. The 5 was within few grams and points of the manufacturer listet specs. So dont buy one if you need only one. buy 3 and send back the ones with issues.

[@Chrissing69]

I also find the pop on the pure strike feels better for me compared to the blade

[@Chorith77]

Just bought a pure strike and planning to get a blade V9 when it's on discount. I love control rackets overall.

[@hobigloon7031]

Great video, I just bought the strike 98 and was waiting for the comparison video! Do you have a recommendation for strings (I was thinking about trying out rpm blast in the mains and natural gut in the crosses...?) and tension that might suit the racket well? Thanks:)

[@benjaminjensen111]

Natural gut in cross makes no sense in that racket. Natural gut is not a glide string and dialing the control with them in cross is not logical in a techinical/mechanical sense. Put NG in mains and Wilson Poly Gold in cross (plays like Alu Power). YOu will have a winner setup. 25 kg NG mains And 23 kg Wilson Poly Gold in cross.

[@ztennisfan9134]

How does the Xcalibre compare to the V9 Blade? 🙂 I am similar to coach Chris, just love thin beam control frames for the comfort and touch and feel, but i also love extra power like Harry, who doesn't right? , So i just customise the Xcalibre with a bit of lead at 3 and 9 and i find that i get the best of both worlds. Would really like to see what chris thinks of a Xcalibre vs Blade V9 matchup. 👍

[@walterkasper467]

I tried hyper g 29 g. Wow. Fantastic power great ball pocketing. Thanks for the suggestion supper. Thanks for the great videos

[@walterkasper467]

Meant 20g

[@alastairtheduke]

Harry and coach Chris, would you say that this strike is a good entryway into control 98s?

[@fingersm]

Yes!! Harry and Chris are so similar in game!!

[@AkilesTennis]

These just so happen to be my buddies and i’s rackets

[@raulrodrigueznyc]

I choose the Blade even thought I nevered played with Babolat. I have the V8 version and EZone 98. Lately I have discovered that I serve more reliably with the Blade than I do with the EZone. I'm 61 but 6'3 and 240 lbs and I still generate a good deal of power so with that said, I will choose the new Blade since its not that much different from the V8.

[@khoitran3977]

Tôi cũng nhiều tuổi rồi, và tôi cũng mới chọn mua Wilson blade V9 265g, dù hơi nhẹ, nhưng thoải mái dễ chịu

[@markl3730]

I’ve been using the V9 16x19 since its release and the whip, control, and stability are second to none. Compared to the V8, the V9 has more stability and plays much better on defense.

[@mredjevic]

Question: how to cut down old strings, to make easier on stringer?

[@boeraneth5263]

I’d say I prefer the ball pocketing, flexy, catapaulty nature of the blade over the firm point and shoot of the strikes. I could probably make either work with customization, but blade slightly over strike.

[@anttitapio4145]

I play with 3rd gen strike 98 and own [K] Blade tours. Was looking for something that feels like a that old Kblade but has more forgiveness and power. Wanted to test these strikes and they fit the bill. Only thing I miss from the Kblades is crisper and whipier feel. These new rackets are soooo dampened

[@MosPat89]

i think the head radical mp fits in the same category with those two rackets.

[@davidmaloney9505]

Used the Blade BLX version for a few years then went to the Pure Strike for a few years but now back to the Blade. Have the Blade weighted just like they said at 3 and 9 o'clock. Can't figure out why Wilson doesn't do it. Not talking full PWS like on a Pro Staff, just a little more weight in those spots. Both great frames.

[@TheBlessedLion]

Wilson is Chinese so expect not to much…

[@JS-vz4xr]

How many grams total did you add there?

[@kilmoretimmyg]

By the time you finish each sentence, the V10 will be out

[@dmf30]

Need to use the strings to adjust to youir game. For example, I would probably use a hybrid in the Strike with VS in the mains and maybe a soft poly or Head MLT in the cross. I might chose a different set up - or maybe the same set up with different tension in the blade. The point is that you can use either racket and customize it to your needs. I would probably use the Strike becvuase i like the feel of the grip better adn go from there.

[@tomk5238]

I have both and choose the strike. Strike is far better for the average person. you can still hit any shot with it. the blade while its pinpoint doesnt give you the oomph. in the 2nd and 3rd set of a match most people will want that little extra oomph cos lets face it the average person at 3.5- 4.0 doesnt have the skills and endurance to hit clean shots when they are tired and gased. that little extra power will give you an edge when both you and your opponent is gassed out. may be this is different if you are 5.0 but for most people strike is the clear winner.

[@ThomasThomas-cf2jp]

I don't know why the two models are always compared. For me, two completely different rackets. the pure strike is a beast but the SW is way too high. It's no longer playable for me as a one-handed backhand player

[@LokahSamastahSukhinoBhavantu23]

hmm interesting 🙂 i was tempted to try wilson or head, other than babolat, but i’m i think mentally it will make me feel insecure… i’m using pure drive now, it’s good for my flatter shots ( mind you, my coach was 68 plus when i was 9/8, he always wants flat this and that ) but i can’t manage to do top spin, or deeper shots, and perhaps also the whip follow through like he said that the wilson have… Maybe I shouldn’t use 300gr weight, but lower than that, makes me feel less confident cause I’m more secure in my swing with more weight.. perhaps i should work on that haha not be too lazy… don’t have the opp. to buy many racquets, so i have to be really sure which one i should gv a try… but i’m too attached to babolat 😅

[@mib910]

aren't the babolats too stiff though?

[@brandonreeve]

Why is the speed MP not in this comparison?

[@rbutthamilton]

Slow and clunky.

[@gilberttanuwijaya7485]

1.25 playback speed worth the try guys

[@Fra10981]

Recently tested both. Blade’s a more satisfying stick, it has that epic classical touch only Blades have. But since I need something more forgiving for tournaments, I preferred the Strike. Then finally, picked up the Strike Gen3. Since it seems there are very few differences between gen 3 and 4. And now it costs a half..!

[@rodrigogarrido992]

I love the puré strike g3 100 in, bur I had issues wirh My arm. Is the g4 more confortable in this sensei?

[@tamasajtony9855]

Wilson frame is too soft for me, i used to train with pure drive an match play with aero to give me the sudden boost. By now I can only live with the aero with lower string tensions

[@Summersoulster]

Strings?

[@benjaminjensen111]

Pure Strike gets the job done on returns and serve and groundstrokes... much better than the Blade.

[@mteca5093]

These vids are getting harder n harder to watch....draaaaggggin out the woooords , yup yup yup yup yup yup yup ...need 3x speed

[@fingersm]

They were always a comedy. Sadly tennis newborns know no better

[@SSJBen]

Neither. Babolat needs to bring the Pure Storm GT back, but with more weight on it. The Pure Strike has moved too far off the Pure Storm formula it no longer represents its origin.

[@benjaminjensen111]

Pure Strike is more like 21,5...23,5....21,5

[@Shankar-Bhaskar]

That sucks, it shouldn't be more than 21 21 21mm with a 67 stiffness RA

[@benjaminjensen111]

They are all like that. meassured a bunch....on paper they should be 21 22 21

[@liang306]

9:41🤣🤣🤣

[@kikibeldandy]

Coach chris should start a career journey instead.

[@slowbot68]

racquets are too light these days

[@Shankar-Bhaskar]

Because the game is fast and you need something that's quick to swing.

[@protossmr2344]

Depend on what player level you are playing against. If you say the game is fast that is right with ATP pro players today. But in term of tennis practicing with friends who have the same level as you, if he swings slowly then you don’t need to swing super fast

[@Shankar-Bhaskar]

@@protossmr2344 Doesn't matter if my opponent swimgs slow or fast, if I swing fast and take the ball early, then I get to take control and charge of the point.

[@protossmr2344]

He said the racket is light. You replied the game is fast. I thought it is because your opponent play fast that you need light racket for manuverability. But if you want to swing fast by yourself then a heavy racket with head light can also swing fast. That is technique of how your swinging style is.

[@Shankar-Bhaskar]

@@protossmr2344 A heavy racket with a head light balance is still more difficult to manoeuvre than a lightweight racket. A lightweight racket with a high stiffness rating to compensate for the lack of power is the new trend of racket manufacturers these days.