The Blade collection has been Wilson’s flagship racket for precision and management for practically twenty years. If you see any best-selling checklist, the Blade is usually amongst the High 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 traditional Blade efficiency with a couple of delicate adjustments that provide rivals a well-recognized racket.
The V9 model introduces a tweaked body composition and design enhancements that promise a extra steady 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 trendy, however how does it play? Is it value altering when you’re a V8 or V7 Blade consumer?
On this assessment, 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: Progressive grommet building 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 trendy, 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 lengthen ball contact with the strings, enhancing really feel and rising management.
High Grip Taper: The tapered grip design offers an improved really feel for top-handed grip placement, which is particularly useful for two-handed backhands.
DirectConnect: This characteristic extends the carbon fibre deal with to attach immediately with the tip cap, enhancing the general really feel and enhancing torsional stability.
StableFeel: The most recent Blade expertise provides a firmer and extra steady really feel, fostering a deeper connection to the ball. This characteristic is designed for avid gamers trying to sharpen their recreation 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 Stress
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 contemporary 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 had been that the racket felt extra steady 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 assumed, “Yup, it is a Blade, and that’s about it.” Wilson has a keen formulation for the Blade, so there’s no cause 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 taking part in body however you’ll want to 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 very good stage of stability for its weight class. In comparison with the V8, the twistweight has jumped a couple of factors, and the marginally greater swing weight in comparison with its predecessor offers a extra strong really feel on influence, particularly noticeable on off-centre hits.
The racket permits for aggressive hanging and managed, exact photographs. I might 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 had been out there in spades. The one actual downside I had from the baseline was the slice, as I both ballooned it or dumped it into the web. String stress subject? I’m undecided, however I struggled to familiarize yourself with that shot when it’s usually one in all my greatest.
Volleys
On the internet, the Blade 98 16×19 V9’s manoeuvrability performs properly. Its steady 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 very good 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 superb mixture of energy and spin, permitting me to position my serves confidently. Whether or not I used to be going for a flat, arduous serve down the T or a slicing serve out large, the racket delivered constant outcomes. I a lot desire 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 properly. You continue to must swing, and it’s not a racket properly suited to simply blocking returns, however its spin-friendly string sample means when you 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 readily 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 offers me a really feel of what’s modified.
I additionally performed with the 16 x 19 V8 model a few weeks earlier than this assessment, so it was nonetheless contemporary within the reminiscence to check.
Basic 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 when you can’t swing it as quick.
Flex Ranking: The V9 has a barely stiffer flex ranking, a +1 enhance from the V8. This modification 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 expertise within the V9 known as Secure Flex. This expertise is designed to supply 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-Courtroom Efficiency Comparability
Groundstrokes
V8: Supplied a dependable and managed really feel, however I all the time felt a slight mushiness and fewer outlined candy spot.
V9: Gives a crisper response and a extra pronounced candy spot, which boosts suggestions on good and unhealthy contacts. The rise in swing weight provides stability, making the V9 really feel extra strong throughout high-impact photographs.
Volleys
V8: Felt steady and exact, however the suggestions might really feel dampened because of the softer flex and layup expertise.
V9: Supplied me a extra exact volleying expertise.
Serves
V8: Stable efficiency and provides a very good steadiness of energy and management.
V9: The elevated swing weight and stiffer body improve energy on serve, and I felt I might hit the primary serve sooner.
Who Ought to Improve?
Gamers glad with the V8’s efficiency won’t discover the V9 a groundbreaking improve, as the basic traits stay related; nevertheless, for many who felt the V8 might enhance stability and provide a much less mushy really feel, the V9 is value demoing to see when you desire it.
Who’s This Racket For?
The Wilson Blade 98 16×19 V9 is a racket for greater 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.
Nonetheless, it’s not a racket in your typical ‘weekend warrior’ kind participant – any shortcomings in footwork and stroke manufacturing flip the Blade from a weapon to a legal responsibility. As an alternative the Blade 100 or Blade 104 go well with these looking for a extra user-friendly racket.
With its barely enhanced stability and fewer mushy feeling, it would attraction to a broader vary of gamers than in comparison with the earlier era, however you’ll want to be an completed participant with full, quick strokes to wield this racket successfully.
General, the V9 will not be considerably totally different from earlier iterations— however the fabulous new beauty and delicate adjustments make it a surefire greatest vendor within the management racket market.
In case you get a racket like mine with specs of 320g and 318 swingweight, there’s additionally loads of scope for customisation.
My Execs
Nice beauty
Extra steady really feel in comparison with the V8
Retains what folks like concerning the Blade – management & precision
Wonderful high quality management (has Wilson turned a nook?)
My Cons
Demanding racket to play with
Muted really feel
