Posted by This is a review of the new Wilson Blade 98 16×19 (V7) which is an updated version of the last Blade Countervail. The new Blade comes with FeelFlex which adds flexibility and allows better feel at contact, it also comes with parellel drilling so the string bed response becomes more forgiving and increases the sweetspot efficaciously. I got to try both the Blade and Clash which play a bit simular (read more about the Clash), they had their similarities and diffrences like for example the Clash was more spin-friendly and maneuverable. Let’s take a closer look on the Blade and see what I experienced.
Racquet specs:
- Head size: 98 sq.in or 632 cm2
- Length: 27 inches or 69 cm
- Weight unstrung: 305 g or 10,8 oz
- Balance: 320 mm or 7 Pts HL
- String Pattern: 16/19
- Beam Width: 21/21/21 mm
- Stiffness: 62 RA
- Power level: Low-Medium
The Wilson Blade has been around for almost 15 years and has been loved since the launch in 2006. The Blade is now the most popular racquet on tour. The racquet line is made for big hitters and aggressive players since it gives you great control, spin, accuracy and power to be able to attack deep. Their campaign slogans for the new Blade V7 where ”Be greater than” ”Your greater than awaits”.
Groundstrokes: I found this racquet comfortable and stable. The spin potential wasn’t overwhelming but good enough for me since it’s still a open 16×19 pattern, almost like a Radical or Gravity MP. The power level is low-medium just how I like it, you’ll be able to rip a forehand down the line without being scared to put it in the back fence. The one thing to expect from this racquet is control and feel which it delivers without a doubt. So it’s nothing special, a overall good performance from the Blade V7 that checks all the boxes.
Serve: I felt right away this racquet delivered precise serves. I went serving one day for my self and compared the Blade, Clash and my Radical Pro. I started off with my Radical and it took ages for me to hit my target so I give up and switched to the Clash and the same thing happened. Then I tried to serve with the Clash and it took like 5 balls and I crushed my target. So I found it very precise with great power and decent kick serves. The feel is not like a Clash, it’s flexible but not in that way. It just makes it comfortable.
Volley: I don’t play much volley so I’m going to try to explain what I felt. It was good, just kidding. At start I didn’t find the sweetspot because it was a bit different from my Radical but then I didn’t care for it later. Nice feel so making a sneaky dropshot was easy to maneuver. It was still stable but maybe I would like it slightly heavier just to get some extra depth to put the ball away.
Overall very good, It gives you what to expect. I haven’t tried the last Blade so I can’t say if it’s a better version but I can say that I like it the way it is right now. If you miss anything in this review please leave a comment and I will answer it as soon as possible. That’s all for this racquet review and don’t forget to follow me on Instagram tennisrally_
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