@Jack Ablon, We were using a number of different string setups in these racquets, most of which were copolys. I know we used a Volkl prototype string, Luxilon 4G, and Volkl Cyclone Tour, among others. Andy, TW
@MrRandrian, The Blade 98 is kind of in-between the Prestige and the Radical in terms of feel. 93" frames will be more control-oriented, and they often provide a little better feel (though its not always the case). However, they lack forgiveness for hitting off-center. The 98" frames have a bigger sweetspot and are more forgiving, but sometimes lack the control of the smaller frames. Andy, TW
@ Phillip Dombrovskiy, I wouldn't really use them together in a hybrid because they are both polyester strings. Typically, you want to combine a polyester string with something softer (like a multifilament or natural gut) in order to get the attributes of both strings. You could substitute the Tourna or Volkl string for the RPM with your XCel, and you'd get a slightly livelier feel than with RPM. Andy, TW
The Blade 93 is awesome. One of my favorite racquets I've tested in the past few years. Absolute precision and it comes through contact with enough plow through to provide ample power. Another solid option for you if you are looking to go up in headsize would be the Pure Strom Tour Plus. A firmer and more powerful response compared to the Ltd. The 2013 APD+ is also very good and better than many longer racquets for one-handed backhands. Chris, TW
@ Robert Tesol, It is similar, but I'd give the slight edge to the Blade. The frame isn't quite as lively as the Speed, so it's a little easier to control. Andy, TW
@ Leonard H, Adding a leather grip will increase the static weight by about 8 grams (on average) and change the balance point one to two points more in the head light direction. Andy, TW
I think what you're referring to is swing weight? It is the weight of the racquet as it's moving through the air - what it feels like when you're swinging it. The balance of the racquet effects this, for example if the racquet has more weight in the head, the swing weight will be higher and you will notice the difference. Siobhan, TW
@ Santi Lorenzo, Depends on what you're looking for. Savage will offer a more comfortable feel with a little more power and spin potential. 4G will feel a little stiffer and offer better control and tension maintenance. Andy, TW
@ Joseph McCann, I will still use my Yonex's from time to time. I've been enjoying putting Babolat RPM Blast or Volkl Cyclone in my racquets recently. Andy, TW
@ Dounan Shao, We found the new Blade to be more solid than the previous model and possess a little plowthrough at contact. This is most likely due to there being a little more weight in the hoop, which also affects the swingweight. More mass could be seen as both a positive and a negative depending on the playtester and their preference in swingweight. Andy, TW
@ Jeremy Y, I found a heavier Blade in stock form and then added weight to some lighter ones to match the specs. It ends up around 11.7 oz with a swingweight of 327. If you want to add a bit more stability, try adding weight at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions on the hoop. Andy, TW
@ Andymurrayowns, This new version of the Blade has Wilson's Amplifeel technology in the handle which makes it more comfortable and dampened feeling compared to the older model. Also, it's a bit more maneuverable and responsive compared to the older one which is heftier and doesn't possess as much easy pop. Andy, TW
@ cmic94, This depends on the type of string that you currently use. If you're a poly player, switch to a soft one like Polyfibre TCS or Dunlop Black Widow. If you play with or want to play with a multifilament, go with Tecnifibre NRG2 or Babolat XCel. But of course, nothing beats the arm-friendliness and playability of natural gut. Andy, TW
@ Emilio Yanez, The 16x19 will be livelier and a little more arm-friendly, whereas the 18x20 will feel a little stiffer and deader and offer more control. We haven't had any experiences here though where either of them caused arm pain, so you can't go wrong with either. Andy, TW
@ Tio Stevens, Both racquets are a bit heavy, solid-feeling, and have good plowthrough. The Steam will offer a bit more pop, forgiveness and access to spin. The Blade will provide more control and precision. Andy, TW
@ BlackbirdVizion, The Blade 98 has a crisper, livelier feel compared to the Rebel. The Rebel plows through the ball well but doesn't have the same ball feel as the Blade. Both racquets have nice stability, power, spin and control. Andy, TW
@ danielstenniskanal, The Dunlop F 5.0 Tour would be a good one to try, as it will give you some more pop with the added weight, as well as a bit more control. You could also try the AeroPro Drive and see if you can handle the added heft. Andy, TW
@ philipyjlee, They are fairly similar racquets. Both offer a crisp, lively feel with a nice blend of power and control. You'll find the AeroStorm to be a little more maneuverable, whereas the Blade will be a little more stable. Andy, TW
@ humicoca, It would be a fairly easy adjustment, but you will notice a couple distinct differences. The Blade will be a little more forgiving and powerful (due to the larger head size and sweetspot), and it will also feel a little crisper and stiffer than the more traditional-feeling Six.One. Andy, TW
@ bakbukkem, You make a good point, in which case the Head Radical Pro would be the least stiff of them all. However, even though the Blade and maybe a Volkl Organix 10 would be a little stiffer, they both possess technologies built into the racquet to make them more comfortable. In addition, our playtest team preferred those racquets to the Radical Pro. Since it isn't a huge difference in stiffness, I'd still recommend the Blade. Andy, TW
@ Luke Howard, I think it's a great choice! The Blade will have the crisp, modern feel like the Babolat but will give you a little more control and feel. Give both string patterns (18x20 and 16x19) a try and see which one works best for you. Andy, TW
@Wen x, That is a tough one to answer since they are both great racquets. I highly recommend demoing both since it is likely going to come down to the racquet feel as the deciding factor. Both offer fantastic control, touch, great spin control and a comfortable response. You really can't go wrong with either. Maybe you can tell I really like them both! Thanks for watching, Chris, TW
@ platowasthestig, I haven't hit the 305, but I have played with the 315. The 305 will feel a lot lighter and more maneuverable than the Blade, and it will also feel softer and more plush. The Blade is heavier, more stable, and also crisp and lively feeling. Andy, TW
@ Unlvtrank9, While the weight and balance are similar, I think this latest version out-performs the K Blade. It's more solid and stable feeling, and its also more responsive so you are more connected to the ball. Andy, TW
@henrikelud, It won't directly help with tennis elbow, but it will make the racquet feel a bit more dampened and comfortable on your arm. It won't make it better, but it might help it hurt less. Andy, TW
@ NoVoyA PonerNombre, I would try this Blade 98 18x20 as well as the Six.One 95 18x20. Both will play similar but be a little heavier and more solid than your Six.One Team. Andy, TW
@ AceRad100, The Pure Strike feels very similar to the Blade. It may be a little softer feeling and a little more forgiving, but I don't want to give too much away before our review comes out with the release of the racquet. Andy, TW
@IsbianArsenio, Our playtesters gave a slight edge to the Blade 98 at the net. However they found the Graphene Speed Pro to be better with groundstrokes and generating topspin. The Speed Pro is slightly heavier with a 100sq in head (vs. 98 sq in in the Blade) and it is 6pts HL whereas the Blade is at 2pts HL. We liked the Graphene Speed Pro for it's stability, power, spin, and maneuverability and found the Blade 98 to have a solid feel, good plow through and control. Michelle, TW
@Cameron Hylan, The Amplifeel will provide a softer, more dampened feel compared to the previous versions of the racquet that didn't include it. We cannot promise that it will help or relieve your arm pain, but we did find the racquet more comfortable than the predecessor. Andy, TW
@isaac kang, A few racquets I'd recommend you to try are the Yonex EZONE Ai 98, Babolat Pure Control and the Head Graphene Speed Pro. Those offer the nice blend of power and control that you're looking for. Give those a demo and see what you think. Andy, TW
@ Phillip Dombrovskiy, I would suggest choosing between the Speed Pro and the Blade 98. If you are more of a baseliner, go with the Speed. If you are more of an all court player, go with the Blade. If you can, demo both of them from us and see which one feels best in your hand. Andy, TW
@ BadBadBuddy, The Juice will produce a livelier feel and will give you easier access to power and spin. The Blades will be a little more control-oriented. Also, keep in mind the Juice Pro is 1/4 inch longer than standard, so that may take a slight adjustment period. However, once you get it used to it the extra length will help you provide even more power and spin, especially on serve. I'd suggest going with the Juice Pro, or even the Juice 100. Andy, TW
@ Alberto Silva, While I loved the buttery smooth of the 93, it just wasn't forgiving enough for me to play at my highest level. When I play against bigger hitters I like having a little more room for error to swing out on the ball without fear of shanking it. I also found the Blade 98 to be so rock solid and stable. Andy, TW
@DaMuffinMan32, The preference between string pattern is entirely personal, as most of the playtest team was split in their opinion of which one is better. The 16x19 offers a very lively feel with lots of access to power and spin. The 18x20 version has a little more of a dead feel with a lot more control. The frames are exactly the same however, so the only difference is the string pattern. If you're looking for power and spin, go 16x19. For control, 18x20. Andy, TW
@AlboHabbo, I'd say the power levels are about the same, with the biggest difference between the two versions being the more open string pattern now offered (16x19 option), and a slightly more plush feel due to the AmpliFeel technology Wilson introduced into the handle. Andy, TW
@ Kazuya Auvaro, I'd give the slight edge to the Wilson Blade, although I really like the Radical too. The Blade is just a little more solid-feeling and will give you a little more control and plowthrough on the ball. Andy, TW
@ Joseph McCann, I think the Blade is a great blend of modern power, spin and forgiveness with still the classic control and great feel. It's an awesome all-around racquet that plays wonderfully from all areas of the court. Andy, TW
@ MrLzykrnboi, That's really going to come down to personal preference, because the 18x20 will offer more control while the 16x19 will offer more spin. Try them both via our demo program and see which one you like best. Andy, TW
@ Dan Liutikas, Gut in the crosses will give you better durability, but gut in the mains will give you a little better playability and a softer feel. It's really a personal preference as to which set up is better, so maybe try both ways and see which one feels best for you. Andy, TW
@tuananh bui, I'd recommend going with a more durable co-polyester string so that it'll last longer. Try Luxilon ALU Power or Volkl Cyclone for some nice performance. Andy, TW
@ rajamani shan, The Blade is heavier and more solid feeling, but the Radical MP is more maneuverable and easier to swing. The Radical also has a soft, plush feel whereas the Blade is a little crisper, stiffer and livelier. Both have excellent control, but the Blade will give you a little more power. Those are actually currently my two favorite racquets to hit, so you can't go wrong with either. I'd give the slight edge to the Blade though because my ball is a bit heavier with it. Andy, TW
@ Dounan Shao, They are indeed two very different style racquets, and I really enjoyed both of them. I might give a slight edge to the Extreme Pro 2.0 because I loved the maneuverability, forgiveness and great feel. I did also really like the Blade though with it's rock solid feel and precision. Andy, TW
@ Cali Xiong, The Blade 98 is going to be more forgiving and offer more power and access to spin. The Blade 93 will have a smaller sweetspot but will give you more control and feel. To bring the Blade 98 up to your desired spec, add an ounce of lead tape to the grip pallet underneath the grip. Make sure the lead tape is distributed evenly up and down the pallet, and that should get you the specs that you are looking for. Andy, TW
@ mark molina, The Blade will give you more pop and a crisper, livelier feel. The EXO3 Tour will give you a little better spin potential and a softer, more dampened feel. With more weight in the head, the Blade will also feel a little more solid and stable through the hitting zone, especially on off-center hits. Andy, TW
@ davidjcable, We found this newer version to have improved feel and comfort, and well as being more solid, especially on contact outside of the sweetspot. We think this is the best Blade yet. Andy, TW
@ dudethatroks, This racquet will be a bit more comfortable, but its also heavier. You may want to try the Wilson Juice 100 and the Volkl Organix V1 Pro. Andy, TW
@koopercrow22, Between those two, I'd go with Code Red. However, a couple of my favorite polys would be Tourna Big Hitter Black 7 or Luxilon ALU Power. They will be a bit livelier and may play a little better in the tighter (18x20) string pattern. Andy, TW
@ cmic94, This one will feel about the same on your arm as the Six.One Team. Out of the two, the more open 16x19 string pattern will be a little easier on your arm. This racquet would be awesome to switch to (I just did myself) but make sure you get a softer string to save your arm. Andy, TW
@ Dan Liutikas, Go with a hybrid setup to get the durability and spin you need for your game while also getting a little more comfort and playability. Wilson's Champion's Choice would be the best selection for a hybrid, but if that's out of your price range there are also some more good options out there. Try making your own hybrid with Luxilon ALU Power and Wilson NXT, and try stringing it at 54 lbs. Andy, TW
For control and spin, Head Sonic Pro feels great in the Speed Pro. For power and comfort, I would go with Tecnifibre NRG2 or X-One BiPhase. A tension of 55lbs would be a great place to start for the powerful strings and 52lbs would work well for the control/spin co-poly strings. Chris, TW
@ azjmsxhn, Yes, they all do have fairly similar feels, but we felt like this latest Blade has been the best one yet. You feel connected to the ball, and there is great plowthrough on all shots. In previous versions, we sometimes felt that the racquet got a bit unstable on off-center shots, but Wilson has fixed that issue with this latest version. Andy, TW
@ Molemanj01, It really depends on the type of feel you want from the racquet. The 16x19 is a lot livelier, so there's more easy power and spin, but not as much control. The 18x20 offers exceptional control but isn't quite as lively. Andy, TW
@ Alberto Silva, The Blade will be crisper and livelier feeling, whereas the Storm will be a little more flexible and dampened. The Blade will offer a bit more power and spin but the Storm will give you more control. The Storm will also be a bit heavier. Andy, TW
@ SuperGangles, For a little more control and a soft, plush feel I'd go with the Radical. The Blade is great but it's crisper and livelier feeling and provides a bit more power. Andy, TW
@ jonny anns, Those are probably my two favorite current racquets. The Aero will offer more power, maneuverability and spin, and it's slightly easier to use because it's a tad more forgiving. The Blade feels a little more solid and offers more control, and it also gives better ball feel (in my opinion). Andy, TW
@Matt Avery, Some similar racquets would be: Head YOUTEK IG Radical Midplus, Head YOUTEK Graphene Speed Pro, Dunlop Biomimetic F3.0 Tour, Babolat Aero Storm GT, ProKennex QTour, and Donnay Pro One 97 18x20. Hope that helps! Michelle, TW
@henrikelud, The Blade 98 would be an easier transition than the 93, simply because it will be more forgiving with the larger head size. I would also suggest trying the 16x19 pattern version, and it will have a slightly larger sweet spot and give you a little more access to spin and power. Andy, TW
@ TennisFreak7321, Cyclone would be one of the strings I would recommend. A couple other good ones would be Babolat RPM Blast for more control, or Tourna Big Hitter Black 7 for more power. Andy, TW
@Filipe Araujo, Don't want to be misunderstood...I wish there was a tennis racquet that won't make tennis elbow worse, but that's simply hard to claim because there are many factors that affect tennis elbow. The softer and more dampened a racquet is, the less it will affect TE, but depending on the player and the severity of the injury playing tennis may still make it worse. Andy, TW
@DrumBoss82, If you are looking for maneuverability and a crisp feel, go with the Dunlop. If you are looking for something more solid, better plow through and a softer feel, the Blade is the better option. Both offer excellent control, good access to spin (the F3.0 Tour more so) and a solid level of power on a full swing. Hope that helps, Chris, TW
@ davidjcable, It should be fine, just make sure to use a comfortable string at a relatively low tension in order to provide enough comfort and relief for your arm. Andy, TW
@MCcreeperkillerz, I really like the feel of the new Blade 98. I also especially like this 18x20 string pattern with its enhanced control and find it plays much closer to the version you have. As for specs, they are very close so little adjustment would be required going between the two. I found the new version to be crisper, with a more responsive feel. It had me feeling just a tad more connected to the ball. As far as power and spin etc, they play very, very closely. Chris, TW
@ Oakekao, This is an awesome update and definitely an improvement. The previous version was nice, but this newest version is a little more solid on off-center hits and has better plowthrough. The feel is also improved with Amplifeel technology. Andy, TW
@ Robert Tesol, The Speed Pro is going to be a little more maneuverable and forgiving. It offers better access to spin, whereas the Blade has been control and plowthrough. Personally, I think the Blade feels better when you're hitting flat, and the Speed feels better when trying to hit spin. I'd give the slight edge to the Speed just because of how forgiving and easy to use it is, but the Blade is one of my favorites as well. Andy, TW
@ Xentaku, Those would be three of my favorites on the market, so I would definitely try all of those. Another great one to try would be the Head Youtek IG Extreme Pro 2.0. Andy, TW
Andy thank you so much for your reaction. I did hear / read the adjective "Plush" used a couple of times when describing these new Blade racquets. So in effect what we have here is a racquet that is stiff and plush at the same time. That sounds pretty good. I already liked the look of this racquet now I'm itching to test drive one of these babies!
@ Bertie Kiff, 4G would give you the most control, and you'll also get unmatched tension maintenance for a polyester string. Give that a try and see what you think! Andy, TW
@ SpoonerSpecter, The Blade 98 is going to give you a boost in power compared to your Bio 200, along with a crisper, livelier feel. It will be a bit stiffer than your current racquet, but that stiffness lends itself to more power, making it both harsher and easier on your arm at the same time. In addition, the Blade's Amplifeel technology helps dampen the feel as well, so by no means would I consider the Blade to be harsh on the arm. It's a great racquet, give it a try! Andy, TW
7 years after its release to the market, finally I made up my mind and bought 2 units of this beatiful frame. Not me being slow at evaluating purchases, only my game was much different back then. I was skeptical about Blades being too HH for my style, but with a simple leather grip it has all come back into control. Volleying is the best I have ever experienced, drop-shots are a bless, slicing is killer, and much more to come. With my groundstrokes i have to watch my distance since it is easy to overhit, but if you carefulling muster your timing it will give you plenty of rewards. Just added 6 grams overall of lead time at 3 and 9 o'clock to improve stability and avoid the hollow feeling, and I was ready to go. Great product which stands the test of time.
@ monkeyninja150, I played my last tournament with a couple racquets strung up with Luxilon ALU Power Spin at 56 lbs, and a couple others with Topspin Cyberflash at 57 lbs. Andy, TW
@ BuddyAcesRussia, The Blade will feel a little heavier actually compared to your Prestige MP. It will also feel a little stiffer and more crisp feeling, and also will give you a little easier power. Andy, TW
@ Kurt De Wilde, All good racquets. The new Blade is awesome, but it will be more control-oriented than your APD+ and give you a little less power and spin than you are used to. The Radical Pro is somewhat heavy, very powerful, and lacks a bit of control. The Pro One and Volkl PB 10 are both comfortable, arm-friendly racquets with a good amount of pop and control. Of all those, I'd go with the new Blade 98, maybe the 16x19 version though to give you a little livelier feel. Andy, TW
You guys do the best reviews anywhere. I just finished watching a competitors review and it's a joke compared to the quality reviews you guys give. I'm planning on buying this racquet soon. We really appreciate you guys at TW.
@ Eric Ha, That would be a excellent setup, and I think it would play great. If you string it up and find you want more power, drop the tension a couple pounds. If you want some more control, go up a couple pounds. Andy, TW
@ Brian Lee, Both are great racquets, so it really depends on what you're looking for. The Steam 99S will be better if you want a little more power and a lot more spin. The spin potential on it is better than any racquet on the market! The Blade will provide you with a little more control and better stability on impact, but won't offer the same power and spin. Andy, TW
Andy, I'm a 4.5 player in my early 40's with an all court game. I use spin extensively on the serve and my ground strokes, but also hit a hard flat ball depending on circumstances. Having good feel for groundstrokes and particularly at the net is important to me. With that background, I would like your recommendations for a string/tension combinations to try for this racquet that would also help avoid unnecessary arm injury. I play about 4-5 times a week so durability is important.
@CorbinP21, Both are excellent racquets, but they have slightly different feels. The Prestige will feel a little softer and more plush, whereas the Blade feels a little crisper and livelier at impact. They both offer a good blend of power and control, and their specs are similar with the 98 sq. in head and 18x20 string patterns. Personally, I'd choose the Blade, although playtester Chris might disagree with me and go with the Prestige. You can't go wrong with either, try them both! Andy, TW
@ swank119, The Head Graphene Speed Pro and Dunlop F 3.0 Tour would be two more good ones to try! They will offer a bit more pop and forgiveness, but won't be as powerful as the APD. Andy, TW
@ Tennishead21, The type of string really depends on the player and style of your game. Personally, I like a lively co-poly like Tourna Big Hitter Black 7 or RPM Blast. Those play great in this racquet. Andy, TW
@ David Spiller, This racquet will have been plowthrough and stability than your Graphite, and I think it would be an upgrade for you. Definitely give these new Blades a try. Andy, TW
@ radial268, I gave it some pretty good scores (I believe an 8.4 overall), and I found the more I played with it the more and more I liked it. I also like to score racquets not based on what works only for me, but what will work best for a wide variety of players. That's why I've scored the APD and Extreme Pro 2.0 higher because I feel like it suits a wider variety of players. The Blade fits my game the best, and I'm loving how the 98 sq in head gives me forgiveness and feel. Andy, TW
@ bevoburn, This is a great racquet, but you may want something a bit more powerful and forgiving than this. Try the Juice 100L by Wilson or the Babolat AeroPro Team, as both of those will be a little easier to swing and play with. Andy, TW
Hello, I just demoed this racquet from you & am really impressed with it. It was strung with a golden colored string. Could you please tell me which string you use for the demo racquets & at what tension? Thank you!
Thank you very much! I took your suggestion and tried the Wilson Blade 98 18x20 as a demo and absolutely loved it. I understand that you enjoyed the Tourna Big Hitter strings and the Volkl Cyclone. How would the Tourna Big Hitter and the Volkl Cyclone, as hybrids, compare to a hybrid of Babolat RPM Blast and the Babolat XCel? Although the price ranges differ, will the Tourna Big Hitter and Volkl Cyclone maintain control, durability, and spin that is equal to the Babolat hybrid? I appreciate it!
@Jack Ablon,
We were using a number of different string setups in these racquets, most of which were copolys. I know we used a Volkl prototype string, Luxilon 4G, and Volkl Cyclone Tour, among others.
Andy, TW
@MrRandrian,
The Blade 98 is kind of in-between the Prestige and the Radical in terms of feel. 93" frames will be more control-oriented, and they often provide a little better feel (though its not always the case). However, they lack forgiveness for hitting off-center. The 98" frames have a bigger sweetspot and are more forgiving, but sometimes lack the control of the smaller frames.
Andy, TW
@ Phillip Dombrovskiy,
I wouldn't really use them together in a hybrid because they are both polyester strings. Typically, you want to combine a polyester string with something softer (like a multifilament or natural gut) in order to get the attributes of both strings. You could substitute the Tourna or Volkl string for the RPM with your XCel, and you'd get a slightly livelier feel than with RPM.
Andy, TW
The Blade 93 is awesome. One of my favorite racquets I've tested in the past few years. Absolute precision and it comes through contact with enough plow through to provide ample power. Another solid option for you if you are looking to go up in headsize would be the Pure Strom Tour Plus. A firmer and more powerful response compared to the Ltd. The 2013 APD+ is also very good and better than many longer racquets for one-handed backhands.
Chris, TW
@ Robert Tesol,
It is similar, but I'd give the slight edge to the Blade. The frame isn't quite as lively as the Speed, so it's a little easier to control.
Andy, TW
@ Shine Jose,
What you have is Luxilon 4G 16L at 53 lbs.
Andy, TW
@ Leonard H,
Adding a leather grip will increase the static weight by about 8 grams (on average) and change the balance point one to two points more in the head light direction.
Andy, TW
I think what you're referring to is swing weight? It is the weight of the racquet as it's moving through the air - what it feels like when you're swinging it. The balance of the racquet effects this, for example if the racquet has more weight in the head, the swing weight will be higher and you will notice the difference.
Siobhan, TW
@1UP09,
We have not had a chance to playtest the BLX Three yet. Stay tuned though as we continue to get in the new racquets from Wilson.
Andy, TW
@ Santi Lorenzo,
Depends on what you're looking for. Savage will offer a more comfortable feel with a little more power and spin potential. 4G will feel a little stiffer and offer better control and tension maintenance.
Andy, TW
@ Joseph McCann,
I will still use my Yonex's from time to time. I've been enjoying putting Babolat RPM Blast or Volkl Cyclone in my racquets recently.
Andy, TW
@ Torres Hong,
This will offer a bit more control than the Pure Drive, but won't provide the same easy power and spin.
Andy, TW
@ Dounan Shao,
We found the new Blade to be more solid than the previous model and possess a little plowthrough at contact. This is most likely due to there being a little more weight in the hoop, which also affects the swingweight. More mass could be seen as both a positive and a negative depending on the playtester and their preference in swingweight.
Andy, TW
@ Jeremy Y,
I found a heavier Blade in stock form and then added weight to some lighter ones to match the specs. It ends up around 11.7 oz with a swingweight of 327. If you want to add a bit more stability, try adding weight at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions on the hoop.
Andy, TW
@ Andymurrayowns,
This new version of the Blade has Wilson's Amplifeel technology in the handle which makes it more comfortable and dampened feeling compared to the older model. Also, it's a bit more maneuverable and responsive compared to the older one which is heftier and doesn't possess as much easy pop.
Andy, TW
@ Ati Ok,
I'm wearing Asics Gel Resolution 4s. Unfortunately, we are sold out of that colorway.
Andy, TW
@ cmic94,
This depends on the type of string that you currently use. If you're a poly player, switch to a soft one like Polyfibre TCS or Dunlop Black Widow. If you play with or want to play with a multifilament, go with Tecnifibre NRG2 or Babolat XCel. But of course, nothing beats the arm-friendliness and playability of natural gut.
Andy, TW
@ Emilio Yanez,
The 16x19 will be livelier and a little more arm-friendly, whereas the 18x20 will feel a little stiffer and deader and offer more control. We haven't had any experiences here though where either of them caused arm pain, so you can't go wrong with either.
Andy, TW
@ Branko Andrews,
It's an upgrade. The feel is improved, it's more solid outside of the sweetspot, and the plowthrough is better.
Andy, TW
@ Tio Stevens,
Both racquets are a bit heavy, solid-feeling, and have good plowthrough. The Steam will offer a bit more pop, forgiveness and access to spin. The Blade will provide more control and precision.
Andy, TW
@ BlackbirdVizion,
The Blade 98 has a crisper, livelier feel compared to the Rebel. The Rebel plows through the ball well but doesn't have the same ball feel as the Blade. Both racquets have nice stability, power, spin and control.
Andy, TW
@ danielstenniskanal,
The Dunlop F 5.0 Tour would be a good one to try, as it will give you some more pop with the added weight, as well as a bit more control. You could also try the AeroPro Drive and see if you can handle the added heft.
Andy, TW
@ philipyjlee,
They are fairly similar racquets. Both offer a crisp, lively feel with a nice blend of power and control. You'll find the AeroStorm to be a little more maneuverable, whereas the Blade will be a little more stable.
Andy, TW
@ humicoca,
It would be a fairly easy adjustment, but you will notice a couple distinct differences. The Blade will be a little more forgiving and powerful (due to the larger head size and sweetspot), and it will also feel a little crisper and stiffer than the more traditional-feeling Six.One.
Andy, TW
@ bakbukkem,
You make a good point, in which case the Head Radical Pro would be the least stiff of them all. However, even though the Blade and maybe a Volkl Organix 10 would be a little stiffer, they both possess technologies built into the racquet to make them more comfortable. In addition, our playtest team preferred those racquets to the Radical Pro. Since it isn't a huge difference in stiffness, I'd still recommend the Blade.
Andy, TW
@ Luke Howard,
I think it's a great choice! The Blade will have the crisp, modern feel like the Babolat but will give you a little more control and feel. Give both string patterns (18x20 and 16x19) a try and see which one works best for you.
Andy, TW
@Wen x,
That is a tough one to answer since they are both great racquets. I highly recommend demoing both since it is likely going to come down to the racquet feel as the deciding factor. Both offer fantastic control, touch, great spin control and a comfortable response. You really can't go wrong with either. Maybe you can tell I really like them both!
Thanks for watching,
Chris, TW
@ platowasthestig,
I haven't hit the 305, but I have played with the 315. The 305 will feel a lot lighter and more maneuverable than the Blade, and it will also feel softer and more plush. The Blade is heavier, more stable, and also crisp and lively feeling.
Andy, TW
@ Unlvtrank9,
While the weight and balance are similar, I think this latest version out-performs the K Blade. It's more solid and stable feeling, and its also more responsive so you are more connected to the ball.
Andy, TW
@henrikelud,
It won't directly help with tennis elbow, but it will make the racquet feel a bit more dampened and comfortable on your arm. It won't make it better, but it might help it hurt less.
Andy, TW
@ fusiondonnie,
The grommets for the 18x20 should be the same as the previous versions.
Andy, TW
@ NoVoyA PonerNombre,
I would try this Blade 98 18x20 as well as the Six.One 95 18x20. Both will play similar but be a little heavier and more solid than your Six.One Team.
Andy, TW
@ AceRad100,
The Pure Strike feels very similar to the Blade. It may be a little softer feeling and a little more forgiving, but I don't want to give too much away before our review comes out with the release of the racquet.
Andy, TW
@IsbianArsenio,
Our playtesters gave a slight edge to the Blade 98 at the net. However they found the Graphene Speed Pro to be better with groundstrokes and generating topspin. The Speed Pro is slightly heavier with a 100sq in head (vs. 98 sq in in the Blade) and it is 6pts HL whereas the Blade is at 2pts HL. We liked the Graphene Speed Pro for it's stability, power, spin, and maneuverability and found the Blade 98 to have a solid feel, good plow through and control.
Michelle, TW
@Cameron Hylan,
The Amplifeel will provide a softer, more dampened feel compared to the previous versions of the racquet that didn't include it. We cannot promise that it will help or relieve your arm pain, but we did find the racquet more comfortable than the predecessor.
Andy, TW
@isaac kang,
A few racquets I'd recommend you to try are the Yonex EZONE Ai 98, Babolat Pure Control and the Head Graphene Speed Pro. Those offer the nice blend of power and control that you're looking for. Give those a demo and see what you think.
Andy, TW
@ Phillip Dombrovskiy,
I would suggest choosing between the Speed Pro and the Blade 98. If you are more of a baseliner, go with the Speed. If you are more of an all court player, go with the Blade. If you can, demo both of them from us and see which one feels best in your hand.
Andy, TW
@ BadBadBuddy,
The Juice will produce a livelier feel and will give you easier access to power and spin. The Blades will be a little more control-oriented. Also, keep in mind the Juice Pro is 1/4 inch longer than standard, so that may take a slight adjustment period. However, once you get it used to it the extra length will help you provide even more power and spin, especially on serve. I'd suggest going with the Juice Pro, or even the Juice 100.
Andy, TW
@ Alberto Silva,
While I loved the buttery smooth of the 93, it just wasn't forgiving enough for me to play at my highest level. When I play against bigger hitters I like having a little more room for error to swing out on the ball without fear of shanking it. I also found the Blade 98 to be so rock solid and stable.
Andy, TW
@DaMuffinMan32,
The preference between string pattern is entirely personal, as most of the playtest team was split in their opinion of which one is better. The 16x19 offers a very lively feel with lots of access to power and spin. The 18x20 version has a little more of a dead feel with a lot more control. The frames are exactly the same however, so the only difference is the string pattern. If you're looking for power and spin, go 16x19. For control, 18x20.
Andy, TW
@AlboHabbo,
I'd say the power levels are about the same, with the biggest difference between the two versions being the more open string pattern now offered (16x19 option), and a slightly more plush feel due to the AmpliFeel technology Wilson introduced into the handle.
Andy, TW
@ Kazuya Auvaro,
I'd give the slight edge to the Wilson Blade, although I really like the Radical too. The Blade is just a little more solid-feeling and will give you a little more control and plowthrough on the ball.
Andy, TW
@ Joseph McCann,
I think the Blade is a great blend of modern power, spin and forgiveness with still the classic control and great feel. It's an awesome all-around racquet that plays wonderfully from all areas of the court.
Andy, TW
@ henrikelud,
Yes, this felt great on flat shots. Especially this version of the racquet with e 18x20 closed string pattern.
Andy, TW
@ MrLzykrnboi,
That's really going to come down to personal preference, because the 18x20 will offer more control while the 16x19 will offer more spin. Try them both via our demo program and see which one you like best.
Andy, TW
@ Dan Liutikas,
Gut in the crosses will give you better durability, but gut in the mains will give you a little better playability and a softer feel. It's really a personal preference as to which set up is better, so maybe try both ways and see which one feels best for you.
Andy, TW
@tuananh bui,
I'd recommend going with a more durable co-polyester string so that it'll last longer. Try Luxilon ALU Power or Volkl Cyclone for some nice performance.
Andy, TW
@ rajamani shan,
The Blade is heavier and more solid feeling, but the Radical MP is more maneuverable and easier to swing. The Radical also has a soft, plush feel whereas the Blade is a little crisper, stiffer and livelier. Both have excellent control, but the Blade will give you a little more power. Those are actually currently my two favorite racquets to hit, so you can't go wrong with either. I'd give the slight edge to the Blade though because my ball is a bit heavier with it.
Andy, TW
@ Dounan Shao,
They are indeed two very different style racquets, and I really enjoyed both of them. I might give a slight edge to the Extreme Pro 2.0 because I loved the maneuverability, forgiveness and great feel. I did also really like the Blade though with it's rock solid feel and precision.
Andy, TW
@ 37Macedo37,
If you are looking for more spin and a livelier feel, go with the 16x19. If you want more control, go with the 18x20.
Andy, TW
@ henrikelud,
I'd recommend trying Tourna Big Hitter Black 7 or Volkl Cyclone.
Andy, TW
@ Cali Xiong,
The Blade 98 is going to be more forgiving and offer more power and access to spin. The Blade 93 will have a smaller sweetspot but will give you more control and feel. To bring the Blade 98 up to your desired spec, add an ounce of lead tape to the grip pallet underneath the grip. Make sure the lead tape is distributed evenly up and down the pallet, and that should get you the specs that you are looking for.
Andy, TW
@ mark molina,
The Blade will give you more pop and a crisper, livelier feel. The EXO3 Tour will give you a little better spin potential and a softer, more dampened feel. With more weight in the head, the Blade will also feel a little more solid and stable through the hitting zone, especially on off-center hits.
Andy, TW
@ davidjcable,
We found this newer version to have improved feel and comfort, and well as being more solid, especially on contact outside of the sweetspot. We think this is the best Blade yet.
Andy, TW
@ dudethatroks,
This racquet will be a bit more comfortable, but its also heavier. You may want to try the Wilson Juice 100 and the Volkl Organix V1 Pro.
Andy, TW
@koopercrow22,
Between those two, I'd go with Code Red. However, a couple of my favorite polys would be Tourna Big Hitter Black 7 or Luxilon ALU Power. They will be a bit livelier and may play a little better in the tighter (18x20) string pattern.
Andy, TW
@ cmic94,
This one will feel about the same on your arm as the Six.One Team. Out of the two, the more open 16x19 string pattern will be a little easier on your arm. This racquet would be awesome to switch to (I just did myself) but make sure you get a softer string to save your arm.
Andy, TW
@ Dan Liutikas,
Go with a hybrid setup to get the durability and spin you need for your game while also getting a little more comfort and playability. Wilson's Champion's Choice would be the best selection for a hybrid, but if that's out of your price range there are also some more good options out there. Try making your own hybrid with Luxilon ALU Power and Wilson NXT, and try stringing it at 54 lbs.
Andy, TW
@DaMuffinMan32,
All the demos are being strung up soon and will be available very shortly.
Andy, TW
@ Dan Liutikas,
That is a nice thought! I'd use Luxilon ALU Power Spin at 54 lbs.
Andy, TW
For control and spin, Head Sonic Pro feels great in the Speed Pro. For power and comfort, I would go with Tecnifibre NRG2 or X-One BiPhase. A tension of 55lbs would be a great place to start for the powerful strings and 52lbs would work well for the control/spin co-poly strings.
Chris, TW
@ azjmsxhn,
Yes, they all do have fairly similar feels, but we felt like this latest Blade has been the best one yet. You feel connected to the ball, and there is great plowthrough on all shots. In previous versions, we sometimes felt that the racquet got a bit unstable on off-center shots, but Wilson has fixed that issue with this latest version.
Andy, TW
@ Molemanj01,
It really depends on the type of feel you want from the racquet. The 16x19 is a lot livelier, so there's more easy power and spin, but not as much control. The 18x20 offers exceptional control but isn't quite as lively.
Andy, TW
@ Alberto Silva,
The Blade will be crisper and livelier feeling, whereas the Storm will be a little more flexible and dampened. The Blade will offer a bit more power and spin but the Storm will give you more control. The Storm will also be a bit heavier.
Andy, TW
@ SuperGangles,
For a little more control and a soft, plush feel I'd go with the Radical. The Blade is great but it's crisper and livelier feeling and provides a bit more power.
Andy, TW
The weight we list on our site and on the video is the strung weight. The weight on the frame is unstrung.
William, TW
@ jonny anns,
Those are probably my two favorite current racquets. The Aero will offer more power, maneuverability and spin, and it's slightly easier to use because it's a tad more forgiving. The Blade feels a little more solid and offers more control, and it also gives better ball feel (in my opinion).
Andy, TW
@Matt Avery,
Some similar racquets would be: Head YOUTEK IG Radical Midplus, Head YOUTEK Graphene Speed Pro, Dunlop Biomimetic F3.0 Tour, Babolat Aero Storm GT, ProKennex QTour, and Donnay Pro One 97 18x20.
Hope that helps!
Michelle, TW
@henrikelud,
The Blade 98 would be an easier transition than the 93, simply because it will be more forgiving with the larger head size. I would also suggest trying the 16x19 pattern version, and it will have a slightly larger sweet spot and give you a little more access to spin and power.
Andy, TW
@ TennisFreak7321,
Cyclone would be one of the strings I would recommend. A couple other good ones would be Babolat RPM Blast for more control, or Tourna Big Hitter Black 7 for more power.
Andy, TW
@Filipe Araujo,
Don't want to be misunderstood...I wish there was a tennis racquet that won't make tennis elbow worse, but that's simply hard to claim because there are many factors that affect tennis elbow. The softer and more dampened a racquet is, the less it will affect TE, but depending on the player and the severity of the injury playing tennis may still make it worse.
Andy, TW
@DrumBoss82, If you are looking for maneuverability and a crisp feel, go with the Dunlop. If you are looking for something more solid, better plow through and a softer feel, the Blade is the better option. Both offer excellent control, good access to spin (the F3.0 Tour more so) and a solid level of power on a full swing.
Hope that helps,
Chris, TW
@ davidjcable,
It should be fine, just make sure to use a comfortable string at a relatively low tension in order to provide enough comfort and relief for your arm.
Andy, TW
@MCcreeperkillerz,
I really like the feel of the new Blade 98. I also especially like this 18x20 string pattern with its enhanced control and find it plays much closer to the version you have. As for specs, they are very close so little adjustment would be required going between the two. I found the new version to be crisper, with a more responsive feel. It had me feeling just a tad more connected to the ball. As far as power and spin etc, they play very, very closely.
Chris, TW
@ Oakekao,
This is an awesome update and definitely an improvement. The previous version was nice, but this newest version is a little more solid on off-center hits and has better plowthrough. The feel is also improved with Amplifeel technology.
Andy, TW
Man you guys at TW know how to make quality racquet & string reviews. Just got this racquet today, loving it so far.
@ Robert Tesol,
The Speed Pro is going to be a little more maneuverable and forgiving. It offers better access to spin, whereas the Blade has been control and plowthrough. Personally, I think the Blade feels better when you're hitting flat, and the Speed feels better when trying to hit spin. I'd give the slight edge to the Speed just because of how forgiving and easy to use it is, but the Blade is one of my favorites as well.
Andy, TW
@ Xentaku,
Those would be three of my favorites on the market, so I would definitely try all of those. Another great one to try would be the Head Youtek IG Extreme Pro 2.0.
Andy, TW
Andy thank you so much for your reaction.
I did hear / read the adjective "Plush" used a couple of times when describing these new Blade racquets.
So in effect what we have here is a racquet that is stiff and plush at the same time. That sounds pretty good.
I already liked the look of this racquet now I'm itching to test drive one of these babies!
@ Bertie Kiff,
4G would give you the most control, and you'll also get unmatched tension maintenance for a polyester string. Give that a try and see what you think!
Andy, TW
@ SpoonerSpecter,
The Blade 98 is going to give you a boost in power compared to your Bio 200, along with a crisper, livelier feel. It will be a bit stiffer than your current racquet, but that stiffness lends itself to more power, making it both harsher and easier on your arm at the same time. In addition, the Blade's Amplifeel technology helps dampen the feel as well, so by no means would I consider the Blade to be harsh on the arm. It's a great racquet, give it a try!
Andy, TW
7 years after its release to the market, finally I made up my mind and bought 2 units of this beatiful frame. Not me being slow at evaluating purchases, only my game was much different back then.
I was skeptical about Blades being too HH for my style, but with a simple leather grip it has all come back into control. Volleying is the best I have ever experienced, drop-shots are a bless, slicing is killer, and much more to come. With my groundstrokes i have to watch my distance since it is easy to overhit, but if you carefulling muster your timing it will give you plenty of rewards.
Just added 6 grams overall of lead time at 3 and 9 o'clock to improve stability and avoid the hollow feeling, and I was ready to go. Great product which stands the test of time.
@ monkeyninja150,
I played my last tournament with a couple racquets strung up with Luxilon ALU Power Spin at 56 lbs, and a couple others with Topspin Cyberflash at 57 lbs.
Andy, TW
@ BuddyAcesRussia,
The Blade will feel a little heavier actually compared to your Prestige MP. It will also feel a little stiffer and more crisp feeling, and also will give you a little easier power.
Andy, TW
@ Kurt De Wilde,
All good racquets. The new Blade is awesome, but it will be more control-oriented than your APD+ and give you a little less power and spin than you are used to. The Radical Pro is somewhat heavy, very powerful, and lacks a bit of control. The Pro One and Volkl PB 10 are both comfortable, arm-friendly racquets with a good amount of pop and control. Of all those, I'd go with the new Blade 98, maybe the 16x19 version though to give you a little livelier feel.
Andy, TW
@Bertie Kiff,
Babolat RPM Blast would be a good one!
Michelle, TW
@ danielstenniskanal,
Try the Babolat AeroPro Team, or for more control the Head MicroGel Radical MP.
Andy, TW
You guys do the best reviews anywhere. I just finished watching a competitors review and it's a joke compared to the quality reviews you guys give. I'm planning on buying this racquet soon. We really appreciate you guys at TW.
@ Eric Ha,
That would be a excellent setup, and I think it would play great. If you string it up and find you want more power, drop the tension a couple pounds. If you want some more control, go up a couple pounds.
Andy, TW
@ Brian Lee,
Both are great racquets, so it really depends on what you're looking for. The Steam 99S will be better if you want a little more power and a lot more spin. The spin potential on it is better than any racquet on the market! The Blade will provide you with a little more control and better stability on impact, but won't offer the same power and spin.
Andy, TW
Andy, I'm a 4.5 player in my early 40's with an all court game. I use spin extensively on the serve and my ground strokes, but also hit a hard flat ball depending on circumstances. Having good feel for groundstrokes and particularly at the net is important to me. With that background, I would like your recommendations for a string/tension combinations to try for this racquet that would also help avoid unnecessary arm injury. I play about 4-5 times a week so durability is important.
@CorbinP21,
Both are excellent racquets, but they have slightly different feels. The Prestige will feel a little softer and more plush, whereas the Blade feels a little crisper and livelier at impact. They both offer a good blend of power and control, and their specs are similar with the 98 sq. in head and 18x20 string patterns. Personally, I'd choose the Blade, although playtester Chris might disagree with me and go with the Prestige. You can't go wrong with either, try them both!
Andy, TW
@ swank119,
The Head Graphene Speed Pro and Dunlop F 3.0 Tour would be two more good ones to try! They will offer a bit more pop and forgiveness, but won't be as powerful as the APD.
Andy, TW
@ Tennishead21,
The type of string really depends on the player and style of your game. Personally, I like a lively co-poly like Tourna Big Hitter Black 7 or RPM Blast. Those play great in this racquet.
Andy, TW
@ David Spiller,
This racquet will have been plowthrough and stability than your Graphite, and I think it would be an upgrade for you. Definitely give these new Blades a try.
Andy, TW
@ TheMajestic6996,
Yea, this would be a great one to try. Another good one to try would be the Head Graphene Speed Pro.
Andy, TW
@ radial268,
I gave it some pretty good scores (I believe an 8.4 overall), and I found the more I played with it the more and more I liked it. I also like to score racquets not based on what works only for me, but what will work best for a wide variety of players. That's why I've scored the APD and Extreme Pro 2.0 higher because I feel like it suits a wider variety of players. The Blade fits my game the best, and I'm loving how the 98 sq in head gives me forgiveness and feel.
Andy, TW
@ bevoburn,
This is a great racquet, but you may want something a bit more powerful and forgiving than this. Try the Juice 100L by Wilson or the Babolat AeroPro Team, as both of those will be a little easier to swing and play with.
Andy, TW
Hello, I just demoed this racquet from you & am really impressed with it. It was strung with a golden colored string. Could you please tell me which string you use for the demo racquets & at what tension? Thank you!
Thank you very much! I took your suggestion and tried the Wilson Blade 98 18x20 as a demo and absolutely loved it. I understand that you enjoyed the Tourna Big Hitter strings and the Volkl Cyclone. How would the Tourna Big Hitter and the Volkl Cyclone, as hybrids, compare to a hybrid of Babolat RPM Blast and the Babolat XCel? Although the price ranges differ, will the Tourna Big Hitter and Volkl Cyclone maintain control, durability, and spin that is equal to the Babolat hybrid? I appreciate it!