Comparison of Prestige Tour 2023 and Blade Pro v9 Racquets

[Sk8g0d]

Hi all,

I'm considering upgrading my tennis gear and am particularly interested in the Prestige Tour 2023 and the Blade Pro v9 racquets. Currently, I have a 2021 version of the Prestige Tour and am trying to decide between getting the 2023 version or switching to the Blade Pro. Has anyone here used both of these racquets? If so, I would love to hear your thoughts on how they compare in terms of playability, feel, control, and power. Your insights and experiences would be greatly appreciated as I make my decision.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Trip]

In on this, as I'd love to know myself.

 

[HitMoreBHs]

Is this because you’re looking for a racquet with the precision, stability, controlled launch angle, good spin and power, crisp, comfy feel and high level manoeuvrability of the Prestige Tour; but with a 98sq inch head? Tried the RadPro, RadMP, Blade98, Vcore98 and didn’t find the same magic?

There’s a few of us on here after the same!

 

[Tranqville]

What would you like to achieve with the upgrade? Why do you consider just these two options?

 

[Sk8g0d]

Is this because you’re looking for a racquet with the precision, stability, controlled launch angle, good spin and power, crisp, comfy feel and high level manoeuvrability of the Prestige Tour; but with a 98sq inch head? Tried the RadPro, RadMP, Blade98, Vcore98 and didn’t find the same magic?

There’s a few of us on here after the same!

I find my '21 Prestige Tour pretty average in terms of spin friendliness, power, and maneuverability. You definitely need to work harder to obtain those attributes. Nonetheless, I play decently with it. Maybe I am missing that WOW factor that I used to get with the older version of Gravity Pro? But I switched because I didn't like how my OHBH plays with the 100sq headsize.

What would you like to achieve with the upgrade? Why do you consider just these two options?

I am looking for a traditional box/thin beam type of racquet, with headsize at most 98 sq and stock SW around 330+. I could get '23 Prestige Tour which is the same as my '21 on paper (maybe lower RA?). However, the Blade Pro somewhat fits the bill (I understand there are some differences in balance and such) so I am hoping to find a detailed comparison to help me make a decision.

 

[Tranqville]

I am looking for a traditional box/thin beam type of racquet, with headsize at most 98 sq and stock SW around 330+. I could get '23 Prestige Tour which is the same as my '21 on paper (maybe lower RA?). However, the Blade Pro somewhat fits the bill (I understand there are some differences in balance and such) so I am hoping to find a detailed comparison to help me make a decision.

I own Prestige Tour 2021 and I have never hit with Blade Pro, unfortunately. I watched many reviews of Blade Pro - in stock form it's not perfect for OHBH, as it does not have the whippiness and maneuvrability you enjoy with your PT. As @Trip said, there is no racquet in the market that can replicate Prestige Tour experience in 97-98 form.

AC Tennis made a brilliant recent review video for Blade v9, where he gives scores for Blade Pro in all the important categories. Also, do watch his Blade Pro review. Hope that helps.

 

[Otinis]

I own Prestige Tour 2021 and I have never hit with Blade Pro, unfortunately. I watched many reviews of Blade Pro - in stock form it's not perfect for OHBH, as it does not have the whippiness and maneuvrability you enjoy with your PT. As @Trip said, there is no racquet in the market that can replicate Prestige Tour experience in 97-98 form.

AC Tennis made a brilliant recent review video for Blade v9, where he gives scores for Blade Pro in all the important categories. Also, do watch his Blade Pro review. Hope that helps.

Do you think v9 18/20 will gave more power than prestige tour ?

 

[Stadjer]

I own both rackets. These two are not comparable in any way. The Wilson BP is an absolute beast and belongs in a completely different category. Everything the Prestige Tour can do, the BP does (significantly) better.

Whether the BP actually gives you more power is hard to say objectively, as it depends on several factors – including whether you can handle the racket – but in my opinion, yes, I believe it allows you to generate more power. The one advantage the Prestige Tour has over the BP is that it’s (much) easier to play with.

Of all the rackets I’ve played with in recent years, the Yonex Percept 97D (with some modifications) comes closest to the BP. That said, the Prestige Tour is still a solid racket; it just didn’t suit me quite as well. I’m not a fan of narrower frames (beams? English isn't my first language, obviously), I generally prefer a more rounded beam.

 

[Tranqville]

Do you think v9 18/20 will gave more power than prestige tour ?

Absolutely! Blade will consistently give more power on rally shots. It's closer on top-end of power, where Blade is a bit softer and PT kind of hits like a truck, so it compensates for the smaller headsize. If you hit a 5.0+ level ball, maybe PT will catch up with the Blade. But for most mortals, Blade supplies some extra free power, and no free power with PT.

 

[Verdi]

The Blade Pro is wider in the head. Prestige Tour swings faster at similar specs. Prestige Tour is also much crisper.

Regular Blade is closer to the Prestige Tour. 18x20 Blade feels more solid IMO.