Departing from Wilson Blade Pro v9 18x20 – Which direction should I go?

Orezap

Orezap

Rookie
Hi everyone,

I’ve been playing with the Wilson Blade Pro v9 18x20 for 1 year++ and I’m considering switching to something slightly easier.
I love the plow through , very low launch angle, control, stability, and connected feel of the Blade Pro, but I’m curious to try frames that might perform similarly but be physically less demanding.

So far I’ve tested the Babolat Pure Aero 98 (2026) and found it interesting — good spin and power and overall playability, but obviously quite different from the Blade feel and stiffer.

The rackets currently on my shortlist are:

  • Head Gravity Tour 98
  • Head Speed Tour
  • Head Speed Pro (2022)
  • Head Prestige MP (2023)
  • Yonex Vcore 98 2026

I generally prefer control-oriented frames around 98–100 sq in, fast swing speeds, and I hit mainly powerful, linear shots, powerful serves of all types and returns, but also heavy topspin from the baseline.

My understanding so far:

  • Gravity Tour 98 → higher launch, larger sweet spot, easier spin, nice feel.
  • Speed Pro 2022 → dense 18×20 pattern, controlled but still modern power.
  • Speed Tour → slightly more maneuverable version of the Speed line.
  • Prestige MP 2023 → classic control feel with a bit more forgiveness than older Prestiges.
Questions for those who have played these:

  1. Which one transitions best from a Blade Pro 18x20?
  2. Which frame keeps the feel, comfort, control, plow through and stability but adds a bit more spin/launch and is easier?
  3. Any comparisons between Gravity Tour 98 vs Speed Pro vs Prestige MP 2023?
Interested to hear your experiences.

For reference in the past i have tried the following rackets:

Wilson Blade v7 and v9 retail variants in both 16x19 and 18x20, Speed MP 2022, 2024 MP Legend and Speed Pro Legend 2026 Hybor plus some minor experiences with babolat pure aero 98 & 100 2023, RF01 Pro, Pro Staff v14 noir, Ezone 98 Tour 2025, Tfight 305s 2025.

Thanks!
 
Pure strike gen 4. Insane stability and plow, easier access to spin and power than the blade. Really good precision and a very versatile frame. Also the comfort and feel of the gen 4 has greatly improved over prior generations.
 
I would skip the Gravity Tour 98, because you are used to a very consistent stringbed response. Gravity Tour is much more lively and can feel unpredictable sometimes.

I would add Nordicdots 98 pro to your list. It has a low launch, is very stable, has that unfiltered connected feel and very good plow. The 18x19 offers better spin potential than Blade Pro 18x20.
 
Ideally I would be looking mainly to 63< RA frames due to heavily injured elbow and shoulder. Currently recovering. My Blade Pro was like 365g , 355+sw , 32 balance and 16+ twistweight
 
Go straight to the python like all the other pros! Just kidding

But i'd definitely have a look. You could use a rounder thicker gauge poly to get launch angle low. I'd sit tight before you make decision till labs release at least. It is something to note that so many pros are switching from the blade line. Not sure if they will have an 18x20 but the control is there.
 
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StringingIrvine said:
Go straight to the python like all the other pros! Just kidding

But i'd definitely have a look. You could use a rounder thicker gauge poly to get launch angle low. I'd sit tight before you make decision till labs release at least. It is something to note that so many pros are switching from the blade line. Not sure if they will have an 18x20 but the control is there.
Click to expand...
Python tho is rumored to be around 66 RA as well.
 
Orezap said:
Ideally I would be looking mainly to 63< RA frames due to heavily injured elbow and shoulder. Currently recovering. My Blade Pro was like 365g , 355+sw , 32 balance and 16+ twistweight
Click to expand...
Those are very, very high specs, which must have contributed to the injury, and I can only assume you're playing at a fairly high level (D1 college?) if you're using this.

Of the racquets you listed:
- I would scratch the Gravity Tour 98 as the stringbed is very open and inconsistent vs. your Blade. It's really not a control oriented racquet
- Prestige MP is not going to give you that much more forgiveness vs. a Blade 18x20
- Yonex, you have to try to see if you gel with their particular head shape. Also, it's a fairly thick beam combined with a thin throat, so the flex profile will be radically different to that of a 21mm straight beam
- Speed Pro would be worth a try, but it remains to be seen if you can gel with a 23mm beam + 100 sq.in. frame. Personally, I find it sluggish
- Speed Tour and Radical MP are, in my view, the two you should try. You would obviously have to weight them quite a bit to increase their specs to your preference, but I think they're both good platforms for customization. Given your history injury, I would probably advise not to go as high as your current set up. Do not let the stated 66RA of the Radical MP deter you, it is not an uncomfortable racquet (be it the 2023 or 2025 versions). The Speed Tour will be a bit plusher, and provide a slightly higher launch angle than the Radical, which has got to be one of the most controlled 16x19 patterns out there.
 
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I'd highly recommend the Yonex Vcore 98 2026. It's a lot more comfortable than the blade pro, good power, excellent spin and still good control, stable at low weights, doesn't need much weight. Best of the current 98s on the market by a long way imo. Main question mark would be whether you can get used to the launch angle. If this is an issue then tfight 305s would be next pick.
 
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Tecnifibre Tfight ISO 305 is similar to Blade Pro in many ways, but is slightly more powerful and maneuvrable. Particularly, the weight distribution will be familiar. 18x19 string formula is surprisingly spinny and powerful, yet controlled, finely balanced. Launch angle is low. Feel is more muted.
 
flanker2000fr said:
Those are very, very high specs, which must have contributed to the injury, and I can only assume you're playing at a fairly high level (D1 college?) if you're using this.

Of the racquets you listed:
- I would scratch the Gravity Tour 98 as the stringbed is very open and inconsistent vs. your Blade. It's really not a control oriented racquet
- Prestige MP is not going to give you that much more forgiveness vs. a Blade 18x20
- Yonex, you have to try to see if you gel with their particular head shape. Also, it's a fairly thick beam combined with a thin throat, so the flex profile will be radically different to that of a 21mm straight beam
- Speed Pro would be worth a try, but it remains to be seen if you can gel with a 23mm beam + 100 sq.in. frame. Personally, I find it sluggish
- Speed Tour and Radical MP are, in my view, the two you should try. You would obviously have to weight them quite a bit to increase their specs to your preference, but I think they're both good platforms for customization. Given your history injury, I would probably advise not to go as high as your current set up. Do not let the stated 66RA of the Radical MP deter you, it is not an uncomfortable racquet (be it the 2023 or 2025 versions). The Speed Tour will be a bit plusher, and provide a slightly higher launch angle than the Radical, which has got to be one of the most controlled 16x19 patterns out there.
Click to expand...
Thank you very much for the detailed feedback! im an amateur high level club player not at all near this level in terms of results.
However, i have a really high level of pure hitting approaching athlete standards and i was just challenging myself to using pro specs etc.. My intention is to lower specs around 325-340ish.

Radical i always liked based on observing people playing with them but i was discouraged by the stiffness. Can u elaborate a bit on 2023 vs 2025 etc and why not pro or tour versions? and elaborate a bit on the prestige mp which is i think the closest in terms of feel to blade pro.
 
extreme_western said:
I'd highly recommend the Yonex Vcore 98 2026. It's a lot more comfortable than the blade pro, good power, excellent spin and still good control, stable at low weights, doesn't need much weight. Best of the current 98s on the market by a long way imo. Main question mark would be whether you can get used to the launch angle. If this is an issue then tfight 305s would be next pick.
Click to expand...
thats a huge problem. ever since i started maining blade pro which is one of the lowest 18x20 patterns available , i have big trouble hitting with 16x19 open patterns. I tried PA98 2026, Speed Pro legend 2026 which play relatively low but still its difficult.
 
Tranqville said:
Tecnifibre Tfight ISO 305 is similar to Blade Pro in many ways, but is slightly more powerful and maneuvrable. Particularly, the weight distribution will be familiar. 18x19 string formula is surprisingly spinny and powerful, yet controlled, finely balanced. Launch angle is low. Feel is more muted.
Click to expand...
i tested tfight 305s 2025. great racket i think i could play nice tennis with it but it felt stiff for me and i experienced pains.
 
Orezap said:
Thank you very much for the detailed feedback! im an amateur high level club player not at all near this level in terms of results.
However, i have a really high level of pure hitting approaching athlete standards and i was just challenging myself to using pro specs etc.. My intention is to lower specs around 325-340ish.

Radical i always liked based on observing people playing with them but i was discouraged by the stiffness. Can u elaborate a bit on 2023 vs 2025 etc and why not pro or tour versions? and elaborate a bit on the prestige mp which is i think the closest in terms of feel to blade pro.
Click to expand...

Happy to help.

I typically prefer playing with plush feeling, traditional frames (think Prestige or some Angell's) but over Christmas got to try the Radical MP 2023 that my brother bought. He got a pair, heavily discounted, to replace the Speed MP's he could never gel with. Though the Radical was much lighter than what I usually played, I was really surprised how stable it was, and how much pop I was getting out of it. But not at the expense of control, as the mains are quite tight in the middle of the stringbed. Also, I was surprised to read after the fact that the stiffness was given at 65/66. It felt softer than that. Direct, with some feedback, but not jarring at all. This pretty much sold it to me and I got a pair of the 2025 version, which is very similar. I had mine matched and customized by Tennis Warehouse by adding a Fairway leather grip and ~2g of lead uner the bumper guard to bring the swing weight to 325. It plays excellent for me in this configuration. The variable beam design (20mm/23mm/21mm) is what I think helps with the stability as it essentially adds mass at 3 and 9, whilst still keeping a reasonably thin beam, which makes the frame quite maneuverable. I would not consider the Radical Pro as its stock weight (315g) leaves no room for customization. The Radical Tour (18x20), I can't really see what it brings seeing how controlled the Radical MP 16x19 pattern is. In my view, it's just going to be an MP that's harder to play with no obvious upside.

Prestige MP: it's a good frame, but a 0.5mm increment across a straight beam and one less cross in the stringbed is only going to give you a marginal improvement over your Blade 18x20. If the idea is to find something that's really less demanding than your Blade, a Prestige is not where I'd look. Don't get me wrong, I love this line of racquets, and its history, but it's about as demanding as one can find nowadays.

The Speed Tour I trialled last weekend, I really liked. A straight 23mm beam is generally too thick for my liking, but the 97 sq.in. hoop helps in keeping it reasonably fast. It was a bit more plush, a bit higher launch than my Radical PM, but frankly there isn't much difference between them. I'd happily play with either, might use different strings set up, though.
 
Orezap said:
i tested tfight 305s 2025. great racket i think i could play nice tennis with it but it felt stiff for me and i experienced pains.
Click to expand...
The ISO is softer, just right on the money. I have sensitive wrist, elbow, shoulder, and have never experienced any comfort issues.
 
OP is talking about injuries and sensitivity, but not mentioned of his current string setup.
Probably a good idea to look for a 16x19 or 16x20 with 8 mains on the throat to start with.
 
Orezap said:
i tested tfight 305s 2025. great racket i think i could play nice tennis with it but it felt stiff for me and i experienced pains.
Click to expand...

What string were you playing it with? I wouldn't write the tfights out until you have tested them with razor soft 1.25 mm - it's an incredibly string sensitive racket and is basically designed to be played with this string. This is based on testing over 20 strings and also being told by a shop that technifibre makes it a condition that they string demos with this string.
 
Orezap said:
thats a huge problem. ever since i started maining blade pro which is one of the lowest 18x20 patterns available , i have big trouble hitting with 16x19 open patterns. I tried PA98 2026, Speed Pro legend 2026 which play relatively low but still its difficult.
Click to expand...
i think speed pro legend is an 18 20 no?
 
Orezap said:
thats a huge problem. ever since i started maining blade pro which is one of the lowest 18x20 patterns available , i have big trouble hitting with 16x19 open patterns. I tried PA98 2026, Speed Pro legend 2026 which play relatively low but still its difficult.
Click to expand...
have you tried the retail v9 blade 18 20? if you like 18 20 patterns that racket would be hard to top I'd say, excellent racket and if you pair it with a string that has good ball pocketing you'd come pretty close to balancing out the racket's main drawback which is a slightly muted feel, in terms of playability it's top.
 
extreme_western said:
have you tried the retail v9 blade 18 20? if you like 18 20 patterns that racket would be hard to top I'd say, excellent racket and if you pair it with a string that has good ball pocketing you'd come pretty close to balancing out the racket's main drawback which is a slightly muted feel, in terms of playability it's top.
Click to expand...

I saw in your original post you have tried the 18 20 blade - if so what didn't you like about it? Would say it fits what you're looking for most closely from your description.
 
Orezap said:
Hi everyone,

I’ve been playing with the Wilson Blade Pro v9 18x20 for 1 year++ and I’m considering switching to something slightly easier.
I love the plow through , very low launch angle, control, stability, and connected feel of the Blade Pro, but I’m curious to try frames that might perform similarly but be physically less demanding.

So far I’ve tested the Babolat Pure Aero 98 (2026) and found it interesting — good spin and power and overall playability, but obviously quite different from the Blade feel and stiffer.

The rackets currently on my shortlist are:

  • Head Gravity Tour 98
  • Head Speed Tour
  • Head Speed Pro (2022)
  • Head Prestige MP (2023)
  • Yonex Vcore 98 2026

I generally prefer control-oriented frames around 98–100 sq in, fast swing speeds, and I hit mainly powerful, linear shots, powerful serves of all types and returns, but also heavy topspin from the baseline.

My understanding so far:

  • Gravity Tour 98 → higher launch, larger sweet spot, easier spin, nice feel.
  • Speed Pro 2022 → dense 18×20 pattern, controlled but still modern power.
  • Speed Tour → slightly more maneuverable version of the Speed line.
  • Prestige MP 2023 → classic control feel with a bit more forgiveness than older Prestiges.
Questions for those who have played these:

  1. Which one transitions best from a Blade Pro 18x20?
  2. Which frame keeps the feel, comfort, control, plow through and stability but adds a bit more spin/launch and is easier?
  3. Any comparisons between Gravity Tour 98 vs Speed Pro vs Prestige MP 2023?
Interested to hear your experiences.

For reference in the past i have tried the following rackets:

Wilson Blade v7 and v9 retail variants in both 16x19 and 18x20, Speed MP 2022, 2024 MP Legend and Speed Pro Legend 2026 Hybor plus some minor experiences with babolat pure aero 98 & 100 2023, RF01 Pro, Pro Staff v14 noir, Ezone 98 Tour 2025, Tfight 305s 2025.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
What about the new vcore 95.? I'd add that to your list as I'm in a similar boat to you. I use wilson h19's and am also trying to find a decent racket which is very difficult.
 
esm said:
OP is talking about injuries and sensitivity, but not mentioned of his current string setup.
Probably a good idea to look for a 16x19 or 16x20 with 8 mains on the throat to start with.
Click to expand...
My main setup on Blade Pro v9 18x20 is Tour Bite Soft 1.20 18kg
 
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extreme_western said:
What string were you playing it with? I wouldn't write the tfights out until you have tested them with razor soft 1.25 mm - it's an incredibly string sensitive racket and is basically designed to be played with this string. This is based on testing over 20 strings and also being told by a shop that technifibre makes it a condition that they string demos with this string.
Click to expand...
razor soft 1.25 was the string
 
extreme_western said:
have you tried the retail v9 blade 18 20? if you like 18 20 patterns that racket would be hard to top I'd say, excellent racket and if you pair it with a string that has good ball pocketing you'd come pretty close to balancing out the racket's main drawback which is a slightly muted feel, in terms of playability it's top.
Click to expand...
yes i briefly owned one and gifted it to my gf. i play well with great frame, but terrible feel compared to blade pro and miles away in terms of plow through.
 
Id actually recommend you check out the new FX500 Tour.

It's probably the most similar to the Blade Pro on your list. I haven't played the Speed Tour tho.

Also the Pro kennex Black Ace Pro.

If you didn't gel with the PA98, you won't like the Vcore 98. I wouldn't bother with any of the others you mentioned.
 
Soundbyte said:
Id actually recommend you check out the new FX500 Tour.

It's probably the most similar to the Blade Pro on your list. I haven't played the Speed Tour tho.

Also the Pro kennex Black Ace Pro.

If you didn't gel with the PA98, you won't like the Vcore 98. I wouldn't bother with any of the others you mentioned.
Click to expand...

Interesting - in what way do you think the fx500 tour is similar to the blade pro? and why won't like the vcore 98 if not the aero?
 
The Vcore is more powerful with less dwell time than the Pure Aero 98. As someone with 3x of each the 2026 PA98 and Vcore98, they're great rackets. But if he's coming from the Blade Pro (former user here myself), I think he'll find the Vcore too powerful for his style of play.

The FX500 Tour has a (relatively) thinner beam, good direct feel (closest to the blade pro out of these 3), and while adding pop compared to the Blade Pro, has ample access to spin and is still quite controllable. Id argue it's the most controllable of the "power" rackets.

All 3 frames are quite stable for their weight. He's coming from a massively weighted up Blade Pro. All these frames are going to be an adjustment.

Another frame I'd include is the Solinco Whiteout v2.
 
None of those frames you have listed are like the BP.

Personally, I would just go for a standard Blade and lead it. Or put in a hybrid setup and you probably wont even need any.
 
Orezap said:
Ideally I would be looking mainly to 63< RA frames due to heavily injured elbow and shoulder. Currently recovering. My Blade Pro was like 365g , 355+sw , 32 balance and 16+ twistweight
Click to expand...
Blade 16x19 with tons of lead, since you are coming from heavy specs. Personally, I prefer the v8 compared to the v7 and v9. Maybe try changing your lead placement as well. My setup is 364g static weight, 349 swingweight, with lead at 12 and in the handle
 
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