Fairly advanced beginner, looking to buy a blade 98 v7. Any advice appreciated.

[mrgreen1897]

Hi guys,

I'm a fairly athletic 22 year old who picked up tennis about 2-3 months ago. I come from a background of golf and padel aswell as hockey.
I'm currently using a Wilson Prostaff Precision 100, (only available on the EU site) while i'm not dissatisfied with that racquet im basically handing it on to a family member in need and taking the opportunity to buy something new.
As i mentioned, I picked up tennis about two months ago and i'd definielty call myself a beginner but i feel like i've already picked up pretty decent groundstrokes, alot better than most 3.0 NTRP i've seen on the internet... (not trying to sound like a moron, those guys would probably whoop my ass.)

I'd say im very focused on always working on improving my technique aswell as having proper form, something i really picked up from my golf.
For some reason i'm really drawn to buying the 16x19 Blade 98 V7. I'm worried that if i buy a racket thats more power oriented i'll have to hold back on my swing and probably overhit quite a bit.
Perhaps im underestimating the lack of power that comes with a more advanced frame...

I'm guessing starting out with the blade could help me long term with my technique and form.

Some other racquets i've been considering is the Head Radical MP and Head Extreme MP.

Best would ofcourse be to demo a few racquets to get grasp of the matter but sadly i dont really have that possibility where i live.

Did any of you guys feel the same way as a beginner? What is your experiences with buying a more advanced frame which typically wouldnt be recommended starting out?
Any advice is very much appreciated!

 

[tennisboy2121]

There is really no such thing as an advanced level racket. I am not a blade fan, for me I find the Blade to be for "lower level". The blade does have some pop and is lower stiffness but lots of people get tennis elbow with it. Every time I try a blade I get arm discomfort right away. The blade might be a good start because with its balance it has power and good plow. When you start advancing you can tail weight it and make it more hl. I would also consider the Prince Textreme Tour 100 310 and maybe the Yonex vcore line. I never hit the 98 but it gets great reviews, the 95 plays much bigger and has a low swingweight which is great to customize.

 

[AmericanTwist]

You can look for any racquet with a 55-66RA flex. Frame size and string pattern will be up to how good your hand eye coordination and stroke style will be. Blade v7 is a fine racquet. Many people add weight to the butt cap to make it more headlight. If you like the Wilson standard grip shape please note Head and Tecnifibre have a much more rectangular shape while the Prince grip is more equilateral in shape. If you can't demo where you are consider buying a few used frames so that if you don't like the frame after a few months you won't have to eat the depreciation as much.

 

[Purestriker]

Hi guys,

I'm a fairly athletic 22 year old who picked up tennis about 2-3 months ago. I come from a background of golf and padel aswell as hockey.
I'm currently using a Wilson Prostaff Precision 100, (only available on the EU site) while i'm not dissatisfied with that racquet im basically handing it on to a family member in need and taking the opportunity to buy something new.
As i mentioned, I picked up tennis about two months ago and i'd definielty call myself a beginner but i feel like i've already picked up pretty decent groundstrokes, alot better than most 3.0 NTRP i've seen on the internet... (not trying to sound like a moron, those guys would probably whoop my ass.)

I'd say im very focused on always working on improving my technique aswell as having proper form, something i really picked up from my golf.
For some reason i'm really drawn to buying the 16x19 Blade 98 V7. I'm worried that if i buy a racket thats more power oriented i'll have to hold back on my swing and probably overhit quite a bit.
Perhaps im underestimating the lack of power that comes with a more advanced frame...

I'm guessing starting out with the blade could help me long term with my technique and form.

Some other racquets i've been considering is the Head Radical MP and Head Extreme MP.

Best would ofcourse be to demo a few racquets to get grasp of the matter but sadly i dont really have that possibility where i live.

Did any of you guys feel the same way as a beginner? What is your experiences with buying a more advanced frame which typically wouldnt be recommended starting out?
Any advice is very much appreciated!

The blade v7 is a fine racket. I would suggest demoing it and two others (Yonex Vcore 97, Head Gravity, etc.) from TW. That way you know how they play and feel.

 

[Arak]

The blade is one of the best rackets available and is very easy to play with. I highly recommend it. Be sure to get the right grip size. I suspect many users who get elbow problems are using a grip too small.
By the way, your previous racket is only good for the first couple of months when you start learning tennis. The blade is the most logical upgrade.

 

[unini]

From my as begginner experience, it is harder to play with non-begginner rackets, on the other hand when you are forced to do things better. So your performance/results might drop and you might need to find how to do things right

 

[jltman]

I would look at a Speed MP, Radical MP or Pure Strike instead. The Blade has no pop. If you want to play with a lot of top spin, the blade is not the racket for you unless you are a very advanced player.

The extra power actually helps keep the ball in play if you hit with top spin. When I play with a blade I tend to feel the need to flatten out my ground strokes in order to get depth and power, and therefore play with much less margin. I will hit some nice winners but also put too many balls in the net.

The blade is a great frame for an advanced player but I see no benefits for a beginner.

 

[mhkeuns]

If you are getting more familiarized with the game and willing to invest time and practice to get better, I think a Blade 98 V7 is a great choice. It May not be the most forgiving frame out there, but it still is an easy racket to play well from the start. I prefer the 18x20 because it offers more stability against bigger hitters, and I actually recommend it over the 16x19, especially if you want to grow your game. The 16x19 shines when some weight is added, but as a beginner/intermediate player, concentrating on improving the technique should be the priority. The Blade 98 V7 has a hefty SW. As you get better, you will gain the confidence to really attack the balls. I think the Blade 98 V7, especially the 18x20 is a fine stick for all players.

 

[slipgrip93]

If you want to go for an older model racquet for a while before transitioning to a current player frame, you could try a cheaper used KFactor Ktour 95, or the NCode NTour Two (95), can often be found today on the bay reseller markets for $100 or less. They can produce great smooth feeling strokes, still light, and comfy feel on the elbow so less risk of tennis elbow, and also are former pro racquets. 16x20 strings with 27.25" length and the 95 sq in. head can help in training to be precise more oldschool.

(old customer reviews of the NCode NTour Two here), (specs)

 

[AmericanTwist]

If you want to go for an older model racquet for a while before transitioning to a current player frame, you could try a cheaper used KFactor Ktour 95, or the NCode NTour Two (95), can often be found today on the bay reseller markets for $100 or less. They can produce great smooth feeling strokes, still light, and comfy feel on the elbow so less risk of tennis elbow, and also are former pro racquets. 16x20 strings with 27.25" length and the 95 sq in. head can help in training to be precise more oldschool.

(old customer reviews of the NCode NTour Two here), (specs)

I actually have a few of these for sale. Message me if interested.

 

[Rosstour]

This is a weird thread

On one hand I would never recommend the Blade to someone who's been playing for months

But on the other hand, there is something to just picking something and sticking with it, trying to grow into it, and not confusing him with a ton of used/obscure options.

 

[n8dawg6]

the blade is not made for you. then again, to a certain level it doesnt matter what racquet you use. at best youll like the blade, and at worst itll teach you why you need something more forgiving.

at the end of the day youre gonna buy what you want, and i fully support that.

 

[Yamin]

This is a weird thread

On one hand I would never recommend the Blade to someone who's been playing for months

But on the other hand, there is something to just picking something and sticking with it, trying to grow into it, and not confusing him with a ton of used/obscure options.

Yeah I wouldn't even recommend the blade to the majority of people. Great racket, fine to grow into, etc, but definitely not "easy".

 

[esgee48]

Between the Radical MP and Blade 98, I would pick the Radical MP. The Radical is not as HH as the Blade and you can continue to use it as you get better. Blades require good technique to use properly. YMMV since you can also use the Blades as you get better. However, the Radicals are an easier to transition to frame.

 

[Ashton20]

I am an intermediate level player who has gone through a range of racquets, aero/strike/clash/blade/speed.
I would definitely recommend the Gravity MP, demo one last night and it blew me away.
Its got a really good balance of forgiveness, power, control and spin.
Blade lacks power, I don't see why anyone would use a blade unless you crush balls which kind of removes it from the intermediate category.

 

[Crocodile]

I would have a hit with the blade a bit more but then compare it to something a bit more headlight like a Tecnifibre TF 40 315 ( not 305). The reason why I say this is because the blade has quite a bit of mass in the head and not everyone likes that so you should compare

 

[PrinceMoron]

Blade v7 was a real disappointment, not quite as bad as the clash tour but still woolly

 

[slipgrip93]

But on the other hand, there is something to just picking something and sticking with it, trying to grow into it, and not confusing him with a ton of used/obscure options.

Good point about growing into a racquet which I'd generally agree. I was suggesting an old popular(then) 95 sq in wilson racquet (ncode ntour two or ktour 95) and as lower cost alternative, because I find it annoying Wilson doesn't make midsize bordering (95 headsize or less, arguably a benefit for oldschool training in form and technique for a young and fit newer player) arm & elbow friendly racquets in general anymore.

 

[socallefty]

If you are getting coaching, there’s no problem buying a Blade. Just string it with a soft string like gut or a good multi and you should get enough power especially if your coach helps you develop a good swing.

If you are not getting coaching, it doesn’t really matter what racquet you play with as you will likely never get very good anyway. I think it is a misperception to think that playing with a heavy racquet will somehow magically produce a good swing. Your swing is going to suck with a heavy or light racquet unless someone who is a good teacher teaches you good technique.

 

[Curtennis]

I highly recommend you get whichever racquet you think is coolest and most desirable to you. At your level, any 97-102” head size in a 16x19 - 18x20 will be playable now and for years to come as your improve.
I’ve fallen prey to the marketing many times. One of the best guys I play with, who can absolutely demolish the ball and hit clean winners at will, doesn’t even know what kind of racquet he has.

Get a reputable, safe choice, you know which these are, and stick with it.