Wilson nBlade nCode Racquets
Price: 179.99
The nBlade racquets from Wilson bring a fresh look to the Wilson player's racquet line up. Compared to the nSix-One range, the nBlade racquets offer tighter, more control oriented string patterns, and a lighter, more maneuverable weight. A high level of comfort and a solid feel is retained in these racquets thanks to Wilson's nFoam technology. nFoam is a dense nCoded foam which is injected into the core of the racquet to absorb frame vibrations and provide a solid feel. Both nBlade racquets feature Wilson's X-Loop frame geometry - a combination of both flat and rounded beam design which is inverted where the hoop meets the yoke. The result has both racquets featuring a rounded beam design in the hoop and a flat beam design in the shaft. The nBlade comes in a standard length Midplus and a longer, 27.3 inch Oversize version.
Midplus
Even though the strung weight of the nBlade Midplus is only a tad over 11 ounces, the design and playing characteristics of this racquet has it catering more to players with full, aggressive swings, who may traditionally look at heavier racquets. From the baseline, we found this racquet to respond well to aggressive hitting. Fast swings resulted in a pleasingly solid feel, good access to spin and enough control for aggressive targeting. Players with one-handed backhands noted good stability when driving topspin groundstrokes. At net the nBlade Midplus offers a solid feel and plenty of control. We found good feedback both when going for touch volleys and when guiding volleys deep to the open court. On serve we were impressed with the level of spin we could generate. The response of the racquet is very predictable allowing the player a good sense for pace and depth. This well rounded racquet is a solid choice for 4.0+ level players.
Oversize
Rarely does Wilson venture into the oversize player's racquet category, but when they do, they get it right. The nBlade Oversize offers a well rounded performance complete with comfort, control and slightly more pop than one would find from a Midplus player's racquet. As with the nBlade Midplus, the emphasis here is still on control, but the larger headsize - with its longer main strings - offers a bigger sweetspot and a livelier feel. Players should also find a bit more pop from the longer frame length. At 27.3 inches in length, the nBlade Oversize provides a touch more leverage than found with the standard length Midplus. Our playtesters found plenty of pace on their groundstrokes with this one. We found easy access to both topspin and slice, and the racquet offers enough maneuverability for fast swing speeds. We especially liked the response from the nBlade Oversize when stepping inside the court to rip a winner or hit aggressive approach shots. When at net, the nBlade Oversize feels maneuverable and comfortable. Overheads can be dispatched with plenty of pace and there's enough pop to help bail out the volleyer when caught deep. This one should appeal to players from the 3.5 level up, seeking a control oriented oversize racquet.
Midplus Specs
Head Size:
98 sq. in. / 632 sq. cm.
Length: 27 inches / 69 cm
Strung Weight: 11.1oz / 315g
Balance: 2pts Head Light
Swingweight: 340
Stiffness: 58
Beam Width: 21 mm Flat Beam
Composition: 20% nCoded Hyper Carbon / 80% nCoded graphite / nFoam-filled core
Power Level: Low
Swing Speed: Fast
Grip Type: TruGrip
String Pattern:
18 Mains / 20 Crosses
Mains skip: 8T,10T,8H,10H
One Piece
No shared holes
String Tension: 50-60 pounds
Oversize Specs
Head Size:
106 sq. in. / 684 sq. cm.
Length: 27.3 inches / 69 cm
Strung Weight: 11.1oz / 315g
Balance: 3.2pts Head Light
Swingweight: 335
Stiffness: 60
Beam Width: 22mm Flat Beam
Composition: nCoded High Modlus Graphite / nFoam-filled core
Power Level: Low
Swing Speed: Fast
Grip Type: True Grip
String Pattern:
18 Mains / 19 Crosses
Mains skip: 9T,9H
One Piece
No shared holes
String Tension: 50-60 pounds
