Is the Wilson Blade V8 18x20 retail still?

[J-Wildcard]

I am looking to get a Wilson Blade V8 18x20 but it seems many retailers are now not carrying this racket so much now and when looking at Wilson the price is pretty high (£250) What is the story with the pro labs range, are these supposed to be Wilson pro stock range. I see a few retailers still sell the blade v8 98 but it's not many, is it being phased out of standard retailers and purely a pro labs product which I remember happening with a Wilson ultra pro v2.0 97 a while ago now. It had a limited run it seemed with a few retailers stocking it.

 

[mhkeuns]

Must be the supply issue. Unless the V9 comes out, V8 is the latest Blade 98 and should be still selling at the retailers. I actually needed grommets for the V8, which I had some difficulties finding,

 

[Chairman3]

Are you asking about the Blade Pro or the regular Blade V8

If regular Blade.....

Wilson Blade 98 18x20 v8 Racquet | Tennis Warehouse

www.tennis-warehouse.com

Grips 1-4 all in stock.

If you are asking about the Blade Pro, those are only sold by Wilson directly.

 

[J-Wildcard]

Thanks for the information guys, yes that clears it up. My initial experience with the pro labs series was after I had purchased an ultra tour v2 18x20 from normal retailer, I was told the pro labs had renamed it ultra pro but was the same racket. I now see there is a difference in this blade series, is the blade pro got more head weight, I am surprised that is the case as usually the heavier headed frames are reserved for the intermediate players and the pro release are more balanced ready for customisation on a generally lighter hairpin. I see there is an ultra v4 Pro 18x20 which I've not heard much about, is this going to be the mold ultra tour / Pro 97 essentially with an updated paint job released only via the Pro labs store?

 

[zaskar1]

Not sure if you are refering to the Blade 98 v8 or Blade Pro 98 v8 Pro. the Pro model is only sold online. Pricing seems to reflect the market conditions, and seem to be going up, but there was a sale on the website in July for 20% off but that was shortlived and i missed it.

Seems like the Blade Pro 98 is $249 on the US website. usually the regular Blade is less, but with inflation, who knows.
Blade and Blade Pro are a bit different, as i transitioned from the Blade 98v7 to the Blade Pro 98 v7 and v8
Blade Pro 98 v8 seems a bit more head heavy, so you can offset the difference with leadtape.

i thought the Blade Pro had better feel and a bit more power for me. thats why i transitioned to the Blade Pros
i use the 18x20 and hit pretty flat, as i have been playing tennis for many decades

as i am a senior, i play mainly doubles, occasionally singles, as i cant find other seniors to hit singles with.
young guys will beat me up at singles, so i avoid them

z

 

[zaskar1]

fyi i got the regular blades normal retail, the blade pros online from the Wilson website
z