I played pure drives (+) from 2002 until 2010 at which time I played a year or so of my best tennis with Pure Storm tour plus frames and then began playing a little less and went back to Pure Drives which I played with from 2012-2013. In 2013 I developed a horrible case of tennis elbow and played very little. Trying to get back in, I grabbed new demos in late 2013and hit the Blade 98S and loved the directional control, power, spin, and most of all softness of both the frame and the stringbed. I played some really good tennis with it but then got a new job and started feeling like I was struggling with depth control and short angles given the high launch angle. I got a pair of Pure Strikes when they came out in 2016 but developed pain after a few months in the upper arm on the medical side just above the elbow. I went back to my Pure Storm Tour pluses which have never bothered my arm but they are heavy and long and have a high swingweight and was having trouble catching up to balls sometimes at the 5.0 level. The other night I played with three 5.0 guys and decided to bring the Blade 98S frames out. I forgot how fun these things are to play with. They hit a nasty low slice and have great topspin potential. I find depth control to be less of an issue in doubles since I am trying to hit returns at feet. The frame hits good pace and spin on serves with excellent directional control. It has great feel on volleys and great pop on overheads. It is quick to get around on returns and is very stable. I thoroughly enjoyed playing with it and wanted to share my enthusiasm as it isn’t a frame that gets a lot of high level praise.
I have never hit with the 2015 or the newer Countervail version. Fortunately I found a few new ones of the version I currently have for around $100.
These things are strong eaters which in addition to depth control issues was a main reason I moved away from them.
If you’re looking for something soft, easy to play with, with good spin and directional control, give this frame a shot.
I have never hit with the 2015 or the newer Countervail version. Fortunately I found a few new ones of the version I currently have for around $100.
These things are strong eaters which in addition to depth control issues was a main reason I moved away from them.
If you’re looking for something soft, easy to play with, with good spin and directional control, give this frame a shot.