Wilson Blade Pro 98 16x19 V9

[TennisManiac]

Has anyone bought any of these newly offered Pro Labs Blade Pro 98 16x19 V9s yet? I'm wondering how they play and what the differences are in regards to power and spin production compared to the normal Blades and also the Pro Staff 97 V14 16x19? If anyone has anything to share it would be much appreciated.

 

[ChipReturns]

I bought the 18x20

I recently demoed the BP v9 16x19 and 18x20. I am a long time blade user through the generations, but I have never used a blade pro (no v7 or v8) until recently. I was blown away by the feel. Pure graphite goodness that to me felt like an enlarged sweet spot. I liked both string patterns but I ultimately liked the 18x20 better. More consistent string bed with more court penetration and less loopy shots, still with enough spin. It’s hard to go back to reg blades after this with the dampening tech. I’ve always been a high SW user (325-335) so the high swing weight on the BP is up there but not too crazy. I actually think it maneuvers better than some other high SW racquets like the tfight 305. I use two overgrips to reach a 32.9 cm balance, which I don’t think is very extreme at all.

does anyone know if the layup changed from v8 BP?

 

[Pistol Pete]

I purchased these frames. 16x19. I personally love it. Great weight. Great SW and balance. I asked TW to match my rackets and have not looked back. I think it’s one of the best rackets in a long time. I purchased a few to keep in the closet. More power and stability for me compared to the regular blade. That said I’m a 5.5 and grew up playing with more classic rackets 6.0 85, tour 90 etc. hope that helps.

 

[coolbh6]

Does anyone know if the layup changed from v8 BP?

Only known differences are grommets (V9 and V8 interchangeable) and paint. No evidence of any layup change so far.

I know people who have both in their bags and feel no difference and have matched specs and playing at 4.5-5.0 level.

 

[ChipReturns]

I purchased these frames. 16x19. I personally love it. Great weight. Great SW and balance.

Did you do any customization? What balance do you like on this frame?

With just an overgrip, the BP balance comes in above 33 cm strung. Talk tennis loves their headlight frames (always tailweighting sticks to 8-12 pts HL), but there is nothing wrong with a higher balance and lower headlight spec. Personally I like that the weight in the hoop creates natural lag on my forehand and I can swing looser as a result.

 

[Chairman3]

I used the V7 Blade Pro which, aside from paintjob, is exactly the same. I used it stock except a leather grip.

It was pretty powerful due to the higher swingweight, higher launch angle, solid and stable. Good spin, I wanted more control.
Didn't work for my flatter mechanics.

Compared to the Pro Staff V14 (my main racquet) it has a higher launch angle, more spin, more power, and less control.
Equally stable but the Pro Staff swings faster due to its balance and lower SW.

I loved the feel of the BP. So plush and so pure. It has a more direct (less dampened) feel than the Pro Staff but they both give good feedback just different how it feels.

The normal Blades are totally different racquets and much easier to use. The BP is a classic, box-beam racquet.

I used Black Code and Big Banger Original at 50lbs and still felt like the BP needed more control. I was very surprised by that.

 

[jlouie]

Only known differences are grommets (V9 and V8 interchangeable) and paint. No evidence of any layup change so far.

I know people who have both in their bags and feel no difference and have matched specs and playing at 4.5-5.0 level.

They’re only different bc of the grommet staples btw. But V8 grommets fit the V9. In fact at least through the beginning of the summer they were only selling V8 grommets for both versions so if you broke a staple you were SOL. I don’t know if they have new grommets now, I sold my blade pro around then.

 

[PrinceYonex]

They’re only different bc of the grommet staples btw. But V8 grommets fit the V9. In fact at least through the beginning of the summer they were only selling V8 grommets for both versions so if you broke a staple you were SOL. I don’t know if they have new grommets now, I sold my blade pro around then.

What is a grommet staple?

 

[jlouie]

What is a grommet staple?

The neon green grommets on the top corners of the racquet. They're designed to pop out and allow you to remove the bumper w/o taking off the entire top grommet. For example, it allows for easier customization under the bumper.

Also, I just checked, Wilson is still selling the V8 grommets as a replacement for both Blade Pros. So if you didn't like the V9 implementation, you could always have a completely blacked out grommet set w/ the replacements.

edit: just a quick search, it looks like they also just sell the regular V8 grommets for the regular V9 Blade as well.

 

[Pistol Pete]

Did you do any customization? What balance do you like on this frame?

With just an overgrip, the BP balance comes in above 33 cm strung. Talk tennis loves their headlight frames (always tailweighting sticks to 8-12 pts HL), but there is nothing wrong with a higher balance and lower headlight spec. Personally I like that the weight in the hoop creates natural lag on my forehand and I can swing looser as a result.

I just found a spec I personally love - the weight for me is 310G unstrung, 32.5 CM and 305 SW - this is all unstrung. For me it is perfect.

 

[tim-ay]

I bought the 18x20

I recently demoed the BP v9 16x19 and 18x20. I am a long time blade user through the generations, but I have never used a blade pro (no v7 or v8) until recently. I was blown away by the feel. Pure graphite goodness that to me felt like an enlarged sweet spot. I liked both string patterns but I ultimately liked the 18x20 better. More consistent string bed with more court penetration and less loopy shots, still with enough spin. It’s hard to go back to reg blades after this with the dampening tech. I’ve always been a high SW user (325-335) so the high swing weight on the BP is up there but not too crazy. I actually think it maneuvers better than some other high SW racquets like the tfight 305. I use two overgrips to reach a 32.9 cm balance, which I don’t think is very extreme at all.

does anyone know if the layup changed from v8 BP?

Layup is the same and v-7 through v-9 all play the same. It does seem like Wilson got a little better control of the process center on swingweight. V-7’s were mostly pushing 340+ strung where v-8/9 seem to be 330-336 more often.

I sold the v7’s I had and have 2 each of v-8 and v9. One v-9 is an 18/20 and I think I do slightly prefer it. Depends on my mood. It does more easily flatten out and penetrate, but both frames can do it. New v14 six one plays similarly, but BP feel is still better.

 

[TennisManiac]

I used the V7 Blade Pro which, aside from paintjob, is exactly the same. I used it stock except a leather grip.

It was pretty powerful due to the higher swingweight, higher launch angle, solid and stable. Good spin, I wanted more control.
Didn't work for my flatter mechanics.

Compared to the Pro Staff V14 (my main racquet) it has a higher launch angle, more spin, more power, and less control.
Equally stable but the Pro Staff swings faster due to its balance and lower SW.

I loved the feel of the BP. So plush and so pure. It has a more direct (less dampened) feel than the Pro Staff but they both give good feedback just different how it feels.

The normal Blades are totally different racquets and much easier to use. The BP is a classic, box-beam racquet.

I used Black Code and Big Banger Original at 50lbs and still felt like the BP needed more control. I was very surprised by that.

Is your Blade Pro a 16x19 or 18x20?

And are you able to share it's static weight, swingweight and balance?

 

[Chairman3]

Is your Blade Pro a 16x19 or 18x20?

And are you able to share it's static weight, swingweight and balance?

It was a 16x19.
I have long since sold it, for the reasons mentioned (too much launch for my stroke)
I believe it was 306-307g but the balance was underspec at like 31.5cm (all unstrung).
So undoubtedly a SW of mid 330s, slightly below others. I never got to measure.
It was a very playable spec compared to other V7s, especially with a leather grip.

 

[TennisManiac]

I used the V7 Blade Pro which, aside from paintjob, is exactly the same. I used it stock except a leather grip.

Compared to the Pro Staff V14 (my main racquet) it has a higher launch angle, more spin, more power, and less control.

You say that the Blade Pro has less control than the Pro Staff 97 V14. Do you think it's because of the string pattern? I can't think of any other reason for that.

 

[Chairman3]

You say that the Blade Pro has less control than the Pro Staff 97 V14. Do you think it's because of the string pattern? I can't think of any other reason for that.

That's my assertion.
The launch off the stringbed is definitely lower with the Pro Staff.
Definitely less control on flat hitting with the Blade Pro 16x19.
It's also not exactly that it has less control just that it has more power so requires more from the user to control. Little more vertical swing to get a little more spin.
You could also string it tighter.

 

[ZeroandOne]

Mine's at 330/32/330 and it felt way too polarized/whippy for my swing. Also like @Chairman3 says, the stringbed is a bit launchy and asks for you to control it. I'm putting this one away. Edit: forgot to mention I prefer PS97 more. Crisper feel and more consistent response.

 

[TennisManiac]

Does the regular Blade 98 V9 16x19 have the same string pattern as the Blade Pro 98 V9 16x19?

 

[AML225]

Does the regular Blade 98 V9 16x19 have the same string pattern as the Blade Pro 98 V9 16x19?

No. See image below. Regular Blade 98 on the left, Blade Pro on the right. The crosses on the Pro are more spaced out as you get closer to the top and throat. Look at where the top and bottom cross are relative to the frame on each racquet.

 

[tim-ay]

That's my assertion.
The launch off the stringbed is definitely lower with the Pro Staff.
Definitely less control on flat hitting with the Blade Pro 16x19.
It's also not exactly that it has less control just that it has more power so requires more from the user to control. Little more vertical swing to get a little more spin.
You could also string it tighter.

100% agree with this although I still like the BP more.

 

[Chairman3]

100% agree with this although I still like the BP more.

I would definitely take a Pro Staff with the Blade Pro layup.
The feel is so pure and direct.
The Pro Staff isn't as bad as some other Wilsons but definitely more dampened than it used to be.

 

[TennisManiac]

I'm going to have to buy a Blade Pro soon. It sounds like a racket that would be really fun to play with. I play with the PS97 V14 heavily modified but would still like a tad bit more pop, spin and comfort from a racket if that's even possible. Guess I won't know unless I try it right?

 

[AML225]

Has anybody ordered a strung blade pro directly from Wilson recently? Just wondering if it really took 3 weeks for them to string and ship it.

 

[1hander]

How are you guys liking it on the topspin one-hander? That is the only thing keeping me from pulling the trigger and switching to it. I don't feel the same consistency or shot quality with it compared to my Radical Pro.

 

[TennisManiac]

How are you guys liking it on the topspin one-hander? That is the only thing keeping me from pulling the trigger and switching to it. I don't feel the same consistency or shot quality with it compared to my Radical Pro.

I'm actually really surprised to hear that. Perhaps it's because the radical pro has a tighter string pattern. I would imagine the open 16x19 string pattern in the Blade Pro would be fantastic for one-handed topspin backhands.

 

[1hander]

I'm actually really surprised to hear that. Perhaps it's because the radical pro has a tighter string pattern. I would imagine the open 16x19 string pattern in the Blade Pro would be fantastic for one-handed topspin backhands.

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. Slices are a dream and cut extremely well. Maybe I need to adjust to it more and tinker with strings.

 

[TennisManiac]

Been talking to a guy who played the challenger circuit for like a year or so. He says the Blade Pro 16x19 is the best racket he ever used. Has a lot of nice things to say about it. His is tail weighted and also has a bit of weight at 3&9. Says it has plenty of plow and pop. And more spin and control comparing it to the PSV14. Sounds almost too good to be true. I'm going to have to get my hands on one of these.

 

[A_Instead]

Play him..he is a very nice person..
I could only hang for about 2 minutes..
I ran out of space in the back of the court..
Then I was gassed..
It's like hitting with a ball machine on full speed..

 

[TennisManiac]

Play him..he is a very nice person..
I could only hang for about 2 minutes..
I ran out of space in the back of the court..
Then I was gassed..
It's like hitting with a ball machine on full speed..

I look forward to it. Right after Sectionals are over.

 

[Yamin]

Been talking to a guy who played the challenger circuit for like a year or so. He says the Blade Pro 16x19 is the best racket he ever used. Has a lot of nice things to say about it. His is tail weighted and also has a bit of weight at 3&9. Says it has plenty of plow and pop. And more spin and control comparing it to the PSV14. Sounds almost too good to be true. I'm going to have to get my hands on one of these.

In stock form, I'd go with the 18x20 BP or 18x20 blade over the 16x19 BP V9.

It doesn't provide much over those.

The Prostaff v14 is also very good .. I would say the BP does have more control through spin andshape, but the pro staff is more powerful, gives more on serve and is for me, one of the best serving rackets for aces

Problem I had with the BP 16x19 I demoed is the swing weight is a bit lower and once I tail weighted it lost some stability and power. Wilson's recent rackets don't suffer from this too much with the tech while BP is more raw.

 

[TennisManiac]

In stock form, I'd go with the 18x20 BP or 18x20 blade over the 16x19 BP V9.

It doesn't provide much over those.

The Prostaff v14 is also very good .. I would say the BP does have more control through spin andshape, but the pro staff is more powerful, gives more on serve and is for me, one of the best serving rackets for aces

Problem I had with the BP 16x19 I demoed is the swing weight is a bit lower and once I tail weighted it lost some stability and power. Wilson's recent rackets don't suffer from this too much with the tech while BP is more raw.

I've been playing with the PS97 since its debut in 2015. Currently playing with the V14 with silicone in the handle and lead at 12oclock. I could write a book on that racket. If I were to give the BP a try. I'd add silicone in the handle and lead to 3&9. I would expect the 16x19 to offer more spin and power compared to the 18x20.

Do you use the PSV14? If so, are you playing it stock? That racket is anemic as hell in stock form. I play mine with a 5 gm overgrip, 8 gms of silicone in the handle and 4 gms of lead at 12. Specs are 345 gms static weight, 345 swingweight and 5 pts. HL

 

[tophersuwita]

Will it be good with non-poly? I use Triax 50/Cream 48 in my Pure Strike VS. Tried Lynx Tour/Hawk Touch and liked it too