REELSONREELS
New User
It looks like the old discount code finally stopped working… does anyone have a new code?
Wilson Pro Labs: Blade Pro Official Thread
- Thread starter haqq777
- Start date
T-Fight 305 (98 but still), Prestige MP customized, Pure Strike customized maybe
I think I might finally be moving away from the BP after 5-6 years. I am currently playing with the X and an older Vcore Pro 97D. Bigger sweet spots, a little more pop is helping me as I approach 50. Will always have the BP in my bag, but I think it might be time to get a more forgiving racquet
Kitchen5ink
New User
I just ordered a BP v9 18m. excited to see how I get along with it. Never hit with this kind of balance. Been playing with the RF97 for a long time.
Recently have enjoyed playing with the Gpro and 97HD quite a bit. Curious how this one compares. We'll see...
Recently have enjoyed playing with the Gpro and 97HD quite a bit. Curious how this one compares. We'll see...
Kitchen5ink
New User
Received the v9 BP today. Strung up with 17g Alu power weighs 325 gr. Swapped the grip to a Wilson leather plus an OG comes in at 337gr.
Hitting against the wall I quite liked it. I would. say It's like a lighter RF97 with touch of Gravity pro's feel. Can't wait to test on the court.
Hitting against the wall I quite liked it. I would. say It's like a lighter RF97 with touch of Gravity pro's feel. Can't wait to test on the court.
Jono123
Professional
Did you get the 16x19 or 18x20? I'm guessing the latter, if you're referencing a GP.
Kitchen5ink
New User
Yup 18 mains. I have been playing my best tennis with the 97HD recently, so It was the obvious choice.
Jono123
Professional
You wont be disappointed, its an amazing frame. The control element is exceptional.
I had a GP for a while and always had to aim for bigger targets, this one however is point and shoot.
Kitchen5ink
New User
That's good to hear.
Yeah, for some reason I can never feel 100% dialed in with the Gpro.
extreme_western
Rookie
This makes a lot of sense, I think they’re definitely the two best open pattern classic control rackets on the market at the moment, I’ve been looking for a replacement for my Babolat pure control tours and haven’t found anything even close to these two, I think it pretty much comes down to whether you prefer to weight up the head of the percept, which definitely requires lead at 9, 3 and 12 o clocks to make it more stable and increase the swing weight, vs the blade pro which needs weight in the handle to make it more head light. Which are you leaning more towards?
Hesi
New User
I was trying to get feedback from my usual hitting partners in both matches and just rallying as a minor deciding factor, but the general consensus is that I pretty much play the same with both. In hindsight, I guess this makes sense as I find the sticks interchangeable. I "feel" ever so slightly more confident in the serve on the BP but I like how the Percept feels in my hands more. They're similar enough for me in most other areas. I may play with the weight a bit more..I have them both setup with some at 10/2 + handle, which has become my default addons in recent years.
Kitchen5ink
New User
I hit for the first time with the 18m BP today. What really surprised me was the ease of use and how much power this thing has. The amount of spin caught me by surprise too.
I played really, really well with it from the first hit. The precision and control is world class. The only thing is the feeling in my hands. It feels unsubstantial compared to what I'm used too. Even with the added leather grip and 5gr in the handle.
I may need to add more weight .But overall I'm quite happy with the racket.
I played really, really well with it from the first hit. The precision and control is world class. The only thing is the feeling in my hands. It feels unsubstantial compared to what I'm used too. Even with the added leather grip and 5gr in the handle.
I may need to add more weight .But overall I'm quite happy with the racket.
Kitchen5ink
New User
I noticed the power from the start when I wasn't feeling confident at all lol, however it didn't take too long for me feel at home with the frame.
extreme_western
Rookie
I haven’t played with the 18m but been in the process of weighting up my 16m rackets and in my experience you need to go quite high in weight until they really feel stable and heft, even at 340 static they feel a bit insubstantial. Mine are now at 350 static, 333 sw and 7pts hl balance and feel amazing, the feel on contact and control are sublime
Kitchen5ink
New User
Coincidently I've just added another 7 grams in the handle and it weighs 350 gr now . It definitely feels better in the hand. Hope it plays better as well. Haven't measure the SW but it feels around 335 or something.
Kitchen5ink
New User
I have hit with my 18m BP for a total of 4 hours now. Honestly what a frame. The combination of feel, control, precision, spin and power is unmatched for me. I committing to it as man main racket.
I have the lime Alu power at 48/50 in it. Will try Tour Bite, Confidential and Lynx tour and see what I like best.
I have the lime Alu power at 48/50 in it. Will try Tour Bite, Confidential and Lynx tour and see what I like best.
MSUspartans777
Rookie
I've been using a Blade Pro v9 18x20 for a couple of months and love it.
I added a Yonex leather grip and 20g under the cap to get the frame really headlight. Overall, I love it but would like to reduce the swing weight. My customizations basically kept the swing weight the same as stock but flipped the head heavier balance to head light. My specs are below...
Static Weight - 354.8g Strung
Swing Weight - 340.4 kg·cm²
Twist Weight - 14.7 kg·cm²
Balance Point - 311.9 mm / 31.19cm / 12.28 in / 9.8 pts Head Light
Could I get the swing weight to come down if I removed some weight from under the cap? I would love to get this frame to about 335 swing weight.
I added a Yonex leather grip and 20g under the cap to get the frame really headlight. Overall, I love it but would like to reduce the swing weight. My customizations basically kept the swing weight the same as stock but flipped the head heavier balance to head light. My specs are below...
Static Weight - 354.8g Strung
Swing Weight - 340.4 kg·cm²
Twist Weight - 14.7 kg·cm²
Balance Point - 311.9 mm / 31.19cm / 12.28 in / 9.8 pts Head Light
Could I get the swing weight to come down if I removed some weight from under the cap? I would love to get this frame to about 335 swing weight.
kvan
Semi-Pro
You could use a lighter string (different material or thinner gauge) or cut off parts of the bumper. Otherwise, you won’t be able to reduce SW.
MSUspartans777
Rookie
I might give that a try. I'm comfortable swinging at 340 but the frame loses a bit of whip above 335.
I wonder if the v7/v8 grommets weigh less than the v9 grommets. If so, and if they fit which I think they should, that would be a way to reduce SW on a v9.
kvan
Semi-Pro
They do fit, but I haven’t had the need to replace them yet on my v9s. When I do, I’ll measure weights.
MSUspartans777
Rookie
it just got updated this year with the Blade... so no
Yeah I know but pros players were already using the v9 paint job since the start of this year (AO), so I thought that there could be the possibility of a new paint job in mid-late 2025, otherwise the pro players will be using the same paint job for three seasons in a row, which seems like a long time (I think the pro players used v8 paint job for two seasons if I’m not mistaken). Or I guess they could do the same thing as they did before, that is give the pro players the v10 paint job for the start of the 2026, and then release to the public later in 2026.
No it will come out probably beginning of 2027
Just got some more BP 16x19 v9.
Lengths are way off. One is 1/16” short and another is 1/8” short. The other ones are all longer than 27” by 1/16”. All measured unstrung.
I understand there will be variation in the other specs, but how hard can it be to get the length right?
QC on Blade Pro is the worst I’ve ever seen, which is a shame as it’s such great racquet.
Lengths are way off. One is 1/16” short and another is 1/8” short. The other ones are all longer than 27” by 1/16”. All measured unstrung.
I understand there will be variation in the other specs, but how hard can it be to get the length right?
QC on Blade Pro is the worst I’ve ever seen, which is a shame as it’s such great racquet.
MSUspartans777
Rookie
I love the v9 18x20 just wish I could find a slightly underspec frame in regards to swing weight. I would love to find one around 330 - 335.
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
Maybe yours is too long adding to the SW. cut it down!
MSUspartans777
Rookie
Possibly! I'm on the hunt for an underspec frame. Shouldn't be too hard to find given the QC is all over the place.
Same, but in a 16x19. Unfortunately I’m probably going to stop searching for now, I’ve measured 5 unstrung (2 from Wilson, 1 from TW, and 2 from a competitor). The ones from the online retailers were between 313 - 318 swing weight, and the ones from Wilson were 321 and 323. I thought maybe I had a calibration issue, but my personal racquets all measured on their known strung specs.
MSUspartans777
Rookie
I asked the TW customization team if they could locate me one. I told them my current frame has a static weight of 354g and swing weight of 340 (Yonex Leather + 20g in BC)
This must be why I can never find an under spec'd one on my own
I'm actually kind of jealous b/c so many people have said they received 335 and lower swing weights, but I have yet to see one under 310 (~340 strung).This must be why I can never find an under spec'd one on my own
They are definitely out there. I’ve got a 16x19 v8 that has an unstrung SW of 297, even despite the fact that it’s about 1/16” longer than 27”. And I’ve seen a handful of v9’s with unstrung SW of around 300.
The readings you got for the five you measured are very high. I reckon you got a bit unlucky. I would expect to see at least one sub-310 in a random sample of, say, 10. I got one in a random sample of six.
Interesting, do you have any method to test the Hz?
tophersuwita
Rookie
Blade Pro users, do you find it difficult in dealing with loopy topspin hitters and slice/short ball/bunt ball players? I used BP 18 2 years ago, and it was very unforgiving and only thrive in high pace rally.
Yeah it is unforgiving. But it amazing feel and finding a forgiving racquet with that feel is impossible
jj4545
New User
Can someone give some feedback how is the Blade Pro 18x20 compared to a Pro Staff 97 (the 315gr. version)?
My current setup is the PS 97 v13 at around 345 strung with some weight at 12 with Head Lynx Tour, very nice feeling, control and power.
I have also used Blade 98 v7 16x19 and generally know the difference especially the more muted feel but from what I read the Blade Pro is actually closer to PS in terms of power and feel than the regular Blade.
My current setup is the PS 97 v13 at around 345 strung with some weight at 12 with Head Lynx Tour, very nice feeling, control and power.
I have also used Blade 98 v7 16x19 and generally know the difference especially the more muted feel but from what I read the Blade Pro is actually closer to PS in terms of power and feel than the regular Blade.
TwinCinema
Professional
So, I play with both the PS97 v14 and the Blade Pro v9 but it’s the 16x19.
The BP has more power. It has more plow. But it’s more head heavy and takes more effort to swing. It also has a more raw feel, much more connected than the standard Blade 98.
The PS is whippier and easier to maneuver at net. It’s still quite stable and can provide power with a fast swing. The feel is pretty good, also better than Blade 98, but not quite as raw as the BP.
I’d say the BP has a more forgiving and larger sweet spot, but because it’s so demanding to swing it’s not an easier racket to play. I’d put the PS into the hands of a 4.0 player and the BP into those of a 4.5+. I’m not good enough to use the BP but it’s such an awesome semi truck of a weapon that I pull it out sometimes anyway.
jj4545
New User
Have you tried to add weight to the handle to make the BP balance more like the PS?
I mean if we match the rackets for swingweight and balance the plow and power should be about the same when both have 21,5mm constant beams or? Then the main difference will be the stiffness which is 60 for the BP and 66 for the PS. If everything else is equal this should give the PS even more potential for power.
TwinCinema
Professional
The RA of the BP may say 60 but it certainly feels stiffer. That must mean it flexes differently. There’s nothing about the PS that to me feels significantly stiffer than the BP so some sort of sorcery is happening in the layup of the BP.
But yes if you up the SW of the PS it will potentially have more power than the BP, I just don’t think the stick would perform as well at too high a SW. I’m tempted to add some lead at 12 just to see, but it really doesn’t need it. The balance is nice as is.
As for the BP, no I haven’t added handle weight because I’m happy with the static weight being where it is (335g strung or so, with overgrip). That said, it would be interesting to see how it plays with a more headlight balance. Certainly worth a try!
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