sphinx780
Hall of Fame
Sorry, 16x19. Haven't played the 18x20
Wilson Pro Labs: Blade Pro Official Thread
- Thread starter haqq777
- Start date
My 312 with a Leather grip, Pro Overgrip, W dampener with Alu Power 1.25 is excellent. Believe it is all preference though. I’ve been playing with RF97 and Prestige Mid so a bit over spec isn’t an issue.
Honestly if this racquet was any lighter I couldn’t use it.
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So guys I recently got a college deal for 3 blade pros and I don’t know how should I customize it
. My previous racket of choice was a babolat pure drive (2019) which I strung at 58lbs because I didn’t have any control. I am 11 UTR and would like to check your opinion on where should I put the weigh. Also I would like to know whether 130 would be too thick of a string for it since I used it because I cut my strings way too often
. My previous racket of choice was a babolat pure drive (2019) which I strung at 58lbs because I didn’t have any control. I am 11 UTR and would like to check your opinion on where should I put the weigh. Also I would like to know whether 130 would be too thick of a string for it since I used it because I cut my strings way too often
Power Player
Bionic Poster
So guys I recently got a college deal for 3 blade pros and I don’t know how should I customize it
weight goes in handle.
Sure, I heard about putting at 3 and 9 also though
topspn
Legend
I added a leather grip, OG and maybe 2 or 3g of blutack under the trap door to get to exactly 340g. They also are also 350, 346 SW and 32.6, 32.7cm balance. I did not need any weight in the head be it 3, 9 or anything else.So guys I recently got a college deal for 3 blade pros and I don’t know how should I customize it
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tennis347
Hall of Fame
I have to agree that I like the finish more on the BP compared to the V7 Blade. I hear all the good things about this racquet but the SW over 340 is just too much for me to handle these days. I could imagine the plow through power that you get with the BP as it must be insane.Damn it looks good
Just got a pair of brand new H22's 18x20, and was really curious (hoping) whether the Blade Pro 18x20 grommets would fit. Happy to say that they fit perfectly! (I only tried the bumper part for now, but I'm pretty sure the rest will fit too, since it indicates same drill pattern). I even weighed the bumpers, and the H22 original bumper weight 10.1g, and the Blade Pro replacement weighed 9.9g. The only difference to differentiate the two is the H22 grommet has Wilson engraved on the ends, and a small W at the center of the bumper, indicating the center 2 mains positions. Whereas the Blade Pro replacement grommet is completely bare.
This part is interesting, because on the Blade Pro product page, in the picture where it says Design DNA, you can clearly see an engraved Wilson on the end of the bumper. Can anyone with a Blade Pro chime in whether the stock bumper has Wilson engraving/markings or not?
This part is interesting, because on the Blade Pro product page, in the picture where it says Design DNA, you can clearly see an engraved Wilson on the end of the bumper. Can anyone with a Blade Pro chime in whether the stock bumper has Wilson engraving/markings or not?
Power Player
Bionic Poster
yeah but you really need to know these specs before you do anything. Weight, swingweight and balance.
Addxyz
Hall of Fame
Damn it looks good
Rubber band club unite!
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Damn it looks good
That blue looks so good in there.
topspn
Legend
And a great string. One of my hitting buddies tried it this morning and is now grabbing a reel as well
Clash Ah ah
Rookie
What’s the string?And a great string. One of my hitting buddies tried it this morning and is now grabbing a reel as well
topspn
Legend
Small string company from ukraine. Mayami Tour Hex and I also tried their Big Spin string which is also very good but really loved TH
Yea I put lead at 3/9 on my frame to match the specs of another frame. Although the numbers looked right the frame played completely different. I guess concentrating the weight at 3/9 just threw the frame out of wack. Took it off and now the frames are a couple of grams apart with the same balance.
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Power Player
Bionic Poster
Squeezed in 3 sets today. Really loving this frame, I didn’t get fatigued in the 3rd on serves. Actually felt pretty lively still. I was able to keep my foot on the gas and press the opponent back with spin and depth. Really happy with backhands. Its a legit weapon for me. Must be the swingweight and shot timing is just better for my backhand, but this is the best ive hit off of that side in years.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Gotta add, the Rs Lyon and HG soft is really, really doing it for me. I can get 6-7 hours out of a string job and it really exagerrates the pocketing feel especially when you crush one. I‘m stringing at 50/48. Tension maintenance is exceptional.
tim-ay
Legend
One of the main things I’m working on is serve - really relaxing my motion and getting a looser arm. It’s still a work in progress, but the BP is actually helping vs my fear of making it harder. You can just be so relaxed and get so much pop with this frame.
My newest BP still needs some tungsten putty in the trap door but I ran out.... more coming tomorrow. But the balance on serve had no effect on me, which is a paradigm shift for me. It’s such a boom racket without having to try and kill it.
topspn
Legend
Try blutack, it doesn't melt and create a big mess like tungsten. Or at least make sure tungsten is wrapped well in saran wrap
Power Player
Bionic Poster
yeah. Loose arm on serve and just trust the frame. Once you get grooving, you can start firing them in,but i get a good amount of free points off my 2nd serve with this racquet.
topspn
Legend
What are you playing right now?
I am demoing a bunch of Wilson and Babolats now. Previously I used the Pure Strike 3rd gen 18 by 20 and the 2021 Pure Drive Tour. They were hurting my arm and the Pure Strike didn’t have enough stability for me . I am looking for Control, Stability and Easy Power on Serves.
Thanks
Thanks
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Need to know a few things about your play style as well. I thought I read somewhere your were a UTR 11 but I could be wrong. If you found the pure strike 18x20 to be unstable which it is without some lead in the hoop. The BP 18x20 and the 16x19 will be unstable as well which will need a little lead in the hoop. My son is a UTR 8 and hits with some around 11 which had him adding a total of 4 grams in the 10/2 position to provide the stability he needed. The main issue was stability volleying needs the weight.
I believe on the pure strike he had to add 4 grams to the 3/9 and 2 grams to 12. Counter balance to get the stability he wanted. Just a little fruit for thought. He does say the BP (H22) is the best feeling racquet he has ever hit with. Currently uses the 18x20
topspn
Legend
The BP 16M is a little different as it comes with hefty SW. mine were 346 and 350 strung. Stability is already good out of the box, I just added a leather grip and a bit of blutack under the butt cap to get both to 340g exactly. Balance on mine is 32.6 and 32.7 cms. Serves: 9 heck 9.5! Control: 8 however requires good footwork and smooth playing. This is not a racquet that enjoys jerky or trying to slap at the ball. Very heavy ball hitting at 85%. And for me volleys are 10
Power Player
Bionic Poster
I did. I didn’t like it as much as full poly for my game. Not sure what the tensions were but it felt like 54/50 if I had to guess.
Yea, think I’m gonna go T-1 Black Knight @ 50 next.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
ooo..that could be a nice option for sure. Great string.
Let us know how this goes. We had one set and put it at 44/41 which is what my son likes. The issue we had like other polys lately is it lasts about 2 hours. It has a little less consistency after 90 minutes though.
Been using it in a Prestige Mid 360+ and getting about 6-8hrs. I’m 3-4 hours into Alu Power in two of these frames. Would think the longevity would be much more with T-1 BK.
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tim-ay
Legend
Hitting the BP yesterday I had some real breakthroughs on serve. I’ve been hitting a lot of baskets working on my “relax dumba$$” rebuild, but played a match with it yesterday. Just kept it easy and then really started to pound them around my 4th service game. I can confidently say the BP is right up there with best serving frames..... as many of you have said. Flatter hard serves are insane.
I’ve even finally got my slice working fairly well, you really have to attack it which might be the only weak spot of the BP vs. UP and some others.
Really, without the praises being sung about the BP from you guys I’m not sure I would have let myself adapt to the frame. I was really enjoying the UP. After several weeks of full time on the BP, it is such a step above anything I’ve ever used. I was really getting sick of the trade off game in racket searching... feel, power, touch, control, arm pain, arm comfort.... blech, you all know it.
So yeah, thank you boys! Special shout out to PP - you da man.
Really looking forward to spring match play now that is starting.
I’ve even finally got my slice working fairly well, you really have to attack it which might be the only weak spot of the BP vs. UP and some others.
Really, without the praises being sung about the BP from you guys I’m not sure I would have let myself adapt to the frame. I was really enjoying the UP. After several weeks of full time on the BP, it is such a step above anything I’ve ever used. I was really getting sick of the trade off game in racket searching... feel, power, touch, control, arm pain, arm comfort.... blech, you all know it.
So yeah, thank you boys! Special shout out to PP - you da man.
Really looking forward to spring match play now that is starting.
tim-ay
Legend
The 16 can hit a low driving ball. I’m sure the 18 has a bit more control, but i don’t find the 16 lacking ... compared to classic 18’s like the six one, the BP 16 doesn’t lose control and plays more modern. Granted, I thought long and hard about adding an 18 before buying a 3rd 16. PP and maybe Jgads have hit both and will be good sources.
My son decided on the 18x20 instead of the 16x19 because of his game style. Depending on QC you might need to add weight to the hoop for stability.
18x20 Pros:
Slice
More accurate on groundstrokes
16x19
Higher launch angle
Easier spin access
Both are great on serves and feel. The 18x20 suited my son’s game style which is a little more defensive and flatter but he can hit with heavy spin on the 18x20 just has to work the spin in his shots more. The 16x19 is more for the aggressive player, a little less accurate on shots but the spin generation was much easier. Let’s say this my son eats normal poly strings at around the 2 hour mark but the 16x19 makes the poly die off 25% faster when he hits with the same players.
Played a mixed match yesterday and stuck solely with the BP 16x19. Recap on specs (leather grip, 4gs at 2 and 10, hyper g/vanquish 53/51, Static weight 339g).
The team we played was really, really solid. Very good and hit hard. I don't know if I am just getting used to this racquet, but I was hitting absolute bombs on my serve. I held at 5 or better every time. Most of my serves were either unreturnable or weak sitters for my partner. Slice, kick, flat...locations wherever I wanted to. It was probably the best serving I have had in 15 years.
My groundstrokes were great. Did exactly what I wanted them to do. Volleys were on point.
Next match I am going to use the 18x20 and see the differences, but the 16x19 was really great yesterday.
We played against a husband/wife combo, and in the first 3 games he was headhunting my partner at the net. Hit it as hard as he could straight at her head even if at the service line. He served game 4, and my partner was asking me what she should do when at the net. I said don't worry about it. His first two serves at me, I hit full outright at his wife. She moved, and they were clean winners. I didn't say a word, but the guy stopped playing like a jackass. Once we took the first set he reverted back to his ****ty play, so I tagged him on an overhead. He didn't say a word and stopped again. It was glorious beating him.
The team we played was really, really solid. Very good and hit hard. I don't know if I am just getting used to this racquet, but I was hitting absolute bombs on my serve. I held at 5 or better every time. Most of my serves were either unreturnable or weak sitters for my partner. Slice, kick, flat...locations wherever I wanted to. It was probably the best serving I have had in 15 years.
My groundstrokes were great. Did exactly what I wanted them to do. Volleys were on point.
Next match I am going to use the 18x20 and see the differences, but the 16x19 was really great yesterday.
We played against a husband/wife combo, and in the first 3 games he was headhunting my partner at the net. Hit it as hard as he could straight at her head even if at the service line. He served game 4, and my partner was asking me what she should do when at the net. I said don't worry about it. His first two serves at me, I hit full outright at his wife. She moved, and they were clean winners. I didn't say a word, but the guy stopped playing like a jackass. Once we took the first set he reverted back to his ****ty play, so I tagged him on an overhead. He didn't say a word and stopped again. It was glorious beating him.
So you would say adding weight in the hoop rather than in the handle?
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Ive been jumping back into playing a lot. Not playing my best, and I think im a little run down, but thats ok. Its part of returning to 8+ hours a week of tennis and the body doesn’t like that off the bat.
Few things I noticed:
Timmay, is correct about the slice. This frame has a lot of power off the ground but unlike slicing with a Pure drive, it requires full commitment. It’s taking me a little time to dial in the drop shots due to this, but my backhand slice was on point again. It can really disrupt a player if you mix heavy top with some underspin. Works with any racquet but this frame really delivers the goods since the slices can get heavy fast. That said, you have to commit or the slice will float or die in the net.
Not that bad for doubles. I got some doubles in and this racquet really was not bad, even for quick exchanges. It’s not my top choice, but there is no need to change frames if you play doubles as the maneuverability is there and as long as you are keep the ball in front of you, volleys are rock solid.
You need good short ball technique or things can go south. If you struggle to get under the ball on short balls and throw the ball into a corner, this frame will not help you. That said, it rewards the player who knows how to drop the racquet and brush it. My main issue is recognizing short balls and getting there on time, but I fix that with a few weeks of serious play. The guys I played mainly were put on defense from my ground game and countered with short defensive shots that I simply was not reading well. Some light frames will let you be late to those shots and still allow a decent approach, but the BP demands that you play tennis the right way - read the opponent’s stroke and get your a55 to the ball.
The other thing is don’t slap at it. Just dont slap at the stupid ball. It’s a crap habit unless you are tall and hit flat anyway. I am typing this out because 5% of the time I still do it, but that bad habit is slowly being eradicated as well.
Few things I noticed:
Timmay, is correct about the slice. This frame has a lot of power off the ground but unlike slicing with a Pure drive, it requires full commitment. It’s taking me a little time to dial in the drop shots due to this, but my backhand slice was on point again. It can really disrupt a player if you mix heavy top with some underspin. Works with any racquet but this frame really delivers the goods since the slices can get heavy fast. That said, you have to commit or the slice will float or die in the net.
Not that bad for doubles. I got some doubles in and this racquet really was not bad, even for quick exchanges. It’s not my top choice, but there is no need to change frames if you play doubles as the maneuverability is there and as long as you are keep the ball in front of you, volleys are rock solid.
You need good short ball technique or things can go south. If you struggle to get under the ball on short balls and throw the ball into a corner, this frame will not help you. That said, it rewards the player who knows how to drop the racquet and brush it. My main issue is recognizing short balls and getting there on time, but I fix that with a few weeks of serious play. The guys I played mainly were put on defense from my ground game and countered with short defensive shots that I simply was not reading well. Some light frames will let you be late to those shots and still allow a decent approach, but the BP demands that you play tennis the right way - read the opponent’s stroke and get your a55 to the ball.
The other thing is don’t slap at it. Just dont slap at the stupid ball. It’s a crap habit unless you are tall and hit flat anyway. I am typing this out because 5% of the time I still do it, but that bad habit is slowly being eradicated as well.
tim-ay
Legend
Yeah man. The effort on slice and short balls is so worth it when you hit behind someone dtl with the BP tho, huh?
And I get tempted sometimes to slap when the ball is high because it can pay off, but it’s stupid and doesn’t work with the BP very well. Far better to roll it back if you let the ball get up. For me it’s a hard habit to break , but it’s a must. Better to step in and take it on the short bounce as the BP rewards that or roll it. I’m telling me that, not you,lol. I’m in personal therapy.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
3rd BP 16x19 is in, and I suspect I got lucky and have another Hulk.
Weight with handle wrap - 308.5
Balance 31.5
This usually is a good sign for a 310+ SW. Once I get to the RDC I will verify but I am thinking I have had good luck with the Wilson QC Lottery on my 3 frames.
Weight with handle wrap - 308.5
Balance 31.5
This usually is a good sign for a 310+ SW. Once I get to the RDC I will verify but I am thinking I have had good luck with the Wilson QC Lottery on my 3 frames.
tim-ay
Legend
Talk me out of ordering a 4th. I have the worst fear the pro labs experiment will end. Waking up at night with cold sweats. No one needs more than 3 right? Dayem.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
I'm holding for now at 3. I think 3 is a great number, and then down the road once you are locked in and done you grab a few more.
Now some extra grommets would be sensible purchase...
tim-ay
Legend
Exactly right. I’ll hold onto these wise words as I fight the urge of single racket holism. I have one set of grommets but getting a few more makes a lot of sense.
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