Yonex Pro 97D vs Wilson Blade v7 18 x 20

[pico]

I currently have the Wilson Blade v7 18 x 20 but looking to replace that with another 18 x 20 (struggling to find the right balance with the Blade). I have played the Yonex Pro 97HD before and liked it though wanted more out of it. It has got me thinking about the Yonex Pro 97D. Can anyone compare between the Pro 97D and the Blade 18 x 20 v7 please. Thanks.

 

[n80aoag]

In my experience, 97D has more power and plow than the V7 blade 18m. Some like the feel of the blade line better and it's control over the 16x19 blade, but I personally prefer the 97D's feel and power levels for a 18x20. I also serve my best with the 97D. It's more maneuverable and powerful than the 97HD also. For reference, I used to play with the Gravity Pro, so I wanted something with similar levels of plow and control in an easier to swing package, so the 97D is perfect for me.

 

[pico]

In my experience, 97D has more power and plow than the V7 blade 18m. Some like the feel of the blade line better and it's control over the 16x19 blade, but I personally prefer the 97D's feel and power levels for a 18x20. I also serve my best with the 97D. It's more maneuverable and powerful than the 97HD also. For reference, I used to play with the Gravity Pro, so I wanted something with similar levels of plow and control in an easier to swing package, so the 97D is perfect for me.

This is great feedback. I also do have a Gravity Pro - so the choice of the 18 x 20 was also going to include the Gravity Pro. So your feedback really helps. I do have a Vcore 95 and while it is a 16 x 20, did you ever play one? I am curious as to the feel as well between the Vcire 95 and the Vcore 97D. Where I live, I am unable to demo.

 

[n80aoag]

I only demo’d the Vcore 95 2021 in a 4 3/8 when I normally use 4 1/4. It was demo’d together with the 98 and 100 Vcores when they were released last year. I don’t gel well with the non-pro vcore line, they all felt a bit stiff, hollow and unstable to me and I didn’t want to mess with lead on them. The only takeaways I remember with the 95 is that it felt very plush with PolyTour Pro at 48ish lbs tension, felt bigger than a 95 sq in frame, and was more enjoyable to hit with than the 98 and 100.

 

[eStarfish]

I recently picked up a 97D and I must say I’m smitten. Most recently I’ve been using the Vcore 95, which I love for its precision and maneuverability, but I had been missing the plow of my old v7 18m sticks. The 97D feels more maneuverable than the V7 blade and similar to @n80aoag I’m serving much better with it.

 

[pico]

I recently picked up a 97D and I must say I’m smitten. Most recently I’ve been using the Vcore 95, which I love for its precision and maneuverability, but I had been missing the plow of my old v7 18m sticks. The 97D feels more maneuverable than the V7 blade and similar to @n80aoag I’m serving much better with it.

any customization done on the Yonex 97D?

 

[pico]

In my experience, 97D has more power and plow than the V7 blade 18m. Some like the feel of the blade line better and it's control over the 16x19 blade, but I personally prefer the 97D's feel and power levels for a 18x20. I also serve my best with the 97D. It's more maneuverable and powerful than the 97HD also. For reference, I used to play with the Gravity Pro, so I wanted something with similar levels of plow and control in an easier to swing package, so the 97D is perfect for me.

any customization on the Yonex 97D ?

 

[n80aoag]

any customization on the Yonex 97D ?

No customization for me, any added lead would be too heavy to swing. Just threw on an overgrip and dampener and it’s so stable without customization. Weighs about 342g static

 

[eStarfish]

any customization done on the Yonex 97D?

none for me other than overgrip. I have TW leather grips on my other racquets but haven't yet that since the static weight is already pretty high (~343g).

 

[tennis007]

In the past I played with Wilson Blade v7 18x20 for a few months and found the blade stiff, even though specifications of RA state they are in low 60's. I now use Yonex Vcore Pro 97D. I find the Vcore Pro 97D provides excellent power, feel, and control. Bottom line is, I recommend to demo racquets to feel for yourself and ensure to test them against different players.

 

[OslerWeber]

In my experience, 97D has more power and plow than the V7 blade 18m. Some like the feel of the blade line better and it's control over the 16x19 blade, but I personally prefer the 97D's feel and power levels for a 18x20. I also serve my best with the 97D. It's more maneuverable and powerful than the 97HD also. For reference, I used to play with the Gravity Pro, so I wanted something with similar levels of plow and control in an easier to swing package, so the 97D is perfect for me.

How’s forgiveness in the 97D in comparison to the gravity and blade? Does the headsize feel much smaller?

 

[n80aoag]

How’s forgiveness in the 97D in comparison to the gravity and blade? Does the headsize feel much smaller?

The 97D sweetspot and stringbed felt bigger than the Blade to me, mostly due to the isometric shape. I tend to hit higher in the stringbed so it was an easy transition going from the huge sweetspot and forgiving stringbed of the Gravity Pro to the 97D. Someone on the threads here mentioned that the 97D feels like a more maneuverable Gravity Pro, and I completely agree with that after playing with it exclusively for a month. The blade is a great frame (V5 and newer, minus V6), but less forgiving than the 97D and Gravity Pro and requires more effort to hit the same depth and spin

 

[ttlapointe]

It's maybe somewhere else on the forums, but was wondering if anyone can make a detailed comparison of the Vcore Pro 97D and the Blade 98 18x20 V8? Thanks!