WILSON BLADE 98 16X19 (2015) RACKET REVIEW
Upsides
- Feel, especially at net
- Access to power
- Stability
Downsides
- Nothing we could agree on
Summary
Just as we found when we reviewed its 18x20 counterpart, the Blade 98 16x19 offered a more forgiving and responsive feel than the racket it replaces (2013 Blade 98 16x19). The new graphite and basalt layup in the frame makes it feel noticeably plusher, while the Parallel Drilling opens up the sweetspot and makes the new Blade 98 16x19 more forgiving on off-centre shots. Two of our playtesters found a very favorable blend of power and control while the other two found the response to be a bit too erratic at times. The two playtesters who liked the response felt very comfortable swinging big and going for their shots, while the others didn't have the confidence to constantly go for their shots. However, all agreed that this Blade improves upon its predecessor and continues to be a versatile weapon for the modern player. We encourage you to read on to find out how this racket performs for various playing styles.
Overall - Score: 82/100
Groundstrokes – Score 80/100
Everyone appreciated the responsive feel from the Blade 98 16x19 that left us feeling very connected to the ball as it left the strings, but other than that there were some mixed feelings amongst the playtesters about striking groundstrokes with the racket. Two of the four testers found a nice blend of power and control that enabled them to go after their shots with confidence, while the other two found the racket to be a bit erratic and struggled to find the depth they wanted consistently from the baseline. All in all, the racket proved to be a versatile one that worked well for topspin, flat and slice shots, but may require a bit of care to find the ideal string setup for each player.
Volleys – Score 78/100
Our testers had a similar experience at net with the Blade 98 16x19, as everyone appreciated the plush, responsive feel but not everyone found the control they needed. The same two testers that liked the racket from the baseline also enjoyed it for their volleys and overheads, enjoying the precision it offered for finesse and touch. However, the other two found a similar unpredictable feel when trying to stick their volleys deep in the court. One player suggested a bit more weight in the racket's hoop would have helped stability and control.
Serve – Score 81/100
Serves were the most preferred shot amongst the team with the Blade 98 16x19. The open string pattern provided ample power and spin for getting the ball moving quickly off and through the court, and there was enough control to locate our serves consistently in the box where we intended to. The combination of attributes allowed our testers to serve effectively and constantly keep the opposing return on the defensive.
Returns – Score 81/100
The mixed emotions about the Blade 98 16x19 continued on the return of serve, where half the team was able to get dialed in and the other half was finding the same inconsistency and unpredictably. One tester particularly found success taking his returns early with short, compact swings, while another liked the racket for defensive chip returns . However, like from other areas of the court the other two testers found the racket to be a little erratic off the return.
Likes:
Andy: "Great feel and softer-feeling than the version it replaces. Very nice spin potential as well."
Michelle: "I could access a lot of power and spin. The cosmetics look hot - I love the lime green head guard!"
Marco: "The weight and balance along with the large sweetspot really makes this an all-court racket, especially for the advanced player."
Sebastian: "Overall, this is a great racket for the advanced tournament player whose playing style is rather flat and powerful while not using too much spin. The combination of being able to generate power while maintaining stability and control were some of my favourite features."
Dislikes:
Andy: "An inconsistent response off the stringbed resulted in a lack of control at times."
Michelle: "I felt really erratic playing with this racket. I appreciated the spin and power, but never really found a consistent response."
Marco: "A lot of effort was required to generate the spin I am used to getting."
Sebastian: "Generating sufficient spin was a challenge for me, especially when hitting groundstrokes and second serves."
Comparing it to other racquets they've used, our testers said:
Andy: "The new graphite/basalt layup results in a softer, yet more solid feel compared to the previous version. I would compare it to the Head Graphene Prestige Pro and Yonex EZONE Ai 98, but with not quite as much control."
Michelle: "Compared to the version it replaces, I’d say there was a bit more feel and a more powerful sweetspot. I would also compare it to the Pure Strike 16x19, although I think the Pure Strike feels a bit more 'solid’ in my opinion."
Marco: "The Blade 16x19 is one of the most well-rounded rackets I’ve played with. Its maneuverability and precise control makes it a very nice racket to swing. Compared to the Pure Drive Plus, the Blade might not offer the same power, but it makes up for that with its forgiving feel when going after your shots. For even more control over the trajectory of your shots, I would recommend trying the denser Blade 98 18x20 string pattern, which I found to give more consistent depth from the baseline. In saying that, the 18x20 doesn’t suit my game as well and didn’t offer quite the same pop off the string bed."
Sebastian: "Compared to the same racket with an 18x20 string pattern I felt that it was easier to generate power while maintaining most of its control. While the 16x19 version seemed to be a little less forgiving than it's 18x20 counterpart, I feel like a tournament player will appreciate the extra power that comes with this racket. For both rackets I felt it quite challenging to generate a lot of spin; thus recommending the racket to hard-hitting players that prefer to hit the ball flat and without a lot of spin."
Playtester Profiles:
Andy: Open level all court player with a semi-western forehand grip and a two handed backhand. Andy is currently using the Yonex EZONE Ai 98.
Michelle: Open level baseline player with a semi-western forehand and a two handed backhand. She currently plays with the Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph.
Marco: Open level lefty aggressive baseliner with a semi-western forehand and a one-handed backhand. He currently plays with a Babolat Pure Drive Plus.
Sebastian: Open level baseline player with a semi-western forehand and a two handed backhand. Sebastian currently plays with a Wilson Blade 98 16x19.
Review date: February 2015. If you found this review interesting or have further questions or comments please contact us: information.en@tenniswarehouse-europe.com.
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