Wilson Blade 98 v8 (16x19)
About the Brand
WILSON Sporting Goods is an American Sports Equipment Manufacturer Company.
In 1913, the Wilson Sporting Goods Company was founded in Illinois, Chicago, United States, by Mr. Thomas E. Wilson.
Mr. Thomas E. Wilson was born in July 22, 1868 Ontario, Canada, London and died in August 4, 1958, Lake Forest , Illinios, United States.
Wilson makes equipment for many sports, among them baseball, badminton, football, basketball, fastpitch softball, golf, soccer, squash, pickleball, volleyball, racquetball, and tennis.
The company owns the brands Atec, DeMarini, EvoShield, Louisville Slugger, and Luxilon to provide sports equipment and protective gear for baseball, lacrosse, softball, and tennis.
Wilson is a major manufacturer of tennis racquets. The original Kevlar Pro Staff model racquets, known for their use by Pete Sampras, were heavy (more than 350 g strung) and small-headed (85 sq in.).
Roger Federer also used the same racquet model. Jim Courier and Stefan Edberg also used the Pro Staff Original. Stefan Edberg later switched to the Pro Staff Classic in 1991, which was the same racket (85 sq. in. with slightly rounded frame edges) but with different paint work.
In late 2009, Wilson unveiled their latest line of rackets, codenamed 20x, which they would later rename BLX. This line directly replaces their previous K-Factor series with all new technologies. Also, many pros use custom-made rackets that perform differently from the mass-produced versions. As of 2015, Roger Federer uses the Pro Staff RF97 Autograph model, which is heavy (340 g/12 oz unstrung) and larger (97 sq. in.).
Aside from tennis racquets, the Wilson Sporting Goods Company also makes tennis balls (including the official balls of the US Open Championship and, starting in 2020, the French Open major championships), shoes, balls, strings, clothes, and racquet bags.
Wilson Sporting Goods officially sponsors some of the world’s leading tennis players, including
Roger Federer, Grigor Dimitrov, David Goffin, Gael Monfils, Kei Nishikori, Milos Raonic, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Philipp Kohlschreiber, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Sania Mirza, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Jelena Ostapenko, Maria Sakkari, Simona Halep, Petra Kvitova, and Kyle Edmund.
Description
Wilson enhanced the maneuverability and stability of this updated racquet, the Wilson Blade 98 v8 (2021).
Wilson Blade 98 has been always one of the most popular racquet among the pro players. This racquet is the choice of Simona Halep, Emma Raducanu, Paula Badosa, Alex De Minaur, and others.
For 2021, Wilson releases the Blade’s eighth generation, keeping up the splendid feel and magnificent all-court performance.
Compared to the previous version, this Wilson Blade 98 v8 has a lower swing weight and RA-stiffness of around 61, which makes this racquet very maneuverable and comfortable to use.
Wilson keeps the revolutionary layup technology that was originally used in the Blade v7 under the name FeelFlex; now it’s called Forty Five.
Wilson also introduces Direct Connect Technology, which fuses the buttcap directly to the carbon fibre portion of the handle for added stability.
Wilson’s done a new Chameleon Paint job which initiate dynamic color-shifting under the different light conditions from different angles and elastic finish allows the racquet frame to morph between shades of green and copper.
The Wilson Blade 98 v8 is the best racquet for intermediate to advanced players.
Specifications
| Head Size : 98 in / 632.26 cm |
| Length : 27 in / 68.58cm |
| Strung Weight : 320gm / 11.3 oz |
| Unstrung Weight : 305gm / 10.8 oz |
| Balance : 12.85 in / 32.64 cm / 5 pts HL |
| Beam Width : 21mm / 21mm / 21mm |
| Swingweight : 317 |
| String Tension : 50-60 pounds |
| Stiffness : 61 |
| Composition : Braided Graphite |
| Grip Type : Wilson Pro Performance |
| String Pattern: 16 Mains / 19 Crosses |
Technology
Pro Using or Used This Racquet
Overall Performance
The perfect blend of an open 16-by-19 string pattern and a moderate 98 square inch head size make this a very controlled and spin-friendly racquet.
The Wilson Blade 98 v8 retains its braided graphite and basalt composition for enhanced control. The updated Wilson Blade 98 V8 is all about a control-oriented racquet.
Feel
Compared with the previous version, this Wilson Blade 98 V8 feels more plush, powerful, and maneuverable.
Wilson has been renamed “Feel Flex” by Forty Five, which gives the updated Wilson Blade 98 v8 (16×19) an incredible feel and stability.
Wilson uses a top grip taper, which enriches the feel for holding the top hand and the grip when hitting a two-handed backhand.
Groundstrokes
From the baseline, the Wilson Blade 98 v8 feels very solid and stable.
This racquet doesn’t offer some free power that means you’ll most of the times in control and attacking the ball reliably land just inside the baseline on your groundstrokes.
The open 16-by-19 string pattern offers the most topspin, and the smaller 98 square inch head size emphasises the outstanding control.
Maneuverability
Compared to the previous version, Wilson has lowered its swing weight from 328 to 320, which makes this racquet more maneuverable.
At 5pts head light weight balance and thin beam width help this racquet easy to maneuver for all variation of the shots.
Power
As I already mention that blade 98 v8 is a controlled racquet for its weight around 305gm category you can’t get free excess of power with this stick easily.
If you like to hit powerful shots with this racquet, then I’d recommend lowering your tension by 3 or 4 pounds, somewhere between 52 and 55 pounds, and hitting on the sweet spot until it works well for your game style.
Returns
The Wilson Blade 98 V8 is a control-oriented racquet, which means its control and lower power allow you to swing through the ball with confidence.
Slices against big serves off the sweet spot feel solid and plush with this blade, 98 v8.
Thanks to the maneuvrability and control of this racquet, you have no problem getting the racquet back quickly and hitting the aggressive return on big or fast serves.
Serves
For first serve, the Wilson Blade 98 v8 feels like a control racquet, which means you are not getting uncontrollable power on flat serve or first serve.
You can comfortably generate an adequate amount of racquet head speed with this Wilson Blade 98 v8, which helps in pace and topspin either for the first serve or the second serve.
Some of the players might find a dense 1820 string pattern a better option than an open string pattern for a pure flat serve.
For second serve or kick serve, thanks to the open 16×19 string pattern helps generate you the utmost amount of spin.
Over all, the Wilson Blade 98 V8 is a great racquet to serve with.
Slices
Slices with this blade 98 v8 (16×19) feel extremely plush, solid, and stable off the sweet spot, whether they’re for drop shots, backhand slices, or return slices.
Stability
Wilson Blade 98 V8 (16×19) has an adequate amount of stability and solid but some of the advanced players might find lack of stability for its weight around 305gm.
For pro players, customising this racquet by adding some weight to meet their requirements will enhance the stability of the racquet, which they specifically need at the net and on returns.
TopSpin
The open 16×19 string pattern does a great job of helping you produce utmost amount of topspin and a higher launch angle.
You don’t have to be very technical for generating topspin with this Wilson Blade 98 v8 can easily get topspin for all variation of shots cause of open string pattern.
Volleys
The Wilson Blade 98 v8 feels pretty stable, comfortable, and solid at the net.
This racquet has plenty of maneuverability, and its low swing weight means you can get it into position very gently.
The stability of this racquet helped you volleys in any position to finish the point, angled volley or drop the volley.
This racquet benefits from its moderate weight and a sweet spot for a 98-square-inch head size that delivers controlled accuracy at the net.
Overall
From the baseline, the updated Wilson Blade 98 v8 (16×19) feels very solid and stable.
On serves, after sometimes giving this racquet a try, you’ll definitely enjoy serving with it.
On returns, its controllable power allows you to swing through the ball with confidence.
On Volleys, for pro players stability may be not favourable but customizing can get rid off that.
In this category of racquets Wilson Blade 98 v8 is a completely blend of everything you need.
Overall Wilson Blade 98 v8 is a versatile racquet for all court playability.
Percentage Chart
79%
Control
80%
Feel
85%
Groundstrokes
80%
Maneuverability
78%
Power
78%
Returns
85%
Serves
80%
Stability
80%
Slices
80%
Volleys
88%
Topspin
82%
Over-all
Like
- Control
- Spin Potetial
- Maneuverability
- Comfort
Dislike
- No One
Who's This Racquet For
It’s a versatile all-court racquet that’s ideal for intermediate to advanced players.
If you are a player who is prefer solid feeling, comfort, plenty of spin and easy to maneuver consider mid plus weight then this racquet could be a great option for you.
It’s persistent and control-focused, which will give you a lot of confidence to swing freely, and the frame stringbed will feel like you connected on every ball you hit.
Who's This Racquet Not For
If you are enjoying much stiffer frame that is allow you to get a natural pop that is present with stiffer frame then this racquet will not favourable for you.
If you are a player who likes to play doubles a lot or you’re an aggressive serve and volley player, then the stability of this racquet could be unlikeable for you.
However, there is always the possibility of customising the midweight racquets by adding some weights as per your requirements, so with the Wilson Blade 98 v8, too, you can overcome the default set-up of the racquet.
(Other Wilson Blade V8 Variants)
Wilson Blade 98 v8 (18x20)
The Wilson Blade 98 v8 18×20 and Blade 98 v8 16×19 are both identical racquets in terms of specifications apart from the string pattern. This tight 18×20 string pattern is designed to provide more control and precision but can result in less spin and power. Players who prefer a more controlled game should go for Blade 98 v8 18×20.
This racquet is the choice of players like Stefanos Tsitsipas, Aryna Sabalenka, and Jelena Ostapenko, among many others.
Wilson Blade 100 v8
Wilson Blade 100 v8 has 2 square inch smaller head size racquet compared to Blade 98 18×20 and Blade 98 16×19. The larger head size of the Blade 100 v8 provides a larger sweet spot and more forgiveness on off-centre hits. It has a 16×19 string pattern. Players who prefer a large sweet spot and more spin should go for the Wilson Blade 100 v8.
This racquet is best suited for intermediate to advanced players.
Wilson Blade 100 L v8
Wilson Blade 100 L v8 and Blade100 v8 both are the identical racquet in terms of specification apart from the racquet weight. The Wilson Blade 100 L v8 is a 15-gram (0.5 oz) lighter unstrung weight racquet than the Blade 100 v8. This means that the Blade 100 L is more maneuverable (easy to swing) than the Blade 100. This racquet is best suited for beginner to intermediate players.
Wilson Blade 100 UL v8
Wilson Blade 100 UL v8 is the lightest unstrung weight tennis racquet in the Wilson Blade V8 series. It has a 265-gram (9.4 oz) unstrung weight. This means that the UL version is lighter and easier to swing, making it a good option for players who value manoeuvrability and control over power.
This racquet is best suited for beginners or older players.
Wilson Blade 104 v8
The Wilson Blade 104 V8 is the biggest headsize tennis racquet in the Wilson Blade V8 series. It has 6 or 4 square inch large head size than the standard Wilson blade 98 v8 and 100 v8 racquets. The Blade 104 v8 is designed for players who want a larger sweet spot and a more forgiving racquet. It provides more power and stability, making it ideal for players who need help generating power and have a slower swing. This racquet is best suited for beginners or older players.
Note*
Selecting the perfect racquet for your suitable game style takes lot of research and time. Its really hard to find the perfect racquet for yourself cause every racquet has its own pros and cons.