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The Wilson Blade is one of the best tennis racquets for feel on the market. Below, we’ll review the Wilson Blade, including pros, cons, and different models of the racquet. Then, we’ll compare it to other tennis racquets to help you decide if the Blade is right for you.
Review Summary & Ratings for the Wilson Blade
Wilson Blade tennis racquets are one of the most popular models in the world. The newest version of the blade offers slightly better stability than the older model but overall, not much has changed.
Used by Serena Williams and many other top pros, Wilson makes Blade racquets player friendly with different versions for all skill levels. It is one of the best tennis racquets on the market today. The Blade racquet is known for its excellent combination of comfort and control on the tennis court.
See our ratings, plus the pros and cons of the Wilson Blade below for a quick glance at how it performs compared to other tennis racquets.
Our Ratings for the Wilson Blade
- Power: 7
- Control: 8
- Spin: 8
- Serve: 7
- Return: 8
- Groundstrokes: 8
- Volleys: 7
- Price: $$$
Pros
- Great high-level intermediate & advanced level racquet
- Excellent combination of comfort & control
- Easy spin with the 16×19 version
- Easy to swing
- Flexible frame can help with tennis elbow
Cons
- Not great for players who need help with power
- Very muted feel on contact that some players may not like
Different Versions of the Wilson Blade Tennis Racquet
The Wilson Blade tennis racquet comes in several versions that vary in weight and size. Below is a list of the different Wilson Blade racquets on the market today.
We’ll review each version of the Blade in more detail below.
What did Wilson Update with the Blade v8?
With the newest versions of the Blade, Wilson did not make significant changes.
- The Blade v8 is slightly lighter than its predecessor (0.1 oz.) and otherwise is virtually the same.
You can still purchase the old version of the Blade and its family of racquets for a discount.
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Wilson Blade 98 Review: A Modern Control-Oriented Racquet
We’ll start with the most popular version of the Wilson Blade. The Blade 98 comes in two versions, one with a 16×19 string pattern, and another at 18×20.
Wilson Blade 98 Racquet Specifications
- Weight: 11.3 oz. strung
- Head Size: 98 square inches
- Length: 27 inches
- Balance: 326 mm
- String Pattern: 16×19
This racquet has a relatively thin, yet flexible frame for a modern tennis racquet. The weight allows you to generate enough power while the head size and frame are designed for control and feel.
Other Sellers: Amazon.com | Wilson.com
The Blade 98 Racquet has Excellent Comfort and Control
When making contact with the ball, the Wilson Blade might be the most comfortable advanced tennis racquet on the market. The frame design and flexibility give it a solid, stable feel without much feedback.
The Blade 98 16×19 version can help you generate excellent spin as well.
For even more control, consider the Blade 98 18×20 version. You will find it more difficult to hit with spin and power, but slightly easier to control and feel the tennis ball. The Blade 98 18×20 is one of the best 8 tennis racquets for control.
Other Sellers: Amazon.com | Wilson.com
Wilson Blade 104 Review: A Comfortable, Powerful Frame
For a racquet with added power and spin, the Wilson Blade 104 is one of the best choices in tennis. It still offers excellent comfort and control for a racquet of this size.
Wilson Blade 104 Racquet Specifications
- Weight: 10.8 oz. strung
- Head Size: 104 square inches
- Length: 27.5 inches
- Balance: 330 mm
- String Pattern: 16×19
This is a great tennis racquet for intermediate players. The 104 head size gives it a big sweet spot, and the extra length (27.5 inches) adds to the power of this racquet.
Because of the open string pattern, you’ll be able to hit with excellent spin as well. Beginners or intermediate players learning topspin will find the Blade 104 easy to use.
Other Sellers: Amazon.com | Wilson.com
The Blade 104 is the Power Racquet in the Blade Series
This racquet’s size automatically places it in the category of power racquets.
However, there is probably no racquet on the market that is this size and has a comfort level like the Blade 104.
Most skill levels can play with the Blade 104. Players who play from the baseline will be able to create a combination of power and spin that few racquets offer. This combination makes it great for both serving and groundstrokes.
The Wilson Ultra tennis racquet and the Babolat Pure Aero offer more spin and power, but not with this level of comfort.
When you make contact with the ball, the Blade racquet absorbs the impact better than most racquets, making it very arm-friendly as well.
Reviewing Other Versions of the Wilson Blade
The other two versions of the Wilson Blade that we will review here are the 100L and the SW102.
The Wilson Blade 100L is a Great Beginner to Intermediate Racquet
This is the low-level intermediate racquet in the Wilson Blade series. Here are the racquet specifications for the Wilson Blade 100L.
- Weight: 10.6 oz. strung
- Head Size: 100 square inches
- Length: 27 inches
- Balance: 340 mm
- String Pattern: 16×19
The specs of the Wilson Blade 100L make it great for serious beginner to intermediate players seeking a comfortable, easy-to-swing tennis racquet.
Because of the lightweight nature of this racquet, you will sacrifice some stability. This will be noticed at higher levels of tennis when the ball is moving faster.
Other Sellers: Amazon.com | Wilson.com
Serena Williams’ Wilson Blade SW102
This SW102 version has some unique characteristics that make it different from most advanced racquets you’ll find on tour.
- Weight: 11.4 oz. strung
- Head Size: 102 square inches
- Length: 28 inches
- Balance: 335 mm
- String Pattern: 18×19
The Blade SW102 has added length and head size for a bigger sweet spot and more power. With this racquet, you will find it easy to generate depth and control on your groundstrokes.
The Wilson Blade SW102 is a great racquet for singles players who like to control the opponent from the baseline. This racquet can add power to your serves as well.
Other Sellers: Amazon.com | Wilson.com
However, I don’t recommend this racquet for doubles players who like to move forward to the net. The size of the racquet makes it a bit more difficult to maneuver at the net.
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The Best Alternatives to the Wilson Blade
Below are 3 other tennis racquets similar to the Wilson Blade that you may want to consider.
- Babolat Pure Strike – A stiffer racquet with better power but less comfort on contact.
- Head Radical – A very similar racquet with slightly more power and stability, but provides less precise shot making.
- Head Prestige – An even more advanced, control-oriented racquet with versions similar to the Wilson Blade.
My Experience Playing with the Wilson Blade
After testing and reviewing the newest Wilson Blade v8, it felt like I had lost some feel from the previous version on groundstrokes.
The comfort level and overall control are still off the charts, but there were times when the tennis ball didn’t respond how I expected.
Sometimes you barely feel the ball bouncing off the strings.
The racquet was easy to swing and control. I noticed the added stability which helped me with volleys and returns.
Overall, I personally liked the Wilson Blade v7 better for its feel.
Wilson Blade Video Review
In the video below, I review 5 versions of the Wilson Blade.
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