Totally agree with your take. The 18x20 is far superior to the 16x19. It has way more control, plow and stability while comfort is excellent. It bothers me why most reviewers praising the 16x19 so much. The 18x20 is arguably the better choice.... the little more spin and power of the 16x19 is not worth the sacrifice in control and plow/stability!!
I really appreciate your reviews. I like that you add details like using multiple string setups and give the gauges and tensions used. It’s extremely useful because not all rackets in my experience works with all string tensions or string types.
The reason i do it is because i need to see how the frame reacts , if it plays well at my normal tension then i dont experiment, but sometimes it might not, so i lower the tension and see if anything positive comes out of it Same with strings, i will intentionally try certain strings to test if a racquet is going to be overly stiff, or if that it plays well with a mediocre string, then its 100% going to play better in my favourite setups
Phenomenal attention to detail and context, Bravo🙏. I have had multiple V5 Blades for 5 years+, which has allowed me to benchmark different set-ups, My conclusion is that the Blade really improves greatly in all areas, especially in growing the sweet spot from adding weight to 3, 9 and 12 as long as you counterweight in the handle to maintain a 315mm to 325mm (strung) balance, even if you have to go above your normal preferred static weight you can add more weight to handle for a more head light balance, Also going up 2-4 pounds in string tension to help with controlling the extra power/plough this set up will deliver. I would highly recommend giving this a try.
@@ACTennis BTW, This was done on the (16x19) racquets, I did this on a Blade V5 (18x20) which also improved the performance, I ended up missing the top cross making it an (18x19) which lifted the launch angle and pop slightly.
@@winniecarl Hey mate! May I ask how much lead/weight do you recommend adding to the Blades and where? Cheers! I currently have a V9 18x20 - SW came in at 328! Cheers!
Thanks for the support and kind words, i subbed - you have a different type of channel because you actually upload frequently haha, ill check out your videos! appreciate it
Wow. Randomly got recommended this video, insane detail! Looking forward to more content from you brother. ❤ ( We got the same style strokes so i am super excited to get on this channel)
Definitely and a ton better now than i was at that time, also i was so injury ridden then aswell, dont think i could sum the money to buy it but i cant remember but i think i saw new phantoms on the horizon? we'll see how much they cost
Hi! Just bought the Blade V9 18*20, but not yet played it. Going to compare it with my other rackets, Dunlop cx200 tour + tungsten in hoop, Yonex vcore 97D, Solinco whiteout 16x19, and Babolat pure Aero 98. They all feel great with each their own drawbacks. Best feel is Dunlop hands down. What is your take on this list AC?
I’m still loving my 18x20 v8s. The feel and cupping are fantastic. Nonetheless I agree is a tough racquet to buy if you (1) want to play it at stock specs and (2) don’t have access to a swingweight machine /customization. Mine are all bang on 313gr 31.6cm and 295sw. Unstrung ra 62-64.
Love your OHBH! I also use one but not nearly as consistent. Currently using Whiteout 18x20. Wondering what you suggest for a 3.5-4.0 player with a OHBH to try?
Excellent review, love the graphs! What racket would you recommend for a 4.0 all court player Blade V9 18x20, 16x19, ISO 305, 315, TFight 40, RF01, Radical MP, extreme MP, or something else? I currently play with vcore98 98 tour, it's erratic, too demanding for my 2h sessions.
@@chadallen3211 The Blade Pro feel is unbeatable, because its very true and original to no technology used, for Blade Pro id pick 18x20 because the 16x19 is very open, may lose out on some control For v9, i could choose either pattern, but the only reason is choose 18x20 here because i think it feels plusher and nicer, also more direct control - but i may like the 16x19 for a bit more power and launch angle if i feel i need it
Could you elaborate on the hidden spin potential of the strike you mentioned in the video? How can a racket that doesn’t move well on a vertical string path have high spin?
It's ability to generate spin doesnt solely rest on the manoeuvrability, rather ones skill to hit through aggressively, and even though it's a bit harder to do that with the Strike, it has very good spin potential , just watch how much Thiem used to get on his forehand with an 18x20 strike, but he did use the the G3 frame but custom with custom 70 stiffness layup (also probably why he got wrist injury lol)
Blade has more top end power in big swings, higher launch angle, less penetrating spin, better for flat attacking shots - Regna is consistent, has nicer quality feel / feedback, plays nicer for OHBH, both serve well and probably more unforgiving at the same tension, but plays much better at lower tensions
Either Tru Pro Firewire Boost, or Alupwer - normally i dont like alupower because it's a bit too stiff for me, but in the sweetspot it was fine and a welcome addition due to the muted feel, being a more crisper playing poly
Excellent review as always. So are you saying that the sweetspot in upper part of hoop for 18x20 is better/not harsh with no dead spot. with the v8, putting lead at 10&2 seemed to help with this. more consistent stringbed is why I usually get the blade in 18m. thanks again for vid
It didnt disappear, but because it was softer and the stability was also noticeably better, it helped, but i cant add weight to the tip personally due to my weak ass not being able to handle above 330 SW lol
what a great review.. exactly what I was looking for.. my ears were deceiving me a bit hearing the 18x20 portion but for some reason I gravitate to denser string patterns like the Strike 18x20 and the old hated countervail 18x20.. mine broke at the throat and it's left a hole in my options.. but I've been playing with the strike 18x20 so if the Blade V9 is indeed that impressive I might skip the 16x19 that I had my eyes on.. coming from the Yonex side I still use the older Ezone Xi 98 which is stiffer and haven't ever like many of the newer versions (ai was a lot of peoples favorite for awhile before the dr's).. but I do like the vcore 98, and the plus ezones are ok not great.
I played with Kyrgios's Xi for a little bit, loads of power and spin, very fun Blade 18x20 will probably be dependent on swingweight for performance, i have a bit of a reluctance to think it will perform the same. way without at least a decent swingweight
@@ACTennis completely makes sense, I added weight to the handle and some long lead strips to the xi long ago @ 3/9 and never looked back, stock form I probably wouldn't do for the yonex, maybe also why I haven't always liked the AI or DR as much.. but anything in 325-low 330s range usually is welcomed.. I guess thin beam faster racquets to me are more enjoyable but with still having some heft. Pure Strike v1 16x19 I have is setup similar to the ezone Xi.
Great review. How would you compare both racquets to the Gravity Pro? Looking for a frame that's a bit more maneuverable as my Gravity Pro can sometimes feel a bit sluggish. Leaning towards getting the 18x20 version for the stability, but wanted to get your opinion on how the 16x19 would compare to the Gravity Pro as well. Thank you!
If you're looking for something with more Gravity like control and feel, it would be the 18x20, maybe get it at a bit lower swingweight around 326-328 area, that might give you some room to feel less cumbersome with it Otherwise if you want a little more power and spin marginally, stability is pretty comparable for both, for me a head heavier blade is harder to swing than my Gravity Pro which i play almost stock specs
@@ACTennis Thank you for the reply! Yeah, I have a wrist issue and comfort is very important for me. Also wanted to ask about comfort as I am trying to figure out whether the better comfort of 18x20 that you mentioned in the review will "offset" the higher SW and put less of a strain on my wrist than the 16x19. Thanks in advance!
Probably safer for overall arm health, v6 countervail might be hiding the stiffness only, rather than actually being comfortable , ive had to go through alot more tennis elbow and wrist issues since i used it, and for how i am now, id rather be safe than sorry - but performance wise they are both good, v6 is just gonna be more powerful
Like your comparison charts. Any reason why you did not integrate a Yonex Percept 97, since it's also a control oriented frame (97, 97H or 97D)? Very curious to compare both.
I am hunting reviews all day for at least 2 weeks now but i just discovered this ge(m)ntleman. Thanks for the contect and luckily we have similar style of play, so i am really lucky to have found you. Really considering this racket. Time for me to buy my second racket after around 17 years with the 106sq in nblade (v1 i guess) 😅
@@ACTennis To be honest i played a few balls with prestige pro and fell in love with the buttery feel and precision. So i really consider prestige mp l which i can handle and maybe customize. Thank you for your content again!! Wish the best for you! 🙏
@@TheodorosKolokotronis799 NGL first hit fresh strings T1 BK actually hurt lol, i played again once the strings really settled in just by leaving it there, then i started to gel with it pretty well - atm it it seemed to feel similar to the current FX line, the FX 98 Tour anyway, which i wasn't all that impressed by - but performance wise it seemed so far so good
@@ACTennis I didn’t not enjoy fx 98 tour. Good power, great stability but the feel was kinda muted. So from your answer i suppose you prefer v9 right now ?
All racquets can produce spin, but predominantly is on users abolity - IMO alot of people mistaken spin for margin (height) of the arc over the net, you can get the ball to bounce high on most shots, but how heavy is the actual rotations is what matters Blades are flat playing racquets, always have been, precision is the key, and some spin is there if you are good enough to access it
After watching this review, feel like the tfight 305 is a very good racket, very all rounded just like the ezone. Is the tfight very difficult to play with?
Yeah, the specs do not come out very user friendly, your best chance is to buy a very low swingweight one, and technically it doesnt play as well as it would with its general heavy specs, but still plays pretty well
Nah i demoed this one but it was easy to hit enough to get a good idea of how it plays over a week, since i'm directly coming off using the 16x19 version, so i never bought 18x20, but if i were to buy one of the two, would be the 18x20
Im looking at the Blade 98 and 100 , 16x19… As a 4.0 senior singles player with a ohb and good touch, the 100 might suit me better. TW has some V8 100’s available; the V9 hasn’t come in yet. Is the V9 100 worth waiting for? And does the 100 best fit my ability… Thanks, John
Not worth to wait for the v9 blade 100 as the v8 plays more than fine, solid in all categories and not sure about most people but i found one hander is very good because it was lighter than the 98 but could plow through the ball
@@ACTennis I’ve been trying the Ezone 98…. My elbow seems to be developing some sensitivity… I don’t know if it’s me or the racquet. I may send it back and go for the Blade 100…or the Blade 98 16 x 19 v9..I had to add this edit… your analysis is right on..awesome video…I don’t like to screw around with customization..rather go with stock, but I will work with TW to get spec or below spec… I string my racquets with champions choice hybrid ( gut in mains at 55 or 53; poly in cross at 52 or 50)…
Speed pro being a 1820 is very easy to get spin compared to the gravity tour I've tried. Nevertheless, speed pro is 100 head size so it's not a complete surprise. However, Blade 98 1820 is surprisingly easy to play compared to other 1820 I've tried in a 98 head size.
@@ACTennis I couldn't resist and bought a 16*19. The unstrung SW is about 290. With 1.25 ALU Power it's about 320 SW. Do you know the unstrung SW of your 16*19? I find mine a bit unstable unless I absolutely hit the sweet spot. I like the current SW though. So I'm not sure whether I should add maybe 2g at 3&9 and get used to the added SW or just work on hitting the sweet spot more accurately.
@@ACTennis Thanks for the advice. I added 2.5g at 3&9. The SW goes up to 325. It feels too head heavy so I countered with 3.7g along the handle. It's now 329g, 325SW. Best racket I've used.
Hi! Im attacker player using full-western grip with a lot of generative spin. Do you recommend the 16x19 or the 18x20? Currently playing with the shift 300 16x20 and love it! Looking to get an advanced racket so the blade on the spot for me.
@@noynizri7860 Nothing wrong with the shift, probably suits your game better than a Blade - Blade will take away alot of your spin which is probably weaponized - i would stick with something that enhances your strengths if you already like it, dont force a change for no reason - but if youre looking to have fun, then try the 16x19 , 18x20 will be too closed for you probably
Kind of doesn't make much sense if almost all racquets currently don't come in over a 335 swingweight - how many viewers would you say are beyond a 5.0 level? Needing to add copious amount of lead to fix the flaws of a racquet is rather cheating if anything Same logic would apply that Medvedev isn't deserving to be a top #3 player because he uses a 327 swingweight
If you are more concerned with the feel, the racquet flexes a less i.e bending sensation but still offers that a similar impact feel, i think v7 probably plays more forgiving though just because its so soft , i need to adjust my ratings since i reviewed my v7 very eatly on my rating scales
I'm quite adaptable to most racquets as long as i can swing them, but even still i usually will just find the best way i can manage it - gravity pro has the control of the v9 18x20 but alot more power than both string patterns, as well as more spin and more forgiving
I'm sorry, I had to take the Wilson claims on QC with a pinch of salt and a massive dose of LMAO .... The joke is still on the consumer. Buy at own Risk.
Vcore 98, over the years we switched around from Blade v7, Ezone 98, Speed MP 2022 and to this, really suits her style and strokes, so no more switching
It would be super interesting to many if she did a Blade 100 v8 vs v9 comparison, she plays great. I've long thought that girls and women don't get nearly enough consideration in racquet reviews, and Blade 100 is massively 'endorsed' on WTA tour. If you could find a Steam 100 to compare too, that would be fabulous, and super useful to so many junior girls and young competitors @@ACTennis
Thats why peopke shouldn't complain about too headlight balance. Impossible to reduce swingweight, but possible to increase with incremental lead additions at 12 o clock.
@@ACTennis I guess many things are a bit subjective and everyone perception is different. Anyway love the review! My radical mp aux is my racquet of choice but I also like to play around with the v9 from time to time! :)
I think that the sweetspot was slightly more forgiving on the 18x20 actually, because it plays alot softer, and a bit more stable for some reason at a similar spec It was easier for me only because the balance was better on the quality control, if it was same balance then probably not
played with V8 98 16x19 , 324 SW, 32.6cm balance, 330g with overgrip and dampener, alupower 1.25mm @ 46 for a couple sessions right before i bought the V9
I’ve been playing 9 months with shift pro and can’t get use to higher launch angle on FH and acknowledge my style is for flatter shots. Is it worth going towards blade v9 18x20 or going back to my previous Wilson 98 v6 CV 18x20? Cheers Russ
Whatever you feel more comfortable with, maybe less powerful than a CV, but alot more comfortable, if that's what you look for in a change for your Blade, it could be the right in that sense
How monstrous of a racket is the Tfight iso 305, nearly at the top of every category with the exception of maneuverability ? Is it really that good ...?
I much preferred court ff2, it was lower to ground but all the stability with enough comfort and didnt feel overly heavy - court ff3 feels heavy and chunky, i dont feel as coordinated with them speed 3s are more between speed 2s and gel res, didnt feel like 2s were stable enough for what i wanted, but the 3s seem to have made it more sturdy and rigid but still keeping it light
@@ACTennis yeah court 3 are very rigid. They feel like they don’t give you freedom to move. Funny thing they play awesome on clay. They suck on hard court. Speed 3s reminded me of a lighter closer to the ground vapor x. They are fast but 2s were more cushioned. Your opinion on resolution 9 ?
Would you prefer the 18x20 to the blade 100 in a match? Also, how would you rank it in a match against the ezone 98 and iso? Great video btw, super insightful.
If i could only pick one, probably. 18x20 blade because i am ultra aggressive in matches, i need as much control as possible, but its also slighter thinner beam so its faster at the same specs - also i like the plushness, it jives with my game because i already use the gravity pro which would be in the same ball park of pocketing and feel Same against Ezone and ISO, it may be a vanilla safe choice because it has the similar density to my current main, but the serving would be an upgrade and comparable enough to the ezone but better for my grohndstrokes - ISO is helpful because of its spin generation, but due to the head heaviness it would be a less safe option for me - its more of a trump card
@@rubinsingh4779 Whatever you feel best with mate, maybe find a demo if speed mp, i thought that speed pro and mpnmoved pretty well with the one hander if you got it headlight enough
This is really a playstyle question and not one i hope you will follow because of what i prefer lol - both are great racquets - i would play better with Blade 18x20 because i attack flat and aggressive more often and the tighter pattern will give me that extra control on big shots to hit very tight targeting, also will be faster for me to serve with, more plush and comfortable for long term arm health, and better suited for 1 hander in terms of shape and feel
Hey mate, do you know of any Australian retailers that measure swing weight? or is my best bet to get a low static weight hoping that it means low SW? Want a strike 98 16x19 2024 with a sub 330 SW (325ish)
Tennis only Richmond , or Tennis warehouse Australia have swingweight machines, not sure if the 2nd one will premeasure for you before you buy, but Tennisonly will I want one of those too haha If you have no options, you need to find the lowest static weight with the most headlight balance
Tennis warehouse Australia used to be accommodating to wanting a specific spec a few years ago, but they told me last year they are no longer measuring racquets for clients (unless I got in contact with a staff member that CBF). I know tennis only will take requests for static weights, didn't know they would for swing weight. Thanks.@@ACTennis
@@ashton2410 It has to be the retail store though, not the online store, Melbourne one has a swingweight machine , not sure about the new NSW merger one - call the Melbourne one they should usually assist
As much as everyone else, i.e potentially a small batch only for specific regions, or probably just none at all because it wouldnt make sense for a company to sell 3 string patterns - i am possibly about to get my hands on Kordas personal racquet, so it will tell me if its even close to the layup of the current gen blades or not
Doesn't really stand for anything, it refers to the actual shape of the racquet, so its flat on the inside and rounds out on the outside, D with a capital letter is probably what is refers to On contrary Pro Staff is a box beam, where its just very rectangular / squared off at the edges
@@ACTennis yeah they're very hard to come by in my country. Which one out of v7, v8 and v9 would you recommend. I know it's tough v8 is anemic etc I've played with a v7 and it definitely needed a stiffer shaped poly like a lux original rough played great. I'm interested in v9 vs v7 comparison cheers
@@revio000 Its kind of like a v7 , but there is less bending sensation, maybe v7 feels more forgiving because its so soft, but because the 18x20 is also, then it becomes quite similar - i wouldnt say they are that far different other than feel, playability of blades tend to be all the same with minor tweaks herr and there to feel and swingweight
I do appreciate your detailed review, but not a fan of that camera work. It makes me too dizzy to watch because court is rotating while you are hitting, and I could not concentrate on what you are actually saying about the racquet.
I think most Blades (proper spec) are going to be like this, since one with correct weight and balance looks to be about mid to higher 320s, i got a tiny bit unlucky, but on the rare ocassion i could not premeasure
@@ACTennis I haven't. It's funny, ever since I left the Gravity Tour behind for 98s, I've found myself really sensitive to drag. 98s with 23mm or higher and 100s just feel slow in the air to me. I can do tapered beams on 98s, but not a constant 23mm beam. I have found Radical MP and PA98 to be sufficiently maneuverable.
@@ACTennis I emailed Wilson . There take is the PRO stock does not have all the player aid technology . I thought it was a H22 Until I seen the tan tennis guys review . Bit confusing tho interesting . May be a more simple carbon layup design
I think it makes sense to play with what you think you are most comfortable with, if that works for you, its probably better then switching to a racquet to suit that specific scenario, youd probably play better with the one you gel with in general the most
@@ACTennis nice. I need to revisit my GPros, they are matched at 336/337 SW with 1.2 poly, much easier to generate a punishing shot with the strike, but curious if I hybrid with natural gut or go with 1.15 poly to get the swingweight down into the range that you find so much success with if I’d feel different.
@@purescum9002 Yeah because with most powerful racquets im still just a little slower with the racquet speed, with my Gravity in my swingweight range, i hit my biggest ball despite not being the most powerful racquet on paper, but also it retains all the control aswell
I have a review on it, you need to check the specs, its very wild for regular players, most people wont be used to them, if you like Aero 98 as is, id not bother lol - PA98 is very good aswell, nothing wrong with it
@@ACTennis yep agree I think I’ll demo. Aero 98 hits an insane forehand for me but the control is just a bit wild at times and the serve isn’t the best. Is the iso fast through the air like a blade?
@@purescum9002 Its extremely head heavy, so for some people its not fast because balance is quite insane, but the shape itself is very very fast, id just try to keep the static weight as low as possible to compensate for high swingweight and head heavy balance
I mean it's fine to demo whatever you want unless its expensive to do it, if youre asking whether it's worth a buy instead, probably not off the bat, should try it first
