A lot of people have asked about this, so I prioritized it :) Here is my Wilson Blade Pro review. Is it the H22?
Yes, it is the H22 mold. But it does feel a bit stiffer than the H22 pro stocks I have tried. It’s not at all uncomfortable, but the feel is not as plush as my experience has been with the H22. I’m keen to hear what other players think about this comparison.
The Wilson Blade Pro is a part of the Wilson Pro Labs series. The series includes the Blade Pro, the Ultra Pro, and the Six One 95.
Specs
The listed unstrung specs of the Wilson Blade Pro are:
Head size: 98 sq inches
String pattern: 18×20 ( or 16×19)
Beam: 21.5 mm
Balance: 6 pts HL or 32.5 cm
Standard length: 27 inches
My specs unstrung 309.4g, 32 cm balance, 307.5 SW
I strung it up with a hybrid of Luxilon Alu Power 1.25
in the mains at 24 kg (53 lbs) and Wilson NXT Comfort
in the crosses at 25 kg (55 lbs).
The specs strung without overgrip: 327.1g, 33 cm balance, and 341.5 cm
How does it play?
I have been playing with the Wilson Blade Pro for a while. It’s been enjoyable, but it’s not the racquet I play my best tennis with. There are a few reasons for that.
Firstly, the Blade Pro really does justice for the word “Pro”. It’s a heavy and demanding frame. So unless you are a skilled player with great footwork who like heavier frames, you probably won’t like it. The regular Wilson Blade 98 V7 is definitely easier to use than this one.
It’s not the static weight per se that makes it demanding, but the weight distribution and the swing weight. I have already received emails from players buying the Blade Pro and finding out it’s already at 340 or even 350 in swing weight out of the box. This is fine if you are a pro trying to make it on one of the tours, but for most club players, even advanced ones, this is a bit too much.
I often play with the Wilson Six One 95 nCode and my racquets are measured at 339 SW, which is not far away from the Blade Pro. But the smaller head size and head light balance make those frames easier to get around. Here I really felt the weight and the extra square inches.
Stroke by stroke
My favorite shots with the Blade Pro was the volleys and the returns. The stability really helps there. But it was a bit demanding to swing effectively on groundstrokes, while the serve felt pretty solid. I can see how more advanced players than me enjoy this frame, but I feel it’s just a tad out of my reach.
The pros and cons of the Blade Pro are:
+ Solid and stable
+ Great control
+ Heavy shots
– Tough to maneuver
– Not much room for customization
– Should have had a lower flex
Summary
The Blade Pro is a good stick – if you can handle it. My guess is that most players will find it a bit too demanding. But if you are a fan of the RF97A and need more control, this racquet could suit you well. It has a lower stiffness and improved comfort and precision over the Pro Staff in my opinion.
You definitely need to be a highly-skilled player to get the max out of the Blade Pro. But if you are an aspiring pro player looking for control and stability, this one should be on your list.
Have you tried the Blade Pro or any of the other Wilson Pro Labs racquets?
20 comments
great!
I would love to know the specs on the 16X19…..?
thanks!
Two things instantly came to mind: (i) I remember that the normal Blade 98 18×20 has a significantly higher SW than the 16×19 version, something like 335 vs 325, so it may be worth testing this Pro in the 16×19 as well in case that is also 10pts lower SW. (ii) If you weight the handle at the butt end, or using overgrips, the SW will not change since SW is measured from 10cm up the handle to represent the typical grip position (you should not count your hand as part of the racket). Tennis Spin has shown that to be the case, so adding weight at the butt end will keep the SW similar, but make the balance more head-light, so it will feel easier to swing. Perhaps this is what they expect you to do. I have also found this to be the case in a number of advanced level rackets like the Volkl 10 325 – it has a 31.5 strung balance so you really don’t feel any problem with its 345g total weight. May be worth doing the leather grip and extra overgrip approach to add about 10g to the handle, which will lower the balance by about 1cm / 4pts
Probably the one you got at 309 gr is less customizable e maybe too head polarized ?
I got mine 16×19 version, 303 gr for L2 grip size (305 with factory plastic that should weight 2gr), the feel seems right up the declared 32,5 head balance. After a couple of hours of playing i tried to put on Wilson leather grip and now with 31,5 cm balance point is easier to handle and swing, albeit the stick it’s heavier. Control seems better and power looks like just little bit less “immediate” at lower regimes, but more “modulable”, especially when i getting tired and my swing becomes sluggish! Now strung weight with leather grip, overgrip and tourna dampener it’s 337.
I was wondering if the Blade Pro is harder to handle than the Pro Tour 2.0 or about the same?
It’s about the same, I would say.
I found the Blade Pro 16×19 easier than the Blade v7 16×19. The Pro had more plow through the ball and the sweet spot seemed larger. The v7 feels more like it is getting pushed around by the ball.
How does it compare to regular blade 18×20 v.7? That stick feels a bit heavy after while. And it surely does not feel like the 2015 version.
This feels even heavier!
How does the blade pro (h22) compare to the c10 pro? They both sound like similar racquets given the flexible neck and stiffer hoop?
What is the RA rating? I think your video says 70 but some other channels listed at low 60.
It’s more like low 60s, I don’t think say 70 in the video.
Why is it that you find this racquet much more demanding than that the LM radical that you are so fond of?
I am mainly using the Prestige MP right now, but it is a swing weight issue – the Blade Pro is around 340, I prefer slightly below 330.
Hi TN!
Anyone here know where to find H22/BladePro Grommets?
I’m in the U.S.
Thanks!
Hey Marty, they should be available through Wilson.com I believe. Cheers / J
Wilson USA has been sold out of Blade Pro grommets for over 8 months & they have no idea when a new shipment will arrive…
Wilson Australia has some, but they won’t ship internationally.
Big problem for me, My grommets are hanging on by a thread :(
Is Europe stocked up?
I’m a bit surprised by your statement
“if you are a fan of the RF97A and need more control, this racquet could suit you well. It has a lower stiffness and improved comfort and precision over the Pro Staff in my opinion.”
The RF97A and the Blade Pro are both the rackets I ply the most with.
But I think the RF97A is one of the most controlled and precise rackets out there, after playing it for about a year now. I play with the Blade Pro (v8 16×19) now for about 2 months and I think it is basically just softer than the RF97A. But I think it’s a bit less precise and controlled than the stiffer RF97A. I enjoy the softness of the Blade Pro, and I have customized it to similiar specs than the RF97A. Sometimes I still prefer the RF97A, I haven’t decided yet 100%. But the control / precision aspect in favor of the Blade Pro, I don’t see it!?
Did you use the 18×20 Blade pro?
Hey! I am a college player using blade pro 16×19. I have no issue using this racket however I want some more control. Do you think the 18×20 is a good switch for me? My main concern is the spin potential on the blade pro 18×20.
I currently have a Head Pro Tour 2.0 with a 5g Wilson overgrip. I love the feel, control and head light balance but would like something with a bit more forgiveness & power. Also would like a 16 x 19. Would you say adding 10g or so to the handle of a Blade Pro can achieve the same balance as the Head Pro Tour 2.0?