Wilson is a famous sports gear and apparel brand, specifically for tennis. The company’s tennis rackets are famous worldwide. Wilson’s blade and pro staff tennis rackets are available in different versions for all players regardless of their skill level. This article compares the two rackets based on their features, specs, and how well they work on the court.
How do you choose the best racket for your skill level?
Choosing the best tennis racket is a puzzle for many because there are many aspects to consider. Unless you’re a tennis expert, chances are you will pick the wrong racket out of ignorance. Here are things to consider when choosing the best racket depending on your style of play and skill level.
- Head size
A racket’s head size affects the player’s control and power. A bigger racket size offers a larger hitting area and sweet spot. However, controlling a racket with a large head size is challenging. Smaller rackets are easier to maneuver and control.
Advanced tennis players should use rackets with small heads because they are easier to control and make it easier to hit with power. On the other hand, rackets with large head sizes are meant for new and intermediate players because a sweet spot would benefit them compared to power.
2. String size
The more strings a racket has, the easier it is to control. The 16×19 is more popular than the 18×20 string patterns. While the 18×20 string racket head has a better feel and control, the 16×19 is easier to swing.
3. Weight
A light racket offers more power, while a heavy one is easy to control. While pros would be more comfortable with heavy rackets, a lighter racket is better for beginners.
4. Balance
A racket’s balance is determined by where the weight is located. A racket with an oversized head is heavy. If the handle has more weight, then the racket is light. A perfectly balanced racket has an evenly distributed weight.
5. Length
A longer racket offers more reach, power, and swing. Robust servers would benefit more with longer rackets. However, long rackets are challenging to maneuver and unsuitable for net players. When choosing racket length, consider your playing style and not experience.
6. Stiffness
Although Blade could be less comfortable, a stiff racket is more powerful. Professional players usually prefer low-stiffness-rated rackets because they have a better feel and are maneuverable.
Now let’s explore Wilson’s pro staff and blade and see what features each racket offers.
Pro Staff
Wilson’s pro staff rackets are popular among advanced tennis players, mainly because of their weight and control. Below is a list of the four versions of pro staff rackets and their features.
Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13
Ferder’s favorite racket is the Pro Staff 97 v13. It’s heavy and offers more control with a consistent feel. It’s the latest design, made of braided graphite and exposed carbon fiber weave. The handle has a black elastic base, and the tip has a gloss finish.
Wilson Pro Staff Rf 97 v13
The 97 V13 racket is lighter than the 97 V13. It is stable and has a better feel with precision. The Pro Staff RF 97 v13 is constructed with graphite and has an ergonomic handle for extra comfort. This Pro Staff racket also has a modern design with an elastic base.
Pro Staff 97L v13,
The 97L v13 version of Pro Staff rackets is much lighter and maneuverable. It has a stiff string pattern for excellent precision and feel. Besides a classic design, the Pro Staff 97L v13 has an ergonomic handle for more comfort.
Wilson Blade,
The Wilson Blade, is one of the most popular tennis rackets worldwide. The blade has several versions of rackets that are user-friendly for players of all skill levels. Blade rackets combine both control and comfort. Below, we evaluate all five versions of blade rackets, including their features.
Wilson Blade 98 v8 16×19
The blade 98 16xa9 v8 is made of braided graphite and basalt elastic, making the racket more flexible and improving its ability to contact the ball. It has greater control and feel with a parallel drilling grommet for a better sweet spot.
The handle has a tapered grip and a patented frame layup, giving it a better feel. The Blade 98 16×19 is not only popular but also flexible and stable.
Wilson Blade 98, 18×20 v8
Wilson Balde 18×29 v8 is the best racket for control and feel. Because of its 18×20 spring pattern, it offers better precision and accuracy. This blade racket is unique, has low swing weight and better maneuverability. Despite its low stiffness rating, Blade 98 18×20 v8 is a stable racket.
Wilson blade 100L v8
The blade 100L v8 is lightweight and maneuverable. It offers an increased sweet spot because of its parallel drilling grommet construction. The handle has a tapered grip made with carbon fiber for enhanced stability and a better feel.
Wilson Blade SW102 autograph
Blade SW102 autograph is Serena Williams’s favorite racket. It has better control with more power. The racket has an extended length of 26 inches, hence more power and stability. Its 18×20 string pattern offers consistency and precision. The SW102 autograph has a strong frame made with graphite and countervail.
Wilson blade 104 v8
The Wilson Blade 104 v8 is a unique racket with chameleon paint that gives it a shifting look. The racket frame and handguard are made with eco-friendly material. The Blade 104 v8 utilizes the FOURTYFIVE patented frame construction for flexibility and stability. The racket’s end cap is designed with carbon fiber instead of foam.
What is the difference between Wilson Blade and Pro Staff?
Wilson Blade and pro staff rackets are similar yet different in many ways. The best way to differentiate them is to look at their specifications. Here is a side-by-side comparison of the two rackets in terms of specifications.
| Blade 21.55mm beam size 320g weight Head size- 97 sq. inches 16×19 or 18×19 string pattern length – 27 inches Balance -326mm Swing weight – 317g Construction- graphite Stiffness- 61 | Pro staff 21mm beam size 332 g weight Head size- 98 sq. inches 16×19 string pattern. Length -27 inches Balance -320mm Swing weight-333g Construction- graphite stiffness -66 |
Both rackets have almost the same beam size; Blade has a slightly larger beam, but both have the same power and control
Pro staff rackets have a higher strung weight compared to Blade, making them heavier on the hands. However, both rackets have almost similar swing weight because the Pro Staff is more balanced on the head.
Pro Staff is a stiffer racket (66) than the blade (61); the latter is easy to maneuver and has a better feel. Both rackets have the same standard length(27 inches), string pattern (16×19) and are constructed with graphite.
While Blade rackets are better for players who want better control, Pro Staff is much easier to control, thanks to its small head size. Blade is not considered to be a powerful racket compared to others. Regarding design, the Blade offers more power and a better feel for beginners and intermediate players. On the other hand, Pro Staff offers accuracy and precision for advanced players.
Blade beats pro staff in terms of technology; it comes with the “countervail” technology, which helps minimize fatigue and shock o the racket. However, the pro staff’s classic design makes it attractive to many professional players.
The string pattern dictates how the ball moves once it comes off a racket. The blade string pattern favors advanced players who want more control. The strings are placed further apart, making the ball move slower, allowing the player time to react.
The pro staff has a unique string pattern that offers more control and power. Professionals often prefer pro staff because of its excellent response and feel.
What are the benefits of using Wilson blade rackets?
- The Wilsons’ blade racket combines control and comfort because of its heavy weight and high balance rating
- The blade comes in two string patterns. The 16×19 pattern is easy to swing while 18×20 offers better control
- Flexible frame.
- Blade is a better racket for more advanced players.
What are the benefits of using Wilson pro staff rackets?
- Better control because of its small beam size
- Because of its heavy frame, the pro staff is stable on defense against fast shots and volleys.
- Precise feel thanks to its small beam
- Easy to spin
- Though it has a smaller sweet spot, it’s a more comfortable racket to handle.
Finally
While the pro staff is easy to control, it lacks power; it may be slower on the serve and poor with groundstrokes. On the other hand, Blade rackets have good comfort, power, better feel, and flexibility but lack control.
Pro Staff rackets are recommended for intermediate, advanced, to high-level tennis players. Blade rackets are best for beginners and intermediate tennis players. When choosing a tennis racket, consider your skill level and style of play. Some rackets offer better features for strong serves but may not excel with groundstrokes and volleys.
