The Wilson Blade 98 v10 is Wilson's 98 square inch control racquet, updated for 2026. It is a racquet for players who already swing fast and want to place the ball, not just hit it hard. This review tells you who it suits, what actually changed from the v9, how it compares with the Blade 100 and the Babolat Pure Strike 98, and the string and tension we recommend. You can see the Blade 98 v10 on our product page at any time, with today's price.

Facts at a glance

• Model: Wilson Blade 98 16x19 v10, 2026 model year.
• Price at Sturdy Racquets: $419.99, sold unstrung.
• Unstrung weight 305 grams, strung weight about 323 grams, swing weight about 328.
• Head size 98 square inches, 16 by 19 string pattern, 21 millimetre beam, even balance, stiffness about 61 RA, length 27 inches.
• Recommended tension 46 to 55 pounds, which is 21 to 25 kilograms.
• Best for intermediate to advanced players with a full swing who want control and spin. Not for beginners.
• Rated 5.0 out of 5 across 64 customer reviews on our site.
• Grip sizes and availability are on the product page. Stringing from $19.95 with the racquet, usually ready the next day.

The short answer

Who it suits, and who should skip it

What changed from the v9 to the v10

This is the question we get asked most, so here are the real numbers from both racquets side by side. The weight, the head size, the beam and the string pattern did not change. Three things did.

Balance. The v9 was head light, which means more of the weight sat in the handle. The v10 is balanced evenly, so a little more weight sits up in the head. On court that makes the v10 feel steadier when you take a big cut at the ball, and slightly slower to turn over at the net.

Swing weight. Swing weight is how heavy the racquet feels when you swing it, not when you hold it. The v10 is about 3 or 4 points heavier. That is a small number, but you notice it as more plough through on heavy balls and a touch more effort on fast exchanges.

Stiffness. One point stiffer is not much. In play that is a slightly crisper response at contact. At about 61 RA it is still on the flexible side for a modern control racquet.

Everything else. Same weight, same head, same 16x19 pattern, same 21 millimetre beam. If you loved the v9, the v10 is the same racquet with a steadier balance. The v9 is the previous model and has been replaced by the v10. See the Blade 98 v10 on our product page.

Blade 98 or Blade 100

Both are Blade v10 frames with the same feel and the same 16x19 pattern. The Blade 100 v10 is the forgiving one and the Blade 98 v10 is the precise one.

Pick the 98 if your contact is clean and you want the ball to go exactly where you aim. Pick the 100 if you want a bigger sweet spot, a little more easy depth and a slightly quicker swing. The 100 is also $64 cheaper. Both are on our product pages: the Blade 98 v10 and the Blade 100 v10.

16x19 or 18x20

The Blade 98 v10 comes in two string patterns at the same price: the 16x19 and the 18x20. The 16x19 has fewer strings, so the ball sinks in a little more and the strings move and snap back. That gives you more spin and a touch more power. The 18x20 has a denser bed, so the ball comes off flatter and more predictably. Our control rating is 9 for the 16x19 and 9.5 for the 18x20, and our spin rating is 9 for the 16x19 and 7 for the 18x20.

Most players should buy the 16x19. Choose the 18x20 version only if you hit flat, you already string tight, and you value control over everything.

How it plays

From the baseline. This is where the Blade is strongest. It is a flexible frame, so you feel the ball on the strings, and the open 16x19 pattern makes topspin easy. The even balance keeps the frame steady against hard, deep balls.

Serving. You get good placement and plenty of spin. Flat first serves need you to supply the pace, which is the Blade's nature.

At the net. Volleys are solid and the racquet does not twist on off-centre contact. It is a little slower to react than the Blade 100 because of the extra swing weight.

Comfort. We rate comfort 8 out of 10. A stiffness of about 61 RA is on the softer side of modern frames. If you have arm trouble, string it with a multifilament or a hybrid rather than a full polyester bed.

Specifications

How we string it

The Blade 98 v10 is sold unstrung, which is good news because the string changes how it plays more than any other choice you make. These are the setups we recommend. When you buy the racquet from us, stringing is added at the discounted prices below and it is usually ready the next day.

You can read about all four packages on our racquet stringing page.

How it compares with the Babolat Pure Strike 98

The Babolat Pure Strike 98 16x19 is the other 98 square inch, 305 gram control racquet we sell to the same players. The numbers are close, but they feel different.

The Blade is softer and gives you more spin and a little more free depth. The Pure Strike is firmer and flatter, with a crisper, more direct response. Players who like to feel the ball on the strings pick the Blade. Players who want the ball to leave quickly and low pick the Pure Strike 98.

Try it before you buy

We have demo racquets at the Brooklyn shop so you can hit with a frame before you commit. See the demo racquets we have available, or come in and ask.

Questions players ask

Our verdict

The Blade 98 v10 is the best control racquet we sell for players who already have a full swing. The change from the v9 is small and sensible: a steadier balance, a slightly heavier swing and a crisper feel, with nothing taken away. If that sounds like your game, it is the racquet to buy. If you are not sure your technique is there yet, start with the Blade 100 v10 and come back to the 98 later.

More on the whole range in our Wilson Blade series guide, or browse every Wilson Blade racquet we stock.

Sources: specifications are the manufacturer's published figures as listed on our product pages. Playability ratings, prices and stringing prices are Sturdy Racquets' own, correct on 13 October 2026. Availability changes daily and is shown on the product page. Customer ratings are collected on our site.