Wilson Blade Tennis Rackets

The numbers are the string pattern. 16x19 is the more open of the two, so you get more spin and a little more depth, which suits a topspin baseline game. 18x20 packs the strings tighter for a flatter, more predictable ball, which suits players who drive through the court.

The 98 is the tour frame: smaller head, heavier, more demanding. The 100 is lighter and more forgiving on off-centre hits. Take the 98 if you have a full swing and want precision, the 100 if you want the Blade feel with more margin for error.

It can be, but it is a control frame and gives you very little for free. If you are still building a consistent swing, a lighter and more powerful frame will do more for your game. If you already generate your own pace, the Blade is one of the most popular steps up.

The Blade has a flexible, muted feel rather than a stiff one, which is why it has a good reputation for arm comfort. It is still a heavy racket. If you have had tennis elbow, your string and tension matter as much as the frame, so ask us and we will set it up for you.

Some are sold strung and some as a frame only, and it says which on every listing. Frame only is usually the better buy if you already have a string you like. We string in house, so you can pick your string and tension at checkout.

Measure from the middle crease of your palm to the tip of your ring finger. Around 4 1/8 inches is a Grip 1, 4 1/4 a Grip 2, 4 3/8 a Grip 3 and 4 1/2 a Grip 4. If you fall between two sizes, take the smaller one and build it up with an overgrip. You can always add to a grip, you cannot take it away.

Most Blade players use a polyester or a hybrid. A full polyester bed gives you control and spin but is firmer on the arm. For more comfort, keep polyester in the mains and put a multifilament in the crosses. If you play a couple of times a week and rarely break strings, a multifilament throughout will be kinder to your elbow.

A rough guide is to restring as many times a year as you play in a week, so twice a week means roughly twice a year. Polyester goes dead well before it snaps, so if the ball starts flying long after a few weeks it is worth doing even if the string looks fine.

Both are control rackets, but they feel different. The Blade is the more flexible of the two and is easier to generate spin with, which suits a modern baseline game. The Pro Staff has a thinner beam and a more traditional feel, and asks for a longer swing to get the best from it.