Blade V9 16x19 and Blade V9 18x20
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- By WT Miami
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Do you know the difference between Blade V9 16x19 and Blade V9 18x20 ? Check it out!
Here’s a breakdown of what differs between the Wilson Blade V9 16×19 and Wilson Blade V9 18×20, and how those differences tend to affect play:
Key specs — what’s the same vs what changes
|
Spec |
16×19 version |
18×20 version |
|
Head size |
98 in² / 632 cm² (Courtside Tennis & Pickleball) |
98 in² / 632 cm² (Paragon Sports) |
|
Unstrung weight |
~ 305 g / ~ 10.7–10.8 oz (The Racket HQ) |
~ 305 g / ~ 10.7 oz (The Racket HQ) |
|
Strung weight |
~ 321 g / ~ 11.3 oz (Tennis Village) |
~ 321 g / ~ 11.32 oz (The Racket HQ) |
|
Balance (strung) |
~ 33 cm / –4 pts HL (Tennis Village) |
~ 33 cm / –4 pts HL (The Racket HQ) |
|
Beam width / cross-section / frame construction |
~ 20.6 mm constant or similar, braided graphite + basalt, with StableFeel, DirectConnect, Parallel Drilling, FORTYFIVE technologies (suntenniscenter.com) |
Very similar in beam & frame materials and technologies (same frame family) (The Racket HQ) |
|
String pattern |
More open: 16 mains × 19 crosses |
Denser: 18 mains × 20 crosses |
So structurally, the two rackets are extremely close — same weight (unstrung and strung), same head size, same balance, same materials and frame tech. The major intentional difference is the stringing pattern (16×19 vs 18×20).
What the string pattern difference means in practice
Because the two models share almost identical frame specs, the difference in how they play comes largely from the stringbed behavior:
|
Effect |
16×19 (more open) |
18×20 (denser) |
|
Power / “pop” |
Slightly more forgiving / “pop” because the strings can move more and rebound more freely |
Less free power — more control and more resistance to string movement |
|
Spin potential |
Generally better — the more open bed allows more string bite and snapback |
A little harder to generate extreme spin, but you trade that for steadiness in the stringbed |
|
String durability |
Tend to see faster wear / breakage, especially on off-center hits |
More durable — strings don’t “bite and rebound” as much, reducing friction and wear |
|
Precision / control |
Still very controlled (this is a control-oriented frame), but slightly less “pinned-down” |
Higher precision and a more consistent string bed under pressure |
|
Feel & feedback |
Slightly more lively / flexible sensation (because string movement contributes more) |
Firmer, sharper feel; more direct feedback because string movement is restricted |
Many players describe the 18×20 as having a more “solid,” crisp, and precise feel, with less forgiveness on mishits. The 16×19 will feel a touch more forgiving and easier to generate spin.
Which one might suit you better?
It depends on your style and preferences. Here are some general guidelines:
- If you already generate good racket head speed and want more control / tighter response under pressure, the 18×20 may suit you better.
- If you want a little help with depth, spin, or a more comfortable margin on off-center shots, the 16×19 may feel more user-friendly.
- If you tend to break strings often, the 18×20 might help with string longevity.
- If you like a “softer” or more lively feel, the 16×19 might align better with what you enjoy.
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