As the Wilson Clash 98 and Wilson Blade 98 are two of Wilson’s top selling rackets, I thought it would be a good idea to look at their racket specs to see how these two frames compare to each other.
The Blade 98 is endorsed by several WTA and ATP pros including Alex De Minaur, Simona Halep, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Elina Svitolina, Paula Badosa, Jelena Ostapenko, and Emma Raducanu.
To the best of my knowledge, no WTA or ATP Pros currently endorse or use the Clash 98, as it was designed more for recreational players.
Wilson Clash 98 vs Wilson Blade 98 Comparison
For the below comparison, I will be using the 16×19 version of the Wilson Blade 98 V8 and the Wilson Clash 98 V2 which has a 16×20 string pattern.
Racket Specs – Clash 98 vs Blade 98
In terms of specs, both rackets are very similar as both have a 98in head size, a racket length of 27in, and a head light balance.
In terms of differences, the Clash 98 is slightly heavier than the Blade 98 in terms of Strung Weight (326g vs 320g) and Swing Weight (327 vs 317) but the differences in weight aren’t huge so they will both feel reasonably similar to swing with.
The Clash 98 is also more head light (8 pts HL vs 5 pts HL), has a lower stiffness rating (60 vs 61), and has a thicker beam width than the Blade 98.
As the Clash 98 is more head light, it will also be slightly more maneuverable and the lower stiffness rating of the WC98 will mean that it is more arm-friendly.
The WC98’s thicker beam width will also help generate more power than the WB98 but this will be at the cost of less control.
| Wilson Clash 98 | VS | Wilson Blade 98 16×19 |
|---|---|---|
| V2 | Version: | V8 |
 | Design: |  |
| 98in | Head Size: | 98in |
| 27in | Length: | 27in |
| 326g (11.5oz) | Strung Weight: | 320g (11.3oz) |
| 8 pts HL | Balance: | 5 pts HL |
| 327 | Swingweight: | 317 |
| 60 | Stiffness: | 61 |
| 24mm | Beam Width: | 21mm |
| Graphite | Composition: | Braided Graphite |
| Black, Grey, and Red | Racket Colours: | Green and Black |
| 16 Mains / 20 Crosses | String Pattern: | 16 Mains / 19 Crosses |
| 21-26kg / 48-58lb | String Tension Range: | 22-27kg / 50-60lb |
| Check Price on Amazon | Price: | Check Price on Amazon |
Below is a short video summarising the differences between the two rackets.
Recommendations
If you are undecided about which of these two rackets will best suit you, I have listed some recommendations below based on different skill levels and player types.
| Player Level | Clash 98 | Blade 98 |
|---|---|---|
| Beginners |  | |
| Intermediate |  | |
| Advanced | | |
Beginners
If you are a beginner then you probably would be better off going for the Clash108 rather than either of these two rackets as I think they are far too heavy and unforgiving for most beginners to play with.
However, if you really want to get one of these rackets then I would recommend the Clash98 as this will give you some extra power and will be more forgiving of the two frames.
Intermediate Players
I would recommend the Clash98 if you are an intermediate player (especially if you haven’t developed a full swing yet) as you won’t get much free power if you go with the Blade98.
Advanced Players
If you have a full swing and you are able to generate your own power then I would highly recommend the Blade98 as it gives tons of control and is great on slices and serves.
One Handed Backhand Players
Although both rackets would work well with a one handed backhand, I would have to give the edge to the Blade98 as the additional control you get really helps you hit your one handed backhand with more power and accuracy.
Players with Elbow/Arm Issues
Both rackets are good for players that have had elbow or arm issues in the past but with a frame stiffness rating of 60, the Clash98 is definitely the more arm friendly racket.