Wilson Blade 98 v9 vs Head Speed MP 2024: Two Great All-Court Frames Compared
Both frames are beloved by advanced club players and touring pros. But they play completely differently. Here's an honest head-to-head breakdown.
Two of the most popular advanced frames on the market
The Wilson Blade 98 v9 and the Head Speed MP 2024 are two of the best-selling advanced rackets at any given moment. They're both 98 sq in, both used by top pros, and both capable of elite-level performance. But they achieve that performance in very different ways — and picking the wrong one for your game is easy to do.
Feel and construction
The Blade 98 v9 is built on Wilson's Braided Graphite construction, which gives it a crisp, direct feel. The response is precise and slightly firm. Balls come off the stringbed with a low-flex punch that rewards flat, controlled ball-striking. Many players describe it as a "pure" feeling frame — you're not getting much dampening, but you're getting honest feedback.
The Head Speed MP 2024 uses Auxetic technology — a material structure that expands on impact rather than compressing. The result is noticeably more comfortable and softer than the Blade, especially on off-center hits. The Speed MP has a more cushioned, muted feel that a lot of players find easier to play with over long sessions.
Power and control
The Blade 98 sits lower on the power scale, which means you need to provide your own pace. That's a feature, not a bug — it rewards confident, aggressive swings with pinpoint control. The Speed MP sits a little higher on power, making it easier to generate pace without maxing out your swing speed.
Spin
Both frames are capable of generating good topspin. The Speed MP's open 16x19 string pattern gives it a slight edge in spin potential, but the Blade's stiffer flex makes it work better with compact, flat-to-moderate topspin swings.
Who should choose which
Choose the Wilson Blade 98 v9 if you have an aggressive, flat-to-moderate topspin game and want maximum control and feedback.
Choose the Head Speed MP 2024 if you want a more comfortable, forgiving frame that still performs at the highest level — especially if arm comfort matters.
You can run a full side-by-side on our racket compare tool to see every spec at once.
Baseline Lab Newsletter
Gear reviews. Pro setups. No fluff.
Join players getting the latest string tension guides, racket breakdowns, and shoe reviews — straight to their inbox.