The Blade 98 v8 is for advanced players who want a smooth stable feel, control, and maneuverability. This is a mid and back court oriented racquet with solid feel. For 4.0+ players. The Blade is top selling and is very popular with college team players. The v8 (eighth version) of the Blade, like the V7, features 21st century computer generated carbon mapping to provide high torsional stiffness to maintain control and also give a soft controlled feel. In the V7 this was called Feel Flex and in the V8 it has been renamed FortyFive. The result is a soft feel, supple, highly controllable, all court racquet. (Note: old technology softer flex racquets were soft all over for less control.) In addition the V8 has Direct Connect Technology which fuses the butt cap directly to the carbon fiber portion of the handle for added stability. Racquet is sold strung with quality soft poly string. Of contact us IMMEDIATELY after purchase for choice.