Wilson Hits Homerun with Wilson Steam 99S (mini review)

[JackB1]

Anyone who has seen Power Players video know he has tremendous swing speed and hits with tons of spin. It doesn't surprise me at all that the 99s doesn't work for him, as most tweeners wouldn't.. That said, it works great for my game. It is VERY similar to other tweeners I have recently used (Warrior, PD12, Juice, Donnay F100, X315) but give me a little more spin and has a very solid feel. I feel like the power can be controlled with the proper string and tension.

[2ManyAces]

Originally Posted by JackB1

Anyone who has seen Power Players video know he has tremendous swing speed and hits with tons of spin. It doesn't surprise me at all that the 99s doesn't work for him, as most tweeners wouldn't.. That said, it works great for my game. It is VERY similar to other tweeners I have recently used (Warrior, PD12, Juice, Donnay F100, X315) but give me a little more spin and has a very solid feel. I feel like the power can be controlled with the proper string and tension.

wheres the vid?

[fibonacci888]

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showp...4&postcount=42

[doctor dennis]

Originally Posted by Federerkblade

doctor where are you from ??? just noticed you are from the midlands ? where do you play ??

Tipton sports academy.

What about you?

[Federerkblade]

Ahh cool Newbridge Wolverhampton

[doctor dennis]

Originally Posted by Ross K

doctor d and Fedkb,

Cheers ^. I'm N. London based. I'll probably just have to wait until it arrives at the usual major outlets. Just wondered if anywhere was getting it quicker than mid-Jan.

For sure though, the new APD is definitely another major contender. I've played the Original black pj version on and off for a few years until very recently.

Couldn't tell you anywhere that's getting it earlier unfortunately. Its a bit of a pain finding good places to demo in the UK.
pics don't do the new APD justice, it looks sweet as.
I'm not a Wilson fan at all but I really need to try the steam before I purchase the new APD.

[doctor dennis]

Originally Posted by Federerkblade

Ahh cool Newbridge Wolverhampton

Yeah I know new bridge. I've played there a few times and so has my daughter.

I know nick m as he runs the tournaments there.

[Federerkblade]

Yeah i know nick m very well.

Im really looking forward to the stick 99s.

[drakulie]

Just received a 99s from the Wilson Rep in order to playtest, and report on durability and playability with different set ups. Thanks JIM!!!



Specs of frame are as follows:

Unstrung: (completed on Prince Tuning Center at Work)
weight: 304
balance: 32
swing weight: 300

Strung: (completed on RDC at Home)
weight: 320
balance: 33
swingweight: 328
flex: 68

Strung with Wilson Natural Gut 17g, Luxilon 4G 16g at 45 lbs. ERT came in at 29.

Drilled for 2 hours with my wife (former top 10 junior). First impressions from her:

Much more spin and heavier shots on both sides and shots were landing deeper more consistently than usual. Pace was about the same, but depth and height was extremely noticable. Serves had much more spin, and first serve was much faster/heavier. second serves, although more spin, kicker was sitting up a bit (possibly due to leaving in middle of box as I dial in) and not as much pace. Flat shots although had more spin than usual didn't get on top of her as quickly. Still, these shots were forceful enough to keep her on her heels. Shot that impressed her most was cross court forehand which she stated was huge, and kicking away from her. Volleys not as penetrating as they usually are, but still had good depth and direction.

She also stated many shots she gave up on because they appeared to be going long landed in (which I noticed a few times. hehehehe)

Balls were fluffing up more than usual (approx 30 minutes)

More detailed review will follow in a few days, including durability of strings. Will be hitting tomorrow with a girl who just won the silver in 30s nationals doubles and gold in mixed.

[LeeD]

Is something amiss here?
New strings at 45 lbs. will enhance spin on any and every racket. What tension do you normally play with? Doesn't 45 lbs start to trampoline on balls that are blocked and short hops?

[drakulie]

Originally Posted by LeeD

Is something amiss here?
New strings at 45 lbs. will enhance spin on any and every racket. What tension do you normally play with? Doesn't 45 lbs start to trampoline on balls that are blocked and short hops?

You seriously need to stay out of threads that are way over your head.

[LeeD]

You're prolly correct, but I"ve lived long enough to recognize marketting hype when I see it. I've seen it in surfing, motocross, tennis, windsurfing, kiteboarding, waterskiing, snowboarding, skiing, and several other sports. And I've been in the industry for most of those sports.
Hype. Sounds like it to me.
You may embrace it wide eyed like a 14 year old if you want, I'll wait a year, then decide.

[drakulie]

Originally Posted by LeeD

You're prolly correct,

No, I am correct, and as usual, you are INCORRECT.

I'll explain it to you like a 4 year old, so it doesn't go over your air-filled head.

1. I always string my racquets at 45 lbs (gut mains/poly crosses).
2. With this racquet, also strung at 45 lbs, my wife is stating I am hitting with much more spin.

Now go to the corner like a good little boy and be quiet.

[bertrevert]

Originally Posted by JackB1

<Compared to the Juice 100 ... > They are quite similar. Like I said....the 99S has a more overall solid feel upon impact and it has slightly more swingweight and plow. Power is about the same...

Same power?!?!?

I haven't significantly hit with a Juice, but it's been said to be same as a PD (which I have played with), so therefore the 99s is in the territory of a PD - ??? -then that is a lot of power.

ATM, I use the BLX Pro Open. Besides a weird-o hotspot up top of the stringbed which launches balls every now and then - it's a good tweener, but with syngut - it's too powerful.

It's reasonable Wilson recommends taming the power of the 99s with 4G string.

Or isn't the 4G really about taming the power?

[El Zed]

Is that really necessary? Maybe there is a history between you two, but the question appeared rather innocuous and your response rather out of line and suspiciously defensive.

[Virtua Tennis]

I tried this frame out strung it with 4G at 52 pounds. It's ok nice racquet for a medium swinging player, who hits with some spin and wants a little more.

Gave it to a hard topspin hitting pro the strings didn't even last 15 min.

[Federerkblade]

Excellent feedback drak. Any hope of showing a video of you playing eight the 99s

[tennisfeld]

Wait till Prince comes out with their new 14/16 Rackets in 2013!

[Federerkblade]

what does drak mean by ERT came in at 29.???Great pic of the steam 99s Drak. I noticed how belluci was using a steam paintjob againt fed last night in Brazil

[Roforot]

Originally Posted by drakulie

Just received a 99s from the Wilson Rep in order to playtest, and report on durability and playability with different set ups. Thanks JIM!!!

Are you thinking of switching over to the steam? It's a big difference from the Prestige frame. I'm curious to see how you do w/ the racquet in a competitive match where old habits and tendencies creep into your game.

If you stay w/ your old racquet, why?