TW Reviews: Wilson Steam 99S, 105S, 99 and 96

[Dgdavid]

Siobhan, have you fully switched to the APD 2013 now?
Did Jason/Spencer switch to the 99S?

[TW Staff]

@Dgdavid,

Yes that's the racquet I play with outside of any playtesting - I feel the most comfortable and aggressive with it on court. Now I just need a tournament to play..

Siobhan, TW

[maverick1981]

The stiffness & swingweight..combined with the mentality that players are going to strive for ultimate spin...anxious to see the physical effects on club players on arms, shoulders etc...

On another note, cannot wait to demo. Been using the Wilson BLX Tour 95(2012). Not sure if this 'S' stuff remains a gimmick or real game changer, even after TW's in depth reviews and playtesting. You would think if it was such a changer, pros would be flocking like they did for poly's, and all these testers would drop their current sticks for it.

[NLBwell]

Originally Posted by maverick1981

The stiffness & swingweight..combined with the mentality that players are going to strive for ultimate spin...anxious to see the physical effects on club players on arms, shoulders etc...

On another note, cannot wait to demo. Been using the Wilson BLX Tour 95(2012). Not sure if this 'S' stuff remains a gimmick or real game changer, even after TW's in depth reviews and playtesting. You would think if it was such a changer, pros would be flocking like they did for poly's, and all these testers would drop their current sticks for it.

Current pros won't want to change their strokes to take advantage of the new technology. It will be the next generation that fully utilizes it and may make the game unwatchable.

[maverick1981]

true..good insight, seems like you might have to change your game for this type of stick

[TW Staff]

@NLBwell,

The point is that you play your normal tennis and the spin is increased without you having to try and produce more spin consciously or by changing your strokes (although yes, it does play on your mind more).

As we mentioned in the review, this is more cohesive to some techniques than others - for example, those that have western or semi western grips. Something to note is that it's not necessarily about the technology - some of us loved the S technology, but didn't enjoy the frame itself so that may have some influence as to why everyone isn't switching to this racquet. I, for one, loved the spin created, but didn't like the Steam itself as much as I like others such as my APD. Food for thought.

Siobhan, TW

[maverick1981]

like Siobhan said - if this racket can lift your game simply by the fact of the tech in the frame/string setup, that is one thing, and cant be ignored. If i step on the court, play my game the same exact way, and this frame makes me better, that would be something to think about - just like any other frame change for the better.

I just cant help but think people are going to get all funny when they try this one and attempt things that deviate from their game. Reebok pumps didnt really help - but I think the 99s is something more at the end of the day than just a gimmick, the string pattern is not an entirely new idea/invention in tennis.

[sundaypunch]

Originally Posted by TW Staff

... I, for one, loved the spin created, but didn't like the Steam itself as much as I like others such as my APD. Food for thought.

Siobhan, TW

Makes you wonder what a 16x15 APD would play like........

[Dgdavid]

Originally Posted by maverick1981

I just cant help but think people are going to get all funny when they try this one and attempt things that deviate from their game.

Nail on the head Maverick. That is precisely what I found myself doing in the first set yesterday. It wasn't until my head was on the game and not the racket that my natural stroke came to the fore and I noticed some of the nice qualities it had. For my part, I am also going to try the APD PLUS 2013 before making any decisions although the 99S is a v good racket (just not a magical spin beast in my hands).

[quest01]

I definitely want to give the Wilson Steam 99S a try when it comes out. I use the Babolat apdc currently and I'm curious to know how this racquet will compare to it. The TW review was great even though one of the testers gave it a bad review lol but that doesn't detract me from trying this out.

[racertempo]

I hit the 99s and 105s and I have a very flat game but have been trying to introduce spin little by little. I don't change my grip very much at all during play, just a minor move 1 bevel or less in the right direction for the shot. My hitting partner for the last 2 years spent time with me with the 99s and he flat out told me to "buy an entire case".

It was a confidence thing, I felt comfortable taking an aggressive swing in situations where I normally did not. That sort of personal feedback is enough for me. It will not change my game monumentally, but it will add a nice element that I normally did not have in my arsenal. It might also help me to get to the net more to take advantage of my 6'4" size.

I love getting to the net but have struggle to get the right approach shot to get in as I am defensive by nature from the baseline. It allowed me to attack much more then I am used to in singles during my first set.....got my pre-order in......now just counting the days till it is strung and in my hands

[Dgdavid]

maybe he was telling you to buy the case because you were rubbish with it and he wants to win more
i agree the benefit on flat shots is definitely a pleasant surprise.

[racertempo]

Originally Posted by Dgdavid

maybe he was telling you to buy the case because you were rubbish with it and he wants to win more
i agree the benefit on flat shots is definitely a pleasant surprise.

He is a heavy heavy topspin hitter with an APD frame and pushed me around and I just play defense until he goes for too much and makes a mistake. I beat him 8 out of 10 times we play with this style of play....but it is because I know him and how to play him.......he is also my doubles partner and we both know I need more aggressive and confident ground strokes to get competitive at 4.5. This set we played I was on the baseline taking balls on the rise from his topspin and giving them back with greater angles. He was usually caught wrong-footed because he is not used to them coming back quickly from my side. Normally I am 5 feet back playing retriever with minimal pace going back. When we play doubles though is where I expect to see the biggest impact for my game.....again to help me get from the back court to the net as quickly as possible with the right approach shot, especially on a second serve return. I can attack that return with spin and and angle (I play ad) then follow in behind. We played 3 sets of a league match after the set of singles and it felt great.

I will say that the one adjustment I had to make was to have confidence to hit the ball deeper. They were dropping to short in the court with my normal swing from the spin, but the adjustment was not long as the confidence was high. I have tried a dozen frames and nothing has ever removed a Yonex from my hands for a match.....but the Steam S has done that!

Oh, the other thing I hated and many of the play testers mentioned they might consider hybriding the frame......my demo was a hybrid and it was a horrible combination. After the first set of doubles the mains were not snapping back every time and needed adjustment after almost every point. I hope and expect that to be better with a full be a poly.

[racertempo]

Originally Posted by TW Staff

@Dgdavid,

Yes that's the racquet I play with outside of any playtesting - I feel the most comfortable and aggressive with it on court. Now I just need a tournament to play..

Siobhan, TW

Siobhan, I see you have listed that you are going to be assistant web-editor for TW Europe out of Germany........when you leaving us here

[gagaover]

Hi,
Has the steam 99 the inside handle filled with foam like all the latest wilson frames?
Thanks and regards

[Mo91]

@ TW Staff

Is there gonna be a Review of the Yonex vcore Xi 98 soon?
Looking foreward, greetings from Europe

[racertempo]

Originally Posted by gagaover

Hi,
Has the steam 99 the inside handle filled with foam like all the latest wilson frames?
Thanks and regards

The new steam line has the Amplifeel in the handle, if that is what you are referring to....although it is not foam in the handle.....but I think that is what you were thinking of.

[drak]

Originally Posted by sundaypunch

Makes you wonder what a 16x15 APD would play like........

skip every 5th cross string in a 16/18 racket and you have a 16/15 string pattern, make sure you alternate weaves and I am fairly sure it is legal, worth a try before shelling out $200

[NLBwell]

Drak -
I thought there was some rule about string spacing - that it couldn't be wider in spots in the middle than the outside. Am I wrong?

[drak]

Originally Posted by NLBwell

Drak -
I thought there was some rule about string spacing - that it couldn't be wider in spots in the middle than the outside. Am I wrong?

It isn't this way, start from the top amd ship every 5th cross. it is consistent and is not wider in the middle. If that is an issue leave out the top cross (and/or botom) which is no big deal.