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

[MesQueUnClub]

Has anyone tried full bed of Kevlar strings on these strings. I am wondering how a 18 g Kevlar string at 45 - 50 lbs range would feel on this racquet ?

[Buford T Justice]

Originally Posted by Ross K

Away from stringing issues, how do ppl find the Wilson overgrip the frame comes with? Must say I think I like it.

I also like it and I believe it's called Sublime.

But, if you sweat a lot (I am a sweaty pig) it gets a little too slippery in my opinion, so I added a Super Grap on top.

[Buford T Justice]

Originally Posted by MesQueUnClub

Has anyone tried full bed of Kevlar strings on these strings. I am wondering how a 18 g Kevlar string at 45 - 50 lbs range would feel on this racquet ?

I was wondering about that as well.....I'm just a little bawk bawk ( think of the sound a chicken makes . ) to try it.

[chunlimeyers]

I hate to say "I told u so"(I mentioned the vibration in this frame and warned you all)... but no, everybody loves saying that.. haha! You guys with shoulder and elbow issues, this vibration through the frame is what is causing them. I will equate it to the ultra stiff babolat frames. They were like this until they added the "cortex" system. If U can find a PRE cortex system racket it is a very nasty, harsh for the arm racket (one pure drive felt like i was hitting with an aluminum bat!). I think the cortex system also takes away from the overall stiffness of babolat frames now, and makes them way more playable. Hopefully in wilsons near future they will either devise a version of the cortex for these frames or make them less stiff, or both. Oh, and if for you other guys, you think it is weight and swing balance, well, just use lead/silicone to change that. But, like I said, don't think it will help much(except silicone, which is a very good shock absorber). Good luck.

[Centerforward71]

Originally Posted by chunlimeyers

I hate to say "I told u so"(I mentioned the vibration in this frame and warned you all)... but no, everybody loves saying that.. haha! You guys with shoulder and elbow issues, this vibration through the frame is what is causing them. I will equate it to the ultra stiff babolat frames. They were like this until they added the "cortex" system. If U can find a PRE cortex system racket it is a very nasty, harsh for the arm racket (one pure drive felt like i was hitting with an aluminum bat!). I think the cortex system also takes away from the overall stiffness of babolat frames now, and makes them way more playable. Hopefully in wilsons near future they will either devise a version of the cortex for these frames or make them less stiff, or both. Oh, and if for you other guys, you think it is weight and swing balance, well, just use lead/silicone to change that. But, like I said, don't think it will help much(except silicone, which is a very good shock absorber). Good luck.

Ditto, racquet doesn't feel harsh but my arm tells me different. I normally can hit every day couple of hours with minor to no discomfort with my regular racquet.

[wmilas]

So I played with the 99s all week.

Strung Pacific natural 54/MSV Co Focus 48.

Broke the main string at the top cross tieoff on a mishit friday during warmup.

My impressions so far:

1) Forehand is tricky. I can place it left to right the way I want, but fi I don't front load down low, I'll throw the ball long. What I mean is, I can't hit off my back foot. I've tried every way I can think of, it just doesn't work consistently. If I load on my front foot correctly the ball is perfectly placed depth wise. Swing speed must be fast.

2) Volleys are very good. The stiff RDiS I play with is known as a good volley stick. This one is better. The ball trajectory on the 99s is different. Once I dialed that in over 2 hours, its better. Touch is better, slice is much better.

3) 1HBBH. This is why you use this stick. If you have a 2HBH I have no idea, I don't hit one. !HBH is sublime. Effortless power, effortless low flick and grab as you come up and out. Feels sexy is the only way I can describe it.

4) Serves. Nothing to see here. No better than my RDiS.

5) String life. Strings moved alot. I did not notice any more wear than my RDiS. If I had not mishit I imagine I would have broke the mains first at 8-12 hours. I have broken the gut like this before on other sticks with a mishit.. par for the course with gut.

6) Tension. 51 right after stringing with an electronic machine. after 1 hour 49. after 4 hours 47. I broke it before I could measure at 8. This is almost identical to my Yonex setup...

For those of you that are having tension issue, I notice each and every one is using poly in the mains. All polys suck at tension maintenance. The best maintenance sticks for full poly beds have always be 18x20. I'm not sure why people are shocked that a bed with less string loses tension on a full poly setup faster. Its common sense.

With gut in the mains tension isn't an issue. As I bought this stick with the intent to use gut in the mains the tension performance of poly is a non issue for me.

I strung the stick up this time with pacific natural mains and Gosen Sidewinder in the crosses. I'll play all week and report back. Sidewinder is a geared poly and is a bit softer than msv with a bit more power. I'm curios to see if it slides better and what it does to the gut.

Oh, I also ordered another 99s so I don't have a fit on court if I break a string during warm up when I had planned to test it all day

For those that are having depth and launching problems: My conclusion is that your swing speed is not fast enough or you are pulling up on the stroke. Wilson markets this stick like it'll make everyone better. It won't. If you have bad form or you don't play with a semi-western or full western with a fast head speed you'll launch balls to the moon. If you hit a flat ball, this stick is *NOT* for you.

Every pro at the club that used it (bar one who is a chip and charge player) put more rotations on it than I could. Makes sense. They swing faster than I can. All of them remarked at the silly spin they could generate with it.

In short, If you know what you are getting into string wise, and you have *good form* with a fast closed grip, you might want to give this thing a try. It's definitely not for everyone.

[wmilas]

Forgot to mention returns.

Forehand return much the same as Forehand groundstroke. Shorten the backswing make sure you come through all is good. Poke at it; kiss it goodbye.

Backhand is interesting. I hit my backhand returns with a bit of slice. This turns out to be a problem with the 99s. The thing slices so hard I can't keep it in the court half the time.

I'm going to try not crossing over tomorrow with my right foot and turn. Instead I'll shift up partially with my right foot and use my abs and a shorter stroke. I've never had to do this before on my returns unless I was returning against a giant server and even then it was more of a volley.

I think if I do this I'll lessen the setup time and won't feel like I need to slice cause I'm "late" on the return.

Still not sure about it.

[gameboy]

Great stuff.

I have a 105s and I agree with EVERY SINGLE THING you have said here. Every time I hit a defensive shot with the backfoot, the ball sails long. If you stay on top of it and drive, it is sublime.

I also agree it is not 2HBH friendly, I did notice that my 1 handed topspin backhand worked fine. Perhaps I need to experiment with that more.

I am going to replace the current 4G full-bed with a gut hybrid. Hopefully, that will provide a bit more control.

[PED]

Originally Posted by wmilas

For those that are having depth and launching problems: My conclusion is that your swing speed is not fast enough or you are pulling up on the stroke. Wilson markets this stick like it'll make everyone better. It won't. If you have bad form or you don't play with a semi-western or full western with a fast head speed you'll launch balls to the moon. If you hit a flat ball, this stick is *NOT* for you.

Quoted for truth, this stick isn't for everyone but I really like mine.

Power is effortless. I'm trying the Tour bite Soft 16g in mine tomorrow. The 99s tore right through the 16l tour bite which isn't really a surprise

I'm also surprised people are complaining about arm issues, this thing is like a pillow IMO. Much softer feeling than my Prestige S.

[tennis_nut]

Gut/poly hybrids feel amazing in this frame. The only issue I have with it is durability. I'm only getting about 6 hours on them before the gut snaps. This is with 16g Prince gut mains.

I am testing full beds of Silverstring and Iontec salmon both in 1.25 and am really enjoying the Iontec. It's got a real nice solid feel without being to trampoliney(I know it's not a real word but that's the only way I could put it) like other polys I've tried. Not as spinny as gut/poly but way more than enough for me.

Overall, I am really liking these sticks. The spin is nice and the sweetspot is huge but the biggest reason that I will be sticking with these racquets is the comfort. The 99S is one of only 2 racquets that I can play with a full bed of poly. The EXO3 Tour is the other.

[Anton]

Originally Posted by tennis_nut

Gut/poly hybrids feel amazing in this frame. The only issue I have with it is durability. I'm only getting about 6 hours on them before the gut snaps. This is with 16g Prince gut mains.

I am testing full beds of Silverstring and Iontec salmon both in 1.25 and am really enjoying the Iontec. It's got a real nice solid feel without being to trampoliney(I know it's not a real word but that's the only way I could put it) like other polys I've tried. Not as spinny as gut/poly but way more than enough for me.

Overall, I am really liking these sticks. The spin is nice and the sweetspot is huge but the biggest reason that I will be sticking with these racquets is the comfort. The 99S is one of only 2 racquets that I can play with a full bed of poly. The EXO3 Tour is the other.

try 15g gut, that should last longer

[bhupaes]

Although I am not looking for a new racquet, I find the 99S very intriguing. I understand the theory of why the 99S produces relatively more spin. If I take a 16x19 racquet like the PB10 Mid, X10 Mid, or BLX SixOne 95 and put the (poly) crosses in at a lower tension than the (poly) mains - say, 52lbs for the crosses and 55lbs for the mains - should I not be able to get similar amounts of spin since the mains will slide easier against the crosses? I can also add some lead at 12 o'clock (say, 3-5g) to increase the SW and polarization, which would again increase spin considerably. Just curious...

[D-money]

Originally Posted by chunlimeyers

I hate to say "I told u so"(I mentioned the vibration in this frame and warned you all)... but no, everybody loves saying that.. haha! You guys with shoulder and elbow issues, this vibration through the frame is what is causing them. I will equate it to the ultra stiff babolat frames. They were like this until they added the "cortex" system. If U can find a PRE cortex system racket it is a very nasty, harsh for the arm racket (one pure drive felt like i was hitting with an aluminum bat!). I think the cortex system also takes away from the overall stiffness of babolat frames now, and makes them way more playable. Hopefully in wilsons near future they will either devise a version of the cortex for these frames or make them less stiff, or both. Oh, and if for you other guys, you think it is weight and swing balance, well, just use lead/silicone to change that. But, like I said, don't think it will help much(except silicone, which is a very good shock absorber). Good luck.

The best "shock absorber" is more weight. Silicone is great at providing the feel of a more comfortable racket but the only thing that is going to make a light stiff racket easier on your arm is more weight if all other things are left equal. Not a piece of plastic in the throat of the racket.

[Ross K]

Originally Posted by tennis_nut

Gut/poly hybrids feel amazing in this frame. The only issue I have with it is durability. I'm only getting about 6 hours on them before the gut snaps. This is with 16g Prince gut mains.

I am testing full beds of Silverstring and Iontec salmon both in 1.25 and am really enjoying the Iontec. It's got a real nice solid feel without being to trampoliney(I know it's not a real word but that's the only way I could put it) like other polys I've tried. Not as spinny as gut/poly but way more than enough for me.

Overall, I am really liking these sticks. The spin is nice and the sweetspot is huge but the biggest reason that I will be sticking with these racquets is the comfort. The 99S is one of only 2 racquets that I can play with a full bed of poly. The EXO3 Tour is the other.

Very interesting considering how quite a few complain of the stiffness. Have to say I'm in agreement with you. Compared to something like the PD 2012, the 99s is lush.

[tennis_nut]

Originally Posted by Ross K

Very interesting considering how quite a few complain of the stiffness. Have to say I'm in agreement with you. Compared to something like the PD 2012, the 99s is lush.

I'm glad I'm not the only one that thinks the 99S plays plush

I would try 15g gut but I think it might only give me an hour or two extra. The costs of the gut/poly hybrids would get to be too much. Full poly has been lasting me roughly 7-8 hours. I'm in the process of trying out some cheaper polys until I find one I like and then I'm just gonna buy a reel and string my racquets every other week.

[doctor dennis]

Hi

Does anybodies frame make an occasional rattling sound when they hit the ball?

The enduro strings move a fair bit but I've got a set of ALU rough waiting to go in when they break.

Has anyone tried ALU rough in this frame yet?

Absolutely loving this frame!

[Centerforward71]

Originally Posted by PED

Quoted for truth, this stick isn't for everyone but I really like mine.

Power is effortless. I'm trying the Tour bite Soft 16g in mine tomorrow. The 99s tore right through the 16l tour bite which isn't really a surprise

I'm also surprised people are complaining about arm issues, this thing is like a pillow IMO. Much softer feeling than my Prestige S.

Because one finds a racquet as too powerful means they have bad strokes ? AHH ? I dont disagreee that there are alot of bad strokes that cause loss of control but to genearalize is a litte much.

My contention was that the continous significant loss of tension made control a big issue as the racquet seemed to change continuously. i.e. I strung at 57 and in about 3 days and 3 hours changed to 53, then 49, then 45, then 41-42, and this is with a poly that I have played alot and measured alot and know it keeps tension very well after initial loss. So the issue of control has nothing to do with stroke quality here at least in my analysis but in having to chase a constantly changing stringbed.

BTW I found the racquet to feel VERY COMFORTABLE during play and not harsh at ALL, but the arm post hitting said different. I barely EVER get any arm pain or discomfort, again this can also be the change in vibration not necessarily the racquet, like I said it feels REALLY nice. Just stinks that the bed changes the way it does. I wouldnt mind restringing alot but man the change is a bit much.

To reiterate your saying that it isnt for everyone, that is QUOTED FOR TRUTH, that is the end game here. Personal preference and style appropriate.

I want to see how this racquet spreads to tour players, not that thats the say all, but a good indicator on whether its more toy game improvement than players weapon.

[PED]

Not sure why you quoted me as I was only agreeing with the poster I quoted. I never mentioned strokes, the guy I quoted did, why not take it up with him

[Lakers4Life]

I just got my 99s from my friend's tennis shop. I'm going to use 15g Natural Gut. I figure it's already got spin, I might as well go for comfort. I'll post my findings in a couple of days.

[Ross K]

Originally Posted by tennis_nut

I'm glad I'm not the only one that thinks the 99S plays plush

I would try 15g gut but I think it might only give me an hour or two extra. The costs of the gut/poly hybrids would get to be too much. Full poly has been lasting me roughly 7-8 hours. I'm in the process of trying out some cheaper polys until I find one I like and then I'm just gonna buy a reel and string my racquets every other week.

tennis_nut - Keep us posted on how you find these various polys to perform for you etc. I'm keeping notes on ppls findings.

I'm trying the Tour bite Soft 16g in mine tomorrow.

PED - drop us a line on how you find the TB/99s match up. That's what I've got slated for the next string-job. Be interesting to discover how long that lasts you in the 99s. I'm finally checking 4G a bit later today. Went for 53 lbs.