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

[jonestim]

My demo from TW came in today strung with 4G 1.25. I hit with it with my ball machine for about an hour and then about 50 serves.

I am an athletic 3.5. SW forehand. OHBH. I have good court coverage and unforced error too often. My usual setup is around 12.4 oz and a 93". Either a Diablo or POG with full poly and swing weights north of 330 on both. I play at about 4000 feet in very little humidity. Balls fly quickly here which is why I have settled on a lower powered setup. Higher powered and I often hit long or have to reign myself in which causes some net shots.

I really dug this frame. It does what it says. I had shots that I felt were poorly hit and were going long just to see them dip in at the last second. Most of my shots were nice and deep with really good bounces. I can get a lot of spin with my POGs, but not this much and not as consistently.

Serves were ok. This has such different balance that it is going to take a bit of work to figure them out. I warmed up with one of my current racquets and was getting better placement, but less pace than with the 99S. I'm sure if I used this exclusively I would have a passable serve for a 3.5.

I didn't volley a ton. Friday I will be doing my weekly hour and a half doubles clinic and will know more about volleys then.

The negative - string life. I don't know why TW put 1.25 string in this. I am not hard on strings. I have never broken a poly in my life and they are often only somewhat notched when I cut them out - usually at around 12 hrs. The 4G is notched more in an hour than I usually see for the life of my strings. I checked a POG that I have used for about 6 hrs that has 1.27 Cyber Twirl mains with OSGM crosses and it is notched about half of what these are after an hour. I won't be surprised to see them snap during my demo period.

The other negative for me is the feel. I like the smoothness of my thin box beam racquets. The reality is though that if I'm playing this much better I can live with the feel.

I have a bunch of racquets for sale in the classifieds and am tempted to picke up a couple of these when those sell.

More later.

[LeeD]

Well, 18x20's have the longest string life, what did you expect?
You can get used to thicker beams, with time and experimenting, and consolation.
You are probably the target customer for the racket.

[Radical7]

Was not impressed with the new steam 99S, just didn't have the spin I expected, Wilson may be on to something with the string pattern but its definitely not going to be the next big thing. Not until it gets close to spaghetti string and has enough control to be a player's racquet.

[tennis_nut]

Originally Posted by racertempo

Please let us know how the Iontec feels in the frame in comparison to the silverstring in terms of stiffness. Is the Iontec softer?

The Iontec salmon is a little stiffer than the Silverstring but still very comfortable in the 99S. Both were strung at 56 lbs on a lockout machine. I actually prefer the Iontec because it is stiffer. The Silverstring became too springy after a couple hours of play. The Iontec has stayed firm and solid so far through roughly 4 hours of play. Both strings provide great feel (for polys anyway) and spin potential.

I've got Iontec Hexa 1.25 strung up now and am hoping the weather is nice tomorrow so I can test it out.

[tlm]

The club I play at had a new 99s demo in with 4g in it and it still sucked, way to powerful full fledged rocket launcher. These rackets are for 3.0 and under players and those with no power and short swings.

[couch]

Originally Posted by tlm

The club I play at had a new 99s demo in with 4g in it and it still sucked, way to powerful full fledged rocket launcher. These rackets are for 3.0 and under players and those with no power and short swings.

The 99S is for 3.0 -4.0 players who are learning to play and for advanced players who know how to utilize this stick as a weapon. It's funny, I've won my last two matches with this stick and I'm a 5.0. Hmm. Rocket launcher in the wrong hands, full-fledged weapon in the right hands.

It's funny, the pure drive was known as a rocket launcher too. We have seen that players with appropriate strokes and playing ability use these sticks as weapons. I think the 99S is the same type of racquet as long as its used by the appropriate player with the appropriate strokes and the right strings.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by tlm

The club I play at had a new 99s demo in with 4g in it and it still sucked, way to powerful full fledged rocket launcher. These rackets are for 3.0 and under players and those with no power and short swings.

Funny but the TW playtesters are all 4.0 or higher and they had no problem with the power. They also have full long swings. Obviously you don't know how to utilize the topspin to keep the ball in. If you are driving the ball with a flatter swing then I can see you launching the ball long. I found the 99s no more powerful than other tweeners I have used: Juice 100, Pure Drive 2012, Warrior 100.

If it doesn't work for you then stick with what does. Simple.

[dmcb101]

I just received my contract through Wilson as I am a teaching pro and I chose 2 of the 99S racquets. I will be getting these soon and I will try and add to what I wrote back in October.

I also ordered a reel of Pro's Pro Concept (co-poly) 1.38mm string in hopes to gain a little bit of duribilty in my poly string and not break the bank. The reel was $47! Even if I break it within 3-4 hours I can just pop in a new set no problem.

Follow up to come.

[nickarnold2000]

Originally Posted by couch

The 99S is for 3.0 -4.0 players who are learning to play and for advanced players who know how to utilize this stick as a weapon. It's funny, I've won my last two matches with this stick and I'm a 5.0. Hmm. Rocket launcher in the wrong hands, full-fledged weapon in the right hands.

It's funny, the pure drive was known as a rocket launcher too. We have seen that players with appropriate strokes and playing ability use these sticks as weapons. I think the 99S is the same type of racquet as long as its used by the appropriate player with the appropriate strokes and the right strings.

Totally agree. You need to have the racket head speed and use semi to full western strokes to get the most out of this stick.

[Ross K]

I'm a believer and a 99s convert for these reasons:
1)My hitting partner said the ball was getting on him noticeably quicker because of there was more spin. Definite plus to rob opponents of time.
2)On one memorable shot I was able to generate an angle that was previously impossible for me. Generally, I am able to spread the court better.
3)In the third set of a singles match, I really appreciated the easy power. Also got a few extra and unreturnables on kick serve.

When I first started hitting with the stick, I didn't really like it. Ball trajectory was way high and I launched a few into the back fence. Once I got it dialed in, most of those problems went away and I was able to swing freely and generate more racket head speed than the heavy prince original graphite I was using before.

Good points. Same thoughts/findings with me. I especially agree that it indeed swings very freely.

The 99S is for 3.0 -4.0 players who are learning to play and for advanced players who know how to utilize this stick as a weapon. It's funny, I've won my last two matches with this stick and I'm a 5.0. Hmm. Rocket launcher in the wrong hands, full-fledged weapon in the right hands.

It's funny, the pure drive was known as a rocket launcher too. We have seen that players with appropriate strokes and playing ability use these sticks as weapons. I think the 99S is the same type of racquet as long as its used by the appropriate player with the appropriate strokes and the right strings.

Amen to that, brother couch!

[jonestim]

Originally Posted by LeeD

Well, 18x20's have the longest string life, what did you expect?

I often use 14x18 racquets that are "string eaters." This takes it to a new level. The one I mentioned is 14x18 and has 1/2 the wear in six times the playing.

Originally Posted by LeeD

You are probably the target customer for the racket.

I agree. I already own my own stringer and am accustomed to the idea of having multiple racquets. I can't imagine anyone paying to have this strung that often at a shop. It would easily be $80-$100 a month.

way to powerful full fledged rocket launcher

I have long strokes and have never used a tweener that I felt like I could play with. All the others I felt like I had to hold back and just dink the shot in. No racquet head speed. Not so with this. I could take a full stroke. Also in my demo box were a few racquets that are more like what I often play with including a Prince Rebel 95 strung with Beast and a Wilson Six.One 95 16x18 with Savage Lime. I was getting good spin with the Rebel - about as much as my Diablo. I sent less shots long with the 99s than either of those and had much more net clearance. I can see it being a problem if you don't hit with spin, but found it very easy to keep it in

[tlm]

Originally Posted by couch

The 99S is for 3.0 -4.0 players who are learning to play and for advanced players who know how to utilize this stick as a weapon. It's funny, I've won my last two matches with this stick and I'm a 5.0. Hmm. Rocket launcher in the wrong hands, full-fledged weapon in the right hands.

It's funny, the pure drive was known as a rocket launcher too. We have seen that players with appropriate strokes and playing ability use these sticks as weapons. I think the 99S is the same type of racquet as long as its used by the appropriate player with the appropriate strokes and the right strings.

There will be very few high level players using this stick. Are you a legit 5.0? or just another TT 5.0 level player like about 98% of the posters here who make that claim. Lets see how many tour players end up using this toy racket.

[tlm]

Originally Posted by JackB1

Funny but the TW playtesters are all 4.0 or higher and they had no problem with the power. They also have full long swings. Obviously you don't know how to utilize the topspin to keep the ball in. If you are driving the ball with a flatter swing then I can see you launching the ball long. I found the 99s no more powerful than other tweeners I have used: Juice 100, Pure Drive 2012, Warrior 100.

If it doesn't work for you then stick with what does. Simple.

Any good player can adjust and hit with all types of rackets. But let me know how many of these testers switch to the spin launcher.

[tlm]

Originally Posted by nickarnold2000

Totally agree. You need to have the racket head speed and use semi to full western strokes to get the most out of this stick.

I use close to a full western grip and hit plenty of top spin, but this racket is still to powerful. When strung with brand new poly at high tension it can play pretty well for maybe an hour, then it goes to launcher mode.

[racertempo]

Originally Posted by tlm

Any good player can adjust and hit with all types of rackets. But let me know how many of these testers switch to the spin launcher.

Racquets don't launch tennis balls, players launch tennis balls, and JackB1 and Couch have it right here. Even if he was a 4.5 and not a 5.0, that level hits the ball hard and he has not problem controlling it. I am a 4.0 who plays a lot of 4.5 and I love the frame without launching problems.

[sundaypunch]

Originally Posted by racertempo

Racquets don't launch tennis balls, players launch tennis balls, and JackB1 and Couch have it right here. Even if he was a 4.5 and not a 5.0, that level hits the ball hard and he has not problem controlling it. I am a 4.0 who plays a lot of 4.5 and I love the frame without launching problems.

I agree with this. With a full western grip and the proper swing path, you can swing as hard as you want and literally almost not be able to hit the ball long. It just comes down to having the proper game to take advantage of the racquet.

I liked the racquet but sold it after a couple of weeks. Not because it was a rocket launcher, but because I thought it was too spinny.

[racertempo]

Originally Posted by sundaypunch

I agree with this. With a full western grip and the proper swing path, you can swing as hard as you want and literally almost not be able to hit the ball long. It just comes down to having the proper game to take advantage of the racquet.

I liked the racquet but sold it after a couple of weeks. Not because it was a rocket launcher, but because I thought it was too spinny.

And I am almost the opposite grip with a Eastern/Continental forehand grip, sort of between the two and I have no problem controlling the ball. I also have a 1HBH with an Eastern grip and no issues. Of course I blast a ball of the fence once in a while, but it can happen with any frame. I find far far more control with the Steam 99s and 105s then any other Yonex frame I have ever played, which is why I switched.

[fibonacci888]

Yes, demo is here with a full pacific xcite at 27 kg. Can't wait.

Tonight is the first run.

[PED]

Originally Posted by couch

I'm telling you guys- 4G is the best string for this stick. If your not a string breaker then maybe gut/poly hybrid. If you don't at least try 4G in this stick you are really doing yourself a disservice and won't get the most out of this frame.

I tried them back to back today: one with 4G and one with Tour bite soft. Both were 16g.

The 4G is nice and the control is a touch better but I found I prefer the extra power burst that Tour bite gives. I was using the SOFT TB and it doesn't have as much elasticity as normal TB but still explodes the ball off the bed.

I'd also like to try them both when it's not 48 degrees and windy
Hard to get a baseline for testing as it was 24 degrees warmer on Tuesday than today.

The 4G was strung a good bit tighter than the TB and that likely effected things as well. I may get my next 99S strung with 4G when I get it from TW next week to give it a true test.

Couch, are you using 16 or 15L in the 99?

[couch]

Originally Posted by PED

I tried them back to back today: one with 4G and one with Tour bite soft. Both were 16g.

The 4G is nice and the control is a touch better but I found I prefer the extra power burst that Tour bite gives. I was using the SOFT TB and it doesn't have as much elasticity as normal TB but still explodes the ball off the bed.

I'd also like to try them both when it's not 48 degrees and windy
Hard to get a baseline for testing as it was 24 degrees warmer on Tuesday than today.

The 4G was strung a good bit tighter than the TB and that likely effected things as well. I may get my next 99S strung with 4G when I get it from TW next week to give it a true test.

Couch, are you using 16 or 15L in the 99?

I'm using 16g at the moment. I do have a few packs of 15g that I will be trying out soon.