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

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Anton

?????

I change my storkes depending on racket I'm playing with - how can you not?

The ball just doesn't come off the same way - some rackets send the ball higher and deeper, some flatter and shorter, some have more power, some have less, some are light, some are heavy. Some rackets let me flatten out and drive hard low balls, some require a lot of brush-up to keep the ball in, with some rackets I can do both etc.. - the swing has to be adjusted accordingly.

that's kind of what I was trying to say. You make little adjustments that take no real conscience thought and from that point on, you'r good. It's not really "changing your swing" as in making huge alterations to your swingpath....it's just "fine tuning". Sorry if I confused the issue.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Dgdavid

I agree Anton, I cannot see how you cannot adjust your stroke (power, trajectory etc). Just trying to find the will to respond to Jack's response but I think it might be better that I don't. I think I will just leave it that the last sentence in his post 1599 is something we can agree on.

I have a doubles match with the 99S tonight. Will report back.

We're good

I think my point was that the adjustment shouldn't be that difficult and if it is, than the racquet's not for you.

Thats said....I think the 99s is a better singles/baseliner's racquet, than a "double's specialist's" racquet.

[PED]

Anyone try Black Magic 15L (1.33mm) with this stick. seems like it might be a good choice.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by PED

Anyone try Black Magic 15L (1.33mm) with this stick. seems like it might be a good choice.

I think I suggested that a few pages back. I agree it might be a great choice in the 99s. Cheap too $90/reel!

going to Beast 16g too soon. I really liked that as a full bed poly.

[sureshs]

http://www.tennis.com/gear/2013/01/q.../#.URAsvaVEHbM

[fibonacci888]

Made up my mind: this is my new racket!

[Ross K]

One thing I think I'm having some issues with is actually the balance of the stick.

Still haven't dialed in the serve, finding the net a bit too often for my liking generally, and a bit too erratic still on g/strokes.

Yet every now and then I'm ripping one with such effortless zip and spinny heavy raking oomph I'm left gobsmacked, blown away.

So, whilst today I didn't find that 'ball sitting up too much' syndrome or whatever some of were discussing a day or two ago to be such an issue, I am, specially re groundstrokes, aware of this lack of consistency, control, predictability, whatever.

On a wider note, I absolutely accept more time has to be spent adjusting to the quirks of the frame etc. But on a few occasions when I've put my Pure Control in the mix for a few games, it's striking how my serves are suddenly landing in and with more venom, and how my groundstrokes are suddenly transformed into consistent controlled performance.

I don't know... is this balance related?

[JGads]

Originally Posted by Ross K

One thing I think I'm having some issues with is actually the balance of the stick.

Still haven't dialed in the serve, finding the net a bit too often for my liking generally, and a bit too erratic still on g/strokes.

Yet every now and then I'm ripping one with such effortless zip and spinny heavy raking oomph I'm left gobsmacked, blown away.

So, whilst today I didn't find that 'ball sitting up too much' syndrome or whatever some of were discussing a day or two ago to be such an issue, I am, specially re groundstrokes, aware of this lack of consistency, control, predictability, whatever.

On a wider note, I absolutely accept more time has to be spent adjusting to the quirks of the frame etc. But on a few occasions when I've put my Pure Control in the mix for a few games, it's striking how my serves are suddenly landing in and with more venom, and how my groundstrokes are suddenly transformed into consistent controlled performance.

I don't know... is this balance related?

Ross, I think you're more used to the weight and balance and way of coming through of the swirly.. To me your longtime love, the APD, moves more sluggishly than this Steam... Same for me and my frames. So when I first bit the frame, i couldn't find the box, instead constantly the net. Once I really adjusted to the easier swing - letting the ball drop a tad more to line up my strike, unlike my usual frames where I have to start everything sooner in order to crack it - the serves transformed from uncontrollable to beastly and surprisingly accurate. Play around with toss location, too. But this thing swings so easily, at first it's hard not to always be (too) early to the ball.

[Dgdavid]

too late to write up tonight's experience but we won our tournament match comfortably against a good pair and I played good consistent tennis in the first set with the 99S then very aggressive strong tennis with the IG Rad OS in the second (which just plays like a powerful MP version). The main comments from my opponents were that they had more time on my shots in the first set but my shots were much hotter in second.

Still interested in the Steam frame but I think the 99S is going back. Will definitely look at the non-S 99 though and will report back.

ps. a real stand out for me with the 99S is the slice backhand. happens to also be the only main weakness of the Rad OS as it happens.

[Ross K]

JG,

Great points ^.


DG,

Okay, so you've made up your mind then. Well, I'm not reaching for my towel and heading out the steam room quite yet . I'm also suddenly curious about a bit of lead, changing it up a bit to maybe shift the balance, get it even more solid, etc. I seem to suddenly be playing a fair bit, so a good few opportunities in the next week-10 days to try and work it out.

[Ross K]

QSN for aimr (think you've done this?) and others...

Anyone put lead on their 99s?

How much and what locations?

How has this worked out for you and changed things up?

TIA

[aimr75]

Originally Posted by Ross K

QSN for aimr (think you've done this?) and others...

Anyone put lead on their 99s?

How much and what locations?

How has this worked out for you and changed things up?

TIA

Ross, I have modded it to my usual spec of 345g strung with overgrip and a balance of 32cm. Mods are silicone in the handle (10g) and lead at 3/9 (4 x 6inch) and 12 (4 x 4inch).

It's as solid as any of my other frames at this spec. Swingweight for me still feels like I can bring it around without any trouble and the plow is ample. No vibrations and didn't notice any issue with off centre hits. Spin as expected is more than my 18x20's. balls visually kick up on groundies and for me the power is controlled.

Not sure what you typically swing in terms of spec, but it feels great at this spec for me.

[fibonacci888]

Originally Posted by Dgdavid

too late to write up tonight's experience but we won our tournament match comfortably against a good pair and I played good consistent tennis in the first set with the 99S then very aggressive strong tennis with the IG Rad OS in the second (which just plays like a powerful MP version). The main comments from my opponents were that they had more time on my shots in the first set but my shots were much hotter in second.


ps. a real stand out for me with the 99S is the slice backhand. happens to also be the only main weakness of the Rad OS as it happens.

Funny,I have exactly the same conclusion about this racket. Only thing is that for me that is a good thing. I make way to many unforced errors and this racket gives me the margin i needed. Yesterday i played a good 2 hours and felt in control within the point. Before it was basically hit and run. This racket gives me the confidence to wait for the right ball to go for the winner.

[Ross K]

Originally Posted by aimr75

Ross, I have modded it to my usual spec of 345g strung with overgrip and a balance of 32cm. Mods are silicone in the handle (10g) and lead at 3/9 (4 x 6inch) and 12 (4 x 4inch).

It's as solid as any of my other frames at this spec. Swingweight for me still feels like I can bring it around without any trouble and the plow is ample. No vibrations and didn't notice any issue with off centre hits. Spin as expected is more than my 18x20's. balls visually kick up on groundies and for me the power is controlled.

Not sure what you typically swing in terms of spec, but it feels great at this spec for me.

Cheers aimr. Hmm, food for thought...

[wmilas]

Played 4 hours last week, no matches, 2 hours hitting partner, 2 hours drills. USTA doesn't start up till next week for me. I continue to dial it in and at this point I'm fairly confident with the stick. I like it and I'll be switching to it.

Now the bad news. It eats gut. Like a hungry, angry monster. Yesterday 30 minutes into a hitting session I snapped the 5&6 main AT THE SAME TIME. That's only 4.5 hours of heavy hitting on the racquet. It was string with Pacific Natural/Gosen sidewinder 54/48.

It snapped on an off center hit but it was no where near the frame. In the past with other sticks I've always broke gut in the mains in the sweet spot after the fraying has started. Not with this stick. I have not managed to get more than 5 hours out of a hybrid before the gut snaps.

I'm kinda shocked at this. I'm boggled that *2* mains snapped this last time this fast.

I ordered another 99s. I'm going to string one up full bed lux 4g and one full bed topspin cyber (my favorite soft smooth poly) both at 48 and see how they play. I'll cut each out at 8-10 hours if I don't break it so as not not wreck my arm.

If they play like crap I'll just suck it up and go through half a pack of gut each week... the wicked backhand alone is worth it

[Rafaboy]

Originally Posted by wmilas

Played 4 hours last week, no matches, 2 hours hitting partner, 2 hours drills. USTA doesn't start up till next week for me. I continue to dial it in and at this point I'm fairly confident with the stick. I like it and I'll be switching to it.

Now the bad news. It eats gut. Like a hungry, angry monster. Yesterday 30 minutes into a hitting session I snapped the 5&6 main AT THE SAME TIME. That's only 4.5 hours of heavy hitting on the racquet. It was string with Pacific Natural/Gosen sidewinder 54/48.

It snapped on an off center hit but it was no where near the frame. In the past with other sticks I've always broke gut in the mains in the sweet spot after the fraying has started. Not with this stick. I have not managed to get more than 5 hours out of a hybrid before the gut snaps.

I'm kinda shocked at this. I'm boggled that *2* mains snapped this last time this fast.

I ordered another 99s. I'm going to string one up full bed lux 4g and one full bed topspin cyber (my favorite soft smooth poly) both at 48 and see how they play. I'll cut each out at 8-10 hours if I don't break it so as not not wreck my arm.

If they play like crap I'll just suck it up and go through half a pack of gut each week... the wicked backhand alone is worth it

I kind of dont understand how you some guys are constantly breakin stings. Is it largely due to the technique? are you hittng mostly flat shots with a lot of pace? Or is it that you are playing at a high degree of power alone that causes this?

[PED]

Originally Posted by Rafaboy

I kind of dont understand how you some guys are constantly breakin stings. Is it largely due to the technique? are you hittng mostly flat shots with a lot of pace? Or is it that you are playing at a high degree of power alone that causes this?

It's a combo of the ultra wide open pattern and hitting with alot of spin/power. It's death on strings in a stick like this.

[wmilas]

Well, I'm not a massive string breaker like some of the guys I play with. There are a number of factors that break strings:

1) Swing speed. Obviously the more energy you impart into the ball, the more general wear on a string.
2) String movement. If the face has an open pattern the strings move. this causes friction on the strings that causes fraying in something like a multi and a natural gut but also causes stretching which can cause the string to snap if the elasticity threshold is surpassed.
3) Off center hits. Hits to the outside of the hoop can cause sheer forces against the grommets and knots along with there being less strings to take the impact.
4) Form. Good technique often increases string breakage. Very good technique causes the most energy transfer per swing. This is a bit tricky to describe. Its best illustrated in the serve. A good server gets his body moving up into the ball via his legs, his arm swinging and hitting the ball at the peak of its rotation, and his wrist snapping down all exactly at the correct time to impart ALL that energy into the ball. If any of these are out of phase there is wasted energy that does not make it into the ball.

I break strings mostly because of #2, #3, and to a lesser part #1. I normally don't break them from off center hits, but the 99s seems the be particularly sensitive to this with gut and sheer forces causing a break. I do swing fairly fast with a semi to full western grip.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Rafaboy

I kind of dont understand how you some guys are constantly breakin stings. Is it largely due to the technique? are you hittng mostly flat shots with a lot of pace? Or is it that you are playing at a high degree of power alone that causes this?

I don't get it either. I hit harder than about 60-70% of the guys I face at the 3.5/4.0 level and I am not breaking strings (yet)

[mad dog1]

Originally Posted by Rafaboy

I kind of dont understand how you some guys are constantly breakin stings. Is it largely due to the technique? are you hittng mostly flat shots with a lot of pace? Or is it that you are playing at a high degree of power alone that causes this?

it's the combination of spin and pace. flat shots won't cause strings to break. also, it's alot easier to break strings if you're returning heavy shots. if the guy on the other side isn't giving you much pace, your strings will last alot longer as a result.