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

[sureshs]

Too simplistic.

Pros have said that it takes 1 set for them to adjust to Nadal's spin, and by that time it is over.

[LeeD]

Nadal hits with more spin than any other player.
Also, Nadal is known to warm up hitting normal topspin balls, then when the points start to count, he relies on his one of a kind heavy topspin loopers.
You and I cannot hit anywhere near Nadalesque, and the slight increase in spin won't help much, against a PEER, not a low level hacker.
The slight increase in spin starts from the first warmup ball, thru the warmup period, and stays with the match points. It doesn't take anyone by surprise, and they're used to the slight increase in spin from the beginning.

[MikeHitsHard93]

I was watching a Vika vs. Serena match today...Serena's second serve had so much spin that you could actually hear it whizzing as it came at Vika. The camera angle was right behind vika, not a bad angle

I thought to myself... "I think Vika has an advantage because not only can she see the ball curving, but she can hear how much spin is on it. I definitely think there's a such thing as too much spin, and this is just a side thought I had today...

[LeeD]

Not only hear the WHIZZ, but see an oval ball curving into the service court.
That takes a solid stanced swing and to return, which Vika can certainly do.
Serena serves like the shorter ATP men, and would beat all of them in handwrestling or real wrestling.

[Power Player]

Handed my friend (ex top 50 FL USTA junior with really good spin - plays the wilson juice pro) the 105s tonight. He thought it had too much power, low control and was too light. I had no real issue with the balls he was hitting at me.

On to the 99S.

[sureshs]

Originally Posted by LeeD

Not only hear the WHIZZ, but see an oval ball curving into the service court.
That takes a solid stanced swing and to return, which Vika can certainly do.
Serena serves like the shorter ATP men, and would beat all of them in handwrestling or real wrestling.

But I have a feeling they would enjoy the real wrestling experience.

[Nostradamus]

OK, if Wilson hit a homerun with 99S then what did Wilson hit with 105S ?

[Power Player]

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

OK, if Wilson hit a homerun with 99S then what did Wilson hit with 105S ?

Maybe a home run for a newer player or a female player. And that is not a slight on anyone, it just is a very light stick with a ton of power.

[Nostradamus]

Originally Posted by Power Player

Maybe a home run for a newer player or a female player. And that is not a slight on anyone, it just is a very light stick with a ton of power.

If you love the new Blades from Wilson, then probably 105S is not for you. New blades are heavy with high swingweights. I wonder why Wilson decided to go that route with new blades ?

[Power Player]

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

If you love the new Blades from Wilson, then probably 105S is not for you. New blades are heavy with high swingweights. I wonder why Wilson decided to go that route with new blades ?

If you are not talking about the tour, it is the same as the prior release?

It's a great spec for a baselining player that values control. Same weight as a tweener like the APDc or PD, but higher SW so the beam can be thinner and the frame can have some flex in it.

My Blades weigh 329 with overgrip and dampener, so I don't consider them heavy personally.

[JackB1]

Tried a demo today of the 99s and was only slightly impressed with it. It felt slightly more solid than my juice 100 but was very similar to that racket. The weight and sw were perfect for me, no need to add any lead.
My demo was strong very high at 60 and that had a negative impact on my feelings towards it. It felt very stiff and boardy to me. Yes I did get slightly more spin but nothing really significant. I think some oversize racquets with open patterns have about the same drill pattern as the 99S does. I only got to hit a few serves with it and was able to hit some nice topspin kick serves. The two guys that work in the tennis shop said they tried the 99S and had trouble flattening out shots with it. I don't think this racket is going to be for everybody and I think once the initial excitement wears off a little it will slowdown in sales and hype. Yes it's a nice racket and a great tweeter and I might consider it once it comes out but it's nothing earth shattering or really game changing like I thought. I think if your game is hitting high loopy topspin from the baseline then this would probably work well for your game.

[Broly4]

Wilson hits a homerun... So will you, provided that you take a big cut with this one.
The frame might work for players whose strokes don't produce enough top spin,just hope doesn't end ruining their technique, definitely not for big hitters.

[Gemini]

Originally Posted by JackB1

Tried a demo today of the 99s and was only slightly impressed with it. It felt slightly more solid than my juice 100 but was very similar to that racket. The weight and sw were perfect for me, no need to add any lead.
My demo was strong very high at 60 and that had a negative impact on my feelings towards it. It felt very stiff and boardy to me. Yes I did get slightly more spin but nothing really significant. I think some oversize racquets with open patterns have about the same drill pattern as the 99S does. I only got to hit a few serves with it and was able to hit some nice topspin kick serves. The two guys that work in the tennis shop said they tried the 99S and had trouble flattening out shots with it. I don't think this racket is going to be for everybody and I think once the initial excitement wears off a little it will slowdown in sales and hype. Yes it's a nice racket and a great tweeter and I might consider it once it comes out but it's nothing earth shattering or really game changing like I thought. I think if your game is hitting high loopy topspin from the baseline then this would probably work well for your game.

Where did you finally find a demo?

[bad_call]

Originally Posted by Power Player

Maybe a home run for a newer player or a female player. And that is not a slight on anyone, it just is a very light stick with a ton of power.

home run for sure...in baseball.

[thecrusher956]

I really doubt this is going to take out the aeropro. Even for little kids, they need to be seeing a top player using it to even consider switching.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Gemini

Where did you finally find a demo?

Iplay tennis in midtown Atlanta

[couch]

Don't forget guys that Wilson also has a 16x18 pattern for this racquet and the 105. That was the racquet I was probably going to start playing with while also trying the 16x15 pattern. I, too, was a little nervous about losing control with such an open pattern.

If you like these specs in a racquet then the tighter pattern may be an option. I'm definitely going to try both along with the Blade 16x19.

[racertempo]

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

If you love the new Blades from Wilson, then probably 105S is not for you. New blades are heavy with high swingweights. I wonder why Wilson decided to go that route with new blades ?

I am a 4.0 on the verge if 4.5 and I love the 105 weight. Although I will say that I prefer a lighter frame for doubles play so it does not feel like I am whipping around a sledgehammer while on top of the net. So I look for upper 10s in weight and 3-8HL, so this one ended up fitting me well.

Far far less power then the 100 Juice from last year and more stable and solid feel then the 100 Steam from last year.

I will buy one of each and probably stick with the 99s for singles and 105s for doubles. When you hole those heads next to each other the size difference is really incredible minimal, but the beam is slightly thicker in the 105. However, it is still a smaller beam then my Yonex Ezone Xi100. Different sticks for different folks, but my hitting with the 105 was the best frame I have demo'd for my game in a few years, and the guy I have played with the most for the last 2 years highly agreed as he has seen my balls (he he) for quite a while as I have progressed with tennis.

I think the 105 will be more popular with women and seniors due to the size and lighter weight.....but I would not expect any woman to drop their Juice for this Steam line......and there are tons of women around here with that Juice.

[Nostradamus]

Originally Posted by racertempo

I am a 4.0 on the verge if 4.5 and I love the 105 weight. Although I will say that I prefer a lighter frame for doubles play so it does not feel like I am whipping around a sledgehammer while on top of the net. So I look for upper 10s in weight and 3-8HL, so this one ended up fitting me well.

Far far less power then the 100 Juice from last year and more stable and solid feel then the 100 Steam from last year.

I will buy one of each and probably stick with the 99s for singles and 105s for doubles. When you hole those heads next to each other the size difference is really incredible minimal, but the beam is slightly thicker in the 105. However, it is still a smaller beam then my Yonex Ezone Xi100. Different sticks for different folks, but my hitting with the 105 was the best frame I have demo'd for my game in a few years, and the guy I have played with the most for the last 2 years highly agreed as he has seen my balls (he he) for quite a while as I have progressed with tennis.

I think the 105 will be more popular with women and seniors due to the size and lighter weight.....but I would not expect any woman to drop their Juice for this Steam line......and there are tons of women around here with that Juice.

do you think the 105 is is more powerful than the Ezone xi100 ?

[jackcrawford]

Originally Posted by racertempo

I am a 4.0 on the verge if 4.5 and I love the 105 weight. Although I will say that I prefer a lighter frame for doubles play so it does not feel like I am whipping around a sledgehammer while on top of the net. So I look for upper 10s in weight and 3-8HL, so this one ended up fitting me well.

Good choice, glad you have found it. Noah (7.0 player, French Open winner) played the earlier version of this frame http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Volk...LKL-VORG3.html stock on the Senior tour for a year or so, played against much heavier hitters than you find at the park or CC. Just a personal quirk what weight you use, using a heavy frame doesn't automatically make you a hot shot or using a light frame indicate a beginner.