AA5B Tiger
New User
I demoed the Wilson Steam 100 in a singles and doubles league match this week -- and thought I would share my thoughts as well as pictures.
I'm a strong 3.5 - weak 4.0 player, 6"2' 200lb, big serve and groundstrokes, counter-puncher, run everything down. I currently play with a Prince Black but have been on the lookout for something different -- namely more stability at the net and more feel, especially at the net.
I demoed the Wilson Juice 100 this past weekend and truly loved it (despite not wanting to, wanting to get a 2011 closeout cheaper, hating The Juice's paint job and name). The Juice has a very unique, good feel to -- one of the few racquets I've personally come across where I felt I could swing all-out on groundstokes and just have fun placing the ball. My only gripe with The Juice: it was strung with NXT 16 @ mid + 2 and seemed to have just a tad too much power for me. I think a couple of more pounds of tension and/or something with less pop than NXT will fix that.
Nevertheless, instead of dropping $190 X 2-3 on a new racquet, I thought I would check out Wilson's other new racquets - particularly the Steam since it is supposed to be more "control" than the Juice... I thought that may help with my tendency to slightly hit out with the Juice.
My quick summary: For my game the Juice seems like far-and-away a much nicer fit. The Steam weighed in 0.3 oz less than the strung Juice (11.1 vs 11.4). However, it felt heavier -- I guess due to the weight distribution.
Flat serves were great; however, I didn't feel like I could tap into spin on the kick and slice serves like I could with the Juice.
Groundstokes were the big difference for me between the 2 racquets. I hit fairly open with topspin on my forehand. On the backhand I hit both 1 and 2 handed, both more flat and hard -- really depending on a good followthrough to spin the ball down in the court. While every shot with The Steam felt solid and well-controlled (what the racquet professes to be), I felt I could do more with The Juice -- especially on defensive shots where I'm on the run and not balanced. If I could totally get in place and set-up, follow-through, and step in to the ball fully, The Steam was fine; however, with the guys I play I'm rarely given such a luxury.
I felt too The Juice was quicker and more stable on the net. I never had The Juice spin in my hand once, yet I had The Steam do so many times (with the same size grip).
Of course, better players may find exactly what they're looking for in The Steam, but for me, I found The Juice highlighted what I do well and gave me forgiveness on what I'm lacking. It's not at all a bad racquet -- and reminded me a lot of the Wilson Blade, which I know a lot of people love... So I guess if you are a move grooved player and/or like the Wilson Blade, the Steam is worth checking out.
Here's some pictures:
I'm a strong 3.5 - weak 4.0 player, 6"2' 200lb, big serve and groundstrokes, counter-puncher, run everything down. I currently play with a Prince Black but have been on the lookout for something different -- namely more stability at the net and more feel, especially at the net.
I demoed the Wilson Juice 100 this past weekend and truly loved it (despite not wanting to, wanting to get a 2011 closeout cheaper, hating The Juice's paint job and name). The Juice has a very unique, good feel to -- one of the few racquets I've personally come across where I felt I could swing all-out on groundstokes and just have fun placing the ball. My only gripe with The Juice: it was strung with NXT 16 @ mid + 2 and seemed to have just a tad too much power for me. I think a couple of more pounds of tension and/or something with less pop than NXT will fix that.
Nevertheless, instead of dropping $190 X 2-3 on a new racquet, I thought I would check out Wilson's other new racquets - particularly the Steam since it is supposed to be more "control" than the Juice... I thought that may help with my tendency to slightly hit out with the Juice.
My quick summary: For my game the Juice seems like far-and-away a much nicer fit. The Steam weighed in 0.3 oz less than the strung Juice (11.1 vs 11.4). However, it felt heavier -- I guess due to the weight distribution.
Flat serves were great; however, I didn't feel like I could tap into spin on the kick and slice serves like I could with the Juice.
Groundstokes were the big difference for me between the 2 racquets. I hit fairly open with topspin on my forehand. On the backhand I hit both 1 and 2 handed, both more flat and hard -- really depending on a good followthrough to spin the ball down in the court. While every shot with The Steam felt solid and well-controlled (what the racquet professes to be), I felt I could do more with The Juice -- especially on defensive shots where I'm on the run and not balanced. If I could totally get in place and set-up, follow-through, and step in to the ball fully, The Steam was fine; however, with the guys I play I'm rarely given such a luxury.
I felt too The Juice was quicker and more stable on the net. I never had The Juice spin in my hand once, yet I had The Steam do so many times (with the same size grip).
Of course, better players may find exactly what they're looking for in The Steam, but for me, I found The Juice highlighted what I do well and gave me forgiveness on what I'm lacking. It's not at all a bad racquet -- and reminded me a lot of the Wilson Blade, which I know a lot of people love... So I guess if you are a move grooved player and/or like the Wilson Blade, the Steam is worth checking out.
Here's some pictures:
