Break down the Wilson rackets for a rookie please

[Fivehand]

Hello all, I'll try to be brief! I have loved Wilson's in the past. I'm currently using Dunlop FX 500 and enjoyed it for a few months until I ran into crippling tennis elbow that has had me off courts for 5 weeks and counting. (Also partly technique and strings, I know.) Somebody mentioned to me that this racket is extremely stiff and was likely a factor in my injury.

I heard that Wilson Clash rackets are some of the most arm-friendly rackets on the market. I used to play with a Blade and loved it. I have also heard that the Pro Staff high swing weight really helps with arm pain... so I'm just confused. I would happily switch back to Wilson rackets, but I want to make sure if I'm going to drop ~$400 this soon after my last switch that it's for some long-term rackets.

Could anybody give me a highlevel overview of the perks and quirks of each of the 4 Wilson families? For context, I am a 4.0 trying to break into 4.5, love playing getting to and closing out at the net in both doubles and singles, always have struggled to generate my own pace off of groundstrokes, and play with a decent amount of spin.

I truly do appreciate any suggestions people have.

Bonus points: Can somebody explain the difference between 16x19 and 18x20 string patterns, and why somebody would/should choose one over the other?

 

[beltsman]

Hello all, I'll try to be brief! I have loved Wilson's in the past. I'm currently using Dunlop FX 500 and enjoyed it for a few months until I ran into crippling tennis elbow that has had me off courts for 5 weeks and counting. (Also partly technique and strings, I know.) Somebody mentioned to me that this racket is extremely stiff and was likely a factor in my injury.

I heard that Wilson Clash rackets are some of the most arm-friendly rackets on the market. I used to play with a Blade and loved it. I have also heard that the Pro Staff high swing weight really helps with arm pain... so I'm just confused. I would happily switch back to Wilson rackets, but I want to make sure if I'm going to drop ~$400 this soon after my last switch that it's for some long-term rackets.

Could anybody give me a highlevel overview of the perks and quirks of each of the 4 Wilson families? For context, I am a 4.0 trying to break into 4.5, love playing getting to and closing out at the net in both doubles and singles, always have struggled to generate my own pace off of groundstrokes, and play with a decent amount of spin.

I truly do appreciate any suggestions people have.

Bonus points: Can somebody explain the difference between 16x19 and 18x20 string patterns, and why somebody would/should choose one over the other?

I will let other posters comment on Wilson's because I haven't played with all their current frames. But generally, 18x20 is lower launch angle, more control, less spin, less power. 16x19 is the inverse. But I say generally because it really depends on the spacing, not the pattern.

 

[henrytennisadelaide]

Wilson Blade: Most common Wilson frame amongst high level juniors/college players. Great players frame with lots of feel and control. (Similar to Babolat Pure Strike, Head Radical)

Wilson Ultra: Quite powerful, not overly popular. Wilson's equivalent to the Babolat Pure Aero?? (Similar to Head Extreme, Babolat Pure Aero)

Wilson ProStaff: Old school, very control and feel based frame. Common amongst older players I suppose. (Similar to Head Prestige)

Wilson Clash: Sort of a category of its own, very comfortable.

Hope that helps!

 

[smithie]

I agree with the above but I would say the Wilson Ultra is closer to the Babolat Pure Drive and the Wilson Burn is closer to the Pure Aero.

 

[henrytennisadelaide]

I agree with the above but I would say the Wilson Ultra is closer to the Babolat Pure Drive and the Wilson Burn is closer to the Pure Aero.

Omg I completely forgot about the Burn! Thanks for saving me there

 

[henrytennisadelaide]

In order of Easiest to Hardest to use for a beginner (subjective)

Clash
Burn
Ultra
Blade
Prostaff

 

[Vaust]

If ure a 4.0, no problem with using blade/prostaff.

 

[Fivehand]

Within the Wilson category, how do these rackets do in terms of arm friendliness and tennis elbow?

 

[SinneGOAT]

Hello all, I'll try to be brief! I have loved Wilson's in the past. I'm currently using Dunlop FX 500 and enjoyed it for a few months until I ran into crippling tennis elbow that has had me off courts for 5 weeks and counting. (Also partly technique and strings, I know.) Somebody mentioned to me that this racket is extremely stiff and was likely a factor in my injury.

I heard that Wilson Clash rackets are some of the most arm-friendly rackets on the market. I used to play with a Blade and loved it. I have also heard that the Pro Staff high swing weight really helps with arm pain... so I'm just confused. I would happily switch back to Wilson rackets, but I want to make sure if I'm going to drop ~$400 this soon after my last switch that it's for some long-term rackets.

Could anybody give me a highlevel overview of the perks and quirks of each of the 4 Wilson families? For context, I am a 4.0 trying to break into 4.5, love playing getting to and closing out at the net in both doubles and singles, always have struggled to generate my own pace off of groundstrokes, and play with a decent amount of spin.

I truly do appreciate any suggestions people have.

Bonus points: Can somebody explain the difference between 16x19 and 18x20 string patterns, and why somebody would/should choose one over the other?

The Wilson line up is like this:
Blade
Clash
Ultra
Burn
Pro staff

There are 3 areas of racquets in their line up:
Power/Spin: Clash, Burn Ultra
Control/Feel: Pro staff, blade
In between control and power: Clash

Because the clash has such a low stiffness, it gets rid of some that inherent power that comes with a high stiffness, and adds a little more feel and control.

The blade is big on feel and control, low stiffness. It’s weight is low for a player’s racquet, but the balance being closer to even makes the swingweight higher and gives it more plow and stability. The maneuverability suffers however.

The pro staff is a more classic frame. While the head size and beam have been updated over the six.one, it still is a medium weight frame that is headlight with a medium stiffness and puts control and feel high on it’s characteristics.

The Ultra/Burn are pure drive/pure aero copies. Thick beams, high stiffness, low feel, big power, low weight. Not much special about these lines, really there for the people who want a Wilson pure drive.

About 16/19 vs. 18/20, it’s these main characteristic differences: Spin, power, and high how the ball comes off the stringbed. Relate it to a trampoline. A 16/19 is a slightly looser stringbed, meaning the ball sinks in more and comes off faster. It also gives the ball a higher launch angle, but depending on the pattern it can vary. 18/20 is a tight trampoline. It’s stiffer and tighter, meaning the ball doesn’t sit on the stringbed as long and has less power and spin. It also gives a lower launch angle.

 

[Fivehand]

So what are the main differences between the Blade and Clash?

 

[dave t]

Compared to the Blade - Clash has a thicker beam and is more HL. Also a bit flexier.

 

[LOBALOT]

In order of Easiest to Hardest to use for a beginner (subjective)

Clash
Burn
Ultra
Blade
Prostaff

I don't agree with this. To your point about open pattern and weighting (other then Feds version) the blade has a higher swing weight and denser string pattern than the pro staff.

 

[cha cha]

Here ya go, buddy. He will even advise you where to best buy them. : - D

 

[SinneGOAT]

So what are the main differences between the Blade and Clash?

Blade is very much controlled, clash is similar to a pure drive but slightly lower power and much improved comfort.

 

[ariwibowo]

If you like Dunlop, try their CX line (for example CX 200). I am currently using CX 200 Tour and Aerogel/Bio 300 (similar specs with CX 200). They have lower stiffness rating than the FX line. I used to play with Wilson PS97 but it is a tad stiff for my liking (sore wrist), it transitioned well to the above Dunlops.

 

[Fivehand]

I have heard the CX 200 is a nice stick

 

[ariwibowo]

BTW, I have CX 200 Tour in 16x19 and 18x20. The 16x19 is easier to generate spin and slight power while 18x20 is flatter. I added 3grams of lead at 10 and 2 on both of them.