Official Wilson Clash thread

[TagUrIt]

Hello everyone,

First post in the forum, glad to be with such tennis lovers.

I am an amateur recreational player and considering to buy my first racquet. Nowadays, I play with my father and I am using one of his racquets which is Wilson Blade 98 18x20. What I feel is that it is a great racquet but I feel that I will be better off if I changed to racquet that is more focused on control and comfort.

Nowadays, I started to learn go to net and playing with different styles. However, I am not very succesful at slices and volleys yet.

So, considering my situation do you think that Clash is suitable for me? Do you think that it is a suitable racquet for a person who is amateur? If yes, which one?



Thanks a lot.

Hey welcome to the forum. You’ll find it’s full of experts and high level tennis players that are more than willing to offer you advice about all things tennis. I'm kidding btw.

To answer question, I have four Wilson Clash Tours and I couldn’t be happier. Since you’ve already been playing with the 98 I would recommend demoing the Tour or the 98 version they just released. Also, if you didn’t already know, Wilson just released the newest version of the Blade too. We can make suggestions, but ultimately it’s going to be up to what you prefer and what suits your game. As with all racquets finding the right string setup is vital to success in the courts. I experimented with several string setups before finding the one I like best. Tourna Big Hitter Blue Rough in the mains and Luxilon Natural Gut in the crosses both 16g.

Do a little homework, video play tests, reviews, etc. Most important demo both the Clash and the Blade and see if you like either of them. Good luck, keep us updated.

 

[Dharmaboy]

I have played a few doubles matches with the Tour version. I have a decent cracker flat 1st Serve (coming from a K61 95 and Blade 98), service with this racquet is very good. Slice serves are my bread and butter 2nd and its very controllable. I am trying to adapt using a kick serve but can't feedback on that.

I have a 1HBH and it's buttery smooth. Slices are great on the back hand side. Forehands are still good as well though I have shoddy technique. It's good on returns for block returns on 1st. I have mine strung at 55

 

[Miriel]

I wouldn't say the focus is on control but it sure forces you to play with spin. Its a bit of a rocket launcher if you hit flat but I feel my game is taking off now I'm forced to concentrate on a loose grip, relaxed wrist and lots of racket head speed. Currently using with full poly at 40lbs. It's definitely a very comfortable racket for me, in fact the first frame where I've been able to use poly with no arm issues, even with a PK Q5 I had to use multi. That said I loaned it to a mate this evening and he reported shoulder issues after just a few rallies so may not suit everyone.
In summary i'd say probably not the racket you are looking for

Hey welcome to the forum. You’ll find it’s full of experts and high level tennis players that are more than willing to offer you advice about all things tennis. I'm kidding btw.

To answer question, I have four Wilson Clash Tours and I couldn’t be happier. Since you’ve already been playing with the 98 I would recommend demoing the Tour or the 98 version they just released. Also, if you didn’t already know, Wilson just released the newest version of the Blade too. We can make suggestions, but ultimately it’s going to be up to what you prefer and what suits your game. As with all racquets finding the right string setup is vital to success in the courts. I experimented with several string setups before finding the one I like best. Tourna Big Hitter Blue Rough in the mains and Luxilon Natural Gut in the crosses both 16g.

Do a little homework, video play tests, reviews, etc. Most important demo both the Clash and the Blade and see if you like either of them. Good luck, keep us updated.

Thank you so much..

Nowadays, I don't have chance to demo them, however I am doing my homework. First of all, my father just bought the old Pure Strike(first-hand but the old one which is black and orange), so I have chance to try another racquet and I am reading the reviews and watching the video reviews of the racwuets. Lastly, I am still training to improve my game, this is the most important ine right?

 

[1HBHfanatic]

I have played a few doubles matches with the Tour version. I have a decent cracker flat 1st Serve (coming from a K61 95 and Blade 98), service with this racquet is very good. Slice serves are my bread and butter 2nd and its very controllable. I am trying to adapt using a kick serve but can't feedback on that.

I have a 1HBH and it's buttery smooth. Slices are great on the back hand side. Forehands are still good as well though I have shoddy technique. It's good on returns for block returns on 1st. I have mine strung at 55

try the w.clash.98!!

 

[nickarnold2000]

Hey welcome to the forum. You’ll find it’s full of experts and high level tennis players that are more than willing to offer you advice about all things tennis. I'm kidding btw.

To answer question, I have four Wilson Clash Tours and I couldn’t be happier. Since you’ve already been playing with the 98 I would recommend demoing the Tour or the 98 version they just released. Also, if you didn’t already know, Wilson just released the newest version of the Blade too. We can make suggestions, but ultimately it’s going to be up to what you prefer and what suits your game. As with all racquets finding the right string setup is vital to success in the courts. I experimented with several string setups before finding the one I like best. Tourna Big Hitter Blue Rough in the mains and Luxilon Natural Gut in the crosses both 16g.

Do a little homework, video play tests, reviews, etc. Most important demo both the Clash and the Blade and see if you like either of them. Good luck, keep us updated.

try the w.clash.98!!

How many hours are you getting out of your string set up and what’s your level of play? I’m starting to get interested in switching to the Clash Tour. Thanks

 

[TagUrIt]

How many hours are you getting out of your string set up and what’s your level of play? I’m starting to get interested in switching to the Clash Tour. Thanks

Since I switched to the hybrid set up, I feel that I’m getting more use out of my strings. Also they’re 16g. I would say anywhere from 25-30 hours, but I do rotate racquets. I’m a decent 4.0 player, I’m not a string breaker, but my forehand and serve are my biggest weapons. If you’re able to, try to demo the Clash Tour or the 98 and see how you like it. The regular Clash will most likely be too light.

 

[nickarnold2000]

Since I switched to the hybrid set up, I feel that I’m getting more use out of my strings. Also they’re 16g. I would say anywhere from 25-30 hours, but I do rotate racquets. I’m a decent 4.0 player, I’m not a string breaker, but my forehand and serve are my biggest weapons. If you’re able to, try to demo the Clash Tour or the 98 and see how you like it. The regular Clash will most likely be too light.

 

[nickarnold2000]

Thanks for the reply. I’ll try to demo.

 

[CrazyRichAsian]

Hi guys, i am thinking of testing the Wilson Clash 100 (tour).

Currently i have a yonex Ezone DR 98 (green/yellow).

What will be the biggest differences, from what i read i guessed:

-swingweight will be higher for the Clash
-power will be higher with the Clash
-stiffness about the same
-Control a little bit less with the clash
This about right??

And what is the main difference between the 100 and the 100 Tour. From what is see the Tour is heavier and thus a little bit more powerfull on groundstrokes?

I was playing the the same racquet, the Yonex DR98 (green/yellow and blue/black versions). I made the switch to the 100 Tour primarily based on the reviews for power, control, and arm friendliness. I would say that the Clash is a little less stiff than the DR. I am surprised with the power that I do get from the Clash Tour. The weight is right for power on groundstrokes as you mentioned. And my arm is doing pretty good too (as I did suffer from arm issues in the past). I have two Clash racquets, one strung lower than the other. I noticed that I do not get the same amount of power from the higher strung racquet. The lower strung racquet gets more power, but I don't really feel there's less control. It's still pretty good. Overall, I'm happy to have made the switch. I didn't get rid of my DR98's because I know these are awesome racquets. I would say demo the Clash Tour. And if you buy one later, buy a used one initially because the retail price is a bit high.

 

[Iron Mike]

Hi everyone, I am brand new to this forum but thought I would put my 2 cents in on the Clash 100 tour. Been playing with a Babolat Pure Strike for a couple of years now, project one-7 98 square inches but tried the Clash 100 Tour and loved it. Although I found topspin harder to come by, I felt that I could hit the ball harder and it would still stay in due to what seemed to me to be a lower power value. Played in a tournament this weekend with it for the first time with Weisscannon Red Ghost strung at 52lbs against a player I normally had problems beating but won 6-2, 6-1. I had more control, could swing freely and not fear going long with very good accuracy. Also, my one-handed backhand is significantly more consistent and powerful (head light racquet??) I do play a very heavy ball that helps, and those that have tried my racquet with flat strokes didn't like it at all, lot of balls in the net with flat strokes. For reference, I am a 4.0 player 54 years old. Give it a try, you may just love it.

 

[TagUrIt]

And if you buy one later, buy a used one initially because the retail price is a bit high.

I have four Clash Tours, the very first one to bought from TW. The other three were purchased brand new off of **** for way less than retail. The most I’ve paid for one was $205. The best price I paid was $185, so do yourselves a favor and look on **** before you buy retail. Do your homework and read the seller reviews though.

 

[nickarnold2000]

I have four Clash Tours, the very first one to bought from TW. The other three were purchased brand new off of **** for way less than retail. The most I’ve paid for one was $205. The best price I paid was $185, so do yourselves a favor and look on **** before you buy retail. Do your homework and read the seller reviews though.

How close are your four Clash Tour rackets in static weight and swing weight?

 

[TagUrIt]

How close are your four Clash Tour rackets in static weight and swing weight?

I’ve never weighed them, I’ll make it a point to do that soon. I’ll let you know.

 

[Grinch]

Gibbs got some nice hits playing with supposedly a Clash against Halep today. Anyone know if she uses Tour or the regular or the 98? She doesn’t seem like the level of player who plays something else underneath a Clash pj. Are there any other low-ranked pros experimenting with Clash?

 

[mad dog1]

Gibbs got some nice hits playing with supposedly a Clash against Halep today. Anyone know if she uses Tour or the regular or the 98? She doesn’t seem like the level of player who plays something else underneath a Clash pj. Are there any other low-ranked pros experimenting with Clash?

Nicole uses a stock Clash tour.

 

[ron schaap]

Nicole uses a stock Clash tour.

So the Clash on tour by a Gibbs(BG) ;-)

 

[Grinch]

So the Clash on tour by a Gibbs(BG) ;-)

Now that’s funny.

 

[Grinch]

So the Clash on tour by a Gibbs(BG) ;-)

Should I stay or should I go?

 

[roger presley]

I think that Clash is more similar to the Babolats on pro tour than Babolats on the pro tour are to Babolats that you can buy in the store, I mean Pure Drives and Pure Aeros.

 

[Grinch]

I think that Clash is more similar to the Babolats on pro tour than Babolats on the pro tour are to Babolats that you can buy in the store, I mean Pure Drives and Pure Aeros.

Do you mean because of lower stiffness RA? Are the prosrock Babs lower than 69, 71 etc.?

 

[mad dog1]

Do you mean because of lower stiffness RA? Are the prosrock Babs lower than 69, 71 etc.?

Yes. Met an itf player who told me he has a few 55RA pro stock pure strike with the 1st generation paint job.

He chuckled when I mentioned Babolat claiming they don’t have pro stock sticks.

 

[JoelDali]

Most of the top 3.0 females at my country club migrated to the Clash after the Wilson demo day.

 

[Grinch]

Yes. Met an itf player who told me he has a few 55RA pro stock pure strike with the 1st generation paint job.

He chuckled when I mentioned Babolat claiming they don’t have pro stock sticks.

I chuckle too.
And come to think of it, Gibbs did look like a club 3.0 on some of her shots.

 

[lwto]

Played with the 100 today.. weighted all up and stuff, but that's a very very nice stick.. I"m keeping it.

 

[roger presley]

Do you mean because of lower stiffness RA? Are the prosrock Babs lower than 69, 71 etc.?

Yes. Fognini plays with something like 63 or 64 RA

 

[mad dog1]

Played with the 100 today.. weighted all up and stuff, but that's a very very nice stick.. I"m keeping it.

IMO the 98 is even better in almost all areas except comfort.

 

[Holdfast44ID]

IMO the 98 is even better in almost all areas except comfort.

I agree. The 98 is playable for me. I started to dial in my forehand and hit big serves. Control is much better than the 100 Tour. I don't like the thick beam though and wanted more control so I switched to the Blade 16x19 v7. I am keeping my one Clash 98 for now and am selling a Tour.

Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using Tapatalk

 

[mad dog1]

I agree. The 98 is playable for me. I started to dial in my forehand and hit big serves. Control is much better than the 100 Tour. I don't like the thick beam though and wanted more control so I switched to the Blade 16x18 v7. I am keeping my one Clash 98 for now and am selling a Tour.

Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using Tapatalk

I’m keeping my Clash 100 and 98. Sold my Blade v7 16x19.

 

[bertrevert]

I’m keeping my Clash 100 and 98. Sold my Blade v7 16x19.

Could you give qik rundown on what didn't measure up for you (sorry will go look at Blade thread as well).

That's v interest that the Blade did not win out for you but what I recognise is the Blades are a v specific kind of racq (I don't think of them as versatile) that rewards certain play styles. Now the Clash (certainly the 100) is perhaps a bit more forgiving/versatile. I recall the black/gold Blade (blx?) being insanely head heavy. I played the 2015 Blade (16x19) till that HH stymied me mid-matches!

 

[TypeRx]

Although I am pretty happy with the Clash Tour (haven’t tried the 98), I ordered a Blade v7 just to see. I’ll report back next week after I get a few hits in.

 

[tennis347]

I agree. The 98 is playable for me. I started to dial in my forehand and hit big serves. Control is much better than the 100 Tour. I don't like the thick beam though and wanted more control so I switched to the Blade 16x19 v7. I am keeping my one Clash 98 for now and am selling a Tour.

Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using Tapatalk

I agree that the thick beam turned me off from buying the Clash 98 and I bought the Blade 98 16 x 19 v7. I really enjoy the feel and control of the Blade. It’s a great serving racquet. I can really hit my spots with placement and spin.

 

[mad dog1]

Could you give qik rundown on what didn't measure up for you (sorry will go look at Blade thread as well).

That's v interest that the Blade did not win out for you but what I recognise is the Blades are a v specific kind of racq (I don't think of them as versatile) that rewards certain play styles. Now the Clash (certainly the 100) is perhaps a bit more forgiving/versatile. I recall the black/gold Blade (blx?) being insanely head heavy. I played the 2015 Blade (16x19) till that HH stymied me mid-matches!

Really liked the feel and playability of 2015 Blade 18/20 just wanted something more HL.

The v7 16/19 is quite different. Here’s what I wrote in another thread.

https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/the-new-blade-v7-may-just-be-the-best-blade-so-far.650482/post-13705101

 

[lwto]

IMO the 98 is even better in almost all areas except comfort.

*******.. you mean now I have to get a 98? Still have your sensor?

 

[mad dog1]

*******.. you mean now I have to get a 98? Still have your sensor?

Don’t know where I put it. Lol.

 

[vanworth]

I have kind of ignored the clash since I was waiting for the 98 and the video review seeened quite negative. The written review seems more positive however which is tempting me back in. Is the general consensus here that the 100 is better than the 98? I currently play with DR98 but am looking for an alternative as finding them is like finding a mythical beast these days in the UK. Does the blade 16x19 have a comparable comfort level to the clash?

 

[mad dog1]

I have kind of ignored the clash since I was waiting for the 98 and the video review seeened quite negative. The written review seems more positive however which is tempting me back in. Is the general consensus here that the 100 is better than the 98? I currently play with DR98 but am looking for an alternative as finding them is like finding a mythical beast these days in the UK. Does the blade 16x19 have a comparable comfort level to the clash?

I have the 100 and 98. I prefer the 98.

 

[vanworth]

I have the 100 and 98. I prefer the 98.

Thanks, I'm stuck between the Clash 98, Prince Tour 100 310 and new Blade 16x19 I think. Not sure I want to go to 18x20 and that would open up a whole load of other new rackets!

 

[mad dog1]

Thanks, I'm stuck between the Clash 98, Prince Tour 100 310 and new Blade 16x19 I think. Not sure I want to go to 18x20 and that would open up a whole load of other new rackets!

I tried the new blade v7 16/19 and it didn’t work for me. Much preferred the clash 98. I think the Clash 98 is a fantastic stick.

 

[vanworth]

I tried the new blade v7 16/19 and it didn’t work for me. Much preferred the clash 98. I think the Clash 98 is a fantastic stick.

Thanks for that, what didn't you like about it out of interest?

 

[mad dog1]

Thanks for that, what didn't you like about it out of interest?

Too muted for my taste. Couldn’t feel what the ball was doing on the stringbed.

 

[Sogho]

I demoed both the Blade V7 16x19 as well as the Clash 98. For me, the Clash was far better - the Blade may have had a VERY slight edge on control, but I felt the Clash 98 was better pretty much on every other department...at least for me!

 

[mad dog1]

I demoed both the Blade V7 16x19 as well as the Clash 98. For me, the Clash was far better - the Blade may have had a VERY slight edge on control, but I felt the Clash 98 was better pretty much on every other department...at least for me!

Same here. I came to the same conclusion, too! At least for me!

The blade also holds an edge in price with a lower mrp.

 

[JOSHL]

I need to demo the Clash 98.

 

[TypeRx]

Although I am pretty happy with the Clash Tour (haven’t tried the 98), I ordered a Blade v7 just to see. I’ll report back next week after I get a few hits in.

**As also posted in Blade v7 thread**

Received a Blade 98 v7 16x19 last night -- 305-306g unstrung with handle wrapper removed, etc. So, weight was on point. Strung it up with my usual Kevlar/ZXP hybrid and tossed on a Wilson Pro overgrip. Ready to play it was 326g. Hit with it for 2 hours this morning and was expecting NOT to like it as much as I did relative to my leaded up (345g) Clash 100 Tours. Well, it played great. There was a touch less power but I was surprised that I was generating as much topspin if not more on both groundstrokes and serves. The entire string bed felt alive (aka, no harshness off center). Volleys were crisp. Comfort was great as expected. No complaints on stability. Control appeared better, but perhaps this was due to slightly less power and more spin? In any case, my first experience with this racket was VERY positive. No noticeable downsides to me. I'll continue playing with it for the next week or so and continue to evaluate.

 

[Eightmarky]

I have kind of ignored the clash since I was waiting for the 98 and the video review seeened quite negative. The written review seems more positive however which is tempting me back in. Is the general consensus here that the 100 is better than the 98? I currently play with DR98 but am looking for an alternative as finding them is like finding a mythical beast these days in the UK. Does the blade 16x19 have a comparable comfort level to the clash?

I haven’t tried the Clash 98 but made the switch from the DR98 to the Clash 100 this summer with no regrets. I had to weigh it up to around 11.7 but I find it to be better for my all court game. BH slice and feel around the net have really improved.


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[Jobert]

Hi All,
Got the Clash 100 regular yesterday from TW used and it is strung with NXT 17 at 50lbs.

I had demoed it before and I liked it. It's a huge step up for me in control considering that the racquet I've been playing with since 1993 is a Prince Vortex Oversize. (I will be super impressed if someone on here knows that racquet.) The Vortex is extremely arm friendly, and the Clash is the closest thing I've found for arm friendliness that still improves control without sacrificing all power (like the PS97 Countervail).

The Clash didn't feel as arm friendly as I'd like with the string setup I'm using, and I was wondering if any of you can recommend something softer that still has control. And what tension you'd recommend. I had TE in 2015 from briefly using a different racquet and I do not ever want to repeat that experience. Thanks for any advice you can give!

 

[RedBeard]

The Clash didn't feel as arm friendly as I'd like with the string setup I'm using, and I was wondering if any of you can recommend something softer that still has control. And what tension you'd recommend. I had TE in 2015 from briefly using a different racquet and I do not ever want to repeat that experience. Thanks for any advice you can give!

Short of switching to Natural gut or lowering your NXT tension down 5-10lbs, you probably won't get a whole lot more comfort out of strings without gaining more power at the expense of control. The Clash is already in a class of its own for comfort, so you already made a good choice.

I switched to a Wilson Shock Shield grip on my Clash 100 (to add weight) and found it made it even more comfortable. If string changes don't work out, you could give Shock Shield a try.

 

[Jobert]

Short of switching to Natural gut or lowering your NXT tension down 5-10lbs, you probably won't get a whole lot more comfort out of strings without gaining more power at the expense of control. The Clash is already in a class of its own for comfort, so you already made a good choice.

I switched to a Wilson Shock Shield grip on my Clash 100 (to add weight) and found it made it even more comfortable. If string changes don't work out, you could give Shock Shield a try.

Thanks for these tips. I think I will try the NXT again at a lower tension (maybe be incremental like at 48lbs first) and see if that helps. I had never heard of shock shield. Good to know that can be another option.

If you can believe it, my previous racquet was even more comfy than the Clash. It's graphite. But that's why I was spraying shots that I didn't hit perfectly.

 

[BretH]

Currently using Klip Legend 17 gut in the mains at about 54 lbs and Volkl v-square 18 in the crosses at 48.

I like it a lot.

 

[Keoni068]

Hi all! I just purchased a Clash Tour and Clash 98 for an extended demo and would like to know what’s a good starting point for a 16g Gut/17g poly hybrid? I’d like some good pocketing and feel without the launch angle/power getting too high. On the other hand, I definitely don’t want it to feel boardy, so where should I string both at?