Hi everyone,
I have play tested both the 100 and 100 tour, I can analyse and write for hours in relation to these 2 frames, but I will try to keep it as short as possible.
The main reason of my review is in order to thank Wilson for providing such a racquet in the market.
Is this racquet revolutionary?
Yes, it is! Why?
Because it is really soft, and it is very stable!
It feels like an old school softy but it is modern and powerful!
As one crazy guy asked in the past traveljam and zalize (about 3 years ago) if is possible to develop a PT57A - soft and plush racquet that plays as a Babolat Pure Drive... well, Wilson has almost done it... I am sure more versions will follow.
It is not a PT57A, and by default it cannot feel the same when you have such a wide beam... but you can understand the revolutionary Wilson concept while playing with it...
Revolutionary! Is that all?
Do you want something more? There is!
The amazing thing is that it plays soft when you hit an easy going shot, and it stiffens up when you go big!
In a few words
It is like this racquet (especially the Tour) is consisted from 2 frames:
1st frame is activated and is very flexible when you hit an easy going shot. Let's say you are a descent player (ATP 1000) and you hit at 50%. This 1st frame will be in charge of the shot by 80-90%.
2nd frame which feels like it is within the 1st is activated when you go bigger... the bigger you go the more stiffness and stability you get. But there is always the 1st frame to absorb the initial shock, and give a higher amplitude regarding the frequency. I would not like to analyze in detail what is going on with the vibration and frequencies in these frames, overall they did fantastic job.
It is revolutionary, it is really fun to play with, it is arm friendly.
Arm friendly is a big thing nowadays... THANK YOU WILSON!
Clash 100 Tour
This is a Tour version, indeed. If you have played with genuine pro stocks you can feel straight away that the mass distribution in this racquet follows a proper (customized by the big guys) Tour Pro Stock... and it is amazing because it a light frame... but it is so stable when you go big.
The twist weight feels amazing. Great blend of control and power. A modern stick, and of course you can adjust the lunch angle with proper strings and stringing method.
No time to analyze every stroke in here, but what you may find interesting is my review regarding the volleys. It felt very different to me.
Volleys
It has the stability of a pure drive... but it is not sparky and does not transfer energy straight away to the ball (the racquet is too flexible).
As a result being super compact (as required let's say with 70+ RA frames) produces short volleys.
Therefore an advanced player has to treat the racquet as a literally old school racquet, and kind of follow through (still shortly - but longer than usual) during this compact volley in order to adjust the "absorbed energy" volley. I guess for a beginner or intermediate player (who are not efficient) it is totally fine at the net kind of straight away.
The racquet is different...
Slices is a dream...
Serves are fantastic.
Clash 100
I have found it too light, but I guess it should be fine for regular recreational players.
Big problem is that if you hit lower in the string pattern you get disproportionally big power, it goes erratic, especially if the stringing job is not ideal. Of course this also has to do with stringing job, but in my review I take into consideration what comes from the strings, what from the frame, and what from the stringer... This frame has not a totally uniform reaction throughout the string pattern especially if you go flatter.
I also have to mention that the Clash 100 (not the Tour version) was strung with Luxilon Smart and dynamic tension at 24...
In a few words
With Luxilon Smart = Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde racquet.
Nevertheless, recreational players who muscle the ball, who try to hit the ball big like Kyrgios in rage forehand mode or the eternally average recreational players... this racquet is just right... The frame stiffens up, the string stiffens up, the overall experience remains big time arm friendly, this stick works wonders for the masses.
All shots are acceptably* fine, taking into consideration the target group.
* Acceptably because it can obviously go erratic, and it takes time... possibly long time (ooohhh, but it is fun) to learn its nature.
The less soft and less experienced hands you have... the more erratic nature it has (unless you are registered - due to lack of competence - to always swing at a specific speed), especially if the string job is not super.
Something more?
Keep in mind that with Luxilon Smart at VERY low tension and Clash 100 .....
The Spins Are Sick!
Disadvantages
- Its price.
- The Clash 100 Tour is one of its kind in the market. Yes, you can find more controllable frames in the market, but its control is acceptable (and nothing else incorporating all these amazing properties of the Tour version at the same time).
- The Clash 100 is light for an advanced player. Is it good for the ordinary recreational player? Yes, it is good... BUT there are alternatives out there. For example Yonex 98 DR or Prince Tour 100T (customized) or 100P, even custom Radical microgel, etc. If you string the racquets that I have mentioned in my examples low then you will get the same power, but with more control, better understanding of how the racquet works, and less erratic moments. These alternative frames are still arm friendly.
- The Clash 100 has too high lunch angle in case you like to play kind of flat, but a good stringer will be able to help you with that.
- The paintjob does not feel durable... (maybe Wilson has a reason? not sure)
- The Clash 100 Tour is a ready to play racquet (no customization for the big majority required - forget you usual racquet stats - these racquets play differently). On the other hand the Clash 100 feels that it needs something... but I will not bother you further with customization options!
Last but not least, it will be interesting to play with the Clash for long time... when you take a very stiff racquet to try back the Stiff Era... ooooohhhh... you will love the responsiveness of the stiff racquet in comparison to the flexibility of the Clash... on the other hand you will realize that the Stiff Racquet is nothing more than a drug (side effects included). If you are into drugs then Wilson Clash has a big disadvantage!
The Clash is good for your health!
Main reason for my review is to say a big THANK YOU to Wilson, and I am sure that more companies will try to catch up.
Please accept my apologies for:
A. my poor English
B. the long review
C. not mentioning details (following the review guidelines of other posts within this forum)
