Players using Wilson Steam 100 16x20

[WacTennis2017]

I know there are a few threads with some discussion about the Wilson Steam 100 16x20. These are usually hiding under the current Wilson Blade paint. Now that Wilson has eliminated the base white grommets, it is more challenging to identify. Here is a dedicated thread to listing current players and discussion about their racquet specs. I know I am missing several, so update or correct. I have 16 current players below with rankings from this week.

Ostapenko- 11
Haded-Mia 13
Pavlyuchenkova 32
Andreeva-35
Martic-50
Blinkova-51
Sorribas Tormo 54
Parry- 59
J. Cristian-72
Badosa- 79
Jessica Bouzas Maneiro- 83
B. Fruhvirtova- 98
L. Fruhvirtova-126
L. Jeanjean-145
R. Montgomery-161
T. Preston-191
Anisimova-210
Raducanu-276

Also, for those interested, previous threads with extensive discussion on Steam 100 16x20 include :
“Paula Badosa racket”
“Steam 100 vs Similar rackets”
“Emma Raducanu Racquet”

 

[aus89]

Luca Van Assche on the ATP

 

[flyhome]

Luca Van Assche on the ATP

true, with Luxilon 4G

 

[TennisHound]

We just need to forward this to Wilson, or maybe get a petition to them to release it or something similar. Instead Wilson has adopted a frying pan shape (Blade and Ultra 100) for retail.

 

[WacTennis2017]

We just need to forward this to Wilson, or maybe get a petition to them to release it or something similar. Instead Wilson has adopted a frying pan shape (Blade and Ultra 100) for retail.

Trying to build momentum.
It is such a popular pro stock racket at least in WTA, it should be on Wilson Pro Labs website. I would buy one right away

 

[Tronco20]

Pavlyuchenkova switched to it in the off season apparently, from Burn v1.0

 

[Break To Win]

Eu sei que existem alguns tópicos com alguma discussão sobre o Wilson Steam 100 16x20. Eles geralmente estão escondidos sob a pintura atual do Wilson Blade. Agora que Wilson eliminou os ilhós brancos básicos, é mais difícil identificá-los. Aqui está um tópico dedicado para listar os jogadores atuais e discutir sobre as especificações de suas raquetes. Eu sei que estão faltando vários, então atualize ou corrija. Tenho 10 jogadores atuais abaixo com classificações desta semana.

Ostapenko - 11
Haded-Mia 13
Andreeva-35
Martico-50
Sorribas Tormo 54
Parry- 59
Badosa - 79
L. Frukhvirtova-126
Anisimova-210
Raducanu-276

Além disso, para os interessados, tópicos anteriores com extensa discussão sobre Steam 100 16x20 incluem:
“Raquete Paula Badosa”
“Steam 100 vs raquetes semelhantes”
“Raquete Emma Raducanu”

Didn't Svitolina exchange her 99 for 100?

 

[Doublebounce]

Kostyuk and B. Fruhvirtova

 

[Anni.Angel]

Kostyuk and B. Fruhvirtova

Kostyuk is using Steam 99

 

[fox]

Just another case of racket which nobody liked just until it turned out pros are using it vel VCore95d….

 

[jmacdaununder2]

Ooh burn...

 

[WacTennis2017]

Kostyuk and B. Fruhvirtova

I updated post to include B. Fruhvirtova.
Kostyuk using 16x18 Steam 99 recently

 

[WacTennis2017]

Pavlyuchenkova switched to it in the off season apparently, from Burn v1.0

Thanks- I updated original post

 

[slipgrip93]

Didn't Svitolina exchange her 99 for 100?

Kostyuk is using Steam 99

I'd checked out getty pics during the AO and if I'm not mistaken, it seemed to me, maybe sometime since last year,
Svitolina switched from the 100 to the 99, Kostyuk switched to the 99 from the 100,
and Brenda Fruhvirtova switched from a 99(maybe) to the 100 which her sister Linda has been using.

For myself, haha, I'd given my 100 to a friend during the holiday season last year, and recently got a 99 (from the bay) and have been enjoying it as my secondary, if I'm taking a break from my main 90 (a kps88).

 

[Break To Win]

I'd checked out getty pics during the AO and if I'm not mistaken, it seemed to me, maybe sometime since last year,
Svitolina switched from the 100 prior to the 99, Kostyuk also switched to the 99 from the 100,
and Brenda Fruhvirtova switched from a 99(maybe) to the 100 which her sister Linda has been using.

For myself, haha, I'd given my 100 to a friend in Nov. last year, and recently got a 99 (from the bay) and have been enjoying it as my secondary,
if I'm taking a break from my main 90 (a kps88).

Of these lighter racquets, I really liked the Steam 99, very fun. Had a very nice paintjob too

 

[flyhome]

Svitolina plays with a 16x19 since January 2023

 

[slipgrip93]

Svitolina plays with a 16x19 since January 2023

You're right, it's a 16x19. I mistakenly thought she switched (back?) to a 16x18 steam 99.

I know I am missing several, so update or correct.

I saw pics of four more who played in the 1st round AO that seemed to use the Steam 100.

Anna Blinkova, r51, 25yo, Russia (pic)
Jaqueline Cristian, r72, 25yo, Romania (pic)
Leolia Jeanjean, r145, 28yo, France (pic)
Taylah Preston, r191, 18yo, Australia (pic)

 

[flyhome]

You're right, it's a 16x19. I mistakenly thought she switched (back?) to a 16x18 steam 99.



I saw pics of four more who played in the 1st round AO that seemed to use the Steam 100.

Anna Blinkova, r51, 25yo, Russia (pic)
Jaqueline Cristian, r72, 25yo, Romania (pic)
Leolia Jeanjean, r145, 28yo, France (pic)
Taylah Preston, r191, 18yo, Australia (pic)

watching Instagram I saw pictures of Dec 2022 with the 16x20 and then 16x19 from January

 

[TennisHound]

 

[WacTennis2017]

You're right, it's a 16x19. I mistakenly thought she switched (back?) to a 16x18 steam 99.



I saw pics of four more who played in the 1st round AO that seemed to use the Steam 100.

Anna Blinkova, r51, 25yo, Russia (pic)
Jaqueline Cristian, r72, 25yo, Romania (pic)
Leolia Jeanjean, r145, 28yo, France (pic)
Taylah Preston, r191, 18yo, Australia (pic)

I updated the list. Now at 16 active players!

 

[lidoazndiabloboi]

With the popularity of the Steam 99 and 100 on tour, Wilson should really bring back both rackets under a new name and color, and differentiate it from the Blade, especially since Blade paintjobs already consist of Blade and H22 users.
What racket colors has Wilson not tried, maybe yellow?

 

[WacTennis2017]

With the popularity of the Steam 99 and 100 on tour, Wilson should really bring back both rackets under a new name and color, and differentiate it from the Blade, especially since Blade paintjobs already consist of Blade and H22 users.
What racket colors has Wilson not tried, maybe yellow?

I agree with your post. Given the popularity on the WTA, these frames should at least be on the ProLabs website. One reason for creating this thread is to get an actual number of how many pros are using the Steam 100 16x20 but we could also include the Steam 99

 

[jackcrawford]

I agree with your post. Given the popularity on the WTA, these frames should at least be on the ProLabs website. One reason for creating this thread is to get an actual number of how many pros are using the Steam 100 16x20 but we could also include the Steam 99

There is nothing special about this racquet. I have a match used Martic racquet in the Blade paint, I tried it with the 28/27 kilos tension she used that day, restrung it with Alu Power 1.25 at 23 kilos, and it's just ok. If you're looking for a 23 mm beam frame in that weight range (hers is customized with a bit of silicone in the handle and a little lead at 10 and 2), the prior version (without rubbery paint) of the Speed MP would be preferred by most players.

 

[Automatix]

With the popularity of the Steam 99 and 100 on tour, Wilson should really bring back both rackets under a new name and color, and differentiate it from the Blade, especially since Blade paintjobs already consist of Blade and H22 users.
What racket colors has Wilson not tried, maybe yellow?

The 100 was available in retail as a Blade 100 (?) and later as 101.
The 99 was available in the Spin version in a black and yellow paintjob.

It's not easy to tell what will sell because looking at this message board it is often as follows:
1. A new model is released.
2. Some buy it, but get bored and switch.
3. Pros who used them when they are juniors start to be seen on the pro circuit.
4. The mold in the minds of some becomes the next great thing since sliced bread.

I'm also a racquetoholic by heart but I remember no one cared about the Steam 99 16x18 here.
The S version was different so it gathered some buzz but the need for restringing killed it.

 

[lidoazndiabloboi]

The 100 was available in retail as a Blade 100 (?) and later as 101.
The 99 was available in the Spin version in a black and yellow paintjob.

It's not easy to tell what will sell because looking at this message board it is often as follows:
1. A new model is released.
2. Some buy it, but get bored and switch.
3. Pros who used them when they are juniors start to be seen on the pro circuit.
4. The mold in the minds of some becomes the next great thing since sliced bread.

I'm also a racquetoholic by heart but I remember no one cared about the Steam 99 16x18 here.
The S version was different so it gathered some buzz but the need for restringing killed it.

I don't think the any of the Steam line was popular. Wilson had combined the Steam 99 and 100 line with the 96 (N/K tour 95 ), and I don't think that helped either racket line. Plus the "Steam" name, just isn't attractive to me.

Now, the problem with the current retail offerings is they are way too light.
Wilson Blade Team V8 - (Steam 99) - Unstrung 280g
WIlson Blade 101L V8 - (Steam 100) - Unstrung 274g
These are usually offered at a much lower price, so "serious" players might not look at them as quality rackets.

Wilson should look at Head and how they revived the IG Speed MP into the Gravity Pro. Update the mold, throw on a new PJ, make a more playable spec for club to advance players, and introduce it as a new racket line. And have all the players on the current list switch over to the new PJ. They dont need to continue to market as the Blade. You have Sabalenka already, you have Tsitsipas, Khachanov, Humbert, Jarry, Korda. Blade users will continue to use the Blade as it is a great overall racket, regardless of who is using it.

 

[Automatix]

I don't think the any of the Steam line was popular. Wilson had combined the Steam 99 and 100 line with the 96 (N/K tour 95 ), and I don't think that helped either racket line. Plus the "Steam" name, just isn't attractive to me.
...

Top-Selling Racquets at Specialty Stores in the USA by year-to-date in USDs:

Jan.-Dec. 2013
1. Babolat Aero Pro Drive 2013
2. Babolat Pure Drive GT 2012
3. Wilson BLX Juice
4. Wilson Steam 99S
5. Babolat Aero Pro Team 2013

Now, the problem with the current retail offerings is they are way too light.
Wilson Blade Team V8 - (Steam 99) - Unstrung 280g
WIlson Blade 101L V8 - (Steam 100) - Unstrung 274g
These are usually offered at a much lower price, so "serious" players might not look at them as quality rackets.

Agreed, these factors made them fly under the radar.

Wilson should look at Head and how they revived the IG Speed MP into the Gravity Pro. Update the mold, throw on a new PJ, make a more playable spec for club to advance players, and introduce it as a new racket line. And have all the players on the current list switch over to the new PJ. They dont need to continue to market as the Blade. You have Sabalenka already, you have Tsitsipas, Khachanov, Humbert, Jarry, Korda. Blade users will continue to use the Blade as it is a great overall racket, regardless of who is using it.

I think WIlson doesn't have to look at Head to make them a seller. As you wrote, bump the weight, advertise a little. Heck, maybe release the 99 in a De Minaur variant or slightly more control oriented pattern (referring to 99).
BTW, I'm sure you know but, not all of the mentioned players use the Blade. Khachanov is using a H22 IIRC.

 

[lidoazndiabloboi]

Top-Selling Racquets at Specialty Stores in the USA by year-to-date in USDs:

Jan.-Dec. 2013
1. Babolat Aero Pro Drive 2013
2. Babolat Pure Drive GT 2012
3. Wilson BLX Juice
4. Wilson Steam 99S
5. Babolat Aero Pro Team 2013


Agreed, these factors made them fly under the radar.


I think WIlson doesn't have to look at Head to make them a seller. As you wrote, bump the weight, advertise a little. Heck, maybe release the 99 in a De Minaur variant or slightly more control oriented pattern (referring to 99).
BTW, I'm sure you know but, not all of the mentioned players use the Blade. Khachanov is using a H22 IIRC.

And I was part of that 2013 crowd. Didn't purchase the 99S, but did demo it. The 99S was awesome for about 20 mins, crazy amount of spin. Once that tension dropped, you couldn't keep the ball in the court.

Yeah I know Khachanov is using a H22. Any of the players using the various versions of Blades or H22's can be under the Blade/Blade Pro line. Since the Blade line already has a Blade 100, a new line for the Steam variants would stand out better on the market.

 

[aus89]

And I was part of that 2013 crowd. Didn't purchase the 99S, but did demo it. The 99S was awesome for about 20 mins, crazy amount of spin. Once that tension dropped, you couldn't keep the ball in the court.

Yeah I know Khachanov is using a H22. Any of the players using the various versions of Blades or H22's can be under the Blade/Blade Pro line. Since the Blade line already has a Blade 100, a new line for the Steam variants would stand out better on the market.

Was surprised it didnt turn out as a Pro Labs Shift - could have had De Minaur etc all on Shift paint

 

[flyhome]

am I wrong or even De Minaur is playing with a 16x19 since Jan 2023?

 

[lidoazndiabloboi]

am I wrong or even De Minaur is playing with a 16x19 since Jan 2023?

Looks like you are right. Seems that move coincided with his change from full 4G to Gut/4G.

 

[jmacdaununder2]

I don't think the any of the Steam line was popular. Wilson had combined the Steam 99 and 100 line with the 96 (N/K tour 95 ), and I don't think that helped either racket line. Plus the "Steam" name, just isn't attractive to me.

Now, the problem with the current retail offerings is they are way too light.
Wilson Blade Team V8 - (Steam 99) - Unstrung 280g
WIlson Blade 101L V8 - (Steam 100) - Unstrung 274g
These are usually offered at a much lower price, so "serious" players might not look at them as quality rackets.

Wilson should look at Head and how they revived the IG Speed MP into the Gravity Pro. Update the mold, throw on a new PJ, make a more playable spec for club to advance players, and introduce it as a new racket line. And have all the players on the current list switch over to the new PJ. They dont need to continue to market as the Blade. You have Sabalenka already, you have Tsitsipas, Khachanov, Humbert, Jarry, Korda. Blade users will continue to use the Blade as it is a great overall racket, regardless of who is using it.

When you say 'update the mold', are there any real differences or is the GP just a cosmetic rehash?

 

[flyhome]

the Gravity Pro has same mold of the Speed Yutek MP 18x20 (315gr unstrung), different layup and parallel drilling, the Head Yutek Speed MP doesn't have parallel drilling

 

[jmacdaununder2]

Thanks for the info

 

[slipgrip93]

I missed that DeMinaur is using a 16x19 instead of a 16x18 now.
But that racquet looks so much like a steam 99 except for the extra string in the middle.
It even has the inside hoop grooves and the trapezoidal tapered throat bottom,
as well as the steam 99's inner "d-shape" throat beam which is similar to the steam 100.

Is it some kind of prostock steam 99 variant or an H22 variant?

 

[Automatix]

Is it some kind of prostock steam 99 variant or an H22 variant?

Steam 99 with a custom drill pattern.

 

[Mischko]

Probably because he has gut in mains now, to avoid gut lifting the ball too much compared to 4G he used before. Seems like a good move, he definitely got some extra pace with gut, maybe a better kick serve etc

 

[flyhome]

Kalinskaya has a 16x20 pattern too, I dunno if someone already said that, but the mold looks like the Ultra Tour 100 16x20

 

[ThisHockeyTalk]

Stupid me!! I lost two awful points in a row in a tiebreak and smashed my Pro Stock Steam 100 to bits. I’ve never lost my cool and done that before… and now my favorite racket is gone. What a dumbdick.

 

[dr325i]

Stupid me!! I lost two awful points in a row in a tiebreak and smashed my Pro Stock Steam 100 to bits. I’ve never lost my cool and done that before… and now my favorite racket is gone. What a dumbdick.

Where are you located?

 

[lidoazndiabloboi]

Kalinskaya has a 16x20 pattern too, I dunno if someone already said that, but the mold looks like the Ultra Tour 100 16x20

She looks like she’s using the Ntour 95 style racket in the Ultra PJ.

 

[ThisHockeyTalk]

Where are you located?

Florida and Connecticut.

 

[dr325i]

Florida and Connecticut.

I have one 100 in Blade V7 PJ, L4, 27.25, 335g strung, 332SW, 31.8cm Strung balance.

Was curious to try it. Sweet stick

 

[aus89]

She looks like she’s using the Ntour 95 style racket in the Ultra PJ.

yeah that's the Ultra Tour 100 - only available in Japan (along with the 95) - its a 100sqin version of the Tour 95 mold that I believe is used by a few WTA players on tour

 

[lidoazndiabloboi]

yeah that's the Ultra Tour 100 - only available in Japan (along with the 95) - its a 100sqin version of the Tour 95 mold that I believe is used by a few WTA players on tour

I think it’s possible she’s using a UT100, but considering her head guard is the old Ncode version, it’s more likely she would be using the 95. If it is the UT100, it would most likely have a current Wilson head guard

 

[aus89]

I think it’s possible she’s using a UT100, but considering her head guard is the old Ncode version, it’s more likely she would be using the 95. If it is the UT100, it would most likely have a current Wilson head guard

Oh true - hadnt seen that - yeah theres still plenty using the Tour 95 (in Ultra and ProStaff paint)

 

[Brando]

Have heard tell on these boards, @aus89, that Elina Svitolina, Kei Nishikori, and Ajla Tomjlanovic have used the NTour 95 at one time or another.

 

[Hankenstein]

I have two BLX Steam 100 in grip 4. Used a total of 60 minutes each.. Maybe I should give them another go

 

[WacTennis2017]

I have two BLX Steam 100 in grip 4. Used a total of 60 minutes each.. Maybe I should give them another go

I am biased but the answer is Yes!
I would be curious how you compare to the Blade 100 or even Blade 104

 

[WacTennis2017]

Does anyone have a side by side picture of
Steam 100 16x20 and nTour 95 16x20
Also does Wilson have an Ultra Tour 100 16x20 pro stock? If so, I would also be interested in side by side pictures. Wilson no longer has the white base grommets so the Steam 100 will not be as obvious. I am trying to identify unique aspects to differentiate from other 16 X 20 Wilson racquets.

 

[Automatix]

Does anyone have a side by side picture of
Steam 100 16x20 and nTour 95 16x20
Also does Wilson have an Ultra Tour 100 16x20 pro stock? If so, I would also be interested in side by side pictures. Wilson no longer has the white base grommets so the Steam 100 will not be as obvious. I am trying to identify unique aspects to differentiate from other 16 X 20 Wilson racquets.

Ummm... nTour has PWS...

NEVER go by string pattern alone. Racquets usually have the holes drilled not molded so going by string pattern can result in blunders - Korda has an 18x19 Blade, Dimitrov has an 18x17 PS97, Suarez Navarro had a 16x20 PS ROK.
Steam 100? You can distinguish it by frame geometry and width. If you have a nice angle it's very clear. Maybe it's not as easy as identifying a Steam 99 which has a characteristic shaft and trenches on the inner side of the head but still, please, don't say that it's only distinguishable by string pattern.

When in doubt, try (at least I do) to find the angles as in the pictures below... what you see below is that the head has a D beam, wider than a blade, on the first picture it actually looks freakishly wide. On the second you have that characteristic head shape and yoke-head connection. Not to mention you see the beam going from flat in the throat to D in the head. This paintjob (brightness) makes it easy to distinguish IMHO.