Socking news: Wilson Line 2019

I know nicole gibbs is using the 100.. not sure about others.. more players should be using it in the spring/summer when the clash 98 line comes out.

Also word is there will be a new blade coming out in July, presumably minus the countervail like they did with the burn. also, the new burns will have slightly less matte paint, so hopefully all new production frames will have the same. wish they would do full gloss like most of the pros do.
 
The current line of CV Blades need to be terminated because their spec consistency has been the worse of any model in their range. Some shops here even sent them back they were that bad.
If the clash design is successful maybe the 98 will and a thinner beam version maybe the answer for Wilson.
 
DJTaurus said:
As you all know Burn line is discontinued and the new line will be Wilson Clash. Clash will come in 98,103 and 100inch versions....9 clash models in total. Pro staff will continue the same with just new paint jobs like Ultra line.

The socking news come from blade line. They are thinking to terminate the line from May of 2019. Maybe my source was misinformed......I can’t believe such news.
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100 % not true. New Blades will be released later this year. It’s the #1 racket used on Tour.
 
DJTaurus said:
As you all know Burn line is discontinued and the new line will be Wilson Clash. Clash will come in 98,103 and 100inch versions....9 clash models in total. Pro staff will continue the same with just new paint jobs like Ultra line.
Maverick13 said:
Wait, the Pro Staff is getting another new paint job next year besides the black and white?
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@DJTaurus I've got the same question as @Maverick13: i.e. I don't suppose your source told you what new colour/colours the Pro Staffs - both RF97A and PS 97CV will appear in? Thanks, JMac
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Wilson has too many product lines. This is becoming very confusing for its customer base.

Three lines is enough ... Pro Staff, Ultra, and Clash. Each addresses particular target markets. And Wilson can tinker with the number of models in each line to cover a large number of bases (and include additional CV models and Tour models where appropriate).

Babolat is doing fine with its Pure Aero, Pure Drive, and Pure Strike Lines. Several different models, including VS and Tour versions.

I doubt Wilson will dispense with a Blade like racquet ... but I won't be surprised if it discontinues the Blade moniker and a line. It might introduce something like a Pro Staff "Blade", or Ultra "Blade"?
 
From a sales and marketing perspective Babolat has done an excellent job of rationalizing their product lines to both 'tell' a simpler consumer 'story', and obfuscate the fact that many pros are somewhat problematically still using Control/Storm/Aero Storm variants. Wilson should follow suit.
 
Karma Tennis said:
Wilson has too many product lines. This is becoming very confusing for its customer base.

Three lines is enough ... Pro Staff, Ultra, and Clash. Each addresses particular target markets. And Wilson can tinker with the number of models in each line to cover a large number of bases (and include additional CV models and Tour models where appropriate).

Babolat is doing fine with its Pure Aero, Pure Drive, and Pure Strike Lines. Several different models, including VS and Tour versions.

I doubt Wilson will dispense with a Blade like racquet ... but I won't be surprised if it discontinues the Blade moniker and a line. It might introduce something like a Pro Staff "Blade", or Ultra "Blade"?
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That would be idiotic. "Blade" has been the most recognized (and long kept) new racket line in a while. You dont hear 3.5-4.0 players name dropping Steam or Juice or Burn. The Blade does exactly what it sounds like it'll do and they will 100% keep that.

What concerns me is keeping the Burn around even after releasing the Clash. If I am a Wilson account holder I don't have enough damn space on my wall for all these SKUs. 3! versions of the reduced price old-PJ Burn? Get that **** off my wall so I can put something up there I can sell for $200+ and make my margins.
 
To add to my point.... Wilson currently has 30 or so frames on TW (not including clearance frames). In a shop you can usually only do 3 or 4 rows or rackets hanging on a wall (4 is touch and basically hits the ground. And you need space between them. Thats a huge amount of wall space for one brand. CHOP. IT. DOWN... but absolutely dont start with the Blade lmao
 
mpournaras said:
That would be idiotic. "Blade" has been the most recognized (and long kept) new racket line in a while. You dont hear 3.5-4.0 players name dropping Steam or Juice or Burn. The Blade does exactly what it sounds like it'll do and they will 100% keep that.
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I'm not suggesting that Wilson get rid of the "Blade" name. It's a great name. But it can certainly roll that name into another Product Line without much problem. People will still ask for a "Blade". As long as it has similar specs and plays similar, what's the problem?

Look at the Pro Staff. The current day Pro Staff model line bears little resemblance to the original Wilson Pro Staff racquets.
 
Saw on TE IG story that they may have a new PS coming out called the Wilson PS Bold 97. Apparently Rsilly Opelka is going to endorse it. It has the zebra like pj like Ostapenko.
 
I believe this paint job is going on all the light versions of the Ultra, Blade and Pro Staff.
 
bwongman said:
Why does Wilson use their L line of racquets for all these special paint jobs? Wouldn't it make sense to make them in the normal weight version?
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Exactly, good point. An RF or Ultra tour in Camo would have worked. Putting into on s light frame is a waste.
 
bwongman said:
Why does Wilson use their L line of racquets for all these special paint jobs? Wouldn't it make sense to make them in the normal weight version?
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Because those models are already selling well, they don't need the sales boost.
 
Karma Tennis said:
I'm not suggesting that Wilson get rid of the "Blade" name. It's a great name. But it can certainly roll that name into another Product Line without much problem. People will still ask for a "Blade". As long as it has similar specs and plays similar, what's the problem?

Look at the Pro Staff. The current day Pro Staff model line bears little resemblance to the original Wilson Pro Staff racquets.
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I disagree, I think Babolat’s move is more confusing than clarifying.
 
SpinToWin said:
I disagree, I think Babolat’s move is more confusing than clarifying.
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Do you?

Aero - Spin Machines.
Drive - Power.
Strike - Blend of Power and Spin.

"Tour" Versions - Heavier versions for greater stability.

"Plus" Versions - Extended Length

"Light" Versions - Lighter versions for juniors or anyone who prefers a lighter racquet.

"VS" Versions - Special Editions targeted at Players who understand racquet tech and are looking for something "different"

What could be more complicated than that?
 
I think if Wilson is to dump a line it should be the Ultra. It's is the least consistent with molds and most models suck. I don't think there is a player who would be significantly better off with an Ultra 100 than a Clash 100.

That said, Wilson needs a line to house bastardized molds like the Ultra Tour and 95 Tour. The Blade and Prostaffs lines have been very homogeneous over time.
 
Karma Tennis said:
Do you?

Aero - Spin Machines.
Drive - Power.
Strike - Blend of Power and Spin.

"Tour" Versions - Heavier versions for greater stability.

"Plus" Versions - Extended Length

"Light" Versions - Lighter versions for juniors or anyone who prefers a lighter racquet.

"VS" Versions - Special Editions targeted at Players who understand racquet tech and are looking for something "different"

What could be more complicated than that?
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The VS is what is confusing to anyone not in the know. It would make more sense to have a separate control line where the VS belong.
 
Rumors suggest that we will see 98/104 versions of Clash on September but another source told me that they will probably appear from June. Time will tell heaven of hell.
 
SpinToWin said:
The VS is what is confusing to anyone not in the know. It would make more sense to have a separate control line where the VS belong.
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I don't think the VS is targeted at the mainstream though.

It's like the Motor Vehicle Market. A Manufacturer will have passenger cars (sedans and wagons of various sizes), SUVs, sports cars. And some manufacturers will produce Special Editions / Variants of many mainstream models.
 
fed1 said:
Because those models are already selling well, they don't need the sales boost.
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Why do they need to give the L line a sales boost? It was never meant to be the main seller which is why it isn't the main weight. The L line is in the same line as the regular weight version, it's not like they will discontinue the L line because it isn't selling well. The L line is just a by product of needing a lighter weight racquet for people who use lighter racquets.

I think that they would sell even more of these special edition colors if it were in the regular weight version. All the money will go to Wilson anyways so why not give all these special edition colors to the main line? I know that they lost me and my friend as a customer because the racquets are not in standard weight.
 
Karma Tennis said:
I don't think the VS is targeted at the mainstream though.

It's like the Motor Vehicle Market. A Manufacturer will have passenger cars (sedans and wagons of various sizes), SUVs, sports cars. And some manufacturers will produce Special Editions / Variants of many mainstream models.
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Let’s not mention the automobile market as a paradigm case of model clarity.
 
SpinToWin said:
Let’s not mention the automobile market as a paradigm case of model clarity.
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That you refer to them as "Automobiles" suggests you are American.

Know that in other countries - especially those where there is no longer a Car Manufacturing Industry - the Model Lines are pretty clear cut.
 
Karma Tennis said:
That you refer to them as "Automobiles" suggests you are American.

Know that in other countries - especially those where there is no longer a Car Manufacturing Industry - the Model Lines are pretty clear cut.
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You assume wrong. German with a Greek ethnic background.
 
I just remember the old glory days when you could buy a Wilson racquet in 5/8s sigh!
 
bwongman said:
Why do they need to give the L line a sales boost? It was never meant to be the main seller which is why it isn't the main weight. The L line is in the same line as the regular weight version, it's not like they will discontinue the L line because it isn't selling well. The L line is just a by product of needing a lighter weight racquet for people who use lighter racquets.

I think that they would sell even more of these special edition colors if it were in the regular weight version. All the money will go to Wilson anyways so why not give all these special edition colors to the main line? I know that they lost me and my friend as a customer because the racquets are not in standard weight.
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After the camo design, and seeing this new print, I interpret it as.... the target audience is "youth" and that is why they will most likely release the new design in the L models as well.
 
SpinToWin said:
The VS is what is confusing to anyone not in the know. It would make more sense to have a separate control line where the VS belong.
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True.

VS Aero = Pure Aero VS
VS Strike = Pure Strike VS
VS Drive = Pure Drive VS

Have a unique VS paint job, maybe all black with Yellow stripe for VS Aero, White for VS strike and Blue for VS drive
 
mpournaras said:
That would be idiotic. "Blade" has been the most recognized (and long kept) new racket line in a while. You dont hear 3.5-4.0 players name dropping Steam or Juice or Burn. The Blade does exactly what it sounds like it'll do and they will 100% keep that.
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yeah the blade is the best one. cool name, too
 
SpinToWin said:
The VS is what is confusing to anyone not in the know. It would make more sense to have a separate control line where the VS belong.
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For God's sake; as mentioned before VS was created specifically to be confusing!! The deliberate obfuscation allows Babolat to hide the slow selling racquets the pros won't stop using - Pure Control, Aero Storm etc. - under more profitable 'family' paint schemes.
 
Dartagnan64 said:
Have a unique VS paint job, maybe all black with Yellow stripe for VS Aero, White for VS strike and Blue for VS drive
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I actually like that VS versions have same paint jobs. It means that you are not telegraphing what you are using to other players unless they are really switched on.
 
I have had the original Burn 100S for years. I think the 18x16 pattern is a gem. Would like to see a Clash 18x16 pattern. This string pattern makes the racquet so comfortable even though it is so stiff. I continue to try other racquets to find a holy grail but keep going back to "old faithful". Now I have optimized lead tape placement to make it as close to a holy grail as possible. Huge sweetspot, comfortable, stability. Would like to see a continuation of this string pattern.
I am a 4.5, little taller than Schwartzman, and this racquet really lets us advanced little guys keep up with the bigger guys.
 
avocadoz said:
No they don’t need to get rid of the Blade, they need to get rid of countervail.
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What's the general beef with countervail out of curiosity? I use the ultra countervail and don't have any issues - i'm just a recreational player though. Would like to understand what I should be looking out for.
Thx!
 
shadow01 said:
What's the general beef with countervail out of curiosity? I use the ultra countervail and don't have any issues - i'm just a recreational player though. Would like to understand what I should be looking out for.
Thx!
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The Countervail is in the frame to dampen undesirable vibrations with the goal of making the racquet more comfortable to use.

Many players who were using certain Wilson models prior to the introduction of Countervail claim the new frames have a more muted feel and do not provide the liveliness or feedback of non-Countervail models in the same line.

IME, the PS97 Countervail is a lot more comfortable than the standard PS97. The standard PS97 feels a lot stiffer and harsher at ball impact but it is easier to detect off centre hits compared to the Countervail model.

I prefer the Countervail version as it allows me to customise the comfort level by tweaking the string bed.
 
shadow01 said:
What's the general beef with countervail out of curiosity? I use the ultra countervail and don't have any issues - i'm just a recreational player though. Would like to understand what I should be looking out for.
Thx!
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The big issue with Countervail for my standpoint is they assumed it would allow them to up the stiffness of the frames and still get the same comfort level. To my sensitive arm, it didn't work. The 2015 Blades were more comfortable than the countervails Blades. That and the loss of feel means the 2015 Blades remain superior.
 
shadow01 said:
What's the general beef with countervail out of curiosity? I use the ultra countervail and don't have any issues - i'm just a recreational player though. Would like to understand what I should be looking out for.
Thx!
Click to expand...

No feel. Whatever the hell Countervail is, it kills any vibration going through the racquet. Might as well be playing tennis with ski gloves or oven mitts on.

I ditched my CV Blades immediately.
 
Karma Tennis said:
Aero - Spin Machines.
Drive - Power.
Strike - Blend of Power and Spin.
Click to expand...

Wilson present their racket lines as follow:
Clash - Ultimate Control
Ultra - Effortless Power
Pro Staff - Classic Precision
Blade - Ruthless Accuracy

It seems like Wilson have some room for improvement in their offering.

Looking at this marketing it seems that I should expect higher accuracy from a blade 98S than a Ultra Tour
 
Fireball said:
Wilson present their racket lines as follow:
Clash - Ultimate Control
Ultra - Effortless Power
Pro Staff - Classic Precision
Blade - Ruthless Accuracy

It seems like Wilson have some room for improvement in their offering.

Looking at this marketing it seems that I should expect higher accuracy from a blade 98S than a Ultra Tour
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Clash as ultimate control? Lmao! That’s like saying Wilson is ultimate quality control. Is this a joke or is Wilson that delusional?
 
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