goldenyama
Professional
For anyone who has hit both, can you please tell us if the regular Clash is noticeably more flexy and comfortable than the Pro? I am looking for the ultimate in comfort.
BOOM! LETS GO!
Clash 100 regular:
String and tension used for test:
Tennis experience/background: 44 year old, I play higher level 3.5 and 40+ 4.0 tennis in West Michigan. Been playing since I was a kid.
Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): Exclusively a doubles player. I like to be patient from the baseline hitting big returns and groundstrokes and waiting for a short ball to come in behind. Volley pretty well but not super aggressively.
Current racquet/string setups: I've just transitioned from the Blade 98s (spin effect 18x16) to the Yonex Percept 100 (16x19). I'm a multi/hybrid guy. Been trying a few things but I'm really loving Technifibre x-one biphase in the mains and Wasabi X in the crosses right now. Both 1.25, 52 on the mains, 48 on the crosses.
I used the strings that came with the playtest but set it up with my normal Multi/hybrid at 52/48 (see notes all the way at the bottom, don't think I liked this).
How many hours did you play with the racquet? 3-4 Hours total over a couple of sessions.
Comments on racquet performance for each stroke (each section should be 3-5 sentences minimum):
-Groundstrokes: Lower launchpoint then I was expecting, I seemed to be just barely hitting over the net on flatter shots and really had to try hard to hit a high/loopy/deep groundie. I have a pretty long groundstroke, LOTS of topspin, but I also swing pretty quickly. I've noticed with many rackets that if I can't swing fast enough either due to racket shape or swingweight that I'm just not liking the shape of my shots.
-Serves: Thought this was the highlight of the racket for me. Easy generation of spin and pace, easy on my arm. This is probably the one spot where the stiffness and speed/maneuverability of the frame didn't bother me. In other areas I felt like i had to change my game to adapt to the racket but with my serve I found it pretty easy to just swing away.
-Volleys: Middle of the road for me. I found a little instability I think due to how flexible the racket it. I think my preference is to a littler stiffer frame that returns power more as opposed to dampening the shot and not returning the power through the stroke.
-Serve returns: Same as volleys, not bad but not great. I'd like to be able to swing it a little faster to generate spin and depth, returns seemed to be lower and therefore not as deep in the court.
Comments on racquet performance in each area (should be 2-3 sentences minimum)
Power/Control- I feel like I'm going to be in the minority here but I think this racket is UNDER powered. I'm betting it's the RA rating vs what I'm used to. I think with a super flexible racket you lose some of the power as you're hitting and have to generate it back yourself. Great if you have a longer, slower swing. With my very fast swing it felt like I needed to concentrate more on getting the height, depth, power I'm used to. Maybe this racket is a little TOO dampened (for me)
Top Spin/Slice- See above on topspin. Had to focus a little harder on lengthening my stroke to get the topspin I'm used to. Slice was relatively easy to produce but similar comment on power and depth. I felt my slice was a little sloppy and had more potential to pop-up as opposed to my Percept that stays very crisp and very low with relatively no effort.
Comfort- Obviously the benefit of this racket. It's got good static weight and low RA and it is very comfortable. I do think you sacrifice some control and connectivity to the ball with the low RA.
Feel- A little TOO dampened for my liking. I'm not feeling like I'm the target audience for this racket. If it were a mid 60's RA with the same specs I might love it. It just feels a little disconnected from the ball and as stated I think you lose some power and control due to the over-dampening of the frame.
Maneuverability- Pretty good considering it's a 100. Felt like I would have liked it to be a little faster/more maneuverable for my game…maybe a thinner frame width here…but it has some of the characteristics of a pure drive or yonex frame where it's more maneuverable then you'd expect for a 100.
Stability- Going back to my comments about the RA, I think it's a little too low for me. This leads to some instability on bigger groundstrokes and volleys. It's not bad by any means but I've gotten used to the 67ish RA on the Percept and hitting the 54 on the Clash makes it feel a little more unstable then I'd like.
General reaction/comments on overall performance:
I can see why this racket is so popular. Yeah it's probably not something I'm switching to but it was fun to hit and experience the polar opposite in RA/flexibility then I'm used to. I think this racket will excel for anyone with a longer/slower groundstroke. If you have a shorter stroke with less backswing you may find it underpowered and a little bit tougher to create spin/pace/depth. It is a shame the 98 no longer exists…I can see where that would be a sweetspot btwn this stick and something a little stiffer and a little faster/more maneuverable.
As I'm typing and thinking out loud maybe I messed up the string setup on this. I'm really enjoying the 52/48 setup on my Percept, I think it complements the stiffer frame and give me the right balance of power and control. The Clash likely needs a setup more around like 55 constant and maybe even a stiffer string to balance out that lower 54 RA. I might give that a try next and report back.
they felt the same to me for comfort. imo, its more about the weight. the regular was easier for volleys and pro is better for heavier spin generation for groundstrokes.For anyone who has hit both, can you please tell us if the regular Clash is noticeably more flexy and comfortable than the Pro? I am looking for the ultimate in comfort.
That's interesting....I obviously would have assumed the opposite...that you wanted a stiffer string with a super flexy racket like that.
All good/fun things to try next set of strings though!!
What string do you use for your clash?I used to think so too, but I read on here that tension needs to be RA /1.25 and then go up or down 4 lb
Gives you an ideal tension of 44lb for a Clash. I string at 40 and no complaints about power. My stringer hates my racquet because he hits the back fence with ground strokes
Thanks! Definitely sounds like the Pro is for me then. Have booked a demo.they felt the same to me for comfort. imo, its more about the weight. the regular was easier for volleys and pro is better for heavier spin generation for groundstrokes.
Full disclaimer, I am part of wilsons advisory staff, so I am “sponsored” by them and get stuff from them. So, with that said, I need to stay within Wilson racquets. May give the RF 01 a try. I am still having a hard time coming to the decision to leave the Blade behind, it still works for me. So, not sure!Abus..now that you have opened your eyes beyond the Blade.. perhaps you can give some others a look.. new Ezone 98, Extreme Tour and RF 01...and benchmark those to the Clash..
Ok.. if you are sponsored by Wilson then great..
Wilson is a great company..
If they want you to promote the Clash then do so..
What string do you use for your clash?
-no talk last time w.rep stopped byHey Wilson connected bros.. Any information to when the new Ultra will come out?
Is the PS you use competitively the 16X20 100?Had an opportunity to play an hour with the Clash 100Pro v3 this weekend and some initial impressions:
Racquets:
- Clash 98v1 w/ NRG2 1.30 @55 (5 hours old string)
- Clash 100Pro v3 w/ NRG2 1.30 @55
55 yo male, former HS and DivIII soccer and tennis player, retired from tennis for almost 30 years, and returned to the game in 2020. Primarily a baseline counterpuncher w/ flat forehand and relatively spinny THBH. Decent form but poor movement after too many surgeries.
My preference is towards muted, plush, and forgiving racquets that provide some free power. I do have previous arm/shoulder issues so use the Clash for any non-competitive play, otherwise I use the new Pure Strike 100 (which is also awesome).
First impressions:
BTW - Did they change the head shape? The 100Prov3 seems to have a head shape similar to the 98v1. I found the original Clash 100 to be a little ‘big’ and unwieldy, but did not find the same issues with the Clash Pro.
- Groundstrokes: Just like my 98, it’s effortless. I have a slower swing and it’s just great. Many had issues with control, and yes, it’s still a lively string-bed but the 16x20 offers an improvement.
- Serve: Aces. Plenty of power and spin.
- Volleys: TBD
- Feel: Pleased to report that the v3 is very much closer to the v1 than the v2. The 16x20 pattern feels tighter in a good way and it had that familiar Clash feel many, like myself enjoy and appreciate.
- Comfort: It’s a Clash again. Very comfortable and a super easy ride.
More to come but the new release will please many existing v1 users.
It’s the 16x19 100Is the PS you use competitively the 16X20 100?
I’d be interested if they are going to release a new Pro Staff line in the near future or sometime this year.Hey Wilson connected bros.. Any information to when the new Ultra will come out?
Should be sometime this year, probably summer or fall since they just released Clash. From what I hear it will still be blue, just different shades. A bit more flexible, and even one of the models will be pretty much a steam.Hey Wilson connected bros.. Any information to when the new Ultra will come out?
The tension may be too high. I started out at 50 with Toroline O-toro and didn't gel with the racquet at all, went to 44 with Element Soft and it feels/plays like a Clash.I got hold of a v3 Clash Pro demo here in Melbourne. Strung with a copper coloured poly (can't quite read the writing on it) at what feels like about 50lbs.
I was hoping for an extremely comfy hit thanks to the flex, but I didn't feel this was super comfy or flexible. Definitely easy to use but I didn't like the feel or precision and it felt stiffer than 57RA to me.
Is it worth testing the Clash 100 which is 54RA? I was thinking if it's flexier I could lead it up.
I was given an approximate time frame of September/October 2025 as well.-no talk last time w.rep stopped by
-but i would say summer time or maybe fall
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I got hold of a v3 Clash Pro demo here in Melbourne. Strung with a copper coloured poly (can't quite read the writing on it) at what feels like about 50lbs.
I play tested the blade and really liked but I'll be honest, when the RF 01 came out, I bought that instead (judged a book by its cover). I took several weeks for me to adjust but I love the power/control balance. I use a full bed of solinico hyper G 16L @48 lbs.Full disclaimer, I am part of wilsons advisory staff, so I am “sponsored” by them and get stuff from them. So, with that said, I need to stay within Wilson racquets. May give the RF 01 a try. I am still having a hard time coming to the decision to leave the Blade behind, it still works for me. So, not sure!
I was looking at these, tempted by the 53 flex. Do you play with it?I took never really felt the flexibility of the Clash all that much..
I have a Prince Exo3 Tour and you can really feel it's softness very easily.
You didn't face any stability issues in volleys/ ground strokes because of the low swing weight and very flexible frame?For context, the specs of the racquet I received are as follows: 314 g with strings and overgrip, 31.9 cm balance, 308 sw.
Maneuverability- Swingweight of mine was 308 at 314 g so it was adequately maneuverable. With my 5'11" 140 lbs of lean muscle and bone in a 160 lbs body, haha, and as my racquet history shows, I'm leaning more into lighter racquets that provide me with more fine tune control of the motions for more accuracy on the big ground strokes, ensuring I can get over the ball to let spin keep it in. My racquet is a very nice combo of weight, balance, and swingweight; I don't feel like any spec of the racquet limited my performance. With a lot of heavier racquets, the atrophy from tennis elbow starts to wear me down pretty quick but I had no such issue with this frame.
Stability- I don't recall any instance of racquet flutter. So, I think it's stable. I also feel it's a little more solid than the v1 as it seems just a little less noodle-y in the longitudinal direction providing more directional control (and more power).
No stability issues for me on fast paced balls. But I also don’t face stability issues when using even lighter racquets; power issues yes, but I don’t lose control of the shot due to a lack of stability. Perhaps stability means something else to those who use the term.You didn't face any stability issues in volleys/ ground strokes because of the low swing weight and very flexible frame?
Some people mentioned that the low swing weight makes the racquet unstable when receiving fast paced balls.
Is it difficult to generate higher RHS when playing with lighter racquets to make up for the lack of weight and generate as much power as heavier racquet?No stability issues for me on fast paced balls. But I also don’t face stability issues when using even lighter racquets; power issues yes, but I don’t lose control of the shot due to a lack of stability. Perhaps stability means something else to those who use the term.
Is there a Part 2???String and tension used for test: Luxilon Element 45 LBs and Wilson NXT 55LBs
Tennis experience/background: 4.5 Player in Norcal. Learned to play on my own by rallying a bunch everyday.
Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): I am more of a baseliner because I am a scared cat at the net. My serve is decent nothing special about it and my favorite side to hit off of is my forehand but my backhand is my best side when I am on.
Current racquet/string setups: Yonex Ezone 100 with Solinco Tourbite
How many hours did you play with the racquet? I played for 50 hours with this racket.
-Groundstrokes: With the low stiffness, the racket was a lot more forgiving than my yonex ezone. It was easy to hit with this racket, I did not feel like I had to make many adjustments to my strokes. I can see why people play with the clash for the playability, and I felt you had to generate power on this racket which I did not have a problem with. In terms of spin there was good spin production off both sides, but I feel it is less than my Yonex racket. For those with tennis elbow, I think switching to this racket might be helpful due to the low stiffness and the forgivingness on the racket.
-Serves: I did not have any issues with locating my serve on this racket. I do wish it had more pop and more spin. I think a little bit more weight would have been helpful for this racket.
-Volleys: I felt my volleys were a bit short and tend to pop up more on this racket. It could be due to poor technique, but I did not enjoy volleying with this racket or felt very confident with it. Drop volleys were a bit difficult to feel on this racket. I never could get a feel for it it was either too short or it popped up.
-Serve returns: Due to the high playability of this racket, I felt I could go for more on my returns. I got plenty of deep returns on some good servers, and with a bit more accuracy than my yonex. Also, I did not feel discomfort hitting with it.
Overall, I enjoy hitting with the Wilson Clash and I appreciate the lack of painful responses when I mishit. The racket playability makes this an easy racket to just pick up and hit regardless of what racket you use. Thanks TW for the playtest!
RHS is easier to generate with a lighter racquet. Though lighter racquets will have diminishing returns on power for that RHS.Is it difficult to generate higher RHS when playing with lighter racquets to make up for the lack of weight and generate as much power as heavier racquet?
I always assumed playing with lighter racquets would help me swing faster.