Really interested in this Defyer 100 vs Ezone 100 comparison. I’m currently playing the Ezone primarily for the ridiculously large sweet spot and stability against big pace. In that sense it’s great to defend with but it’s a little clunky on offense for some reason. Maybe the defyer could have a lot of the Ezone benefits but be better for offense and shot making.
Wilson Defyer 100 V1
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Azuremars7
New User
After initially stringing at 51/49 I've now tried it at 47/44 as I felt good control and wanted more lift on the ball. I do think it plays much better and not really missing control at all. I was playing with 54/52 on a GT98 (admitedly a quite open pattern)
thenewbig3
Hall of Fame
Lynx Tour 1.30 is a freaking heavy string. By god even Lynx Tour 1.20 plays and weighs like a regular 1.25 string.
Greg_in_Atlanta
Rookie
I had my third hit with the Defyer 100 this evening. I've been testing it vs. the Acrospeed 300 and 2022 Speed MP. I've really enjoyed it so far. Power level and feel have both been great. I actually really like the color and look of the racquet. I was having a bit of trouble with timing and the ball tending to sail long despite it having (I think) less raw power than the AS100.
I decided to add 4 grams of weight at 3 and 9. With that weight, it's now the same balance as the Acrospeed. This may have been mental (seems like 4g wouldn't make much difference), but the extra weight really seemed to help with timing and consistency. Good before, but tonight it was great!
Of the three I've been hitting with, here's how I'd rank them so far:
Power: Acrospeed > Defyer > Speed (Defyer is probably best for me)
Feel: Defyer > Speed > Acrospeed (Speed might be the most connected, but Defyer a bit softer and plush, which I like. Acrospeed very different, but not bad)
Spin: Defyer > Acrospeed > Speed (I actually really like the AS for spin. I think the Defyer is better, but not 100% sure )
Control: Speed > Defyer > Acrospeed (though I must say, Acrospeed has a way of hitting deep balls that go in more than you'd expect)
Looks: Defyer > Speed > Acrospeed (I really like the Defyer color and am happy to have "Redline" name on the side)
Comfort: Acrospeed > Defyer = Speed (Not sure my opinion on Defyer vs. Speed, but despite the high stiffness of the Acropseed, I find it oddly comfortable to hit with.
All racquets strong with Lynx Tour at 50. I'm a 4.0 player with a very good topspin forehand (for my level) and less good everything else. Previously the Acrospeed was pushing out the Speed. Now I think the Defyer will push out the AS300, but it's close... Acrospeed is/was very fun!
I decided to add 4 grams of weight at 3 and 9. With that weight, it's now the same balance as the Acrospeed. This may have been mental (seems like 4g wouldn't make much difference), but the extra weight really seemed to help with timing and consistency. Good before, but tonight it was great!
Of the three I've been hitting with, here's how I'd rank them so far:
Power: Acrospeed > Defyer > Speed (Defyer is probably best for me)
Feel: Defyer > Speed > Acrospeed (Speed might be the most connected, but Defyer a bit softer and plush, which I like. Acrospeed very different, but not bad)
Spin: Defyer > Acrospeed > Speed (I actually really like the AS for spin. I think the Defyer is better, but not 100% sure )
Control: Speed > Defyer > Acrospeed (though I must say, Acrospeed has a way of hitting deep balls that go in more than you'd expect)
Looks: Defyer > Speed > Acrospeed (I really like the Defyer color and am happy to have "Redline" name on the side)
Comfort: Acrospeed > Defyer = Speed (Not sure my opinion on Defyer vs. Speed, but despite the high stiffness of the Acropseed, I find it oddly comfortable to hit with.
All racquets strong with Lynx Tour at 50. I'm a 4.0 player with a very good topspin forehand (for my level) and less good everything else. Previously the Acrospeed was pushing out the Speed. Now I think the Defyer will push out the AS300, but it's close... Acrospeed is/was very fun!
Cayenne321
Rookie
This may sound either hilarious or worrying depending on your interpretation - but 24 hours after my session with the D100 I have so much soreness, all through my hitting arm and shoulder.
This is not pain from tendonitis or discomfort while playing, but muscle fatigue from swinging like a madman and treating my arm like a whip instead of my normal strokes that are much more smooth. Such was the addictive fun of swinging this thing.
This is not pain from tendonitis or discomfort while playing, but muscle fatigue from swinging like a madman and treating my arm like a whip instead of my normal strokes that are much more smooth. Such was the addictive fun of swinging this thing.
No, less stable in stock form. Its only stable if you time it right and really hit the ball.
Played both next to each other with the same string and tension and they are quite different imo. Ezone has addicting power and stability. Defyer is more a crafty speedy stick with controlled spin.
I agree for offense and shot making. But it only works if you move up the ball and take it early. It doesnt have the stability against big pace. If you sit back and defend, easy to take over for the opponent, because it doesnt produce that big of a ball on the backfoot in stock form.
I see it as being like a customized Radical Team with some extra spin
At least to me the 25 Ezone 100 was a difficult rocket launcher, although I demo'd it with a round blue poly that I could tell wasn't doing it any favors.
Bought this on a whim because I was in Europe the day it launched. Finally got to hit with it today.
Verdict: not for me!
This racquet is predictably a lot like Pure Aero. It's stiff but what's more annoying is that it's very muted. It's got good spin but not crazy spin, I was a bit surprised (HyperG Soft 55lbs).
It was solid from the baseline and volley, but I did add 4g total at 3/9. I can imagine this contributed a lot for how solid it hit.
After 30min my arm was telling me the Hz was not for me, which means I'll never pick it up again. Check the Classifieds next week!
Verdict: not for me!
This racquet is predictably a lot like Pure Aero. It's stiff but what's more annoying is that it's very muted. It's got good spin but not crazy spin, I was a bit surprised (HyperG Soft 55lbs).
It was solid from the baseline and volley, but I did add 4g total at 3/9. I can imagine this contributed a lot for how solid it hit.
After 30min my arm was telling me the Hz was not for me, which means I'll never pick it up again. Check the Classifieds next week!
Cayenne321
Rookie
It's true that sitting back defending was producing nothing balls compared to what I do with the speed mp, but leaning into the sinner cosplay I was feeling with this racquet - it felt like I could attack from defensive positions and still swing big to rip through the ball if I wanted to. To some degree you could even say I needed to.
Julian.Peter
Rookie
I had a short hitting with the D100 which was slightly overspecced at 304g and although it still was headlight and very manouverable for a 100sqi tweener style racket, it was rock solid stock. I could hold the racket very loose for blocking hard first serves with ease. It was super surprising and a great experience to have such a light and easy to handle racket with such a big sweetspot but still OKish feel compared to other tweeners and controllable not overpowering launch. Serving was also very good with a very high first serves ratio.
I hit the D98 another day strung the same way and although I am coming from 98 control oriented rackets (meanwhile transitioned to Ezone 98 for easier playability) and never really geled with 100s, I preferred the 100 over the 98 as the 98 did not give anything special while the 100 was so super easy to play and still very controlled for the power and foregiveness its got. I would call it a mild controlled power racket with some feel, for sure better feeling than Ezones, Pure Drives and Aeros. Best 100 I played so far (Nordicdots Model 100 was also very nice but still a bit to demanding for me).
I hit the D98 another day strung the same way and although I am coming from 98 control oriented rackets (meanwhile transitioned to Ezone 98 for easier playability) and never really geled with 100s, I preferred the 100 over the 98 as the 98 did not give anything special while the 100 was so super easy to play and still very controlled for the power and foregiveness its got. I would call it a mild controlled power racket with some feel, for sure better feeling than Ezones, Pure Drives and Aeros. Best 100 I played so far (Nordicdots Model 100 was also very nice but still a bit to demanding for me).
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danbrenner
Legend
What grip size ?
thebigz
Professional
Unstrung with plastic 300.1g, SW 289
thebigz
Professional
Lynx Tour 1.25mm stock no plastic no Overgrip: 316.4g, SW 322
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RuudAwakening
Rookie
Finally got my own 100. Unstrung 299g 31.5cm and 288sw. Wanted Conf Soft but stringers didn’t have it so went Confidential at 48. Final specs with MSV OG were 320.6g, 32.3cm bal and 320sw.
Will give a more full review after multiple hits but Confidential playing brilliantly. I’m quite arm sensitive but felt amazing. Can still take big cuts at the ball and feels controlled enough.
A lot of hyperbole around the racket it seems, but I really don’t feel like I’ve played a racket I enjoyed serving with more. Really impressive.
Will give a more full review after multiple hits but Confidential playing brilliantly. I’m quite arm sensitive but felt amazing. Can still take big cuts at the ball and feels controlled enough.
A lot of hyperbole around the racket it seems, but I really don’t feel like I’ve played a racket I enjoyed serving with more. Really impressive.
Are you in the US? How much was the import fee on that? After years of ordering from TWE, got my first bill from fed ex a few weeks back. Pretty steep for some shoes.
thebigz
Professional
Yes in the US. Haven’t received the customs bill yet. Might take a few weeks from my past experience
Tim Buktu
Rookie
Are you sure your measurements are accurate? No way Lynx Tour weighs only 16 grams.
I'm guessing he had removed the plastic before the second measurement.
So the unstrung without plastic would be ~298 grams and LT added like 18.5 grams
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thebigz
Professional
Yes. First measurement is with plastic wrapped on the handle like I wrote, second measurement is without. Forgot to get a measurement after peeling off plastic before stringing
thebigz
Professional
Yep good catch. For reference in my 16x20 Blade 100 Pro, Lynx Tour added right around 19g of static weight before/after.
I just got a much better scale this week that's used in jewelry, down to 0.1g accuracy. Will share more precise static weight measurements going forward.
RuudAwakening
Rookie
Accurate review. It's a mid racket
Michelle didn't like it
I think the conclusion here is that Babolat is better at making Babolat than Wilson.
LordGulbis
Semi-Pro
Michelle loved the Extreme MP and I found it pretty mid, it's a matter of personal taste.Michelle didn't like it
I think the conclusion here is that Babolat is better at making Babolat than Wilson.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Wilson isn't even trying to just copy a Babolat frame anyway. They wanted to make a frame with a modern spin design that appeals to players who gravitate towards feel and control racquets.
I think people see the aero throat and think it's just a copy of Babolat, but they took that concept and made it into their own thing.
I think people see the aero throat and think it's just a copy of Babolat, but they took that concept and made it into their own thing.
thebigz
Professional
Good to have options that works with different player's preferences and stroke types.
Defyer 100 is clearly differentiated enough from any Spin/Control 100 out there to have a solid place in the market
Greg_in_Atlanta
Rookie
Classic case of the “curse of high expectations”.Michelle didn't like it
I think the conclusion here is that Babolat is better at making Babolat than Wilson.
I’ve been really happy with my 100 so far, but admittedly it hasn’t turned me into a 4.5 overnight…
I liked it better than the Extreme MP (D100 felt more controllable for me), but both are really good racquets.
A lot of great new options this year!
Cayenne321
Rookie
There's also this obsession with comparing it to the pure aero, so people who love the aero are trying this and finding none of the things they like about the aero.
6 months ago I was mainly using speed pros and wanted something with all the same upsides of the speed pro in a lighter whippier package and a bit more free power from stiffness. If I'd picked up a D100 at that stage I'd be 100% locked in to switching.
Azuremars7
New User
Not feel, though, surely. For how controlled this racquet is, it is also very muted. It's a great all rounder but it is neither a spin racquet nor a feel racquet, when most people were expecting both
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Not muted at all for me. The feel is quite connected.
I am talking about the 98. I don’t have the 100 yet.
LordGulbis
Semi-Pro
D100 is really the kind of racquet that you don't want to put a dampener on.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
The muted monster came for my 100 at about hour 6 or so. The Tour Bite provided this crispy finish to a plush frame in the first several hours, but then the frame became more gummy and distant feeling. Tried to ride this out for a few more hours but am now restringing with Alu Rough to see how that fares. (also will deaden quickly, I know, but I'm chasing those golden first few hours and I feel like crisp strings are an absolute must in this frame)
thebigz
Professional
As a dampener user for life, I sometimes slides my dampener lower so it does not touch the last cross string when the racquet/strings set up is well dampened and I am looking for just a bit more feedback. I found that I get some of the feel back but only a tiny bit of the ping sound. Racquets and strings today have made playing with dampener less necessary, but growing up with one I still cannot stand the pinging sound at contact. I found the sound more distracting the extra feel being as helpful.
When I revisited some older frames in my collection from 10-15 years ago, especially the firmer ones, I was reminded why I started out playing with dampeners.
thebigz
Professional
Tried Alu Rough again last year and honestly the playability wasn't as bad as I remember being. Below average still but far from one hit and done. It is significantly more lively and forgiving than tour bite at the same gauge, and noticeably lighter as well. Alu is already one of the lighter polys at 1.25mm, and I believe the rough has even slightly less material on it (makes sense that it plays softer). The bite you get while fresh with Alu Rough is amazing and feels different than what you get with modern slick polys.
thebigz
Professional
I'm fine with the implementation. I much prefer this over the frame being too harsh and bothers my arm.
The last P100 prototype I hit with was definitely flirting with that edge strung with 4G. I was feeling soreness in my arm in a much shorter session than I typically would have. I don't think it's a dramatic difference, but I do find the retail layup a bit more similar to what you find in new blade/Blade 100 Pros. It has a solid but that filtered response and you are not getting a ton of vibrations from contact, good or bad. This is a firm frame and many might not love the comfort aspect if they keep it too raw.
I consider this current Wilson feel one of the more refined dampening tech for sure. It's hard to please everyone, but I find it gives me just enough feedback without affecting comfort too much. It's certainly more responsive than the 2026 PA 100 I have and the frame has a decently honest firm response uniformly.
I think we have enough string options on the market to fine tune this aspect. I try to pair crisper strings with better dampened frames and more dampened strings with raw, firm sticks.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Oh you tried both the retail and proto 100? That's cool. The proto 100 sounds amazing it it was a bit more foam filled, but you're saying it was harsher in a bad way for you compared to retail? What about the actual playing characteristics aside from feel? Any difference or not really?
LordGulbis
Semi-Pro
I do agree, this Defyer has a dampening system just as effective as Minolon without the total lack of connection to the ball that it implies.
Just like you, I also don't like the last Pure Aero's feel, of course, it made the frame more comfortable but something doesn't set right, it feels and sounds metallic but yet comfortable, not bad but not ideal. Better than the Ezone but inferior to the Defyer.
thebigz
Professional
There's been so many different variations of the P100, the Wilson rep who let me hit with them can't even keep track of. There's no single version of P100/P98 that can be the definitive reference here.
I had hit with 2 iterations of the P100 that felt incredibly different(both snakeskin paint). First one from earlier in the year, that one felt way more gummy and less connected than the 2nd or the retail, and really lacked directional control. It felt like softer and more dampened than the P98 I hit from that same time. The rep and I both disliked it.
The 2nd iteration I hit with was closer to releases, just weeks before the "redline" name change around 2 months back. Wilson rep told me it's supposed to be from one of the last prototype batches manufactured before they stopped snakeskin production and shifted to making the retail version. P98 from that time did not feel that different than the 1st, still very light, medium firm, and not very forgiving or stable.
But the P100 from that batch was firmer than the 98 and near night and day vs the earlier P100 I tried. It was firm, stable, decently crisp but not raw/hollow, but certainly harder on the arm as well. Playability wise I don't find the retail redline I'm trying right now to be that different. But I am pretty sure of the improvements in comfort and minor change in feel. Still need to play more with different strings set ups with the retail in the coming months to know more.
But hopefully that can provide some context ^^ and help understand why we see such different opinions out there in the prototypes vs retail comparison. I want to share this perspective also to counter some of the illogical hype out there for the prototypes or "pro stock" being superior. I'm sure Khachanov, Dimitrov, and Rune can get whatever layup they prefer made for them. But from my conversation with Wilson insiders, most of the lower level pros and college players were just getting whatever versions of P98 their rep can ship at the time, as stock was in quite high demand among those players as well.
I doubt most people would prefer the first P100 I tried over the retail, and the most recent one plays very similarly but I question that less dampened firmness will be as welcomed on balance for the wider audience.
thebigz
Professional
On the same page here. I think the PA100 26 is a net improvement over 2023 on balance, but I don't love the throat flex or weighting of my copy. 2026 PA's intended "flexier throat, firm af hoop" approach is quite the opposite of what Wilson stated as "firm throat, flexible hoop" approach for Defyer.
Some people would claim that all tech is just marketing. But I don't think transitioning between these 2 frames with seemingly similar spec on paper but very different stiffness distribution approaches is that easy.
Current Ezone, PA, Defyer 100 all offers something different. I spoke with @ACT recently and he very much prefers the Ezone's easier playability and stability. Defyer 100 asks for a lot higher swing speed to get the same depth in similar string setups.
Nothing can help more than trying first hand to judge which frame suits one's game best. All good racquets.
Azuremars7
New User
It is definitely a comfortable racquet, and that's important to a lot of people.
I can generally dial the feel of a frame with string choices. For example with the Ezones I would use something like Confidential or Tour Bite and that would make the feedback clearer. On the D100 it has helped a bit, but I'm still not getting a clear sense of where the ball is on the strings. So I'm really looking to find the right string for it
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