Wilson Defyer 100 V1

Azuremars7 said:
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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Do you use a dampener may I ask?
 
Azuremars7 said:
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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Anyone else tried Lynx Tour in the 100? I’ve got it in there at 50 and like it, but would be open to trying something different and taking advantage of others’ learnings.
 
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thebigz said:
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.
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Great info, thanks for sharing.

I like that Wilson was actually trying a ton of various prototypes to get wide feedback (assuming) ... But it makes it crystal clear that you can't take any of those prototypes too seriously in terms of reviews because it could have been any one of those varied versions. Interesting stuff. Thanks again for taking the time to write about your experience.
 
JGads said:
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)
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If you can get Gosen Gtour, try a pack as a cross. The yellow 1.23 has been incredible for me. You can throw in Tour bite/Tour Sniper..etc in as a main, and the feel is very crisp and comfortable. This has been a crisp setup for the entire time in the learner and so far so good in the D98. I think the G Tour is enhancing the feel. I am going to restring the learner soon with a different main and see how much crispness the Gtour is adding, but I have been loving this string for crispness and also performance in everything it's gone in. Even made the Pure Aero 98 23 feel decent.
 
Greg_in_Atlanta said:
Anyone else tried Lynx Tour in the 100? I’ve got it in there at 50 and like it, but would be open to trying something different and taking advantage of others’ learnings.
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It's my first string set up in the 100. It was a lot deader at my usual tension with spin 100s than I expected likely due to the tight pattern. I have to swing so hard to get any depth and it's really difficult to get balls through the court

I would want to try a more lively and forgiving string next. If I have to string lynx tour again I would hybrid with 1.20mm cross maybe and lower the tension quite a bit from 52/51 lbs I have now.
 
Azuremars7 said:
Yes. Funny enough I haven't for my entire tennis career, then I tried it and suddenly the ping sound annoys me

Does it actually make a difference to the feel?
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I hate the ping sound too and I use dampeners all my life. But modern well dampened frame can play better without. I would slide my dampener lower so it does not touch the last cross string - that's a good compromise for me to get just enough feedback without too much of the ping sound in a frame like this
 
Power Player said:
No - it actually feels less dampened for me because more vibrations come through the frame. I am not saying it protects the arm or anything like that, but I can feel more vibration from the strings, which I like.
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Yes. I go half way with the low profile dampener only touching main strings... I'm sure rubber bands also be good too.
 
Would you guys say that this racket is a good middle line for singles and doubles? How about its maneuverability? Ezone 100 albeit having more power, felt very clunky
 
tophersuwita said:
Would you guys say that this racket is a good middle line for singles and doubles? How about its maneuverability? Ezone 100 albeit having more power, felt very clunky
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Defyer 100 is a bit more manoeuvrable but the beam is stil thick, it won't cut through the air like a Radical MP or other thin beams.
If you already like the Ezone 100, you'll find the same comfort with much better feel, less raw power but more control.
 
thebigz said:
Yes. I go half way with the low profile dampener only touching main strings... I'm sure rubber bands also be good too.
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I used to do that too with the Sampras dampener. For most frames I have gone without for the past 4-5 years and it's tough to go back. Rare exception for me is Babolat tweeners, which I prefer how they feel with the dampener.

The ping sound just disappears after a while. But I get why people can't make the adjustment, it took me a few matches to fully get used to it.
 
I play without a dampener now too. It does take a little bit getting used to. My thing is if you hear a lot of pop sound even though your not hitting hard it could create a false sense of how hard your hitting your shots.
 
Azuremars7 said:
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
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It's not 'very muted' at all. It's quite direct/connected feeling particularly with the higher stiffness over the 98.

You must be using the wrong sort of string.
 
thebigz said:
I hate the ping sound too and I use dampeners all my life. But modern well dampened frame can play better without. I would slide my dampener lower so it does not touch the last cross string - that's a good compromise for me to get just enough feedback without too much of the ping sound in a frame like this
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I do exactly the same (slide down a small dampener). If a ping is too harsh and isn't fixable with a small small dampener (and would require one of those worms) then I just don't play with that racket anymore, even if it otherwise suits my game perfectly.
 
Did any of you guys bump up the SW?
I got 300g and 298SW unstrung as measurements.
Dont have the measurements strung with rem blast, dampener and overgrip.
Someone got an idea what i am at?
 
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Wessiee said:
Did any of you guys bump up the SW?
I got 300g and 298SW unstrung as measurements.
Dont have the measurements strung with rem blast, dampener and overgrip.
Someone got an idea what i am at?
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Mine was 299g and 288sw unstrung. Strung with Confidential 1.25, MSV Cyber Wet overgrip and Head Pro Damp it was 323sw
 
Wessiee said:
Did any of you guys bump up the SW?
I got 300g and 298SW unstrung as measurements.
Dont have the measurements strung with rem blast, dampener and overgrip.
Someone got an idea what i am at?
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Depends on your string gauge.
RPM Blast 1.25 adds 29 SW in 16x20 Shift 99
RPM Blast 1.30mm adds 31 SW in 16x20 Shift 99

And no my D100 was 289 SW unstrung, did not feel like needed more SW. plenty enough with Lynx Tour 1.25mm at least.

If you want to bump more, can try a heavier string than RPM like Lynx Tour 1.25mm instead of lead.
 
Like mentioned in different topic, I started with Confidential Soft 1.15mm 50lbs and I really liked it, but I had to move away from it since my elbow does not like that string… (317g with OG, 313 SW)

Moved to Mach 10 1.20mm gauge and it feels way better. The racket is bit more lively, has more pop and most importantly it’s more comfortable than Confidential Soft, at least for me. It’s strung at 48/46lbs. Final specs, 318g with OG, 316 SW.
 
Immi93 said:
Like mentioned in different topic, I started with Confidential Soft 1.15mm 50lbs and I really liked it, but I had to move away from it since my elbow does not like that string… (317g with OG, 313 SW)

Moved to Mach 10 1.20mm gauge and it feels way better. The racket is bit more lively, has more pop and most importantly it’s more comfortable than Confidential Soft, at least for me. It’s strung at 48/46lbs. Final specs, 318g with OG, 316 SW.
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Mach 10 1.20 is my go-to in anything with a dense pattern these days. Great string, especially with so many sticks running all these dampening techs. Brings 'dead' feeling frames to life.
 
I played with the Defyer 100 for two hours today, and I think it resembles the 2023 VCORE 100 in many ways. Its main advantages are that it’s more maneuverable and makes it easier to flatten out the ball. It’s a really enjoyable racquet to play with. I bought a Blade Pro 100 v10 just a month ago, but I think the time has already come to switch to the Defyer 100.
 
mesaage85 said:
I played with the Defyer 100 for two hours today, and I think it resembles the 2023 VCORE 100 in many ways. Its main advantages are that it’s more maneuverable and makes it easier to flatten out the ball. It’s a really enjoyable racquet to play with. I bought a Blade Pro 100 v10 just a month ago, but I think the time has already come to switch to the Defyer 100.
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Can you compare the blade pro 100 to
It? Why are you switching. How do the feels compare?
 
mesaage85 said:
I played with the Defyer 100 for two hours today, and I think it resembles the 2023 VCORE 100 in many ways. Its main advantages are that it’s more maneuverable and makes it easier to flatten out the ball. It’s a really enjoyable racquet to play with. I bought a Blade Pro 100 v10 just a month ago, but I think the time has already come to switch to the Defyer 100.
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That figures... another racquet I didn't like...

But '23 VCORE 100 had a very open pattern and it was very launchy.
Defyer 100 much more a control racquet.

But both have a dead feeling that I don't like.
 
if we'd do the blind test, probably we would put vcore100 and defyer100 into different categories of rackets. launch angle, power, stability are very different.

considering "spin" rackets in the market, putting defyer in there is not fully right i believe.

defyer 100 more feels like "jack of all trades, but if you swing your racket low-to-high-fast it shines"
 
Restrung my D100 with Grapplesnake Tour M8 1.25 at 50/48. Previously Lynx Tour 1.25 at 52/51 which is already down 1lbs from my usual tension.

2 points SW lower. Finally getting easier depth and a a bit better launch angle. But I don’t find my balls jumping off the court heavy like with other spin 100s. Even vs BOV2 I’d get more shape and heavier bounce at slightly higher tension. More muted feel but the frame still lets me know where the sweetspot is.
 
Yo Mama said:
if we'd do the blind test, probably we would put vcore100 and defyer100 into different categories of rackets. launch angle, power, stability are very different.

considering "spin" rackets in the market, putting defyer in there is not fully right i believe.

defyer 100 more feels like "jack of all trades, but if you swing your racket low-to-high-fast it shines"
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Defyer 100 honestly plays much more similar to the more powerful 98, than any power/spin 100s.
 
Power Player said:
Can you compare the blade pro 100 to
It? Why are you switching. How do the feels compare?
Click to expand...
The Blade Pro 100 is more control-oriented. It feels firmer and more direct, with less pocketing and less free power. It offers better precision and directional control when I’m properly set up.

The Defyer 100 feels more dampened and muted, but it also has better pocketing. It’s noticeably more maneuverable, more forgiving and provides easier depth and power.

I’m switching because the Defyer gives me easier performance and is simply more enjoyable to play with. The Blade Pro probably has the edge in pure precision, but the Defyer suits my game better and requires less effort, especially during match play.
 
mesaage85 said:
The Blade Pro 100 is more control-oriented. It feels firmer and more direct, with less pocketing and less free power. It offers better precision and directional control when I’m properly set up.

The Defyer 100 feels more dampened and muted, but it also has better pocketing. It’s noticeably more maneuverable, more forgiving and provides easier depth and power.

I’m switching because the Defyer gives me easier performance and is simply more enjoyable to play with. The Blade Pro probably has the edge in pure precision, but the Defyer suits my game better and requires less effort, especially during match play.
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Not my experience. I have been testing the Blade 100 Pro right before the Defyer. Blade 100 Pro due to the extension, higher stiffness, and more open pattern, has noticeably more power for me. Agree on the Defyer being much more maneuverable. But if I take a full crack at the ball and wasn’t late with the Blade 100 Pro(the length makes it more difficult to time despite my specs of both being very similar), my balls does a lot more damage it seems.

Blade 100 Pro also suite hitting through the court much more. It’s not hard to get spin and height but heavy spin shots sit up more than they are heavy with some more spin oriented frames, while hitting through the court the frame unleashed its full potential for me.

Serving has higher ceiling with the Blade 100 Pro, but Defyer might be easier to time.

2HBH I really like the Blade 100 Pro, the added length more than I thought on high balls and I just connect better on that wing generally.

Forehand is significantly easier to time on the Defyer 100, about the same 322-324 SW for both. Perhaps my Blade 100 Pro is a bit overspec stock SW wise than average tho.
 
I also felt more power with BP100 but mine was way overspeced and felt slugish and I was often late. Firmer than Defyer and lack of ball pocketing (same string but Defyer feels more pocketing but less crisp, little more muted). Definetly BP100 for more flatter and classic player and Defyer for more modern baseline top spin heavy player.
 
thebigz said:
Not my experience. I have been testing the Blade 100 Pro right before the Defyer. Blade 100 Pro due to the extension, higher stiffness, and more open pattern, has noticeably more power for me. Agree on the Defyer being much more maneuverable. But if I take a full crack at the ball and wasn’t late with the Blade 100 Pro(the length makes it more difficult to time despite my specs of both being very similar), my balls does a lot more damage it seems.

Blade 100 Pro also suite hitting through the court much more. It’s not hard to get spin and height but heavy spin shots sit up more than they are heavy with some more spin oriented frames, while hitting through the court the frame unleashed its full potential for me.

Serving has higher ceiling with the Blade 100 Pro, but Defyer might be easier to time.

2HBH I really like the Blade 100 Pro, the added length more than I thought on high balls and I just connect better on that wing generally.

Forehand is significantly easier to time on the Defyer 100, about the same 322-324 SW for both. Perhaps my Blade 100 Pro is a bit overspec stock SW wise than average tho.
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Did you customize the racquet, or did you test the Blade 100 Pro in stock form?
 
mesaage85 said:
Did you customize the racquet, or did you test the Blade 100 Pro in stock form?
Click to expand...
I have 2-3g of lead under the grip alongside length of handle on both to bring down the balance. As both stock was under target in static weight and slightly over in SW. Otherwise no weight in the hoop for this comparison I’m describing.
 
acheron350 said:
I also felt more power with BP100 but mine was way overspeced and felt slugish and I was often late. Firmer than Defyer and lack of ball pocketing (same string but Defyer feels more pocketing but less crisp, little more muted). Definetly BP100 for more flatter and classic player and Defyer for more modern baseline top spin heavy player.
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Feel wise I actually found them to have a similar dampening response, probably similar current gen layup tech use. But obviously I think the 2 frames has stiffness difference at specific parts of the hoop
 
Anyone else struggling with timing on the defyer? It feels almost too fast, and the number of frames I hit is unreal with a 100. Very erratic also. Any suggestions for lead placement to gain back some consistency?

I also have a 98 pro and feel I get more of everything with it. But it’s a bit demanding, something is off there too.
 
Fnac said:
Anyone else struggling with timing on the defyer? It feels almost too fast, and the number of frames I hit is unreal with a 100. Very erratic also. Any suggestions for lead placement to gain back some consistency?

I also have a 98 pro and feel I get more of everything with it. But it’s a bit demanding, something is off there too.
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Depends on where the weight is lacking compared to what you are used to.

If the racquet head is whipping around too fast, sometime it helps when I add 1-2g in the throat to slow that down just a bit, help especially for my 2HBH timing.

But that depends. Can be 3/9, can be lower in the hoop. You might have to experiment if you cannot identify a more specific weight displacement area that differs from your preference in sticks
 
iceman01 said:
I have been hitting with the D100 since Friday using Grapplesnake M8 1.25 at 24/23kg.

My, for now, very high level findings.
  • It feels a bit tinny/pingy, like a Puer Aero
  • Compared to my other Wilson racquets, it feels more muted but I can still easily feel off-center hits. Muting is on a simular level as the Tecnifiber TFight 305S or Yonex VCore
  • It lacks control/precision, for me, for now after only 3 sessions, compared to the Blade v9
  • You have to committ to the swing, i.e. with the Blade I am able to control the speed of the ball and therefore the depth quite well via racquet head speed. With the Defyer, when hitting with lower racquet head speed (RHS), there is equal or even slightly less power compared to the Blade at same RHS
  • If you committ to the swing, there is controllable power, but to me the margin of 'power with control' is quite narrow. You can easily go from 'too low racquet head speed' to 'too much racquet head speed'. So, it is easy to overhit, which for me, at least for now, is a problem.
  • It also feels less stable on volleys, this is likely caused by being less head-heavy than the Blade
To put this into perspective, I had started with a BLX Pro Open, which was way too powerful for me. I then went and tried the below to find a racquet that works for me and whose feel I like.
  • Pure Aero 26 100 and 98, too tinny and the 100 too powerful, the tinny feeling was the deal breaker on both
  • Head Speed MP and Tour, both too powerful, but felt good
  • Head Gravity MP and Tour, didn't like the feel too much, but less power than the Speed, at least the Tour, the MP was on par with the Speed MP's level of power
  • Head Radical MP, didn't like the feel
  • Tecnifibre TFight 305S, felt too muted, power-wise it was ok
  • Yonex VCore 2026 100, way too powerful and didn't like the muted feeling
  • Wilson Blade V9 98 16x19 and 100, I liked both, but the 100 felt a slightly better, that's why I kept it.

I'll keep this updated/repost over time if I find the time to do it in a properly structured way.
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I have ultimately sold the Defyer 100. It was good, it felt nice, but for me, I missed a bit of the control a Blade is giving me.
To me, I can generate about the same amount of spin with it compared to the Blade 100. If I had been given this racquet as the only one, I could play with it. It doesn’t feel bad, just a bit different. It is slightly tinny like the Pure Aero, but much less so.
In total, it is a racquet that is amplifying the users inputs, what throws me off a bit is that it doesn’t do so in a consistent fashion. The amplification is almost like a parallel shift for a certain, small, part of the curve, but above it, it amplifies with a different factor. To me that was the decisive difference to the Blade which is, at least in my experience, linear in that regard.
 
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StringStrungStrang said:
@K1Y I am very interested how this racquet stacks up against my current favorite (Not current at all - Aero Pro Drive) which I have recently found as the racquet I need....and the recent slew of Aero pro drive / Pure Aero variant racquets.. Diadem Axis, Mizuno and Yonex among others. While many brands have just recently come around to various takes on Babolat's success I am revisiting and liking my APD's more than ever. Even I have been surprised, but being an older frame and not being supplied with frames and parts from Babolat ( grommets etc. no longer available) I am considering from among these newer takes when I can no longer find racquets anymore.

More comfortable, less powerful, better control? better spin? are some of the things I've been reading / hearing. Not sure what to believe, but need to start sifting through the hype and finding some answers.
All input is appreciated.

WR215411U__dc79e0af2038a125b082d868936d8305.jpeg
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Innovations is a stretch
 
thebigz said:
Depends on where the weight is lacking compared to what you are used to.

If the racquet head is whipping around too fast, sometime it helps when I add 1-2g in the throat to slow that down just a bit, help especially for my 2HBH timing.

But that depends. Can be 3/9, can be lower in the hoop. You might have to experiment if you cannot identify a more specific weight displacement area that differs from your preference in sticks
Click to expand...

Curious how you found the feel of the M8 at that tension?
 
Has anyone tried restring sync with defyer 100? Restring claims they are perfect match.



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