Wilson Hits Homerun with Wilson Steam 99S (mini review)

Rabbit

G.O.A.T.
Yes, you definitely deserve a prize! :) Hopefully the string tech. will catch up because Lux 4G is too expense, IMO.
Other racket companies should come out with their own versions but I've heard that Wilson has "patent pending" on the 16/15 pattern. I've also read that Prince has a 16/16 version coming out this summer.
One of the reasons why I haven't bought a 99s yet is that I'm waiting for other versions (less stiff ones!)to come out; either from Wilson or other racket co.

I don't know if you've hit with it, but as a former C10'er, the Steam 99S plays way softer than its RDC. No arm issues for me.
 

drakulie

Talk Tennis Guru
Which 15G gut? I have one set of 15G I bought on a lark and haven't used. I have been seriously thinking about putting it in the 99S... at around 60 with a poly cross, thick, at about 56.


The gut I'm alluding to is VS Tonic 15L gauge "longevity". Durability will be less though, if stringing at 60 lbs. At 45 lbs, I'm getting 6-8 hours.

I don't know if you've hit with it, but as a former C10'er, the Steam 99S plays way softer than its RDC. No arm issues for me.

Agree, definitely plays nothing likes it RDC reading. Feels much softer, and as I have said in other posts, I would say fairly comfortable. I haven't heard of anyone at our shop demoing the frame report arm pain, or say it felt uncomfortable as it relates to stiffness. For the most part, they report the string bed feeling soft/flexy.
 
I thought during my playtest, it was VERY comfortable. Very soft and I felt a lot of ball pocketing except for when I was really brushing up the back of the ball heavily.

Anyone feel some instability when hitting a forehand? And does the balance feel weird to anyone else? I don't know how to fix it!
 

drakulie

Talk Tennis Guru
Anyone feel some instability when hitting a forehand? And does the balance feel weird to anyone else? I don't know how to fix it!

I personally think the frame is very stable, and surprisingly so on volleys. It is solid.

How does the balance feel "weird"?? Could you elaborate? Head-heavy? head-light?

If it's head heavy,,,, add lead to the grip. If head light, to the head.
 

chain55

New User
I bought a Steam 99S used. When I opened up the butt cap I see some gooey/jelly like material. Just wondering if that's supposed to be there or was that added in by the previous owner?
 

drakulie

Talk Tennis Guru
^^It's supposed to be there. Wilson decided to add some silcone inside the handle in order to possibly do two things (add weight, dampen the feel).

Many frames have silicone inside the handle.
 

Rabbit

G.O.A.T.
I played last night with a poly I thought was worthless before, Volkl V-Rex 16L. I strung it up 55/52. I was really impressed. We played 3 sets of dubs and while I started off really rusty, my play came around and I played pretty dadgum well. V-Rex, discontinued, is firm, but plays pretty good. I strung my 2nd frame at 52/50 in lockout mode.

I have one other config to try, a gut/poly hybrid which I'll probably settle on.

But,the frame continues to impress and is a ton of fun to play with. last night, the guys I was playing against said the "bottom fell out" of a bunch of balls they misjudged.
 

Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
I played last night with a poly I thought was worthless before, Volkl V-Rex 16L. I strung it up 55/52. I was really impressed. We played 3 sets of dubs and while I started off really rusty, my play came around and I played pretty dadgum well. V-Rex, discontinued, is firm, but plays pretty good. I strung my 2nd frame at 52/50 in lockout mode.

I have one other config to try, a gut/poly hybrid which I'll probably settle on.

But,the frame continues to impress and is a ton of fun to play with. last night, the guys I was playing against said the "bottom fell out" of a bunch of balls they misjudged.

I think it really hurts you when have 4 guys all at net hitting quick exchange volleys
 

Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
Why/how? I don't have any problems with maneuverability with this frame. I find it quick around net and solid on volleys

question is can you reflex shots coming at you at 90mph when a guy has a smash and hitting it right at you ? Manuverable frame can reflex this.
 

Rabbit

G.O.A.T.
question is can you reflex shots coming at you at 90mph when a guy has a smash and hitting it right at you ? Manuverable frame can reflex this.

Let me put it this way: i can reflex a 90 mph shot coming right at me with this frame as well as any other frame.

The frame is not sluggish in the least around the net.
 
Let me put it this way: i can reflex a 90 mph shot coming right at me with this frame as well as any other frame.

The frame is not sluggish in the least around the net.

A 90mph smash coming right at me?

MY REFLEX WOULD BE TO DUCK!

I would return the favor later..........

Dave
 

bad_call

Legend
Let me put it this way: i can reflex a 90 mph shot coming right at me with this frame as well as any other frame.

The frame is not sluggish in the least around the net.

for this player - much easier to half volley hard struck balls landing at baseline with low powered racquet and return back deep. gets more difficult returning ball in the court when power level of racquet increases.

if u have to duck then ball is probably out... lol
 

Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
for this player - much easier to half volley hard struck balls landing at baseline with low powered racquet and return back deep. gets more difficult returning ball in the court when power level of racquet increases.

if u have to duck then ball is probably out... lol

Yes I agree, probably will fly long. but just in case it doesn't, I will just call it out for gunning it at me. Pay back is sweet.:)
 

drakulie

Talk Tennis Guru
I played last night with a poly I thought was worthless before, Volkl V-Rex 16L. I strung it up 55/52. I was really impressed. We played 3 sets of dubs and while I started off really rusty, my play came around and I played pretty dadgum well. V-Rex, discontinued, is firm, but plays pretty good. I strung my 2nd frame at 52/50 in lockout mode.

I have one other config to try, a gut/poly hybrid which I'll probably settle on.

But,the frame continues to impress and is a ton of fun to play with. last night, the guys I was playing against said the "bottom fell out" of a bunch of balls they misjudged.

Great stuff. I'm also impressed with the frame, as are some of the folks I've played with. They are amazed at how much more spin is coming off the frame.

I think it really hurts you when have 4 guys all at net hitting quick exchange volleys

As Rabbitt alread commented, the frame is maneuverable, and very solid on volleys. (no twisting)
 
I've bought völkl cyclone 17 for the mains and signum firestorm for the crosses.
Curious as how it will play.
 
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Rabbit

G.O.A.T.
As Rabbitt alread commented, the frame is maneuverable, and very solid on volleys. (no twisting)

You know, I dare say that volleys are a high point with this frame, well that and serving. I've not experienced a more solid feeling racquet on the volley ever. And that's with a full bed of poly. I simply cannot wait to hit a few volleys with gut in this frame.
 

Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
Great stuff. I'm also impressed with the frame, as are some of the folks I've played with. They are amazed at how much more spin is coming off the frame.



As Rabbitt alread commented, the frame is maneuverable, and very solid on volleys. (no twisting)

how can a racket with SW of 333 be maneuverable when lightening quick exchange at net in advanced doubles.?
 
Really good to be honest. If it wasn't so pricey it would have given me a bit more of a headache choosing between that and focus hex.
It bit the ball really well and I had very good touch which I wasn't expecting.
You should definitely try it.

I have and love it. Tension loss could be better, but have little reference in the 99s. String gives great feel and feedback.

Now full bed 4G in one, and volkl cyclone/ tecnifibre razorcode in the other.
 

Ross K

Legend
You know, I dare say that volleys are a high point with this frame, well that and serving. I've not experienced a more solid feeling racquet on the volley ever. And that's with a full bed of poly. I simply cannot wait to hit a few volleys with gut in this frame.

Wow, high praise there indeed, Rabbit.
 

Rabbit

G.O.A.T.
how can a racket with SW of 333 be maneuverable when lightening quick exchange at net in advanced doubles.?

for your consideration, a few racquets with swingweights of 333:

  • Wilson 6.1 95
  • Wilson Blade 98
  • Babolat Pure Storm
  • Head YouTek IG Extreme
  • Dunlop Biomimetic S 5.0 Lite

Just for hits and giggles, what frame do you consider maneuverable?

Wow, high praise there indeed, Rabbit.

Yeah, I know, but I swear this racquet just feels like it's pocketing the ball at net and plows right through on volleys. I like the feel of this racquet on volleys with all poly better than most racquets with gut.
 

doctor dennis

Semi-Pro
I have and love it. Tension loss could be better, but have little reference in the 99s. String gives great feel and feedback.

Now full bed 4G in one, and volkl cyclone/ tecnifibre razorcode in the other.

I've got 4g in my other frame but am yet to use it. Should be hitting with it some time this week.
 

drakulie

Talk Tennis Guru
I've bought völkl cyclone 17 for the mains and signum firestorm for the crosses.
Curious as how it will play.

keep us posted. Have fun.

You know, I dare say that volleys are a high point with this frame, well that and serving. I've not experienced a more solid feeling racquet on the volley ever. And that's with a full bed of poly. I simply cannot wait to hit a few volleys with gut in this frame.

Yeah, one wouldn't expect it, but the frame (for what it is) is really a surprise on volleys. Great comfort, solid, maneuverable. Gut just gives it more feel, and a little more "punch".

how can a racket with SW of 333 be maneuverable when lightening quick exchange at net in advanced doubles.?

Because.

Since when do you swing your racket in 'lightening quick exchange at net in advanced doubles'?

Thank you.
 

doctor dennis

Semi-Pro
So the firestorm is not the cross. String broke twice on the third pull.

Stringer puts in tecnifibre razorcode. I'll keep you posted.

Please do. Razor code is another string which caught my eye.

The one problem I've experienced with this stick is the amount of string I've gone through.

The plus side is I've tried a fair few new strings.

After my experience with 4g I'll decide on a string. Focus hex is looking the most likely unless 4g really does blow me away.
 
Please do. Razor code is another string which caught my eye.

The one problem I've experienced with this stick is the amount of string I've gone through.

The plus side is I've tried a fair few new strings.

After my experience with 4g I'll decide on a string. Focus hex is looking the most likely unless 4g really does blow me away.

So what's the favorite so far?

I've got Solinco Tour Bite and Yonex poly pro arriving this week. So far i'm with the pacific Xcite
 

doctor dennis

Semi-Pro
So what's the favorite so far?

I've got Solinco Tour Bite and Yonex poly pro arriving this week. So far i'm with the pacific Xcite

Negating cost its probably xcite. Its not 3 x better than focus hex but it costs three times as much. In my opinion its only a bit better. For that reason I am at the moment going with focus hex unless 4g really does blow me away.
 
So after a couple hours of more playing I found:

There is definitely spin to be had with this racquet for sure.
Backhand feels GREAT (2 hander) but my forehand is off. On my forehand, I really have to set up right and really step into the court to not shank the ball or launch it high.

There's a lot of power with the 99S. A lot of my approach shots that would normally go in with any other racquet just flew long.

Slice was horrible. It either when VERY long or into the net.
Volleys you can't really do fancy underspin or touch shots at least for me. I really had to punch the volley or it was going into the net.

Serves, it FELT GREAT. I don't think I missed a single serve with the 99S. Slice serve had a lot of bite.

As for how the racquet feels in the hand, it is VERY comfortable. I used another racquet in between my play test and the grip on that racquet felt weird compared to the Wilson 99S.
 

Rabbit

G.O.A.T.
Negating cost its probably xcite. Its not 3 x better than focus hex but it costs three times as much. In my opinion its only a bit better. For that reason I am at the moment going with focus hex unless 4g really does blow me away.

Looking at TW, XCite is $17.95 and MSV Hex is $7.90. Given that cost ratio (and that I got the right MSV), what say you as to price versus performance now?
 

JGads

G.O.A.T.
You know, I dare say that volleys are a high point with this frame, well that and serving. I've not experienced a more solid feeling racquet on the volley ever. And that's with a full bed of poly. I simply cannot wait to hit a few volleys with gut in this frame.

Agree wholly. Those were the two huge surprises and best parts of the demo I had. Serves especially. Bombed them.
 

drakulie

Talk Tennis Guru
Well then I guess it all boils down to reflexes....some people have 'em and apparently some don't!

Nuff said.

So after a couple hours of more playing I found:

There is definitely spin to be had with this racquet for sure.
Backhand feels GREAT (2 hander) but my forehand is off. On my forehand, I really have to set up right and really step into the court to not shank the ball or launch it high.

There's a lot of power with the 99S. A lot of my approach shots that would normally go in with any other racquet just flew long.

Slice was horrible. It either when VERY long or into the net.
Volleys you can't really do fancy underspin or touch shots at least for me. I really had to punch the volley or it was going into the net.

Serves, it FELT GREAT. I don't think I missed a single serve with the 99S. Slice serve had a lot of bite.

As for how the racquet feels in the hand, it is VERY comfortable. I used another racquet in between my play test and the grip on that racquet felt weird compared to the Wilson 99S.

what strings and tension were you using.

As for your testing of the frame, sounds like you are still in the "learning curve" process of using the frame. Keep it going, and you'll be rewarded.



I got to play today. Strung with 4G, 15 gauge at 55 lbs. Although the frame had great spin, and control, the power felt down. I'll try and give it another go tomorrow, and report back. Then I'm off for a few weeks (stringing at the Sony Miami with P1).
 
Nuff said.



what strings and tension were you using.

As for your testing of the frame, sounds like you are still in the "learning curve" process of using the frame. Keep it going, and you'll be rewarded.



I got to play today. Strung with 4G, 15 gauge at 55 lbs. Although the frame had great spin, and control, the power felt down. I'll try and give it another go tomorrow, and report back. Then I'm off for a few weeks (stringing at the Sony Miami with P1).

So I too played with the 4G (59 lbs) yesterday. My findings were the same, the string is underpowered and has a strange feel to it. I had to force my swing and stroke to get a bit of defend depth. The sweetspot also seemed smaller.

In my other frame i had Volkl cyclone in the mains (60 lbs) and TF razor code in the crosses. Also no good. The string would not snap back due to the cyclones shape and texture. Power was decent but lifetime and snapback were bad.

Best so far:

  1. Pacific Xcite 1.25 at 59,5 lbs
  2. Wilson Enduro 1.30 at 59 lbs
  3. Volkl Cyclone 1.25 at 59 lbs and TF razorcode 1.25 at 56 lbs
  4. Luxillon 4G 1.25 at 56 lbs

To do: Solinco Tour bite and Yonex poly tour
 

doctor dennis

Semi-Pro
Looking at TW, XCite is $17.95 and MSV Hex is $7.90. Given that cost ratio (and that I got the right MSV), what say you as to price versus performance now?

Lol. In the UK Xcite is 13-15 pounds and Focus Hex is 5 pound. That's quite a bit of difference seeing as Xcite doesn't wipe the floor the Focus Hex. Price vs performance its not massively better. If I thought it was way better I'd probably get some.
 

Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
What swing weight do you consider conducive to good volleying in 90 mph encounters?

Rabbit, do you think if I take off the Head guard, it would lower the SW to around 315 ? and does the headguard even come off without taking off the grommets too ?
 

kaiser

Semi-Pro
No, I meant from the ready position to volley position. SW does matter even in this short compact punch motion

I don't think SW as measured around an axis 10 cm from the but has any bearing on the movement from ready to volley position. This is typically achieved through a simple rotation of the shoulders, with minimal change in the position of the racket relative to hand and wrist. Basically, the swingweight for this movement would consist of the weight of the entire arm, racket and shoulders relative to the central axis of the torso.
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
I don't think SW as measured around an axis 10 cm from the but has any bearing on the movement from ready to volley position. This is typically achieved through a simple rotation of the shoulders, with minimal change in the position of the racket relative to hand and wrist. Basically, the swingweight for this movement would consist of the weight of the entire arm, racket and shoulders relative to the central axis of the torso.

I agree. I think STATIC weight is more of an issue with volleys, than swingweight.

That being said....I found the 99s plenty quick around the net and very manueverable.
 

morandi

Rookie
I hit with the a demo today with 4g in it and really enjoyed this racquet. I think its just a solid clean feeling racquet. I didn't notice a dramatic difference in spin production between it and my 2013 APD plus, but my strokes were really clean with it, and I felt like I had excellent control over the ball. No sour points with the racquet at all. Its definitely a smoother feeling racquet compared to the APD, which has a battering ram quality about it.
On serve I was exceptionally consistent. And spin, and racquet head speed is really easy to access. I hit some kick serves in practice that had my draw drop. If I could make them a repeatable affair in match play with this racquet I would switch in a heart beat.
Again, the thing that impressed me the most with this racquet was how clean my overall game was with it. I would love to try different strings in this racquet and maybe a little lead at 3 and 9.
 
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