Wilson Python/ Defyer - Released July 2026

[A_Instead]

That's the million dollar question... when...

 

[TwinCinema]

I thought it was coming out in July?

Coming in July..so a Wimbledon release..
Leverage the hype of that event.. perhaps Fed will be using in the legends events at that tournament..

It will be July

Just saw his latest video where he said he tried P98 and 100 last week and preferred the 100. He also said they'll be out in July.

Just wait for the python release in July. The pro staff classic will be around when it comes out lol

There's some social media post with placard that said July. Probably a pro labs release similar to the shift.

July release at least from some placard on social media I saw.

But is it really July?

Apparently.

Just saw some guy selling/offering 2 Pythons where he has a picture of one of them unstrung with a plain white plackard saying "coming July 2026". Selling those 2 for € 1000,-

I *think* June they are going to loosen accessability to it, so maybe we might see some demos in June? I think the full release will be July.

Everyone I heard from directly who has seen the paintjob in person was quite positive about it, including a player who’s going to be one the faces of this line.

I have not seen it though. Teaser from Wilson coming next month very soon. Still July release date

What’s the release on these

Was there today at the Long Island store. July release. 4 models. 98, 100, 100L and 100UL

Supposedly July

I’m gonna say July. Now give me a million dollars.

 

[waginen]

Does anyone know when the Redline comes out?

RL98 comes first of July. The rest in August. Here in Europe. I will get mine 1.6. immediately

 

[Suna]

I wish someone "knowing" the release date would cite why / where they heard that info

 

[LordGulbis]

RL98 comes first of July. The rest in August. Here in Europe. I will get mine 1.6. immediately

Strange marketing strategy for Wilson, nothing makes much sense.

 

[cha cha]

RL98 comes first of July. The rest in August. Here in Europe. I will get mine 1.6. immediately

1.6. is not the first of July. : - )

 

[Xarvet]

I’m gonna say July. Now give me a million dollars.

So, fall release?
Lol’d at your post

 

[waginen]

1.6. is not the first of July. : - )

Sorry. June of course

 

[waginen]

Sorry. June of course

1.6. is not the first of July. : - )

RL98 1.6. The rest 1.8.

 

[FlatShot_V]

I wish someone "knowing" the release date would cite why / where they heard that info

My information on the OP was backed by a Wilson sponsored player

 

[waginen]

I wish someone "knowing" the release date would cite why / where they heard that info

Local Wilson rep

 

[LordGulbis]

So, first of June for European release?

 

[Suna]

Anyone's got a clue of the MSRP for the RL98/P98?

 

[Rabbit]

Anyone's got a clue of the MSRP for the RL98/P98?

Something less than current prices one would hope but most likely $299 which seems to be the prevailing price except for the RF which is most assuredly over priced!

 

[waginen]

So, first of June for European release?

Yes!

 

[waginen]

So, first of June for European release?

Rolland Garros timing

 

[CalciferKuma]

I have much less experience with the RL than you but for me the grain of salt is that it was so light stock that once spec’d up to a more normal tweener/98 type weight it felt like it had SIGNIFICANTLY more power than any blade I’ve ever tried, and the swing confidence was such that it “felt” as powerful as my aero 98, but really due to being able to swing it faster.

I hope I don’t try an abnormal spec model, because i wanted to switch them and there!

I had mine spec'd up to 330g static and strung it at 48lbs then to 40/38 lbs. Still didn't like it. I think you make a good point about being able to swing faster creating a more powerful ball. I have a slower swing, so I do not get the benefits of the P98 nor can I access its full potential. You have a version that Wilson made for someone it's not abnormal.

Almost everyone who's own or used it loves the P98. Only a few including myself have not been fond of the racket. I'm in the minority not majority. Anyone who wants to demo should. However, I do like the P100. Fit my game a lot more. It's more aero to me than the P98.

 

[gsinko1]

I had mine spec'd up to 330g static and strung it at 48lbs then to 40/38 lbs. Still didn't like it. I think you make a good point about being able to swing faster creating a more powerful ball. I have a slower swing, so I do not get the benefits of the P98 nor can I access its full potential. You have a version that Wilson made for someone it's not abnormal.

Almost everyone who's own or used it loves the P98. Only a few including myself have not been fond of the racket. I'm in the minority not majority. Anyone who wants to demo should. However, I do like the P100. Fit my game a lot more. It's more aero to me than the P98.

Was yours 330g unstrung or strung?

 

[CalciferKuma]

I just added a bunch of weight from 3 and 9 all the way to 12 to get it to 330 strung.

I hope you like your pythons

 

[gsinko1]

I just added a bunch of weight from 3 and 9 all the way to 12 to get it to 330 strung.

I hope you like your pythons

Supposed to get them tomorrow. I'll definitely do a little write up as soon as I get them on court. Might be the first initial impressions of the 16x19 98?? Haha

 

[Jpipes8787]

I haven’t seen anyone talk about the 16x19 yet, be interested to know what you think

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Korda talking about the Python

Dude has problems...

 

[CalciferKuma]

Supposed to get them tomorrow. I'll definitely do a little write up as soon as I get them on court. Might be the first initial impressions of the 16x19 98?? Haha

It's supposed to have a thinner beam overall to probably help with controlling the 16x19 pattern. I'm curious about this racket too.

 

[FrankyRelax]

yooooo. I just saw @dr. godmode with some P98s on insta

 

[jklos]

yooooo. I just saw @dr. godmode with some P98s on insta

He's got at least 2 of them and he's adding some lead to the hoop on one. I'm hoping it's an early June release... it's tennis season for god's sake.

 

[tennis_balla]

I wish someone "knowing" the release date would cite why / where they heard that info

I’m on the W Team, Wilson rep told me personally comes out in July and I should have access to it end of June. I had the retail version in my hand about 3 weeks ago.

 

[cys_tennis]

I’m on the W Team, Wilson rep told me personally comes out in July and I should have access to it end of June. I had the retail version in my hand about 3 weeks ago.

How different will the retail version be from the prototypes that are currently out there?
Can’t think of another racquet that had this long of an anticipation.

 

[tennis_balla]

How different will the retail version be from the prototypes that are currently out there?
Can’t think of another racquet that had this long of an anticipation.

I mean pro stock prototype is made specifically for that player in regards to flex etc, for example I believe Kachenov uses an 18x20 P98? Someone can correct me. But as far as I know, the standard P98 is 16x20. Wilson rep mentioned to me that this was the setup that was most popular amongst the pros so they made it retail. Truth to that I have no idea, but the mold is the same as are the grommets etc.

 

[tennis_balla]

Just got an email from Wilson rep.
This is what it says in regards to Redline

Project P

Our second launch of the year is scheduled for July and August. We are very excited about these new frames that deliver a unique combination of power, control, and feel. There will also be strong tour support behind this new family of racquets. Like the Blade, the feedback on Project P has been outstanding.

 

[TwinCinema]

Like the Blade, the feedback on Project P has been outstanding.

Edit: Project Hail Mary poster not showing

 

[lukeuszlfc]

Amaze amaze amaze!

 

[_FrankTheTank_]

Anyone played both the Blade 98 V10 16x19 and the P/RL98 and can compare the power and spin levels?

 

[Xarvet]

Was this a photo of the retail version that got taken down?

 

[thenewbig3]

Was this a photo of the retail version that got taken down?

No it was a poster of PROJECT HAIL MARY... postimage doesn't allow showing images too many times before it converts to an advertisement for postimage premium.

Ive had better luck with IMGBOX

 

[TwinCinema]

No it was a poster of PROJECT HAIL MARY... postimage doesn't allow showing images too many times before it converts to an advertisement for postimage premium.

Ive had better luck with IMGBOX

Thanks, this is the second time that happened. I’ll switch to Imgbox.

 

[thenewbig3]

Anyone played both the Blade 98 V10 16x19 and the P/RL98 and can compare the power and spin levels?

I hope someone can chime in with an actual tested opinion but in general this has become a little bit of a controversial topic here. 12 UTR player at my club who tried it says it has basically EZONE98 power levels with a heavier ball and higher launch angle and superb feel. A couple of video reviews have mentioned the PA98 as a direct competitor from power/spin level. There are a few people here who say its same power level as a Blade or even worse.

Random Conjecture Trigger Warnings Start:
The PA23 to me was a slight multiplier type or higher extraction point racket. The higher the swingspeed and ability the more some people can extract from it. Could be a little like that..

Also opinions/rackets could be very string and setup dependent - Gut X Poly can have very different results from Alu Power full bed.

The biggest variable is always the player+racket+setup combo. In my Ezone 98 2022 Confidential 16L makes it a great "control frame" despite being softer and Tour Bite 16L is a little wild despite being considerably stiffer feeling. In my Pure Drive 12, the results are reverse with TB16L feeling controlled and relatively comfortable which seems totally illogical.
Trigger Warning End.

Atleast a major advantage with WILSON is they make sure to heavily stock up (sale units and demos) before official release date. So we dont have to risk it all... I have not tried it and will probably not be blind buying especially now that the color is FREAKING RED.

 

[jklos]

Half the tennis season is over in July.... Yeesh.

 

[Rabbit]

I wonder if there will still be a market after all these $1.5K frames have been sold?!?!

 

[CalciferKuma]

I wonder if there will still be a market after all these $1.5K frames have been sold?!?!

Maybe for the snakeskin paintjobs. Lots of people have hated the red colorway once they saw it.

 

[FlatShot_V]

Maybe for the snakeskin paintjobs. Lots of people have hated the red colorway once they saw it.

If it's truly as awful as I've heard I might just get an Axis 98

 

[tele]

If it's truly as awful as I've heard I might just get an Axis 98

There will probably be a noir version or something similar, though you’d probably have to wait a while.

 

[TwinCinema]

If it's truly as awful as I've heard I might just get an Axis 98

Don't punish yourself for Wilson's error.

 

[zilker]

got a p98 on loan from a friend of a friend for a few days, only hit with it for 30 minutes so far but feel on this thing is great, everyone was right when they said if you like the blade you'll like this
need to get a few more hits in with it, but so far I'm a fan

 

[jimdontcare]

If it's truly as awful as I've heard I might just get an Axis 98

We’ve seen the Ultra and the Blade’s new paint, if we’re told the new racquet is red you can have a pretty good idea what it will look like

 

[CalciferKuma]

got a p98 on loan from a friend of a friend for a few days, only hit with it for 30 minutes so far but feel on this thing is great, everyone was right when they said if you like the blade you'll like this
need to get a few more hits in with it, but so far I'm a fan

Does that mean you want 2 now? Lol

 

[zilker]

Does that mean you want 2 now? Lol

hahaha yes

 

[CalciferKuma]

hahaha yes

Nice. You will love the P98.

 

[forzamr_b]

Does the P98/100 have better feel than the Blade?

 

[Tim Buktu]

Unstrung specs shown at 4:28
Strung specs shown at 6:05

Hopefully with the retail version, Wilson have enough sense to add most of that +5g increase in the hoop to boost the swing weight....

 

[Automatix]

Unstrung specs shown at 4:28
Strung specs shown at 6:05

Hopefully with the retail version, Wilson have enough sense to add most of that +5g increase in the hoop to boost the swing weight....

That's just one sample.
When it rolls out you'll have pieces probably ranging from 310 to 330 of swingweight. Just invest in spec checking prior to purchase.