There are some great tennis players on here but also a lot of players that think they are much better than they actually are. My point is he is probably more relevant to a lot of people on here than most influencers. Most likely he is an active poster on here and contributes heavily.
Wilson Python/ Defyer - Released July 2026
- Thread starter FlatShot_V
- Start date
thebigz
Professional
Definitely not every pro is THAT sensitive to paint job colors - can be more of a visual bother for some. The finish will be the same gloss for both anyway, that should keep the feel difference to minimal.
You have many pros who just plays with sticks they are handed with, while you have others like Dimitrov who are crazy about his racquets from what I heard from friends at Wilson. I would love to hear a deep dive interview with Grigor on gear. I am sure his racquet/spec knowledge is unreal compare to most of us here from the access he has.
At Indian wells this year I was at this practice session with Diego crashing Grigor’s practice with Nalbandian. Grigor made diego try his stick and was talking all about racquets at the bench. Then they also swapped and hit with Nalbandian’s old Yonex:
IW Schwartzman Dimitrov Practice
Super cool to see.
My snakeskin came 290sw unstrung and 301g with stock synthetic base grip..theres a new batch on prostalktennis from yesterday with 278sw unstrung and same static weight..i too hope they dont go that low with retail version.
CalciferKuma
Semi-Pro
There's a huge SW variance between pythons. 270-290 unstrung is the range.
thebigz
Professional
I don't mind it tbh. Much better than getting a copy too heavy to whip fast. This is a stick that likes racquet head speed. I would say my ideal spec would be around 320 SW strung max.
It's easy to build up swingweight with some lead and near impossible to reduce - my main reason to advocate for Babolat to make a 98L, the regular 98 comes way too beefy in SW & TW for my taste too often.
Brands don't have SW target officially ofc, but let's say if they target 290 SW unstrung internally, then the off spec ones on the heavier end can easily get close to 300 SW unstrung like many PA98 I've seen...
Realistically if they keep similar balance target, with 305g static weight target, it should be a higher average than the Snakeskin for sure. No factory is measuring SW of every frame coming off the line if I can guess. The matching level tolerance we fantasize about is ultimately the job of matching services.
Jpipes8787
Rookie
Only company that measures SW that I know of is Nordicdot, but with past experience those numbers were always off anyway
heavyD
Hall of Fame
I you are accustomed to Wilson's and the Blade in particular, I'm sure it would be a safe purchase. It remains to be seen if it's for everyone though.
FlatShot_V
Professional
I made this thread and my play level isn't that much higher than his. 3.5 on a good day.
_FrankTheTank_
Semi-Pro
I cannot follow? Reason for delay is a name change to an even worse one?
davkarimz88
Rookie
Can we get any hint whatsoever?
Maybe a first or last initial? To prove you are right
Unfortunately not, and I'm not saying I'm right, it's just what I heardCan we get any hint whatsoever?
Maybe a first or last initial? To prove you are right
CalciferKuma
Semi-Pro
You mean Wilson Wildfire?
_FrankTheTank_
Semi-Pro
Hell no this is a joke
whamilton318
Rookie
Got some fairly reliable intel today - release date pushed to July 23. Demos should start floating out a week or two before.
Cosmetic is same as the pic that was floating around a while ago - I think cause of delay is a name change - which I am not willing to share. Believe it’ll be 305g, 310mm balance.
Cosmetic is same as the pic that was floating around a while ago - I think cause of delay is a name change - which I am not willing to share. Believe it’ll be 305g, 310mm balance.
CalciferKuma
Semi-Pro
It was name someone was floating around on reddit. Someone heard thats what it could be called. Lol
_FrankTheTank_
Semi-Pro
Sounds like a name you dont promote with atp endorsements but with 2015ish johnny depp and some coyotes in a tv-commercial.
Edit: just googled the term, even worse when you know the meaning
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whamilton318
Rookie
I heard the name today, that isn’t it, but I’d certainly have preferred “Redline” to where they landed.
FlatShot_V
Professional
You can confirm redline is no longer the name?
CalciferKuma
Semi-Pro
Probably the uproar about Wilson's redline has them doing a double take. The leaked name didn't help at all.
_FrankTheTank_
Semi-Pro
Yeeeaahh that's it hahaha
It was never going to be python.
There's a racquetball company or something similar that already uses python.
Yes, unless something even more unexpected than the current predicament happens
Hence the sudden 1 month delay
FrankyRelax
Professional
Wilson RLP98_revision_5_final_final
LordGulbis
Semi-Pro
It will be called Wilson Amber Heard, it's official.
whamilton318
Rookie
Yes.
thenewbig3
Hall of Fame
(IF TRUE) 305g/310mm (most other rackets in this segment are 315mm) balance mean lower swing weights. Great news in general! Except for the "I wont make any mods" brigade
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CalciferKuma
Semi-Pro
31.5 cm balance
CalciferKuma
Semi-Pro
Imagine the amount of redline pj they have to destroy lol
whamilton318
Rookie
The final paint job and name on frame I saw today had specs in it listed at 310.
CalciferKuma
Semi-Pro
Most likely the final specs
FlatShot_V
Professional
Oh man if the 98 is 310 then I'm out.
CalciferKuma
Semi-Pro
That's the balance not the weight though
jklos
Professional
Was it the final name??
Thankfully they only have to paint on a new name.
Not a trivial task but better than starting over
CalciferKuma
Semi-Pro
Wilson Wildfire lol. Not the actual name
Shaolin
Talk Tennis Guru
So, like every Wilson then.
thebigz
Professional
Name change is the reason for delay I heard as well from insider. But I do not know the new name in running at all. Hopefully July 23 date is true! It would only be the 98 at first I’m pretty certain, rest of the line in August
thebigz
Professional
New blade has been considerably better from what I heard from shops, you can get unlucky still ofc.
Wilson in general is not better not worse than other big name manufacturers tbh. I’ve had the worst experience with Babolat in recent years. But I’m sure if we expand the sample size they even out. Yonex is good with static weight but their swingweight can be all over the place.
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
looks like every Wilson sponsored pros are using it
ForehandCross
G.O.A.T.
Why couldn't they find a way to just call it python and release it in the black snake skin. I know there might be some legalities since python would be takes then just call it something similar and be done with it.
20% of the audience that will buy it are dedicated racquet fanatics who already know it as Python. 20% would be dedicated advanced recreational players who would anyway try it as a spin stick being used by pros.
Rest 60% were always going to buy it because it looks/sounds cool.
I feel they had a winner with the snake skin paintjob. They made a mistake.
20% of the audience that will buy it are dedicated racquet fanatics who already know it as Python. 20% would be dedicated advanced recreational players who would anyway try it as a spin stick being used by pros.
Rest 60% were always going to buy it because it looks/sounds cool.
I feel they had a winner with the snake skin paintjob. They made a mistake.
