longtimelurker
Professional
It has to match the hype, release, and high scores
Wilson Python/ Defyer - Released July 2026
- Thread starter FlatShot_V
- Start date
MatiasR
Rookie
Yet these guys felt it more stable than the 2026 Pure Aero 98, which I feel is pretty stable!
That seems to reinforce the theory that this was a last-minute name change. There may have been some racquets in production when they changed the name and they want to sell them.
snakeskin, I think, was a visual camouflage to obscure the lines of the frame.
pgh10-4
Rookie
I like watching racket reviews as much as the next guy but picking a racket is too personal of a choice to leave up to random people on the internet. Y'all just need some demos to come in.
ChrisJR3264
Legend
Even with a small sweet spot?
thenewbig3
Hall of Fame
I meant just the thread.
Reviews are all over the place for the P98. Some say it’s unstable, others say it’s stable. Some say it lacks power, others say it has good power. Which is it?
lidoazndiabloboi
Hall of Fame
Interesting, so..
D98
Horizontal RA 68
Vertical RA 69
D100
Horizontal RA 65
Vertical RA 63
98 has a higher vert RA compared to the horizontal, whereas the 100 has a higher horizontal RA than vert. Curious how that affects the feel and control of the rackets
ChrisJR3264
Legend
Lol I know. I’m just throwing stuff out there waiting 2 more weeeks for this thing lol
ChrisJR3264
Legend
Love to see a high stiff rating for this thing.
Soft noodles don’t perform well.
thenewbig3
Hall of Fame
Can't trust that Wilson machine... It seems to throw out slightly higher than Babolat RA machine numbers
ChrisJR3264
Legend
way to destroy my hopes and dreams of buying this frame.
thenewbig3
Hall of Fame
ROTFLMAO
As though anything I say is going to effect your decision. Both you are me are getting this shiny POS (or multiples) one way or another. You know it, I know it.
I hope Solinco releases the 16x20 99si M32 prototype unchanged.... That is going to be a BANGER.
ChrisJR3264
Legend
I hit some fuzzy balls today with the m33. I actually enjoy it. But I’m guessing solinco is releasing the m32? Lol
thenewbig3
Hall of Fame
You never got to try the M32 unfortunately... It has a consistent stringbed very similar to Aero/D98 + firmer flex and bigger output than the M33 by a good bit atleast in my hands.
ChrisJR3264
Legend
I emailed them. Curious where they’re at with this upcoming releases.
thebigz
Professional
I don’t really care. Playing a ton with Blade 100 Pro the past few weeks. Really enjoying the stick and it looks amazing.
raymondumbara
Rookie
I think this basically means they are, within manufacturing tolerances, significantly overlapped in stability ratings. The variances IMO probably lie within the manufacturing/QC tolerances.
Most of the reviewers I watch have said the Defyer is less stable, spinny and powerful, with more touch, more feel, more control. But this is the first straight up back to back a/b testing video I've seen; I'm sure first of many. The uniformity in stringing and tension is very important and that's what this review has in favor of it
vickan240sx
New User
He also says that the racquet he’s reviewing is foam filled. Is the retail one foam filled?
thebigz
Professional
The context that you should consider with these comments are the specs. Many are making these comments with P98/D98P with like 315 strung SW or less.
If you have played with a PA98 below 315 SW I don’t think you’d find it as stable either. 2023 PA98 had came in much heavier stock for me before, I’ve had 328, 333 strung SW copies stock. They hit like a truck of course but are so cumbersome to swing.
I’ve also hit with copies of 2023 PA98 at 315 SW strung. I wouldn’t say it felt stable or forgiving either, certainly more hollow feeling than the P98 at similar SW.
If you match up specs of D98P and PA98 exactly, then the gap in stability and forgiveness might be smaller than you think
thebigz
Professional
+1 on this.
I always try to emphasize this. Spec variance makes a huge difference and it’s hard to process opinions without having that context.
FlatShot_V
Professional
Man does it look awful next to the PA in this thumbnail.
thebigz
Professional
There’s conflicting signals here. Other sources have measured higher RA( traditional horizontal way) for the 100 than 98.
My hit with a latest P100 prototype definitely felt firmer than the P98 side by side, while an older P100 prototype form early production felt more flexible/muted than P98.
Curious to try the retail more side by side. Difficult wait here in the US
Not ruling out variance in units either, or different batches of early redline stock
raymondumbara
Rookie
no, afaik. But it could be that it plays/sounds/feels/whatevers like it's foamed
His review and the Tenncom review is based on a snakeskin that R&R’s Wilson rep assured was the same as the retail. Do with that as you will. I’m sure both reviewers also wanted to not miss the boat on getting their content out at the same time as everyone else as well otherwise they could’ve waited to get their hands on the retail pj.
jklos
Professional
My guess is that no stores in Canada have any red retail racquets yet and may not have any for some time. I hope I’m wrong.
Yes Luca mentioned 8/21 in his review.
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
theykeep comparing to pure Aero like they are similar. Aero is fairly powerful racket... is Python considered fairly powerful frame ?? these testers overwelmingly prefered the Python over pure Aero,,(new version)
Tim Buktu
Rookie
He doesn't even have the retail racquet.
He review is also pretty off if he thinks it has "exceptional power" as its a low powered racquet. It needs lead tape for stability and power.
ozbikebuddy
Professional
Saw the 98 in person today, didn't get to try it, but in the Redline paint, it looks much better than in photos. I'd like one but I can not justify AUD $430+ for one racquet right now
ForehandCross
G.O.A.T.
It might simply be a point of swing pattern of the tester.
Tenncomm and Luca did say you need a full swing to properly unlock the power and if you do it's a high power racquet but still very controlled.
The review @MatiasR posted also has advanced players and they feel it's pretty powerful.
And Tennis Spin did say that Wilson internally has directed its reps to recommend the 98 for fairly advanced players (College and ITF players) something he noted isn't even the case for Blade. The 100 is for consumer market.
Agzetabyte
Rookie
Wilson wants the python in the hands of college and ITF players more for publicity than anything else imo. 98 def for higher level players 8 Utr and higher probably. But college might be a bit too much of a bar.
Tim Buktu
Rookie
Look at the number of playtesters who have a ton of lead tape on their Defyer 98s eg. TW reviewers, Tennis Nerd, Tennis Euphoria etc. Are you saying that they're too low level to be able to use it properly?
TennCom and Luca don't even have the actual Redline branded retail racquets so how can they talk about the actual power levels?
The 3 samples I've seen have had unstrung swingweights of 277, 281 and 284. That's not a high level players spec. Either that or it's Wilson''s poor manufacturing QC rearing its head again with this initial batch of Redline branded racquets.
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Agzetabyte
Rookie
high level players are much more capable of using lead so keeping the sw low is better for everyone. I agree with ur first paragraph though. The 98 is demanding sure but still less than a blade and that sells like hotcakes.
SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
Hot take the data is the least interesting thing about the review. Adds nothing without significant qualification, and since it’s almost never verbally addressed I ignore it.
SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
funny I have the opposite reaction, I think the PA looks atrocious lmao
SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
Have yall seen the dampener? Truly funny. Another indication for how late the “no redline, it’s defyer” decision came in https://www.tenniswarehouse-europe.com/Wilson_Defyer_Dampener_2_Pack/descpageWILSON-WRLD2-EN.html
Damn i need that, because i got a redline
That's not really solving the issue. Some batches will likely have it and some won't. Depends on QC lottery - they add foam (or don't, or to vary degrees) according to the average of balance / weight measurements from random samples of each batch. It's what they do with Blade and PS.Let's solve the doubts if the racket has foam inside the handle. There is none. I have no idea what it's like for playing since I received a request from a customer to make a TK82 handle shape for it. but in person it looks pretty good.
Luca also claimed strung RA was 61 for the Defyer 98 Pro ... I think we can safely ignore that given that multiple sources have tested 67-68 strung.
Mistake, or wilful misinformation because R&R know that a lot of potential buyers will be put off by the high RA?
Not really. The two racquets I received were identical in weight, but there are over 30 grams of additional metal in the original pallet. There was about a 3g difference in the amount of additional metal in both rackets.
As for power and stability: given Wilson's well-known QC issues, it's no surprise that people's experiences with these two characteristics vary quite a bit. A higher swingweight naturally provides more stability and power. Some frames come in with an unstrung SW of around 281, whereas mine measures 296-ish. That makes a noticeable difference.
My takeaway is simple: have your racquet measured before you buy it, don't blindly follow reviewers (who are often biased, by the way), and understand that, because of what I consider unacceptable QC inconsistencies, one frame can play very differently from another.
I actually had the chance to hold the racquet yesterday at a tennis shop while on holiday in Denmark. I'm generally not a fan of red racquets, but I think this one looks great. Unfortunately, I'll have to be a little more patient before I can finally hit with mine.
My takeaway is simple: have your racquet measured before you buy it, don't blindly follow reviewers (who are often biased, by the way), and understand that, because of what I consider unacceptable QC inconsistencies, one frame can play very differently from another.
I actually had the chance to hold the racquet yesterday at a tennis shop while on holiday in Denmark. I'm generally not a fan of red racquets, but I think this one looks great. Unfortunately, I'll have to be a little more patient before I can finally hit with mine.
I'd be amazed if that's for matching as the two racquets are almost certainly same batch and the discrepancy is just variance. There's no way they've switched from batch matching to individual - that would cost a lot, and doesn't jive with the enormous spec variation we're already seeing. It's just stock ballast.Not really. The two racquets I received were identical in weight, but there are over 30 grams of additional metal in the original pallet. There was about a 3g difference in the amount of additional metal in both rackets.
acheron350
Rookie
Defyer 100
321g and 32.3 balance, SW unknown with lynx tour and overgrip.
Lower launch angle and less power than PA100(2026.)
Still, plenty of power available and more power than any 97/98/99.
Better maneuverability and great sweetspot. Feels underspeced in SW, will measure next week.
You can play flat or top spin, not a pure spin monster like PA or Vcore.
Didnt volley (ups)
I would say most control out of 100 inch frames.
Feel much much better, cleaner, firm but also plush?! Reminds me of new Head’s with hybor but less muted.
Comfort is great for those scared of RA.
Surprisingly serves felt best with this racket. Not as powerful as you would expect from 100 but great kicks and depth.
For now, I would say this is Wilson’s Speed not PA or Vcore.
Bear in mind, only 2h training session and honeymoon period.
I have 2 matches (4.5-5.0) scheduled and 3 hour practice next week so will follow up.
321g and 32.3 balance, SW unknown with lynx tour and overgrip.
Lower launch angle and less power than PA100(2026.)
Still, plenty of power available and more power than any 97/98/99.
Better maneuverability and great sweetspot. Feels underspeced in SW, will measure next week.
You can play flat or top spin, not a pure spin monster like PA or Vcore.
Didnt volley (ups)
I would say most control out of 100 inch frames.
Feel much much better, cleaner, firm but also plush?! Reminds me of new Head’s with hybor but less muted.
Comfort is great for those scared of RA.
Surprisingly serves felt best with this racket. Not as powerful as you would expect from 100 but great kicks and depth.
For now, I would say this is Wilson’s Speed not PA or Vcore.
Bear in mind, only 2h training session and honeymoon period.
I have 2 matches (4.5-5.0) scheduled and 3 hour practice next week so will follow up.
jklos
Professional
I’m looking to demo both the D100 and PA100 2026 side by side when it’s available in Canada. Any further comparisons between the two is much appreciated.
mattimag
Semi-Pro
For me the PA looks awful next to the defyer
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