Racquet Quest

Wilson Defyer Pro 98 v1.0

Wilson Defyer Pro 98 v1

The Wilson Defyer product release is one of the most unusual and talked-about releases in a long time!

The initial prototypes were “Python”; the next iteration was “Redline”; and the newly released, and final, version is the “Defyer”.

The Defyer is available in 98 and 100 square inch head sizes. The string pattern is 16×20 with spacing that allows for a broad range of string bed stiffnesses to suit most play styles.

The head shape and geometry are familiar; however, there is some “sculpting” going on that adds something to the overall appearance.

While appearance is important, the real stuff is in the numbers, and we have those right here…

After you go through the numbers, stick around for some additional highlights that may go unnoticed.

Manufacturer	Wilson
Racquet Model	Defyer Pro 98 v1
Reference Tension	56
String	MonoGut ZX Pro
Machine Used	True Tension Pro
Static
String Bed Stiffness - RDC	47
String Bed Stiffness -FlexFour	61
Strig Bed Stiffness - SBS	51.7
String Bed Stiffness - ERT	33
Racquet Flex, RDC	65
Racquet Flex, FlexFour	51.5
Racquet - In Plane Stiffness	474.4
Weight, Grams	325
Weight, Ounces	11.46
Balance, mm	327
Balance, Inch	12.87
Length, Cm	68.7
Length, Inch	27.047
Head Width	9.80
Head Length	12.76
Head Area, cm2	633.7
Head Area, Sq. Inch	98.2
Beam Height @ Grip, mm	22.5
Beam Height @ Mid, mm	23.8
Beam Height @ Tip	22.5
Beam Width @ Grip, mm	18
Beam Width @ Throat, mm	13.8
Beam Width @ Mid, mm	11
Beam Width @ Tip, mm	13.6 (w/Bumper Guard)
Number of Main Strings	16
Number of Cross Strings	20
Ratio	.614
Main String Grid Inch/mm	7.56/192.2
Cross String Grid Inch/mm	10.41/264.4
Density (% of head filled with string)	.768
Average Cross String Space	.520
Average Main String Space	.453
Dynamic
Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT	33
Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in	184.57
First Moment, Nm	.819
Polar Moment	333.0
Torsional Stability	16
Swing Weight, Kg/cm2	317
Swing Weight, Ounces	11.18
Swing Weight Calculated	347.5
Power, RDC	54
Control, RDC	44
Manueverability, RDC	74
Power, Calculated	2044.1
Head Points	5.20
Head Weight, %	47.6%
Center of Percussion	20.9
Dwell Time, ms	6.83
Efective Stiffness - lbs	27.3
K, Lb/In	150.64
Recoil Weight	151.88
Twist Weight	233.42
End Weight	134.4
Tip Weight	194.4
9 O'Clock	97.4
3 O'Clock	94.8
Butt End	137.4
COF, Main	.382
COF, Cross	.315

Something with tennis racquets that is important to us is “serviceability”. The Defyer, like most Wilson racquets, has a nice grommet system that protects the string from “court contact” damage, and is “aerodynamic” in shape.

The grip pallet system is another matter, however, and makes grip size and shape modifications difficult, if not impossible. So, when you are making a purchasing decision, be sure you are choosing the correct grip size. This pallet system is not unique to the Defyer, but the Defyer is in the category of “customizable” racquets. Don’t plan on much grip customization!

Posted in Customization!, Demo, Grips, Grommets, Racquet Demo, Technology, True Tension, Wilson

What is “Soft”?

Jul 3

Posted by RacquetQuest

For many years, we have been testing string for elongation and subsequent power potential.

There is a new batch of strings that include the term “soft” in the promotional language, seemingly in an effort to mitigate the injuries associated with very stiff strings.

At some point, we can go into detail about how the soft version of a string compares to the non-soft version; however, for now, I want to reintroduce you to a post we did in 2016… almost ten (10) years ago!

Click on this link to go to that post

Thank you for reading this again. It is important “Play Harder not Hurter™”

Posted in co-polyester, elbow, Elongation, Good News!, Health, Juniors, Kinesiology, Learning, Linearity, Multi-filamenmt, Natural Gut String, Pain, Polyester, Power, String, String Bed Stiffness, String Sense, Technology, Tensile Strength

3 Comments

Head Extreme Pro 2026

Jul 2

Posted by RacquetQuest

If you are thinking of a new 98 square inch high-performance racquet, don’t make a decision until you try this one!

This one is the new Head Extreme Pro for 2026, with a beautiful cosmetic upgrade and material enhancements that improve performance.

Something that you may not notice but is very good is the elongated cross-string holes in the twelve (12) central cross strings’ location. This design increases the effective hitting area by a couple of inches without increasing the head width. This is not unique to the Extreme Series, but it does not show up in the Speed or Gravity series.

Head Extreme Pro 2026

Manufacturer	Head
Racquet Model	Head Extreme Pro 2026
Reference Tension	55
String	MonoGut ZX Pro
Machine Used	True Tension Pro
Static
String Bed Stiffness - RDC/Units	50
String Bed Stiffness -FlexFour/Pounds	63
Strig Bed Stiffness - SBS/Pounds	43.5
String Bed Stiffness - ERT/Kg/cm	34
Racquet Flex, RDC/Units	67
Racquet Flex, FlexFour/Lbs	43.5
Racquet - In Plane Stiffness/Lbs/Inch	493.6
Weight, Grams	330
Weight, Ounces	11.64
Balance, mm	323
Balance, Inch	12.72
Length, Cm	68.6
Length, Inch	27.008
Head Width	9.56
Head Length	12.87
Head Area, cm2	623.8
Head Area, Sq. Inch	96.7
Beam Height @ Grip, mm	20.5
Beam Height @ Mid, mm	23.3
Beam Height @ Tip	22.4
Beam Width @ Grip, mm	15.7
Beam Width @ Throat, mm	134.0
Beam Width @ Mid, mm	11.5
Beam Width @ Tip, mm	13.9 w/Bumper Guard
Number of Main Strings	16
Number of Cross Strings	19
Ratio	.625
Main String Grid Inch/mm	7.21/183.1
Cross String Grid Inch/mm	9.63/244.6
Density (% of head filled w/ string)	.728
Average Cross String Space	.507
Average Main String Space	.457
Dynamic
Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT	34
Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in	190.2
First Moment, Nm	.819
Polar Moment	331.0
Torsional Stability	14
Swing Weight, Kg/cm2	317
Swing Weight, Ounces	11.18
Swing Weight Calculated	344.3
Power, RDC	55
Control, RDC	48
Manueverability, RDC	75
Power, Calculated	2074.2
Head Points	6.30
Head Weight, %	47.1%
Center of Percussion	20.9
Dwell Time, ms	6.62
Efective Stiffness - lbs	26.4 - Flex Four Data
K, Lb/In	160.26
Dynamic Stiffness/Lbs	369.5
Dynamic Force/Lbs	141.8
GDR Ratio: static/dynamic	1.94
Recoil Weight	155.24
Twist Weight	226.4
End Weight	134.9
Tip Weight	193.9
9 O'Clock	97.5
3 O'Clock	95.8
Butt End	136.9
COF, Main	.348
COF, Cross	.352