Category Archives: Demo
Wilson SHIFT 99 PRO – Jason’s Racquet Review
HIGHLIGHTS:
Fun racquet to try! Very different in both looks and feel, from the usual Wilson offerings. More suited to the advanced player, and aggressive baseliners who play with fast swing speeds, and a lot of spin.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
The most noticeable impression, on first pick up, of the PRO version, was the slightly thicker beam, and overall heft of the racquet. At 327g swing weight, this racquet is definitely in the heavyweight category, but it had a good feel in the hand, and generally good maneuverability, both at the baseline and at the net. As for looks, the contemporary aesthetics are very different from the usual Wilson look, and the string bed looks noticeably tighter than I’m used to.
CONTROL:
The sweet spot on this racquet feels small, suiting it to a more advanced player. Faster swing speeds seemed to produce more control, but with the smaller sweet spot, and low dwell time, I experienced some balls flying when I didn’t expect them to. The tight string bed does produce a lower trajectory, but I didn’t find that this prevented those occasional wayward balls. At the net, the racquet had a damper feel than I’m used to, and again, I felt I was in control as long as I hit the sweet spot.
SPIN:
I was looking forward to testing this racquet because of the new increased horizontal bending in the head of the racquet, which should generate more spin. Hitting my regular strokes, I didn’t notice any extra spin being produced naturally. However, when I really tried to increase the swing speed, and increase the spin myself, the racquet responded well and would allow for great spin creation.
POWER:
The thick beam gave the racquet a very solid and stable feel, and with the weight of the racquet, it was very powerful coming off the sweet spot. Great on days you’re playing well, but if you miss the sweet spot the racquet had a dull, non-responsive feel. Solid on returns and good momentum, but the flatter hitter may struggle for control.
OVERALL:
This is a very different racquet that takes a while to get used to. It would be well suited to an advanced player, who swings fast, and already plays with a lot of spin. Don’t expect this racquet to transform flat strokes into heavy topspin. I tested at 55 lbs but would string a little tighter than this if using it again.
I did also test the non-pro version of the Shift. With the more open string bed and lighter weight, I experienced even more balls flying long than with the pro version. It was definitely more forgiving on the arm, and easier to maneuver, but the trade-off was less control. Would be well suited to a more intermediate player. I feel an advanced player would have to add some extra weight, and string tighter.
Compare Wilson Shift 99/300 to Shift 99/315
Comparisons are fun and can be informative as one of the steps in selecting a tennis racquet that is right for you!
If you have read the individual reviews of these two (2) racquets you may wonder about some of the numbers.
This comparison table makes it easy to see the properties.
- You will notice very little difference in these racquets’ overall weight and swing weight. Typically tolerances will be in the plus/minus 7-gram range.For example:
- A 300-gram racquet can weigh from 293 to 307 grams.
- A 315-gram racquet can weigh from 308 to 322 grams.
- Different model racquets can be the same weight.
- Same-model racquets can be an ounce different in weight.
So, when multiple racquets are received at the World Headquarters they are characterized to match similar racquets within a model.
Wilson Shift 99/315 Pro
The Wilson Shift has introduced a new movement in racquet design, and the Shift 99/315 Pro rounds out the two (2) racquet series for now!
If you read the review of the 99/300 Shift, you have a good idea about the concept: on the impact, the ball moves the head down, and before the ball can leave the strings, the head moves up!
It is like you are swinging from low to high! It sounds simple, but there is more to it than that.
Manufacturer | Wilson |
---|---|
Racquet Model | Wilson Shift 99/315 Pro |
Reference Tension | 50 |
String | Babolat Xalt 130 |
Machine Used | Babolat Racquet Station |
String Bed Stiffness - RDC | 60.0 |
String Bed Stiffness -FlexFour | 64.6 |
String Bed Stiffness - SBS | 45.0 |
String Bed Stiffness - ERT | 38 kg/cm |
Racquet Flex, RDC | 70 After Stringing |
Racquet Flex, FlexFour | 45.0 |
Racquet - In Plane Stiffness | 383.6 Lbs/In |
Weight, Grams | 338 |
Weight, Ounces | 11.92 |
Balance, mm | 321 |
Balance, Inch | 12.64 |
Length, Cm | 68.6 |
Length, Inch | 27.03 |
Head Width | 9.79 |
Head Length | 12.74 |
Head Area, cm2 | 632.1 |
Head Area, Sq. Inch | 98.0 |
Beam Height @ Grip, mm | 23.0 |
Beam Height @ Mid, mm | 24.0 |
Beam Height @ Tip | 24.0 |
Beam Width @ Grip, mm | 12.75 |
Beam Width @ Throat, mm | 12.8 |
Beam Width @ Mid, mm | 11.1 |
Beam Width @ Tip, mm | 13.0(including bumper) |
Number of Main Strings | 18 |
Number of Cross Strings | 20 |
Ratio Cross/Mains | .692 |
Main String Grid | 7.13 |
Cross String Grid | 10.44 |
Density (% of head filled with string) | 76.0 % |
Average Cross String Space | .522 |
Average Main String Space | .396 |
Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT MasterTensometer | 38 kg/cm |
Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in | 212.54 |
First Moment, Nm | .832 |
Polar Moment | 341.0 |
Torsional Stability | 17 |
Swing Weight, Kg/cm2 | 324 |
Swing Weight, Ounces | 11.43 |
Swing Weight Calculated | 346.3 (full-length) |
Power, RDC | 49.0 |
Control, RDC | 51.0 |
Manueverability, RDC | 74.0 |
Power, Calculated | 2244.1 |
Head Points | 6.93 |
Head Weight, % | 46.8% |
Center of Percussion | 21.0 |
Dwell Time, ms | 5.94 |
Dwell Time, Spin, ms | 8.21 |
Efective Stiffness - lbs | 32.3 |
K, Lb/In | 192.31 |
Recoil Weight | 161.30 |
Twist Weight | 242.30 |
End Weight | 135.9 |
Tip Weight | 193.8 |
9 O'Clock | 98.2 |
3 O'Clock | 99.0 |
Butt Cap | 130.4 |
COF, Main | .396 |
COF, Cross | .319 |
So, here IS the difference!
This table will clarify the differences between the Pro Staff Six-One and Pro Staff X models. While numbers are important, it is equally important to actually hit with the racquet(s) setup as you will be using them.
Click here to see the Wilson Pro Staff X
Click here to see the Wilson Pro Staff Six-One data
So, what IS the difference?
Wilson has presented us with a couple of choices when it comes to choosing a 100-square-inch racquet!
Later we will have a comparison table showing the pertinent property data, but now we can see the graphics difference between the two racquets:

Pro Staff Six-One 100
The Pro Staff Six-One 100 has a very shiny rust color. The Pro Staff X is the matt finish used on most of the v14 Pro Staff models.
In addition to the “shining,” the Six-One has the “normal” elliptical cross-section, while the “X” has a “box beam” geometry which is a little more narrow.
The string spacing on the “X” is slightly more open, which may contribute to the power calculation being a bit higher.
The flex of the “X” is a little greater in the shaft area.
That is enough talk!”
Let’s look at the numbers:
Manufacturer | Wilson |
---|---|
Racquet Model | Wilson Pro Staff X 100, v14 |
Reference Tension | 55 |
String | PEEK 7710 |
Machine Used | True Tension Professional |
String Bed Stiffness - RDC | 50.0 Units |
String Bed Stiffness -FlexFour | 61.0 Pounds |
String Bed Stiffness - SBS | 47.0 pounds |
String Bed Stiffness - ERT | 38 Kg/Cm |
Racquet Flex, RDC | 64 - After Stringing |
Racquet Flex, FlexFour | 47.0 |
Racquet - In Plane Stiffness | 467.9 Lbs/Inch |
Weight, Grams | 340 |
Weight, Ounces | 11.99 |
Balance, mm | 322 |
Balance, Inch | 12.68 |
Length, Cm | 68.6 |
Length, Inch | 27.03 |
Head Width | 9.73 |
Head Length | 13.06 |
Head Area, cm2 | 643.4 |
Head Area, Sq. Inch | 99.7 |
Beam Height @ Grip, mm | 22.3 |
Beam Height @ Mid, mm | 22.0 |
Beam Height @ Tip | 22.0 |
Beam Width @ Grip, mm | 11.00 |
Beam Width @ Throat, mm | 11.00 |
Beam Width @ Mid, mm | 12.00(PWS) |
Beam Width @ Tip, mm | 12.00(including bumper) |
Number of Main Strings | 16 |
Number of Cross Strings | 19 |
Ratio Cross/Mains | .627 |
Main String Grid | 7.50 |
Cross String Grid | 10.81 |
Density (% of head filled with string) | 81.2% |
Average Cross String Space | .569 |
Average Main String Space | .469 |
Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT MasterTensometer | 38 |
Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in | 212.54 |
First Moment, Nm | .841 |
Polar Moment | 341.0 |
Torsional Stability | 17 |
Swing Weight, Kg/cm2 | 324 |
Swing Weight, Ounces | 11.43 |
Swing Weight Calculated | 352.2 (full-length) |
Power, RDC | 53.0 |
Control, RDC | 47.0 |
Manueverability, RDC | 71.0 |
Power, Calculated | 2088.8 |
Head Points | 6.61 |
Head Weight, % | 46.9% |
Center of Percussion | 20.8 |
Dwell Time, ms | 9.00 |
Efective Stiffness - lbs | 28.1 |
K, Lb/In | 160.26 |
Recoil Weight | 158.85 |
Twist Weight | 240.78 |
End Weight | 141.3 |
Tip Weight | 198.9 |
9 O'Clock | 102.5 |
3 O'Clock | 101.9 |
Butt Cap | 135.6 |
COF, Main | .529 |
COF, Cross | .499 |
Click here to see the Comparison Table