Mike and Stephan have spent the last few weeks testing the Wilson Defyer 98 Pro, aka Python 98! Do the high expectations live up to the performance on court? Read our extensive dual review here!
Introduction Wilson Defyer 98 Pro V1 aka Python 98:
For months, we have seen various pros and top juniors playing with the Wilson Python prototypes, recognizable by the glossy black frame with a red stripe on the side of the throat (see photo below). We already had our (first) opportunity to test these rackets at our racket test day last March. The Python 98 in particular made an excellent impression back then. Now we are on the eve of the release: the racket will be called the Redline in Europe (initially) and then the Defyer, as the former name is somewhat controversial in America.
Finally, the Defyer/Redline aka Python series is coming to the market, with brand-new Wilson player Holger Rune as the figurehead, together with Karen Khachanov. Read all our test findings here. Good to know: as it stands now, the rackets will be launched on July 9th. This will initially include the Defyer 98 Pro and the Defyer 100. The lighter models (L and UL) are expected to be released around August. Also interesting to note: Luxilon (Wilson's string partner) will be launching a matching bright red string later this year, the Fuel, but more on that later.
Positioning and racket specifications:
This Defyer/Redline 98 Pro is set to compete with the Babolat Pure Aero 98, Yonex VCORE 98, Head Extreme Pro, Diadem Axis 98, and the Dunlop SX 300 Tour. The Shift could not secure its place in the (modern) fast spin and power genre. A sneak peek: this Defyer 98 Pro V1 will definitely succeed! Here are the racket specs at a glance:
Specifications Defyer 98 Pro V1:
Brand: Wilson
Model: Defyer 98 Pro (V1)
Head size: 98 sq/inch
Weight: 305 gr
Balance: 31.5 cm
String pattern: 16×20
Length: 27 inch
RA: to follow
Beam: to follow
Swingweight of our demo: 309.5 strung
We tested the racket with the Diadem Pro X 17 (1.20mm) at 23 kg.
Baseline:
Mike:
From the baseline, this racket is a dangerous and wonderfully fast weapon! The racket is lightning-quick to maneuver, which provides easy racket head speed, good for easy access to spin. It is almost effortless to brush up on the ball; even with a relatively flat shot, you quickly get some extra margin and spin in your shots.
The racket has a more than healthy dose of power, but more controlled than I initially expected. Yes, the racket gives you a lot, but it feels very solid at ball impact. The 16x20 string pattern finishes it off for a good mix of control and spin. Furthermore, the relatively low swingweight of 309.5 is notable. Our demo had a slightly lower balance point than standard, so I expect the swingweight to eventually average around 315. Still low, but that fits the fast nature of this frame and offers enough room for customization.
A brief comparison with the competition is appropriate. Perhaps the Pure Aero 98 and Yonex VCORE 98 are both slightly faster, but the stability of this Defyer 98 Pro V1 is (more) impressive. In addition, the comfort is also excellent: I didn't feel a thing in my shoulder, which is occasionally sensitive. And with the somewhat stiffer Pure Aero 98, I had to be more careful with that same shoulder.
Stephan:
From the very first rally, I felt why so many professionals have made the switch. The Defyer 98 Pro V1 feels exceptionally stable from the baseline. Despite the relatively low swingweight, the racket moves fast enough through the ball without ever feeling unstable. I could fully complete my swings without feeling like the ball was launching unexpectedly or flying off the racket.
Because I play with the Pure Aero 98 daily, I cannot escape that comparison. The Aero produces just a bit more "free" power and the maximum spin is also a small step higher. On the other hand, the Wilson clearly has a better predictable launch angle. The ball leaves the string bed in a more controlled manner, which allowed me to swing out with more confidence.
Compared to the Dunlop SX 300 Tour, the Redline is less flat and livelier, while it actually plays slightly more controlled than the Pure Aero 98. This puts Wilson exactly in the middle of the modern spin segment. What surprised me perhaps the most was the classic Wilson feel. Despite all the modern spin and power technology, that characteristic solid feeling at ball impact is retained. As a former Pro Staff player, that felt familiar immediately. My one-handed backhand also benefited from this. Where the Pure Aero sometimes flies through the air just a bit faster, the Defyer 98 Pro V1 gave me more calm and confidence to hit fully through the ball.
Net:
Mike:
At the net, this racket is not a Pro Staff in terms of being super refined and accurate, but it certainly holds its own. The touch is fine and, above all, the previously mentioned stability does an excellent job at the net with hard incoming balls. All in all, just solid and reliable with fine maneuverability/handling speed.
Stephan:
The Wilson Redline is primarily designed for players who want to dominate from the baseline. You notice that at the net as well. Don't expect a classic Pro Staff with surgical precision on every volley, but definitely don't underestimate this Defyer. The frame is particularly stable and hard passing shots can be absorbed without issues. Especially on reactive volleys, the racket feels incredibly solid.
For finesse-filled stop volleys, I personally take a bit more margin than with a Blade or Pro Staff, but the feel remains excellent and the control is more than sufficient.
Serve & Return:
Mike:
The power that the Defyer/Redline 98 Pro V1 offers on serves is very pleasant. My serve is not my (Mike's) greatest weapon. With this racket, you get extra power and easy length on your serves without having to force it. The easy access to rotation makes kick and slice serves perfectly doable.
Also on the return, the speed/maneuverability of this racket is striking: the racket is quick to get behind the ball for full returns. Furthermore, the stability of the racket is notable here: even with hard incoming serves, the ball impact feels very solid and you get a predictable launch angle to drop the ball quickly at your opponents' feet.
Stephan:
The Defyer also shows what it was made for when serving. I could easily play both flat first serves and kick and slice serves. Perhaps it doesn't provide the explosive free power of the Pure Aero 98, but that is balanced out by something I might consider even more important: predictability.
Every serve feels the same. You don't have to worry about one ball landing perfectly while the next one flies meters out with the exact same motion. That gives a huge amount of confidence during longer service games.
This Defyer 98 Pro V1 also makes an impression on the return. Thanks to the stable construction and the fine punching power, even hard first serves remain well under control. Especially block returns feel very solid and the slice return comes back low and controlled.
Power/control:
Mike:
It's slightly power over control with this racket, I would say 60/40, but that also fits a modern spin and power racket. Yet, the control is excellently secured by the solid playing feel and the 16x20 string pattern. 16x20 seems to be becoming more and more the 18x20 string pattern for control of yesteryear. This string pattern offers, on the one hand, the spin of 16 mains with the control of 20 crosses. Ideal for these types of rackets and it is not for nothing that it is applied in, for example, the Pure Aero 98 and Axis 98. Personally, I loved the bit of free power of the Defyer 98 Pro V1, because the control always remained present. If you are someone who relies on a classic flatter stroke, then a Blade V10 would probably be the more logical choice.
Stephan:
The Wilson Defyer 98 Pro V1 is positioned exactly at the intersection of modern power and classic control. The Pure Aero 98 produces slightly more explosiveness and maximum spin, but the Wilson clearly gives back more control and predictability for that. As a result, I dared to accelerate fully through my shots more often.
The 16x20 string pattern plays an important role in this. You get plenty of spin potential without the racket feeling nervous or bouncy. In my opinion, Wilson has achieved exactly the right balance here. Anyone who likes to take the initiative from the baseline but doesn't want to constantly correct for a high launch angle will have a lot of fun with this racket.
Comfort/arm-friendliness:
Mike:
I was somewhat surprised by the comfort of the Defyer 98 Pro aka Python 98. This racket primarily has to compete with the Pure Aero 98, which is slightly rawer. I expected a somewhat similar feel at ball impact from the Defyer, but the latter felt more comfortable on the arm. What also helps is that the racket doesn't twist much and therefore transmits fewer unwanted vibrations.
Stephan:
One of the biggest surprises during the test was the comfort. Where the Pure Aero 98 can sometimes cause some fatigue in my arm or shoulder after a long match, the Wilson remained remarkably comfortable. The damping is excellent without the racket feeling dead.
In fact, precisely because the frame is so stable, unwanted vibrations are barely transmitted. You maintain a direct feel at ball impact, but without the hardness that some modern spin rackets can have. For players who are sensitive to arm or shoulder issues, that is a big plus in my opinion.
Wilson Defyer 98 Pro aka Python 98 in summary:
Mike:
Whether you like the color or not (I personally liked the glossy Python 98 version even more), the Wilson Defyer 98 Pro will undoubtedly perform excellently. You could say Wilson has finally succeeded in developing a truly solid spin racket for the modern game, which has to compete with the Pure Aero 98s of this world. The racket offers a wonderful mix of speed, controlled power, and spin, with stability and comfort also being in excellent order! Definitely recommended for players who mainly want to dictate from the baseline.
Stephan:
Wilson has finally introduced a real challenger for the established names in the modern spin segment. The Defyer 98 Pro V1 combines exactly those properties that many competitive players are looking for: excellent stability, plenty of controlled power, more than enough spin, and above all, a very predictable character. In addition, the racket feels surprisingly comfortable and retains that characteristic solid Wilson feel.
If you currently play with a Babolat Pure Aero 98, Yonex VCORE 98, Diadem Axis 98, or Dunlop SX 300 Tour, I would definitely give this Defyer a chance. Not because it surpasses every one of those rackets in all areas, but because it perhaps finds the most complete balance between spin, control, stability, and comfort.
For me, the Pure Aero 98 remains the absolute king when it comes to maximum spin production. But honestly: the Wilson Redline 98 Pro comes closer than any racket I have tested in recent years. The months of hype were, in my opinion, completely justified. Wilson has finally built a modern spin racket again that can, without a doubt, compete with the absolute top of this segment.
