Wilson Defyer Review: First Hits With All Four Frames

Quick Summary

I got hold of all four Wilson Defyer frames before release and strung the lot with Luxilon Alu Power at 50lb. The 98 Pro, the 100, the 100L and the 100UL.

The Defyer replaces the Shift. It is a spin racket, it is a brand new frame, and it is aimed directly at Pure Aero users.

My verdict from the first hits: if I was picking one personally, I would lean towards the 100. On the day, in 35 degrees on grass, the 98 Pro was the weapon of choice. But everything being equal, the 100 is the more forgiving, more spin friendly frame.

Who should avoid it: flat hitters and long, fast swings should stay away from the 100. Slower swings, or anyone needing help generating shape, should stay away from the 98 Pro. Full detail below.

These are first thoughts, not a full review. Access was limited and I tested solo. A full in depth review with Ben and Joe is in the works, along with dedicated Defyer 98 vs 100 and Defyer vs Pure Aero comparisons.

Watch the video for the hits. The play test footage shows what the flex and the racket speed actually look like on court, which is hard to put into words.

Wilson Defyer Specs

Manufacturer stated figures from Wilson, not measured in store. All four frames are Adrenalyn Red.

	Defyer 98 Pro	Defyer 100	Defyer 100L	Defyer 100UL
Head size	98 in² / 632 cm²	100 in² / 645 cm²	100 in² / 645 cm²	100 in² / 645 cm²
Weight	305 g / 10.8 oz	300 g / 10.6 oz	285 g / 10.1 oz	265 g / 9.3 oz
Balance	31.5 cm / 9 pts HL	31.5 cm / 9 pts HL	32.0 cm / 7 pts HL	33.0 cm / 4 pts HL
String pattern	16x20	16x19	16x19	16x19

The 98 Pro is the only frame in the range with a 16x20 pattern. Everything else is 16x19. That tighter pattern is a big part of why the 98 Pro plays flatter and more controlled, and why it gives you less help generating shape.

The balance is worth reading properly too. The 100UL isn't just a lighter 100. At 265g and only 4 points head light, the mass is distributed very differently to the 100 at 300g and 9 points head light. The 100L sits in between. These are three genuinely different rackets, not one racket in three weights.

Wilson haven't published swingweight for the range. For a spin frame that's the number most people want, so we'll measure our own stock once it lands and update this.

What Is the Wilson Defyer?

The Defyer is the latest in the Wilson family. It sits alongside the Ultra, the Pro Staff, the Clash, and of course the Blade. And it is a spin racket. The Shift is gone. The Defyer is here.

This has been talked up on the internet for a very, very long time. It has been called Project P internally by Wilson. Those of you who are big into the message forums have known it as the Python racket.

It is the 98 that Karen Khachanov and others have been testing and using, and there is a huge amount of tour players shifting to this new frame.

There is no old version to compare it to. That is what makes this one interesting.

My Verdict After the First Hits

If I was picking one of these personally, I would probably lean towards the 100.

Now, today I'm in 35 degrees playing on grass courts and the 98 Pro really was the weapon of choice. Bit flatter, bit more control, bit more connected to give you some help.

But everything being equal, the 100 is going to be a much more forgiving, much more spin friendly frame. That 16x19 string pattern gives slightly less stability. Still stable, but less. More flex, and more help laterally to generate even more spin. You could really feel that. And on off centre hits you could still generate through the court and access spin and power at will.

I'm doing a dedicated Defyer 98 vs 100 comparison, so that one gets properly settled separately.

Who Should Avoid the Wilson Defyer?

Avoid the 100 if you play flat. That racket really is powerful. Flattening it out works, but you have got to rein it in, and if flat is your game rather than an occasional option, you'll be managing the frame instead of using it.

Avoid the 100 if you have a long, fast swing. It's too much racket. The lack of torsional stability makes it hard to control once you're putting real speed through it.

Avoid the 98 Pro if your swing is slow, or if you need help generating shape and spin. The 98 Pro is a players frame. More control, lower launch angle, and a 16x20 pattern. It gives you less help, and if you're relying on the racket to add shape to the ball, you won't get it here.

What Is the New Tech in the Defyer?

These are brand new frames. It is not based on a Shift or based on anything else.

The torque shaft. It is the first time Wilson have gone with a compressed shaft. There are a few bits to it, but essentially it is improving the stability and the stiffness in the throat of the frame, and that is giving you much more free access to power and spin. Something that you don't get in any of the other ranges.

The longer grip. This is a little bit subtle, but there is a slightly elongated section at the top of the grip. So for preparing your shots, as you prepare on your forehand or if you're double handed on the backhand, you get a bit more leverage and a bit more comfort in that.

The aerofoil bumper. A new bumper at the top, and you can actually see on there it is different. That is improving the aerodynamicness of the racket, so you get huge amounts of racket speed and effortless manoeuvrability.

I think the manoeuvrability of the rackets is superb. And when you add that manoeuvrability with the stiffness of the throat, that is where you can play big bold shots and feel like you can really penetrate through the court. But you can also get that manoeuvrability in flicks and whips and generate that really free racket speed, and therefore spin, when required.

How Does the Defyer Play?

Straight away there is buckets of spin. Especially if you're really vertical, the racket comes into its own with its flex and its bending and it is really nice to play.

Flattening it out also works, but you have got to rein it in a bit because that 100 really is powerful.

It is beautiful on the backhand. It actually has a longer grip and it's making my double hander super comfortable. But for what is a compressed shaft and a stiff frame, it's super manoeuvrable. Can really flick it about.

Who Is the Wilson Defyer For?

These rackets are for Pure Aero users. There is no doubt in my mind this is a direct competitor to that sort of racket.

The 98 Pro is very similar to the Aero 98, I'd say the 2023 version. It plays a lot like it, and it's more powerful than the current Aero 98.

The Defyer 100 is more powerful than the Aero 100, but not quite as spinny. What it does give you is feel. You get a great amount of feel when you plough through the ball, and that is something you don't get with the Aero. The feel is better in this, and that's the clearest difference between the two.

So if you are a player looking to play aggressively on the baseline, penetrate through the court, generate lots of spin, drive your opponents back and really be an aggressive player, then this is going to be a racket that is well worth trying.

I've filmed dedicated Defyer vs Pure Aero comparisons for both the 98s and the 100s, so the head to head gets answered properly in those.

Try the Defyer Before You Commit

The Defyer is available now and you can demo it through us.

Add our demo service to any adult racket order for £25. We string it, fit an overgrip, add protection tape and send it out. Hit with it properly. If it isn't right, send it back for a full refund on the racket, minus strings and the demo fee. If it's the one, we refund the £25.

Demo the Wilson Defyer

FAQ

Is the Wilson Defyer replacing the Shift?

Yes. The Shift is gone. The Defyer is Wilson's spin racket now.

What was the Wilson Defyer called before release?

Project P internally at Wilson, and the Python on the tennis message forums.

Which pros use the Wilson Defyer?

Karen Khachanov has been testing and using the 98, and a huge amount of tour players are shifting to the new frame.

How many rackets are in the Wilson Defyer range?

Four. The 98 Pro, the 100, the 100L and the 100UL.

What are the Wilson Defyer 100 specs?

100 in² head, 300g unstrung, 31.5 cm balance / 9 points head light, 16x19 string pattern.

What are the Wilson Defyer 98 Pro specs?

98 in² head, 305g unstrung, 31.5 cm balance / 9 points head light, 16x20 string pattern.

What string pattern is the Wilson Defyer 98 Pro?

16x20. It's the only frame in the range that isn't 16x19.

What string did PH Tennis test the Defyer with?

We strung all four frames with Luxilon Alu Power at 50lb.

Is the Wilson Defyer more powerful than the Babolat Pure Aero?

Yes. On our first hits, the Defyer 98 Pro is more powerful than the current Aero 98, and the Defyer 100 is more powerful than the Aero 100 but not quite as spinny. The feel is better than the Aero.

Who should avoid the Wilson Defyer 100?

Flat hitters, and players with long, fast swings. The frame is powerful and the lack of torsional stability makes it hard to control at high swing speeds.

Who should avoid the Wilson Defyer 98 Pro?

Players with slower swings, or anyone who needs the racket to help generate shape and spin. It's a players frame with a lower launch angle and a 16x20 pattern.

Where can I demo the Wilson Defyer in the UK?

PH Tennis run a UK wide online demo service. £25 added to any adult racket order, refunded if you keep the racket.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it. My first thoughts and my first glimpse of this new racket franchise from Wilson, the Defyer.

It is a spin machine. It is powerful. It is manoeuvrable. It is a brilliant little racket. Well worth trying. It's available now. Grab yourselves a demo. Check it out.

Wilson Defyer