Wilson Shift 99 Tennis Racket Review
The newest creation from Wilson Lab, the Project Shift 99, is here in limited quantities before the official release in June 2023. I am pleased to be testing the Wilson Shift 99 300g.
Unlike the common 16x19 or 18x19 string-bed, the Shift features a unique 16x20 pattern that allows you to generate remarkable angles on the court. The head size of this racket is 99 square inches, which makes it suitable for intermediate to advanced players. The spin potential of this tennis racket is excellent because its graphite fibres are engineered to bend in ways that provide you maximum control as you hit.
Wilson crafted this racket for optimum performance, making it torsionally rigid to add stability and power when you return the ball yet also laterally flexible in order to maximise dwell time for more spin.
Groundstrokes 7.5/10
I found that the sensation of hitting forehands and backhands was pretty unique. The lateral flex provided more topspin than usual and I could feel the ball sink in with a nice weight. On top of that, the open 16x20 string pattern of the racket allowed me to generate angles on the court, which made the difference when I was trying to get my opponent away from the baseline.
The Wilson Shift felt very lively, and I had a rewarding experience playing defensive and offensive shots. When I was on the defensive, the manoeuvrability of the racket allowed me to reach for fast balls and return them with sufficient depth.
I found that hitting aggressive shots or going for winners was a bit trickier, as I tended to hit them long. This could be due to the increased swing speed of the racket, providing me with more power but at the same time making it harder to control. However, once I got used to it, I was able to hit aggressive shots with more accuracy and confidence.
The Wilson Shift felt quite comfortable when taking shots from the baseline, even without dampeners. I was able to sustain long rallies with ease, and I thoroughly enjoyed playing with topspins and slices.
Volleys 8/10
Because the racket was lightweight enough, I found that I had sufficient time to set up my volleys for precision shots at the net. The Wilson Shift was great for touch shots with plenty of options when I wanted to hit angle volleys or drop volleys. On top of that, I could play some aggressive short punches too, making it a very adaptive racket for net play.
The balance of the Shift racket made it easy to keep my volleys low, and I was able to put away shots. I was impressed with how the Shift could deal with powerful balls coming at me when I was at the net. Although rather lightweight, it provided enough stability when contacting balls under pressure.
I enjoyed the responsiveness of the racket when volleying, and the surprising amount of feel and precision. Overall, the Wilson Shift allowed me to stay loose and comfortable when volleying.
Serves 7/10
The Wilson Shift is particularly suited for those who love to serve with spin. With the 16x20 stringbed, you can generate wicked angles that make it hard for your opponents to hit their returns. And the lightweight construction helps you swing fast enough to hit a solid kick serve.
However, I felt that the frame was somewhat low-powered. Perhaps because the head size of the Shift is 99 square inches and not the standard 100 that I was used to, so the sweet spot was just slightly smaller. I was not able to hit first serves with my usual power. But I was confident hitting second serves because generating spin and keeping the ball in was easy with this racket.
If you are a player who tends to serve with more spin (instead of hitting flatter serves like me) then you should find the Wilson Shift to be an excellent weapon.
Overall Score 7.5/10
The Wilson Shift is an impressive racket that offers great manoeuvrability and spin potential. If you are a beginner, it might be a challenge to play with this racket. But if you are of intermediate or advanced level already, then this racket should be able to provide you with the tools to take your game up a notch. I was particularly impressed with the spin and control it offered for groundstrokes and volleys at the net.
It could have been slightly more powerful for serves, but overall I had a rewarding experience playing with this frame. It is efficient at making contact with the ball, providing ample control, especially when on the defensive. The combination of its quickness and enhanced stability gave me the confidence to hit aggressive shots with a high degree of accuracy.
The Wilson Shift 99 is an excellent choice for players looking to take their game to the next level. Thanks to its impressive construction and optimal balance, you can be sure that this racket will give you the performance edge you need to stay ahead of the competition. The cool white of the racket also gives it an aesthetic touch that is sure to impress.