I even caught myself swinging at my volleys to try to make up for the missing responsiveness. My slices were effective, but they didn't sit as low as I'd like them to, most likely because I'm used to stiffer frames and I simply couldn't seem to get used to the flex level of this racquet. She elaborated, "This is where I really could appreciate the deep pocketing feel from this racquet. I liked the response of the upper portion of the stringbed in the Clash 98 compared to the 100 and 100 Tour. All content copyright 2019 Tennis Warehouse. He said, "I immediately felt much more dialed in with this version of the Clash compared to the Clash 100 and 100 Tour I'd previously tried. Some playtesters found they could return consistently while others lacked a bit of feel and stability. Julie: An open level aggressive baseliner. If I didn’t temper my aggression or apply extra spin to stay inside the lines it was too much of a feast-or-famine proposition. I found more control as well, especially on my slower strokes, which was my main difficulty with the Clash 100, and I was able to reach for my favorite short-angle cross courts without issue. I had to make small adjustments to my game, and I mainly decided to stay back because I wasn't comfortable at the net unless it was for an easy volley to end the point. She said, "My racquet speed is pretty high on my serves, and the Clash 98 allowed me to find plenty of power on my first serves and plenty of spin on my kick serves. The FreeFlex technology allows it to bend at unique angles, and the result is a flexible frame that seems to know when it needs to stiffen up to provide more stability and power. ", Julie - "I definitely prefer the Wilson Clash 98 over the 100. Wilson Clash 98. This was most apparent for me on serve. The beam is a little chunky, but it’s offset by the head-light balance, resulting in reasonably good handling to provide assistance in difficult defensive situations. When it came to returning second serves, I was able to step up and find the control to place the ball where I wanted, or I could just stay aggressive and hit flat through the ball. From the back of the court, the Clash 98 quickly became the frontrunner in the Clash line for our team. I prefer to feel a bit more connected, like when I'm hitting with the RF97. I usually like to stay close to the baseline, but I decided to back up a couple of steps and hit full swings back in the center of the court, as I felt a bit late on my returns. Reviewed The Clash 98 was maneuverable enough and blocked balls back well. The only issue was, while it did cradle the ball effectively, I struggled to control how it came off the strings on short angles and drop volleys. Despite the impressive flexibility, stability and power are not compromised thanks to unique StableSmart frame geometry. Michelle: Open level baseline player with a semi-western forehand and a two handed backhand. Technical Sheet. Receive a $50 coupon code for au.wilson.com DEMO CLASH 98 NOW. The added control still wasn't enough for me to feel totally confident swinging for the lines, and I noticed that the stringbed felt more dead around the perimeter, which sometimes made it difficult to predict where the ball was going. It was still kind of hit or miss on my big flat serves, but when I added a little shape to the serve it was easy to find the box. I liked the way the Clash 98 offered 'tweener-like power with some control and feel that fans of player's racquets will have to tip their hat to. After a successful launch with the first two frames of the Clash family, Wilson decided to add to the line so more people can reap the benefits. I could really wind up and swing big. The most recent edition to the family is the Clash 98, designed for accomplished players who seek more control than the 100 models in the line. Description. ", Sean - "I enjoy the added control, while the plush feel and stability remain intact. ", The Clash 98 worked with Julie's aggressive game style better than the Clash 100. The combination of a highly flexible and comfortable frame that doesn’t compromise on power or stability has proven a welcome change for players seeking a respite from the shock of the stiffer models populating the marketplace. On the plus side, it had a solid feel at impact, blocking passing shots back to the baseline rather routinely. ", After an adjustment period, Michelle felt she could produce some heavy serves when aiming at bigger targets. There was that same unique soft feel coupled with a crisp response. For its weight, the Clash 98 felt fairly stable. She said, "My main issue with the Clash 98 was up at net. Chris found the Clash 98 to be his favorite Clash so far. While this 98-square-inch version did have more control for me than the 100 Tour, I had some similar issues, mainly that the racquet felt very 'all or nothing' for me. Il test della Wiilson Clash 98, ultima nata nella famiglia Clash, destinata a chi desidera feeling e impatto morbido. However, I do think that upping the tension with a deader string could make a difference. The response felt more solid, and I was getting more into my serves. Copyright © Tennis Warehouse. I was able to control the depth of my shots better. Babolat Pure Strike 16x19 3rd Gen. When I went for flatter, higher paced deliveries I was able to generate plenty of speed. All Rights Reserved. Power. The Wilson Clash 98 Tennis Racquet is a sublimely flexible racquet that still provides a powerful and controllable feel. ", It was easy to get this Clash 98 moving through the air on serves, which allowed our playtesters to crank up the pace and tap into generous amounts of spin. ", Michelle - "The Clash 98 is more controlled than the Clash 100 Tour. This put me in a position where I was able to find my contact point, giving me the extra time I needed and keeping me more connected to the ball. Wilson also developed the Clash with a unique frame geometry known as “Stable Smart” – designed through digital simulation, providing best-in-class stability and power, making the Clash one of the most flexible frames in tennis. wilson clash 98. He explained, "The response of the Clash 98 felt well suited to my return game. Wilson Clash 98. The Clash 100 doesn't give me the ability to play my game, as I'm constantly taking big swings with it. Wilson Clash 98 Specs Head Size: 98 in² / 632.26 cm² Length: 27in / 68.58cm Strung Weight: 11.5oz / 326g Unstrung Weight: 10.95 oz/ 310g Balance: 12.4in / 31.5cm / 9 pts HL … ", Though Michelle found some added control with this model, she struggled to get completely dialed in with the feel. Even though it's a 98, I wish Wilson would have made even more changes to it. For some tennis players, moving to a 100 square inch racquet is a bit too much. Wilson introduces a new addition to the Clash family with the release of the Wilson Clash 98. Tags: racquet. The 98 sq-in head delivers laser-like precision for players … Even though there was more control, the Clash 98 still had copious amounts of power and spin for a 98, and I would still put it in the 'tweener' category. All in all, players looking for that signature Clash feel in a more control-oriented package should give this 98 model a whirl! With a more surgical head size and a slightly higher swingweight, the Clash 98 is the most control-oriented and stable frame in the series to date. From the baseline, our playtesters enjoyed generous access to spin and easy depth, and they could get the racquet head flying through the air for effortless power. You'll find more information on cookies at, Stay up to date on arrivals and special offers, Shop Early - Shipping Carrier Delays Expected, Click here to see all Tennis Warehouse reviews. So, while the measurements would indicate an unusually soft and potentially unstable frame—especially out of the strike zone—it doesn’t play like one. | November 27, 2019. Comfort. When coupled with the success I had at net, it made this a fun racquet to use both on the singles and doubles court. The Wilson Clash 98 is a revolutionary new racquet from Wilson designed for ultimate control and confidence! She described, "Similar to my experience with the Clash 100 Tour, it took me some time to get dialed in with the Clash 98. However, both racquets allow me to attack the ball with depth and pace. The Wilson Clash 98 is for those of you who seek more control and the Wilson Clash 100 is the option that should hold the broadest appeal. I would say this 98-square-inch version helps answer that craving. And it certainly works to that end, although it’s not foremost on the racquet’s list of strengths. The eight mains going through the throat made for a denser sweetspot, and I noticed it was easier to spot my volleys without fear of losing control. Shipped with USPS Priority Mail. It forces me to make adjustments to my game. There are times I'm convinced the ball is landing out and it stays in; this doesn't really sound like a problem, but for me, it isn't ideal. I thought there was a lack of responsiveness from the racquet, and I felt disconnected from the ball. The Clash performed similarly with … ", Favoring the feel of stiffer racquets, Julie struggled a bit with the response and feel of the Clash 98 on volleys. The Wilson Clash 98 Tennis Racquet brings the game changing Clash feel to a heavier, tour inspired spec. Compare. ", Michelle - "I still want a bit more control from the Clash 98. If you stay on this website, you agree to the use of cookies. And because of the flex and arm-friendliness of the Clash, it’s a good candidate for using a firm, control-oriented polyester strung at higher tensions. Featuring the smallest headsize of the groundbreaking Clash franchise, Clash 98 lies at the peak of confidence and control. ", Sean would've appreciated more control and precision on his returns. This racquet is as heavy as the Wilson Clash … She hits a western forehand and two-handed backhand. ", Julie - "The Clash 98 is a racquet that suits my baseline game, from rolling spinny balls deep to hitting powerful flat shots down the line. Once dialed in, I could swing pretty big. I felt confident on both first and second serves. The launch angle of the Clash 98 is quite high, which is a feature I really appreciated on my second serve, as I like to push my opponent back with a kick serve. Again, I had some issues with consistently here. He offered, "I enjoyed volleying slightly more with this version than the 100 Tour. Specifications of the Clash 98 are very similar to that of the Clash … Brand new never used Wilson Clash 98 with 4 1/4 grip! This is one of those racquets where I felt better with touch volleys than sticking aggressive volleys. Compare. She is currently using the Prince O3 Beast 98. Using revolutionary Carbon Mapping, the frame construction is unified at … Yonex VCORE PRO 97 (310) Compare. Driven by a proprietary carbon mapping construction, FreeFlex gives the frame additional bending angles, creating an incredibly flexible racquet that works effortlessly with the modern swing for enhanced ball pocketing and dwell time. They wanted to create a frame in which the ball sunk into the string bed, and then could be catapulted back into the court with precision. All in all, I have to say the Clash 98 was a racquet I loved attacking the net with, and the volley became my favorite shot to hit with this racquet. I strung up the Clash 98 with HEAD Hawk Touch (my review) and Kirschbaum Max Power (Amazon). ", Sean added, "Although I was getting less free power and spin on my serve compared to the 100 Tour, I liked the trade-off for improved control and accuracy. ", "From the first hit, it was immediately apparent to me that this was going to feel a lot like the Clash 100 Tour playtest I was on," said Sean. The biggest hurdle I encountered with the frame was tempering its propensity to launch the ball. Still, there's a lot to appreciate with the design of the frame. She explained, "After having playtested the Clash 100 Tour, I was left craving a bit more control from the Clash racquets. Reviewed by Jon Levey | November 27, 2019. Rather than a backboard response, the racquet is designed to slingshot the ball off the string bed. It incorporates FreeFlex: a revolutionary technology that makes Clash the world`s first racquet … If I strung the Clash 98 with a stiffer, deader poly in the high 50s I could rein some of the control in, but I felt like it tightened the stringbed too much and negated the flexible feel and technology that sets the Clash apart from other racquets on the market. Chris uses a full-western forehand grip, has a fast swing style and hits a one-handed backhand. Fans will find it comfortable and quite attractive—its plushness at contact and forgiving nature is a rare combination—while those accustomed to a stiffer, crisper response may conclude it’s too drastic a departure. Chris thought the racquet's blend of maneuverability, control and stability was great for returns. Featuring the smallest headsize of the groundbreaking Clash franchise, Clash 98 lies at the peak of confidence and control. It produced effortless pace, spin and depth from nothing more than a third-gear swing, and offered extra help on off-center contact. ", Chris - "The Clash 98 swung with a bit more heft and had a softer feel compared to my Tecnifibre TFlash 300. Or stiff in slightest. I couldn't flirt with the lines and angles quite as much here, but I think that would continue to develop with more months of testing the Clash 98. ", Julie also wanted more consistency when returning. Ultimately, most opinions on the Clash 98 will probably come down to its unique feel. The racquet felt fast through the arc of my swing and enabled me to inject pace and spin into my serves easily. Both have a 100 square-inch head, 16×19 string pattern and a constant 24.5 mm … The Wilson Clash 98 is a great racquet built for playability and designed for the modern player. ", Chris - "I like the blend of power, spin, control, stability and maneuverability. When I was first given an introduction to Clash by Wilson, one of the images they used to describe its playability was a lacrosse stick. I’d love to see a future model with a bit tighter handling. Delivering the performance that confidence promises, Clash 98 creates a playing experience unlike any before. Go To Topic. by Jon Levey It does offer more control than the other offerings in the line, but that trait could still use more refinement, especially for players who prefer to supply most of their own power. Chris: 4.5 all-court player currently using the Tecnifibre TFlash 300 PS. Julie found she could mix up her serves with ease. I just didn't always feel like I knew where the ball would land once I released it. Condition is New. Babolat Pure Strike 18x20 3rd Gen. I think someone with faster, more vertical strokes might find better control than someone like me with longer groundstrokes. The most control-oriented of the Clash line, this racquet still delivers that soft, comfortable feel with plenty of power and spin on tap. Prince Phantom O3 100X. in. Wilson Clash 98 $ 249.00. Since the Wilson Clash … I also have to mention the string. I was able to find great spin with my full-western forehand grip, while finding powerful shots on my backhand side when hitting flat through the ball. Volleys to try to make adjustments to my return landed near the back of the court, Clash..., players looking for even more control and feedback from the back.... Was left craving a bit too much she could mix up her serves with ease shots with this offers! Plays with the Clash 98 confident enough with to make the switch the launch! Hand, I had at net back to the ball I expected and found Clash. Some Tennis players, moving to a heavier, Tour inspired spec aggressive and. His favorite Clash so far our playtesters noted that this model, struggled... 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