Everything You Need To Know About Wilson's Unreleased Racquet | Python 98 In-Depth Racquet Review

How does it compare to the discontinued Shift 99 300? Isn't the Python the Shift's replacement as Wilson's spin frame?

I was afraid to regret it after all the hype around the Python, but it looks like the three PA98 2023 I've bought 3 months ago in perfect condition was a smart move…!

How well/smoothly would you say it comes around on the OHBH. I've noticed some rackets have a chunkier throat feel that makes a racket seem more cumbersome on the backhand wing(PD, EZ 100, etc...). I'm currently on the VC 95 '21 with some 9 and 3 weight and this seems to have all the same benefits with slightly easier user experience and I am looking at this and the Ezone 98 that from what I've heard is slightly chunkier. Also curious as to how well it takes to weight additions.

300g unstrung you mean

The blackout python 98 I used to own felt like pro staff. The damn thing just absorbs the pace of my shots. I was getting less out of the frame than I was putting in. The P100 I own is a joy to hit. Way more user friendly. Power and spin are easy access.

Great review as usual, what's about the beam, looks thick, unfortunately!

I have tried 4 Pythons, they all played differently. My experience is, the ones in V1 paint job (all black out no red stripes) are less stable and needs a lot of lead tapes. The 16x19 in V2 paint job ( reptile scale like patterns with red stripes on the side near the throat) are generally more stable, more spinny but a bit less powerful (it is possible that when I compared it against the V1, lead tapes were already applied on the V1 but not on the V2). The 18x20 V2 paint job is an absolutely joy to play with, possibly my favorite racket lately and I am not usually a Wilson player! I use Head most of my life . Some how the 18x20 that I now own has higher launch, more spin and more power than any other Pythons. Unlike other Pythons that I have tried, it is around 6 points head light. Feels like a Pro Stock Head. It is plush like a PT57, stability of a PT344, spin like a PT333. Basically it feels like a PT made by Wilson not Head. Before I own the 18x20, I was testing a Pro Stock all black out Aero 98 (the guy who lent it to me said it is a personal racket of a very top player who is out most of this year, wink wink) on the same day. While that Aero 98 was very nice too, but I much prefer the 18x20 Python. I strung it with Grapplesnake Tour M8, paring the 2 snakes together is a match made in heaven!

Awesome review as always, Allen! For your game, is it better than the Gravity Tour 98?

You're one of the most detailed and honest tennis content creator out there. Loving the content! And I do agree with most of what you said. The "second coming" was really spot on, considering the hype around this. Thanks for keeping it grounded! I did just receive 2 pieces of these.

I believe the retail version will be much more user friendly than this pro stock

Performance aside. I do hope Wilson doesn’t butcher the color and design scheme 😂 That shiny snake skin look is goated

Great review btw

Been waiting for these rackets, but if the retail version is a lower quality version, i will not even bother.

Nice review; no bueno for Wilson. Have you tried the Ultra 99 Pro? Bit like a more powerful and maneuverable Blade Pro with surprisingly solid control/feel but risk of sailing balls if you're late. More power than the eZones. Good for aggressive play.

helpful, honest review as always. have you tested any extended length frames? do you plan to?

The 100 will be more interesting for my level

Thanks for the review! Probably dont be expecting any freebies your way from Wilson anytime soon😅😅

I suspect you might've gotten an earlier model, as I've been hearing the "modern" tech seen in the Blade V10 (in particular the stability upgrades) will absolutely be present for this release.

what a perfect timing !
I just received this racket this morning.

How does this compare to the Nordicdots 98s and 99 G2 then in terms of power and feel?

I'm hoping you will review the Mizuno, god bless the goat of tennis reviews🙏

I dig how you're now listing twistweight in your vids. TW is oft' overlooked but reveals sooo much about stability on off-center hits. Well played!

I love your forehand. May be giving some tutorial for this beautiful forehand ☺

Do your comments about the blade v10 here carry over to the 100 as well? (More powerful than v9)

So not super comfortable, little free power, not forgiving. What was the point of this racket?

They shld just remake the shift 99 and increase the twist weight and call it a day.

you're so right about what the retail versions will be compared to the prototypes, therein lies enigma as we wait. Stellar review !

🐐

Beautiful one hander

Appreciate your honesty and such in-depth review of the P98. I was on the hype-train but probably won't be dissapointed once I get to demo this racquet. Thank you!

Sounds like the P98 is still a work in progress.

Best Reviewer!

Appreciate the detailed review (as always)…I think Wilson may have set themselves up for people to be massively disappointed once the actual racquet is released. The hype train has been rolling for so long, with so many rumors and reviews.

Sounds like youre describing the T-Fight! I have the new V-Core and T-Fight and use them interchangeably. T-Fight has incredible spin with good control and slight less power and spin than the V Core, but the spin in the T-Fight is different!

I strongly disagree in your take as to the VCore “unmanageable” power.. In this case, if you know how to swing and spin power shouldn’t be an issue, all to the contrary, the +P = RPM!😅

Edit: BTW, I tested a few rackets for 3 months leaving me with 3 choices at the end: TFight, VCore 2026 and Aero 98 2026. The TFight became my number #1 , Vcore and Aero 2nd. The Aero was a close 2nd to the Vcore but whippiness in the Vcore is unparalleled. While the Aero is also an excellent choice, the Vcore was noticeably better, not by a wide margin, but better. While the Vcore takes a bit longer to master and the Aero is quite the more manageable from the get-go; when you give the VCore some time, grow into it , learning its hitting angles, you’ll find there’s no racket like it. That gem is incredible. You just need to know how to hit for spin, TECHNIQUE is key. Maybe relearn or adjust as to the way you hit the ball.

I’m a fan of lighter racquets too & think that the older Ultra Pro’s are amazing! {also Seb Korda & Karen Khachanov can be the faces of Python/Redline racquet}