Wilson Clash Review

When people try different types of tennis racquets out there, many feel pretty much the same as other models. After all, companies can only be so innovative with their ideas, while also trying hard not to alienate players.

Wilson took a huge chance with their new Wilson Clash series, and so far it has paid off very well. The racquet plays and feels a lot different than any other racquet seen before, and it has paved the way for Wilson as a company to change up their lineup by using the technology in other racquets as well.

Is the Wilson Clash a racquet worth investing in? Depending on what a player is looking for, it definitely stands out. Now that they have six different types of Wilson Clash racquets in the line, there is a perfect fit for just about any player.

Before going into the review, here are our overall ratings.

First Impressions

The Wilson Clash racquet is going to make an immediate impact on any player as soon as they try it out. The biggest reason why? The FreeFlex technology in the racquet. It is the first racquet engineered to bend with any type of swing. This allows for better control, a comfort level never seen before, and overall stability. 

Like any new racquet, it takes a little bit to get dialed in, but what sells this racquet is the comfort level. In an age where so many racquets are turning to stiffer frames and polyester strings that are tough on the arm, Wilson has addressed complaints people have had about comfort.

Groundstrokes & Volleys

This is a huge step in the right direction for the Clash off of the ground. The racquet is very flexible, which fits into the playstyle of many different types of players. Everyone from beginners to college/professional level players will enjoy the extra bit of comfort.

Unlike some of the other soft racquets that are easy on the arm, a player still feels very connected to the ball when they are hitting. The control is there, which keeps players staying aggressive. Depending on which Wilson Clash a person goes with, they can get considerable pace behind a ball with ease.

Lacks Stability At The Net

After hitting some powerful groundstrokes, moving up to the net is relatively easy as well. It doesn’t play quite as well as a volleying racquet compared to off the ground, but that doesn’t mean it’s terrible either. The only real difference is that stability adjustments are a bit challenging.

It is a very maneuverable racquet at the net, but stability is challenging at times, especially for high-level players. It can be pushed around a bit on volleys, and if a person feels that way, they can always go with one of the heavier Wilson Clash models.

Once a player does get used to the setup, it is effortless to control shots at the net. Players can feel comfortable enough hitting firm groundstrokes and following them in. Players who like a muted feel off of a racquet will love the way the Clash responds.

Serves

Although it’s not considered a true negative, the serve is where people will have the most complaints if they have any. It still performs very well, but doesn’t blow people away like some of the other aspects of the racquet.

While some playtesters have had more than enough success with power on the serve, others aren’t quite as convinced. Maybe the flexibility and maneuverability of the racquet work against some players. It has a relatively small sweet spot for a power serve, so players who are a bit erratic with serves might become more frustrated with how it works than others.

One thing it does exceptionally well is helping to dial in control. It is much easier to place serves that hit extremely hard, or with a lot of spin like a second serve. A lot of players are looking for that extra bit of control instead of a ton of power. Just keep in mind that if speed is the main goal with a new racquet, there might be a better option out there.

Which Wilson Clash Is Best?

At this time, Wilson has a total of six different Wilson Clash racquets. They all provide a very arm-friendly experience with plenty of stability, but each racquet fits a different type of player.

I personally prefer the Wilson Clash 100 Tour, but if you aren’t playing tennis on a competitive level, I would recommend going with the regular Wilson Clash 100.

Wilson Clash 100 Tour

This is the heaviest Wilson Clash available right now. Weighing in at 11.5 ounces strung, advanced players can take advantage of the 322 swing weight. Players will notice stronger groundstrokes, harder first serves in the right hands, and more. It sacrifices a bit of stability at the net, but players who like heavier racquets but want something that helps the arm will love it. You can check the current price on Amazon here.

Wilson Clash 100

This is considered the flagship model in this line. It was the first to release and is a great all-around racquet. The strung weight of 11 ounces fits right in the middle of a modern-day racquet. For players who don’t have a racquet that stands out when playtesting, this is the model to stick with.

Wilson Clash 100L

Players looking to shed some weight from the standard model will like the Clash 100L. The company designed this racquet for players who might not be playing too competitively yet, but want to see their progress with a very flexible racquet. It makes control much easier, full strokes possible, and a perfect introduction to the Wilson Clash line. You can check the current price on Amazon here.

Wilson Clash 100 UL

This is another entry-level bracket with the Wilson Clash technology. A lot of beginners will get great use out of this racquet as they learn how to play the game. Hitting groundstrokes is extremely easy, and stability is surprisingly solid for such a light racquet.

With the weight being just 9.9 ounces, it’s going to be a little too lightweight for anyone who plays at a certain level. However, it’s worth picking up as a great performance model for players looking to make quick improvements. You can check the current price on Amazon here.

Wilson Clash 98

For some tennis players, moving to a 100 square inch racquet is a bit too much. They are used to smaller head sizes, and the Clash 98 performs well by shedding just a couple of square inches.

This racquet is as heavy as the Wilson Clash 100 tour, but it feels a bit more compact because of the size of the head. It’s still very arm-friendly, and players notice a crisp, solid feel off of groundstrokes. The swingweight makes it pretty easy to take full cuts without having to speed up preparation.

A lot of players also love that it produces a lot of power and spin-off of serves. Players can dial it in and put the ball where they want on the court against any type of player.

Wilson Clash 108

On the other end of the spectrum, certain players don’t want to move down to a 100 square inch racquet. The Wilson Clash 108 provides a bigger head size, slightly longer length, and plenty of power potential for certain players.

Most of the more oversized racquets tend to be used by older players who might need that extra bit of boost. It still provides an excellent feel with any shot, and although maneuverability takes a hit with a bigger racquet to move around, it’s still perfect for singles or doubles.


Check out my other Wilson racquet reviews:

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