Introducing the Wilson Labs Project Shift 99 (300g) racquet

The Wilson Shift (300 g) is a totally new wilson tennis racquet for 2023.

The racquet I had for testing is a prototype that was sent in limited numbers to a set of testers.

Each tester had the opportunity to provide Wilson with feedback on their feelings with the racquet, for later modifications.

Two versions are available for sale in February 2023:

• a 300 g version, the one I have tested
• a 315 g version, heavier and less powerful, with a 18x20 string pattern.

The goal is to provide a racquet with an intermediate level of power, interesting for players with a game style based on power and topspin.

I think it's a good idea from Wilson to offer a relatively versatile racquet, I think it was missingj among Wilson Tennis racquets. 

It could fill a gap between the Pro Staff/the Blades and the Clash/Burn/Ultra.

The racquet was designed to bend laterally and vertically, vertically to facilitate topspin shots from low to high.

Concerning this bending in all the directions, it makes me think a bit of the Forty Five technology present on the Wilson Clash and Blade, however the sensations are different with the Shift which I found stiffer than the Clash and the Blade, a little less than the Ultra.

99 in² head size

This kind of head size is very rare ; at the time of writing this article, I have found only two other racquets with this head size:

• Head Prestige MP L
• ProKennex Destiny FCS 265g

This allows:

• to have an interesting compromise between power and control,
• to have correct maneuverability without having a head size that is too small,
• to have tolerance and access to topspin without having a head size that is too big.

16x20 string pattern

The 16x20 string pattern shows, in my opinion, Wilson's desire to bring a slight "control" side to the Wilson Shift, which will be a little less powerful than if it had had a 16x19 string pattern.

Look of the racquet

Concerning the look of the racquet, it is quite sober, with an original painting which, like the Wilson Blade and Ultra, changes the color slightly depending on the light, going from a bright white to slightly bluish color. I find it original and nice.

The Power of the Wilson Labs Project Shift 99 (300g) racquet

This racquet seems to come, in terms of power between the less powerful Pro Staff / Blade and the rather powerful Burn / Ultra and also Clash.

Power isn't far from the Clash but the Clash is perhaps a little easier to play, especially the Clash 100 with its bigger headsize and its 16x19 string pattern.

When testing with the Luxilon Element 24 kg (53 lbs) I lacked power, while when testing with the Prince Duraflex 20 kg (44 lbs) I had just the right amount of power for my game, even on serve where I tend to lack power.

In terms of technique, I recommend having medium or large swings.

• The original head size of 639 cm²/99 in² gives an interesting compromise between control and power.
• The slightly tighter 16x20 string pattern slightly increases racquet control.
• The relatively large profile helps provide power.

The feeling of power will therefore depend on the string used and its tension, but overall the racquet gives an intermediate level of power, with a slight “control” side, it’s rather versatile and will be interesting for many players.

Here is a comparison in terms of power with some other racquets:

More power:

• Babolat Pure Drive 300 g
• Babolat Pure Aero 300 g
• Head Extreme MP
• Head Boom MP, Extreme MP, Instinct MP
• Tecnifibre TF-X1
• Wilson Burn, Ultra, Clash 100
• Yonex EZone 100, VCore 100

Similar power:

• Head Speed MP (a bit more power than the Shift 99 300 g)
• Head Prestige MP L
• Head Extreme Tour
• Babolat Pure Aero 98

Less power :

• Wilson Blade 98
• Wilson Pro Staff
• Solinco Whiteout 98
• Babolat Pure Strike
• Head Prestige Tour, Pro, MP
• Tecnifibre TF40 305 18x20
• Yonex VCore 98, VCore Pro 97

Access to spins with the Wilson Labs Project Shift 99 (300g) racquet

I had good feelings on the backhand slice.

I had correct access to topspin but a little difficult with a tension of 24 kg, fairly easy access with a tension of 20 kg.

The 16x20 string pattern may reduce topspin access a bit, but with the 639 cm² headsize, overall topspin access is very good, without being extreme.

Maneuverability

With the balance located at 31.5 cm, I found the maneuverability very good, without the racket giving a very clear feeling of lightness in the head.

I liked the maneuverability on my one-handed backhand, also helped by the 99 head size and also by the shape of the frame which is rather classical and not too rounded.

I also liked the maneuverability on the serve, where I was able to have a good acceleration of the racquet head despite my racquet drop which is not very deep.

Comfort

I found the damping of vibrations and shocks quite present, with at the same time firm sensations and a bit of stiffness when hitting the ball.

Overall, I find that the Wilson Shift gives a good level of comfort, I like to play with this racquet and at the moment I even continue to play with it, alternating with my usual racquet, the Prince Tour 100P, which is a very comfortable.

If I can switch between these two racquets easily, it’s a good sign concerning the comfort of the Shift.

The feeling of comfort also depends greatly on the string and its tension; I had much more comfort during my test with the string stretched at 20 kg, compared to the sting stretched at 24 kg.

Who would I recommend the Wilson Labs Project Shift 99 (300g) racquet to?

I would recommend the Wilson Shift (300 g) to players:

• of an intermediate or advanced level, not for beginners,
• who want a racquet with intermediate power,
• with any game style but rather modern game style, with power and topspin, no need to be extremely powerful to play with this racquet,
• players with a lot of power may be interested in the Wilson Shift 315 g, that has a tighter string pattern 18x20 that will give more control and also a bit less access to topspin
• who want good access to topspin, without being extreme,
• who are looking for a racquet with very good maneuverability,
• a good level of comfort, slight feeling of firmness on impact,
• who appreciate the Wilson racquets but who lack power with the Blade/Pro Staff and who have too much power with the Clash, Ultra or the Burn or simply who don’t like the feeling with the Clash.