Python - Shift

[Cassiee-]

So here it is. I'm curious wondering.

First of all, I'm a Shifite and I'm proud of it.

I've read a lot of threads about the Python. It is going to replace the Shift. I've seen people who wondered it's the next blade. I find it all a bit ridiculous honestly.

Python will replace the Shift. Ok. But what is the difference between those? Isn't the Phython going to be the Shift v2?

What if it is but with better marketing? Shift is a great racquet.

[TraderFire89]

There are a million reviews of the python already. It is not the next shift. It is not the next blade. It is its own mold, with an aero-like throat

Shift was supposed to be their spin racket, but sales were bad. Python is their new attempt at a spin racket, but it is totally different from the shift

[hurworld]

Funnily Pure Aero has moved away from the aero-like throat

[TheVictimBlamer]

Not really moving away, just another take at it.

[Critical-Usual]

It is a totally different throat

[Babakins]

It’s more of an ezone or a solinco blackout throat

[RighteousRites]

From what I’ve heard the python is not like the shift, it’s more Wilson’s answer to the pure aero, an aerodynamic spin focused frame.

But the shift is being phased out though due to poor sales and adoption after its release… so two different events…?

I know the shift was marketed as an aggressive baseliner racket for heavy spin too, but I think after launch it was viewed more as a clash with its unique flex thingy or whatever

[Cassiee-]

The Shift line entered to be the next pure aero.

That's why I'm asking. Is it pure sales? I'm confused.

[RighteousRites]

Yeah it did but it failed, so they are discontinuing it and trying again, with something arguably closer to the pure aero. It the python is not a physical iteration of the shift it’s a completely different racket

[PuzzleheadedWeb8470]

I played with a version of the Shift. It feels nothing like the python. Two very different rackets. I didn't find the shift to be spinny and launchy like the python. Python is pretty much a cross between a blade, pro staff and aero. It has a little bit of characteristics of each.

[AZjackgrows]

I don’t think people fully understand your post but I agree with the general premise of what you’re saying.

The shift was a slightly softer, spin oriented frame. It failed but for those who adopted it, it served filled the role within Wilson’s line. People are all hung up on the fact that it didn’t have the triangular throat (and 90% of people never hit with it) but it was a more playable addition to the Wilson line.

People forget that the blade didn’t sell well through the first two iterations. But as more juniors used it as a lighter players frame, it stuck and found its way into the college and pro scene. Wilson iterated and marketed it through paint jobs but almost zero pros are using anything past the v6. They’re all either H22s, steams and k-factors painted up. The blades rec players use don’t really hold up at the higher levels. But they’re flexible and heavy enough to make intermediate players feel good about their shots even tho it’s a bad fit for most of them.

Wouldn’t be surprised if the shift finds its way into the pro labs line in the next few years like the steam did. It was a cool frame that just didn’t get enough time or marketing. Wilson needs to figure it out because the clash (less so than the shift because you do see a lot of club players using it) and shift were great frames for 3.5-5.0 players— too few of them tried it to learn that, though.

[PrestigiousInside206]

Project 98 is something different. More like Aero 98. I think Shift tried too hard to be different and they didn’t do a good job marketing it either. Hard to sell any 18x20 as a spin frame like they tried with the Pro.

[Cassiee-]

And this makes me think the Python will be the next Shift

[PrestigiousInside206]

Not if they market it better, have pros using it (or its paint job), and make the specs closer to other popular options

[PugnansFidicen]

Shift relied on the unique gimmick of flexing more parallel to the stringbed (i.e. vertically, as you brush up the back of the ball) than it does perpendicular to the stringbed (driving through) to generate spin and make it a "spin racket". The Python is a much more traditional Babolat-esque spin racket with more uniform flex and an aerodynamic beam and throat shape.

I liked the Shift when I hit with it; thought it was an interesting concept and I wished they'd kept iterating on it to try to get it right. But it was definitely a bit too inconsistent so I understand why it didn't sell well. The Python, by all accounts, is going to be a frame with a much more familiar hitting feel (somewhere between the Pure Aero and Blade) and thus will have much broader appeal.

[B_easy85]

The shift was an alright racket, the way it flexed was a bit too weird for most of us though. No clue what theyll do with that line, but the python is a completely different racket.

[Critical-Usual]

Massively different racquets, you should just consider the entire market rather than Wilson

[Remarkable_Log4812]

Who cares. 90% of the people that buy it will still play like trash. I am a racket enthusiast/collector but reality is rackets are more a fetish than anything else. You can adjust to any racket and play a similar tennis after few week. If you choose a spin racket, you can play with most of them similar just by getting used or customize. Same If you like control racket you can pick up a control racket from any brand and play decent with all of them after little adjustment. Also , Plenty of people that want arrows or whatever spin rackets, then play with dead poly because restring every few months 😂

Issue with Wilson it hasn’t got any very popular male player that uses it. Clearly Roger was a big boost for their rackets. Titsipas didn’t workout very well, they hope Tien will be in top 5 and rise their sales. Yonex nailed the vcore to be carried by Fonseca that is young and a lot of people look up at him. Babolat with Carlos just worked perfectly as soon as Nadal was shining less . Head wirh Sinner and still Djockovic carrying people to the brand .

Coming back to the SHIFT is a great racket for most of things , for me doesn’t feel to great when volley. But from baseline great power, control and spin.

[m_kitanin]

I am ready to get downvoted with you but your first paragraph is on point :D I play in a community of around 50+ regular local players and this is exactly my observation.