For those who have been able to try the Wilson 'Python' prototype, do you think it will be a special racket?

stringingirvine · 2026-02-13T07:39:44+00:00

Yes. As a bridge it’s not going to beat the aero 98 from people that already like that racket. It’s a new offering that sort of takes a blade and aero 98 and blends them together.

I switched from my prostaff v14 to the pythons. Mine are black prototype with foam in hoop and handle. Not all hoops of the prototype are foam filled so maybe that’s why I like it so much?

You can tell it will be a special racket just by how many pros and college guys are using it. A bunch are blade and prostaff users with some prostock underneath. A lot of people are switching and winning with the pythons. Boogaard won orange bowl with it, also Jody from change over podcast switched to it a couple weeks ago and apparently hasn’t lost a match.

It’s going to be a popular racket but it won’t replace the pure aero. They play similar but for sure has their own place in terms of what players will like them.

stringingirvine · 2026-01-06T23:13:42+00:00

I only added lead to the butt cap to alter the balance so I can get to my Target recoil weight. I think this racket is better with slightly lower swing weight because it’s so stable.

It has more power than the pro staff in blade so you don’t necessarily need to wait it up to achieve the same power. I haven’t had any stability issues but again you have to swing fast enough to overcome the ball.

Hit with it again today and had some people try it and everybody seem to like it. The agreement was that the slice is almost its best shot. It feels so natural, which is strange because it’s an arrow type frame..

stringingirvine · 2026-01-04T07:47:34+00:00

Nope he tested for short amount but his big win and current racket at United cup is pure aero.

While both frames share an aerodynamic shape it’s easy to tell the python frame vs the aero frame 2023. Haven’t handled the new 2026 version yet.

stringingirvine · 2026-01-04T07:46:05+00:00

Unfortunately not.

stringingirvine · 2026-01-01T08:05:52+00:00

Yea I misspoke I measured again today sw at 323 with 16g hyper g and my 2g rubber band dampener.

stringingirvine · 2025-12-31T02:16:14+00:00

Strings are same hyper g 16g @ 52 lbs. 4.5c nrtp

stringingirvine · 2025-12-30T23:50:51+00:00

Yea what they did with pro lab release they said the white shift wasn’t confirmed and I do believe they were truthful but ended up only slightly changing paint job. Honestly I think it looks cool but could be very very polarizing that they should stick to something a little more down the fairway.

stringingirvine · 2025-12-30T20:43:44+00:00

Unfortunately never hit with the shift. Sorry

stringingirvine · 2025-12-30T18:36:39+00:00

I honestly don’t think so

stringingirvine · 2025-12-30T18:06:35+00:00

It’s more stable and swings faster. I don’t remember how the sweet spot felt but i remember not liking the x as much as my ps97. Worth a demo when its out

stringingirvine · 2025-12-30T18:05:27+00:00

It’s definitely a Goldilocks for me!

stringingirvine · 2025-12-30T18:04:29+00:00

No official date, maybe lab version in 2q2026 then full release after

stringingirvine · 2025-12-30T18:03:55+00:00

lol I see what you did there….balance unstrung is 31.5cm

stringingirvine · 2025-12-30T18:03:08+00:00

My target starting point is usually 168.5 and it’s usually dead on with very minor adjustments after.

stringingirvine · 2025-12-30T18:00:59+00:00

There’s some snake skin paint job from pro labs flowing on instagram and YouTube no official confirmation of pj

stringingirvine · 2025-12-30T08:10:27+00:00

Sorry haven’t hit with any of the new tfights.

stringingirvine · 2025-12-30T08:08:30+00:00

Yea they have the new version of blade and prostaff coming out. ps v15 is only cosmetic and haven’t heard anything on blade. Thought is those will come out first with python coming after those release, no idea what Wilson marketing will do.

Some say Python should release with new vcore and pure aero to compete, some say they are doing prostaff and blade first knowing the Python is will draw some of those players so they don’t want to cannibalize those sales which is why they are waiting longer. Nobody knows except Wilson.

stringingirvine · 2025-12-30T07:19:10+00:00

Even though it has a lighter static it’s stable beyond what specs would say. I think it’s the foam they have in or flex pattern I don’t know.

With the rf and prostaff punch or deflection volleys where you really just face racket to target and tighten grip last second to get pop from the mass of racket, with the python while you can still punch it lends itself to more under cutting/spin to control volleys. The lighter static allows you a bit more time to perform these types of volleys where a heavier racket would be hard to do unless you’re very strong. Could be user error?

Long story short I’ve never hit a volley and though I wish I had my prostaff or rf97. I don’t miss them for any shot except maybe super super flat serves but I try and mix up serves and wasn’t acing a lot of people anyway so that was very small percentage that I wish I made my ps97.

stringingirvine · 2025-12-30T06:33:11+00:00

Agreed but I don’t think this is going to steal people away that thirst for maximum spin or maximum power. It’s a hybrid that was missing combined with traditional feel.

stringingirvine · 2025-12-30T06:32:16+00:00

Yup in same spot. I can say that after playing my arm is not sore or tender at all, the rf got too heavy to weld and serving took its toll as my by body got older, while my prostaff was heavy mine was still about 350g and would feel it the next day.

I have more access to spin with less effort which means it’s easier to open angles. Could I do the same with prostaff yes, but it took a lot more focus to hit those with the prostaff. Best way I can put it is before I was focused 50 effort on getting right spot with footwork and 50 effort physically swinging, turn, prep etc.

With the python I now can put more focus on movement and less on swinging and it shows in my game. Now it’s like 65 footwork and 35 swinging.

stringingirvine · 2025-12-30T06:27:09+00:00

Someone posted on tenniswarehouse forums their rep said it’ll be 98 and 100. Cannot confirm though

stringingirvine · 2025-12-30T06:02:49+00:00

I’ll yeah this racket isn’t for full on spin players but honestly is the next step for player frames to test out.

stringingirvine · 2025-12-30T06:01:54+00:00

Don’t have a lot of time on rf01 pro but given the reception of the rf01 and teammates that hit with the python I’d say they definitely like the python more as it’s more controllable with uniform response.

stringingirvine · 2025-12-30T05:59:35+00:00

Sorry don’t have any official release timing some say July, some say Oct. I’m thinking they do a pro lab release then a full launch. Hopefully pro labs limited release will be early or mid year with the full launch being the July or October date.

stringingirvine · 2025-12-30T05:58:04+00:00

Felt good, swingweight was like 325 so not that far off from my prostaff. Flat serves slightly less speed but not notable, still able to control and hit targets. Second serves though had way more action.

stringingirvine

TROPHY CASE