The Wilson Clash 98 is a great racquet built for playability and designed for the modern player. It’s headlight balance and mid-320’s swingweight allow for easy spin and the Flex Feel in the throat give a comfortable ride throughout.
The Clash Tour is my racquet of choice, so the Wilson Clash 98 was very familiar in my hands. The have the same specs, except for two square inches in the head, but the 98 definitely upped the control while giving less free power.
Clash 98 Review: Playtest
With easy depth and a heavy ball, the Clash 98 makes you feel like you’re always on offense. It’s like turning down the difficulty on the game while still rewarding you for your best work. When I’m not playing well, the Clash 98 doesn’t exacerbate the problems, and when I’m playing my best it compliments my game at every turn.
The Clash 98 felt incredibly fast through the air, so I really loved approach shots. I was able to whip the racquet around, creating tons of spin, and dropping the ball seemingly wherever I wanted. At net, the Clash 98 felt slightly more stable than the other Clash offerings, while still providing great touch on low balls in a super maneuverable frame.
The speed of the racquet and the stability make serving not just easy, but honestly, more fun. I can hit every serve in the book and place it anywhere I want. When I’m serving well, it always feels like the rest of my game just comes together, and my game just kept coming together with the Clash 98.
From the baseline the entire Clash line shines with its blend of spin, stability, and most importantly comfort. I have every arm problem known to the modern player, and I can play all day with this racquet. The Clash 98 is designed for poly strings strung nice and low, and you can immediately tell. I had Luxilon ALU Power at 48 pounds for my test and I had all the control and spin I use poly to get without sacrificing the comfort I need.
Wilson Clash 98 Review: Conclusion
The Wilson Clash 98 is in every way built for the modern player in the modern game. I keep saying it because that’s really the only way to put it. This racquet is built for you to succeed with it.
This Clash 98 review is more glowing than I usually like to be because the reality every racquet has some downsides, but this racquet suited my game beautifully. If you like a crisp response, this racquet might not be a great fit, but that’s about the only player this racquet won’t pair well with.
The Clash 98 sublimely combines the power you’re looking for with the control you need in one of the most comfortable rides you’ll find.
Wilson Clash 98 Strung Specifications:
Head Size: 98 in | 632.26 cm²
Length: 27in | 68.58cm
Strung Weight: 11.5oz | 326g
Balance: 12.4in | 31.5cm | 9 pts HL
Swingweight: 326
Stiffness: 55 RA
Racquet Colors: Black | Grey | Red
String Pattern: 16 Mains | 19 Crosses
If you would like to pick up a Wilson Clash 98, Tennis Warehouse has them!
- Blade V7 vs Clash 98 - August 31, 2019