The Pro Shop by Justin diFeliciantonio - Racquet Review: Wilson Tempest Four BLX
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Racquet Review: Wilson Tempest Four BLX 04/27/2011 - 11:11 AM

NewwilsonBy Bruce Levine and Richard Pagliaro

Price: $210
Head Size: 110 square inches
Length: 27.25 inches
Weight: 8.1 oz. (unstrung), 8.7 oz. (strung)
Balance: 11 points head heavy (strung), 14 points head heavy (strung)
Ideal Swing: Short to medium
String Pattern: 16 mains/20 crosses
Beam Width: 28 mm dual taper
NTRP: 2.5-4.0

How It Tested: The lightest frame in the BLX family packs a potent punch and pleasantly surprised play-testers with its mobility. Some compared their experience to getting behind the wheel of a Hummer and finding that it cornered more like a car.

Likes: One of the lightest oversize frames we tested this year impressed play-testers with its power, maneuverability and comfort. Its mobility enhances its versatility: it provides the stability flat-ball strikers relish while offering the maneuverability top-spin hitters crave. The black, gold and white cosmetic gives this game-improvement frame a similar look to Wilson’s player frames. And as one of the least expensive racquets in the BLX family, this frame offers ample bang for the buck. 

Dislikes: While some players may feel apprehensive about playing with a wide beam, this is not an ostentatious, oversize frame. Its head heaviness combined with the lightweight is not ideal for players with full swings, but that’s not who the frame is designed for.

Bottom Line: Wilson has succeeded in creating a multi-faceted frame that merges the power of an oversize with the maneuverability of a mid-plus racquet. If you’re a beginner or intermediate player with a shorter backswing and need additional pop on your shots, this lightweight racquet could fill the bill. Older, intermediate doubles players who are experiencing power deficiency or aren't as mobile around the court should enjoy the Tempest's easy power production and feather-light weight.

Additional comments from Bruce Levine:

TENNIS racquet advisor Bruce Levine is a former touring pro who has coached on both the men’s and women’s tours. Bruce is the general manager of Courtside Racquet Club in Lebanon, N.J., has worked as a full-time teaching pro for 30 years and lectures nationally on racquets and equipment.


 
4
Comments


Posted by CA_tennis_guy 04/27/2011 at 01:16 PM

Ok,this looks like the second sitting of 10+ racket reviews in one day. At least we're not staring into his crotch this time. Was this video shot with a phone camera?

Posted by Amanda 04/27/2011 at 04:32 PM

I was always taught to "keep your eye on the ball" seems like a lot of you guys prefer to keep your eyes on the crotch. Guess it shows where your mind is at.

Posted by jeanius 04/28/2011 at 05:46 PM

This racket is perfect for me. I had been looking for years to replace my ancient Prince Thunderstorm but never found anything that felt right. One day I walked into the shop where I have my rackets restrung by Drew Sunderlin (owner of Strings ‘n Things in Fort Washington, PA), a former stringer for many pros, including Pete Sampras and Fed Cup. So he knows rackets and racket technology. It was bitter cold and the foot of snow on the ground was shrinking. I wiped the snow off my boots and walked in the door. On my right a bunch of rackets were hanging on the wall. The Wilson Tempest Four was at eye level (I’m a 5’1” female). Out of curiosity I picked it up. I waggled it a couple of times and swished it through the air. And I thought-- this could be it! I asked Drew, who was familiar with my racket woes, what he thought and he said it might be right for me. (I’m an intermediate player). He gave me a demo. I couldn’t wait to get on the court. I knew after 2 forehands that this was what I wanted - lightweight, long enough for a shorty like me to extend my reach, and somewhat head heavy to help me swing through the ball. It also comes in a 4 1/8 grip, which is hard for me to find. I also discovered that a pro I work with in Sarasota FL (Jeff Lewis of the Total Tennis shop on Siesta Key, and a big guy of about 6’3” and a couple of hundred pounds) uses it to feed balls. He likes its weight and maneuverability. It comes with Babolat synthetic strings, which I do not like at all. My old racket had hybrid strings and I will soon replace my current strings with those. (This racket was a wonderful birthday present from my sister Judy.)

Posted by jeanius 05/22/2011 at 01:56 PM

Racket update:
I did replace the strings with hybrid and what a difference- a bigger sweet spot and more pop on the ball. If you are ever debating about strings, follow your gut (!) and replace them.

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