Why Listen to Me? (Or: Confessions of a Racket Testing Addict)
Here’s something you should know about me – I’ve tested so many rackets that my pro shop guy has started including me in his family holiday photos. I’m Sophia Williams, and when I’m not coaching tennis (8 years and counting), I’m probably somewhere on court muttering about frame stiffness and flex points. That Exercise Science degree from the University of Florida? It mostly taught me exactly why that elbow of yours is complaining after every session.
Every time I walk into my local tennis shop, Steve (my long-suffering racket guy) just sighs and starts preparing the demo rack. “Another review?” he’ll ask, already knowing the answer. What can I say? Someone’s got to test these things properly.
My testing process is pretty thorough:
- Extensive on-court sessions with all levels of players
- Real match testing (when I can convince my students to let me stop analyzing their footwork)
- Teaching hours (because nothing tests comfort like 6 hours of lessons)
- Late-night hitting sessions (sorry, neighbors)
I don’t have any fancy sponsorships or brand deals – just an arguably unhealthy obsession with finding the perfect frame for every playing style. And maybe a slight problem with buying “just one more racket” to compare against the others.
Full disclosure: I may or may not have a spreadsheet rating every racket I’ve ever tested. My therapist says admitting it is the first step.
First Impressions (Or: When Comfort Gets an Upgrade)
The moment you pick up the Clash 100 V3, you know something’s different. It’s like Wilson took everything we loved about the previous version and thought, “How can we make this even more comfortable?” During my first hitting session, my student Sarah (who typically complains about every racket being too harsh) actually forgot to complain. Progress!
Ready To Try It Yourself? Check out the Wilson Clash 100 V3 on Amazon
The Nitty-Gritty Tech Stuff
Let’s get nerdy with the specs:
- 100 sq. inch head: Sweet spot paradise
- 16×19 string pattern: Spin-friendly without losing control
- 295g (10.4 oz) unstrung: Light enough for long sessions
- FORTYFIVE°: That famous Clash flexibility
- DirectConnect: Better feel at contact
Feel and Response (Or: The Comfort King Keeps Its Crown)
After six weeks of intensive testing (and several raised eyebrows from my students who keep seeing new rackets appear), here’s what stands out:
The feel breakdown:
- Comfort Level: Off the charts – your arm will thank you
- Impact Feel: Plush but not mushy
- Power: Controlled but available when needed
- Sweet Spot: More forgiving than my ex
Performance Breakdown
Groundstrokes
This is where the V3 really shows its evolution. The famous Clash comfort is still there, but now there’s an added level of control that makes you feel like you can really go after your shots.
During a particularly intense lesson last week, I had my advanced junior (who normally plays with a much stiffer frame) try a few games with it. His response? “Wait, I can hit this hard AND my arm doesn’t hurt?” Welcome to the Clash life, kid.
Serving
The serve motion is where you really feel that unique Clash flex pattern. It’s like the racket loads up energy and releases it in a way that’s both powerful and controllable.
Serving highlights:
- Flat Serves: Plenty of pace when needed
- Kick Serves: Great bite and control
- Slice Serves: Surprisingly precise
Volleys
Here’s where things get interesting. The Clash 100 V3’s comfort doesn’t come at the expense of feel at net. Touch volleys feel natural, and the stability on punch volleys is impressive for such a comfortable frame.
String Setup (Or: My Poor Stringer’s Adventure)
After testing more string combinations than I care to admit (sorry again, Steve), here’s what works best:
Best setups tested:
- Full Poly: Lower tension (around 48-52 lbs) works beautifully
- Hybrid Option: Poly mains (50) / Multi crosses (48)
- Comfort Setup: Full multi at 54 lbs if you want cloud-like feel
Who’s This For?
Perfect match for:
- Players with arm issues: Finally, relief!
- All-court players: Who want comfort without sacrifice
- Intermediate to advanced players: Looking for control with comfort
- Long session players: Teaching pros, league players
Maybe look elsewhere if:
- You need: Ultimate stability for heavy hitting
- You love: Super firm, ultra-feedback frames
- You’re looking for: Pure power above all else
The Bottom Line
The Wilson Clash 100 V3 is like that friend who somehow gets along with everyone. It’s comfortable enough for sensitive arms, stable enough for aggressive play, and controlled enough for precise shot-making. Wilson has managed to improve on what was already one of the most comfortable frames in tennis.
Is it perfect? No racket is. But if you’re looking for exceptional comfort without sacrificing playability, or if you want a frame that can handle long playing sessions without beating up your arm, the Clash 100 V3 deserves your attention.
Ready to experience comfort perfected? Check out the Wilson Clash 100 V3 on Amazon
P.S. If you see me comparing the flex patterns of different rackets by pressing them against my ear, no you didn’t. It’s a totally normal and scientific testing method. I think.
Hi
Thanks for this. I have the V2, but I am also wondering if I should consider the V3 100 or V3 100 Pro.
Can you shed some light on what to consider to help me decide which to get?
Hi Tony!
Thanks for dropping by my Wilson Clash review! I totally get the upgrade dilemma – tennis racquet FOMO is a real condition that affects thousands of players annually (myself included, as my credit card statements can painfully confirm).
So, moving from the V2 to either V3 model is definitely an interesting consideration. Here’s what I’d think about:
If you’ve been happy with your V2 Clash 100 and just want the updated version with subtle improvements, the standard V3 100 is your safer bet. It maintains that fantastic comfort the Clash line is known for while offering slightly better stability and a touch more control. They’ve refined rather than revolutionized.
The V3 100 Pro, however, is where things get spicier. It’s a bit heavier (11.5oz vs 11.0oz unstrung), has a thinner beam, and that 16×19 pattern gives you a touch more control and slightly less spin potential than the regular V3. The Pro definitely demands more from you as a player but rewards you with extra precision and plow-through.
Key questions to ask yourself:
1. How’s your arm feeling? If comfort is paramount, stick with the standard V3.
2. Do you have solid technique and swing speed? If yes, the Pro might give you that extra performance ceiling.
3. Are you happy with the power level of your V2? If you want a bit more control, lean Pro.
One thing I noticed when testing both: the standard V3 feels more “Clash-like” (that unique flex and feel), while the Pro feels slightly more conventional (in a good way).
What kind of player are you, and what aspects of your V2 do you love or wish were different? That would help me give more targeted advice!
Hope this helps!
Sophia
Hi Sophia, thanks for your review! I currently play with the Head Radical Team and recently demo’ed the Clash v3 and Head Gravity MPL. I enjoyed both for the extra power and depth on groundstrokes the demo racquets provided over the Radical. In your opinion, would you say the Clash plays similarly to the MP or MPL series in the Head line? I’m a 4.0 USTA competitive doubles player with a 2HBH looking for a versatile all-court racquet that is also good for volleys.
Hi Liz,
OMG Sorry for the delayed response, was logged out of my email for this blog and didn’t even realize it! 🤣
First of all, thank you for reading my review! And wow, you’re testing some serious contenders there. The eternal racket hunt continues for us all, doesn’t it?
So comparing the Clash V3 to the Head MP/MPL series is like comparing chocolate ice cream to vanilla – both delicious but definitely different flavor profiles! The Clash has that unique flexible feel that’s almost in a category of its own. While both the Clash and the Gravity MPL offer good power, the Clash has that distinctive “bend-not-break” sensation on impact that some players absolutely love and others find a bit too muted.
For a 4.0 doubles specialist with a two-hander looking for all-court versatility (aka YOU!), I’d say the Clash might give you slightly better comfort and forgiveness, while the Head MPL would offer a bit more connection and feedback. The Clash absolutely excels at volleys – that flexibility really helps absorb pace when someone’s trying to blast through you at the net.
Since you’ve already demoed both, which one felt better on volleys to you? And how did your two-hander feel on both? Sometimes that second point of contact can reveal differences you might not notice on the forehand side.
I’m genuinely curious which way you’re leaning! Either choice would serve a 4.0 doubles player well, but rackets are SO personal – kind of like finding the right dance partner.
Let me know what you decide!
Sophia
I purchased the clash v3 after reading this post. I had the v2 and enjoyed it. I’d like to try a multi & poly setup. Can you recommend what multi & poly strings I should try? I’ve been playing with a full bed of mach 10. It’s not bad but I’d like to try a hybrid setup. Thanks for posting, really enjoyed it!
Hi Daniel,
Thanks so much for reading the review and glad you’re enjoying the Clash v3! Great choice upgrading from the v2.
For a multi/poly hybrid setup, here are some combinations that work really well with the Clash’s flexible frame:
Mains (Poly):
Luxilon ALU Power or Element – reliable control and durability
Solinco Hyper-G – great spin potential with good comfort
Babolat RPM Blast – popular choice for spin and control
Crosses (Multi):
Wilson NXT or NXT Power – excellent comfort and feel
Tecnifibre X-One Biphase – premium feel with good power
Prince Synthetic Gut with Duraflex – budget-friendly but effective
I’d suggest starting with ALU Power mains at about 2-4 lbs lower than your full Mach 10 tension, and NXT crosses about 2-3 lbs higher than the mains. This setup will give you more control than your current full multi while maintaining the Clash’s signature comfort.
Since you liked the Mach 10, you might also consider keeping it in the crosses with a poly main – it’s a string you already know works for you!
Let me know how the hybrid setup works out for you. Always interested to hear how different string combinations perform with the Clash.
Thanks for the great feedback on the review!
Thank you so much for your input Sophia! I’ll be interested to see how the hybrid setup compares to a full bed of Mach 10. I have triax paired with Mach 10 in my clash v2 and it feels more soft/plush. The triax gets worn out quickly though.
What are your thoughts on toroline and restring? I understand they have a lot of spin potential. Maybe I can pair it with X One Biphase?