Wilson DEFY Pro V.1 Review: The New Offensive Racket That Defies Expectations

In recent years, radical innovation has been rare in the world of padel rackets, with manufacturers prioritizing the evolution of their flagship models rather than annual revolutions. The arrival of a new reference is therefore a highly anticipated event for enthusiasts. This time, it is Wilson who is taking up the challenge with a pala with an evocative nomenclature: the DEFY. A name that promises to defy conventions, dare to be bold and push the limits of the game. But does this racket live up to its name? Is it a significant innovation, capable of asserting itself against the competition, or simply an update of a model already existing in the American equipment manufacturer's catalog? Through this test, we will discover if this new model keeps its promises and deserves its place among the "offensive" references on the market.

DEFY Pro V.1

This evocative name was not chosen at random, and it invites reflection to explore all its nuances. Defying the competition, breaking one's own limits or surpassing expectations: the message that Wilson wishes to convey could not be clearer.

To bring this racket to life, the American manufacturer teamed up with Javi Garrido. The Andalusian player, known for his exceptional hitting power, was given carte blanche to design a racket that perfectly matches his explosive playing style. This exceptional smasher now has a tailor-made reference to accompany him on the court and make his opponents tremble with formidable power.

The “Pro” signifies excellence, performance and cutting-edge technology for demanding gamers, while the “V1” marks the beginning of a new era, pure innovation. It can also imply that there will be later versions (V2, V3, etc.), which creates anticipation and interest for future developments.

Defy portrait Wilson DEFY Pro V.1 Review: The New Offensive Racket That Defies Expectations

3 Defy Wilson DEFY Pro V.1 Review: The New Offensive Racket That Defies Expectations

Design and Aesthetics

This racket is undoubtedly one of the most aesthetically successful models. With a combination of only two colors, it offers an unprecedented and explosive impact.

Matte black and shimmering gold form a perfect alliance for a padel racket, combining timeless elegance with a touch of luxury. The black, deep and sophisticated, provides a solid and modern base, while the gold, bright and precious, instills an ultra dynamic dimension. Together, these two colors convey a message of refinement and excellence, which gives this racket a visual identity as strong as it is memorable.

Ergonomics and Personalization

The DEFY Pro V1 handle is distinguished by a slightly longer length than other Wilson models I have tested. However, it retains the brand's typical grip characteristics, with a substantial thickness in line with factory standards (4-1/4″ or European size 2). This traditionally generous measurement often requires a personalized adaptation for optimal comfort. A practical tip is to remove the original grip and replace it (for me) with two overgrips stretched to the maximum, thus obtaining a circumference perfectly adapted to one's morphology.

To better understand these measures:

The 4-1/4″ represents the circumference of the handle in Anglo-Saxon notation, standard at Wilson
Size 2 is the European equivalent of this measurement, on a scale that extends to 5 in the tennis world.

A simple but essential accessory, the fleece wrist strap is a valuable asset for padel players. It effectively combats perspiration, which is inevitable during periods of high heat. Thanks to its fleece, sweat from the wrists is absorbed, ensuring a drier and safer grip. Comfort is also enhanced by the quality, softness and thickness of the fabric used.

It is possible to remove the transparent protective film located on the upper part of the frame. If you are looking for better handling and to optimize the balance, this will allow you to reduce the weight by a few grams.

Defy Pro Cassis Wilson DEFY Pro V.1 Review: The New Offensive Racket That Defies Expectations

Defy Stef Wilson DEFY Pro V.1 Review: The New Offensive Racket That Defies Expectations

Innovative Technologies

Impact Beam

Wilson introduces with its I-Beam technology a significant advance in the design of padel rackets. This “Impact Beam” is not just a simple reinforcement: it represents a true structural innovation that redefines the junction between the frame and the handle at the level of the racket bridge.

This technical solution brings several major benefits:

In terms of performance:

Increased stability thanks to a more rigid structure
Precision optimized by reducing impact deformations
Improved control allowing for more assertive offensive play

In terms of comfort and protection:

Effective vibration absorption
A reduction in muscle fatigue
Reduced risk of injury, particularly to the arm and wrist

The reinforced connection between the frame and the handle therefore plays a crucial role in the overall balance of the racket. By absorbing violent impacts while maintaining structural rigidity, the Impact Beam allows aggressive players to fully express their offensive potential without compromising their playing comfort.

AeroExact Design

Wilson has incorporated AeroExact Design technology into this range, an innovation that optimizes the racket's air penetration. This specific design of the bridge, with its carefully studied contours, significantly reduces air resistance during movements. Emphasis has been placed on the aerodynamic aspect, allowing players to increase the speed and fluidity of their swing without additional effort. This improvement translates into faster and more precise movements, particularly beneficial during smashes and defensive shots where reactivity is crucial. The result: tenfold increased maneuverability that gives players a clear advantage in quick exchanges and situations requiring instant adjustments.

Spin2 Texture

Wilson pushes the boundaries of spin control with its Spin²Texture technology. The “2” in its name is not insignificant: it represents the fusion of two complementary textures working in perfect symbiosis. On the one hand, the hitting surface features a cross-shaped micro-relief pattern, arranged on the faces of the racket. On the other hand, a rough surface completes this device, thus creating an optimal synergy for spin control.

We all know that sandblasted surfaces degrade over time. Thanks to this duality, even if one eventually deteriorates, the other will remain intact.

Wilson DEFY Pro V.1 Review: The New Offensive Racket That Defies Expectations

Construction and Central Technologies

Le Duo Grid Hole Pattern represents a significant technical advancement in the drilling plan. The arrangement and diameter of the holes have been specifically studied to create two distinct zones: the upper part, with extremely wider perforations than average, favors the power of the strikes, while the lower zone, with its finer holes, favors control and precision, particularly useful in defensive situations and in volleys.

The racket benefits from an elaborate design:

Faces in 15K Carbon Fiber offering optimal responsiveness and resistance
A core Power foam rigid maximizing response during offensive strikes
A Structure C2 substantial, based on a frame with a tubular carbon construction, combined with a composite material.

This combination of technologies creates an optimal balance between three essential aspects:

The durability of the racket
Stability on impact
Responsiveness when hitting

All of these technical innovations converge towards a single objective: to offer a gaming experience combining power and precision, allowing players to fully express their potential both in attack and defense.

Test in match conditions

Given its characteristics (diamond shape, heavy frame, dense Power Foam, 15K carbon) and its design in collaboration with attacker Javi Garrido, I expected a demanding racket and a fairly high balance. However, the DEFY Pro V.1 turns out to be surprisingly maneuverable and less rigid than expected.
At rest, the racket feels heavy. However, surprisingly, it feels less restrictive once you start playing and making movements!
This pala is ideal for offensive players looking for power. It offers very pleasant sensations when hitting and has a sweet spot that is both high and wide. These characteristics provide excellent performance for technical players and additional room for maneuver even when hitting off-center.
On finishing smashes, you can really feel the ball entering the heart of the racket, and it's very pleasant to let loose without fear of missing.
The racket produces a particularly pleasant sound during powerful hits, and although this aspect may seem secondary to some players, for me it represents a real additional bonus.
Despite her surprising maneuverability in exchanges under pressure, her restricted ball release and fairly high balance penalize her in defense. It will therefore be necessary to use the shoulder more to compensate for this limitation and ensure an effective response to opposing attacks.

Conclusion

It is true that this racket is clearly designed for attackers looking for intense sensations. However, if I compare it to the old Blade Pro V3, with which Javi Garrido finished the season, this model is less stiff and slightly more tame. Surprisingly, the absence of the Andalusian player's signature on this model developed with his collaboration, while it is generally a common practice in the industry.

In any case, this new reference in the Wilson catalog is a pleasant surprise. It is aimed at an advanced level audience, who like to hit hard and feel the ball sink into the sponge, without excessive rigidity penalizing intermediate level players.

There are two other variants that complement the features of the Defy Pro:

A slightly lighter classic V.1 version, which incorporates 3K carbon fibers to offer a little more tolerance.
An LS version, which is distinguished by a fiberglass coating for better comfort and optimized ball output. Lighter than its 2 cousins, it is an ideal reference for those who wish to move to a higher level in an offensive range, without sacrificing the essential elements for good progression.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Wilson Europe for their consistency in always sending me the latest innovations very quickly as soon as they come on the market. Their reliability and speed are really appreciable.

As always directions partner sites of Padel Magazine to get this great racket.

Stéphane Penso

Padel fan, Stéphane has become the official tester of the padel planet in Europe. Everything goes through his expert hands. Thanks to his extensive experience in the world of rackets, he is able to scan your equipment from head to toe!