Power 87 - The n1 has to be the most powerful game improvement racquets currently on the market. Not only is it powerful, but the delivery of power is smooth. There are no hot spots or sudden drops in power when making contact in different areas of the stringbed. With the n1 we found instant zip on our serves, volleys and groundstrokes, all of which had more depth and came off the court with good pace. The extended length provides additional leverage on serves, overheads and groundstrokes. If you are looking to add power to your game, this is the racquet for you.

Control 76 - With good access to spin and consistent power delivery, we found plenty of control with the n1. Despite the racquet's 28 inch length, we felt in control of the tip of the racquet, making it easy to guide the ball to an intended target. Also adding to the control of the n1 is the good stability offered at contact.

Maneuverability 78 - For a racquet that is 28 inches long the n1 is very maneuverable. While players used to standard length racquets will find the extra length noticeable, we found this an easy racquet to get around, and the length matched up nicely with the 115 square inch headsize. From the baseline, the n1 felt like it had just enough weight in the head for stability without feeling heavy or sluggish.

Stability 78 - It's not easy to produce a racquet that is both stable and maneuverable, but Wilson has nailed the formula with the n1. We found the n1 to be solid from all areas of the court. Serves hit slightly off-center still found their mark and there was no sudden drop-off in pace. Likewise, the feel at net was solid and stable with little effort required to place the ball deep.

Comfort 75 - The n1 offers a crisper feel compared to the n3. With no Triad style dampening system, we had more feel off the strings and felt in tune with our strokes. The sub 10 ounce strung weight of the n1 makes it a comfortable racquet for smaller players to wield, and we never experienced any arm fatigue during long hitting sessions. The large sweetspot and comfortable stringbed (we used Wilson NXT 17 gauge string at mid tension) made the n1 feel softer than its 71 RDC stiffness rating.

An ultra stiff game improvement racquet designed to offer the kind of power slow swinging beginners need. The n1 features Wilson's nCode Technology. nCode takes the construction of racquets to the molecular level and nCode racquets are said by Wilson to be twice as strong, twice as stable and up to 22% more powerful than ordinary racquets. The n1 definitely delivers a lot of power and the 115 sq. inch, Oversize head features a large sweetspot. The open (16/19) string pattern makes spin easy to generate on faster swings and offers a lively feel. Even though the n1 is light and maneuverable, its head heavy balance provides good stability on both groundstrokes and volleys. With plenty of pop at net, this is a great choice for both singles and doubles players who like to finish the point with a winning volley. Best suited to 2.5-4.0 NTRP level players.

Rafael Nadal, arguably the most exciting player on the pro tour, uses the AeroPro Drive with Cortex. This updated version of the AeroPro Drive is built to the exact same specifications as the original, but features Babolat's Cortex System for improved feel and comfort. We found the same pop and spin friendly nature from this version, but with a more solid feel at contact. Our TW playtesters enjoyed the improved feel from all areas of the court. The AeroPro Drive Cortex combines the benefits of an Aero designed shaft and the Pure Drive head, the result is some serious pop and spin potential in a maneuverable package. Power baseline players will love the spin, pace and accuracy they'll find hitting with this one. At net the racquet offers good maneuverability, yet remains stable. There's plenty of power to punch volleys deep and some improved feel for touch play. The power and spin potential of this racquet makes for fun serving - where spin and pace can be found in equally pleasing quantities. The healthy sweetspot and power of the AeroPro Drive Cortex makes it a solid choice for a variety of player levels. A must demo for players seeking to boost an already aggressive game with some added spin and power.

Racquet of choice for 2007 French Open Champion, Rafael Nadal.

Grommet Technology:  Big Grommet Technology

Frame Technology:  Catapult

Handle Technology:  Sensor Handle System with Pallet

Grip Type:  Cush Tac

Super OS Specs
Head Size: 120 sq. in. / 774 sq. cm.
Length: 27.75 inches / 70 cm
Strung Weight: 9.4oz / 266g
Balance: 3 pts Head Heavy
Swingweight: 317
Stiffness: 69
Beam Width: 29 mm
Composition: Graphite
Power Level: High
Swing Speed: Slow-Moderate
Grip Type: Sensor Handle
String Pattern: 14 Mains / 20 Crosses
Mains skip: 7T,7H, One Piece, No shared holes
String Tension: 46-60 pounds

Power 84 - No pun intended, but the Catapult 1 F.I.R.E. will add plenty of firepower to your game. Groundstrokes can be sent deep into the court with good pace from only a moderate swing. The Catapult and Power Big Grommet systems offer a very unique feel. It is almost as if the ball stays on the strings a tad longer before launching off towards its intended target. Add these grommet systems to a racquet with a generous 120 sq. inch headsize and 27.75 inch frame length, and you've got one powerful combination. This racquet is probably the pick of the bunch for finishing off overhead smashes.

Control 73 - The different feel of the Catapult grommet system, compared to regular grommet systems, takes a few minutes of adjustment. Once adjusted, though, players will find good control and direction of shot with this racquet. The spin friendly string pattern helps find those tricky angles and makes landing deep slices a snap. At net the Catapult 1 F.I.R.E. offers plenty of feel for angled shots and controllable power for deep, punch volleys.

Maneuverability 78 - At 9.4 ounces and with a close to even balance (3 points head heavy) the Catapult 1 F.I.R.E. feels light and manageable. Ideal for fast volleying at the net and easy to swing on groundstrokes, the Catapult 1 F.I.R.E. is a nice racquet to learn with. The ease of swinging this racquet also helps with faster swing speeds on serves, helping to add more pace and spin.

Stability 77 - The oversize head of the Catapult 1 F.I.R.E. is shaped long and slender - less round compared to many other offerings. The slim head shape seems well suited to offering stability at contact and is further enhanced by the racquet's box beam design and thick beam width. The Catapult 1 F.I.R.E. feels stable from all areas of the court, making it a trustworthy tool for making those tough returns and volleys.

Comfort 84 - With Catapult grommets and Volkl's popular Sensor Handle System, the Catapult 1 F.I.R.E. excels in the comfort category. The racquet offers a very pleasant buttery feel at contact. No matter if at net or the baseline, the Catapult 1 F.I.R.E. is very comfortable and dampened in play, and is an ideal choice for those looking for a powerful racquet that's strong on comfort, too.

A powerful game improvement racquet, the Catapult 1 F.I.R.E. (Fully Integrated Racquet Engineering) offers a generous sweetspot from its 120 sq. inch racquet head. As with power, the development of spin takes little provocation from the 14/20 string pattern. With most of the weight in the head and with the inclusion of the Volkl's Catapult Grommet Technology, the Cat 1 F.I.R.E. offers a comfortable and dampened playing experience. Despite its head heavy balance, the racquet remains maneuverable due to its light and manageable weight. Players looking to add some serious power and spin to their games should definitely give this racquet a try. Best suited to short swinging 2.0-3.5 NTRP level players, and a great choice for slice and dice doubles specialists.