Wilson 2026: The grand slam of sensations

When we talk about Wilson We are talking about a company that never does things halfway. Its stable of legends includes two of the greatest ambassadors in the history of racket sports, capable of making the brand shine across the globe through their charisma, their track record, and their elegance: Roger Federer for tennis and the essential Fernando Belasteguín for padel. The two young retirees, former world number 1s and true icons of their discipline, continue today to transmit their passion through the numerous events and exhibition tournaments in which they participate.

But rest assured: we're not going to talk about marketing strategy today, but rather about what I know best… rackets .

Alongside the famous Bela range, which has established itself over the years as the signature of the Legend of PehuajoThe group American Sports , of which it is game Wilson made a big splash in 2025 with the series Defy Diamond-shaped models designed for the most offensive players. A fully deliberate choice, worn on the court by two of the hardest hitters on the circuit. Javi Garrido et Javi leal .

More recently, Wilson has expanded his catalog by venturing into previously unexplored territory: the round format A new feature embodied by the range endure , whose version Pro is now used by the spectacular Momo Gonzalez .

Three forms, three philosophies of play, to which are now added the brand new Blade V.4 Enough to constitute a veritable mega-case.

For this first part, we will focus on two families with radically opposed characteristics: the Defy SE 2026 , designed for attackers seeking power, and the endure Designed for players who prioritize control and precision. On one hand, diamond-shaped blanks crafted for maximum power; on the other, round shapes that emphasize maneuverability and accuracy.

Man on a blue padel court squats and holds two white rackets with orange handles, with a third racket on the ground behind him.

Defy V.1 SE 2026: Pure Offensive Fury

Range Defy SE (Special Edition) It immediately establishes itself as the weapon of choice for players who love to finish points with flair. Its mission is clear: to offer maximum offensive output to impetuous attackers, thanks to the leverage provided by its diamond format and balance in mind resolutely embraced.

At the top of the range sits the defy pro A true concentration of technologies designed for the most demanding competitors. It relies on a C2 Tubular frame associated with faces in 15K carbon , a combination that prioritizes rigidity, precision and a particularly direct energy return.

Le Impact Beam Core further enhances impact stability, while the design Aeroexact promotes faster acceleration of the racket head. Duo Grid drilling plan and the texture Spin² work together to optimize the effects. Finally, the rigid core Power foam delivers a particularly crisp, compact and precise strike.

If this version Pro requires excellent technique to be fully exploited, the Defy V.1 SE proves to be much more accessible. It retains the offensive qualities of the diamond mold while being slightly lighter, but adopts a coating in fiber 3K carbon The result is a racket that remains very effective at the net while offering more comfort and ease during defensive phases.

This difference is also perceptible to the ear. Where the Pro produces a dry, metallic sound on impact, V.1 delivers a more muted tone, reflecting an overall more tolerant and permissive behavior.

Finally, the Defy LS V.1 SE It completes the range with a different philosophy. Lighter in weight, it is aimed at players who are primarily looking for... maneuverability and the tolerance . Its surface Comfort Flex This material, which combines carbon and glass fibers, allows for very easy acceleration of arm speed while limiting muscle fatigue. Despite its light weight, it maintains amazing ball output and excellent responsiveness in attacking play.

The aesthetics of the Defy SE 2026 saga: pure luxury… through copy-pasting

Visually, these three Defy SE 2026 They command immediate respect from the moment you step onto the court. The combination of the clean white upper, the dynamic black stripes, and the imposing gold W logo creates a stunning and ultra-premium graphic effect. To top it all off, the original brown leather-look grip (a superb retro nod to the Chicago brand's tennis heritage) gives this trio a truly striking appearance.

However, one detail leaves me much more perplexed.

Once the three models are together, it becomes virtually impossible to distinguish them at a glance. This is all the more striking given that Wilson knows perfectly well how to do this on its other lines: among the endure , the version LS stands out with a lighter blue than the other two; among the White , the LS (her again) opts for a white dress instead of the iconic red; and even on the side of Blade The two versions are distinguished by different shades of green.

Here, The three Defy models are playing the card of perfect uniformity! Pro, V1 and LS feature exactly the same graphic design. Only a small gold inscription, very discreetly placed above the bridge, allows you to distinguish them.

I find this choice regrettable. A simple color code on the frame, a specific trim, or a detail unique to each version would have made identification easier, both in stores and on the trail. The visual consistency of the range is undeniable, but a little more differentiation would have made the whole thing even more appealing.

Three Wilson pickleball paddles with gold branding arranged on a blue court with a white line, showing a gear setup for pickleball equipment

The Endure range: the round format takes center stage

In contrast to the over-the-top power offered by the Defy, the new range endure put it back round format at the heart of high-level play. Here, there's no question of seeking the winning shot at all costs: the objective is to offer the maximum number of control stability and security, without sacrificing offensive performance when the pace picks up.

The common feature of the three models lies in their Control Sandwich Core designed to optimize trajectory accuracy while providing excellent impact feel.

At the top of the range, the Endure Pro V1 is clearly aimed at the most demanding players. Its faces in Raw Carbon 3K They provide a crisp, precise and particularly direct feel. From the very first exchanges, you immediately feel excellent stability, even when the game becomes very intense.

Close-up of a blue Wilson Endure Pro tennis racket head with circular string holes on a light backdrop

The Endure V1 The standard model quickly emerged as the most versatile in the family. Its blend of UD carbon and fiberglass It offers greater flexibility while maintaining excellent responsiveness. It requires less physical effort than the Pro and proves particularly enjoyable during transitions between defense and attack.

Blue Wilson Endure padel racket with a perforated face and textured grip on a light background

Finally, the Endure LS V.1 with its coating Comfort Flex, bet on maneuverability with a tenfold increase in ball output and a sweetspot bijou . Its balanced lower and its weight content allows you to chain the exchanges with a lot of fluidity without ever giving the feeling of being subjected to a fatigue additional. After several hours of game , this difference becomes particularly noticeable.

Blue Wilson Endure LS padel racket with a black perforated hitting surface and numerous white holes, handle at bottom against a light background.

Visually, the Endure V1 et Pro V1 share an elegant blue oil on the background Matte Black with glossy edges (the Pro stands out for its exposed 3K carbon ). The version LS She, however, stands out from a Azure blue impactful.

On the track: two completely opposing philosophies

Once on the ground, the difference in personality between the two families immediately becomes apparent.

At the back of the court, the endure They inspire confidence thanks to a fairly large sweet spot. Lobs are built naturally, trajectories remain easy to control, and precision is remarkable. You get the feeling that these rackets were developed to allow the player to patiently construct the point rather than constantly seeking the decisive shot.

Range Defy On the contrary, it demands greater technical precision. Their more attacking style requires excellent crossing ability. The slightest delay or inaccuracy immediately results in a loss of control.

At the net, the roles are completely reversed.

The Endure Pro becomes a true bulwark. Its stability, despite its round shape, allows it to block opposing shots with regal serenity. And in aerial play, I can guarantee you it delivers enough power to do sway The best defenders!

The Defy They, however, seem to literally come alive as soon as the game picks up the pace. Volleys gain weight, shots become more incisive, and the leverage provided by the diamond mold facilitates even the most committed attacking shots. Without ever feeling uncontrollable, they clearly invite you to attack. to take the initiative .

That's probably what struck me most during this test.

Wilson doesn't simply offer different shapes or levels of stiffness: the brand has truly developed two philosophies of play . Each range has its own identity, and the choice will depend more on the player's style than their skill level.

Three blue perforated paddle racquets resting on a rocky cliff by the sea with sailboats in the distance

Verdict of this first part: which Wilson to choose?

The Defy SE 2026 range: Heavy artillery

On the attacking side, the range Defy SE 2026 It retains exactly the same philosophy as the previous model. No major technical changes are to be noted: Wilson has focused on a particularly elegant aesthetic finish. And when the foundation is this successful, there's no need to disrupt an already very convincing formula.

La defy pro It remains a true competition machine. Very rigid, demanding and with a relatively small sweet spot, it is primarily aimed at experienced players capable of generating their own ball speed.
La Defy V.1 In my opinion, this is the best compromise in the range. More forgiving, more comfortable, and sufficiently powerful, it will suit the vast majority of attacking players.
About the Defy LS It will appeal to those who prioritize arm speed and dynamism. Its lightness allows for very easy acceleration of the racket head while limiting fatigue, without sacrificing a perfectly respectable level of power.

Adult padel player in a white jersey and black shorts stands on a bright blue court, holding two paddles with a paddle on the ground between his feet.

The Endure V.1 range: Control… with a kick!

Among those who believe in mastery, the contrast is just as clear:

Endure Pro Designed for maximum precision and exemplary handling, it holds a real surprise. Don't be fooled by its round shape : it sends lightning with disconcerting ease! Admittedly, its explosiveness remains a notch below the Defy Pro, but it has more than enough responsiveness to do immense damage on the track if the arm and technique are up to the task.
endure : The most balanced choice in the series, providing a very appreciable increase in comfort and versatility.
Endure LS : The queen of fluidity, distinguished by its smoothness and ease of use.

Man kneeling on a blue padel court, holding two padel rackets, with a racket on the floor in front of him.

In summary, while the Endure line maintains an overall philosophy focused on control, the Pro version proves that a round blade can be devastating. For pure responsiveness and raw power, the Defy line remains the undisputed benchmark for big hitters.

This first chapter is now complete! But the real test continues: stay tuned for the second part of this mega-test, where we'll tackle two more iconic models from the W brand's catalog: the legendary Bela V.3 and the highly anticipated Blade V.4 .

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!