Price: $230
Hitting area: 95 sq. in.
Length: 27 in.
Weight: 12.2 oz.
Balance: 1 1/8 in. head light
Beam width: 21.6 mm
String pattern: 16 x 18
Flexibility: Flexible
Ideal swing: Long
NTRP: 4.5 and up
Playtester Ratings (from 1–10 with 10 being excellent):
Power: 2
Control: 9
Maneuverability: 6
Stability: 9
Comfort: 3
This is the quintessential Wilson player stick. That means it requires good hands, an NTRP rating of 4.5 or higher, and long, well-grooved strokes (though it’s not as demanding as Wilson’s top player frame, the Six.One BLX Tour). The BLX 16 x 18 has the same specs as the 18 x 20, with one notable exception: its open string pattern, which allows the strings to bite the ball and generate a lot of spin from the baseline. Serve-and-volleyers should opt for the dense string pattern of the Six.One 95 18 x 20, which provides more control at net. The Six.One 95 is in the tradition of the Wilson 6.1 Classic series; it’s for players who have the eyes and stroke precision to meet the ball in the lower section of the “W” stencil on the strings, which marks the racquet’s sweet spot.
Bottom Line: For aggressive, high-level baseliners who can move their opponents out of position to set up clean down-the-line and crosscourt winners.