Stiga Defensive Pro

It is a very slow blade when compared to the Yasaka Guardian, although both were marked with the same speed on Revspin.

I gave it a try because I assumed it would have a similar speed, but with greater stiffness and hardness. Ultimately, you need to exert significant physical effort to play defensively with this blade.

Applying pressure on your opponent is challenging, particularly in on-the-table play such as pushing. When chopping with pimples on the sponge, you have excellent control, but that’s about it.

On the forehand, the Victas 401, which excels with the Yasaka Guardian, becomes completely ineffective and produces excessive vibrations.

With this blade, you will not be able to compete against high-level opponents because you cannot generate challenging balls for them. Rotation is minimal, and serves are easily handled.

I have used it for one training session and one competition, and for me, that is enough to abandon it. I am let down by this blade, but it could possibly be suitable for children who are learning defense.

Review text:

Stiga Defensive Pro, straight handle: 88 g, 2 inner ultra-thin carbon layers. I will compare it to Stiga Defensive Classic, which has been my main racket for the last seasons: Pro is 8-10 grams heavier with the same oversized head (165 x 155). I wanted to try the carbon version of the Great Def Classic, expecting a different feeling and a higher speed. Well, surprisingly, the feeling is pretty much identical: soft touch, barely stiffer. I found it slower than the Classic version, which is probably the biggest point! Rubbers are the same as my usual setup (Vertical 20 / DNA Pro H), so the comparison is revealing: Pro is a bit slower than Classic. Chopping is even more consistent with this blade, although Def Classic shines at it. I will continue playing both to make a better idea, but for the moment I prefer Def Classic over Def Pro since I am used to it…

EDIT 06.2023 After several sessions comparing Def Pro and Def Classic with the same rubbers on both, I ended up with some conclusions. - Speed: Pro >= Classic - Tense trajectories: Pro < Classic - Absorbing strong topspins: Pro > Classic - Chops with inverted: Pro > Classic - Percussion: Pro = Classic.

Pro is awesome to face powerful players since it is super stable and absorbs power topspins like a dream. Chopping with inverted is super satisfying. But trajectories tend to be more bended, less flat, and tense especially with the pimple side… At first, I found that Pro has less percussion than Classic, but I ended up thinking that it was not correct. When you engage and unleash the power of the DNA, Pro has a superior top-end speed. But for passive shots, Pro feels slower. They both give you much information while contacting the ball, which is really what I am looking for. Stability is awesome on both, with a bonus for the Pro version. I love both very much! Decisions, decisions…