Customer review for Stiga Defensive Pro

External Review for Stiga Defensive Pro on June 9, 2023

Stiga Defensive Pro, straight handle : 88 g, 2 inner ultra-thin carbon layers.
I will compare it to Stiga Defensive Classic wich is 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, wich is probably the biggest point! Rubbers are the same as my usual setup (Vertical 20 / DNA Pro H) so the comparision is revealing : Pro is a bit slower than Classic. Chopping is even more consistant 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 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 powerfull players since it is super stable and absorbs powertopspins like a dream. Chopping with inverted is super satisfaying. 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 thinking that it was not correct. When you engage and unleash the power of the DNA, Pro has a superior topend speed. But for passive shots, Pro feels slower. They both give you many informations while contacting the ball wich 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...

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