The Whiteout has a Swiss Army knife quality, in the best sense. It doesn’t necessarily have one defining characteristic that sets it apart from other similar 98s. There are models that arguably top it in terms of power, spin, control, comfort or forgiveness. Some surpass it from the baseline; others are more versatile at net. Yet, in a Venn diagram combining those traits, the Whiteout would be one of a select few that sit where those circles meet.
Where it does perhaps stand out—and the most notable upgrade over its predecessor—is its response. When you make contact with the new Whiteout, it has a comfortably firm and almost uniformly solid feel. Some racquets are noticeably sturdier by the tip or sides, leaving other areas weak by comparison, but the hoop on this one is more or less sturdy throughout. It consistently wins the collision with the ball, offering a slight flex at contact and dampened feel.
Its listed swingweight is essentially the same as the V1, but it still seems more substantial through the air and at impact. It’s heavy enough to create ample plow-through, but not clunky when accelerating. Similarly, it now has a slightly softer flex, but feels noticeably more muted and comfortable. Even though the stiffness sits in the mid 60’s range, the flex at contact is still perceivable, with a welcoming pocket in the string bed. The foam-injection through the frame muffles vibrations while allowing good connection to the ball.
