Time for another classic racquet review. It’s one of my personal favorites, the Wilson Six One 95 nCode (18×20).
The Wilson Six One 95 nCode was a bestseller when it came out in 2004 and is today still used by several pros and many high-level club players. Kyle Edmund and Dan Evans are two pros that both still use the nCode edition. And as you might know, there are many other variations of the Six One 95 that are very popular on the pro tour. Names like Del Potro, Kohlschreiber, Lajovic, Moutet, and Bautista-Agut surely ring a bell!
This racquet is made for the aggressive player who wants to attack the ball with a flat shot. It’s heavy, has a pretty beefy swing weight (337 is the average of all my 4 nCodes) but head-light which makes it somewhat maneuverable despite the weight.
The nCode Six One 95 was released in two string patterns, 16×18 and 18×20. They are both good, but for the video review, I tested the 18×20. It offers a bit more control, while the 16×18 is more lively and spin-focused.
Wilson nCode Six One 95 Specs
Headsize: 95 sq inches
Length: 27 inches
Beam: 22 mm
Pattern: 18×20 or 16×18
Weight: 332g unstrung
Balance: 12 pts HL unstrung
I strung up my Wilson Six One 95 nCode with Pacific synthetic gut 1.28 at 25 kg / 55 lbs in the mains and String Project Armor 1.25 at 24 kg / 53 lbs in the crosses. I really believe the Six One 95 series play best with a hybrid setup. Luckily, the nCode is fairly comfortable for a Six One 95 so you can use a poly without a huge risk of arm issues, but I still prefer a slightly softer setup.
Let’s look at some pros and cons.
Pros and Cons
+ Stable
+ Hits a heavy ball
+ Control
– Heavy to swing
– Smallish sweet spot
– Not huge on spin
I really enjoy playing with the Six One 95 nCode. It also has a special place in my bag as my first real player racquet. Still, it’s not forgiving and easy to use and after about one hour of hitting, I usually get a bit tired. It’s a lot to swing and the small sweet spot requires good footwork. Which is usually more difficult for us happy amateurs when the match drags on.
But if you haven’t tried a Six One 95 – you must! And the nCode is one of the best. Wilson has actually recently re-released the Six One 95 in a great-looking Pro Labs version.
Do you like the Six One 95?
7 comments
I enjoy my 2017 Six One 95, I use it with Luxilon Alu 1.20 at 24kg. I intend to buy a 2nd one, still white with red.
I think that Kyle Edmund uses the 16×18. Check out some recent photos.
As you say the 332g version is too much stick for most people, I was always disappointed they didn’t make a mid-weight one around 310g with a normal string pattern. Instead they just made the 95S with its 18×16 pattern that is a bit too open really. I have been quite tempted to buy one of the 95 Teams that are 18×20 and 289g, then add a leather grip and overgrip (+12g) and 6g or so in the hoop to create a 307g unstrung version. The last real series (Amplifeel) even had a graticule on the sides to help when adding weight.
I have one of those, it’s the loudest racquet of my collection, very unique sound when striking the ball right
I love it for doubles, volleys like very few racquets can, hits a nasty slice and it’s demanding, stiff and a bit sluggish
my second 6.1 favourite, after the classic
Which string should i use on the racket?
I play in my free time.
Babolat RPM Blast?
Go for something more comfortable – like a multifilament, try HEAD Velocity MLT 1.30 at 24 kg / 53 lbs
I used the N Six One 95 for almost 15 years from 2004-2019. I love it still but I also get fatigue in my shoulders and arms after about an hour of singles… it’s the worst when I’m closing out the set and I start tiring – no more serve bombs
I agree about the hybrid setup, I got around to using a poly like Kirschbaum super smash in the mains and a multi filament like nxt in the crosses. I used the 16-19 for max spin
I started using it this week and got amazing results, but immediately got back spasms!!! Need another racquet like it but lighter ?