Besides Wilson Pro Staff offered a vivid black color that I like.From: Kevin, 12/24/20, Comments: Love the Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13. Overall, I found this update and the new Braid 45 construction to improve the frames comfort and response, offering better ball pocketing without trading the crisp feel and excellent feedback youd expect from a Pro Staff. The first racquet that makes this list is the smallest in its size, but probably the biggest in overall hype. The feel on volleys, slices, and attacking strokes is great. The Wilson Pro Staff 97 CV has a head size of 97 square inches, a strung weight of 11.7 ounces, a 7-point head light balance and a 1619 string pattern. Description. String Pattern: 16 x 19 Wilson Pro Staff 97L v14: Head size: 97 sq. It comes in a 16 x 19 string pattern, as well as an 18 x 20. I demoed this against a Babolat Pure Strike Tour, which I thought was a pretty good racquet, but the grip style and familiarity with Wilson racquets sealed the deal for me. We chose this particular Pro Staff after using TW's information tables which we found extremely helpful in finding the right fit. I have bought two Pro Staff 97 v13 racquets, with Luxilon 1.15, as recommended by Wilson at 54 pounds, and am loving it. FREE . Better test it before buy it. On the other hand, the Pro Staff shifts weight toward the handle, retains extra rigidity and plays a bit more lively. Definitely give these a demo. Some colleagues hit few balls and feedback was confusing because one said it is slow and dead, he usually playing with a Pure Strike 18x20, previous generation. I'm not sure if I got a lemon, but it was matched to web specs, always a stellar service by Tennis Warehouse by the way. I had really high hopes for this frame, but it was a huge disappointment. Love the black paint job. By comparison, the RF97 is much heavier and probably truer to the original line of Pro Staff models. My fear was that the racquet would be too light. However, keep in mind that most professional tennis players customize their racquets, so although the players mentioned below are endorsing the Pro Staff, theyve likely made additional customizations to suit their preferences. / 626 sq. I personally loved this racquet because I have a fast and heavy swing which sometimes make the ball go a little bit too wide, but with the Pro Staff 97 v13 I got perfect power and spin for my swing style save for some miss hits in the beginning. For example, if you have polyester strings in the mains, the softer string crosses are strung tighter to create a more even feeling stringbed. 5:55 Playtest Notes However, while helpful for comparison, they wont tell you how a racquet will feel, so I encourage players to demo a racquet whenever possible. In terms of string pattern, the Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph has a 16 x 19 pattern. I never stuck with the frames, but I thought they were pretty solid. I pair it with black strings, Wilson NXT at 55 pounds, and pink overgrip to create a black and pink racquet. Generating racquet head speed is easier for v13 and so I liked it on serves. Unfortunately, all the specs, tech, and marketing cant tell you how a racquet feels and performs. For the racquets thirteenth generation, the Pro Staff 97 retains this part of the formula, which gives the head a distinct style. The feel is much better than the previous version. The previous generation was tearing up my hand and this has been a nice improvement.For those who are new to Pro Staff, this stick is solid, but not too heavy. I love this racquet.From: Tristan, 11/12/20, Comments: I've been using the Pro Staff dating back to the original. . Highly recommend this racquet. Pro Staff V14 97UL. However, Wilson also changes this racquet by increasing the beam width by 1.5 mm to 23 mm, which improves the racquets power by making the frame slightly more rigid or stiff. The Pro Staff RF97 Autograph, Roger Federers signature racquet with specs that he uses on the court, is the heaviest model available. I can easily control pace from a heavy hitting opponent. Weight: 290 grams/10.23 ounces (without strings) 306 grams/10.79 ounces (with strings) Length: 69 centimeters/27 inches. Paradigm Bending technology alters the bending profile of the shaft and . Next time, I plan to go with Hyper-G Soft. It's fine to go with either choice, but the 18 x . The Pro Staff 97S injects Wilson's innovative Spin Effect string pattern into a frame with a more traditional feel. Kudos to Wilson quality control who really have stepped up their game! The Pro Staff 97 v13 is a tool for stability, feel, precision, and spin. 2:48 String Mapping I got two Pro Staff racquets for my daughter and the balance is not as per specs. I found it easier to string the Pro Staff 97 as there are fewer blocked holes, and the tie-off locations seem a bit more natural than the PS97. I love the controlled power and precision I have with this racquet. . But still, I think it will perform better on one handed backhand than these. 4:43 Playtest String Setup, 5:37 Playtest 0:58 Length, Head Size, String Pattern Very maneuverable with the right amount of weight. Wilson Pro Staff 97 V14.0 Tennis Racket. It's solid, comfortable and user friendly. I do like weighted tape at the top of the frame, but the racquet is well balanced on its own. Keep in mind that the string you choose for the mains will dominate the overall feel. Wilson Pro Staff RF 85 specs: . Great for returning fast serves or absorbing pace and punching volleys.I don't get as much free power but I'm much more accurate and hitting was less errors. The 7-point head light balance helps to ensure quick handling at the net, with enough heft for stability against hard hit passes. I guess they just want brand new racquets. For some players with arm issues or discomfort, this type of change might be welcome. Simply provide the full Wilson racquet model, including the head size and string pattern in the "Your Wilson Racquet" field above. I also had a friend hit with it to make sure I wasn't just imagining things, and he immediately agreed, in fact, he couldn't hit more than two rallies before saying that was enough. Tennis warehouse was very organized starting from order placement and stringing to delivery and tracking. Head Size:97 sq. I strung them with a hybrid of Babolat RPM Blast, 51 pounds on the mains, and a Babolat multifilament, 53 pounds on the crosses. Read our weekly recap of the 5 most interesting things we dig up in tennis. Pro Staff 97 w/ Countervail Join the conversation with other members of the community. The frame has an illustrious history, which began back in 1983. Players looking to put their spin on the design should keep an eye on Wilsons custom racquet center, where I expect the pain job will be customizable in the future. These are the specs for the standard Wilson Pro Staff 97 racquet. Recommend to 4.0 or higher players simply because of the weight.From: Vladimir, 10/9/20, Comments: This is a great stick in my opinion. The image for this product is generic and may not reflect the actual product Wilson Pro Staff RF97 / 97 Grommet Details: Head Size: 97 sq. I've found my forever racquet. This is a reasonably open string pattern which means more spin . First, though lighter than the previous, it is quite stable. I bought a couple of these v13 racquets sight unseen because the reviews cleared up any concerns I might have had. The 97UL's weight (9.5oz/270g unstrung) makes this a great racket for those who grew up . Massive control, precision, spin and slice. Federer's new racquet helped him re-establish himself as one of the best players in the world. Home > Gear > Racquets > Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13, Improve your game alongside our community of tennis players. So, I was excited to hear Wilson had tightened the string spacing in the sweetspot on this model. Wilson can credit 117 Grand Slam titles to the racquet, whos past champions include Pete Sampras, Steffi Graff, Stefan Edberg, and Chris Evert. A new addition to the racquets design is the exposure of the frames braided graphite construction, which displays under a clear gloss finish while also continuing the red and yellow racing stripes. The 85 is unforgiving for the currently popular semi-western topspin style with its 12.6 ounce (357 g) weight and low power. I would recommend this racquet to players who are looking for similar features. +9 colors/patterns. It is for 'big hitters' or any way of saying it, is for players with big swings. I just ordered three of them. Still struggling to find my backhand slice, so more on that later. String Mapping provides a denser string bed for excellent precision and feel. Be the first to hear about the latest products, sales and events from Wilson. At 9.5 oz (269g) unstrung, the 97UL is the lightest option in the Pro Staff family, which also features the thicker 23 mm beam that youll find on the 97L for a bit of extra power. Only thing I might switch up is to use a hybrid set up with Solinco Tour Bite 16 mains, but keep Hyper G Soft 16 in the crosses, for more jump on kick serves, but retain the comfort. I strung mine up with Solinco Confidential 17 gauge at 54 pounds on the mains and Gamma Live Wire Professional 17 gauge at 56 pounds on the crosses for awesome feel, added pocketing, comfort, and easy access to spin.From: Joshua, 2/20/21, Comments: Best racquet I have ever had. Braid 45 construction arranges the double braided fibers at 45 degree angles for enhanced pocketing feel alongside incredible stability. Wilson Pro Staff V14.0. Discussion Boards The Pro Staff 97 has a mid-range RA or stiffness rating of 66. . I heard a lot of hype regarding this new version of the Pro Staff. One needs to generate a lot of racquet speed to hit big serves though. Description. So, overall, the backhand is okay, forehand still needs work, the volleys needs some training as well, the serve works great. Sunrise: 08:28AM. Slightly lighter than the Pro Staff RF 97, it still has a high weight that's concentrated in the handle. The Wilson PRO STAFF 97 v13 provides the control, speed, and maneuverability to let you work on your game and to take the ball out in front hit the ball a little bit earlier, and finish up that net as much as you can. About the 2020 Pro Staff RF97 v13 Born in 1983, the Pro Staff debuted as an oversized racquet with a 110 square inch head size. However, Im confident the update to the Pro Staff 97 will appeal to a broader audience than the RF97. Having said that, not as powerful as the RF, but a lot easier to swing.From: Mark, 10/17/20, Comments: I used to play with RF97 struggling with the stiffness and the weight of the racquet. I hit with Babolat frames my whole life because of the free power they give you. I'm a 3.5 player; haven't played all that long, only 2+ years. The first day was fine but during the 4th match on the second day my arm just felt like it was going to rip off during the 3rd set. String Pattern: 16 Mains / 19 Crosses Mains Skip: 7T, 9T, . It's definitely a control racquet, and not as powerful as RF97. Welcome to Racquet Sports - The Pro Shop Pros and your store for tennis, running and fitness. Description. Gives predictable launch angle and allows for decent top spin, and really effective slice on BH. Wilson is committed to achieving Level AA conformance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 and achieving compliance with other accessibility standards. Both frames are strung with Natural Gut 16 (mains - 52 lbs) and Solinco Hyper-G 17 (crosses - 50lbs). I have been using Pro Staffs my whole life. I get more control and more spin from the v13. in: Length: 27 in: Weight (strung) 11.7 oz / 330g: Balance: 7pts Head Light: Flex: 66: String Pattern: 1619 . In this section, youll find my thoughts and experience hitting with the racquet, which I hope helps serve as a useful reference point whether youre considering this racquet or just curious what it has to offer. In the broad scheme of tennis racquets, the Blade and the Pro Staff share many similarities, but generally speaking, the Blade will offer players with a bit less power and extra topspin, in a slightly lighter package. All aspects of my game obtained an extra edge, serves, volleys, off position shots, and dirty dirty slices, it is so good! The 2020 Pro Staff 97s specs and technologies combine for a racquet thats responsive, yet delivers exceptional control. My two-handed backhand definitely requires some cleaning, but I am blasting winners from anywhere in the court with my forehand. This racquet is a great one just make sure not to tire yourself out too much but this might just be due to the fact that my last racquet was a Pure Aero so I am used to a lot of free power. . After I got the racquet, I took it to a tournament. To help make my experience and thoughts on the Pro Staff 97 v13 more concrete, Ive rated the racquet on a set of criteria players typically find useful when evaluating a frame. If I need to be a serve and volleyer, it's solid. I demoed a total of seven racquets. Take a look in detail at Roger Federer's racquet, the Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 Autograph. This is what people mean by having a difficult racket to master, but the reward is certainly there if you are strong enough and coordinated to hit that sweet spot. From the back of the court, I really enjoyed hitting with the Pro Staff 97. Yes, the racquet can sometimes be less powerful than you need it to be, but it provides the ultimate precision and consistency for your shots, also it's really easy to follow through with your swing because of the great feel it provides, and the fast swing as a result of the highly headlight balance which compensates for the heavy weight of the racquet as well. Thanks to its speedy 321 RDC swingweight, the Pro Staff 97 comes around fast on groundstrokes while still offering decent stability against higher levels of pace. Furthermore, the racquet features an all-black butt cap without rounded edges, and instead of a synthetic grip, it comes with leather. Players who werent fans of Countervail will be happy to hear the Pro Staff 97 v13 removes it, so the racquet regains its lively feel and crisp response, but enhances it further with its Braid 45 construction. Shift 99/300. Is it not significantly better than the previous 315g version? String Pattern String Length ' ' ' ' Pro Sta RF 97 Autograph Recommended String Tension 50 - 60 lbs. Pro Staff Rf97 v13 It somehow even feels more maneuverable, but that may just be because I have far more confidence using this racquet due to the forgiveness provided when you hit off-center so I tend to swing more freely. I personally don't think anyone should play with the actual RF version seriously, unless they have UTR well above 10. I did notice uncontrollable power, and the racquet spray at times. The image shown is a stock image and used for display purposes. Wilson Pro Staff 97 V13 Tennis Racquet - Quality String - Choice of Grip Size. However, what further distinguishes these two racquet lines is their feel. Create a free account and explore my latest videos below. I even think I'll buy a second. 15 of those years I've been playing USTA 5.0 Mens League Singles and Open Middle States Tournaments. Featuring the same head size and open string pattern (16x19) for added pop, forgiveness and spin potential, this racquet continues to promise enhanced performance . I played with them for the first time this past week and wow. 00 $279.00 $279.00. I'd say the TW reviews were on point except for comfort. But once you get that little bit of adjustment and you hit the ball and don't hesitate to swing it all the way to the end then you hear the nice sound and a powerful ball. Tried the PS97 and it's pretty whippy in stock form, but about 4 grams of lead at 12 o'clock dialed in the control right where I want it while still letting me swing away and provides some extra pop. You want something else then the Blade or Clash are there for you.From: Kris, 10/4/20, Comments: This new Pro Staff has a denser pattern due to the 45 degree angle braid. I can place my shots short or deep very easily and precisely. I then added a Wilson Pro Overgrip, the only customisation, bringing the strung weight to 326.6g. And when you do make contact in the "sweet spot", I found myself either hitting winners or getting weak returns for a second shot put-away. Racket: Wilson Pro Staff 97 LS Tennis Racket. Although the slightly tightened up string bed left me wanting a bit more topspin on groundstrokes, I found it worked well for me on returns offering extra control, especially with a more compact stroke. Players who have honed their technique and have an all-court style of play will appreciate the Pro Staffs well-rounded performance, which offers mid-range power and topspin with excellent precision and feel. Please contact Customer Service at 1-800-401-7967, if you have any issues accessing information on this website. The general heavier weight and exclusive 97 in (626 cm) head size of the Pro Staff line makes a statement that targets experienced players who demand a responsive control-oriented racquet. Product Description. For the 2020 line, we brought forth new, advanced technologies to enhance Pro Staffs playability and precision, while honoring the rackets roots with cues from its iconic past and 117 Grand Slam wins.. Sure, on swingweight you can correct with stain stripes. Although the modern and evolved Pro Staff 97 v13 will work well for various styles of play, aggressive baseliners who rely on maximum topspin and free power will likely want to look elsewhere. I would recommend to friends for sure.From: Anonymous, 12/23/21, Comments: Following my review of a couple of days ago, I tail weighted one of my Pro Staff 97's to achieve a 8 point head light balance, mainly to knife my backhand slice and it worked!From: Raj, USA/India, 9/18/21, Comments: Bought two frames to replace my RF97's and was really surprised that the weight was almost spot on! All in all, a great racquet and I am certain if it falls within your spec range, give it a demo and you'll surely buy it. However, if you add some weight to increase it (around 5-8 grams), you will have almost a similar feel to RF97 in a lighter package that performs superbly. MP Length: 27 inches Weight: Strung 11.6 oz Unstrung 11.1 oz Tension: 50-60 Pounds Balance: 10 Pts Head Light Beam Width: 21.5mm Composition: Braided Graphite Flex: 65 Grip Type: Wilson Pro Performance Power Level: Low String Pattern: 16 Mains / 19 Crosses Wilson Pro Staff 97 Specs; Head Size: 97 sq. Featuring a refined, elegant design and coloring inspired by rich earth tones, the Wilson Pro Staff 97UL v14 is an even lighter version than the Pro Staff 97L v14, with the same dense string pattern that allows you to swing aggressively while maintaining pinpoint accuracy. Now the graphite and Kevlar fibers braid together at a 45-degree angle for enhanced feel and ball pocketing. I will say, my shots have become more accurate with the smaller head size. I am more confident hitting balls closer to the net tape with this racquet, so the string pattern seems just right for me. Furthermore, many pros endorsing a specific frame use an older Pro Staff model, referred to as pro stock, which isnt available to the public, but they paint to look like the racquets latest version. I can take full swings and control where it goes in the court compared to my previous racquets where my ball would sail somewhere. . I wrote Tennis Warehouse on how they string this racquet and received three different answers. 2023 Wilson Sporting Goods All rights reserved. According to Wilson, Countervail intended to reduce player fatigue and improve comfort by reducing vibration passed to a players arm. My favorite parts of this racquet are the volleys, slices, and the serves. Very stable on volleys and returning hard shots and serves. Here are a few alternate destinations that might help. It gave new meaning to the concept of a brassy feel. The Pro Staffs continuous braided graphite and Kevlar construction sits at the foundation of the racquets performance and feel, which has been in use since the Pro Staff Original 6.0. . If I have to camp at the baseline, it's consistent and stable. I demoed several racquets. Then in 2013 I moved on to the BLX Pro Staff Six.One 95. Ill also hit the court to showcase how the Pro Staff 97 v13 performs and share my experience, so youll know what to expect from this iconic frame. The Pro Staff 97 maintains its 1619 string pattern for this release, but theyve adjusted the string beds density by decreasing the space between them for a more tightly woven sweet spot. It's a very minor tweak, but then again you can't do much because you don't want to lose that classic Pro Staff feel which is unique. Title: Pro Staff 97 2015 Created Date: From the baseline, this stick combines easy acceleration with impressive control on full swings. I added the details just to be clear from where I come. However, many others, who enjoy the classic Pro Staff feel werent fans of the update. Hall of Fame. All-new for 2020, the Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13 is a welcome update to this popular frame, one of the games control-centric racquets. However I find them to be erratic when you don't hit with a ton of spin. Although specs are the same as the 2016 model, the feel and ball pocketing are a world apart in my opinion. More work is required to generate spin. 10:09 vs. This year, after demoing racquets I decided to switch back to a Pro Staff. I wasn't quite convinced with the first iteration of the Pro Staff 97, but in the last five years they have definitely improved in that aspect. To this end, Wilson offers a few lighter versions to consider. It feels perfect in my hands and such a major difference from my previous gifted racquet. I love it!From: Michael, 3/29/21, Comments: Great racquet with great control and feel, especially when hitting in the sweetspot. For starters, the Pro Staff RF97 has a standard 27-inch length and features a smaller 97 square inch head size with a 1619 string pattern.. john added a stringing of Yonex Poly Tour Spin 1.25 16L Blue to Yonex EZONE 98 (285g) about 2 months: It's super solid, not too heavy and it feels great! Racket Specs. We are a wholesale tennis distributor and retail store based in West Lawn, Pennsylvania. First serve doesn't bomb as hard as the RF, but my double fault rate is down quite a bit. From: John, 1/23/21, Comments: Amazing racquet, so glad they decided to go with the old school look of the 6.0 Pro Staff 85 square inch. 1:47 Stiffness It does look cool and I believe you should buy one if you have been playing with Pro Staffs. Spin comes easy thanks to the open 16x19 string pattern. I had demoed this model in the past, but I found it lacked the mass and heftiness of the RF97. The ball is pocketing a little more on the string bed, giving people more control in putting the ball where they want to. Technical specifications for Wilson Pro Staff 97 racket. For a person to swing this, they need to hit the sweetspot consistently. While the RF plow was superb, the stick didn't allow the racquet head speed I should be hitting with. Roger Federer has once again partnered with Wilson to redesign the Pro Staff, the new Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 Autograph Tennis racquet is even better than before. They don't get pushed around at all. Wilson Pro Staff 97. About this item . cm* Length: 685mm** Weight: 315g (11.1oz)* / 330g (11.64oz)** Balance: 310mm (10HL)* / 321mm (6.8HL)** Beam: 21.5mm* String pattern: 16x19 ____________________________________ I know this line of racquets inside and out. It's amazing how much his game improved once we were able to find the exact right fit.From: Steve, 4/13/21, Comments: It's a nice racquet. The feel is definitely improved and feels tighter, just a little bit, than the previous version. $220.00 $ 220. No major changes, but I do feel the tighter string pattern creates a slightly flatter ball and I had to adjust to that over the first few hours of playing. Similar control to the Prestige, but virtually no pain. With v13, I decided to twist things a little, I switched to a leather grip, nod to RF97, kept the original balance by adding 6 grams of lead at 12 o'clock, strung it with Babolat VS Gut 1.30 in mains at 55 pounds and Luxilon ALU Power Spin 1.27 in crosses at 53 pounds and wow! Switching from a Wilson Clash to this was very weird at first. The other said that is fast enough, even faster than current stick he used, Blade v7 18x20. Wilson Pro Staff 97 Review (v13): My Experience. But, fear not, that got what they wanted me to buy a new racquet from them!From: Bob, 5/14/21, Comments: I have a couple of these, as well as five of the v11 black, non-Countervail. In-depth Resources We will then ensure the correct grommets are sent. I love the weight of the racquet. Wilson Staff Model Gloves . Thank you guys at Tennis Warehouse for making this posable.From: Antonio, 1/21/21, Comments: Excellent racquet, great for those who hit through the ball with a flatter stroke. . But one could just add lead tape if needed in the frame if you wanted a bit more plow through, or a closer feeling to the replica RF heavy version. I find the racquets mass provides more than enough string movement for excellent topspin, but I prefer a bit extra control. It weighs in at 12 oz (340 g) unstrung, nearly a full ounce heavier than the Pro Staff 97. Most racquets layer smaller sheets of graphite to form the produce their frames, which, although a perfectly acceptable approach, changes how the racquet feels and performs. I have been a long time Pro Staff user. It's solid, easy to swing, and sharp looking. It features the same technologies as the Pro Staff 97, but the lower weight means it will swing easier, which translates to better maneuverability for players that desire it. Wilson boasted about that 45 carbon weaving and I thought it was just marketing lingo, but it truly does make a difference. Highlighted by a design that pays tribute to the historic Pro Staff series, the Pro Staff 97 v13 features a new Braid 45 construction that increases precision by adjusting the angle of the double braided fibers for enhanced feel and stability. I really love my new Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13. (23 - 27 kgs.) Love it! 7:31 Serves Tennis Stringing Instructions; Tennis Stringing Instructions. What are the string recommendations to get the most out of this frame and at what tension? All in all, theyll both terrific options. String pattern: Wider Cross-Strings (Open 16x19 string . I told them what I had. The RF97 Autograph was another story. Hans-Martin Reh, GM at Wilson Racquet Sports, sums it up nicely. I heard Roger talk about this racquet being a good one for people who hit flatter balls and want precision so I decided to give v13 a shot as I didn't like the previous version. These are amazing. The Pro Staff 97 has a 1619 string pattern while the Prestige Pro has a more control-oriented string pattern of 1820. In essence, Countervail dampened the racquets feedback and subsequently reduced its feel. Second, it's control-oriented. Want the head-light feel and precision of our Pro Staff line in a frame that's easier to maneuver? This is a good "reference" stick to have in the bag, as it seems to do all things well. What I didn't like was TW's trade-in program. The Pro Staff RF97 is built using layers of braided Graphite and Kevlar which create a solid frame with a consistent feel throughout. Disclosure: Wilson gave me this frame to evaluate, but they did not pay me to write this review or influence its contents. String pattern: Wider Cross-Strings (Open 16x19 string pattern) for added Power, Control and Spin. You do need to strike the ball accurately which is why this racquet is for intermediate players and up. In stock form it looks pretty slow with a strange feel at the ball. At 12.0 ounces unstrung, the RF97 is designed for advanced tennis players who are used to swinging a heavier racquet. The best racquet from Wilson hands down!From: Justin, 10/18/20, Comments: In my honest opinion this is the worst Pro Staff 97 yet. More power in this frame, but still plenty of control everyone knows and loves about the Pro Staff. For the most part, the Pro Staff 97 specs remain very close to the prior generation from 2017. A huge thank you to Wilson for sending me the Pro Staff 97 v13 ahead of its release. Coming from the BLX Pro Staff 95, this was a fairly easy transition. The sweetspot is pretty small. Whilst in recent years the Pro Staff has been made more user friendly thanks to its thicker beam and larger head size, it is still a weighty racket that demands respect.