Furthermore, the racquet features an all-black butt cap without rounded edges, and instead of a synthetic grip, it comes with leather. Overall, I found the Pro Staff 97 to perform excellent hitting returns with depth and control while remaining stable and doing a fantastic job redirecting pace. 2023 Model Year Rackets. This is a review of the upcoming Wilson Pro Staff 97 Setup: Luxilon 4G 1.41mm @ 24kG (1 piece) Specs: Headsize: 97 sq.in. The racquet offers a great balance of power and precision. What are the string recommendations to get the most out of this frame and at what tension? It does not turn into a catapult when you string it with multifilament. 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. The feel on volleys, slices, and attacking strokes is great. 00 $279.00 $279.00. The Wilson Pro Staff 97 v14 is a precision-oriented racket ideal for advanced players. WILSON Pro Staff RF 97 Autograph Tennis Racquet Specifications: Playability: The Pro Staff RF 97 Autograph is a great option for the Advanced tournament players looking for control-oriented racquet. 2:22 Braid 45 The string pattern, which refers to the number of main and cross strings, along with the density or space between each string, directly influences a racquets performance most notably topspin and control. I've found my forever racquet. Stringing the racquet as a hybrid is a pain because the grommet placement and size is challenging. 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. We chose this particular Pro Staff after using TW's information tables which we found extremely helpful in finding the right fit. Massive control, precision, spin and slice. 2:48 String Mapping In essence, Countervail dampened the racquets feedback and subsequently reduced its feel. 15 of those years I've been playing USTA 5.0 Mens League Singles and Open Middle States Tournaments. Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13 Tennis Racquet - Strung with Synthetic Gut Racket String in Custom Colors - Official Racquet of Roger Federer . Want the head-light feel and precision of our Pro Staff line in a frame that's easier to maneuver? The feel is much better than the previous version. 3:05 Perimeter Weighting System, 4:35 Strings & Tension in. Description. Our 25,000 sq. 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. In stock form it looks pretty slow with a strange feel at the ball. All in all, I would give this racquet a 8.8 out of 10.From: Dreher, 1/21/21, Comments: Best Wilson Pro Staff I have hit with yet. Please bring those back once more. Great for volleys. I used ALU Silver at 55 pounds on the mains and a Babolat string at 52 pounds on the crosses for control. Next time, I plan to go with Hyper-G Soft. Instant improvement. Same on my backhand, but it has to be clean contact and not muscle-ing the ball. So, I'm pretty dedicated to play with this new stick, I will try to give more time and attention on correcting that missing stuff, but I think the hype is too much for what this really offers. With the Pro Staff 97, a poly like ALU Power is a durable option that helps maximize the frames topspin and overall pairs nicely. Getting used to the weight coming from a 10.8 to 11.4 ounce racquet. 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. I used to play with the RF97 in the past and then switched to the Babolat Pure Aero. I used to use the RF 97, but at 51 now, it's just too heavy after one and a half hours. 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. It seems that I'm getting easier access to power and great feel on volleys. I also like the rounded butt cap on the handle, which is much more comfortable than the v11 squared-off cap.From: Philip, 3/21/21, Comments: Awesome racquet. Definitely have more control with this racquet, but feel that power is more difficult to generate compared to RF97. Occasionally, my balls go long with the softer strings, but I will take that over polyester and dealing with elbow issues. I am now switching to the Wilson Pro Staff with a smaller head, which give me lot of convenience at the net. Just so you know, TennisCompanion may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page to help keep this site running. The headlight balance allows me to generate fast racquet head speed for a fast serve. My opponent also said that my balls are much heavier with the v11 compared to the v13, this may be because of lower swingweight on the v13. Learn more. For this model, Wilson removes Countervail, a somewhat controversial material added to the racquets layup in 2017. It's more rounded. 7:31 Serves Actual sales may not have occurred at this price. Additional nuances include the grip and butt caps. This Pro Staff is also great for adding more spin to the ball on groundstrokes and serve. Pro Staff Six.One (18x20) v13. Having used and enjoyed the heavier Fed model --albeit with limited success due to being a mere mortal -- this lighter, less head-heavy version simply fits my all-court game to a T. Regardless of your level, your style of play or the racquet that you are currently using, I would definitely recommend that you at least demo this one before buying something else. 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. Keep in mind that the string you choose for the mains will dominate the overall feel. However, while helpful for comparison, they wont tell you how a racquet will feel, so I encourage players to demo a racquet whenever possible. Racket Specs. They said they would take them and evaluate them and reimburse me later. The racquet has an 18x16 string pattern that provides exceptional spin potential to anyone's game. 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. 2 X Pro Staff 97 V13 Night Session Plus Tennis Bag - 579,95 - Wilson - Pro Staff - Tennis rackets - Racket package - black - Brands color name: Black/Black - Head size (cm): 626 - String pattern: 16/19 - Weight unstrung (g): 315 - Length (mm): 685 - Collection: Wilson racket packages - Balance (mm): 310 - Strung: No . 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. Theyve also updated the racquets graphite braid and tweaked the 1619 string pattern, all of which well cover as part of this review in greater depth. The moment I started hitting with this racquet, I knew it was the right one. . If I need to be a serve and volleyer, it's solid. For more information on string patterns, check out our . For old-school feel and comfort with modern performance potential, try the Wilson Pro Staff 97S. String mapping intends to improve the racquets control and feel without giving up too much on the spin front. For its unstrung weight, Wilson markets the racquet at a somewhat heavier 11.1 ounces (315 grams), and although what ships often differ, my Pro Staff 97 came in spot on at 11.14 ounces or 315.6 grams. 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. Overall the Wilson Pro Staff 97 ULS is a great frame for players that want a very light and easy swinging control racquet that can deliver a lot . 2023 Wilson Sporting Goods All rights reserved. Head Size:97 sq. From: Darin, 5/10/21, Comments: Extremely happy with this racquet. From: Mikey, LA, CA, 8/11/21, Comments: I have both the 340 gram Pro Staff RF97 and this 315 gram Pro Staff v13. The flat 21.5 millimeter beam offers predictable control for advanced players that like to create their own pace and dominate with an all court game. Tennis warehouse was very organized starting from order placement and stringing to delivery and tracking. The slices feel really great and I can't slice better with anything else. This new Pro Staff is a strange animal. I'm a 3.5 player; haven't played all that long, only 2+ years. Wilson Pro Staff V14.0. It's also great on serve; easier to swing around, which helps me with hitting my spots with still plenty of power. Although specs are the same as the 2016 model, the feel and ball pocketing are a world apart in my opinion. Although many players gravitate toward the Pro Staff for its higher weight, not all players can comfortably swing the heaviest models. in: Length: 27 in: Weight (strung) 11.7 oz / 330g: Balance: 7pts Head Light: Flex: 66: String Pattern: 1619 . Players looking for a bit extra comfort might consider opting for a hybrid string setup, which combines a multifilament with polyester to improve the racquets comfort without sacrificing too much on the topspin front. 1:36 Balance When facing a big server or a hard hitter the racquet provides some excellent feedback and stability. The Pro Staff 97 has a mid-range RA or stiffness rating of 66. Its maneuverable enough to quickly get the racquet into position while still retaining enough weight to stand up to the pace from a heavier serve. I have not demoed EZONE Tour and new Radical Pro. Wilson boasted about that 45 carbon weaving and I thought it was just marketing lingo, but it truly does make a difference. By comparison, the RF97 is much heavier and probably truer to the original line of Pro Staff models. I used to play with a Radical Pro.From: Charly, 11/20/20, Comments: I have the stick for around four days and played already five hours with it. String Pattern: 16 Mains / 19 Crosses Mains Skip: 7T, 9T, . 2019 Model Year Rackets. While getting use to this, I still played the same with my Clash whenever I switched back to it. I love it!From: Michael, 3/29/21, Comments: Great racquet with great control and feel, especially when hitting in the sweetspot. However, for the latest release of the Pro Staff 97, theyve tweaked the construction. This is a good "reference" stick to have in the bag, as it seems to do all things well. It's fine to go with either choice, but the 18 x . = $220/220 Head size = 97 sq in Weight = 290g String pattern = 16/19 In conclusion Testing new rackets is a very personal experience as most tennis players have been used to one type of racket with their game and swing having adapted to suit that racket. Even on serves I found the v13 better. Pro Staff 97 v13. Pro Staff 97 v13 Technologies For the thirteenth generation of the Pro Staff, you'll find many familiar technologies players have come to expect from this line of racquets. I am going to experiment with lower tension to see how the racquet plays.From: Charles, 12/30/20, Comments: I'm a long time Pro Staff user, 3.5 to 4.0 Rating, mid 40's. Beyond helpful customer service. Great control and accuracy. Based on the latest reviews and removal of the Countervail, purchased the Pro Staff v13. Volleys were butter with good contact. Here are a few alternate destinations that might help. cm. Not only does the racquet retain the time-tested lively feel and performance youd expect from a Pro Staff, but Wilsons Braid 45 and String Mapping technologies are welcome refinements that enhance rather than detract from the racquets formula. 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. Better test it before buy it. Pro Staff V14 97UL. 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. I went from the v11.0, non-Countervail to this. 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. All in all, theyll both terrific options. String Pattern Both the PS97 and B98 have a 1619 string pattern so they will be a good option for players who like hitting lots of topspin balls from the baseline Availability Both of these rackets are available to buy on online shops such as Tennis Warehouse, and Tennis-Point. You can also pick up the racquet on Wilsons website, and they have an excellent demo program you can use to try the racquet before making a decision. Here are a few additional of my favorite polys worth considering from a variety of brands: Although I dont get much durability out of the 1.25 guage, its a reasonable tradeoff with this frame for a bit extra bite and added feel, which you could buffer with string savers if you feel compelled. 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. In my opinion, this is by far the worst Pro Staff 97 yet. The control level of this racquet is fantastic, and it's got a great feel to it. Holds up better against players who are big hitters. The Pro Staff 97UL v13 also gets updated with Wilson's String Mapping, which creates denser spacing in the hitting area for a more predictable and controlled response. The racquet has a higher-end weight, but its head light balance retains excellent usability, which is well-suited for intermediate to advanced players with an all-court style that relies on precision and control. . While the RF plow was superb, the stick didn't allow the racquet head speed I should be hitting with. String pattern: 16 mains/18 crosses. Wilson Pro Staff 97 V13 Tennis Racquet - Quality String - Choice of Grip Size. Lives up to it's claims. Wednesday, March 1 2023 . Then in 2015 I tried out the Pro Staff 97 red and black model and honestly wasn't that much of a fan, so I stuck with the BLX model. Compared to the first version,2015, this v13 is lousy. Serves are great with the faster racquet speed and enhanced wrist snap, but I do miss the plow through of the RF97's.From: Raj, India/US, 9/16/21, Comments: Equally solid at baseline and net, and seems very accurate for ball placement due to denser string pattern. Not my favorite design, but a good looking racquet overall. But the positive far outweighs the bad. If possible, Id encourage players to consider trying or demoing the racquet before buying. I love the feel, but a bit too loose as my flattish ball is consistently landing about a couple of inches out. Then in 2013 I moved on to the BLX Pro Staff Six.One 95. I'm not careless, but occasionally you have to scrap the ground to get a ball and it doesn't take much for the paint to start wearing away. I also notice the frame is a bit heavier, but I think with a few more hitting session to get use to.From: Jonyu, 1/4/21, Comments: New to the Pro Staff series and really happy with this particular iteration. The biggest difference between the two versions is actually the butt cap, which is more comfortable on the newer version. 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. I've been playing with the Pro Staff line of racquets for 17 years. Demoed this along with several Yonex models and this one delivers on control and is very comfortable on the arm. Released on September 14, 2020, the Pro Staffs thirteenth generation is a welcome update to Wilsons ever-popular family of racquets, emphasizing precision and control. I personally don't think anyone should play with the actual RF version seriously, unless they have UTR well above 10. I was excited to see the new v13 line with the amazing old school eighties look, in homage to the famous tennis players, well done Wilson! String Pattern: 16 x 19 Wilson Pro Staff 97L v14: Head size: 97 sq. This is a reasonably open string pattern which means more spin . I just ordered three of them. At the net, the Pro Staff 97 is a solid overall performer. That's when I tried my coach's Clash and Pro Staff 97 v13. Last but not least, the Pro Staff 97 maintains its higher-end weight, significant head light balance, and relatively thinner beam, all of which combine with the technologies mentioned above to produce a feel thats unique to this family of racquets. My two-handed backhand definitely requires some cleaning, but I am blasting winners from anywhere in the court with my forehand. I notice this frame absorbs the shock really well, not too muted, so you can feel the ball. You do need to strike the ball accurately which is why this racquet is for intermediate players and up.