Stringing the racquet as a hybrid is a pain because the grommet placement and size is challenging. Great for volleys. For old-school feel and comfort with modern performance potential, try the Wilson Pro Staff 97S. It's brought new excitement in my tennis game. I am not sure what Wilson has done, but it's almost as if they intended to string this racquet as a one-piece. My two-handed backhand definitely requires some cleaning, but I am blasting winners from anywhere in the court with my forehand. Prior to this racquet, I was using the RF97 model for many years, and eventually the weight of that racquet started getting the best of me. 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. Need to swing fully to get power and definitely need good technique to realize the potential of this racquet. / 625.81 sq. Order with confidence. This year, after demoing racquets I decided to switch back to a Pro Staff. I am sure Wilson may play with the weight and balance slightly. 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. The Ultra line is lighter and offers a more generous 100 in (645 cm) head size, making it more approachable than the Pro Staff. The racquet has an 18x16 string pattern that provides exceptional spin potential to anyone's game. The moment I started hitting with this racquet, I knew it was the right one. In 2017, Wilson updated the Pro Staff line and introduced a new technology called Countervail, which the aerospace and cycling industries had successfully implemented. Solar noon: 01:03PM. Coming from an oversized head racquet, I did not expect the transition to be as smooth as it was, even though the racquet is 97 square inches it still felt so consistent. . inches Length: 27 inches Weight: 290g Beam Width: 23 x 23 x 23 mm String Pattern: 16 x 19 - Bio-based materials reduce environmental impact of the bumper, grommet, and end cap. Share your list with your family and friends for any occasion, Quickly move list items to your bag when you're ready to checkout. The racquets head light balance makes it easy to maneuver, but it also has enough weight to absorb and redirect pace effectively. The design is amazing and maybe that's why I want to put energy on playing with it.From: Cristian, 11/16/20, Comments: The racquet works well. Despite its weight, the racquet swings with reasonable ease thanks to its head light balance while still leaving room for players to customize. The 7-point head light balance helps to ensure quick handling at the net, with enough heft for stability against hard hit passes. 2019 Model Year Rackets. It's solid, easy to swing, and sharp looking. The feel with these is insane. They said they would take them and evaluate them and reimburse me later. First of all you don't feel the weight and it is very whippy. Out of the two, the denser string pattern helps out with a bit more control and string durability. 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. Read our weekly recap of the 5 most interesting things we dig up in tennis. 3.5 out of 5 stars 8. . Racquet feels sturdy and love the feel with volleys, and to top it off, huge fan of the black frame aesthetics. All those racquets are great, arm-friendly and I'm sure you'll find a good match! I sent my racquets in for evaluation an about 10 days later, I received a email stating they all had exposed graphite. This latest iteration of the V13 felt different. I wrote Tennis Warehouse on how they string this racquet and received three different answers. Its lighter, easier to handle, and features the upgraded technologies weve covered earlier, including Braid 45 and String Mapping. 7:31 Serves It's great at the net, stable with plenty of mass and crispiness behind my volleys. Better test it before buy it. Please contact Customer Service at 1-800-401-7967, if you have any issues accessing information on this website. . The Pro Staff 97 has a mid-range RA or stiffness rating of 66. My first racquet was a Prestige Tour. You've to create your own power and a hybrid string it's always a good choice in this outstanding racquet. I have been using Pro Staffs my whole life. I am more confident hitting balls closer to the net tape with this racquet, so the string pattern seems just right for me. This newest addition to the Wilson Pro Staff lineup lives up to its reputation. Same on my backhand, but it has to be clean contact and not muscle-ing the ball. I demoed several racquets. I've found my forever racquet. The Pro Staff series of racquets no longer uses laser engraving. I've used various racquets from Prince, Babolat, and Yonex, and I can say this is by far the best racquet for me. Our 25,000 sq. The last version of this racquet from 2017 was available in a black and white tuxedo paint job and an all-black version. The feel is definitely improved and feels tighter, just a little bit, than the previous version. And for Federer it's the reverse, the mains are strung tighter to create a more even feeling. Mainly used a Pro Staff RF97 for many years. Players on the ATP and WTA use the racquet. Not my favorite design, but a good looking racquet overall. 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. Love the black paint job. The first racquet that makes this list is the smallest in its size, but probably the biggest in overall hype. . Weight: 290 grams/10.23 ounces (without strings) 306 grams/10.79 ounces (with strings) Length: 69 centimeters/27 inches. For this review and playtest, Im diving deep to examine the specs and technologies while explaining how it differs from the prior model. 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. Maybe not as much cushion as a 60-64 flex racket, but more comfortable power and slice. Even on serves I found the v13 better. Very stable on volleys. 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! This is a review of the upcoming Wilson Pro Staff 97 Setup: Luxilon 4G 1.41mm @ 24kG (1 piece) Specs: Headsize: 97 sq.in. 0:45 Specs It doesnt diminish the latest models quality or performance, but it does highlight that pros dont change racquets as frequently as one might expect purely based on racquets appearance. Hans-Martin Reh, GM at Wilson Racquet Sports, sums it up nicely. I my opinion, it feel great as it has lower stiffness rating, too. What I didn't like was TW's trade-in program. I notice this frame absorbs the shock really well, not too muted, so you can feel the ball. The 97 ULS's thin beam provides players with great feedback so you are connected with every ball. 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. 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. From: Craig, Acton 8/27/21, Comments: My opinion on this racquet at first was critical. Pro Staff Six.One (18x20) v13. The racquet itself has been superb. Finally, the Pro Staff 97UL or ultralight rounds out the Pro Staff lineup for a frame with an entry-level weight. The unstrung specs of the Pro Staff 97 are: 21.5 mm beam 97 sq inch head size 1619 string pattern 66 RA strung stiffness standard 27 in length 315g unstrung weight (11.1 ounces) 31 cm balance (10 pts HL) The Pro Staff 6.0 version was manufactured in four head sizes: 85, 95, 110, and 125 square inches. Cosmetically there are small differences as well. I'd say the TW reviews were on point except for comfort. However, beyond its weight, this racquet does not use Wilsons Braid 45 technology. Both frames are strung with Natural Gut 16 (mains - 52 lbs) and Solinco Hyper-G 17 (crosses - 50lbs). This is a shotmaker's racquet, for a player that doesn't need help from the racquet to generate power. We couldnt find any products that match your search. Not as heavy as the RF version, but one can definitely feel the difference from a Blade. pocketing and stability" similar to the new Pro Staff 97 V13. However, Im confident the update to the Pro Staff 97 will appeal to a broader audience than the RF97. Furthermore, the racquet features an all-black butt cap without rounded edges, and instead of a synthetic grip, it comes with leather. I have not demoed EZONE Tour and new Radical Pro. They don't get pushed around at all. You're eligible for Free Shipping on orders over $49. The Pro Staff 97 has a 1619 string pattern while the Prestige Pro has a more control-oriented string pattern of 1820. What are the string recommendations to get the most out of this frame and at what tension? Featuring a refined, elegant design and coloring inspired by rich earth tones, the Wilson Pro Staff 97L v14 is a lighter version of our Pro Staff 97 v14, with the same Braid FORTYFIVE construction that offers a pronounce I like to generate my own pace without the ball flying out of the court. I strung that up with Luxilon Alu Power 1.30 at 54 lbs or 24.5 kg, added an overgrip, and got: 97 sq inches, 1619 string pattern, 21.5 mm beam, 365g, 31.5 cm, 341.5 SW These specs are pretty heavy, even for the Autograph version. It comes in a 16 x 19 string pattern, as well as an 18 x 20. But when you strike the ball well with this one, it has plenty of oomph! 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. String Pattern: 16 Mains x 19 Crosses Colour: Black Product Code: WRG731400 Additional Note(s): Racquet colorway is all black, Version 11 (v11.0) Compatible Racquet(s): Wilson Pro Staff . Below is a comparison of the technical specifications of the Pure Strike 100 (or "PS 100") and Pro Staff 97 (or "PS 97") tennis rackets.. Main Differences: The Pure Strike 100 has a bigger head size (100in vs 97in), a less head light balance (4pts HL vs 7pts HL), a lower strung weight (315g vs 332g), a slightly lower swing weight (319 vs 321), a higher frame stiffness . Two additio . Blade 98 v7 16x19. What is really strange is the feel, which is missing in comparison with VCORE Pro that I usually use or at least is very different. However, while helpful for comparison, they wont tell you how a racquet will feel, so I encourage players to demo a racquet whenever possible. String pattern: Wider Cross-Strings (Open 16x19 string pattern) for added Power, Control and Spin. Highly recommend this racquet. So, overall, the backhand is okay, forehand still needs work, the volleys needs some training as well, the serve works great. One thing to note, the change in the butt cap is easier on my hand. More power in this frame, but still plenty of control everyone knows and loves about the Pro Staff. Both are strung with Solinco Hyper-G 18 at 55 lb. ft. tennis warehouse is home to approximately 22,000 unique racquet sport product SKUs. This new Pro Staff is a strange animal. However, we would limit our player recommendation on this model to junior players ages 12-13. and also has power and control performance that can be used for modern power tennis. Technical specifications for Wilson Pro Staff 97 racket. Featuring Spin Effect Technology with a 18x17 string pattern, the 97S allows for extreme spin creation without sacrificing control and feel. This construction blends the extraordinary strength of graphite with the durability of Kevlar, a space-age material. in. The v11 are available again and I personally am planning on buying a couple more of the older version simply due to the lower price. First, though lighter than the previous, it is quite stable. These are amazing. 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. I'm a 47 year old 4.0.From: Sean, 5/31/21Texas, Comments: "Downsized" from an RF97 I had been using for about 6 years. Wilson Pro Staff 97 Review (v13): My Experience. Similarly, higher racquet head speed helped generating more spin. While getting use to this, I still played the same with my Clash whenever I switched back to it. 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. The biggest difference between the two versions is actually the butt cap, which is more comfortable on the newer version. We offer 100% Price Protection for 7 days on all orders. And the black paint job is super cool looking. Very stable on volleys and returning hard shots and serves. 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. $220.00 $ 220. Maybe a thinner frame would be better on improving the feel and as well a little bit more swingweight. I can place my shots short or deep very easily and precisely. For that reason, Ive put the Pro Staff 97 v13 to the test over the past few weeks. Additional nuances include the grip and butt caps. . 6:57 Volleys From: Mark, HK 7/26/21, Comments: Amazing racquet! My raquet for life!From: Wayne, Bahamas, 12/31/21, Comments: Great racquet! Day length: 9h 10m. The Pro Staff 97 finds a really great compromise on weight. the Wilson Pro Staff 97UL V13 Tennis Racquet offers superior precision at an arm-friendly swing weight for transitioning juniors and adults with elbow . john added a stringing of Yonex Poly Tour Spin 1.25 16L Blue to Yonex EZONE 98 (285g) about 2 months: Paired with a low-powered polyester, I found I could swing freely to maximize topspin while maintaining command over the ball. The 2015 version gives you more pop, a much more connected feeling to the ball, and a slightly larger sweetspot. That's when I tried my coach's Clash and Pro Staff 97 v13. I even bought the TW reissues when they were around. Learn more. Lives up to it's claims. From: Anonymous, 7/24/21, Comments: Got it for my husband, who was playing with Countervail. However I find them to be erratic when you don't hit with a ton of spin. Either racquet is a great choice for better players that want precision and can generate their own power. I pair it with black strings, Wilson NXT at 55 pounds, and pink overgrip to create a black and pink racquet. The one drawback is that it does not have too large of a "sweet spot". All in all, its a subtle yet refined update to an already great looking tennis racquet and one of my favorite designs. Not only will you get to see the racquet in action, but youll have some extra visuals to go along with my explanations. I tried them back to back over an extensive period of quite a few months. The Clash is a newer frame from Wilson that offers an innovative approach to materials and construction, which marries the control of a flexible racquet with a stiffer racquets power. Maybe that was just a bad string combo for this stick.From: Bo, 11/23/20, Comments: In my opinion of the v13 was more maneuverable compared to v11. Lets take a quick look at what players should expect from each. Learn with comprehensive resources to help you improve your game. Power level wise I found both v13 and v11 similar.The area where I struggled was on defense. 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 . Have to be able to generate your own power though.From: Jeff, 3/8/21, Comments: The best Pro Staff to date! . I recommend stringing at a lower tension. The Pro Staff 97 v13 also benefits from Wilson's String Mapping technology which creates denser spacing in the hitting area for a more predictable and controlled response. Because of the tech behind the racquet, the sweetspot is pretty much anywhere on the racquet. I added the details just to be clear from where I come. Taking another step down in weight from the 97, the 97L or light version of the Pro Staff is 10.2 oz (289g) unstrung, making it considerably more approachable and a reasonable entry point for many players. Racket Specs. You'll also find the racquet has a control-centric 21.5 mm beam. I told them what I had. The original description of this braid, that first appeared in a 1985 Wilson catalog, still holds true: The core of the Pro Staff is a braid of Kevlar and graphite. String pattern: 16 mains/18 crosses. 1:33 Swingweight Of course, not all racquet innovations hit the mark, so keep reading to see whether the Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 v13 gets it right. In my opinion, this is by far the worst Pro Staff 97 yet. Below youll find timestamps to various sections of the video so that you can quickly jump around or reference a specific part in the future. Title: Pro Staff 97 2015 Created Date: The one major complaint our playtesters had was the inconsistent depth, especially on groundstrokes and returns. The v13 comes in slightly lighter, but still has plenty of mass that allows me to relax through my strokes. I've been playing with the Pro Staff line of racquets for 17 years. Nov 11, 2020 wilson pro staff 97 wilson pro staff v13 1 2 Next M Mudabbir New User Nov 11, 2020 #1 I am getting a Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13. The Pro Staff 97S injects Wilson's innovative Spin Effect string pattern into a frame with a more traditional feel. 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. Braid 45 construction arranges the double braided fibers at 45 degree angles for enhanced pocketing feel alongside incredible stability. 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. Helpful Tip Players looking to enhance the Pro Staff 97s moderate comfort might consider a hybrid string setup. Furthermore the little tighter string pattern helps to place the ball wherever you want and it's more precise than the v11 version. Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13 Tennis Racquet - Strung with Synthetic Gut Racket String in Custom Colors - Official Racquet of Roger Federer . . For example, if you have polyester strings in the mains, the softer string crosses are strung tighter to create a more even feeling stringbed. 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. 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. Another time-tested Pro Staff technology is Wilsons Perimeter Weighting System (PWS), which strategically places extra weight at three and nine oclock on the racquets head to reduce twisting and improve stability. In-depth Resources Like Federer and Musetti, I like head light racquetsThis racquet moves through the air pretty quickly with some weight behind the shot. Still struggling to find my backhand slice, so more on that later. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. On serves, I thought the Pro Staff 97 held its own, and while it may underwhelm to a degree from a power standpoint, it makes up for it by delivering greater precision. I'm a 3.5 player; haven't played all that long, only 2+ years. Here are a few alternate destinations that might help. It feels like I don't even have to try. I used to play with the RF97 in the past and then switched to the Babolat Pure Aero. Give it a try.From: AJI, Walnut Creek, 2/21/22, Comments: Strung my brand new Pro Staff 97 v13 with Solinco Hyper G Soft (16g) at 52/50 lbs and a Gamma Razortac overgrip: exactly 12 oz. 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. Of course, this is a lighter, spin friendlier version of the legend that is Roger Federer's Pro Staff 97, and that means you get a racket that's as suave as it is a lethal weapon on court. I use to use the first Pro Staff 97 about five years ago, this new v13 Pro Staff is like no other Pro Staff. 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. 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. I'd consider it a more arm-friendly version of my Six.One BLX.From: Philanthropenos, 1/9/21, Comments: I used to play with a Pro Staff 95 BLX, decided to switch to the 97 to give it a shot. It does not turn into a catapult when you string it with multifilament. 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. I then added a Wilson Pro Overgrip, the only customisation, bringing the strung weight to 326.6g. Wednesday, March 1 2023 . 1:36 Balance The service with the Racquet Matching by Tennis Warehouse makes these racquet almost identical. 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. I heard a lot of hype regarding this new version of the Pro Staff. Until recently, my primary stick was the Pro Staff RF97, I loved stability and plow through, however for long rallies it was quite a challenge to handle, especially off position shots. 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. Pro Staff Rf97 v13 The sweetspot is pretty small. Featuring the same head size and open string pattern (16x19) for added pop, forgiveness and spin potential, this racquet continues to promise enhanced performance . Pro Staff 97UL v13. This racquet hits very well, even with the 65 tension on a full bed of ALU Rough, the frame is stiff and has get feeling on the serve and volley. This is a good "reference" stick to have in the bag, as it seems to do all things well. this racket really helped all of those things and provides good stability and especially up at net this felt like a magic wand . The feel is much better than the previous version. So, in stock form my one handed backhand was good, serve was good, but forehand couldn't dial-in properly. I love the control the Pro Staff gives you. Angell TC 97 Custom - choose string pattern, grip shape and more! Sure, on swingweight you can correct with stain stripes. I've been hitting with the Pro Staff for my whole life and am now a 50+ year old, 3.5 level male. String pattern: 18 Mains / 16 Crosses Mains skip: 8T,10T,8H,10H One Piece No Shared Holes: Length: 27in / 68.58cm: Beam width: 23mm / 23mm / 23mm / Composition: Carbon Graphite: Power level: Low-Medium: Stroke style: Although many players gravitate toward the Pro Staff for its higher weight, not all players can comfortably swing the heaviest models. I feel that if you can contact the sweetspot and can't handle the weight of the RF97, this racquet will reward with great feel, control, and power. We hope you love this article. Second, it's control-oriented. I'm sure I have more to say about the racquet, but for now I hope this review helps you make your decision. 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 . Both are fantastic racquets. The control level of this racquet is fantastic, and it's got a great feel to it. Beyond the frames impressive credentials, its become a cult favorite among competitive players from club to college who appreciate the classic feel that results from the time-tested formula of braided graphite, perimeter weighting system, thin beam, and head light balance. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. But still, I think it will perform better on one handed backhand than these. Sunrise: 08:28AM. It's a very stable racquet and good for consistency.From: Michael, 12/28/20, Comments: I have been playing with Head racquets for two decades. In the first half of 2014, Federer used a Wilson Prototype racquet to win a couple of tournaments before making the biggest change of his career from a 90-inch head to a 97-inch with his current Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph. Although their studies suggest improvements with this material, many players, including me, recognized a noticeable change in feel. WILSON Pro Staff 97 UL V13 Tennis Racquet Specifications: Playability: The Pro Staff 97 V11 is a great option for Advanced players looking for control-oriented racquet. While I am still fine-tuning the string tension and the grip size, I still nevertheless catch myself wearing a big grin each time I walk off the court given the control, the accuracy, the power, and the mere fun that hitting with it provides. I would recommend but also demo first. As long as I commit and rip it, it's a winner. The cosmetics are different at the request of Roger himself as he wanted his racquet to look . The racquet offers a great balance of power and precision. I can also generate decent topspin. I even think I'll buy a second. I would recommend this racquet to players who are looking for similar features. please contact Wilson's customer service center by telephone at USA 1-800-401-7967 . in. 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. Don't believe me? From: Darin, 5/10/21, Comments: Extremely happy with this racquet. The feel on volleys, slices, and attacking strokes is great. 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.