So, overall, the backhand is okay, forehand still needs work, the volleys needs some training as well, the serve works great. Cosmetically there are small differences as well. please contact Wilson's customer service center by telephone at USA 1-800-401-7967 . At the net, the Pro Staff 97 is a solid overall performer. 2019 Model Year Rackets. Kind of reminds me of the Pro Staff Six.One Classic that I mentioned I started out with. 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. I cannot wait to string some natural gut with polyester closer to 50 pounds tension. 6:01 Groundstrokes That's when I tried my coach's Clash and Pro Staff 97 v13. The racquet was strung at 50 pounds with yellow Yonex Poly Tour Pro 1.20 mm. The one drawback is that it does not have too large of a "sweet spot". Wow what a difference. Here are a few alternate destinations that might help. I thought the frame delivered excellent feel and stability for precise targeting off both wings, which translates to added confidence. Paired with a low-powered polyester, I found I could swing freely to maximize topspin while maintaining command over the ball. Given that it's lighter than RF97, I find it better for serves and volleys, but miss the plow through and power in the groundstrokes. This creates a more consistent feel across the string bed. Same on my backhand, but it has to be clean contact and not muscle-ing the ball. With strings installed, youll find the balance reduces a bit to 7 pts HL at 32cm. 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. For this review and playtest, Im diving deep to examine the specs and technologies while explaining how it differs from the prior model. 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. Product Description. Maybe a thinner frame would be better on improving the feel and as well a little bit more swingweight. I am a 3.5-4.0 level rating.From: Bryan, 1/3/21, Comments: I am very happy with this racquet. I have been playing with a variety of racquets from Babolat and Yonex over the years. The racquets head light balance makes it easy to maneuver, but it also has enough weight to absorb and redirect pace effectively. I had in the past the black Federer Autograph stick. 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 . At 12.0 ounces unstrung, the RF97 is designed for advanced tennis players who are used to swinging a heavier racquet. 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 If I need to be a serve and volleyer, it's solid. Huge balls coming at me and the Pro Staff blocks them and catapults them back, solid.From: Anonymous, 2/13/21, Comments: An absolute beast of a racquet. From: Rob, 1/20/21, Comments: It's an amazing racquet, just release your hand and it will make the job as longas you are hitting the correct way. More work is required to generate spin. Youll also find the racquet has a control-centric 21.5 mm beam. I used ALU Silver at 55 pounds on the mains and a Babolat string at 52 pounds on the crosses for control. I recommend stringing at a lower tension. You get out what you put into it. cm. Read our weekly recap of the 5 most interesting things we dig up in tennis. String Pattern String Length ' ' ' ' Pro Sta 97 WILSON.COM 2016 WILSON SPORTING GOODS CO. EST. The first racquet that makes this list is the smallest in its size, but probably the biggest in overall hype. Definitely been winning more with this. The vibration dampening properties of the Kevlar also help provide a little extra control and touch in a relatively stiff frame. I use Black Code 16 orange and yellow at 56 pounds. Definitely it has much more pocket effect and I can feel the ball much better, all groundstrokes and the serve are especially much more accurate. 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. 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. It seems that I'm getting easier access to power and great feel on volleys. Generating racquet head speed is easier for v13 and so I liked it on serves. I just ordered three of them. I am not sure what Wilson has done, but it's almost as if they intended to string this racquet as a one-piece. The v13 comes in slightly lighter, but still has plenty of mass that allows me to relax through my strokes. 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: Power level wise I found both v13 and v11 similar.The area where I struggled was on defense. Furthermore, the racquet features an all-black butt cap without rounded edges, and instead of a synthetic grip, it comes with leather. We couldnt find any products that match your search. I have not demoed EZONE Tour and new Radical Pro. Absolutely in love with this frame! Also this racquet doesn't provide easy and basic spin because of the shape and the 97 square inch head.This review might come of as bias because I used the old all black Pro Staff 97 with no Countervail before this one. It also includes Wilson's classic PWS (perimeter weighting system), meaning added weight at 3 and 9 for more stability, plow . Angell TC 97 Custom - choose string pattern, grip shape and more! If you like that chip and charge style of playing it is perfect with this racquet. 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. If I have to camp at the baseline, it's consistent and stable. 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. To help broaden the Blade's appeal, Wilson offers a lighter version that weighs only 10.1 oz (285 g) unstrung, which helps improve the frame's maneuverability for a more user-friendly option. 7:31 Serves It's really a fine piece of art racquet and just love to play with my new Pro Staff.From: Michael, 12/2/20, Comments: I've played with each of the Pro Staff 97 models with varying degrees of success and enjoyment, RF and non-RF versions. My ground strokes are precise and deep and I get plenty of spin and that puts my opponents on their back heel. 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. Please bring those back once more. Both are strung with Solinco Hyper-G 18 at 55 lb. I have been a long time Pro Staff user. However, Im confident the update to the Pro Staff 97 will appeal to a broader audience than the RF97. The lively stringbed gave us easy power and loads of spin potential. String pattern: Wider Cross-Strings (Open 16x19 string pattern) for added Power, Control and Spin. 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. From: Craig, Acton 8/27/21, Comments: My opinion on this racquet at first was critical. 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. For my playtest, I strung the racquet with a full bed of Luxilon ALU Power 1.25 at 52 pounds, which is one of my favorite polyester tennis strings. The racquet also pays tribute to the old-school Pro Staff Original 6.0 by adding subtle red and yellow racing stripes that complement the racquets modern aesthetic to give it a classic feel. If you are looking to ship somewhere else, or prefer a different language please select another version below. 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. It weighs in at 12 oz (340 g) unstrung, nearly a full ounce heavier than the Pro Staff 97. A huge thank you to Wilson for sending me the Pro Staff 97 v13 ahead of its release. Wilson Pro Staff V14.0. I even think I'll buy a second. I find the racquets mass provides more than enough string movement for excellent topspin, but I prefer a bit extra control. String Pattern: 16 x 19 Wilson Pro Staff 97L v14: Head size: 97 sq. The control level of this racquet is fantastic, and it's got a great feel to it. It's solid, comfortable and user friendly. Sure, on swingweight you can correct with stain stripes. 2023 Wilson Sporting Goods All rights reserved. It works very good. For the volleys I could volley deep and the next ball, drop volley. I can easily control pace from a heavy hitting opponent. Sorry, Yonex, I'm back home at Wilson!From: Phoenix, 10/20/20, Comments: Awesome racquet from Wilson, no more Countervail! So, I was excited to hear Wilson had tightened the string spacing in the sweetspot on this model. Blade 98 v7 16x19. As you might expect from a Pro Saff, its a lively racquet that can deliver exceptional pace derived through sound technique. 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. 8:09 Returns, 8:42 Summary The Pro Staff RF97 is built using layers of braided Graphite and Kevlar which create a solid frame with a consistent feel throughout. Title: Pro Staff 97 2015 Created Date: 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. From: Darin, 5/10/21, Comments: Extremely happy with this racquet. 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. This is a reasonably open string pattern which means more spin . Highly recommend this racquet. Out of the two, the denser string pattern helps out with a bit more control and string durability. In terms of string pattern, the Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph has a 16 x 19 pattern. I use to use the first Pro Staff 97 about five years ago, this new v13 Pro Staff is like no other Pro Staff. The Blade 98 is pretty easy to string as you skip 8 and 10 at head and throat. It is much easier to handle with less weight. Still struggling to find my backhand slice, so more on that later. I absolutely love this racquet and bought a second one right away. 15 of those years I've been playing USTA 5.0 Mens League Singles and Open Middle States Tournaments. Very stable on volleys and returning hard shots and serves. Description. Wish I made the switch sooner.From: Ryan, 6/10/21, Comments: Racquet plays well, very similar to my 2014 Six.One. As long as I commit and rip it, it's a winner. 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. Next time, I plan to go with Hyper-G Soft. Now enough about the playability, can we talk about this awesome matte black paint job? Headlight . I can take full swings and control where it goes in the court compared to my previous racquets where my ball would sail somewhere. It offers a nice blend between power from high stiffness and control from a smaller head size (97 sq inches). While the RF plow was superb, the stick didn't allow the racquet head speed I should be hitting with.