I played with them for the first time this past week and wow. The current local time in Vitry-sur-Seine is 63 minutes ahead of apparent solar time. I pair it with black strings, Wilson NXT at 55 pounds, and pink overgrip to create a black and pink racquet. I love it!From: Michael, 3/29/21, Comments: Great racquet with great control and feel, especially when hitting in the sweetspot. To my surprising this frame has a bit more power and comfort. Create a free account and explore my latest videos below. 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.. $220.00 $ 220. The Pro Staff 97S injects Wilson's innovative Spin Effect string pattern into a frame with a more traditional feel. First serve doesn't bomb as hard as the RF, but my double fault rate is down quite a bit. Kudos to Wilson!From: MichaelT, 4/15/21, Comments: Bought this for my teen junior for tournament play after using the TW demo option. If you like that chip and charge style of playing it is perfect with this racquet. Breaking News. The feel with these is insane. 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. Even on serves I found the v13 better. For the thirteenth generation of the Pro Staff, youll find many familiar technologies players have come to expect from this line of racquets. 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. This racquet has a smaller sweetspot compared to most racquets these days. Hitting the serve flat is much easier while getting big topspin is harder, although that is probably the string. The racquet has an 18x16 string pattern that provides exceptional spin potential to anyone's game. Although specs are the same as the 2016 model, the feel and ball pocketing are a world apart in my opinion. 10:09 vs. The vibration dampening properties of the Kevlar also help provide a little extra control and touch in a relatively stiff frame. Discussion Boards I added some stain at 3 and 9 o'clock, around two grams in total, and it looks that I can hit the forehand better. The Pro Staff 97 really allows you to plow through the ball effortlessly. . I guess they just want brand new racquets. I demo-ed it with Wilson NXT @ 55lbs but wasn't completely convinced. From: Abdulrahman, 2/11/21, Comments: I have been using mostly Wilson frames for the last five years and this new version of the Pro Staff is the best model I have used yet. 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. The first time if you are used to using a lot of lift, you will have to review your gesture because it is more difficult to hit the sweetspot. 1:36 Balance 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. This is a great model for anyone looking to attack the net.From: Robert, 2/11/21, Comments: I have played with the two previous versions of this racquet which I enjoyed; but this version is even more satisfying.From: Anonymous, 2/8/21, Comments: Excellent, very happy with it.From: Ilal, 2/3/21, Comments: Nice work done with the strings and overall the racquet seems to be very satisfyingFrom: Jongchan, 2/3/21, Comments: This is an amazing racquet! Generating racquet head speed is easier for v13 and so I liked it on serves. . I just ordered three of them. Wilson Pro Staff 97 V14.0 Tennis Racket Paradigm Bending optimizes bending location for precision Braid 45 construction arranges the double braided fibers at 45 degree angles for enhanced pocketing feel alongside incredible stability String Mapping provides a denser string bed for excellent precision and feel Pro Staff 97UL v13. All those racquets are great, arm-friendly and I'm sure you'll find a good match! 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 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. Aug 22, 2022 #34 wonder if the PS97 keeps the denser string pattern on the v13 . If you don't like it, return it for free! More power in this frame, but still plenty of control everyone knows and loves about the Pro Staff. Please bring those back once more. 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. The Pro Staff 97LS weighs in at 290g unstrung but with a decent 314 swingweight that should help to give this racket some of the classic Pro Staff feel. Our 25,000 sq. However, recognizing demo programs arent always readily available, please let me know in the comments below if you have any additional follow up questions. The first racquet that makes this list is the smallest in its size, but probably the biggest in overall hype. Hans-Martin Reh, GM at Wilson Racquet Sports, sums it up nicely. From a design standpoint, the Pro Staff 97 v13 pays subtle tribute to the Pro Staff Original 6.0 while refining its modern and sleek aesthetic. Wilson Pro Staff 97 Tennis 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. There is no substantial difference in slice strokes between the two. Join the conversation with other members of the community. First of all you don't feel the weight and it is very whippy. Love the black paint job. About this item . 4.0+ player and still prefer racquets on the heavier side, but the RF made sure 3rd sets were a guaranteed loss. The racquets head light balance makes it easy to maneuver, but it also has enough weight to absorb and redirect pace effectively. For old-school feel and comfort with modern performance potential, try the Wilson Pro Staff 97S. Highly recommend this racquet. I demo'd several Babolat and Yonex racquets, but couldn't make them work. Description. Although many players gravitate toward the Pro Staff for its higher weight, not all players can comfortably swing the heaviest models. The feel is much better than the previous version. Hall of Fame. You do need to strike the ball accurately which is why this racquet is for intermediate players and up. Lets take a quick look at what players should expect from each. First, though lighter than the previous, it is quite stable. This new Pro Staff is a strange animal. Very maneuverable with the right amount of weight. Based on the latest reviews and removal of the Countervail, purchased the Pro Staff v13. The moment I started hitting with this racquet, I knew it was the right one. 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. I can place my shots short or deep very easily and precisely. It feels like I don't even have to try. It seems that I'm getting easier access to power and great feel on volleys. I personally don't think anyone should play with the actual RF version seriously, unless they have UTR well above 10. It's more rounded. If I need to be a serve and volleyer, it's solid. When I was on the run and returned the balls they were falling short. The 97 UL bring the iconic Pro Staff precision and feel to players who needed a much lighter weight than the 97, RF97, or 97L. I have been a long time Pro Staff user. 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. 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. Juniors transitioning to a full-length tennis racquet or adult beginners who might have started with an inexpensive racquet and are looking for an easy-to-swing premium frame will likely find what theyre looking for with this low-weight option. Second, it's control-oriented. While the 315 gram is really good, I feel the 340 gram is way better (if you can swing it). It's solid, easy to swing, and sharp looking. 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. However, Im confident the update to the Pro Staff 97 will appeal to a broader audience than the RF97. The RF97 Autograph was another story. Sunrise: 08:28AM. I found the racquet to have enough control for my swing. 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. Racket Recommendations The racquet was strung at 50 pounds with yellow Yonex Poly Tour Pro 1.20 mm. I am sure Wilson may play with the weight and balance slightly. The Pro Staff RF97 Autograph, Roger Federers signature racquet with specs that he uses on the court, is the heaviest model available. More work is required to generate spin. 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. Now enough about the playability, can we talk about this awesome matte black paint job? Switching from a Wilson Clash to this was very weird at first. My bag now has two of these new 97s and two old school 85s. 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 . We both are 5.0 level players. = $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. But when you strike the ball well with this one, it has plenty of oomph! For that reason, Ive put the Pro Staff 97 v13 to the test over the past few weeks. 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. Beyond weight, the Pro Staff 97 receives the upgraded Braid 45 construction and String Mapping tech while Federers signature model, the RF97, remains unchanged with identical specs to the prior version. Not as heavy as the RF version, but one can definitely feel the difference from a Blade. Braid 45 construction arranges the double braided fibers at 45 degree angles for enhanced pocketing feel alongside incredible stability. If you are looking to ship somewhere else, or prefer a different language please select another version below. I had in the past the black Federer Autograph stick. Its lighter, easier to handle, and features the upgraded technologies weve covered earlier, including Braid 45 and String Mapping. 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. / 626 sq. Head Size:97 sq. 1914. 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 . For more information on string patterns, check out our . With Pro Staff 97 v13, I noticed that to get the best out of the service, I had to be very accurate in the strike zone. Then in 2013 I moved on to the BLX Pro Staff Six.One 95. The RF97 is a little heavier, harder to create top spin because the stringing pattern in the sweet spot is closer together and stringing the racquet is a bit more difficult. Wilson is forthright about this on their packaging, but its not always readily apparent. 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. We never want to change any aspect of the racket unless we can do so in a meaningful way that gives our players a true advantage on the court. String pattern: 16 Mains / 19 Crosses Mains skip: 7T,9T,7H,9H One Piece No Shared Holes: Length: 27in / 68.58cm: Beam width: . String mapping intends to improve the racquets control and feel without giving up too much on the spin front. . The Pro Staff RF97 is built using layers of braided Graphite and Kevlar which create a solid frame with a consistent feel throughout. Welcome to Racquet Sports - The Pro Shop Pros and your store for tennis, running and fitness. String pattern: Wider Cross-Strings (Open 16x19 string . 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: 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. So, I string it with RPM Blast 1.20, at 53 on the mains and 49 pounds on the crosses and usually I'm playing with Yonex VCORE Pro 97 310 grams, the 2018 model with red and dark color not the last one, with around three grams of stain at 3 and 9 o'clock. Wilson Pro Staff 97 CV Black Tennis Racquet Review Racquet Specs Head Size: 97 sq. 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. Wilson Staff Model Gloves . My favorite parts of this racquet are the volleys, slices, and the serves. 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. 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. Instead, the braided graphite construction remains unchanged, and the frame contains foam for dampening as the original Pro Staff models did. Not powerful. I then added a Wilson Pro Overgrip, the only customisation, bringing the strung weight to 326.6g. Players with healthy arms looking to get the most out of the racquets excellent feedback and response will likely appreciate swapping out the synthetic grip for leather, which will add a small bit of extra weight too. 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. 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. Wilson recommends a string tension between 50-60 pounds (22.7 27.2kg) for the Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13. The Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13 is one of my favorite updates to the Pro Staff line in years, which I expect will resonate with long-time enthusiasts. String pattern: Wider Cross-Strings (Open 16x19 string pattern) for added Power, Control and Spin. Racket: Wilson Pro Staff 97 LS Tennis Racket. I used ALU Silver at 55 pounds on the mains and a Babolat string at 52 pounds on the crosses for control. My slices are epic. 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. The Pro Staff 97 weighs in at a reasonable 315 grams (unstrung) with a very head light balance and an open 16x19 string pattern, making it forgiving and easy to use. 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. Once again, the racquets balance allows for excellent racquet head speed despite the frames heavier weight, so you can still generate plenty of pace when you need it, but youll have to work for it. Want the head-light feel and precision of our Pro Staff line in a frame that's easier to maneuver? Some Restrictions Apply. From: Darin, 5/10/21, Comments: Extremely happy with this racquet. 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. The cosmetics are different at the request of Roger himself as he wanted his racquet to look . 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. The 2015 version gives you more pop, a much more connected feeling to the ball, and a slightly larger sweetspot. . In terms of string pattern, the Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph has a 16 x 19 pattern. 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. So, in stock form my one handed backhand was good, serve was good, but forehand couldn't dial-in properly. The feel is definitely improved and feels tighter, just a little bit, than the previous version. The control level of this racquet is fantastic, and it's got a great feel to it. I could say more, but I won't. It gave new meaning to the concept of a brassy feel. With that being said, after playing with the racquet several times, I'm sad to report it was one of the most uncomfortable, jarring, and odd feeling racquets I've ever played with. 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. 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. 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 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. The Pro Staff 6.0 version was manufactured in four head sizes: 85, 95, 110, and 125 square inches. 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. 6/25/21, Comments: Can't say enough good things about this racquet. 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. The Pro Staff 97 is well-suited for a lower-powered polyester string setup. It is for 'big hitters' or any way of saying it, is for players with big swings. The Pro Staff 97 also has a swingweight of 321 and a balance of 10 pts HL at 31.2 cm unstrung. The Pro Staff v13 has a more plush feel and better control than my past racquets. Wilson Pro Staff 97 V13 Tennis Racquet - Quality String - Choice of Grip Size. Wilson Pro Staff RF 85 specs: . He is happy with this racquet performance.From: Alena, FL. 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. Wilson Pro Staff 97L v13 R.R.P. I do like weighted tape at the top of the frame, but the racquet is well balanced on its own. How to String a Wilson Pro Staff 97 Lite Tennis Racquet - YouTube Follow me on instagram @stringingbyspize for stringing, coaching, and playing!stringingbyspize@gmail.com for phoenix. Weight influences a racquets power, so this change helps counteract the power loss. This is the best Pro Staff 97 they've made. Disclosure: Wilson gave me this frame to evaluate, but they did not pay me to write this review or influence its contents. RacketLogger. Had to weight up the frames at the 3 and 9 position to increase the swing weight from 318 to Mid 320's and counterbalance with tail added weight for an 8 point head light balance. I am more confident hitting balls closer to the net tape with this racquet, so the string pattern seems just right for me. this racket really helped all of those things and provides good stability and especially up at net this felt like a magic wand . Wilson boasted about that 45 carbon weaving and I thought it was just marketing lingo, but it truly does make a difference. Both are fantastic racquets. Good balance of power and control. With the Pro Staff 97, a poly like ALU Power is a durable option that helps maximize the frames topspin and overall pairs nicely. I'm happy it's working for some players though, so I encourage you to demo for yourself. It's super solid, not too heavy and it feels great! 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! Still struggling to find my backhand slice, so more on that later. 8:09 Returns, 8:42 Summary 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. Shift 99/300. A 1619 string pattern will give you more topspin on your shots which will allow you to hit your shots harder while an 1820 string pattern will give you more control. See the full specs and the reasons Federer uses the RF97A. I get more control and more spin from the v13. Paired with a low-powered polyester, I found I could swing freely to maximize topspin while maintaining command over the ball. A huge thank you to Wilson for sending me the Pro Staff 97 v13 ahead of its release. I cannot say that I can recommend this so, better test it and draw your conclusions before buying it. 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. Orders over $50 will ship for free! In other words, it took a bit of the life out of the racquet. The Wilson Pro Staff has historically been an uncompromising racket aimed at serve and volley players that demand as much control and precision as possible. The head height of 97-square-inch made it easier to reach the spots I was after . 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 never stuck with the frames, but I thought they were pretty solid. 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. 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. 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. The last generation of the Pro Staff 97 incorporated Countervail into the graphite layup, which resulted in a somewhat muted feel and less feedback. Grip Type:Wilson Pro Performance: String Pattern: 16 Mains / 19 Crosses: Mains skip: 8T,7H,9H: One Piece: No Shared Holes: String Tension:50-60 pounds: . Although he now has a signature model, Federer has worked closely with Wilson to help evolve and refine the Pro Staff line for the modern game. Now just played with this new v13, 54 pounds on the mains and 51 pounds crosses and I love it. I find the racquets mass provides more than enough string movement for excellent topspin, but I prefer a bit extra control. I wrote Tennis Warehouse on how they string this racquet and received three different answers. . Don't believe me? Wilson can credit 117 Grand Slam titles to the racquet, whos past champions include Pete Sampras, Steffi Graff, Stefan Edberg, and Chris Evert. The addition of a natural gut or a multifilament with polyester will soften up the string bed and add a bit extra power without giving up too much topspin. I know this line of racquets inside and out. String Pattern String Length ' ' ' ' Pro Sta RF 97 Autograph Recommended String Tension 50 - 60 lbs. 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. please contact Wilson's customer service center by telephone at USA 1-800-401-7967 . I even bought the TW reissues when they were around. 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. In my opinion, this is by far the worst Pro Staff 97 yet. 1:52 Beam, 1:59: Technologies Although some players may opt for lower string tension, which polyester strings are well-suited for, I prefer to string a bit tighter, especially when hitting with a heavier frame. I got use to it after a week, and then loved playing with it ever since. 2019 Model Year Rackets. in: Balance: 3 pts HL: Unstrung Weight: 290 g: Strung: No: Cover: Full . Have to be able to generate your own power though.From: Jeff, 3/8/21, Comments: The best Pro Staff to date! Demoed this along with several Yonex models and this one delivers on control and is very comfortable on the arm. The feel on volleys, slices, and attacking strokes is great. However, we would limit our player recommendation on this model to junior players ages 12-13. 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. This is a good "reference" stick to have in the bag, as it seems to do all things well. We distribute tennis racquets, tennis apparel, tennis footwear, tennis strings and court equipment to pro . Keep in mind that the string you choose for the mains will dominate the overall feel. Serving with this racquet is also rewarding and I feel more confident serving with this racquet in my hand.From: Reyad, 12/4/20, Comments: I've played with every version of the Pro Staff 97 the last years and liked every model except the Countervails. 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. In 2017, Wilson updated the Pro Staff line and introduced a new technology called Countervail, which the aerospace and cycling industries had successfully implemented. The volleys on this racquet make for some great shots, I kind of felt like Federer hitting volleys out there which gave me a confidence boost. +9 colors/patterns. I have strung it with Gamma TNT since I had developed elbow tendonitis and shoulder issues, and I wanted less impact and stress on my joints. Occasionally, my balls go long with the softer strings, but I will take that over polyester and dealing with elbow issues.