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. From: Mark, HK 7/26/21, Comments: Amazing racquet! 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 . You do need to strike the ball accurately which is why this racquet is for intermediate players and up. 1:47 Stiffness I am a 3.5-4.0 level rating.From: Bryan, 1/3/21, Comments: I am very happy with this racquet. It's brought new excitement in my tennis game. For more information on string patterns, check out our . Wilson Pro Staff 97L v13 R.R.P. All aspects of my game obtained an extra edge, serves, volleys, off position shots, and dirty dirty slices, it is so good! 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. For this model, Wilson removes Countervail, a somewhat controversial material added to the racquets layup in 2017. Players intrigued by what racquet Roger Federer uses but find themselves intimidated by its higher weight and prefer a lighter weight option will want to consider this racquet, the most popular in the Pro Staff lineup. 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. The Wilson Pro Staff 97 v14 is a precision-oriented racket ideal for advanced players. Please bring those back once more. Two additio . At 12.0 ounces unstrung, the RF97 is designed for advanced tennis players who are used to swinging a heavier racquet. I've found my forever racquet. Fearing for my sensitive elbow, I got Bi-Phase 18 gauge. 4:43 Playtest String Setup, 5:37 Playtest 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. 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. It does not generate a lot of power on its own. For the racquets thirteenth generation, the Pro Staff 97 retains this part of the formula, which gives the head a distinct style. About this item . As a reminder, heres what I used for my playtest: A poly like ALU Power allows players to take full cuts at the ball without compromising control and maximizing topspin. This Pro Staff is also great for adding more spin to the ball on groundstrokes and serve. I believe these were all grade A or B racquets. Not only is there minimal to no pain, I am also generating more spin and pace.From: Bhaskar, 12/30/20, Comments: I am very happy with the Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13 racquets, I did notice that even at low tensions Solinco Hyper-G 17 gauge, 51 pounds and 49 pounds, the racquet is very low powered, I personally prefer this. I have been using Pro Staffs my whole life. Reducing the string tension helped me get the depth and the heaviness back to my shorts.If I have to sum it up I would say the racquet is much more maneuverable and offers more control than the earlier versions.From: Harshal, 11/22/20, Comments: The Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13 is magnificent, I use Tecnifibre NRG2 16 at 56 pounds. Description. 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. Generating racquet head speed is easier for v13 and so I liked it on serves. Close to 12 oz with 16 gauge, so not too heavy or light. Slightly lighter than the Pro Staff RF 97, it still has a high weight that's concentrated in the handle. It is, even when adding beautiful calfskin leather grips to both. Perimeter Weighting System (PWS) I notice this frame absorbs the shock really well, not too muted, so you can feel the ball. Half an ounce lighter. It hits precisely. Enjoy! I've been hitting with the Pro Staff for my whole life and am now a 50+ year old, 3.5 level male. Product Description. But still, I think it will perform better on one handed backhand than these. I could say more, but I won't. In terms of string pattern, the Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph has a 16 x 19 pattern. I'm happy it's working for some players though, so I encourage you to demo for yourself. The racquet itself has been superb. As far as touch and finesse goes, Id say this is another area where this generation improves. Welcome to Racquet Sports - The Pro Shop Pros and your store for tennis, running and fitness. They are harkening back to the era of their older Pro Staffs with the subtle red and yellow lines along one side of the throat and the inside of the top part of the head. 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. These are amazing. Although the Pro Staff is a fan favorite, its only one of a handful of purpose-built tennis racquet lines from Wilson designed to cater to a wide variety of player needs and preferences. 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. But when you strike the ball well with this one, it has plenty of oomph! 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. The Pro Staff 97S injects Wilson's innovative Spin Effect string pattern into a frame with a more traditional feel. Despite its weight, the racquet swings with reasonable ease thanks to its head light balance while still leaving room for players to customize. 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. The Pro Staff 97 has a 1619 string pattern while the Prestige Pro has a more control-oriented string pattern of 1820. I love the feel, but a bit too loose as my flattish ball is consistently landing about a couple of inches out. The racquets are, by far, the most beautiful sticks I've ever owned, and with the addition of the brown leather grips as an homage to the original 85s, they couldn't look more awesome. Definitely been winning more with this. I love the control the Pro Staff gives you. Great control and accuracy. I had demoed this model in the past, but I found it lacked the mass and heftiness of the RF97. Be the first to hear about the latest products, sales and events from Wilson. Wilson Pro Staff RF 85 specs: . Don't believe me? 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. 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. I am a 5'9 aggressive 14 year old with a single hander. Required fields are marked *. I have been playing with the Wilson Pro Staff since the first on back in 1984 - the "Sampras 85". 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. 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. Home > Gear > Racquets > Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13, Improve your game alongside our community of tennis players. Then in 2013 I moved on to the BLX Pro Staff Six.One 95. Getting used to the weight coming from a 10.8 to 11.4 ounce racquet. 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. The cosmetics are different at the request of Roger himself as he wanted his racquet to look . Learn more. 5 Point Friday 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. From: Darin, 5/10/21, Comments: Extremely happy with this racquet. inches; String Pattern: 16 mains (19 crosses) Check Current Price & Reviews. Overall I love this racquet!From: Dennis, 1/27/21, Comments: Good for control. 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) For the volleys I could volley deep and the next ball, drop volley. 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. The control and feel is incredible. I know this line of racquets inside and out. Our 25,000 sq. Wilson Yonex All . Kudos to Wilson quality control who really have stepped up their game! Technical specifications for Wilson Pro Staff 97 racket. 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. You'll also find the racquet has a control-centric 21.5 mm beam. Very impressed with this 97 v13: not as cushy as my Blade but a lot more stable. 2023 Model Year Rackets. 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. 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. The racquet was strung at 50 pounds with yellow Yonex Poly Tour Pro 1.20 mm. To my surprising this frame has a bit more power and comfort. The Pro Staff 97 has a mid-range RA or stiffness rating of 66. 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. Catered toward intermediate to advanced players with an all-court style of play who value precision and control, the Pro Staff 97 v13 is a terrific frame and one of my picks for the best tennis racquets in 2022. 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. Wilson Pro Staff 97 V14.0 Tennis Racket. 9:29 vs. 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. 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. 10:09 vs. Serving was easy and crazy accurate though felt a bit less speedy as with my Yonex EZONE 98+ racquets. Wilson Pro Staff RF97 v13 Tennis Racquet. In other words, it took a bit of the life out of the racquet. String Mapping provides a denser string bed for excellent precision and feel. 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. I cannot say that I can recommend this so, better test it and draw your conclusions before buying it. Lets start by looking at the racquets specifications, which are useful to gain a sense of what to expect. I would recommend but also demo first. 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. 2023 Wilson Sporting Goods All rights reserved. . The 85 is unforgiving for the currently popular semi-western topspin style with its 12.6 ounce (357 g) weight and low power. . I demoed a total of seven racquets. Both frames are strung with Natural Gut 16 (mains - 52 lbs) and Solinco Hyper-G 17 (crosses - 50lbs). This is a good "reference" stick to have in the bag, as it seems to do all things well. 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. We chose this particular Pro Staff after using TW's information tables which we found extremely helpful in finding the right fit. But the positive far outweighs the bad. I absolutely love this racquet and bought a second one right away. 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. The Pro Staff 97 has a mid-range RA or stiffness rating of 66. Still struggling to find my backhand slice, so more on that later. The one major complaint our playtesters had was the inconsistent depth, especially on groundstrokes and returns. From: Anonymous, 8/19/21, Comments: I played with Wilson Pro Staff 90 that Federer used and then switched to the RF97 for many years.I tried this Pro Staff 315 grams, and did not like the very low swing weight. I get more control and more spin from the v13. Based on the latest reviews and removal of the Countervail, purchased the Pro Staff v13. This latest iteration of the V13 felt different. 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 will match or beat any posted overall price advertised in-store or online on in stock items. 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 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. However I find them to be erratic when you don't hit with a ton of spin. Racket Specs. 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! Hall of Fame. String mapping intends to improve the racquets control and feel without giving up too much on the spin front. More work is required to generate spin. 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. With strings installed, youll find the balance reduces a bit to 7 pts HL at 32cm. . Need to swing fully to get power and definitely need good technique to realize the potential of this racquet. The Pro Staff RF97 Autograph, Roger Federers signature racquet with specs that he uses on the court, is the heaviest model available. In many ways, were talking about subtle differences, but I felt in tune with the racquets consistent response, which added to an overall sense of control I had with it. 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. My favorite parts of this racquet are the volleys, slices, and the serves. 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. I am not sure what Wilson has done, but it's almost as if they intended to string this racquet as a one-piece. 1:52 Beam, 1:59: Technologies It's great at the net, stable with plenty of mass and crispiness behind my volleys. / 625.81 sq. This is a shotmaker's racquet, for a player that doesn't need help from the racquet to generate power. 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. 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. 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. Similar to the 97L, the Pro Staff 97UL is an even lighter version of the full-size Pro Staff racket line, again coming with all of the new technology updates. Love it! My slices are epic. It wont offer much free power, but plenty is on tap if you put in the effort. I had really high hopes for this frame, but it was a huge disappointment. Not as heavy as the RF version, but one can definitely feel the difference from a Blade. We hope you love this article. All in all, its a subtle yet refined update to an already great looking tennis racquet and one of my favorite designs. In addition to RF, 97, and 97L, PRO STAFF X, which is 100 square inches and has excellent operability, is also newly introduced. I demoed several racquets. What I didn't like was TW's trade-in program. 1:33 Swingweight Wilson Pro Staff 97 Specs Now explore this countervail racquet further and dig into Wilson pro staff 97 specs: String pattern: 1619 Length: 27 inches (69 cm) Stiffness: 66 RA Unstrung weight: 315 grams (11.1 ounces) Strung weight: 330 grams (11.6 ounces) Head Size: 97 square inches (626 square cm) Balance: 32 cm (12.6 inches) 7 pts. RacketLogger. If you don't like it, return it for free! Switching from a Wilson Clash to this was very weird at first. I demo'd several Babolat and Yonex racquets, but couldn't make them work.