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. While getting use to this, I still played the same with my Clash whenever I switched back to it. I've been playing with the Pro Staff line of racquets for 17 years. Although their studies suggest improvements with this material, many players, including me, recognized a noticeable change in feel. Day length: 9h 10m. 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. Racket Specs. 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. 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. My raquet for life!From: Wayne, Bahamas, 12/31/21, Comments: Great racquet! this racket really helped all of those things and provides good stability and especially up at net this felt like a magic wand . This racquet has a smaller sweetspot compared to most racquets these days. 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. Volleys were butter with good contact. These are the specs for the standard Wilson Pro Staff 97 racquet. My ground strokes are precise and deep and I get plenty of spin and that puts my opponents on their back heel. As youd expect, the racquet offers a smaller 97 in (626 cm) head size and maintains its 27-inch length while also continuing with the 1619 string pattern. 4.0+ player and still prefer racquets on the heavier side, but the RF made sure 3rd sets were a guaranteed loss. Instead, he uses the heavier RF97. Good balance of power and control. Great for volleys. I demo'd several Babolat and Yonex racquets, but couldn't make them work. The image for this product is generic and may not reflect the actual product Wilson Pro Staff RF97 / 97 Grommet Details: Head Size: 97 sq. I thought the frame delivered excellent feel and stability for precise targeting off both wings, which translates to added confidence. 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 pair it with black strings, Wilson NXT at 55 pounds, and pink overgrip to create a black and pink racquet. String pattern: Wider Cross-Strings (Open 16x19 string . Share your list with your family and friends for any occasion, Quickly move list items to your bag when you're ready to checkout. ft. tennis warehouse is home to approximately 22,000 unique racquet sport product SKUs. However, if you add some weight to increase it (around 5-8 grams), you will have almost a similar feel to RF97 in a lighter package that performs superbly. 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. Next time, I plan to go with Hyper-G Soft. 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 Wilson Tennis Racquet Stringing Patterns About Us Contact Us (847) 742-1300 780 Church Road Elgin, IL 60123 USA Racquet Stringing Machines Racquet Strings Racquet Grips Accessories Gift Cards How to String a Racquet How to Choose the Perfect Racquet String Brand Comparison Racquet Stringing Patterns String Performance Charts Tried the PS97 and it's pretty whippy in stock form, but about 4 grams of lead at 12 o'clock dialed in the control right where I want it while still letting me swing away and provides some extra pop. The first racquet that makes this list is the smallest in its size, but probably the biggest in overall hype. . As far as touch and finesse goes, Id say this is another area where this generation improves. 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. I bought a second one and I'm excited about becoming a better player. I have not demoed EZONE Tour and new Radical Pro. The last version of this racquet from 2017 was available in a black and white tuxedo paint job and an all-black version. We both are 5.0 level players. Aug 22, 2022 #34 wonder if the PS97 keeps the denser string pattern on the v13 . 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. Not my favorite design, but a good looking racquet overall. 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. Your email address will not be published. It's really important to put a nice string like a hybrid, I put in the mains ALU Power Rough and crosses any natural gut, or a full bed of a softer polyester like a Luxilon Hyper-G. However, beyond its weight, this racquet does not use Wilsons Braid 45 technology. Kudos to Wilson!From: MichaelT, 4/15/21, Comments: Bought this for my teen junior for tournament play after using the TW demo option. in. This new Pro Staff is a strange animal. The cosmetics are different at the request of Roger himself as he wanted his racquet to look . +9 colors/patterns. First, though lighter than the previous, it is quite stable. The Pro Staff 97S injects Wilson's innovative Spin Effect string pattern into a frame with a more traditional feel. 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. 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. On all orders over $75! Is it not significantly better than the previous 315g version? Pro Staff 97UL v13. They said they would take them and evaluate them and reimburse me later. in: Length: 27 in: Weight (strung) 11.7 oz / 330g: Balance: 7pts Head Light: Flex: 66: String Pattern: 1619 . 1:33 Swingweight Finally, the racquet offers Wilsons bold red butt caps with rounded edges to improve comfort. The feel on volleys, slices, and attacking strokes is great. For old-school feel and comfort with modern performance potential, try the Wilson Pro Staff 97S. If I have to camp at the baseline, it's consistent and stable. I can place my shots short or deep very easily and precisely. I just ordered three of them. My favorite parts of this racquet are the volleys, slices, and the serves. Product Description. I had really high hopes for this frame, but it was a huge disappointment. Order with confidence. Youll find a bit more detail in this written version, but they pair nicely to answer all your questions about this tennis racquet. Some Restrictions Apply. 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. 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. 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. Simply physics: there is no replacement for the weight of the racquet. Furthermore, the racquet features an all-black butt cap without rounded edges, and instead of a synthetic grip, it comes with leather. Shift 99/300. Not as heavy as the RF version, but one can definitely feel the difference from a Blade. All aspects of my game obtained an extra edge, serves, volleys, off position shots, and dirty dirty slices, it is so good! Players looking to enhance the Pro Staff 97s moderate comfort might consider a hybrid string setup. The headlight balance allows me to generate fast racquet head speed for a fast serve. 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. Wilson needs to rethink the racquet, especially since so many pros use it. Good racquet, good control, decent power, until I started using more wrist and shoulder to generate power and spin when I started getting pain on the inner side of the forearm. The Pro Staff v13 has a more plush feel and better control than my past racquets. Wilson Pro Staff 97 V14.0 Tennis Racket. It's also great on serve; easier to swing around, which helps me with hitting my spots with still plenty of power. I use Black Code 16 orange and yellow at 56 pounds. 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 control level of this racquet is fantastic, and it's got a great feel to it. Although many players gravitate toward the Pro Staff for its higher weight, not all players can comfortably swing the heaviest models. 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. 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. Highly recommend this racquet. I've been hitting with the Pro Staff for my whole life and am now a 50+ year old, 3.5 level male. inches; String Pattern: 16 mains (19 crosses) Check Current Price & Reviews. 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. 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: . 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. Be the first to hear about the latest products, sales and events from Wilson. This is a review of the upcoming Wilson Pro Staff 97 Setup: Luxilon 4G 1.41mm @ 24kG (1 piece) Specs: Headsize: 97 sq.in. We will then ensure the correct grommets are sent. 1914. All-new for 2020, the Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13 is a welcome update to this popular frame, one of the games control-centric racquets. Wilson Pro Staff 97 Review (v13): My Experience. 1:47 Stiffness Racquet feels sturdy and love the feel with volleys, and to top it off, huge fan of the black frame aesthetics. 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. 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! 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. 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 even bought the TW reissues when they were around. Furthermore the little tighter string pattern helps to place the ball wherever you want and it's more precise than the v11 version. All those racquets are great, arm-friendly and I'm sure you'll find a good match! To help make my experience and thoughts on the Pro Staff 97 v13 more concrete, Ive rated the racquet on a set of criteria players typically find useful when evaluating a frame. Helpful Tip Title: Pro Staff RF 97 v13.0 Autograph 2020 Created Date: The moment I started hitting with this racquet, I knew it was the right one. 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: Mikey, LA, CA, 8/11/21, Comments: I have both the 340 gram Pro Staff RF97 and this 315 gram Pro Staff v13. You get out what you put into it. What are the string recommendations to get the most out of this frame and at what tension? 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. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. 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. Occasionally, my balls go long with the softer strings, but I will take that over polyester and dealing with elbow issues. The Blade 98 is pretty easy to string as you skip 8 and 10 at head and throat. I have looked for years to find a lower powered racquet. 9:29 vs. So far, so good. Stringing the racquet as a hybrid is a pain because the grommet placement and size is challenging. Here are a few alternate destinations that might help. Paired with a low-powered polyester, I found I could swing freely to maximize topspin while maintaining command over the ball. 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 strung them with a hybrid of Babolat RPM Blast, 51 pounds on the mains, and a Babolat multifilament, 53 pounds on the crosses. However, what further distinguishes these two racquet lines is their feel. I had demoed this model in the past, but I found it lacked the mass and heftiness of the RF97. For this review and playtest, Im diving deep to examine the specs and technologies while explaining how it differs from the prior model. You do need to strike the ball accurately which is why this racquet is for intermediate players and up. Aesthetics-wise, I love the paint job, but in true Wilson fashion, it won't last long. There are four distinct Pro Staff models available, which are primarily distinguished by their weight to appeal to a broader range of players. 15 of those years I've been playing USTA 5.0 Mens League Singles and Open Middle States Tournaments. Home > Gear > Racquets > Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13, Improve your game alongside our community of tennis players. Still struggling to find my backhand slice, so more on that later. Cosmetically there are small differences as well. Federer's new racquet helped him re-establish himself as one of the best players in the world. I started playing with the Pro Staff line back in 2012 with the Six.One Classic 95. Wilson Pro Staff 97 V13 Tennis Racquet - Quality String - Choice of Grip Size. 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. It is, even when adding beautiful calfskin leather grips to both. The volleys have great feel and put-away power. 4:43 Playtest String Setup, 5:37 Playtest 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. However, for the latest release of the Pro Staff 97, theyve tweaked the construction. I got two Pro Staff racquets for my daughter and the balance is not as per specs. It's more rounded. Wilson Grommet Strips stocked for nearly all Wilson tennis racquet models. 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. Wilson Pro Staff RF97 v13 Tennis Racquet. Angell TC 97 Custom - choose string pattern, grip shape and more! Create a free account and explore my latest videos below. Technical specifications for Wilson Pro Staff 97 ULS racket. If I need to be a serve and volleyer, it's solid. in: Balance: 3 pts HL: Unstrung Weight: 290 g: Strung: No: Cover: Full . Love it! the Wilson Pro Staff 97UL V13 Tennis Racquet offers superior precision at an arm-friendly swing weight for transitioning juniors and adults with elbow . I demoed this against a Babolat Pure Strike Tour, which I thought was a pretty good racquet, but the grip style and familiarity with Wilson racquets sealed the deal for me. I guess they just want brand new racquets. 5:55 Playtest Notes The thing I like most about this racquet is it is solid at every stroke in the game. 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. Featuring the same head size and open string pattern (16x19) for added pop, forgiveness and spin potential, this racquet continues to promise enhanced performance . 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. If you like that chip and charge style of playing it is perfect with this racquet. Designed with Paradigm Bending technology to optimize the bending profile between the shaft and hoop, this racket offers precision and pinpoint control. 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.