Federer's new racquet helped him re-establish himself as one of the best players in the world. The Pro Staff RF97 is built using layers of braided Graphite and Kevlar which create a solid frame with a consistent feel throughout. We both are 5.0 level players. Technical specifications for Wilson Pro Staff 97 ULS racket. Maybe a thinner frame would be better on improving the feel and as well a little bit more swingweight. My ground strokes are precise and deep and I get plenty of spin and that puts my opponents on their back heel. However, relative to the prior version, some crucial changes are worth noting, directly impacting the racquets feel and performance. First serve doesn't bomb as hard as the RF, but my double fault rate is down quite a bit. Take a look in detail at Roger Federer's racquet, the Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 Autograph. It also includes Wilson's classic PWS (perimeter weighting system), meaning added weight at 3 and 9 for more stability, plow . However I find them to be erratic when you don't hit with a ton of spin. For more information on string patterns, check out our . It is, even when adding beautiful calfskin leather grips to both. In terms of string pattern, the Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph has a 16 x 19 pattern. One thing to note, the change in the butt cap is easier on my hand. 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. 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. I got two Pro Staff racquets for my daughter and the balance is not as per specs. Wilson Pro Staff V14.0. This is a good "reference" stick to have in the bag, as it seems to do all things well. The stick has incredible feel and pockets the ball well. Designed with Paradigm Bending technology to optimize the bending profile between the shaft and hoop, this racket offers precision and pinpoint control. 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. Love the black paint job. Wilson hasnt always had the greatest track record in hitting these specs, so its great to see that this particular offering is accurate. When facing a big server or a hard hitter the racquet provides some excellent feedback and stability. 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. Either racquet is a great choice for better players that want precision and can generate their own power. 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. Need to swing fully to get power and definitely need good technique to realize the potential of this racquet. Definitely been winning more with this. I find the racquets mass provides more than enough string movement for excellent topspin, but I prefer a bit extra control. Roger Federer's personal racket ; Heavy composition ideal for advanced players with experience swinging substantial frames ; Braided Graphite composition delivers a pure, consistent feel I'd say the TW reviews were on point except for comfort. Blade 98 v7 16x19. Paradigm Bending optimizes bending location for precision. The 2020 Pro Staff 97s specs and technologies combine for a racquet thats responsive, yet delivers exceptional control. Now I tried to string this racquet with a low tension and a high string tension, I personally love the higher string tension. 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. Please bring those back once more. Some colleagues hit few balls and feedback was confusing because one said it is slow and dead, he usually playing with a Pure Strike 18x20, previous generation. 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. Demoed this along with several Yonex models and this one delivers on control and is very comfortable on the arm. 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. 2019 Model Year Rackets. Wish I made the switch sooner.From: Ryan, 6/10/21, Comments: Racquet plays well, very similar to my 2014 Six.One. 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. Weight: 290 grams/10.23 ounces (without strings) 306 grams/10.79 ounces (with strings) Length: 69 centimeters/27 inches. The Pro Staff 97 v13 is a tool for stability, feel, precision, and spin. Wilson Pro Staff RF97 v13 Tennis Racquet. It's also great on serve; easier to swing around, which helps me with hitting my spots with still plenty of power. Its maneuverable enough to quickly get the racquet into position while still retaining enough weight to stand up to the pace from a heavier serve. While getting use to this, I still played the same with my Clash whenever I switched back to it. 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. After I got the racquet, I took it to a tournament. Spin comes easy thanks to the open 16x19 string pattern. These days, Roger Federer continues the Pro Staffs legacy, having used it from the start of his professional career in 1998. 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. Now enough about the playability, can we talk about this awesome matte black paint job? It has less power than RF, but I love the accuracy of this v13 and will buy another one soon.From: Bill, 10/15/20, Comments: The best racquet ever produced by Wilson, period.From: JCF, 10/15/20, Comments: Finally found my perfect set up! I know this line of racquets inside and out. 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. 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. It is much easier to handle with less weight. 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. cm 2: String pattern: 16 Mains / 19 Crosses Mains skip: 7T,9T,7H,9H One Piece No Shared Holes: Length: 27in / 68.58cm: Beam width: 21.5mm / 21.5mm / 21.5mm . Better test it before buy it. The Pro Staff 97 uses a synthetic grip and a red butt cap with rounded edges, while the RF97 uses a leather grip and a more traditional flat black butt cap. If possible, Id encourage players to consider trying or demoing the racquet before buying. Maybe not as much cushion as a 60-64 flex racket, but more comfortable power and slice. The control and feel is incredible. Mainly used a Pro Staff RF97 for many years. 2023 Model Year Rackets. Sunset: 05:38PM. . I haven't had this racquet long but as of now, it is great. This latest iteration of the V13 felt different. If youd prefer, you can check out my full video review and playtest of the Pro Staff 97 v13. 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. It feels perfect in my hands and such a major difference from my previous gifted racquet. . Learn with comprehensive resources to help you improve your game. 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. 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. 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. The last version of this racquet from 2017 was available in a black and white tuxedo paint job and an all-black version. This year, after demoing racquets I decided to switch back to a Pro Staff. It has the best blend of power, spin, and control I have found. Still struggling to find my backhand slice, so more on that later. / 625.81 sq. Disclosure: Wilson gave me this frame to evaluate, but they did not pay me to write this review or influence its contents. I tried them back to back over an extensive period of quite a few months. 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 did notice uncontrollable power, and the racquet spray at times. 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. Want the head-light feel and precision of our Pro Staff line in a frame that's easier to maneuver? 10:09 vs. Overall great control, low on power.From: Jay, 1/24/21, Comments: My experience with Tennis Warehouse was fantastic. 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. Great control and accuracy. The thing I like most about this racquet is it is solid at every stroke in the game. String pattern: 16 mains/18 crosses. 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. - Paradigm Bending Tech Gear I personally loved this racquet because I have a fast and heavy swing which sometimes make the ball go a little bit too wide, but with the Pro Staff 97 v13 I got perfect power and spin for my swing style save for some miss hits in the beginning. 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. It's brought new excitement in my tennis game. I'm happy it's working for some players though, so I encourage you to demo for yourself. 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. I did find the racquets new tighter string pattern to reduce its bite on slice and kick serves a bit, but Id expect that to become insignificant after spending more time with the frame. 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. The feel is much better than the previous version. Players on the ATP and WTA use the racquet. I initially ordered with 17 gauge Volkl Cyclone, but later tried 16 gauge Soft Solinco which I thought felt and sounded better.From: CK, Acton, MA, 1/30/22, Comments: The Pro Staff 97 seems to be much like the older versions as far as the way it hits. According to Wilson, Countervail intended to reduce player fatigue and improve comfort by reducing vibration passed to a players arm. . A huge thank you to Wilson for sending me the Pro Staff 97 v13 ahead of its release. From: Jerry, FL, 1/25/22, Comments: The Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13 racquet is a high quality product! If you are looking to ship somewhere else, or prefer a different language please select another version below. While the 315 gram is really good, I feel the 340 gram is way better (if you can swing it). 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. More power in this frame, but still plenty of control everyone knows and loves about the Pro Staff. However, beyond its weight, this racquet does not use Wilsons Braid 45 technology. It's super solid, not too heavy and it feels great! Although many players gravitate toward the Pro Staff for its higher weight, not all players can comfortably swing the heaviest models. Wilson Pro Staff RF 85 specs: . One needs to generate a lot of racquet speed to hit big serves though. Sure, on swingweight you can correct with stain stripes. Very impressed with this 97 v13: not as cushy as my Blade but a lot more stable. Highly recommend this racquet. You'll also find the racquet has a control-centric 21.5 mm beam. And has a lot of pop. Pro Staff 97UL v13. Finally, the Pro Staff 97UL or ultralight rounds out the Pro Staff lineup for a frame with an entry-level weight. My two-handed backhand definitely requires some cleaning, but I am blasting winners from anywhere in the court with my forehand. . 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. Out of the two, the denser string pattern helps out with a bit more control and string durability. 00 $279.00 $279.00. 11:00: Wrapping Up. 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. If you like that chip and charge style of playing it is perfect with this racquet. I have not demoed EZONE Tour and new Radical Pro. The RF97 Autograph was another story. Wilson Pro Staff 97 V14.0 Tennis Racket. However, many others, who enjoy the classic Pro Staff feel werent fans of the update. The Ultra line is lighter and offers a more generous 100 in (645 cm) head size, making it more approachable than the Pro Staff. This is a shotmaker's racquet, for a player that doesn't need help from the racquet to generate power. About this item . Featuring the same head size and open string pattern (16x19) for added pop, forgiveness and spin potential, this racquet continues to promise enhanced performance . Best for continental and eastern grip players. 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) Shift 99/315. Also they're not the easiest on the wrist or arm. Not powerful. String mapping intends to improve the racquets control and feel without giving up too much on the spin front. I'm a 6'3, 190 lb. in. For some players with arm issues or discomfort, this type of change might be welcome. Wilson Pro Staff 97 Review (v13): My Experience. Home > Gear > Racquets > Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13, Improve your game alongside our community of tennis players. See the full specs and the reasons Federer uses the RF97A. Very stable on volleys and returning hard shots and serves. For this model, Wilson removes Countervail, a somewhat controversial material added to the racquets layup in 2017. A racquets strung weight will vary slightly depending on the strings you choose and its gauge, but the addition of 18 or so grams is usually fair, which puts this racquets strung weight at 11.7 ounces or 332 grams. I get more control and more spin from the v13. Players who have wanted to upgrade but have held off should absolutely consider this model, which I expect to be a popular upgrade. There are four distinct Pro Staff models available, which are primarily distinguished by their weight to appeal to a broader range of players. The vibration dampening properties of the Kevlar also help provide a little extra control and touch in a relatively stiff frame. Wow what a difference. Is it not significantly better than the previous 315g version? I cannot wait to string some natural gut with polyester closer to 50 pounds tension. Pro Staff 97L v13. I bought a second one and I'm excited about becoming a better player. +9 colors/patterns. Wilson can credit 117 Grand Slam titles to the racquet, whos past champions include Pete Sampras, Steffi Graff, Stefan Edberg, and Chris Evert. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Please contact Customer Service at 1-800-401-7967, if you have any issues accessing information on this website. First of all you don't feel the weight and it is very whippy.