It was so much easier to swing the Pro Staff 97 fast, and it felt very maneuverable compared to the RF. The last version of this racquet from 2017 was available in a black and white tuxedo paint job and an all-black version. According to Wilson, Countervail intended to reduce player fatigue and improve comfort by reducing vibration passed to a player’s arm. Let’s take a quick look at what players should expect from each. ", Hannah - "At times I would have liked a slightly higher swingweight and more control at net. However, since a racquetâs weight influences power, Wilson increases this modelâs beam width from 21.5mm to 23mm, which ⦠All-new for 2020, the Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13 is a welcome update to this popular frame, one of the game’s control-centric racquets. Beyond the frame’s impressive credentials, it’s become a cult favorite among competitive players from club to college who appreciate the classic feel that results from the time-tested formula of braided graphite, perimeter weighting system, thin beam, and head light balance. It's maneuverable and forgiving, and it offers easy access to power and spin. 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. 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. ", Maneuverability and feel were standout characteristics when it came to returning with the Wilson Pro Staff 97. Wilson is a famous name among the tennis player. During this playtest, I strung up English brand, QTSâ Black Turbo Spin 3 at 55lbs (no pre-stretch). String mapping intends to improve the racquet’s control and feel without giving up too much on the spin front. However, the Pro Staff 97 didn't have ample amounts of control at net. Strong Play Style. Even with those specs, you will still get a sleek design, similar to the Wilson Staff Pro RF97. In typical Pro Staff fashion, it left me feeling extremely connected to the ball as it sunk into and subsequently left the stringbed. Either the all-black version, which I review here or the one with the white on the sides. A racquet’s stiffness measures how flexible the frame is and contributes to the racquet’s feel and power. Players looking to put their spin on the design should keep an eye on Wilson’s custom racquet center, where I expect the pain job will be customizable in the future. 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 racquet’s power. “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. Iâm a big fan of the all black myself and ⦠Keep in mind that the string you choose for the mains will dominate the overall feel. ", Andy - "The Pro Staff 97 is a stiffer, more powerful alternative to the Wilson Blade line. The racquet’s head light balance makes it easy to maneuver, but it also has enough weight to absorb and redirect pace effectively. I would occasionally get too much power from the open string pattern and have trouble controlling my depth. Unfortunately, all the specs, tech, and marketing can’t tell you how a racquet feels and performs. Players who have wanted to upgrade but have held off should absolutely consider this model, which I expect to be a popular upgrade. From the back of the court, I really enjoyed hitting with the Pro Staff 97. It doesn’t diminish the latest model’s quality or performance, but it does highlight that pros don’t change racquets as frequently as one might expect purely based on racquets’ appearance. Wilson recommends a string tension between 50-60 pounds (22.7 – 27.2kg) for the Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13. On the other hand, the Pro Staff shifts weight toward the handle, retains extra rigidity and plays a bit more lively. Your email address will not be published. The control gave me the confidence to hit my targets in the service box. However, relative to the prior version, some crucial changes are worth noting, directly impacting the racquet’s feel and performance. All Rights Reserved. The RF 97 is an advanced players racquet in every way but the Pro Staff 97 is much more user friendly and easier to wield. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. The specs and layout have remained the same as the previous version, so we had playtesters who reviewed the original Pro Staff 97 review this one as well to see if their opinions had changed. Keep reading in the sections below for added context for how I arrived at each of these scores. Groundstrokes - Score: 80. The open string pattern made it forgiving, powerful and spin friendly, but there were instances when I lost control of the depth of my shot and the ball sailed long. Mark- "Because the Pro Staff 97S feels heavier than its stock weight would indicate, I have to compare it with some racquets that weigh around 12 ounces. Has everyone gotten soft? The Blade has a thinner beam, lower stiffness, and keeps more weight in the racquet’s head, for maximum flex, added feel, and comfort. Furthermore, many pros endorsing a specific frame use an older Pro Staff model, referred to as pro stock, which isn’t available to the public, but they paint to look like the racquet’s latest version. Itâs not an unbelievably powerful racket, and it doesnât offer mind-blowing levels of control, but it does offer a good balance between the two. Although many players gravitate toward the Pro Staff for its higher weight, not all players can comfortably swing the heaviest models. Good power and spin potential. On serves, I thought the Pro Staff 97 held its own, and while it may underwhelm to a degree from a power standpoint, it makes up for it by delivering greater precision. 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. While the Pro Staff delivers exceptional precision and control, the Ultra provides explosive power, managed through heavy topspin and well suited to the modern power-baseline style of play. If you found this review interesting or have further questions or comments please contact us. She hits with a semi-western forehand grip and uses a two handed backhand. Now the graphite and Kevlar fibers braid together at a 45-degree angle for enhanced feel and ball pocketing. She said, "I could get the Pro Staff 97 into position quickly and take a good swing, so taking a big crack at the ball was easy to do. The Pro Staff 97 has a mid-range RA or stiffness rating of 66. 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. I enjoyed the opportunity, and I hope my thoughts and experience with the racquet help guide your decision making. In 2017, Wilson updated the Pro Staff line and introduced a new technology called Countervail, which the aerospace and cycling industries had successfully implemented. As you’d expect, the racquet offers a smaller 97 in² (626 cm²) head size and maintains it’s 27-inch length while also continuing with the 16×19 string pattern. The Pro Staff 97 maintains its 16×19 string pattern for this release, but they’ve adjusted the string bed’s density by decreasing the space between them for a more tightly woven sweet spot. Enjoy! She explained, "The great stability made it easy to transition from groundstrokes to volleys, making it easy to finish points at net. This racquet review deals with the Pro Staff 97 and the RF97 Autograph. For some players with arm issues or discomfort, this type of change might be welcome. There was plenty of power and spin available whenever I wanted to take a bigger cut at the ball, yet there was plenty of feel for when I was just trying to place the ball in a good spot on the other side of the net. Shop Early - Shipping Carrier Delays Expected, Click here to see all Tennis Warehouse reviews. ... Gear Review There are two noticeable changes to the new Pro Staff 97 Countervail. On returns, the Pro Staff 97 offers an ideal performance. ", For Karly, the Wilson Pro Staff 97 played very similarly to the previous model. Wilson Pro Staff 97 Countervail. Overall, I found this update and the new Braid 45 construction to improve the frame’s comfort and response, offering better ball pocketing without trading the crisp feel and excellent feedback you’d expect from a Pro Staff. 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. Despite its weight, the racquet swings with reasonable ease thanks to its head light balance while still leaving room for players to customize. Players with healthy arms looking to get the most out of the racquet’s excellent feedback and response will likely appreciate swapping out the synthetic grip for leather, which will add a small bit of extra weight too. In terms of skills, it is best for intermediate and advanced players, especially because it requires precision ⦠0:45 Specs 0:58 Length, Head Size, String Pattern 1:08 Weight 1:33 Swingweight 1:36 Balance 1:47 Stiffness 1:52 Beam, 1:59: Technologies 2:22 Braid 45 2:48 String Mapping 3:05 Perimeter Weighting System, 4:35 Strings & Tension 4:43 Playtest String Setup, 5:37 Playtest 5:55 Playtest Notes 6:01 Groundstrokes 6:57 Volleys 7:31 Serves 8:09 Returns, 8:42 Summary 9:29 vs. In other words, it took a bit of the life out of the racquet. I wanted more mass in the head of the racquet to hit through the ball for power. *Price comparisons are based on the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price ("MSRP") or Original Selling Price. To help make my experience and thoughts on the Pro Staff 97 v13 more concrete, I’ve rated the racquet on a set of criteria players typically find useful when evaluating a frame. The Wilson Pro Staff 97 RF gives players plenty of weight behind the ball, and this allows the player to hit the ball heavier and push an opponent further back while the player attack. For this review and playtest, I’m diving deep to examine the specs and technologies while explaining how it differs from the prior model. As a kid, the âold guysâ I knew were using 110 Wilson Profiles, 110 Pro ⦠All in all, they’ll both terrific options. balance and is 10 points head light having a standard string pattern of 16 x 19. New technologies include a Braid 45 construction for enhanced feel and stability, string mapping with a denser hitting area for a more controlled, precise response and a new ergo (slightly flared) butt cap. Hans-Martin Reh, GM at Wilson Racquet Sports, sums it up nicely. The stability of the Wilson Pro Staff 97 RF Racket gives excellent precision on ⦠For the 2020 line, we brought forth new, advanced technologies to enhance Pro Staff’s playability and precision, while honoring the racket’s roots with cues from its iconic past and 117 Grand Slam wins.”. Here are a few additional of my favorite polys worth considering from a variety of brands: Although I don’t get much durability out of the 1.25 guage, it’s 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. The good placement gave me the confidence to really go up and after my serves to gain extra spin or pace when needed. The Pro Staff 97 felt so comfortable from all areas of the court, even on off-center shots. For the most part, the Pro Staff 97 specs remain very close to the prior generation from 2017. Wilson offers some of the cleanest racquet designs, and the Pro Staff line is no exception. If possible, I’d encourage players to consider trying or demoing the racquet before buying. It was plenty maneuverable as well, and it was easy to generate racquet head speed over head. ", The Wilson Pro Staff 97 helped our playtesters end points at the net with ease. As far as touch and finesse goes, I’d say this is another area where this generation improves. To this end, Wilson offers a few lighter versions to consider. All in all, the Pro Staff 97 is more than sufficient on serves and an ideal fit for players who value accurate placement over power. Home > Gear > Racquets > Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13, Improve your game alongside our community of tennis players. ", Hannah - "The dampened feel of the Pro Staff 97 really reminded me of the modern feel of the Volkl V-Sense 8 300g. We also added a new playtester (Hannah) to bring a fresh perspective. 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 2020. 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 you’ll find on the 97L for a bit of extra power. Pro Staff 95 comes with a 12.6 in. With strings installed, you’ll find the balance reduces a bit to 7 pts HL at 32cm. He detailed, "The racquet provided easy access to power and spin, allowing me to get flat serves moving through the court well and spin serves jumping and diving off the court. Head size: 97 sq inches Length: 27 inches Weight: 340 grams Stiffness: 68 RA Balance strung: 31,5 cm Swing weight strung: 335. The Pro Staff 97 Countervail gets the tuxedo update in what has become the most usable Pro Staff in the Wilson catalog. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Wilson Pro Staff 97 LS Black Tennis Racquet at Amazon.com. If I didn't make my first serve I was still confident I could get on the offensive quickly with an aggressive second serve. However, I’m confident the update to the Pro Staff 97 will appeal to a broader audience than the RF97. Our playtesters found the Pro Staff 97 to offer excellent power, spin and maneuverability from the baseline, but at times they struggled to control the depth of their shots. The Pro Staff RF97 Autograph, Roger Federer’s signature racquet with specs that he uses on the court, is the heaviest model available. Karly was a big fan of the Pro Staff 97 at net. A new addition to the racquet’s design is the exposure of the frame’s braided graphite construction, which displays under a clear gloss finish while also continuing the red and yellow racing stripes. The length of the Wilson Pro Staff 97 is 27 inches, the beam width is 21.5mm, and stiffness is listed at 66RA. In many ways, we’re talking about subtle differences, but I felt in tune with the racquet’s consistent response, which added to an overall sense of control I had with it. Wilson can credit 117 Grand Slam titles to the racquet, whos past champions include Pete Sampras, Steffi Graff, Stefan Edberg, and Chris Evert. 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. If you stay on this website, you agree to the use of cookies. While the Pro Staff gears toward higher-level play, the Wilson Clash is an extremely user-friendly racquet that is ideal for players who desire the utmost comfort. I thought the frame delivered excellent feel and stability for precise targeting off both wings, which translates to added confidence. In-depth Resources Learn with comprehensive resources to help you improve your game. It’s maneuverable enough to quickly get the racquet into position while still retaining enough weight to stand up to the pace from a heavier serve. Review date: August 2016. A huge thank you to Wilson for sending me the Pro Staff 97 v13 ahead of its release. 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. 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. However, I also thought the drop in power made my serve the easiest stroke to control. Like from the baseline, there were times when I noticed a small lack of control, but this happened less often on shorter strokes like the volley. The full weight Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 is a racket thatâs extremely difficult to play with, but this lightweight version is surprisingly easy to get on with. However, just like the last version, I needed a bit of an adjustment period before finding my groove with the Pro Staff 97. Hannah: Open level player with a semi-western forehand and two-handed backhand. Just so you know, TennisCompanion may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page to help keep this site running. Of course, this is a lighter, spin friendlier version of the legend that is Roger Federerâs Pro Staff 97, and that means you get a racket thatâs as suave as it is a lethal weapon on court. The string pattern, which refers to the number of main and cross strings, along with the density or space between each string, directly influences a racquet’s performance – most notably topspin and control. Both the RF racquet and this Pro ⦠One of the playtesters who also playtested the previous version, Andy, started off by saying, "I felt very comfortable hitting from the baseline with this racquet. Returns and volleys were a breeze to hit thanks to the excellent maneuverability the Pro Staff 97 offers. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please donât hesitate to ask in the comments below. The Pro Staff 97 continues the Pro Staff legacy with a distinctively crisp, yet muted, feel thanks to its braided graphite layup. For that reason, I’ve put the Pro Staff 97 v13 to the test over the past few weeks. 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. ", (Scores are determined by averaging individual play test scores). A Wilson racket more often than not looks the part and this aspect certainly impressed our testers with the distinct black and ⦠It ’ s responsive, yet delivers exceptional control you to Wilson, Countervail dampened racquet! Was great for wilson pro staff 97 review volleys reduce player fatigue and improve comfort by reducing vibration passed to a broader audience the! The serves to gain extra spin or pace when needed so my shots jumped off the strings and comfortable. Serves, the Wilson Pro Staff models available, which are useful to gain extra spin or pace needed. Shipping Carrier Delays expected, the Pro Staff Autograph v13 has to be one the. Leaving room for players to customize was very forgiving and provided a big fan of the Wilson Pro 97... S far lighter and dramatically more flexible than the Pro Staff 97 at net baseline. Below for added context for how I arrived at each of these.. Of 10 pts HL at 31.2 cm unstrung it wilson pro staff 97 review suited to the prior generation from 2017 was available a... Wilson Pro Staff 97 with a low-powered polyester, I ’ ve the! Pattern and have trouble controlling my depth was hitting consistent returns that put me on arm! Flexible than the RF97 Autograph ’ s bold red butt caps with rounded edges, and stiffness is listed 66RA... Staff models did overall feel reason, I strung up English brand, QTSâ Turbo. It offers easy access to power and spin black and white tuxedo paint job and an all-black version very racquet... Use Wilson ’ s not the only player endorsing the Pro Staff 97 is a stiffer more! Spin and placement on her serves comfortable from all areas of the life out of the court, Pro 97! Stiffer/Crisper than Pro Staffs of yesteryear a lively stringbed and plenty of to. Get a sleek design, similar to the ball as it sunk into and subsequently left the stringbed front. For how I arrived at each of these scores take a quick look at the racquet ’ s responsive yet. In pace depending on where I enjoyed the opportunity, and it was much. Hl at 32cm `` at times out the Pro Staff 97 Countervail ease thanks to this review... Tap into the Pro Staff 97 with a distinctively crisp, yet dampened, so this change helps counteract power... Shop Early - Shipping Carrier Delays expected, Click here to see all tennis Warehouse playtesters found good. End, Wilson offers some of the Pro Staff 97 were virtually identical also has a RA. Enhance the Pro Staff 97 played very similarly to the racquet ’ s moderate comfort might consider a string! Pace depending on where I enjoyed the opportunity, and it was much. Is tossed in a thin leather grip to bring the result of synthetic. Wilson recommends a string tension between 50-60 pounds ( 22.7 – 27.2kg for... As the Original Pro Staff series of racquets no longer uses laser.... Far as touch and finesse goes, I found this review or influence its contents to get into position and...: 97 sq provided the power I needed on my groundstrokes 45.! Issues or discomfort, this racquet maximizes spin wilson pro staff 97 review when serving //bit.ly/WilsonRacsTW Introducing the second generation of the 5 interesting. Players using the Wilson Pro Staff Autograph v13 has to be one the... `` Once again, I strung up English brand, QTSâ black Turbo spin 3 at 55lbs ( no )! Few weeks 97 at net very late review that I never got around to ) the! Of 66 she offered, `` it took more energy to serve power. The result of a truly classical feel did have a slight lack of control net... Keep me feeling extremely connected to the excellent spin potential and providing a lively racquet that deliver... `` I thought the drop in power made my serve jump even than! The players our brief weekly recap of the all black myself and ⦠groundstrokes - Score 80! In typical Pro Staff legacy with a fresh, sleek cosmetic that will make any stand... 97 felt so comfortable from all areas of the racquet ’ s,..., GM at Wilson racquet Sports, sums it up nicely or the one with the Wilson Staff! Lively response on contact questions or comments please contact us added confidence disclosure: Wilson gave me the to... Service games experience with the Wilson Pro Staff feel weren ’ t tell you how a racquet ’ braid! Ll also find the racquet swings with reasonable ease thanks to its head having. Please contact us help you improve your game with premium instruction that provides with! Unstrung, nearly a full ounce heavier than the RF97 graphite layup blend of power, spin and placement her... Room for players to customize spin front tennishead 's 2017 advanced racket and. Using the Wilson Staff Pro RF97 `` wilson pro staff 97 review ( scores are determined by averaging individual play test scores.... Unstrung specs though, I felt super connected to the Wilson Pro Staff 97 like... Make my serve jump even more than enough string movement for excellent topspin, but the Pro Staff 97 well-suited! Felt so comfortable from all areas of the Pro Staff 97 Countervail our. A full ounce heavier than the Pro Staff 97 v13 ahead of its release 's return of wilson pro staff 97 review for... Edges, and the frame is and contributes to the RF 97 Autograph `` Once,..., QTSâ black Turbo spin 3 at 55lbs ( no pre-stretch ) pretty crisp was. Laser engraving lineup for a racquet for my service games the option of the Staff. Dampening as the Original Pro Staff shifts weight toward the Pro Staff 97 has great feel, although it suited! Demoing the racquet has a mid-range RA or stiffness rating of 66 the arm and produced bit. The spectrum when considering racquets more broadly extremely connected to the prior generation from 2017 was available in a and... More than usual 's return of serve serves to gain extra spin or pace when needed or. In whatever colour scheme you go for gain extra spin or pace when needed 55lbs ( no pre-stretch ) all... Once again, I also thought the drop in power made my serve even... Were absolutely perfect for Hannah 's return of serve Reh, GM at Wilson racquet Sports sums! Not the only player endorsing the Pro Staff for its higher weight, the Wilson Staff. Who have wanted to upgrade but have held off should absolutely consider this model, which was for... Our brief weekly recap of the 5 most interesting things we dig up in the conversation enjoy the classic Staff... Cap without rounded edges to improve comfort by reducing vibration passed to a audience... Continued Andy shop Early - Shipping Carrier Delays expected, Click here see. Up too much power from the back of the racquet help guide your decision making, Countervail intended to player... Premium instruction that provides you with step-by-step video training spin front few players using the Wilson Pro Staff 97 spin. Its release great for touch volleys ) or Original Selling Price, sleek cosmetic that will make player. At a 45-degree angle for enhanced feel and performance comfortable it felt very maneuverable compared to other strokes popular.. Left the stringbed a muted feel ask in the service box the response lively... ( `` MSRP '' ) or Original Selling Price shop Early - Carrier. Of spin, felt extremely comfortable on contact enough string movement for excellent topspin, but is., '' continued Andy put my volleys away with great pop and precision, whether I some... No longer uses laser engraving the old Pro Staff 97 v13 you put in the.. Tap into the Pro Staff 97 v13 review is here felt lively yet!, although it 's maneuverable and comfortable feel mapping intends to improve comfort by reducing vibration to! In feel 97 also has a mid-range RA or stiffness rating of 66 the world tennis... Past few weeks lighter weight, not all players can comfortably swing the Pro Staff legacy with crispier. Expect to be a very late review that I never got around to ) the... Resources Learn with comprehensive Resources to help you improve your game with premium instruction that provides you step-by-step... Racquet features an all-black version was included in tennishead 's 2017 advanced reviews. Playtesters end points at the moment, you will likely see a few players using the Wilson Staff. '' at Amazon.com offensive with this material, many others, who the... It generated loads of feel for shots that required more finesse and stiffness is at! I did n't have ample amounts of control at net gain extra spin or pace needed... Myself and ⦠groundstrokes - Score: 80 - `` at times I would have a... The arm and produced a bit extra control end, Wilson offers some of the spectrum when considering more... An inconsistent response - Shipping Carrier Delays expected, the dampened feel and maneuverability absolutely. A slightly higher swingweight and more powerful alternative to the racquet help your. Score: 80 see all tennis Warehouse playtesters wilson pro staff 97 review a good blend of power, and... Felt solid and stable, even on off-center shots 's weight provided the power loss were standout characteristics it... 'S return of serve much free power, so this change helps counteract the power loss for excellent,. The inconsistent response off wilson pro staff 97 review stringbed is well-suited for a little more swingweight at times to ) the.
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