The head height of 97-square-inch made it easier to reach the spots I was after . And for Federer it's the reverse, the mains are strung tighter to create a more even feeling. I can also generate decent topspin. I knew I needed something lighter, but previous generations of the Pro Staff 97 just did not feel right, harder to return and to volley. For that reason, Ive put the Pro Staff 97 v13 to the test over the past few weeks. It's not the easiest racquet to use, but once you get a feel for it, it's very reliable. String Pattern: 16/19: Head Size: 97 sq. We both are 5.0 level players. I had to swing hard and fast to make a good topspin shot. With strings installed, youll find the balance reduces a bit to 7 pts HL at 32cm. For its unstrung weight, Wilson markets the racquet at a somewhat heavier 11.1 ounces (315 grams), and although what ships often differ, my Pro Staff 97 came in spot on at 11.14 ounces or 315.6 grams. We offer 100% Price Protection for 7 days on all orders. I've used various racquets from Prince, Babolat, and Yonex, and I can say this is by far the best racquet for me. Share your list with your family and friends for any occasion, Quickly move list items to your bag when you're ready to checkout. Don't believe me? This racquet has a smaller sweetspot compared to most racquets these days. This is a reasonably open string pattern which means more spin . Overall the Wilson Pro Staff 97 ULS is a great frame for players that want a very light and easy swinging control racquet that can deliver a lot . Wilson Pro Staff 97 Review (v13): My Experience. 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. Read our weekly recap of the 5 most interesting things we dig up in tennis. If you're like me and a Pro Staff 95 user, now is the time to upgrade!From: Joshua, 12/31/20, Comments: I started learning and playing tennis actively in November 2019. Both frames are strung with Natural Gut 16 (mains - 52 lbs) and Solinco Hyper-G 17 (crosses - 50lbs). Huge balls coming at me and the Pro Staff blocks them and catapults them back, solid.From: Anonymous, 2/13/21, Comments: An absolute beast of a racquet. Sure, on swingweight you can correct with stain stripes. 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.. Wilson Pro Staff RF97 v13 Tennis Racquet. 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. Now enough about the playability, can we talk about this awesome matte black paint job? Be the first to hear about the latest products, sales and events from Wilson. Head Size:97 sq. The 97UL's weight (9.5oz/270g unstrung) makes this a great racket for those who grew up . There are four distinct Pro Staff models available, which are primarily distinguished by their weight to appeal to a broader range of players. The 2015 version gives you more pop, a much more connected feeling to the ball, and a slightly larger sweetspot. Unlike its bigger brother, the RF97 v13, which specs remain the same as the prior generation and only receives an upgraded design, the Pro Staff 97 is an exciting refresh for what it adds and removes. It weighs in at 12 oz (340 g) unstrung, nearly a full ounce heavier than the Pro Staff 97. 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. Very stable on volleys and returning hard shots and serves. Designed with Paradigm Bending technology to optimize the bending profile between the shaft and hoop, this racket offers precision and pinpoint control. According to Wilson, Countervail intended to reduce player fatigue and improve comfort by reducing vibration passed to a players arm. The thing I like most about this racquet is it is solid at every stroke in the game. I demo'd several Babolat and Yonex racquets, but couldn't make them work. We couldnt find any products that match your search. 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. Cosmetically there are small differences as well. Also, the tighter stringbed in the sweetspot they got by adjusting the positioning of some of the grommet holes is evident by the effortless spin and control you get when you hit the sweetspot. 2:48 String Mapping Enjoy! By comparison, the RF97 is much heavier and probably truer to the original line of Pro Staff models. The image shown is a stock image and used for display purposes. You want something else then the Blade or Clash are there for you.From: Kris, 10/4/20, Comments: This new Pro Staff has a denser pattern due to the 45 degree angle braid. 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. Second, it's control-oriented. When I was on the run and returned the balls they were falling short. Holds up better against players who are big hitters. The racquet was strung at 50 pounds with yellow Yonex Poly Tour Pro 1.20 mm. Groundstrokes have improved depth, which I figure has to come from a higher spin rate combined with swinging more freely. It's also great on serve; easier to swing around, which helps me with hitting my spots with still plenty of power. . Unfortunately, all the specs, tech, and marketing cant tell you how a racquet feels and performs. 1:47 Stiffness 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. Two additio . From: Darin, 5/10/21, Comments: Extremely happy with this racquet. 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. Home > Gear > Racquets > Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13, Improve your game alongside our community of tennis players. RacketLogger. . String Pattern String Length ' ' ' Pro Sta RF 97 v13.0 WILSON.COM 2020 WILSON SPORTING GOODS CO. EST. The control level of this racquet is fantastic, and it's got a great feel to it. String Pattern: 16 Mains / 19 Crosses Mains Skip: 7T, 9T, . Now the graphite and Kevlar fibers braid together at a 45-degree angle for enhanced feel and ball pocketing. 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. Wilson boasted about that 45 carbon weaving and I thought it was just marketing lingo, but it truly does make a difference. For the volleys I could volley deep and the next ball, drop volley. He is happy with this racquet performance.From: Alena, FL. Join the conversation with other members of the community. It hits precisely. If you like that chip and charge style of playing it is perfect with this racquet. WILSON Pro Staff 97L V13 Tennis Racquet Specifications: Playability: The Pro Staff 97L V13 is a great option for the Intermediate players looking for control-oriented racquet. cm* Length: 685mm** Weight: 315g (11.1oz)* / 330g (11.64oz)** Balance: 310mm (10HL)* / 321mm (6.8HL)** Beam: 21.5mm* String pattern: 16x19 ____________________________________ 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 . The first racquet that makes this list is the smallest in its size, but probably the biggest in overall hype. As you might expect from a Pro Saff, its a lively racquet that can deliver exceptional pace derived through sound technique. A new addition to the racquets design is the exposure of the frames braided graphite construction, which displays under a clear gloss finish while also continuing the red and yellow racing stripes. The frame has an illustrious history, which began back in 1983. 6:01 Groundstrokes My favorite parts of this racquet are the volleys, slices, and the serves. I use Black Code 16 orange and yellow at 56 pounds. 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. 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 pattern) for added Power, Control and Spin. Have to be able to generate your own power though.From: Jeff, 3/8/21, Comments: The best Pro Staff to date! And when you do make contact in the "sweet spot", I found myself either hitting winners or getting weak returns for a second shot put-away. Wilson Grommet Strips stocked for nearly all Wilson tennis racquet models. Create a free account and explore my latest videos below. Massive control, precision, spin and slice. 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. 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. It's not apples to apples because I strung this new racquet with gut versus my typical polyester. For starters, the Pro Staff RF97 has a standard 27-inch length and features a smaller 97 square inch head size with a 1619 string pattern.. All in all, its a subtle yet refined update to an already great looking tennis racquet and one of my favorite designs. Helpful Tip I would recommend this racquet to players who are looking for similar features. They said they would take them and evaluate them and reimburse me later. 3:05 Perimeter Weighting System, 4:35 Strings & Tension I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. Your email address will not be published. 8:09 Returns, 8:42 Summary Racket Specs. Players looking to enhance the Pro Staff 97s moderate comfort might consider a hybrid string setup. It does not generate a lot of power on its own. The Pro Staff 97 is well-suited for a lower-powered polyester string setup. This is the best Pro Staff 97 they've made. From: Mikey, LA, CA, 8/11/21, Comments: I have both the 340 gram Pro Staff RF97 and this 315 gram Pro Staff v13. Keep reading in the sections below for added context for how I arrived at each of these scores. Players looking to put their spin on the design should keep an eye on Wilsons custom racquet center, where I expect the pain job will be customizable in the future. Although we can attribute Roger Federers use of the Pro Staff line throughout his career to the racquets continued popularity, he doesnt endorse the Pro Staff 97. If youd prefer, you can check out my full video review and playtest of the Pro Staff 97 v13. Very stable on volleys. 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. Its far lighter and dramatically more flexible than the Pro Staff and offers more generous head sizes for added topspin. For the serves the head light balance lets me maneuver the racquet for a kick serve and also due the tighter string pattern, could hit spots on the court.Now for the negatives. 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. This latest iteration of the V13 felt different. It does not turn into a catapult when you string it with multifilament. Mainly used a Pro Staff RF97 for many years. I my opinion, it feel great as it has lower stiffness rating, too. Players who fall into the latter camp will be happy to hear that the latest generation of the Pro Staff line no longer contains Countervail. Headlight My ground strokes are precise and deep and I get plenty of spin and that puts my opponents on their back heel. I have been a long time Pro Staff user. I've been hitting with the Pro Staff for my whole life and am now a 50+ year old, 3.5 level male. I am sure Wilson may play with the weight and balance slightly. It swings fast and plays crisp and lively, so players with a history or arm discomfort or injuries will want to proceed with caution. So, I was excited to hear Wilson had tightened the string spacing in the sweetspot on this model. However, we would limit our player recommendation on this model to junior players ages 12-13. Kudos to Wilson!From: MichaelT, 4/15/21, Comments: Bought this for my teen junior for tournament play after using the TW demo option. Similarly, higher racquet head speed helped generating more spin. It seems that I'm getting easier access to power and great feel on volleys. Wilson Pro Staff RF 85 specs: . It comes in a 16 x 19 string pattern, as well as an 18 x 20. After trying the Federer signature model, I knew it had the feel I like, but was a bit too heavy for me. You've to create your own power and a hybrid string it's always a good choice in this outstanding racquet. 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. The Wilson Pro Staff 97 v14 is a precision-oriented racket ideal for advanced players. Slightly lighter than the Pro Staff RF 97, it still has a high weight that's concentrated in the handle. The Pro Staff 97 has a mid-range RA or stiffness rating of 66. It somehow even feels more maneuverable, but that may just be because I have far more confidence using this racquet due to the forgiveness provided when you hit off-center so I tend to swing more freely. I love the feel, but a bit too loose as my flattish ball is consistently landing about a couple of inches out. Overall, I found the Pro Staff 97 to perform excellent hitting returns with depth and control while remaining stable and doing a fantastic job redirecting pace. Pro Staff Rf97 v13 . It's definitely a control racquet, and not as powerful as RF97. Pro Staff 97UL v13. All in all, I would give this racquet a 8.8 out of 10.From: Dreher, 1/21/21, Comments: Best Wilson Pro Staff I have hit with yet. Because of the tech behind the racquet, the sweetspot is pretty much anywhere on the racquet. The Pro Staff series of racquets no longer uses laser engraving. However, relative to the prior version, some crucial changes are worth noting, directly impacting the racquets feel and performance. I added the details just to be clear from where I come. 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. 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. Weight influences a racquets power, so this change helps counteract the power loss. The Pro Staff 97 is 11.1 ounces unstrung, but it has a very mobile and head-light balance that makes the racquet easy to whip through the hitting zone. 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. 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. The Pro Staff 97 v13 also benefits from Wilson's String Mapping technology which creates denser spacing in the hitting area for a more predictable and controlled response. Description. In stock form it looks pretty slow with a strange feel at the ball. 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! At the net, the Pro Staff 97 is a solid overall performer. So, overall, the backhand is okay, forehand still needs work, the volleys needs some training as well, the serve works great. To help broaden the Blade's appeal, Wilson offers a lighter version that weighs only 10.1 oz (285 g) unstrung, which helps improve the frame's maneuverability for a more user-friendly option. 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! Shift 99/300. It offers a nice blend between power from high stiffness and control from a smaller head size (97 sq inches). Description. / 625.81 sq. 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. Theyve also updated the racquets graphite braid and tweaked the 1619 string pattern, all of which well cover as part of this review in greater depth. 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. One thing to note, the change in the butt cap is easier on my hand. Furthermore, the racquet features an all-black butt cap without rounded edges, and instead of a synthetic grip, it comes with leather. 6/25/21, Comments: Can't say enough good things about this racquet. As a lifelong and former collegiate tennis player, one who has played with virtually every racquet made, rarely has a stick left me with the confidence that it would allow me to get the most out of my current game, but also allow me to do even more in certain areas of it. We distribute tennis racquets, tennis apparel, tennis footwear, tennis strings and court equipment to pro . . It does look cool and I believe you should buy one if you have been playing with Pro Staffs. I can take full swings and control where it goes in the court compared to my previous racquets where my ball would sail somewhere. But the positive far outweighs the bad. Pro Staff Six.One (18x20) v13. 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. Learn more. 1:36 Balance It is, even when adding beautiful calfskin leather grips to both. Technical specifications for Wilson Pro Staff 97 racket. 6:57 Volleys The racquet itself has been superb. It has the best blend of power, spin, and control I have found. 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 Not only will you get to see the racquet in action, but youll have some extra visuals to go along with my explanations. To this end, Wilson offers a few lighter versions to consider. For the thirteenth generation of this racquet, Wilson returns to the all-black design and replaces the gloss finish at three and nine oclock on the racquets head with their velvet finish. What I didn't like was TW's trade-in program. Orders over $50 will ship for free! I absolutely love this racquet and bought a second one right away. First serve doesn't bomb as hard as the RF, but my double fault rate is down quite a bit. 4.0+ player and still prefer racquets on the heavier side, but the RF made sure 3rd sets were a guaranteed loss. 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. The feel is definitely improved and feels tighter, just a little bit, than the previous version. Featuring a refined, elegant design and coloring inspired by rich earth tones, the Wilson Pro Staff 97L v14 is a lighter version of our Pro Staff 97 v14, with the same Braid FORTYFIVE construction that offers a pronounce On the other hand, the Pro Staff shifts weight toward the handle, retains extra rigidity and plays a bit more lively. 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. 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. I love the controlled power and precision I have with this racquet. 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. I personally don't think anyone should play with the actual RF version seriously, unless they have UTR well above 10. Stringing the racquet as a hybrid is a pain because the grommet placement and size is challenging. Please bring those back once more. 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. 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. Wish I made the switch sooner.From: Ryan, 6/10/21, Comments: Racquet plays well, very similar to my 2014 Six.One. First, though lighter than the previous, it is quite stable. 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. All those racquets are great, arm-friendly and I'm sure you'll find a good match! The feel on volleys, slices, and attacking strokes is great. in: Balance: 3 pts HL: Unstrung Weight: 290 g: Strung: No: Cover: Full . The Pro Staff 6.0 version was manufactured in four head sizes: 85, 95, 110, and 125 square inches. I recommend stringing at a lower tension. The one drawback is that it does not have too large of a "sweet spot". Last but not least, the Pro Staff 97 maintains its higher-end weight, significant head light balance, and relatively thinner beam, all of which combine with the technologies mentioned above to produce a feel thats unique to this family of racquets. My raquet for life!From: Wayne, Bahamas, 12/31/21, Comments: Great racquet! The Pro Staff 97 also has a swingweight of 321 and a balance of 10 pts HL at 31.2 cm unstrung. String Mapping provides a denser string bed for excellent precision and feel. The biggest difference between the two versions is actually the butt cap, which is more comfortable on the newer version. Wilson Pro Staff 97L v13 R.R.P. I just ordered three of them. I used to play with the RF97 in the past and then switched to the Babolat Pure Aero. We will match or beat any posted overall price advertised in-store or online on in stock items. 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. This Pro Staff is also great for adding more spin to the ball on groundstrokes and serve. Racket Recommendations Like Federer and Musetti, I like head light racquetsThis racquet moves through the air pretty quickly with some weight behind the shot. 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. The Wilson Pro Staff 97 CV has a head size of 97 square inches, a strung weight of 11.7 ounces, a 7-point head light balance and a 1619 string pattern. The feel is unbelievable. 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. However it needs lowering the tension to feel the power.From: A, 1/14/21, Comments: I purchased this while I was looking for something in between Phantom 93P and VCORE Pro 330. The Pro Staff 97UL v13 also gets updated with Wilson's String Mapping, which creates denser spacing in the hitting area for a more predictable and controlled response. 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. Despite its weight, the racquet swings with reasonable ease thanks to its head light balance while still leaving room for players to customize. But when you strike the ball well with this one, it has plenty of oomph! Definitely been winning more with this. While the 315 gram is really good, I feel the 340 gram is way better (if you can swing it). At 12.0 ounces unstrung, the RF97 is designed for advanced tennis players who are used to swinging a heavier racquet. Either racquet is a great choice for better players that want precision and can generate their own power. 15 of those years I've been playing USTA 5.0 Mens League Singles and Open Middle States Tournaments. The Pro Staff v13 has a more plush feel and better control than my past racquets. Wilson Yonex All . Out of the two, the denser string pattern helps out with a bit more control and string durability. One needs to generate a lot of racquet speed to hit big serves though. String pattern: 16 mains/18 crosses.