Coming from the BLX Pro Staff 95, this was a fairly easy transition. Shift 99/300. 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 control and feel is incredible. 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. However, Federers not the only player endorsing the Pro Staff. 00 $279.00 $279.00. 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 . From: Darin, 5/10/21, Comments: Extremely happy with this racquet. On returns, the Pro Staff 97 offers an ideal performance. This is a shotmaker's racquet, for a player that doesn't need help from the racquet to generate power. String pattern: Wider Cross-Strings (Open 16x19 string pattern) for added Power, Control and Spin. 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. The cosmetics are different at the request of Roger himself as he wanted his racquet to look . Thank you guys at Tennis Warehouse for making this posable.From: Antonio, 1/21/21, Comments: Excellent racquet, great for those who hit through the ball with a flatter stroke. FREE . Beyond helpful customer service. I got two Pro Staff racquets for my daughter and the balance is not as per specs. I love the feel, but a bit too loose as my flattish ball is consistently landing about a couple of inches out. 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. Wilson is committed to achieving Level AA conformance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 and achieving compliance with other accessibility standards. It's solid, easy to swing, and sharp looking. Players who werent fans of Countervail will be happy to hear the Pro Staff 97 v13 removes it, so the racquet regains its lively feel and crisp response, but enhances it further with its Braid 45 construction. I would recommend but also demo first. 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. 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. inches; String Pattern: 16 mains (19 crosses) Check Current Price & Reviews. 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. Wilson recommends a string tension between 50-60 pounds (22.7 27.2kg) for the Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13. Wilson Pro Staff 97L v13 R.R.P. First of all you don't feel the weight and it is very whippy. Stringing the racquet as a hybrid is a pain because the grommet placement and size is challenging. Shortly after, Wilson adapted the design to the now-iconic 85 square inch head size, a.k.a., the Pro Staff Original 6.0. 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. Very stable on volleys. in: Length: 27 in: Weight (strung) 11.7 oz / 330g: Balance: 7pts Head Light: Flex: 66: String Pattern: 1619 . Same on my backhand, but it has to be clean contact and not muscle-ing the ball. 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 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. I love it!From: Michael, 3/29/21, Comments: Great racquet with great control and feel, especially when hitting in the sweetspot. 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. cm* Length: 685mm** Weight: 315g (11.1oz)* / 330g (11.64oz)** Balance: 310mm (10HL)* / 321mm (6.8HL)** Beam: 21.5mm* String pattern: 16x19 ____________________________________ The Pro Staff 97 finds a really great compromise on weight. . 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. Don't believe me? Kudos to Wilson!From: MichaelT, 4/15/21, Comments: Bought this for my teen junior for tournament play after using the TW demo option. Lives up to it's claims. I'm 27 year old 4.5 level male player, and long time Pro Staff user. 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. 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. String Pattern: 16 Mains / 19 Crosses Mains Skip: 7T, 9T, . 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. I really love my new Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13. 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. Take a look in detail at Roger Federer's racquet, the Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 Autograph. The 85 is unforgiving for the currently popular semi-western topspin style with its 12.6 ounce (357 g) weight and low power. Orders over $50 will ship for free! You've to create your own power and a hybrid string it's always a good choice in this outstanding racquet. I sent my racquets in for evaluation an about 10 days later, I received a email stating they all had exposed graphite. According to Wilson, Countervail intended to reduce player fatigue and improve comfort by reducing vibration passed to a players arm. I even think I'll buy a second. The ball is pocketing a little more on the string bed, giving people more control in putting the ball where they want to. Wednesday, March 1 2023 . 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. 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. Pro Staff 97UL v13. It has the best blend of power, spin, and control I have found. These are amazing. 6/25/21, Comments: Can't say enough good things about this racquet. For this model, Wilson removes Countervail, a somewhat controversial material added to the racquets layup in 2017. I played with them for the first time this past week and wow. How to String a Wilson Pro Staff 97 Lite Tennis Racquet - YouTube Follow me on instagram @stringingbyspize for stringing, coaching, and playing!stringingbyspize@gmail.com for phoenix. It's brought new excitement in my tennis game. 3.5 out of 5 stars 8. . 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. Hall of Fame. So, overall, the backhand is okay, forehand still needs work, the volleys needs some training as well, the serve works great. 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. My two-handed backhand definitely requires some cleaning, but I am blasting winners from anywhere in the court with my forehand. From: Jerry, FL, 1/25/22, Comments: The Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13 racquet is a high quality product! in: Balance: 3 pts HL: Unstrung Weight: 290 g: Strung: No: Cover: Full . I can easily control pace from a heavy hitting opponent. 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. 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 absolutely love this racquet and bought a second one right away. I've been an on and off Pro Staff user since I was a junior player, and this is a very good iteration.From: MS, 4/11/21, Comments: The Wilson Pro Staff v13 is the perfect racquet for me. cm. Definitely give these a demo. Out of the two, the denser string pattern helps out with a bit more control and string durability. String Pattern String Length ' ' ' ' Pro Sta 97 WILSON.COM 2016 WILSON SPORTING GOODS CO. EST. Description. I hit with Babolat frames my whole life because of the free power they give you. I am not sure what Wilson has done, but it's almost as if they intended to string this racquet as a one-piece. About the 2020 Pro Staff RF97 v13 Born in 1983, the Pro Staff debuted as an oversized racquet with a 110 square inch head size. For that reason, Ive put the Pro Staff 97 v13 to the test over the past few weeks. . The feel is definitely improved and feels tighter, just a little bit, than the previous version. Instead, he uses the heavier RF97. 0:58 Length, Head Size, String Pattern After I got the racquet, I took it to a tournament. However I find them to be erratic when you don't hit with a ton of spin. I had really high hopes for this frame, but it was a huge disappointment. To my surprising this frame has a bit more power and comfort. The control level of this racquet is fantastic, and it's got a great feel to it. Players looking for a bit extra comfort might consider opting for a hybrid string setup, which combines a multifilament with polyester to improve the racquets comfort without sacrificing too much on the topspin front. 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. Once again, the racquets balance allows for excellent racquet head speed despite the frames heavier weight, so you can still generate plenty of pace when you need it, but youll have to work for it. Groundstrokes have improved depth, which I figure has to come from a higher spin rate combined with swinging more freely. 5 Point Friday From: Mark, HK 7/26/21, Comments: Amazing racquet! To this end, Wilson offers a few lighter versions to consider. I'd consider it a more arm-friendly version of my Six.One BLX.From: Philanthropenos, 1/9/21, Comments: I used to play with a Pro Staff 95 BLX, decided to switch to the 97 to give it a shot. I'd say the TW reviews were on point except for comfort. pocketing and stability" similar to the new Pro Staff 97 V13. I know this line of racquets inside and out. 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. 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. 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. All in all, theyll both terrific options. Instead, the braided graphite construction remains unchanged, and the frame contains foam for dampening as the original Pro Staff models did. Actual sales may not have occurred at this price. More power in this frame, but still plenty of control everyone knows and loves about the Pro Staff. Braid 45 construction arranges the double braided fibers at 45 degree angles for enhanced pocketing feel alongside incredible stability. Lets start by looking at the racquets specifications, which are useful to gain a sense of what to expect. For more information on string patterns, check out our . What are the string recommendations to get the most out of this frame and at what tension? 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. 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. I never stuck with the frames, but I thought they were pretty solid. Despite its lighter weight, the frame still falls on the heavier end of the spectrum when considering racquets more broadly. 3:05 Perimeter Weighting System, 4:35 Strings & Tension Read our weekly recap of the 5 most interesting things we dig up in tennis. Now enough about the playability, can we talk about this awesome matte black paint job? I also like the rounded butt cap on the handle, which is much more comfortable than the v11 squared-off cap.From: Philip, 3/21/21, Comments: Awesome racquet. It's also great on serve; easier to swing around, which helps me with hitting my spots with still plenty of power. 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. Mainly used a Pro Staff RF97 for many years. 2023 Wilson Sporting Goods All rights reserved. Wilson hasnt always had the greatest track record in hitting these specs, so its great to see that this particular offering is accurate. What I didn't like was TW's trade-in program. 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. I had to swing hard and fast to make a good topspin shot. I used to play with the RF97 in the past and then switched to the Babolat Pure Aero. Not only does the racquet retain the time-tested lively feel and performance youd expect from a Pro Staff, but Wilsons Braid 45 and String Mapping technologies are welcome refinements that enhance rather than detract from the racquets formula. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. The Pro Staff series of racquets no longer uses laser engraving. The RF97 Autograph was another story. Need to swing fully to get power and definitely need good technique to realize the potential of this racquet. Generating racquet head speed is easier for v13 and so I liked it on serves. However, recognizing demo programs arent always readily available, please let me know in the comments below if you have any additional follow up questions. Occasionally, my balls go long with the softer strings, but I will take that over polyester and dealing with elbow issues. This latest iteration of the V13 felt different. 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 get more control and more spin from the v13. Is it not significantly better than the previous 315g version? The Pro Staff 97 has a mid-range RA or stiffness rating of 66. For old-school feel and comfort with modern performance potential, try the Wilson Pro Staff 97S. 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. It is for 'big hitters' or any way of saying it, is for players with big swings. I haven't had this racquet long but as of now, it is great. I tried them back to back over an extensive period of quite a few months. This racquet has amazing stability, 347 grams in total, feel, maneuverability, power, and control. Then in 2013 I moved on to the BLX Pro Staff Six.One 95. Also they're not the easiest on the wrist or arm. Despite its weight, the racquet swings with reasonable ease thanks to its head light balance while still leaving room for players to customize. Had to weight up the frames at the 3 and 9 position to increase the swing weight from 318 to Mid 320's and counterbalance with tail added weight for an 8 point head light balance. 0:45 Specs While the RF plow was superb, the stick didn't allow the racquet head speed I should be hitting with. 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. Simply provide the full Wilson racquet model, including the head size and string pattern in the "Your Wilson Racquet" field above. I could say more, but I won't. 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. This Pro Staff is also great for adding more spin to the ball on groundstrokes and serve. On all orders over $75! I notice very little difference between the v11 and v13. 9:29 vs. Not my favorite design, but a good looking racquet overall. 5:55 Playtest Notes This is a review of the upcoming Wilson Pro Staff 97 Setup: Luxilon 4G 1.41mm @ 24kG (1 piece) Specs: Headsize: 97 sq.in. The Pro Staff 97 is a modern take on the RF97. But when you strike the ball well with this one, it has plenty of oomph! Players who have wanted to upgrade but have held off should absolutely consider this model, which I expect to be a popular upgrade. Disclosure: Wilson gave me this frame to evaluate, but they did not pay me to write this review or influence its contents. I have been playing with a variety of racquets from Babolat and Yonex over the years. Federer's new racquet helped him re-establish himself as one of the best players in the world. For the volleys I could volley deep and the next ball, drop volley. Be the first to hear about the latest products, sales and events from Wilson. 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. 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. If youd prefer, you can check out my full video review and playtest of the Pro Staff 97 v13. String Pattern String Length ' ' ' Pro Sta RF 97 v13.0 WILSON.COM 2020 WILSON SPORTING GOODS CO. EST. 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. ft. tennis warehouse is home to approximately 22,000 unique racquet sport product SKUs. I like to generate my own pace without the ball flying out of the court. 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. It's definitely a control racquet, and not as powerful as RF97. Product Description. 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. We hope you love this article. On the other hand, the Pro Staff shifts weight toward the handle, retains extra rigidity and plays a bit more lively. 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 vibration dampening properties of the Kevlar also help provide a little extra control and touch in a relatively stiff frame. The lively stringbed gave us easy power and loads of spin potential. Youll also find the racquet has a control-centric 21.5 mm beam. I believe these were all grade A or B racquets. I have compared with my old racquets and measured as well. 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.. 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) I found the racquet to have enough control for my swing. Overall great control, low on power.From: Jay, 1/24/21, Comments: My experience with Tennis Warehouse was fantastic. I use to use the first Pro Staff 97 about five years ago, this new v13 Pro Staff is like no other Pro Staff. They don't get pushed around at all. 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. If I need to be a serve and volleyer, it's solid. However, Wilson also changes this racquet by increasing the beam width by 1.5 mm to 23 mm, which improves the racquets power by making the frame slightly more rigid or stiff. The RF97 is a little heavier, harder to create top spin because the stringing pattern in the sweet spot is closer together and stringing the racquet is a bit more difficult. All those racquets are great, arm-friendly and I'm sure you'll find a good match! The racquet was strung at 50 pounds with yellow Yonex Poly Tour Pro 1.20 mm. Racket Recommendations The original description of this braid, that first appeared in a 1985 Wilson catalog, still holds true: The core of the Pro Staff is a braid of Kevlar and graphite. I've found my forever racquet. 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. Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13 Tennis Racquet - Strung with Synthetic Gut Racket String in Custom Colors - Official Racquet of Roger Federer . / 626 sq. Just so you know, TennisCompanion may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page to help keep this site running. My fear was that the racquet would be too light. 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. We are a wholesale tennis distributor and retail store based in West Lawn, Pennsylvania. Fearing for my sensitive elbow, I got Bi-Phase 18 gauge. When I was on the run and returned the balls they were falling short. 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. So far, so good. You get out what you put into it. 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. I notice this frame absorbs the shock really well, not too muted, so you can feel the ball. I'm a 47 year old 4.0.From: Sean, 5/31/21Texas, Comments: "Downsized" from an RF97 I had been using for about 6 years.