This legendary tennis racket is known as Pro Staff RF97 Autograph among the tennis players. Buy 2 or more for $209 each. Although we can attribute Roger Federer’s use of the Pro Staff line throughout his career to the racquet’s continued popularity, he doesn’t endorse the Pro Staff 97. Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13. Although the tension is on the higher end of the spectrum, it doesn’t feel that way. Next up, the black matte finish now wraps up through 3 and 9 o’clock on the head for a more seamless paint job. On the other hand, the Pro Staff shifts weight toward the handle, retains extra rigidity and plays a bit more lively. For some players with arm issues or discomfort, this type of change might be welcome. Wilson offers some of the cleanest racquet designs, and the Pro Staff line is no exception. Players looking for a bit extra comfort might consider opting for a hybrid string setup, which combines a multifilament with polyester to improve the racquet’s comfort without sacrificing too much on the topspin front. As for the racquet’s swingweight, it’s 335. If you’re looking for some guidance on tennis strings, I’d encourage you to check out my resource on how to choose tennis strings. Improve your game with premium instruction that provides you with step-by-step video training. As a reminder, here’s 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. The Pro Staff is one of a handful of racquet lines available from Wilson, which can take some time to wrap your head around. Federer’s first signature model launched in 2014, and since then, we’ve seen the following iterations of the frame: All of them have featured the same specs, just new paint jobs. There are four distinct Pro Staff models available, which are primarily distinguished by their weight to appeal to a broader range of players. However, you’ll find my notes covering my experience with the racquet in greater detail in the following sections. Let’s start by looking at the racquet’s specifications, which are useful to gain a sense of what to expect. For slice, the racquet is buttery smooth and stable, and one of its strengths. They’ve also updated the racquet’s graphite braid and tweaked the 16×19 string pattern, all of which we’ll cover as part of this review in greater depth. For a little over a week, I had the opportunity to hit with the Pro Staff RF97 daily to share my experience with you. Wilson hasn’t always had the greatest track record in hitting these specs, so it’s great to see that this particular offering is accurate. Few tennis racquets deserve or have been around long enough to consider them legendary, but the Pro Staff franchise, including the latest release of the 2020 Wilson Pro Staff RF97 v13, demands it. Does anyone have any information as to whether the … Disclosure: Wilson gave me this frame to evaluate, but they did not pay me to write this review or influence its contents. Once again, the racquet’s balance allows for excellent racquet head speed despite the frame’s heavier weight, so you can still generate plenty of pace when you need it, but you’ll have to work for it. Check out my full review and playtest of the Wilson Clash 100 to learn more about this super unique racquet. Players looking to enhance the Pro Staff 97’s moderate comfort might consider a hybrid string setup. Furthermore, the racquet features an all-black butt cap without rounded edges, and instead of a synthetic grip, it comes with leather. Best cheap tennis racket. However, beyond its weight, this racquet does not use Wilson’s Braid 45 technology. Although the specs and technologies behind a racquet are useful, what matters is how a racquet performs and feels on the court. It’s lighter, but still features the same tried and true Pro Staff formula with an update called Braid 45, in reference to the new 45-degree angle used to braid the graphite and Kevlar. In other words, it took a bit of the life out of the racquet. Much of the RF97s power comes from its weight, so as long as you approach the serve with proper technique and reasonable racquet head speed, the pace will show up along with greater precision because you’re not trying to overhit. For the racquet’s thirteenth generation, the Pro Staff 97 retains this part of the formula, which gives the head a distinct style. When it comes to the racquet’s stiffness, it sits on the mid to upper end of the spectrum with an RA rating of 68. A racquet’s 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 racquet’s strung weight at 11.7 ounces or 332 grams. Now the graphite and Kevlar fibers braid together at a 45-degree angle for enhanced feel and ball pocketing. 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. 5 Point Friday Read our weekly recap of the 5 most interesting things we dig up in tennis. Another time-tested Pro Staff technology is Wilson’s Perimeter Weighting System (PWS), which strategically places extra weight at three and nine o’clock on the racquet’s head to reduce twisting and improve stability. The head size of the Wilson Pro Staff 97 is 97 sq. 5 Point Friday Read our weekly recap of the 5 most interesting things we dig up in tennis. It’s the lightest of all the Pro Staff racquets at 9.5 ounces (269g) but retains the 97 sq inch head and 16×19 string pattern. As we’ll review in this guide, multiple Pro Staff models are available to appeal to a broader range of players. 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. As far as touch and finesse goes, I’d say this is another area where this generation improves. You can also pick up the racquet on Wilson’s website, and they have an excellent demo program you can use to try the racquet before making a decision. 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. What works for Roger Federer may not work for you because the racquet was customized to meet his specific needs, which are likely different than yours. I loved how maneuverable and comfortable it felt in my hands. Although the modern and evolved Pro Staff 97 v13 will work well for various styles of play, aggressive baseliners who rely on maximum topspin and free power will likely want to look elsewhere. The Pro Staff line targets intermediate to advanced tennis players who desire mid to low-end power and topspin with a considerable emphasis control, precision, and excellent feel. Although it doesn’t generate as much topspin as the games most spin-friendly racquets, there’s more than enough, and I never felt it was lacking. The Pro Staff 97 has a mid-range RA or stiffness rating of 66. On serves, the RF97 is a rock-solid performer, but I’d argue it’s where it requires the biggest adjustment for players coming from a lighter racquet. In-depth Resources Learn with comprehensive resources to help you improve your game. The 2020 Pro Staff RF97 v13 Autograph is Roger Federer’s signature model, so naturally, he’s the only player endorsing the frame. This is the fourth time I review the bestselling Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph, this time in Laver Cup blue. 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. Other than that hiccup, the only other downside is the string setup cost, which is on the pricier end. 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. A huge thank you to Wilson for sending me the Pro Staff 97 v13 ahead of its release. Advanced Members; 1 202 posts; Feedback. +16 x 19 string pattern+Soft handle+Lightweight graphite … In essence, Countervail dampened the racquet’s feedback and subsequently reduced its feel. However, recognizing demo programs aren’t always readily available, please let me know in the comments below if you have any additional follow up questions. 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. Below you’ll find timestamps to various sections of the video so that you can quickly jump around or reference a specific part in the future. Keep in mind that the string you choose for the mains will dominate the overall feel. Pro Staff 97 Countervail Tennis Racket. You can check out the racquet on Wilson’s website, and I’d encourage you to explore their demo program, which you can use to test the RF97 before making a decision. Even with those specs, you will still get a sleek design, similar to the Wilson Staff Pro RF97. 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. Join our community of tennis players and participate in the conversation. However, what makes it unique is that it does so while maintaining an incredibly low stiffness rating for maximum comfort. Best cheap tennis racket. These racquets offer greater flex giving them exceptional feel, lower power, and solid comfort while placing a greater emphasis on topspin. Total Rating 0%. It’s true, some change, modify and update their racquets more than others, but many abide by the adage, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’. Keep reading in the sections below for added context for how I arrived at each of these scores. It weighs in at 12 oz (340 g) unstrung, nearly a full ounce heavier than the Pro Staff 97. It’s lighter, easier to handle, and features the upgraded technologies we’ve covered earlier, including Braid 45 and String Mapping. The recommended tension range for the Wilson Pro Staff RF97 is 50-60 pounds (22.68 – 27.22kg). 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. 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. For the thirteenth generation of the Pro Staff, you’ll find many familiar technologies players have come to expect from this line of racquets. On the other hand, if you’re a huge fan of Roger Federer and considering splurging the frame to experience what he hits with or to own it as a collectible, then you won’t be disappointed. Although many players gravitate toward the Pro Staff for its higher weight, not all players can comfortably swing the heaviest models. In 2017, Wilson updated the Pro Staff line and introduced a new technology called Countervail, which the aerospace and cycling industries had successfully implemented. On returns, the Pro Staff 97 offers an ideal performance. It makes sense because you wouldn’t expect all of the world’s best tennis players to change their racquets every time a new model comes out. This racquet review deals with the Pro Staff 97 and the RF97 Autograph. The last generation of the Pro Staff 97 incorporated Countervail into the graphite layup, which resulted in a somewhat muted feel and less feedback. On the inside of the racquet’s throat, you’ll find a few of the racquet’s specs, including its weight, balance, and recommended tension. Pro Staff Rf97 v13 11:00: Wrapping Up. The 2020 Pro Staff v13 lines goes on sale at wilson.com starting today. A modern classic and Roger Federer's choice. By rotterdamarmy82, October 12, 2019 in Equipment. The Ultra line is lighter and offers a more generous 100 in² (645 cm²) head size, making it more approachable than the Pro Staff. At the net, the Pro Staff 97 is a solid overall performer. The Pro Staff RF97 v13 rewards early preparation and excellent timing, and if you get that right, power comes easily with the frame moving effortlessly through the ball. Wilson Staff 2020 Wilson Staff 2020. 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.”. Like the Pro Staff, there are various models to choose from within the Blade family of racquets. By Audreyone, November 5, 2019 in Tour and Pre-Release Equipment. Not only will you have to build up the stamina to swing it for a full match, but you’ll benefit from letting the racquet do more of the work for you. Wilson recommends a string tension between 50-60 pounds (22.7 – 27.2kg) for the Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13. 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. The Pro Staff Tour 90 – A legend in tennis racquets. Unlike it’s 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. String mapping intends to improve the racquet’s control and feel without giving up too much on the spin front. Wilson can credit 117 Grand Slam titles to the racquet, whos past champions include Pete Sampras, Steffi Graff, Stefan Edberg, and Chris Evert. The racquet’s head light balance makes it easy to maneuver, but it also has enough weight to absorb and redirect pace effectively. In that case, he’ll have his painted to look like the latest generation, but he’ll be using an older racquet, as is the case with Rafa, who uses the original Aeropro Drive released in 2004. On the other hand, polyester in the mains will help elevate the racquet’s spin potential and provide extra durability, while dominating the overall feel. 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. Reply to this topic; Start new topic; Prev; 1; 2; Next; Page 1 of 2 . For my playtest, I went with Luxilon Alu Power Rough 1.25 in the mains at 56 pounds (25.40 kg) and Wilson Natural Gut 1.30 in the crosses at 60 lbs (27.22 kg). If you’re an intermediate to advanced player who’s looking for an exceptional all-court frame loaded with precision and control, then the 2020 Wilson Pro Staff RF97 v13 is a worthy consideration. Decades of proven club design have made ProStaff the best selling sets in the history of the game. Juniors transitioning to a full-length tennis racquet or adult beginners who might have started with an inexpensive racquet and are looking for an easy-to-swing premium frame will likely find what they’re looking for with this low-weight option. 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. The Prostaff Cart range has been designed with a 14-way top and plenty of pockets so you can easily store your equipment within, Not only that, Wilson have ensured pockets are easy to access whilst on a trolley. 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. I hope the contents of this review help guide your decision making about this racquet. For this review and playtest, I’m diving deep to examine the specs and technologies while explaining how it differs from the prior model.