", Troy was also dialed in on volleys. item 5 New Wilson Pro Staff RF97 v13 Roger Federer Autograph 4 3/8 Racket Racquet** New Wilson Pro Staff RF97 v13 Roger Federer Autograph 4 3/8 Racket Racquet** $179.99 0 bids 21h 30m +$15.95 shipping Now, if you just wonder: is it for me? The new cosmetic features subtle silver and greys stripe adjacent to . While the feel is not buttery, it is quite good and even with the 16x19 string pattern the accuracy is on point. Thank you!From: Christina, 2/17/21, Comments: This is my third RF Pro Staff. The down side is fatigue. From: Len, 2/19/21, Comments: My husband is so happy with this racquet. Something similar to the Kevlar, and even some of the basalt in 90's frames.From: Adam, St. Augustine, FL 9/12/21, Comments:Amazing racquet to play with. Therefore, its vital that even if you get tired you continue to hit through the ball as if it was the first shot of the day. You must be physically strong in order to get the benefit of the Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 Autograph. ", Marco - "I love the plow through and the superb feel on slices. Call us at (800) 793-9793 so that we may answer any of . I'm in love with this racquet!!! The sweetspot feels a bit larger to me. Weighing 12.6 ounces strung, the Pro Staff RF97 Autograph seems to come loaded with a magical blend of power and control, making it a baseliner's dream. I know it isn't for everyone, but even after testing dozens of other racquets, I always come back to the RF97. Bought a pair of these & had racquet matching service to pair them as close as I could get to the same specs. Provided you can handle the weight, this racquet is very easy on the elbow and shoulder. Im not really a massive fan of big plow through on the serve, but having said that I did hit some reasonable serves with this racket, and made a lot of 1st serves in points. Players like me, who don't possess a ton of touch or feel, should still be able to generate some crafty shots at the net. Middleton . ", Although he appreciated the stability, Granville recognized the need for sound preparation. Even then, though, going cross court was harder than going down the line. These racquets depending on what you end up finding or significantly heavier. The stringbed offered a precise response that allowed me to hit touch and angled volleys with ease. For more information, contact our sports memorabilia experts 24-7 on SportsCollectibles.com or by phone 800-793-9793. Groundstrokes do land a little shorter than I'd like but easy to fix by using less topspin. He explained, "I could generate good stick on my shots with the flick of a wrist. He said, "Wow! Edberg. This is the main reason I placed my bet on the RF97 v13. The Pro Staff 97 Countervail Black has been updated with Countervail, a special carbon fiber material that Wilson says reduces impact vibration and lessens fatigue on your arm. the Wilson feel vs. Wilson pro overgrip. Due to the extra weight, I was forced to keep my hands out in front to avoid hitting the ball late. Because of my mechanics, my game and my build, I don't mind swinging this racquet for an extended period of time, and I continually benefit from its stability. . I don't think it is necessary to be a 4.5 or 5.0 level to use the RF, but they need to be able to handle a 335 and higher swingweight and very heavy static weight. Please please replace the grip with something that will absorb the vibration. The added bonus is that the color scheme is just perfect.From: Andrew, Los Angeles, CA 6/17/21, Comments: Great racquet containing the Pro Staff legacy. We offer 100% Price Protection for 7 days on all orders. Put a thinner Poly on it (my choice is Luxilon Adrenaline 1.25, 23/22 kg). Pro Sta RF 97 Autograph Pro Sta RF 97 Autograph String Pattern String Length Recommended String Tension ' ' ' ' 50 - 60 lbs. I get a lot more racket head speed on the forehand side so the Pro Staff 97s head light balance made it a little bit difficult to get as much control on the ball as I would have liked. If youre nervous it can often lead to you losing racket head speed on the second serve, but the Wilson Pro Staff 97 pretty much swings itself so less need to worry about that! If you manage to find the sweet spot, this thing feels like butter, plowing through the ball. This RF 97 rewards players who can handle a heavy player's racquet with a blend of power and control, rock-solid stability and superb feel. More plow-through feels good. Ordered the racquets through TW, including very specific stringing/grip instructions, and the two racquets arrived in perfect compliance. I also liked that the racquet feels different, at least to me, from all the other heavier player's frames available. For me, the RF 97 is another racket that Id love to be able to play with, but its not quite the right fit for my game. 37 results for "wilson pro staff rf97" Results Price and other details may vary based on product size and color. Sometimes this can lead to the feeling that youre not 100% in charge of whats going on, and I didnt love that aspect. Especially with a spin-friendly string (I actually tried the Dunlop black widow at 54 lbs off the bat). Perhaps they changed the weight distribution slightly? Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 Autograph Review - Tennis Warehouse Europe ", "I took the Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph out for a month-long playtest to really get a good idea of what the racquet had to offer," began Hayden, also hailing from Tennis Only in Australia. "When I made contact out in front I could drive through the ball, hit a heavy return and push my opponents off the baseline. "The new Wilson Pro Staff line includes the RF 97 Autograph and four other models designed for a variety of attacking players. It might be slightly more powerful, approximately 10 to 20 percent, because of a thicker frame width, but the same level of power could be easily generated by a faster swing of the RF85, the 85 is superior to the 97 v13 in terms of maneuverability. Orders over $50 will ship for free! "The RF97's ability to deflect the ball with such ease, no matter how fast it's coming, makes it a gem on volleys. Good preparation on your strokes really helps. If we could design a racket ourselves then it would look like this one! NWT book case/ display case w/ glass doors: trophies, showcase. Standing up before the racquet follows through will drive the ball like a bee line or straight to the rafters if your wrist isn't relaxed enough and your racquet head speed isn't there. He said, "The stability and mass of this racquet allowed for easy depth and control on my volleys. ", Whatever problems the Pro Staff RF97 Autograph posed from the backcourt quickly evaporated at net. The Pro Staff RF 97 just absorbs the power coming at you with ease and pops it back in the other direction exactly where you want it to go! We're on a mission to help people all over the world improve their tennis and enhance their love for the wonderful game! ", Chris - "Hitting with this racquet reminded me very much of the Yonex Tour G. Just like Stan the Man's stick, this Fed racquet offers immense plow through and more heft than I really want to handle. This racquet is a battle axe. Box 7867, Madison, WI 53707 USA Phone: 1-800-482-7813 (U.S. only) or 608-264-7897 Submit questions or comments to: doawispro@wisconsin.gov This wasnt the case with thePro Staff RF 97though, as we got the take first time. Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph v13 Review The legendary, black, Wilson Pro Staff immediately evokes imagery of Roger Federer, as well as conjuring up memories of the old masters. Stay with it and work through it. The overall level of control is remarkable. This racquet doesn't have quite the same level of feel as some thinner beam frames, such as the Dunlop Srixon Revo CX 2.0 Tour 18x20 and the Volkl V-Sense 10 Tour. BUT if you wonder, why 1. I used Babolat RPM Blast string and Wilson Pro Sensation Overwrap. From: George, Fairfield 8/13/21, Comments: For intermediate players and above, do yourself a favor and give this racquet a chance. The serve that was a bit difficult for me to execute consistently was the kick serve. Serving was my absolute highlight, as the combination of power and control was pretty much unbeatable. Wilson Pro Staff 90 vs RF97 - Too Many Rackets Jack Kramer Autograph Millennium Limited Edition. Forehands are still awesome but having a bit of trouble locating backhand power, spin and accuracy with this new stick. The Wilson Pro Staff Roger Federer Laver Cup Autograph Limited Edition 2019 is extremely stable on impact. Ended: Jul 02, 2023. ", (Scores are determined by averaging individual play test scores). This particular version has been specially designed for Roger Federer, so you will be forever trying to recreate the great mans shots if you opt for the RF 97! Pushing nearly 13 ounces, the RF97 delivered the unmistakable and incalculable benefits of stability. If Im honest, it can sometimes take me quite a long time to get a good enough rally to put on the film off this side! As I mentioned in previous reviews of this racquet, it felt rock solid against heavy hitters like Michelle, who in my opinion hits with a pro tour level of pace. Exclusive Offers Sent Right to Your Inbox, Hottest Deals on Racquets, Shoes, Apparel, & More, Latest Collections, Pro Player Gear, & More, Click here to see all Tennis Warehouse reviews. Some Restrictions Apply. My slice backhand return was on fire, and I could hit a very heavy and nasty slice with this racquet. Volleys and slices are natural for this racquet. It is unbeatable in terms of style, but it also plays really well. Troy currently plays with a Yonex VCORE Pro 97 (330). I am a 30-year old, low 4.5 level counterpuncher.From: Sam, 3/18/21, Comments: I love this racquet! I really liked the control and stability the RF97 Autograph offered off both wings on my groundstrokes. I did enjoy the comfortable feel of this racquet at net, which was further supported by the Champion's Choice string setup we used. Just as it is with the groundstrokes, the Pro Staff 97 is like a train on the serve, once you start the motion it just gathers steam and is impossible to stop, unloading all your energy through the ball. I didnt need to hit a volley to know what this racket was going to feel like at the net. Full Box Set SKU . It will quickly expose any weak points in your game. Wilson Pro Staff 97 V13 Review - Tennisnerd.net including RF97 Autograph The RF97 v13 played perfectly for me right from the start even without any other vibration control or any customization. Initially, I struggled a bit with the maneuverability when going for heavy spin, but I adapted to the heft after a few hitting sessions, and was eventually able to add rotation to serves with ease. This was a hefty racquet to swing off the ground. ", Granville - "Great new cosmetics (getting tired of white). Eventually, we started a few drills and I was excited to see what it could do for my individual strokes. I wouldnt want to take anything off my best shot and main weapon though, so thats what would stop me buying the Pro Staff RF 97 Autograph. Granville summed it up nicely, saying, "The extra weight is a double-edged sword. I did hurt my elbow due to faulty serving technique (pancaking) but since I have corrected that I haven't had any issues and the racket forces me to prep early, swing through and develop correctly. Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 Autograph (V12) Racket Review wilson pro staff rf 97 autograph v12 racket review. Wilson ProStaff RF97 Autograph | Page 22 | Talk Tennis Review date: August 2018. I would, however, only recommend this racquet to an experienced player. This new one does come around on a swing seemingly quicker that the other two despite being the same weight. #1 It's official, this will be the name of the Federer racket, it will come in three different specs as listed below. The Prince racquet has a flexier feel and tighter string pattern, but it allows big hitters to hit out with power and control. On all orders over $75! Feels solid and powerful with a very satisfying feedback from the racquet (just like the car). The Pro Staff RF97 v13 is clearly less accurate with less control than the RF85. It is ever so slightly heavier than my previous ones that I use, but overall it is my favorite racquet to use. I strongly urge Wilson to reintroduce Pro Staff 85, whether Sampras' version or the RF version. This resulted in a great depth of shot and I felt like my backhand was much more of an attacking threat than it is with a lighter racket. Happy hitting.From: Nik, 12/16/20, Comments: I'm not quite sure how to explain it because the weight and plow remains as awesome as usual, but it comes around much easier. "When going for a flat first serve, this racquet can put a lot of pace on the ball," said Troy. 92 results for wilson pro staff 97 rf autograph Save this search Shipping to: 23917 Shop on eBay Brand New $20.00 or Best Offer Sponsored Wilson Pro Staff Rf97 Autograph v13 tennis racket raquet Pre-Owned $150.00 perviale (245) 100% or Best Offer +$15.00 shipping Sponsored New Listing Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph Tennis Racquet 4 1/4 Pre-Owned In terms of rating, I gave the Wilson Pro Staff 97 an8.5 out of 10 on groundstrokes. Mark enjoyed that stability. I also like Hyper G and Volkl Psycho both around 48 lbs.From: Mike , 6/7/21, Comments: The Pro Staff RF97 was the first new racquet I purchased in over a decade. In its third iteration, the Wilson Pro Staff 97 receives new technology and an all black cosmetic to match the design of Federer's RF97 Autograph. The weight is perfect and forgiving. Although I did complain a bit about the plow through it can be quite beneficial on the second serve, as it encourages you (you cant really stop it) to hit through the ball. This limited edition racket will be available for purchase starting September 20, the first day . Exclusive Offers Sent Right to Your Inbox, Hottest Deals on Racquets, Shoes, Apparel, & More, Latest Collections, Pro Player Gear, & More. If you found this review interesting or have further questions or comments please contact us. I am using Solinco Tour Bite 1.30 strung at 55 pounds. I would not recommend this racquet to anyone who is not at least a solid 5.0 level player and someone who is physically strong and has a excellent technique. Sampras. Surgical. On all orders over $75! Our strategies can be quickly implemented for instant results! Topspin rotation is incredible and slice back hands are deadly. Start playing the best tennis of your life and win more matches! ", This playtest helped Mark appreciate the benefits that come with a heavier racquet. "The RF97 had controllable power, and I was never worried about overhitting. I am an intermediate 4.5 player, and the racquet's control has helped me win more matches than when I used power-oriented sticks. With the Pro Staff RF97 Autograph v13 Wilson updates Roger Federer's racquet with a new cosmetic but keeps everything else the same, including the magical target specs and sublime feel that Roger Federer helped engineer with the original red/black version. ", Zeljko found himself hitting some of his best serves in a while with the Pro Staff RF97 Autograph. MP Length: 27 inches Weight: Strung 12.5 oz Unstrung 12.0 oz Tension: 50-60 Pounds Balance: 9 Pts Head Light Beam Width: 21.5mm Composition: Braided Graphite/Kevlar Flex: 67 Grip Type: Wilson Leather Grip Power Level: Low It's what I like to call dirty, dirty slice. If you love to rock up off the net regularly then this is a great racket. As Metz noted below, it feels more buttery without sacrificing any of the huge plow through and stability from v11. For Hayden, the racquet offered more control than power on his serve. It is pretty unforgiving, but will remain in my bag for days when I'm seeing the ball pretty big on the pitch. I went down to the regular 97 for awhile when my shoulder was acting up, but as soon as I got a handle on that I was back on this big boy. The balance of the racket felt brilliant from the beginning. Not for everyone, not as maneuverable as some racquets at the net for example due to its weightbut the serves and groundstrokes have extra weight on them when coming off of this fine racquet. Maybe I'm just used to the heft of the racquet now, but this one almost felt a touch lighter. madison for sale by owner "case" - craigslist Order with confidence. I did that many times with college players and many other agressive hitters. So Roger and Wilson set out together to update the look, agreeing upon an all black cosmetic for the Pro Staff RF97 Autograph. We offer 100% Price Protection for 7 days on all orders. Hottest Deals on Racquets, Shoes, Apparel, & More, Latest Collections, Pro Player Gear, & More. . Improves your game if you are prepared to take the ball in the strike zone.From: Sree, Houston 8/28/21, Comments:Great racquet overall. On fast reflex volleys, it was a little challenging at times to snap the racquet into position. This time also with a video review. I found enough feel for the ball that I could create sharp angles and drop the ball right over the net. Jul 3, 2023 You must possess very sound technique in order to wield it effectively. Importantly, Federer requested Wilson produce two lighter weight versions of the racket - the Pro Staff 97 LS and Pro Staff 97 ULS - in his signature black on black design specifically for young tennis players." I entered the tennis arena at 54, and have used first the Head Prestige Flexpoint Mid and then mostly the Wilson 6.1 18x20 (354g versions). Pro Staff RF97 Autograph: 340g/12oz Unstrung 22mm beam 16x19 ProStaff 97 11.1oz unstrung 22mm beam 16x19 ProStaff 97 LS 10.2oz unstrung 23mm beam 16x18 You're welcome!! A special matte black paint and laser engraved graphics give this racket its dressed up, black tux look, while the graphite/Kevlar layup, the head light balance and the Perimeter Weighting System maintain the crucial . The Yonex VCORE Pro 97 (330) would be another racquet to look at. The touch I received with the Champion's Choice hybrid when hitting drop shots was also pretty amazing. Those who have the skill and control to wield this frame will get all they want and more out of it. The ball would stay low and penetrate through the court on both offensive and defensive shots. Balanced shot making while approaching the net is excellent. Troy: 4.5 lefty all-court player with a semi-western Forehand and a two-handed backhand. I really liked this racquet when I approached the net, as the stability made putting the volleys away deep in the court so easy. Firstly, it is a bit too heavy. ", "I found I was getting a bit more punch on my serves than I'm used to," said Marco. The Pro Staff RF97 Autograph has all the ingredients to be a serious weapon in the right hands. More forgiving than the Wilson K-Factor 90, the Pro Staff 88 or 85, without losing the touch and feel. Truly a great racquet when you have enough time for preparation. ", Chris found this racquet's weight to be a blessing and a curse on groundies. It made some of us yearn for the explosive whip of our modern (lighter) player's racquets. That is for certain. Zeljko: Open level agressive baseliner with a semi-western forehand and a one-handed backhand. However, if you can handle the weight, this racquet is a gem! I would say anyone looking at this racquet will also want to take a look at the Prince Phantom Pro 93P. On groundstrokes, you must take full swings at the ball to benefit from this racket, as it doesnt supply easy power. About this product Product Identifiers Brand Wilson MPN RF97 UPC 0887768292294 Model RF97 eBay Product ID (ePID) 1130559972 Product Key Features Grip Size 4 3/8" Additional Product Features Featured Refinements Tennis Racket Best Selling in Racquets See all HEAD 236001 - S3 Geo Speed Adult Tennis Racquet Pre-strung 10.4 Ounces 105 $34.95 New Review - Tennis Warehouse ", Michelle - "None to report! Contrary to my initial feelings, the Pro Staff RF97 Autograph is so stable that it helped take my chip return to another level. It is an absolutely unbelievable racket though, and for the right style of player it is a must try. Pro Staff RF97 v13 Tennis Racket | Wilson Sporting Goods I went in to the review thinking I was just going to be humbled; not the case at all. I found a much better fit on my backhand slice. AndrewZCT; Jul 16, 2018; Racquets; Replies 19 Views 4K. That said, I still think the Pro Staff RF97 Autograph from Wilson stands alone. Zero. Control and spin are good. I thought the racquet felt maneuverable despite its weight.Another thing I'd like to point out is that I got a pair of this racquet and they feel identical without any mods. It's not a bad thing. The extra weight on the racquet also helps my serve and to be solid at the net. Like the previous generation, this update features the same silky texture and elegant simplicity. He currently plays with a Wilson Blade 98 16x19 Countervail. By the end of this playtest everyone was happy to report that this racquet remains one the best options available for advanced, big-swinging players. Pro Staff RF97 Autograph Wilson racket specs | RacketLogger ", "Whoa! At first use, my arm became fatigued very quickly, but it was never a problem after that first time. Being a little injury prone in the wrists, this racket probably isnt best suited to me. Technical specifications for Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph racket. Champions Choice is dreamy but far too expensive. A silver-etched Laver Cup logo and Roger Federer signature on the inside throat of the racket. I was able to land the ball deep in the court consistently with very little swing or punch. I knew I was going to like it within five minutes of exchanging groundstrokes, but I also knew I was going to have a tough time swinging it effectively. Wilson Pro Staff 97 RF97 Laver Cup Racket 2019 Roger Federer 4 3/8 Limited NEW. ", (Scores are determined by averaging individual play test scores). All in all, on paper it doesn't seem like much of an upgrade, but once you play with it you can feel the improvements from v11 and is well worth the splurge.From: Anonymous, 10/12/20, Comments: Plays similar if not better than v11 black that Roger used for his miracle 2017 season. Orders over $50 will ship for free! It didn't get any better too. Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph Laver Cup Tennis Racquet Review But that's why it's not right for me. I had a hard time getting the spin I like on cross court forehands, approach shots and lobs. That felt so good!" It definitely felt like an upgrade to the Head Speed MP I had been using.From: Whittie, 4/22/21, Comments: I have played the last few years with the Wilson Ultra Tour, after switching from the Blade 98 Countervail 16x19. Any balls hitting the braided top of the frame leave a smudge which can be wiped off. Or if you were serving and volleying, you're coming in, and you're putting pressure on your opponent and not playing long baseline points! Everyone loves its power and plow through, but is too much of a racquet to swing for hours of play. I have found great success with the Wilson shock shield grip. Wilson Pro Staff RF97 V13.0 Tennis Racquet | Tennis Express *Price comparisons are based on the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price ("MSRP") or Original Selling Price. ", "The overall heft, headlight balance and firm beam made volleys a treat with the Pro Staff RF97 Autograph," said Mark, who found the specs simply ideal for volleying. When youre hitting the ball on the stretch, the stability of the frame and great plow through allow you to hit incredible shots, even under pressure. 1 Video Review & Playtest 2 About the RF97 v13 3 Specs & Technologies 4 Pro Staff Models 5 Design & Aesthetics 6 Players Endorsing 7 Strings & Tension 8 Review & Playtest Notes 9 Summary & Takeaways New to TennisCompanion? At times I struggled to put topspin on the ball, especially when returning lower balls from my opponent, but that was never too big of an issue. Youll have to search high and low to find a racket that feels better at the net than this one. Troy currently plays with a Wilson BLX Six.One 95. Review date: August 2014. The racquet really dampens the vibration, which I really like.My backhand has always been early. With a short take back and a good contact point, I was rewarded with easy cutaway volleys. ", Hayden - "Compared to my racquet of choice, the Babolat Pure Drive Plus, the Pro Staff RF97 Autograph offered better control and stability, and a more responsive feel. Necedah Adidas Baseball Shoes/Cleats, Children's Size 12. Amazing racquets, but they need to be for the right player.From: 5.0 player, 1/10/21, Comments: This new RF97 is stiffer, has a smaller sweetspot, a slightly tighter string bed, has less mass in the head, looks, feels and swings like a 95, is much faster around, is whippable, easier to generate racquet head speed, and way way more maneuverable. madison sporting goods - by owner - craigslist ", Troy - "Tons of plow through, super stable feel, easy access to spin, and it comes stock with a leather grip! The RF97 v13 is a classic example of the, if it ain't broke, don't fix, school.Those of you who know the value of the stability, power and plow through, this heavy-weight racquet delivers will not be surprised or disappointed with the latest offering. Once you get past a 12.5 ounce racquet that little bit of weight really adds up. The pair just go together perfectly for me. It allowed me to simply focus on timing more than anything. While this racquet offers a much improved sweetspot and lots of free power, I can maneuver the 6.0 85 better and that gives me more options. It immediately added a little power to my normal strokes and made me feel like I was always in control of the ball as well. If I can get my hands on one that has a swingweight closer to 330, I will definitely consider making a switch. Two models of this commemorative racket will be available for purchase, including the Pro Staff RF97 Autograph (MRP: $249) and Pro Staff 97L (MRP: $219). He said, "I can feel the speed and mass of the tennis ball being fully absorbed into the stringbed, into the racquet, down my arm and planting my feet into the court -- rock solid. For this playtest our team strung the racquet with Federer's favorite string, Wilson's Champion's Choice, as well as a full bed of poly. -Prepare early- Take your time. The extra mass allows me to really get a feel for the ball as it comes off the stringbed. It takes a bit of getting used to and I would worry about the effects of lugging around 340g racket all day -every day.