While I am still fine-tuning the string tension and the grip size, I still nevertheless catch myself wearing a big grin each time I walk off the court given the control, the accuracy, the power, and the mere fun that hitting with it provides. You'll also find the racquet has a control-centric 21.5 mm beam. I tried them back to back over an extensive period of quite a few months. 6/25/21, Comments: Can't say enough good things about this racquet. I believe these were all grade A or B racquets. Wilson Tennis Racquet Stringing Patterns About Us Contact Us (847) 742-1300 780 Church Road Elgin, IL 60123 USA Racquet Stringing Machines Racquet Strings Racquet Grips Accessories Gift Cards How to String a Racquet How to Choose the Perfect Racquet String Brand Comparison Racquet Stringing Patterns String Performance Charts Youll find a bit more detail in this written version, but they pair nicely to answer all your questions about this tennis racquet. The Pro Staff 97 really allows you to plow through the ball effortlessly. With strings installed, youll find the balance reduces a bit to 7 pts HL at 32cm. 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. 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. Kind of reminds me of the Pro Staff Six.One Classic that I mentioned I started out with. These are the specs for the standard Wilson Pro Staff 97 racquet. Paired with a low-powered polyester, I found I could swing freely to maximize topspin while maintaining command over the ball. 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. 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. The Pro Staff 97 also has a swingweight of 321 and a balance of 10 pts HL at 31.2 cm unstrung. Not only is there minimal to no pain, I am also generating more spin and pace.From: Bhaskar, 12/30/20, Comments: I am very happy with the Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13 racquets, I did notice that even at low tensions Solinco Hyper-G 17 gauge, 51 pounds and 49 pounds, the racquet is very low powered, I personally prefer this. . Players on the ATP and WTA use the racquet. It's definitely a control racquet, and not as powerful as RF97. The cosmetics are different at the request of Roger himself as he wanted his racquet to look . The feel with these is insane. 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. Volleys were butter with good contact. I have been playing with the Wilson Pro Staff since the first on back in 1984 - the "Sampras 85". I thought the frame delivered excellent feel and stability for precise targeting off both wings, which translates to added confidence. I just ordered three of them. Paradigm Bending optimizes bending location for precision. ft. tennis warehouse is home to approximately 22,000 unique racquet sport product SKUs. The moment I started hitting with this racquet, I knew it was the right one. The current local time in Vitry-sur-Seine is 63 minutes ahead of apparent solar time. I cannot wait to string some natural gut with polyester closer to 50 pounds tension. However I find them to be erratic when you don't hit with a ton of spin. However, keep in mind that most professional tennis players customize their racquets, so although the players mentioned below are endorsing the Pro Staff, theyve likely made additional customizations to suit their preferences. In terms of string pattern, the Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph has a 16 x 19 pattern. The 16x19 string pattern can work well for flatter hitters or heavy topspinners, and the higher swingweight is a perfect fit in the hands of an accomplished serve and volleyer. 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. I love the controlled power and precision I have with this racquet. However, relative to the prior version, some crucial changes are worth noting, directly impacting the racquets feel and performance. Maybe not as much cushion as a 60-64 flex racket, but more comfortable power and slice. 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've been hitting with the Pro Staff for my whole life and am now a 50+ year old, 3.5 level male. Some Restrictions Apply. The last generation of the Pro Staff 97 incorporated Countervail into the graphite layup, which resulted in a somewhat muted feel and less feedback. Given that it's lighter than RF97, I find it better for serves and volleys, but miss the plow through and power in the groundstrokes. To this end, Wilson offers a few lighter versions to consider. Additional nuances include the grip and butt caps. Order with confidence. Is it not significantly better than the previous 315g version? Best for continental and eastern grip players. This Pro Staff is also great for adding more spin to the ball on groundstrokes and serve. the Wilson Pro Staff 97UL V13 Tennis Racquet offers superior precision at an arm-friendly swing weight for transitioning juniors and adults with elbow . Instant improvement. It feels perfect in my hands and such a major difference from my previous gifted racquet. Not my favorite design, but a good looking racquet overall. Wilson Pro Staff 97 Review (v13): My Experience. Highlighted by a design that pays tribute to the historic Pro Staff series, the Pro Staff 97 v13 features a new Braid 45 construction that increases precision by adjusting the angle of the double braided fibers for enhanced feel and stability. It wont offer much free power, but plenty is on tap if you put in the effort. In the first half of 2014, Federer used a Wilson Prototype racquet to win a couple of tournaments before making the biggest change of his career from a 90-inch head to a 97-inch with his current Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph. 00 $279.00 $279.00. It's solid, easy to swing, and sharp looking. They are harkening back to the era of their older Pro Staffs with the subtle red and yellow lines along one side of the throat and the inside of the top part of the head. Both are strung with Solinco Hyper-G 18 at 55 lb. This racquet is a great one just make sure not to tire yourself out too much but this might just be due to the fact that my last racquet was a Pure Aero so I am used to a lot of free power. The racquet was strung at 50 pounds with yellow Yonex Poly Tour Pro 1.20 mm. As long as I commit and rip it, it's a winner. Reducing the string tension helped me get the depth and the heaviness back to my shorts.If I have to sum it up I would say the racquet is much more maneuverable and offers more control than the earlier versions.From: Harshal, 11/22/20, Comments: The Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13 is magnificent, I use Tecnifibre NRG2 16 at 56 pounds. You do need to strike the ball accurately which is why this racquet is for intermediate players and up. Lets take a quick look at what players should expect from each. Very stable on volleys. The racquets head light balance makes it easy to maneuver, but it also has enough weight to absorb and redirect pace effectively. From: Jerry, FL, 1/25/22, Comments: The Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13 racquet is a high quality product! While the RF plow was superb, the stick didn't allow the racquet head speed I should be hitting with. Description. I strung that up with Luxilon Alu Power 1.30 at 54 lbs or 24.5 kg, added an overgrip, and got: 97 sq inches, 1619 string pattern, 21.5 mm beam, 365g, 31.5 cm, 341.5 SW These specs are pretty heavy, even for the Autograph version. Roger Federer has once again partnered with Wilson to redesign the Pro Staff, the new Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 Autograph Tennis racquet is even better than before. I love the feel, but a bit too loose as my flattish ball is consistently landing about a couple of inches out. Wow what a difference. Need to swing fully to get power and definitely need good technique to realize the potential of this racquet. 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. Finally, the Pro Staff 97UL or ultralight rounds out the Pro Staff lineup for a frame with an entry-level weight. 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. 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. Based on the latest reviews and removal of the Countervail, purchased the Pro Staff v13. Massive control, precision, spin and slice. You've to create your own power and a hybrid string it's always a good choice in this outstanding racquet. Prior to this racquet, I was using the RF97 model for many years, and eventually the weight of that racquet started getting the best of me. 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. Solar noon: 01:03PM. Wilson Pro Staff V14.0. 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 even bought the TW reissues when they were around. Coming from an oversized head racquet, I did not expect the transition to be as smooth as it was, even though the racquet is 97 square inches it still felt so consistent. 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. I started playing with the Pro Staff line back in 2012 with the Six.One Classic 95. One needs to generate a lot of racquet speed to hit big serves though. Learn with comprehensive resources to help you improve your game. The control level of this racquet is fantastic, and it's got a great feel to it. Instead, he uses the heavier RF97. It's plush feeling but gives great feedback and the ball goes where you tell it to. A huge thank you to Wilson for sending me the Pro Staff 97 v13 ahead of its release. Wilson Staff Model Gloves . Please contact Customer Service at 1-800-401-7967, if you have any issues accessing information on this website. This is the best Pro Staff 97 they've made. 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. If I need to be a serve and volleyer, it's solid. The Ultra line is lighter and offers a more generous 100 in (645 cm) head size, making it more approachable than the Pro Staff. String Pattern: 16 Mains x 19 Crosses Colour: Black Product Code: WRG731400 Additional Note(s): Racquet colorway is all black, Version 11 (v11.0) Compatible Racquet(s): Wilson Pro Staff . Nice transition. I found the racquet to have enough control for my swing. 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. Taking another step down in weight from the 97, the 97L or light version of the Pro Staff is 10.2 oz (289g) unstrung, making it considerably more approachable and a reasonable entry point for many players. I personally loved this racquet because I have a fast and heavy swing which sometimes make the ball go a little bit too wide, but with the Pro Staff 97 v13 I got perfect power and spin for my swing style save for some miss hits in the beginning. I guess they just want brand new racquets. String Pattern Both the PS97 and B98 have a 1619 string pattern so they will be a good option for players who like hitting lots of topspin balls from the baseline Availability Both of these rackets are available to buy on online shops such as Tennis Warehouse, and Tennis-Point. 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. 3:05 Perimeter Weighting System, 4:35 Strings & Tension The Wilson PRO STAFF 97 v13 provides the control, speed, and maneuverability to let you work on your game and to take the ball out in front hit the ball a little bit earlier, and finish up that net as much as you can. Very stable on volleys and returning hard shots and serves. Some colleagues hit few balls and feedback was confusing because one said it is slow and dead, he usually playing with a Pure Strike 18x20, previous generation. Power level wise I found both v13 and v11 similar.The area where I struggled was on defense. Day length: 9h 10m. I found it easier to string the Pro Staff 97 as there are fewer blocked holes, and the tie-off locations seem a bit more natural than the PS97. I have been playing with a variety of racquets from Babolat and Yonex over the years. I am not sure what Wilson has done, but it's almost as if they intended to string this racquet as a one-piece. 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. If youd prefer, you can check out my full video review and playtest of the Pro Staff 97 v13. 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 love the weight of the racquet. Fearing for my sensitive elbow, I got Bi-Phase 18 gauge. Finally, the racquet offers Wilsons bold red butt caps with rounded edges to improve comfort. The Pro Staff RF97 Autograph, Roger Federers signature racquet with specs that he uses on the court, is the heaviest model available. It's super solid, not too heavy and it feels great! Pro Staff Rf97 v13 It's not apples to apples because I strung this new racquet with gut versus my typical polyester. 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. Required fields are marked *. By comparison, the RF97 is much heavier and probably truer to the original line of Pro Staff models. My bag now has two of these new 97s and two old school 85s. Wilson Pro Staff 97 V13 Tennis Racquet - Quality String - Choice of Grip Size. For my playtest, I strung the racquet with a full bed of Luxilon ALU Power 1.25 at 52 pounds, which is one of my favorite polyester tennis strings. This racquet has a smaller sweetspot compared to most racquets these days. The Pro Staff 97 v13 is a tool for stability, feel, precision, and spin. And for Federer it's the reverse, the mains are strung tighter to create a more even feeling. 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. Although some players may opt for lower string tension, which polyester strings are well-suited for, I prefer to string a bit tighter, especially when hitting with a heavier frame. There is no substantial difference in slice strokes between the two. The frame has an illustrious history, which began back in 1983. About this item . The stick has incredible feel and pockets the ball well. On the other hand, the Pro Staff shifts weight toward the handle, retains extra rigidity and plays a bit more lively. I never stuck with the frames, but I thought they were pretty solid. Federer's new racquet helped him re-establish himself as one of the best players in the world. This is what people mean by having a difficult racket to master, but the reward is certainly there if you are strong enough and coordinated to hit that sweet spot. However, while helpful for comparison, they wont tell you how a racquet will feel, so I encourage players to demo a racquet whenever possible. Besides Wilson Pro Staff offered a vivid black color that I like.From: Kevin, 12/24/20, Comments: Love the Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13. Groundstrokes have improved depth, which I figure has to come from a higher spin rate combined with swinging more freely. For the most part, the Pro Staff 97 specs remain very close to the prior generation from 2017. I can easily control pace from a heavy hitting opponent. Keep reading in the sections below for added context for how I arrived at each of these scores. . All in all, theyll both terrific options. All in all, its a subtle yet refined update to an already great looking tennis racquet and one of my favorite designs. Racket Recommendations The racquet has an 18x16 string pattern that provides exceptional spin potential to anyone's game. 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. We both are 5.0 level players. pocketing and stability" similar to the new Pro Staff 97 V13. However, Im confident the update to the Pro Staff 97 will appeal to a broader audience than the RF97. It's more rounded. I absolutely love this racquet and bought a second one right away. = $220/220 Head size = 97 sq in Weight = 290g String pattern = 16/19 In conclusion Testing new rackets is a very personal experience as most tennis players have been used to one type of racket with their game and swing having adapted to suit that racket. Hall of Fame. Also they're not the easiest on the wrist or arm. Overall, I found this update and the new Braid 45 construction to improve the frames comfort and response, offering better ball pocketing without trading the crisp feel and excellent feedback youd expect from a Pro Staff. I used ALU Silver at 55 pounds on the mains and a Babolat string at 52 pounds on the crosses for control. 2023 Model Year Rackets. 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 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. As a reminder, heres 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. This year, after demoing racquets I decided to switch back to a Pro Staff. Below is a comparison of the technical specifications of the Pure Strike 100 (or "PS 100") and Pro Staff 97 (or "PS 97") tennis rackets.. Main Differences: The Pure Strike 100 has a bigger head size (100in vs 97in), a less head light balance (4pts HL vs 7pts HL), a lower strung weight (315g vs 332g), a slightly lower swing weight (319 vs 321), a higher frame stiffness . 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. The first racquet that makes this list is the smallest in its size, but probably the biggest in overall hype. I know this line of racquets inside and out. Aug 22, 2022 #34 wonder if the PS97 keeps the denser string pattern on the v13 . String Pattern String Length ' ' ' Pro Sta RF 97 v13.0 WILSON.COM 2020 WILSON SPORTING GOODS CO. EST. It's also great on serve; easier to swing around, which helps me with hitting my spots with still plenty of power. WILSON Pro Staff 97 UL V13 Tennis Racquet Specifications: Playability: The Pro Staff 97 V11 is a great option for Advanced players looking for control-oriented racquet. I my opinion, it feel great as it has lower stiffness rating, too. However, recognizing demo programs arent always readily available, please let me know in the comments below if you have any additional follow up questions. Wilson Pro Staff RF 85 specs: . That's when I tried my coach's Clash and Pro Staff 97 v13. Although the Pro Staff is a fan favorite, its only one of a handful of purpose-built tennis racquet lines from Wilson designed to cater to a wide variety of player needs and preferences. Shortly after, Wilson adapted the design to the now-iconic 85 square inch head size, a.k.a., the Pro Staff Original 6.0. From: Anonymous, 8/19/21, Comments: I played with Wilson Pro Staff 90 that Federer used and then switched to the RF97 for many years.I tried this Pro Staff 315 grams, and did not like the very low swing weight. 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. I find this racquet weight to be the most ideal for generating great power and overall stability, especially when playing with heavy hitters.From: Ali, 3/25/21, Comments: Great racquet coming from the v11 version. The sweetspot is pretty small. From: Mikey, LA, CA, 8/11/21, Comments: I have both the 340 gram Pro Staff RF97 and this 315 gram Pro Staff v13. The feel is unbelievable. My slices are epic. I pair it with black strings, Wilson NXT at 55 pounds, and pink overgrip to create a black and pink racquet. 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. Getting used to the weight coming from a 10.8 to 11.4 ounce racquet. Similarly, higher racquet head speed helped generating more spin. However, Federers not the only player endorsing the Pro Staff. Featuring the same head size and open string pattern (16x19) for added pop, forgiveness and spin potential, this racquet continues to promise enhanced performance . 1914. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. For the thirteenth generation of the Pro Staff, youll find many familiar technologies players have come to expect from this line of racquets. The 85 is unforgiving for the currently popular semi-western topspin style with its 12.6 ounce (357 g) weight and low power. According to Wilson, Countervail intended to reduce player fatigue and improve comfort by reducing vibration passed to a players arm. The Pro Staff series of racquets no longer uses laser engraving. 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. The Wilson Pro Staff 97 v14 is a precision-oriented racket ideal for advanced players. Racquet feels sturdy and love the feel with volleys, and to top it off, huge fan of the black frame aesthetics. If I have to camp at the baseline, it's consistent and stable. Overall great control, low on power.From: Jay, 1/24/21, Comments: My experience with Tennis Warehouse was fantastic. I notice this frame absorbs the shock really well, not too muted, so you can feel the ball. Furthermore, many pros endorsing a specific frame use an older Pro Staff model, referred to as pro stock, which isnt available to the public, but they paint to look like the racquets latest version. Learn more. Wilson is committed to achieving Level AA conformance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 and achieving compliance with other accessibility standards. From: Abdulrahman, 2/11/21, Comments: I have been using mostly Wilson frames for the last five years and this new version of the Pro Staff is the best model I have used yet. So, overall, the backhand is okay, forehand still needs work, the volleys needs some training as well, the serve works great. Either racquet is a great choice for better players that want precision and can generate their own power. The Pro Staff RF97 is built using layers of braided Graphite and Kevlar which create a solid frame with a consistent feel throughout. I can place my shots short or deep very easily and precisely. Be the first to hear about the latest products, sales and events from Wilson. 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. String Pattern: 16/19: Head Size: 97 sq. Wilson needs to rethink the racquet, especially since so many pros use it. The Pro Staff 97 finds a really great compromise on weight. I am a 5'9 aggressive 14 year old with a single hander. . 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. The vibration dampening properties of the Kevlar also help provide a little extra control and touch in a relatively stiff frame. Hans-Martin Reh, GM at Wilson Racquet Sports, sums it up nicely. Some Restrictions Apply. All aspects of my game obtained an extra edge, serves, volleys, off position shots, and dirty dirty slices, it is so good! I'm a 3.5 player; haven't played all that long, only 2+ years. I demoed a total of seven racquets. I am now switching to the Wilson Pro Staff with a smaller head, which give me lot of convenience at the net. Good balance of power and control. I got two Pro Staff racquets for my daughter and the balance is not as per specs. 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. Discussion Boards Whilst in recent years the Pro Staff has been made more user friendly thanks to its thicker beam and larger head size, it is still a weighty racket that demands respect. String pattern: Wider Cross-Strings (Open 16x19 string pattern) for added Power, Control and Spin. The Pro Staff 97S injects Wilson's innovative Spin Effect string pattern into a frame with a more traditional feel. Actual sales may not have occurred at this price. The one major complaint our playtesters had was the inconsistent depth, especially on groundstrokes and returns. The image shown is a stock image and used for display purposes. It does look cool and I believe you should buy one if you have been playing with Pro Staffs. 1914. 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. 5 Point Friday So far, so good. For the volleys I could volley deep and the next ball, drop volley. With the Pro Staff 97, a poly like ALU Power is a durable option that helps maximize the frames topspin and overall pairs nicely. 2019 Model Year Rackets. What I saw is that usually if you pick the ball fast on rise the hit is very good on both sides. We chose this particular Pro Staff after using TW's information tables which we found extremely helpful in finding the right fit. A racquets 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 racquets strung weight at 11.7 ounces or 332 grams. Sure, on swingweight you can correct with stain stripes. Racket Specs. Of course, not all racquet innovations hit the mark, so keep reading to see whether the Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 v13 gets it right. However, what further distinguishes these two racquet lines is their feel. I'm not sure if I got a lemon, but it was matched to web specs, always a stellar service by Tennis Warehouse by the way. To help make my experience and thoughts on the Pro Staff 97 v13 more concrete, Ive rated the racquet on a set of criteria players typically find useful when evaluating a frame. The 19mm beam and softer flex provide a plusher feel at impact with nice precision, and the even balance gives the Pro Staff 97S exceptional plow through and stability. The flat 21.5 millimeter beam offers predictable control for advanced players that like to create their own pace and dominate with an all court game. I had to swing hard and fast to make a good topspin shot. From the baseline, this stick combines easy acceleration with impressive control on full swings. Despite its weight, the racquet swings with reasonable ease thanks to its head light balance while still leaving room for players to customize. At 12.0 ounces unstrung, the RF97 is designed for advanced tennis players who are used to swinging a heavier racquet. I'm 27 year old 4.5 level male player, and long time Pro Staff user. 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. Although many players gravitate toward the Pro Staff for its higher weight, not all players can comfortably swing the heaviest models. The 2015 version gives you more pop, a much more connected feeling to the ball, and a slightly larger sweetspot. Take a look in detail at Roger Federer's racquet, the Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 Autograph. Kudos to Wilson quality control who really have stepped up their game! I told them what I had. Maybe a thinner frame would be better on improving the feel and as well a little bit more swingweight. I wrote Tennis Warehouse on how they string this racquet and received three different answers. 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. Kudos to Wilson!From: MichaelT, 4/15/21, Comments: Bought this for my teen junior for tournament play after using the TW demo option.