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Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 v13
About the Brand
WILSON Sporting Goods is an American Sports Equipment Manufacturer Company.
In 1913, the Wilson Sporting Goods Company was founded in Illinois, Chicago, United States, by Mr. Thomas E. Wilson.
Mr. Thomas E. Wilson was born in July 22, 1868 Ontario, Canada, London and died in August 4, 1958, Lake Forest , Illinios, United States.
Wilson makes equipment for many sports, among them baseball, badminton, football, basketball, fastpitch softball, golf, soccer, squash, pickleball, volleyball, racquetball, and tennis.
The company owns the brands Atec, DeMarini, EvoShield, Louisville Slugger, and Luxilon to provide sports equipment and protective gear for baseball, lacrosse, softball, and tennis.
Wilson is a major manufacturer of tennis racquets. The original Kevlar Pro Staff model racquets, known for their use by Pete Sampras, were heavy (more than 350 g strung) and small-headed (85 sq in.).
Roger Federer also used the same racquet model. Jim Courier and Stefan Edberg also used the Pro Staff Original. Stefan Edberg later switched to the Pro Staff Classic in 1991, which was the same racket (85 sq. in. with slightly rounded frame edges) but with different paint work.
In late 2009, Wilson unveiled their latest line of rackets, codenamed 20x, which they would later rename BLX. This line directly replaces their previous K-Factor series with all new technologies. Also, many pros use custom-made rackets that perform differently from the mass-produced versions. As of 2015, Roger Federer uses the Pro Staff RF97 Autograph model, which is heavy (340 g/12 oz unstrung) and larger (97 sq. in.).
Aside from tennis racquets, the Wilson Sporting Goods Company also makes tennis balls (including the official balls of the US Open Championship and, starting in 2020, the French Open major championships), shoes, balls, strings, clothes, and racquet bags.
Wilson Sporting Goods officially sponsors some of the world’s leading tennis players, including
Roger Federer, Grigor Dimitrov, David Goffin, Gael Monfils, Kei Nishikori, Milos Raonic, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Philipp Kohlschreiber, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Sania Mirza, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Jelena Ostapenko, Maria Sakkari, Simona Halep, Petra Kvitova, and Kyle Edmund.
Description
Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 v13 is the most heaviest racquet out there in the market by Wilson. This racquet is the choice of the greatest of all time, none other than Roger Federer.
Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 v13 is the thirteenth version of the Wilson Pro Staff series. This racquet is launched on September 14, 2020. This racquet offers a perfect blend of power, control, and stability.
For 2020, this racquet is updated with Braid 45. This racquet’s graphite and aramid fibres have been strategically woven at a 45-degree angle to enhance feel, pocketing, and stability.
The racquet has Wilson String Mapping Technology, which creates denser spacing in the hitting area for a more predictable and controlled response.
The racquet has a perimeter weighting system, or extra weight, placed at 3 and 9 o’clock on the racquet’s head to reduce twisting and improve control.
The Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 has an all-matt black colour finish and the brand name Wilson mentioned on one side of the throat with a glossy coating. Roger Federer’s autograph is printed on the inside of one of the throats.
a new all-black butt cap at the bottom of the racquet, but it doesn’t have the rounded edges that you’ll find on the red butt caps on most Wilson racquets. By the way, this racquet looks very classy, and I would love to call it a black beauty.
This Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 is best suited for strong intermediate to advanced players.
Specifications
| Head Size : 97 in² / 625.81 cm² |
| Length : 27 in / 68.58 cm |
| Strung Weight : 357 gm / 12.6oz |
| Unstrung Weight : 339 gm / 11.9 oz |
| Balance : 12.38in / 31.45cm / 9 pts HL |
| Beam Width : 21.5mm / 21.5mm / 21.5mm |
| Swingweight : 333 |
| Stiffness : 68 |
| String Tension : 50 – 60 pounds |
| Composition : Graphite |
| Grip Type : Wilson Leather |
| String Pattern: 16 Mains / 19 Crosses |
Technology
Braided Graphite
Strong frame construction provides a pure, solid and consistent feel while also dampening vibrations for enhanced touch and control.
Perimeter Weightning System
Wilson’s Perimeter Weighting System or extra weight placed at the 3 and 9 o’clock on the racquet’s head to reduce twisting and improve control.
Pro Using or Used This Racquet
Overall Performance
Control
As it’s unstrung weight is around 339 grams compared to the other racquets in this is the most heaviest racquet in the Pro Staff series racquet which impact in make this the most control oriented racquet.
97 square inch headsize and a open 16 by 19 string pattern and a thinner variable beam width which result in manage the control so consistent and perfectly of the racquet.
Feel
This Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 is the heaviest racquet by Wilson, offering plenty of solid and stable feel without a dash of vibration from the string bed.
This racquet’s stiffness, or RA rating, is around 68, which combines with the braided graphite composition to offer a pure or consistent feel throughout the game.
Groundstrokes
From the baseline, the Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 v13 feels very solid and stable. You don’t have to be hesitate about taking the full or heavier swing with this racquet due to its weight this racquet’s spontaneously very controlled and it almost makes keeping the ball in the court.
On groundstrokes, the heavy weight of this racquet made it fun to drive through the ball and added so much plough.
However, access to topspin is more difficult than normal due to the higher swing weight, but the racquet is a real weapon for hitting flat winners.
Maneuverability
The racquet’s unstrung weight is around 339 gram and its balance is around 9 pts head light after strung which make this racquet is a bit struggle to maneuver rather than as much as the most user-friendly racquets do.
Power
Great power comes with great responsibility. this is the perfect example for Wilson Pro Staff Rf 97 cause the way this racquet handle the power is amazing even though it’s heavier weight racquet.
Due to its hefty stiffness, which is around 68, combined with the thinner variable beam width, this racquet offers very controllable power, so you will not get overpowered throughout the game.
Returns
For returns, Likewise the serve the challenge is the maneuverability and get back the racquet into the position. Otherwise, the WilsonPro Staff RF 97 is super stable and controlled to keep the ball under control or in the court, even when returning huge servers.
If you have the right technique and the strength to swing this racquet, then the racquet has so much potential to attack serves with accurate aiming targets without any lack of stability and control.
Particularly hitting slices return with this racquet feels so divine and plush cause of its heavier weight.
With this racquet you only need nominal backswing to get the ball deep and placing the defensive return into the court.
Serves
Again, the Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 can be a little difficult to maneuver when serving. However, it has more than enough power to hit huge flat serves, and the stability of the racquet offers plenty of control and spin with great precision on serves.
This racquet power comes from its heavy weight, so if you are hitting the serve with proper technique and with adequate head speed, then you can utilise the racquet’s potential in the right way.
For a kick or slice serve, if somehow you can manage to generate the racquet head speed, then the open string pattern offers you plenty of spin and you can be very precise with your targets.
Slices
As it’s strung balance which is around 9 pts head light and a swing weight of 333 allows the racquet able to knife the ball pretty firmly.
Hitting slices with this racquet is like one of the most enjoyable and plush shots of the game, and the ball stayed very low and penetrated through the court.
Stability
This racquet’s stiffness, or RA rating, is around 68 after strung and combined with the perimeter weighting system, which provides this racquet with super stability throughout the game.
This Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 is the ideal racquet for stability. Without a doubt, stability is one of the best features of this racquet.
TopSpin
With 97 sqaure inch headsize and a open 16 by 19 string pattern usually you get the utmost topspin but in this case cause of heavier weight of the racquet it decrease the spin potential of the racquet but on the other side it slightly promote the flatter hitters rather than topspin.
If you’re hitting with the proper technique, then this racquet will provide you with an adequate amount of spin, and you can access the spin potential of the racquet, but generating topspin with this racquet is quite demanding.
Volleys
At Net, the Wilson Pro Staff Rf 97 v13 is so enjoyable and is becoming your favourite part of the game with this racquet. Stability is the biggest key of this racquet, and the racquet provides amazing plough through, which gives easy depth to volleys.
On the other hand maneuverability of the racquet is quite struggling and get back the racquet into position is quite struggle too especially for the quick reaction volleys.
Its heavier weight controlled the volleys so smoothly and absorb the pace volleys without feel dash vibration and jerk on the wrist.
Overall
The Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 is the perfect blend of power and control on groundstrokes.
None come even close to the stability with which the Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 performs at the net.
If you manage the swing weight, then the racquet rewards you in every way for serving.
If you are prep on perfect timing then you nailed your opponent on return.
Percentage Chart
85%
Control
85%
Feel
85%
Groundstrokes
88%
Maneuverability
84%
Power
85%
Returns
82%
Serves
85%
Stability
89%
Slices
82%
Volleys
85%
Topspin
85%
Over-All
Like
- Feel & Touch
- Control
- Stability
- Precision
Dislike
- Maneuverability
- Heavy Weight
Who's This Racquet For
The Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 v13 is best suited for all strong intermediate to advanced players.
If you are like to playing with the heavier racquet and prefer stiffer frame and a higher stability which is usually have characteristics of a heavier weight racquet then considering this racquet is worth it.
If you want to experience the likewise of a professional player’s racquet or get an idea of what kind of racquet Roger Federer hits with, then you have to definitely try it out at least once.
If you’re a huge fan of Roger Federer and want to make this racquet for a once in a while or have an Autograph racquet of Roger Federer then totally depends on your choice.
Who's This Racquet Not For
This racquet is not for everyone because it demands technical soundness, timing, and proper footwork, so beginner to intermediate players should not go for this racquet.
If you prefer heavy topspin or power, both of which are top priorities, then you should avoid this racquet.
If you are not physically strong or this racquet is too heavy for your level of ability, then go for the Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13, which is the lighter version of the Wilson Pro Staff RF 97.
If you are suffering from any wrist or elbow injury or any kind of discomfort, then considering this racquet or playing with it is not a good choice.
(Other Wilson Pro Staff Variants)
Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13
The Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13 is a 25-gram (0.9 oz) lighter unstrung weight racquet than its bigger brother, the Wilson Pro Staff RF 97. Aside from the targeted players, the Wilson Pro Staff 97 is another popular option among the players because of its lighter weight. This racquet offers a more user-friendly experience than the Pro Staff RF 97.
This racquet is best suited for intermediate to advanced players.
| Specs | 97 |
|---|---|
Head Size | 97 sq in. / 625.81 cm |
Length | 27 in. / 68.58 cm |
Unstrung Weight | 315 gm / 11.11 oz |
Beam Width | 21.5 mm / 21.5 mm / 21.5 mm |
Swing Weight | 321 |
Stiffness | 66 |
String Pattern | 16 x 19 |
Wilson Pro Staff 97 L v13
The Wilson Pro Staff 97 L is a 50-gram (1.8 ounce) lighter unstrung weight racquet than its bigger brother, the Pro Staff RF 97, and offers a swing weight of 311, which makes this racquet easy to use, easy to maneuver, and provide a more arm-friendly experience than the Pro Staff RF 97 and Pro Staff 97.
This racquet is best suited for beginner to intermediate players.
| Specs | 97 L |
|---|---|
Head Size | 97 sq in. / 625.81 cm |
Length | 27 in. / 68.58 cm |
Unstrung Weight | 289 gm / 10.19 oz |
Beam Width | 23.5 mm / 23.5 mm / 23.5 mm |
Swing Weight | 311 |
Stiffness | 69 |
String Pattern | 16 x 19 |
Wilson Pro Staff 97 UL v13
Wilson Pro Staff 97 UL is the lighest weight racquet in the Pro Staff series which has 70 gram (2.5 ounces) lighter than the Roger Federer Autograph Rf 97 and offer swing weight of 296, which make this racquet easiest to use and easiest to maneuver. This racquet is best suitable for beginner to just turn intermediate or elder players.
| Specs | 97 UL |
|---|---|
Head Size | 97 sq in. / 625.81 cm |
Length | 27 in. / 68.58 cm |
Unstrung Weight | 269 gm. / 9.5 oz |
Beam Width | 23.5 mm / 23.5 mm / 23.5 mm |
Swing Weight | 296 |
Stiffness | 66 |
String Pattern | 16 X 19 |
Note*
Selecting the perfect racquet for your suitable game style takes lot of research and time. Its really hard to find the perfect racquet for yourself cause every racquet has its own pros and cons.