Official Pro Staff 97 S Club
- Thread starter SpinToWin
- Start date
May I ask why you changed from Revolve to Max Power?
SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
Mainly due to tension maintenance. I find strings' tensions to drop quite a bit faster with this string pattern, so I'd get significant changes in performance with Revolve after a while.
Ah okay, thank you.
Interesting, since Revolve seems to hold its playability rather long in traditinional patterns.
RoarTT
Semi-Pro
Im getting my from TW strung with Head sonic pro edge (softer poly). Will give you feedback about that. If anyone have tried it with RPM blast it would be nice to know how that worked as well.
Thank you, I've been curious about Sonic Pro Edge for quite some time now.
But RPM Blast didn't work for me in other frames, so I doubt, it'll perform better in this one.
SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
Tourna Black Zone maybe?
I've never tried that one, but according to some reviews, it could fit, thank you.
I also got curious about Weiss Cannon's Ultra Cable. The reviews are very promising, although 1.23 mm might be too thin for this frame.
And Head Gravity, too. Haven't read any negative comments so far...I don't like testing too many strings during the competitive season.
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SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
The square shape will play relatively thick:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/inde...ring-shape-on-diameter-gauge-and-area.561786/
Say Chi Sin Lo
G.O.A.T.
Have any of you guys leaded this up to 12oz/340grams+?
Or have all of you accepted the fact that this will forever be a lightweight Pro Staff, much like the PS95?
Or have all of you accepted the fact that this will forever be a lightweight Pro Staff, much like the PS95?
SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
1) The PS 95 played rather very well at a heavy spec in my opinion.
2) Is the high static weight really a necessary requirement? My static weight may be lower but the swingweight is quite a bit higher than that on most frames out there.
Overall there is a noticeable difference in this frame... And that is that it plays better with a full bed of a low powered poly string (again, in my opinion). It emphasises the frame's ability to produce spin and reigns in the surprising extent of power it has (as well as the lively stringbed). And at such heavier specs it still remains a very comfortable setup.
pitsquared
Rookie
I have and tbh it didn't play or feel too much different than it did in stock form. A little more plow
smalahove
Hall of Fame
Mine's a little over 340g strung, 31,7 cm balance, and SW of +335.
As pitsquared mentioned, this frame doesn't really offer that much of an improvement compared to the stock balance. My 10gs heavier TT95s come around faster, with similar specs.
A nice racket in deed, but I prefer the TT95. Less power, more precision
Say Chi Sin Lo
G.O.A.T.
Mine's a little over 340g strung, 31,7 cm balance, and SW of +335.
As pitsquared mentioned, this frame doesn't really offer that much of an improvement compared to the stock balance. My 10gs heavier TT95s come around faster, with similar specs.
A nice racket in deed, but I prefer the TT95. Less power, more precision
I really wanted to like the 97S, because when it comes to feel, it's the true successor to the 6.0 lineage frames. But man, that spin pattern is kind of an on-off switch.
When you have the time to take a big as* swing, it's all gravy. But when you don't, s*** flies.
smalahove
Hall of Fame
That is exactly why I loved it, especially on my ohbh (never better). And also why the honeymoon period is over. Back to the TT95
Say Chi Sin Lo
G.O.A.T.
That is exactly why I loved it, especially on my ohbh (never better). And also why the honeymoon period is over. Back to the TT95
Yeah but this unpredictable nature of these spin effect pattern makes the racquet unplayable in a real match. Sorry, but I just don't have enough skills to control the power of this frame when I'm not taking a full cut.
Well, I didn't find it to be unpredictable at all.
The Steam 99S maybe, but this one is very consistent and control oriented.
SpinToWin, did you personally try Black Zone in any racquet? If that's the case, could you maybe share your thoughts with me?
I'm interested in Power, Spin and ...responsiveness? I don't know how to call it.
I guess tension stability and comfort will be fairly solid.
Thanks in advance.
SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
I've never played it in a full bed, only in the crosses of my PS 85, so I'm afraid my assessment won't be accurate/very helpful...
No problem.
Reviews are very promising, price is affordable, I'll probably give it a shot.
Thanks.
Fxanimator1
Hall of Fame
I did...345
but alas, I still prefer playing with the (2014) PS 90. I just couldn't quite groove as much overall with the 97S.
I'm not going to sell them, because I may give them/me a chance again in the future.
Say Chi Sin Lo
G.O.A.T.
Perhaps I'm just not used to it. I agree with you that this is very control oriented. Truly a Pro Staff but with much more power. I just can't contain it yet.
Weird though, I know the RF97A has much more power than this 97S, but I'm currently having an easier transition over to the RF97A than the 97S. I think it's because RF97A has much more common with my PS90?
345 strung or unstrung? After I was done with it, I got it back up to the 6.0 spec of 340g/30.5cm. With overgrips and other lead tape, it was back to my usual spec of 372g and it just didn't feel right.
I am going to try it once more though, then I'll decide if I want to sell it or not.
Interesting.
I tried to like the RF97, but had to admit after a few weeks that it wasn't for me.
Played totally different compared to my PS90.
Especially the feel...couldn't get used to it.
Sander001
Hall of Fame
Just got mine restrung at 30/20lbs, Poly Tour Pro 125 mains, Poly Tour Pro 120 cross. And it's lovely. More spin and feel and comfort. Played 90min of singles with many balls struck and there's very minimal notching too. Towards the end of the session there was a peculiar vibration happening, it wasn't an issue but I wonder if the tension fell below some threshold I've heard about.
macattack
Professional
Hey all. Brand new here and I am part of the 97s club. I'll introduce myself as well.
Started playing tennis around age 10. My great uncle was a coach outside of Philadelphia. He taught my dad when he was young and then taught me as well. I played consistently (though not competitively) until I was about 23 when I went to grad school. Fell out of it and had some struggles with alcohol in my 20s. But I got myself right again four years ago (I'm 34 now), lost a bunch of weight and decided to get myself healthy. So a couple years ago I picked up a tennis racquet and started playing again. I'd say I'm solid 3.5 and just have a blast playing a few times a week.
I play much like I did when I was younger (only slower) with a precision baseline game. I don't hit the ball a ton, but I'm pretty good with forehand and backhand spin and placement.
As for the stick, I added about 15g of lead to the butt and got it to around 2 pts. HL. Once I modded it, things really started to click. Those 2 pts. really mean a lot. I'm grooving a deep topspin stroke pretty consistently and my slice backhand is pretty dialed in. I can't service worth a crap, but that's not the racquet's fault.
P.S. Also wanted to say this is an incredibly informative forum. I've learned so much just lurking before I decided to join. Great to be here!
Started playing tennis around age 10. My great uncle was a coach outside of Philadelphia. He taught my dad when he was young and then taught me as well. I played consistently (though not competitively) until I was about 23 when I went to grad school. Fell out of it and had some struggles with alcohol in my 20s. But I got myself right again four years ago (I'm 34 now), lost a bunch of weight and decided to get myself healthy. So a couple years ago I picked up a tennis racquet and started playing again. I'd say I'm solid 3.5 and just have a blast playing a few times a week.
I play much like I did when I was younger (only slower) with a precision baseline game. I don't hit the ball a ton, but I'm pretty good with forehand and backhand spin and placement.
As for the stick, I added about 15g of lead to the butt and got it to around 2 pts. HL. Once I modded it, things really started to click. Those 2 pts. really mean a lot. I'm grooving a deep topspin stroke pretty consistently and my slice backhand is pretty dialed in. I can't service worth a crap, but that's not the racquet's fault.
P.S. Also wanted to say this is an incredibly informative forum. I've learned so much just lurking before I decided to join. Great to be here!
Sander001
Hall of Fame
Yea...ridiculously awesome! I'm actually waiting for the tension to drop some and if it doesn't, next time I'll string even lower maybe. It honestly feels like there's more control at this tension than it did @ 40/30.
West Coast Ace
G.O.A.T.
4 hrs in - the PPS is already showing serious signs of wear. Doubt I will get 8 hrs out of it. But it's very plush with decent power. Need to win the lottery - or buy a stringing machine...
MasturB
Legend
Unfortunately I'm really feeling the same way.
I've had this racquet 2 months now, and it's just a bit disappointing.
As you said, when you have time to load and really release it feels great, but I like to take a lot of balls really early on the rise especially since I'm only 5"6. And the balls are flying when I am just trying to sweep the ball off the bounce and counterpunch. My slice backhands have no groove, my topspin backhand is fine but I'm still not getting that feel. I love ripping 1HBH's with this, but even then it's unpredictable at times. Forehands are flying everywhere. It's better than the regular PS97 that I had before, but it's just too erratic.
On returns it's even worse. When I used RF97 and my old Pure Storm Tour, I had no issues with big servers or heavy kickers. I could slice high returns down easily, or block huge first serves and now they're JUMPING off my stringbed. I've used different strings and tensions, but my return game is killing me. I love neutralizing big serves, but I honestly feel even if I just block it ever so slightly it flys OUT. Because I'm not tall, I really like to stand close to the service line and cut off any high kicking or big speed serves. With the 97S I've had to back up more and more behind the line out of my comfort zone just to assure myself that returning these serves isn't going to fly high and long.
I'm already on the auction site looking for any used Pure Storm/Control Tour frames since searches on here came up with nothing. There was just more stability on that frame. I really love the RF97, but it really takes a toll on my shoulder when it comes to serving, and with my old Pure Storm Tour 98 I could play for hours and serve big even with my small stature.
Once my PCTours come in, I'm probably just gonna sell my 97S or keep it as a backup frame.
My Fed loyalty and Wilson loyalty really wanted me to stick with the Pro Staff line. I used the K90 and BLX90 for many years and loved them before I switched over to the Pure Storm Tour. I messed with a Head Prestige MP for a while, but then decided to give the PS97 a chance at first. I didn't like. I went to RF97A. I liked it but really taxing to serve for a few hours and sets with. Then I thought the 97S would be the answer to my problems but the stringbed after 5 minutes is all over the place, considering I spar with D1 and D2 collegiate players.
I finally will have to cede my player and brand loyalty and go back to the Pure Storm/Control Tour which I played my best tennis with.
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SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
Have you tried 15L strings? Revolve perhaps? I think it may help you if you're open for one last try
ClintimusPrime
Rookie
I have mine spec'd to:
348.5 grams
4pts HL
343 SW
Played around with lots of different specs before settling on these. My PS 95s had similar specs and I've always found it's the perfect balance for me. I have zero issues playing with it at these specs, absolutely love the frame in every way. Slices are butter, volleys feel perfect, 1&2 HBH feel solid. And it's actually made my forehand much better as it's my weakest shot.
MasturB
Legend
Not a fan of strings that thick.
ClintimusPrime
Rookie
What string setups/tensions have you tried so far?
MasturB
Legend
3 polys.
I've experimented with each between 45 and 52 lbs. Anything higher than 52 and everything is flying even the good groundies.
ClintimusPrime
Rookie
Are you only interested in using a full bed of poly?
I got to try this racket yesterday! It was weighted in the handle to be quite head light. I would guess in between 6 and 10 pts. The feel is really special. It is like my old dunlops but with more feedback. My backhand was very easy to hit, but my forehand was sailing. I didn't get to hit many serves. I had a similar issue when I switched from my ps90 to the 6.1 95 16 X18. I fixed these problems by adding more weight in the handle and tensioning the crosses 2lbs higher and with a thick guage poly. So it is quite a chore to tame open patterns.
Say Chi Sin Lo
G.O.A.T.
Also, I think there's some inherent instability with this frame. A 97 square inch frame is quite large and couple that with a thin 19mm beam, this racquet twisted quite a bit in my hand. Even with dead center impacts, it felt as if the racquet is going to give. It's a very insecured feeling, borderline worrisome.
I kind of wish Wilson will stop with the whole Spin Effect string pattern design. Most advanced players are not adapting to it for reasons both me and you have stated. These are fun racquets to hit with in practice, but in matches, the lack of control and mass on half-swings and retrievals make this a very unpredictable racquet when points are on the line. The Spin Effect pattern in this racquet doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Honestly, this thing played more like a dense 18x20 and the spin really wasn't anymore impressive than the RF97 or my PS90. Someone mentioned that even with this "Spin Effect" pattern, the squares between the strings aren't any bigger than a 16x19.
Yes, you can always add weight yourself. But it's nothing compared to a setup that is evenly distributed from factory. I always think that weight and balance changes should be kept to a minimum to tune the racquet. I ended up adding 30grams of weight to the end of the handle. That's not tuning the racquet, that's changing the racquet.
Also, I can't afford to keep restringing this racquet once a week. Breaking gut in about 10hours gets ridiculous after a few times.
That's quite head heavy.
Well, I totally disagree here.
My PS97S feels rock solid, even against hard hitting opponents.
The spin is great, way WAY more than typical 16/19 patterns, no control issues.
Say Chi Sin Lo
G.O.A.T.
Let's just say the PS85, ALL PS90, and the RF97A hit like tanks.
PS97S hits like cotton candy.
Then your particular PS97S seems to be cracked.
SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
Disagree. The 85 and the especially the 90 do not hit like tanks in my opinion.
Say Chi Sin Lo
G.O.A.T.
Sander001
Hall of Fame
Wilson quality control strikes again. My demo 97S was solid as granite but the one I bought was flimsy in comparison and not nearly as comfortable. They were miles apart, dare I say.
I've had to add quite a bit of weight to compensate.
I've hit with Pro Staff 90's which were terrible too.
MasturB
Legend
I will agree. That's exactly what I felt when I would return high kickers or really any first serve over 110. Even if I hit it dead center to block or bunt it back, it just feels unstable.
I decided not to try and customize it, and I've ordered my Pure Control Tours now. It's been almost 2 years since I had my Pure Storm Tours, and I was playing arguably some of my best tennis with it, so I'm glad to be going back to it.
