2020 Prostaff vs K Factor

yarovol

New User
Looking for some advice.

I am considering the switch from the old K Factor Tour to the new 2020 Prostaff. I generally LOVE the K Factor, but must admit that as a 3.5 player, it probably do not strike the ball as cleanly as intended for the K Factor (i.e. I am not good enough). Before you all tell me that I am trash and should not even touch the prostaff line - I will say that that this is the best feeling racket I've ever played with. I love how heavy it is, I love that it is a control racket and I love the spin I get with it.

Considering taking a look at the new 97 ProStaff just to increase the headsize to give me more ability to "miss" given the bigger sweet spot, but not get away from everything that I love about the K Factor.

Any thoughts or advice?
 

Sweets3450

New User
I don't think you'll notice a difference between 97 and 95 sq inches. The feel is different and the K six one 95 is heavier than the Pro Staff 97. The counterveil was stiffer to me than the K95, perhaps the new Pro Staff 97 is more flexible than the counterveil version. I suggest staying with the K six one 95 since you said you love its weight. It's better not to drop the swingweight if you don't need to. I don't think you'll be playing better with a lighter and likely a stiffer 2020 Pro Staff, stick with what feels good to you.
 

yarovol

New User
I don't think you'll notice a difference between 97 and 95 sq inches. The feel is different and the K six one 95 is heavier than the Pro Staff 97. The counterveil was stiffer to me than the K95, perhaps the new Pro Staff 97 is more flexible than the counterveil version. I suggest staying with the K six one 95 since you said you love its weight. It's better not to drop the swingweight if you don't need to. I don't think you'll be playing better with a lighter and likely a stiffer 2020 Pro Staff, stick with what feels good to you.


Thanks for the input. To be clear, I am playing with the 90sq inch K Factor.
 

Sweets3450

New User
In that case you should sell it to me! You may want to try the RF97, it's the closer to a PS90 with a larger head size with a similar weight and balance. It's very stiff, though. To me, the lighter Pro Staff 97 is much more similar to the 6.1 95 but lighter and stiffer. 90 sq inches is tough for a 3.5 player especially when there are so many rackets that are easier to use and far more powerful. You really need to be athletic with experience to make use of the K90, it's a great racket though. You may want to also try other open pattern rackets like the Prince Phantom line or the Babolat Pure Strike, just add a little weight to your liking.
 

yarovol

New User
In that case you should sell it to me! You may want to try the RF97, it's the closer to a PS90 with a larger head size with a similar weight and balance. It's very stiff, though. To me, the lighter Pro Staff 97 is much more similar to the 6.1 95 but lighter and stiffer. 90 sq inches is tough for a 3.5 player especially when there are so many rackets that are easier to use and far more powerful. You really need to be athletic with experience to make use of the K90, it's a great racket though. You may want to also try other open pattern rackets like the Prince Phantom line or the Babolat Pure Strike, just add a little weight to your liking.


Thanks for the comments. I really honestly love the racket and not drying switch. My teammates are in my head that I can play better tennis with a bigger racket with updated technology. I guess if I could find a racket that is close to identical as the K Factor, I would consider it. Hence why I asked about the new ProStaff.
 

Sweets3450

New User
It's not identical to the K Factor, not really close to identical either. There are lots of threads on the differences. If you are looking for more power and a larger head size it's a logical transition as the weight and balance is really similar. For me it made my forehand and serve a tad slower, especially when I'm really trying to crank the pace has hard as I can, but everything else much stronger. It has much more weight on the sides so it's easier to block, pick up short hops off the ground, and hit high one handed backhands. The opposite of the K90 in some ways. If you're a 3.5 player and can't get a your serve over 100mph it makes sense to move away from the K90 or simply take lots of lessons and build up your skill.
 

lelopez

Semi-Pro
Thanks for the input. To be clear, I am playing with the 90sq inch K Factor.
I've been in a similar situation for a while. Long time ncode, then k90 player, and have tried a number of racquets to try to move on to a slightly bigger head size. Tried the RF97, nope, then the 93p, nope, Prestige Mid, C10, and some others to name a few. K90 still rules, but a lot of times feels like "work". I'm having a 2nd pass at the RF97 and trying to accept compromises and whether the pros outweigh the cons. There may never be a k90 equivalent, but at least there has to be one that ticks most boxes. Prestige Mid is close, though deep down I want to love a Wilson equivalent more.
 

yarovol

New User
I've been in a similar situation for a while. Long time ncode, then k90 player, and have tried a number of racquets to try to move on to a slightly bigger head size. Tried the RF97, nope, then the 93p, nope, Prestige Mid, C10, and some others to name a few. K90 still rules, but a lot of times feels like "work". I'm having a 2nd pass at the RF97 and trying to accept compromises and whether the pros outweigh the cons. There may never be a k90 equivalent, but at least there has to be one that ticks most boxes. Prestige Mid is close, though deep down I want to love a Wilson equivalent more.


I know what you mean. There is absolutely nothing better than hitting the k90 with a full swing on the sweet spot. I can do it fairly often, but if you back off the swing or just miss - its a disaster. I wish I could get the same feel of a racket from a weight and control standpoint with just a bigger head size.

Thanks for the input thought - very helpful.
 

wangs78

Legend
Thanks for the input. To be clear, I am playing with the 90sq inch K Factor.
I have both. The RF97 is noticeably more stable and powerful allowing you to engage in baseline rallies with greater consistency and depth. Obviously a greater sweet spot as well. I dont think Ive ever shanked the ball with the RF97.

The Pro Staff 90 is a true scalpel with accessible power. If my opponent gives me a weak serve to my FH side in the deuce court, I can step in and hit the ball down the line with precision and pace and end the point right there. It’s harder to hit a great shot with the RF97 when you have easy balls to pounce on. Slices with the 90 also seem to have more bite - I think it is due to the thinner profile of the frame that allows you to angle the racquet face more sharply when slicing. Volleys also more precise, but less stable than the RF97. Serves are about the same.

when I’m playing a weaker player or someone who hits mostly flat, I prefer thr k90. But against players who deploy a lot of spin and height on the ball then bigger sweet spot of the RF97 makes it much easier to handle the bounce of the ball.
 
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Lxn2670

New User
Thanks for the comments. I really honestly love the racket and not drying switch. My teammates are in my head that I can play better tennis with a bigger racket with updated technology. I guess if I could find a racket that is close to identical as the K Factor, I would consider it. Hence why I asked about the new ProStaff.
To be honest, I've played with my K88 back when it came out and recently switch to the PS97v13( I started out with K90 to PS85 to K88). Nothing can beat the K factor model (IMO). The new PS97v13, as in feel, does not match with the PS line up (IMO) I had to lead up the PS97 to match with my K88 and it felt way better. The reason why I got the new PS97 is that people said it felt like the old PS85 (which is not).
 
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yarovol

New User
Stay away from the new PS. It's the worst PS97 yet. Seriously


Well, I demoed the new PS97. Its comically nothing like the K Factor in any form of fashion. Further - it is nothing like the old PS either. I would not say they are related at all.

Maybe they are to an advanced player, but to me - its not even close.
 

FlashFlare11

Hall of Fame
The RF97 is nothing like the K90 (or any of the older Wilson 90s). You just can't beat the maneuverability and precision of a 90 sq. in. racquet. The RF97 is great for power and, I suppose, greater consistency, but at the sacrifice of mobility and accuracy. However, as others have said, you're working more for the same depth and power. It's harder to keep up with hard-hitting baseliners on pure ground-to-groundstroke rallies. But you can hit every line with amazing precision.
 

John

Semi-Pro
sell me your ps k90(s) and you are on the way to heavens....no more miss hitting, no more tennis elbow, and a lot more percentage to serve in plus more power on the kick

all those benefit will only happen if you are going to sell your k90 to me.....

‘’the new rf97a is still a little bit different from the discontinued all black rf97a. It may not be a terrible bad thing.... least the paint job is much better and softer. I felt it might last longer than the old,one. The hitting is easy. But.. but... but... it’s not exactly like old one as Wilson claim they didn’t change.. they do.

regard ps90, I am still using them more often then rf97a and prestige mid. you Don’t really need adjust to switch within ps line. Get one for fun.
 

yarovol

New User
sell me your ps k90(s) and you are on the way to heavens....no more miss hitting, no more tennis elbow, and a lot more percentage to serve in plus more power on the kick

all those benefit will only happen if you are going to sell your k90 to me.....

‘’the new rf97a is still a little bit different from the discontinued all black rf97a. It may not be a terrible bad thing.... least the paint job is much better and softer. I felt it might last longer than the old,one. The hitting is easy. But.. but... but... it’s not exactly like old one as Wilson claim they didn’t change.. they do.

regard ps90, I am still using them more often then rf97a and prestige mid. you Don’t really need adjust to switch within ps line. Get one for fun.


Ha, I have 3 K90s. I need to get another 5/8 one and sell one of my other ones with smaller grips.

Any racket I try - I find myself missing the Kfactor.
 

John

Semi-Pro
Ha, I have 3 K90s. I need to get another 5/8 one and sell one of my other ones with smaller grips.

Any racket I try - I find myself missing the Kfactor.
Give up on k90s. It’s less likely to get an authentic k90s these days.
 
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