I just bought a new RF97 autograph. What are some recommended strings (other than natural) to get the most out of this racket and at what tension? I have been previously playing with Sonic Pro strung at 50 lbs but I dont think it will be a good fit for this racket given that the Sonic Pro is pretty stiff and so is this frame.
Best string for Wilson RF97 autograph?
- Thread starter Mudabbir
- Start date
stefmeister
Rookie
luxlion all power rough Is good at 53 lbs. It feels even better after a while of hitting. maybe champions choice?
Tennease
Legend
Try full nylon / multifilament. There is a cheap Chinese one and they are quite sturdy. I'm using Zarsia Multifilament 16 gauge, black. I love it on my Wilson K Six One 90, which is also a stiff frame. 50 lbs main, 55 lbs cross. So much control and feel and comfort compared to polyester string.
Champions choice is too expensive for me specially since I break my strings often.
JustTennis76
Hall of Fame
Have you tried it? From my experience gut/poly lasts longer and maintains playability longer than any combo. I have tried. I almost have to cut it out after 4 months on my prestige pro. What level player are you? I hit with a couple of solid 5.0s and they have the same experience as me with gut/poly. Try it once you won’t regret.
For the cheapest possible setup I string pros pro for a friend. Hexaspin Twist mains @48# and Intense Heat crosses @46#
I like hitting on his sticks decently enough (string is fine anyway, don't like RFs particularly)
So if you're looking for the overly cheap setup that's a decent route.
I like hitting on his sticks decently enough (string is fine anyway, don't like RFs particularly)
So if you're looking for the overly cheap setup that's a decent route.
If cost is a concern, use Klip gut with a smooth poly. TW has a hybrid for $22 or you can build your own by buying a poly and a package of hit for a little less. You can get the cost down to about $19 a set.
I STRONGLY recommend using gut/poly combo due the comfort, power, and control mix that it provides. Also, this setup easily lasts 2-3 times as long as a full poly bed and 4 times as long as a full bed of multi or syn gut. This, from a price perspective, it’s also a good value.
if you do want to use a full poly, string at 50 or less, and use 16g due to the openness of the string pattern. I’ve found that ProLine X works very well in this frame and offers better control than ALU Power in this frame.
I STRONGLY recommend using gut/poly combo due the comfort, power, and control mix that it provides. Also, this setup easily lasts 2-3 times as long as a full poly bed and 4 times as long as a full bed of multi or syn gut. This, from a price perspective, it’s also a good value.
if you do want to use a full poly, string at 50 or less, and use 16g due to the openness of the string pattern. I’ve found that ProLine X works very well in this frame and offers better control than ALU Power in this frame.
TheIntrovert
Hall of Fame
I’d personally stay clear of polys. This racket was built for hybrids. I use X1 mains @50 and ALU soft crosses @46
I ended up switching from the Proff Staff RF97 autograph to the Pro Staff 97 since the autograph felt somewhat heavy for my wrist. Going by the comments in this thread I am going to try out a hybrid setup for the first time. With my current sonic pro (17 gauge) in the crosses @50 lbs and Klip Natural Gut (15L gauge) in the mains @53???. It seems thats the way to go i.e. for the gut in the mains to be strung 2-4 pounds higher than the crosses. Can anyone explain why is that so? Can you also have your poly crosses strung tighter than the gut? Also is it okay to have a 15L and 17 combo (since I don't want the gut to snap anytime soon)?
In general the trend has been toward lower tension poly, mid-high 40s being most common on tour right now (some players such as jack Sock going all the way down to ~35). It's where people are finding the most comfort/ results. Higher tensions are mostly just holdover from natural and synthetic gut being the norm. It's a material properties difference.
There's no reason you *can't* go higher tension in the poly, and many people probably do.
Idk how fast 17 gauge chews through compared to others, not a nat gut person. Hopefully someone else can help you there
There's no reason you *can't* go higher tension in the poly, and many people probably do.
Idk how fast 17 gauge chews through compared to others, not a nat gut person. Hopefully someone else can help you there
My experience in other frames with gut/poly is that the poly cross snaps before the gut mains, but, then again, I don’t use shaped polys in the crosses. I am currently using a dented/scooped poly (BBO Rough), and bothe gut and the BBO Rough have very little wear and almost zero noticeable tension loss after about 12-14 hours of play.
I have done both crosses and mains at the same tension and with a 2lb difference between crosses and mains. I don’t like going more than a 2lb difference because I find the launch angles to be higher and less predictable. The thought process on the difference is that it equalizes pressure on the frame and that it increases snapback. For polys that are softer or that lose tension quickly, I would string crosses and mains at the same tension.
I have done both crosses and mains at the same tension and with a 2lb difference between crosses and mains. I don’t like going more than a 2lb difference because I find the launch angles to be higher and less predictable. The thought process on the difference is that it equalizes pressure on the frame and that it increases snapback. For polys that are softer or that lose tension quickly, I would string crosses and mains at the same tension.
1HBHfanatic
Legend
-welcome back to REAL world!!
-unfortunately you found out "like a lot of us", that we are not Roger Federer!!??!
-the w.RF is the most asked for, purchased and "attempt to return", racquet ive come across
-way too demanding for most players
-the Wilson.ps.97 however, is just what the doctor ordered "for us mere mortals"!!, and thusly fun to play with
I currently string the head sonic pro at 50 lbs. It appears that gut has to be strung higher as compared to a poly to have the same comfort / playability. Do you think 50 lbs in sonic pro should translate to 57/55 in gut and poly combo?
I would make it a hybrid and I think you need to be a bit higher. Like 53-55. The RF is one you create your own power and it just sends a heavy hard ball in return
gut cross will die fast once outer coating wears off...poly mains with cause the gut cross to fray like crazy if u hit with any spin.
On another note, volkl cyclone tour 16g mains with signum pro poly plasma 17L crosses has been best combo for me. VCT hybrid actually felt better than gut poly strung at same reference tension
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Heard a lot of good things about VCT 16 I might try it in a cross
I go with gut mains and poly crosses. It definitely seems to last longer that way and provides better comfort, feel, and spin while there is a little less control than with poly mains and gut crosses (but not much). For the increase in feel, spin, durability, and comfort, it’s gut mains all the way for me.
I do t recommend a hybrid with a multi. Once the coating cracks, the multi sticks and frays.
I have had good luck in the past with a poly main and syn gut hybrid.
I am curious to try a hybrid with gut and something like Origin.
I really can’t give a stronger recommendation than a hybrid of gut with Big Banger Original Rough. I’ve been using this now for a few weeks and it’s really something special.
I do t recommend a hybrid with a multi. Once the coating cracks, the multi sticks and frays.
I have had good luck in the past with a poly main and syn gut hybrid.
I am curious to try a hybrid with gut and something like Origin.
I really can’t give a stronger recommendation than a hybrid of gut with Big Banger Original Rough. I’ve been using this now for a few weeks and it’s really something special.
VacationTennis
Semi-Pro
I played full bed of TB Soft 17 for a couple years on this frame. Started at 50 lbs, then 45, then 43, now 40 lbs because this stiff heavy racket can handle the low tension. Have to restring often but feels so pockety!
I strung mine with Volkl Cyclone Tour 17 (red) @55lbs and it is worlds different than regular cyclone. It is super plush and lively. Nice ball pocketing. Could even probably go up a couple lbs for more control. Recommend
**edit** I've played a few rounds with these now. They are way too powerful at 55lbs and they are lacking the control that I like. I think maybe even at 60 these would still be soft and might give decent control. They come off as kind of muted.
I think I will try a string that is a little more stiffer but still on the softer comfort side next time. Probably will go with Grapplesnake Alpha.
**edit** I've played a few rounds with these now. They are way too powerful at 55lbs and they are lacking the control that I like. I think maybe even at 60 these would still be soft and might give decent control. They come off as kind of muted.
I think I will try a string that is a little more stiffer but still on the softer comfort side next time. Probably will go with Grapplesnake Alpha.
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jmacdaununder2
Legend
Unfortunately Cyclone Tour, while a great string initially, does suffer from higher than average tension loss. @g4driver has found the 1.30 to vastly outperform the 1.25 in this metric; i.e. 1.30 holds tension way better. I’ve found putting a more inherently ‘stable’ string in the crosses, such as Yonex Poly Tour Pro or Yonex Poly Tour Air can somewhat mitigate this tension loss, especially as I tend to chop through restrings fairly quickly in any case, enabling me to break the restring before it’s too bagged out.
FIRETennis
Professional
It's hard to beat gut/poly in the RF97A. Volkl Cyclone Tour 16 is like RPM Blast 16. It's amazing spin and comfort first 2 hours then you can cut it out and restring. The tension loss is incredible for VCT16. You can literally feel the ball go deeper every 10 minutes. The comfort and spin are as incredible as the tension loss. VCT 16g feels as comfortable or even more comfortable than gut/poly.
Tecnifibre Ice Code is amazing in the RF97, string it low 50's holds tension very well while the ball pocketing reminds me of gut!
I usually string gut mains in summer and poly for the wet season but this year I am playing so well with the Ice Code I have not yet made the switch.
Just to add I have not enjoyed Ice Code in my Yonex AI/DR98's but it just seems to work so well in the RF. I also know that Michelle from TW was using this as her go to in the RF.
I usually string gut mains in summer and poly for the wet season but this year I am playing so well with the Ice Code I have not yet made the switch.
Just to add I have not enjoyed Ice Code in my Yonex AI/DR98's but it just seems to work so well in the RF. I also know that Michelle from TW was using this as her go to in the RF.
Hi. Does this combi still work for your RF97? What tension did you use? And what Hybrid ?
RF97 broke my arm T.T
VCP97/pure strike 98 is the new answer
I wonder what percentage of players still have healthy arm after using RF97 extensively…
a lot of my buddies used to use RF97 cuz we all wanted to be Roger…most switched including me lol. The racquet is just too dang heavy and the prostaff97 feels completely different
VCP97/pure strike 98 is the new answer
I wonder what percentage of players still have healthy arm after using RF97 extensively…
a lot of my buddies used to use RF97 cuz we all wanted to be Roger…most switched including me lol. The racquet is just too dang heavy and the prostaff97 feels completely different
FIRETennis
Professional
A lightened RF97 works quite well to fix the 'heavy RF' syndrome. Can either order a lighter/lower swingweight one and/or remove the leather and replace with a light synthetic grip.
VCP97 is a nice frame, I use it occassionally. I do find that the sweet spot is incredibly small compared to the RF97 and unstable due to the low twistweight.
I'd imagine the 330 would play much better and more like the RF97 but then you are also getting into the RF97 territory on static weight.
I'm currently playing npro open, strung with multi at 55lbs. Durability is horrible.
I also have RF97. And, occasional mild tennis elbow. Can someone please recommend durable multi or the best soft-copoly for RF97 ? Since RF is stiff, I wanted to try the best possible arm friendly copoly or little decent durable multi. TIA.
I also have RF97. And, occasional mild tennis elbow. Can someone please recommend durable multi or the best soft-copoly for RF97 ? Since RF is stiff, I wanted to try the best possible arm friendly copoly or little decent durable multi. TIA.
On what type of budget?
Gut mains and isospeed cream or Ghostwire crosses would probably be an ideal set-up but that would be too expensive for me.
Someone else will have to recommend a multi, but those two are really soft polys, probably some of the softest on market.
Icsa
Professional
For a multi, which is recommended for your tennis elbow, try PPC at 58# - https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Prince_Premier_Control_16_130_String/descpageACTWABG-PPC16.html
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
Experimented from 48/45 to 62/59 with Gut/poly.
57/54-58/55 is the most suitable for my game with the RF97 playing 5.0 tennis.
String tension is so subjective it’s all personal preference.
That being said I play mostly with the Blade Pro V7 16x19 now. 47-48lbs T1 Black Knight.
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
Of course, not to mention that my gut is/was Babolat VS Team 17, yours? And I'm way lower, probably a 4.0.
Used VS Touch/ 4g for a number of years and then went to Klip Legend/ Tourna BHB.
$20 a frame was a little more cost effective.
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antony
Hall of Fame
4G main with NG is so consistent and long lasting. RF97 still hits great with a string job from last year
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naturalexponent
Legend
Haven’t tried gut poly in mine but I really do find 4G to feel “right” in the RF.
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
But maybe that's why I can afford to lower the tension on the VS Touch 17, to 50-52 LBs as opposed to your mid 50s on Klip Legend?
Used the same tension with both set ups. Durability, would use both for 8-10hrs and cut it out. Once the poly bags out it’s time for me to cut it out.
Using uncoated natural gut mains I would break the mains in a few hours although the playability was amazing.
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Have you tried full bed ice code? Would you know if a full bed of black code works? Thanks
