Next Generation of Pro Staff is Here; Pro Staff RF 97 Review

Finally got my RF97 demo with 16g 4G. Definitely feels a bit heftier than another RF97 I briefly hit with, I didn't put the demo on the scales yet.

Although hefty, I didn't often feel like I was out of time on my strokes and most often could rip the ball at will even with slightly sub-par stroke, very forgiving feel.

The string bed response is really special on this one - this racket DOMINATES the collision with the ball putting TONS of spin on it even without much brush up, keeping it in play more often than I would expect for hefty stick like this. "Sweetpot" pretty much describes the entire stringbed. Feel is exceptionally solid and so ironed out that I ditched the rubber band to get more feedback. This is the only racket I ever liked more without dampener.

Serving has been good overall but still somewhat vague. Haven't found that effortless power rhythm just yet. I've caught glimpses of brilliance now and then but couldn't repeat it on consecutive serves just yet.
 
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Just a quick review from my side. I just have one RF97A for now and its on spec unstrung. I didn't make very detailed measurements. Strung it up with Gut/Hawk@54/50. Overgrip and a dampener.
Playing style - eastern/extreme eastern forehand and 1 hbh. Initially started off as a baseliner but now putting a lot of effort into being an all courter.
Groundies - As other posters have pointed out this frame absolutely bosses the ball. It is very forgiving, the whole d**n frame is a sweet spot. It inspires a lot of confidence in baseline rallies, even against heavy hitters. I have no fear whatsoever when duelling with them right on the baseline (not 20 feet behind it) shot for shot. With other rackets I sometimes flinch once in a while and back off from the base line. I hit my 1 hbh best with this racket. On balls that are not very heavy I even hit my 1 hbh on the rise confidently with this racket now.
It worked great for me in defense too gets the ball back nice and deep. Even when hitting into the wind, didnt take too much extra effort.
Volleys - As everyone has said its rock solid on volleys, just get the racket to the ball and it will do the rest. Great feel on volleys too.
Serves - Serves took a while for me to get used to. Especially the first serve - I try to hit that flat and hard. I was trying too hard and not getting the racket head speed I usually get. Definitely not as much as my more head light rackets. But now I concentrate more on technique - toss the ball ahead a little more than usual, elbow up, get more legs & body into it and a smoother action. This resulted in much higher consistency. Kick serves didn't need much adjustment for me, had no issues with kick serves whatsover. For serves if you feel it too heavy, the trick is to hold it a little higher on the grip. It swings a little lighter and quicker then.
Serve Returns - Again rock solid, you don't need a huge backswing, keep your body's momentum going forward and introduce the racket face to the ball :-). It will thwack it back nice and deep.
Overall and intagibles - Its a very confidence inspiring frame. You will definitely feel the weight but in a good way. Don't muscle the ball with it (this will be detrimental to your shotmaking), let the racket do all the work. You don't need a big takeback with this racket, just a smooth follow through does the trick. Let this racket do all the work. The funniest thing about this frame is the directional and depth control is great but at the same time there's plenty of power too. Usually with control or power - one or the other is lacking. This is one of the most unique qualities of this frame. I sometimes mistime the ball with it but the forgiveness makes up for it. Mistiming is entirely because my footwork gets sloppy. Hey, you know what they say.... you play tennis with your feet. Power and court positioning <- all derived from footwork.
I guess thats that from my side folks, hope its helpful.
 
I'll add to the few people who noticed string life is a bit shorter with the RF97. The open pattern and mass just wears strings a lot more. With my cyclone tour 18g, I've got about 5-6 hours max of hard hitting.
 
I find the RF97A to be a powerful frame so I am using a full bed of poly to tame some of its power but It is really surprising how this fame makes a full bed of poly feel plush. I previously had it strung with Signum Pro Tornado at 55lbs and in another frame that will be very stiff and boardy but not in a RF97A.

If you can wield the weight then this stick is a must try.
 
Sardines said:
I'll add to the few people who noticed string life is a bit shorter with the RF97. The open pattern and mass just wears strings a lot more. With my cyclone tour 18g, I've got about 5-6 hours max of hard hitting.
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Yes it is a pretty open pattern, I wouldn't recommned using it with anything less then 17g
 
Anton said:
Yes it is a pretty open pattern, I wouldn't recommned using it with anything less then 17g
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Well the 18g playability is significantly better than 17g. An extra 2 hours vs better spin, feel and even a bit more power is worth the extra money and time. I wasn't complaining about it, just wanted to reinforce what others have said about the RF97. It may be an issue for some. For eg. I had the 95S for a while but strings breaking at the 2-3 hour mark is just ridiculous!
 
Sardines said:
Well the 18g playability is significantly better than 17g. An extra 2 hours vs better spin, feel and even a bit more power is worth the extra money and time. I wasn't complaining about it, just wanted to reinforce what others have said about the RF97. It may be an issue for some. For eg. I had the 95S for a while but strings breaking at the 2-3 hour mark is just ridiculous!
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Are you talking same tensions or did you drop it lower with 17?
 
So, I got my very own monster

[15g BB Alu Power] @ 55lbs, [Overgrip], [+1g lead] at 12 = 12.95oz, 9 points hl

First outing yesterday - After a few swings thought the racket didn't quite carry the load up like the demo did, so added +1g at 12 - smooth forehands from there. Stringbed also felt a little stiff and it took more brush-up than I remember to get the spin...rubbed on the silicone...WOW, free spin galore.

RF97 with thicker strings made for VERY controlled stringbed, def a bit less power than 16g 4G, but with all the spin (after silicone), I simply couldn't go wrong, all the balls stayed in the lines.

Played on fire in two single sets, made very few errors and tons of winners on serve and forehands. Defended really well too, just get the racket on the ball and it just gets rejected back to your opponent's side, never any wild launches.
 
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Sold all my other newer sticks and have 4 RF97's now. All strung with 18g Volkl Cyclone Black @ 50lbs. Not sure why but I am getting decent string life with the 18g. 16-18 hours. Tried playing with my K90's but I guess now I am finally adjusted to a larger frame. The RF97 is easier to hit with now compared to my K90's. Never thought I'd say that. Also the RF97 doesn't feel heavy at all.
 
Sander001 said:
Love Cyclone 18. Perhaps the best 18g poly I've tried. Retains its playability pretty much to the end. The only thing is that it could feel flimsy if your racquet isn't beefy but for the RF97, might be perfect to reduce the swing weight.
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Any thoughts on how Cyclone tames the RF97 stringbed? I am having trouble taming the hot spot towards the tip of the hoop.

Also what tension would you recommend if I am looking for more spin potential? @Sander001

asifallasleep said:
The thin gauge and low tension seems to offset the thickness of the RF97 beam for me coming from thin beam sticks. I've usually used 16g cyclone in my other sticks but this 18g is amazing.
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@asifallasleep what is your thoughts on 16g/17g/18g cyclone and how they all play in the RF97? I have been thinking about switching to Cycleclone, but I am unsure of what gauge provides a nice blend of control/spin potential.
 
drakulie said:
Video of me completing specs on RDC:

Play Test Video:

As you saw in the video, frame specs are as follows

Unstrung:
340 grams
12 pts head light
71 Flex
304 Swing Weight

Strung specs with overgrip:
359 grams
8 1/2 pts head light
68 flex
331 swing weight

On to the review:

I am imagining many players who grew up loving the Pro Staff, such as me, are scratching their heads with one thought in mind..... "a Pro Staff with a 97 head size?? What were they (Wilson) thinking? How could they move on from the 90 inch mid size Pro Staff? Perhaps the greatest frame of all time!!"

Well, I'll tell you what they were thinking,,,,,,, the same thing they were thinking when they decided it was time to move on from the beloved Jack Kramer wood frame, to the graphite Pro Staff 85. They were thinking of the future, the next generation. And who else to take us there than the Greatest player of all time. If Roger Federer is using it, then he leaves us, and the Wilson Pro Staff family in good hands; from his to ours. Remember, and keep this in mind,,,, when Federer retires, no one else is left using the Pro Staff 90, which means the line would without doubt vanish into a distant memory. Better to keep the greatest line of all time moving forward, than to lose it all together. With this frame, Wilson ensures a new generation of players will keep the line alive for years to come.

On to the review:

Paintjob:
As I mentioned in the video, paintjob is MUCH nicer in person than in photos/video. Personally, I would have preferred the "stealth" look of Federer's blacked out frame, but am in no way dissapointed with the paint scheme of the frame. The Wilson red on top of the frame and throat area, like it or not, is there to remind us we are holding a Wilson frame. Nuff said. Be happy Wilson provided us with the same frame Roger Federer uses and had a hand in developing.

One more thing, lets Shout out to our very own, PeterFig from these very boards for being involved in the paint scheme. He is a testament to us all that Wilson does listen to us, and hears us. They do in fact read the boards! Thanks Peter, and congrats!! As a member of this board for over 10 years and a life-long Wilson user, I am celebrating your achievement with you!

Play Test
Strung the frame with Wilson Natural Gut 17g in the mains, and Alu Power in the crosses at 53 lbs. Played for approx 2 hours on clay.

Stability. Feel. Power. Feel. Spin. Feel. Control. Great Feel!! Yes the Pro Staff feel we all love is still there, albeit in a different way. It still has that rich, thick feel we all became use to and love, Just bigger! Much Bigger, delivered in a bigger sweet spot, so those shots that aren't hit "perfectly" in the small sweet spot we have become use to, still feel like we hit them perfect. Shots off the forehand and backhand ring off the string bed quickly, yet leaves your hands satisfied that you just hit a "delicious" shot! Racquet feels, and performs beautifully. Its got ample power, spin, control, and did I say feel? It has it all. And as is true with all Pro Staff's, the racquet's RDC rating of 68 (strung) is not reflected in the performance, as it feels much softer. Reminds me quite a bit of the Chicago PS85. Racquet is heavy enough, that although has a very headlight balance (9 pts head light), delivers plenty of plow-thru power when faced with heavy shots. The frame does not get pushed around, and offers the user great stability. Really solid feeling. The headlight balance enables the user to whip the head thru the contact zone and deliver any shot (power, topspin, slice), or when off balance, use the weight and balance to get to out of reach shots and still put something behind the shot to keep you in the point. This is the one shot that really separates the Pro Staff RF 97 from the previous Pro Staff frames.

At the net, frame is very stable and maneuverable, delivering precise control. I know, I know, it's not the scalpel-like Pro Staff 85, but a scalpel nonetheless. Just bigger, with much more pop.

Serving offers plenty of control, power and spin. As with all new frames I test out, it took a little getting locked in, because as I said earlier, ball jumps off the string bed quicker than one would expect. That said, in no time, I was hitting a nice groove. It is perhaps the liveliest feeling pro staff when serving, and very well balanced. Not cumbersome such as the kps88 or k90.

In closing, I once said, when reviewing both the k90 and kps 88, they felt in ways like the pro staff 85 but on steroids. Well, the new Pro Staff RF 97 delivers on that statement. It doesn't feel like a Pro Staff 85 on steroids... it IS a Pro Staff on steroids!

Hope you enjoyed the review, and as always, please go out and test the frame for yourself. Thanks!!


Review by, rh310 can be found here:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=8667346&postcount=1


Review by, Hankenstein can be found here:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=8644933&postcount=45

Review by, Alcheck can be found here:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=8731234&postcount=828

Review by, coloskier can be found here:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=8750523&postcount=922

Review by, idono1301 can be found here:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=8749835&postcount=920

Review by, asifallasleep can be found here:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=8745720&postcount=898

Review by, iceman can be found here:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=8751358&postcount=924

Review by, RobFl can be found here:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=8755973&postcount=930

Review by, liquidwhip can be found here:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=8757669&postcount=934

Review by, UCSF2012 can be found here:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=8769333&postcount=1038

Review by, Geoff can be found here:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=8769363&postcount=1040

Review by, BounceHitBounceHit can be found here:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=8772717&postcount=1091

Review by, KingCheetah can be found here:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=8774980&postcount=1143

Review by, PeterFig can be found here:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=8778023&postcount=1206

Review by, fuzzfactory can be found here:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=8783240&postcount=1263

Review by, Say_Chi_Sin_Lo can be found here:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=8792405&postcount=1328
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Cool review! Thanks Mr. Drakulie. Who is the pretty lady behind you in the video?
 
gino said:
Any thoughts on how Cyclone tames the RF97 stringbed? I am having trouble taming the hot spot towards the tip of the hoop.

Also what tension would you recommend if I am looking for more spin potential? @Sander001



@asifallasleep what is your thoughts on 16g/17g/18g cyclone and how they all play in the RF97? I have been thinking about switching to Cycleclone, but I am unsure of what gauge provides a nice blend of control/spin potential.
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I've used 16, 17 and 18 in my RF97's. IMO the difference in control is minimal between the 3 gauges. You get more feel with the 18g, which was my reason for playing with it. You also get a bit more spin with 18g, but cyclone no matter the gauge just grabs the ball and is great for spin. It seems as though the 18 is lasting longer than the 16 and 17 gauges which doesn't make sense on paper. Cyclone is so cheap I'd suggest experimenting with the gauges. Initially i'd also suggest you stay with whatever tension you are accustomed to using. The change to Cyclone may give you the spin you desire without adjusting tension. I usually string in the 45-48 range in all my previous sticks. I raised it the 50 in the RF97 to prolong the strings a bit more.
 
asifallasleep said:
I've used 16, 17 and 18 in my RF97's. IMO the difference in control is minimal between the 3 gauges. You get more feel with the 18g, which was my reason for playing with it. You also get a bit more spin with 18g, but cyclone no matter the gauge just grabs the ball and is great for spin. It seems as though the 18 is lasting longer than the 16 and 17 gauges which doesn't make sense on paper. Cyclone is so cheap I'd suggest experimenting with the gauges. Initially i'd also suggest you stay with whatever tension you are accustomed to using. The change to Cyclone may give you the spin you desire without adjusting tension. I usually string in the 45-48 range in all my previous sticks. I raised it the 50 in the RF97 to prolong the strings a bit more.
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Thanks for the detailed response, @asifallasleep

How do you feel about the level of control across the gauge spectrum. I would go 18g, really, but I am concerned about the string bed being too lively, let me know what you think about the control of each gauge. Glad to hear all of the gauges of cyclone bite the ball well and provide additional ball pocketing. Im usually around 58, so I suppose I will throw it in my PS97's at around 56
 
gino said:
Thanks for the detailed response, @asifallasleep

How do you feel about the level of control across the gauge spectrum. I would go 18g, really, but I am concerned about the string bed being too lively, let me know what you think about the control of each gauge. Glad to hear all of the gauges of cyclone bite the ball well and provide additional ball pocketing. Im usually around 58, so I suppose I will throw it in my PS97's at around 56
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Do you have the RF97 or the PS97? I have not hit with the PS97 so can't comment on that. The RF IMO is the rarity of a control frame with lots of power and plow. If you have a full stroke, the stringbed shouldn't be too lively at 56 and you shouldn't lose much control. 56 is tight to me. You get more action, spin and less control with looser tensions. Of course your stroke has a lot to do with those variables as well.
 
asifallasleep said:
Do you have the RF97 or the PS97? I have not hit with the PS97 so can't comment on that. The RF IMO is the rarity of a control frame with lots of power and plow. If you have a full stroke, the stringbed shouldn't be too lively at 56 and you shouldn't lose much control. 56 is tight to me. You get more action, spin and less control with looser tensions. Of course your stroke has a lot to do with those variables as well.
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I use the PS97 weighted up to a spec similar to the RF97. Slightly more headlight. I use a tighter tension for a tad more control. For reference, I am a D3 ncaa college player. Easter 1hbh, semi-western fh. I take big cuts, but love to slice as well. I want more spin potential and control out of cyclone to tame the wild response I get in the upper hoop @asifallasleep
 
gino said:
I use the PS97 weighted up to a spec similar to the RF97. Slightly more headlight. I use a tighter tension for a tad more control. For reference, I am a D3 ncaa college player. Easter 1hbh, semi-western fh. I take big cuts, but love to slice as well. I want more spin potential and control out of cyclone to tame the wild response I get in the upper hoop @asifallasleep
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Wilson Pro Staff 97 - 12.735oz (360grams)/ 13.5HL/ 300SW I don't think that's a spec similar to RF97. If your stringbed is playing inconsistently you need to add weight in the unstable areas around the loop. From the numbers in your spec you have a lot of weight to remove from the handle and move up to the loop..
 
gino said:
I use the PS97 weighted up to a spec similar to the RF97. Slightly more headlight. I use a tighter tension for a tad more control. For reference, I am a D3 ncaa college player. Easter 1hbh, semi-western fh. I take big cuts, but love to slice as well. I want more spin potential and control out of cyclone to tame the wild response I get in the upper hoop @asifallasleep
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Ah,i recall the TW playtesters and a few posters on here mentioning that the stringbed on the PS97 was inconsistent as well as some instability in the upper hoop. I know you said you modded it to be similar to the RF, but perhaps those specs just don't work with the PS97. Perhaps more weight in the head area and not so much in the butt, loses some of the hl balance but maybe tames the upper hoop? I know the new 97S has a more even balance and has gotten rave reviews.

If nothing works you could always sell your PS97's on here and then buy some used RF97's.
 
Anton said:
Wilson Pro Staff 97 - 12.735oz (360grams)/ 13.5HL/ 300SW I don't think that's a spec similar to RF97. If your stringbed is playing inconsistently you need to add weight in the unstable areas around the loop. From the numbers in your spec you have a lot of weight to remove from the handle and move up to the loop..
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@Anton

Yeah the SW is now around 320, quite a bit less than the RF. But my static and balance are around the RF97A.

I have a significant amount of weight also located in the throat. As I play with a 1hbh, I prefer a spec of a very headlight balance. I have many sticks with a similar weight/balance that don't provide as lively of a response at the PS97.
 
asifallasleep said:
Ah,i recall the TW playtesters and a few posters on here mentioning that the stringbed on the PS97 was inconsistent as well as some instability in the upper hoop. I know you said you modded it to be similar to the RF, but perhaps those specs just don't work with the PS97. Perhaps more weight in the head area and not so much in the butt, loses some of the hl balance but maybe tames the upper hoop? I know the new 97S has a more even balance and has gotten rave reviews.

If nothing works you could always sell your PS97's on here and then buy some used RF97's.
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@asifallasleep that's interesting to note. There's that possibility. I am entering the midst of my collegiate season, and selling/tracking down matched RF frames is a tough ask on a college kid budget, so for now I am going to stick with the PS97. Would you recommend placing the additional weight at 3 and 9? I also have weight in the throat, but I don't understand how that could make the frame more lively in the upper hoop.
 
gino said:
@asifallasleep that's interesting to note. There's that possibility. I am entering the midst of my collegiate season, and selling/tracking down matched RF frames is a tough ask on a college kid budget, so for now I am going to stick with the PS97. Would you recommend placing the additional weight at 3 and 9? I also have weight in the throat, but I don't understand how that could make the frame more lively in the upper hoop.
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You can mod a frame sooo many ways that it's probably best to try different things to find one that works for you. You can ask some of the TW playtesters for help with mods and also check this thread out on mods: http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/inde...placement-racket-customization-thread.309803/
 
It's soooo easy to slice back balls ripped to your forehand and slightly out of reach with the RF97. So solid and such depth. Impressive. Prior to the RF I can't even remember ever hitting a defensive slice forehand. With the RF97 your defensive forehand slice becomes an offensive slice.
 
I'm in my second month with these sticks, and I'm starting to groove with them. Hitting some wicked spin shots, can flatten it out when I want, and it's very forgiving. I have noticed the trampoline effect (very seldom) when I am not attacking the ball/committing to my shot, but I can absolutely live with that because it's pushing me to play better.
 
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Agree with all the above; recently revisited my RF97 which essentially had pretty dead poly on it, but it still played exceptionally well; especially on the one handed back hand! :)
 
I truly loved my RF97, effortless power, huge serves, but my arm couldn't take it, old golfer elbow issues came back...
Traded it for a Textreme Tour 95, 100 % different stick, but also really nice to play with,
 
Surion said:
I truly loved my RF97, effortless power, huge serves, but my arm couldn't take it, old golfer elbow issues came back...
Traded it for a Textreme Tour 95, 100 % different stick, but also really nice to play with,
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Yes, the high stiffness quickly scared me away from the RF97A. I could tell after just 10 minutes of hitting with it that it would be problematic for my arm if I used it on a regular basis.
 
BreakPoint said:
Yes, the high stiffness quickly scared me away from the RF97A. I could tell after just 10 minutes of hitting with it that it would be problematic for my arm if I used it on a regular basis.
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I loved the performance of the RF 97 but suffered forearm and shoulder pain within a few weeks of beginning to use it.
 
BreakPoint said:
Yes, the high stiffness quickly scared me away from the RF97A. I could tell after just 10 minutes of hitting with it that it would be problematic for my arm if I used it on a regular basis.
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Nonsence. Strung with ngut mains at mid tension it is pillow-soft and super stable.
 
roundiesee said:
Quite right; after my ill-advised hit with the RF with old poly, I felt a bad twinge in the right shoulder; happily back to my PS85 again, :)
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What do you expect when you hit with ANY frame with old poly????? You'd get the same feeling with the PS85 with ANY poly, old or new. Almost every PS is designed for gut or gut mains/poly crosses and NOT full poly.
 
Yes agreed. Which was why it was silly and ill advised of me to have played with old poly. Which was why I went back to the PS85 strung with a multi. May not be the RF's fault of course but the PS85 is still a gentler racket for me, :)
 
Anton said:
Nonsence. Strung with ngut mains at mid tension it is pillow-soft and super stable.
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"Pillow-soft"? Then do you sleep with your head on your RF97A at night? ;) LOL

Try playing with a Dunlop Max 200G and then come back and tell us that the RF97A isn't stiff.

BTW, every time I played with the RF97A it was strung with a soft multi, so it wasn't the strings. The frame is just too stiff. I also find natural gut to feel stiffer than soft multis do, even at low tensions.
 
Anton said:
Nonsence. Strung with ngut mains at mid tension it is pillow-soft and super stable.
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I agree. Using the "Fed set up" (Wilson "Champions Choice") at mid tension the racquet seemed far more forgiving, but it was for me uncontrollable. Further, even with the more comfortable set up I still experienced forearm and shoulder pain I've never before encountered. It's really too bad, because otherwise I very much enjoyed the frame. Best, BHBH
 
coloskier said:
What do you expect when you hit with ANY frame with old poly????? You'd get the same feeling with the PS85 with ANY poly, old or new. Almost every PS is designed for gut or gut mains/poly crosses and NOT full poly.
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While I agree dead poly is asking for problems, I experienced arm pain with Ace 18 at 48 pounds as well as with champions choice at mid tension. I currently play my Asian K90 strung with Big Banger Ace 18 at 63 pounds with no problems whatsoever.
 
You'd feel the stiffness on mishits and if you are late, moreso than if you are hitting it early and in the sweetspot - in which case it can feel plush. Still plays stiffer than any of the Wilson 90's, but not as stiff as a Babolat.
 
asifallasleep said:
You'd feel the stiffness on mishits and if you are late, moreso than if you are hitting it early and in the sweetspot - in which case it can feel plush. Still plays stiffer than any of the Wilson 90's, but not as stiff as a Babolat.
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Yup, much stiffer than all the Tour 90s or the PS 6.0 85. Those racquets are the epitome of "plush". :)
 
3 things that for me maximize comfort for any given frame:

1. Natural gut mains.

2. Synthetic grip. My final setup on RF97 is with dense synthetic grip (with some lead under it to match frames). Yes leather gives more defined bevels, but is much stiffer and can be outright harsh feeling in colder weather. And btw PS97 has....yep synthetic grip, probably the biggest component of better comfort claims.

3. Wristband - yes I know, those controversial wristbands again, but when I have those extra 15-30 grams sitting on my wrist I feel noticeably less re-coil from collision. It's just smoother ride.
 
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My Buddie who is a good 4.5 player is starting to play more doubles now than singles. and he had been using RF 97 autograph for several month. He is doing very well in Singles but when he plays doubles, I can see he is little slow with racket work on the fast exchange volleys and hitting accurate service returns off big serves. I have recommended he switch to regular RF 97 that is little bit lighter and he said he will get a demo and give it a try. he did agree that RF autograph is little slow at net in doubles. Do you think this is a good advice ? since he wants to commit to playing more doubles now that he has issues with his knees.
 
Nostradamus said:
My Buddie who is a good 4.5 player is starting to play more doubles now than singles. and he had been using RF 97 autograph for several month. He is doing very well in Singles but when he plays doubles, I can see he is little slow with racket work on the fast exchange volleys and hitting accurate service returns off big serves. I have recommended he switch to regular RF 97 that is little bit lighter and he said he will get a demo and give it a try. he did agree that RF autograph is little slow at net in doubles. Do you think this is a good advice ? since he wants to commit to playing more doubles now that he has issues with his knees.
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No, I don't think so. My best net-work has been with RF97, it's more hefty but get any part of that frame on the ball and the rest almost auto-happens because of the stability and control.
 
Anton said:
No, I don't think so. My best net-work has been with RF97, it's more hefty but get any part of that frame on the ball and the rest almost auto-happens because of the stability and control.
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Agree, but he is having trouble getting the racket head in good place to volley when all 4 guys are net and exchanging fast eye to eye volleys. Does regular RF 97 play that different ? it is only like 0.5 oz lighter ....
 
Nostradamus said:
Agree, but he is having trouble getting the racket head in good place to volley when all 4 guys are net and exchanging fast eye to eye volleys. Does regular RF 97 play that different ? it is only like 0.5 oz lighter ....
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I can't answer that without seeing his technique, but if he keeps his racket tip eye-level, knees bent and recovers well to this nuetral position(aka good technique) and still feels like RF97 is keeping him from getting to the ball, than sure, PS97 is worth a demo. It will quicker to set but trade off is it is probably more work and less precision from there because of lower stability.
 
Nostradamus said:
Agree, but he is having trouble getting the racket head in good place to volley when all 4 guys are net and exchanging fast eye to eye volleys. Does regular RF 97 play that different ? it is only like 0.5 oz lighter ....
Click to expand...

I'm assuming you are talking about the PS97. There is only one model of the RF97. I would think the PS97 would be a lot more maneuverable. People like to scream technique, but sometimes a racquet is just too heavy for some. The RF97 is not an easy frame to hit with, even with great technique.

There is a huge difference between the two frames:

PS97
Strung Weight:11.6oz / 328.85g
Balance:12.6in / 32cm / 7 pts HL
Swingweight:320

RF97
Strung Weight:12.6oz / 357.2g
Balance:12.38in / 31.45cm / 9 pts HL
Swingweight:335
 
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