TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
I'm really liking the paint job and these specs. Sounds like it's going to be 3 pts hl strung. Very interesting. I'll definitely be demoing one of these right away.
Official Pro Staff 97 S Club
- Thread starter SpinToWin
- Start date
Pleb123
Semi-Pro
You can take the trap door off and do it easily. Yes it will destroy the foam where it penetrates (a nail shaped hole will be left if you decide to remove it later) but that foam has hardly any weight compared to a nail.
Oh yes, absolutely.
SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
Easily in my opinion.
SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
Do tail weight it a bit. I hope you get a good sample spec wise
Biogenic
Rookie
Thanks so much! BTW Is nail a good weight or lead tape is better? Lead tape very expensive here
Any thoughts on above?
tkdojo
New User
I inserted a strip of lead tape that is folded up to fit in the area under the cap. Most of the time, it's fine, but I can feel it rattling or vibration when I hit the top of the frame or the hoop.
You can also use putty if you have some around.
parasailing
Legend
I like that they made it more HL but did they fix the issue with stability and hot spots on the racquet. I really wanted to like the 97S which had potential but it didn't feel as stable and the sweet spot didn't really work for me.
Anyone played with the Head Graphene Speed Pro and 2015 Wilson Blade 18x20 that can compare?
Anyone played with the Head Graphene Speed Pro and 2015 Wilson Blade 18x20 that can compare?
SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
Can't say I can relate, I had those problems with the Blade 16x19, but not at all with the 97S.
Pleb123
Semi-Pro
I actually prefer nails. If using more than 1 make sure they do not touch each other and also make sure they do not touch the inside of the handle as this will cause unwanted vibrations.
sundaypunch
Hall of Fame
This is posted on a competitor's site -
"The newest 2016 update to ATP Pro Grigor Dimitrov'sWilson Pro Staff 97 Spin with the unique 18x17 string pattern. New black and red cosmetic update to this frame. The specifications from this racquet remain the same as the previous version."
I'm really hoping the spec's are more HL than the previous version.
Franklin_B
Semi-Pro
There's been multiple comments from people (TW included) that the 97S has different specs. I believe all the others are just cosmetic updates.
SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
Well I wouldn't trust that website, the 18x17 pattern isn't even unique anymore (Burn FST 99S [but that was a horrible racquet on the other hand])
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
This is what I heard as well. Guess we'll find out in a day or so.
PeterFig
Professional
parasailing
Legend
Thanks for the info Peter. I look forward to trying out this racquet. Do you know when we should expect the new version of the Blade to be released?
PeterFig
Professional
early November
TinTin 1
Professional
Yes
1990's Graphite
Hall of Fame
seems like play testers have no trouble with flat shots, reporting more flat rather than spin from the frame
SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
I don't want to blame the choice of playtesters... But it is a strange choice I find. Would have liked to see Troy and/or Andy in the playtest... Marco would have been a treat too (all guys who play with lots of spin and can handle a heavier swinging racquet). Oh well I'll see for myself what has changed when I get a chance to hit the frame.
I agree with this. I found the choice of tester a little out of kilter with what I expected. Not the tester's fault, but i would not have expected some of them to consider switching to this frame, which is probably a starting point for determining who should go on to the test.
Totally agree. Unfortunately, the review did not provide much insight for me as my game is not very similar to any of the testers and I wouldn't have considered any of these testers as prime candidates to really put this racquet through the paces. I expect we'll see a similarly uneven written review as a result. I would consider this racquet to be a high end advanced players racquet and would have expected to see some combo of Andy, Marco, Chris, etc on this play test. Guess I'll have to wait for more reviews before I consider placing an order.
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TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
I agree with you guys about the playtesters. Not a good choice of testers by TW. I'll definitely need to hear more reviews before I even demo this frame now. I'm a bit disappointed. I had high hopes for this one.
I would love to know how much open is the 97s 18x17 pattern with respect to the open 16x19 pure aero pattern. I play with a very head-heavy pure areo (15gr of lead at 12 ), i would bring a 97s to the same weight /balance / swingweight, but in order to get the same launch angle I don't know what tension should I choose. Going from a 100 to a 97 sq in usually one kg / 2 lbs less tension is enough, but if the 18x17 is less open than PA 16x19 I should go another kg / 2 lbs lower. Anyone that has tried / has played with both racquets knows that?
Sander001
Hall of Fame
The box beam thing is overrated to me. Some of the worst feeling racquets I've ever hit with have had box beams.
Anyway, more headlight means I'll just have to use more lead tapes. The thing I'm most keen on is the increased comfort which the early reviews have mentioned. The paint job is a bit disappointing but I haven't seen her in real life so we'll reserve judgement.
Anyway, more headlight means I'll just have to use more lead tapes. The thing I'm most keen on is the increased comfort which the early reviews have mentioned. The paint job is a bit disappointing but I haven't seen her in real life so we'll reserve judgement.
The new balance is nice, but since both my 97S came in too light and too HL, they were at 32.8 cm already. And the new PJ looks...let's say not as good as the first one
So I'll probably demo it, but I won't replace mine.
Raizu
Semi-Pro
That's definitely wrong. It's noticeably lighter in the head.
Raizu
Semi-Pro
I can't say measurement wise but I did put the racquet on top of my old PS Hyper Carbon 18x20 and the center squares are the same size. I break a lot less string with this pattern. With the 18x16 16g poly lasted no more than 90 min, hybrids 45 min max. With the 18x17 I'm breaking 1 every 2-3 hours with a hybrid so it's a big difference even if your coming from 16x19 in my opinion
Raizu
Semi-Pro
What's this box beam design I have read about on here? The paint job looks much better in person than in the pictures and the black paint is smooth, it also doesn't chip as easy!
Raizu
Semi-Pro
Yep. The 18x17 has a lot more control than the 18x16 and I could flatten it out with that racquet too.
Raizu
Semi-Pro
Catching up here lol.
It plays very solid. Easier to swing with it being a bit more head light. Easier to accelerate from the baseline and whip around. It's beautiful at the net. Reminds me a bit of the old Hyper Carbons 6.1. I will eventually make it 10pts head light. I actually think this one will be more arm friendly than the last one but it also goes back to technique and injury history...
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
I understand you're playing with the new 97S all ready. How did you get a hold of one so fast? I've been playing with the PS 97 for two years now and really like everything about it. I use an overgrip and 6 grams of lead at 12 to bring it to 6pts. HL and 342 grams. I used the previous 97S for the first time the other day while hitting with a buddy of mine who owns one. I was loving the spin I was able to generate but didn't care for the even balance. It was slow from everywhere on the court. And it was too much work to generate significant racquet head speed on serve. I've been contemplating trying out the new 97S in hopes that it would be more HL. Have you ever played with a PS97 before? Or have you played with the RF97 before? If so, how does the new 97S compare to these frames in terms of power, spin, control and launch angle? I'd love to hear some honest feedback.
Raizu
Semi-Pro
Being a former player and now a coach has its perks lol. Wilson rep dropped them off last week.
I agree that the last 97S was difficult to bring around. The new one is much easier in my opinion and I have a one handed backhand. This new 97S definitely is easier to maneuver at the net and generate racquet head speed when playing from the baseline. I prefer the balance of the RF but I like the S technology until they bring back 18x20. I have hit with the RF97 once and it felt easy, like my old Hyper Carbons 6.1. I have also hit with the 97 but feel like it's not quite as solid as the 97S, clearly very different frames.
I agree that the last 97S was difficult to bring around. The new one is much easier in my opinion and I have a one handed backhand. This new 97S definitely is easier to maneuver at the net and generate racquet head speed when playing from the baseline. I prefer the balance of the RF but I like the S technology until they bring back 18x20. I have hit with the RF97 once and it felt easy, like my old Hyper Carbons 6.1. I have also hit with the 97 but feel like it's not quite as solid as the 97S, clearly very different frames.
blackpearl2007
Semi-Pro
Thanks for all the information. How is the stability / plow through? I play with the old one and feel it is very good in that department. Thanks!
Sander001
Hall of Fame
I haven't seen it myself but people have said the new 97S has a boxier beam, like the one Dimitrov has used one time or another.
Raizu
Semi-Pro
Feels even more stable in my opinion. I have noticed I need to up my tension but that might be a climate thing where I live!
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
Are you stringing with full poly? What tension is working for you?
Raizu
Semi-Pro
The last 97S I was at 43lbs with fully Ytex Cuadro Twist to begin the year. Once spring came around I switched to Ytex on the mains and Sensation 15g on the crosses and summer I was up to 52/49 with the same strings. Now I'm stringing with Ytex on the mains at 52 and a test Natural Gut at 49 on the crosses. Once I break that I'm stringing it to 55/52 with the same string and comparing it to VS Touch on the crosses.
parasailing
Legend
Raizu
Semi-Pro
I honestly have never liked the Blade 16x19 or 18x20. Not as much feel as the PS97S.
moon shot
Hall of Fame
I see measurements are now in at TW and TWU of the new 97S thought this group might find them interesting
http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/cgi-bin/compareracquets.cgi
TWU - single sample
previous compared to 2016
Weight (gm) 327 to 324
Balance (cm) 34.3 to 33
Swingweight (kg*cm2) 337 to 317
Flex (RDC) 66 to 67
Twistweight (kg*cm2) 14.7 to 14.6
Vibration (Hz) 140 to 150
Power (%) 42 to 40
Sweet Zone (cm2) 116.1 to 103.2
TW - averages
previous compared to 2016
Weight (gm) 326 to 326
Balance (cm) 34.29 to 33.48
Swingweight (kg*cm2) 336 to 325
Flex (RDC) 65 to 66
Sample variation is alive and well. It appears the frame TWU got was about as low as it could be in swingweight.
The vibration frequency is now in the same range as the RF97 at 150, while most previous Pro Staff or Six.One were around 141 - 146 as measured by TWU.
http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/cgi-bin/compareracquets.cgi
TWU - single sample
previous compared to 2016
Weight (gm) 327 to 324
Balance (cm) 34.3 to 33
Swingweight (kg*cm2) 337 to 317
Flex (RDC) 66 to 67
Twistweight (kg*cm2) 14.7 to 14.6
Vibration (Hz) 140 to 150
Power (%) 42 to 40
Sweet Zone (cm2) 116.1 to 103.2
TW - averages
previous compared to 2016
Weight (gm) 326 to 326
Balance (cm) 34.29 to 33.48
Swingweight (kg*cm2) 336 to 325
Flex (RDC) 65 to 66
Sample variation is alive and well. It appears the frame TWU got was about as low as it could be in swingweight.
The vibration frequency is now in the same range as the RF97 at 150, while most previous Pro Staff or Six.One were around 141 - 146 as measured by TWU.
Raizu
Semi-Pro
Do you or someone else mind explaining these numbers? Besides balance and weight lol.
tkdojo
New User
Thanks for the comparison. BTW, the variance, especially in Swingweight and Balance, between the single sample and the average is just way too much. In either case, looks like those who added some weight in the handle of the current model may go the other way by adding some in the hoop of the new(although I'd still put a little in the handle, just less).
Raizu
Semi-Pro
I think if you like a PS that is evenly balanced then yes add some in the head of the new one but traditional PS played grip heavy at least the 6.1's I used back in the day are all very grip heavy. This new one is getting closer to tradition going a bit heavier in the grip.
