Pro Staff RF85?

ONgame

Semi-Pro
Found on a Chinese forum
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etxlko.jpg
 

Capulin Zurdo

Hall of Fame
Whoa!! Update to the 6.0 85? Nice cosmetic; it has a touch of the classic paint scheme with the two subtle lines. Interesting Wilson is deciding to continue the 85, but not the 90.
 

ONgame

Semi-Pro
That's crazy but make 90 and all white with white matte and white glossy paint. Gold Wilson logo.

I think 90 will be mostly red with white at 3 and 9 for sure, perhaps black wilson logo. They talked about red being the color of pro staff for the PS97's 3 and 9 so I can't imagine an all white 90.
 
In the third small pic on the bottom the "Wilson" and "ProStaff RF" laser thing are on the same side of the throat. What's on the other side? Isn't the Wilson logo on one side and the model on the other?
 

NuBas

Legend
I think 90 will be mostly red with white at 3 and 9 for sure, perhaps black wilson logo. They talked about red being the color of pro staff for the PS97's 3 and 9 so I can't imagine an all white 90.

I can see that happening, these color combos seem to be reused. It will be hard for them to resist having the power strips being a different color. Hope its not too modern in color like using super bright colors.
 

NuBas

Legend
In reality, won't probably buy this until 2-3 years later when the price will drop. My guess is retail will be around $250... sorry $249.99
 

David Le

Hall of Fame
Why didn't they do a PS PS85 (Pete Sampras) instead of Fed of being the cover. It would made sense for Pete because he used the PS85 for most of his career. I would rather have a PS PS85 with RF97 specs and then later on a PS RF90 w/ the RF97 specs as well.
 
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PSC85

Semi-Pro
Not really getting the logic behind why Federer gets two autograph models. Aside from Wilson really want to cash in. But the 85 following is really a niche market.


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haegger

Semi-Pro
Why didn't they do a PS PS85 (Pete Sampras) instead of Fed of being the cover. It would made sense for Pete because he used the PS85 for most of his career. I was rather have a PS PS85 with RF97 specs and then later on a PS RF90 w/ the RF97 specs as well.

I agree with you. I think Sampras made PS85 an iconic racquet so it is more than fair that Sampras's face should be in this racquet, not Federer.
 

Automatix

Legend
I agree with you. I think Sampras made PS85 an iconic racquet so it is more than fair that Sampras's face should be in this racquet, not Federer.
From the legacy perspective, yes, from the sales perspective, no. Currently Sampras, as a brand, doesn't sell. Look at the reedition of Agassis limited Radical, it was a flop.
Federer as a brand, currently, sells anything tennis wise. Look at the sales of the PS85 reedition which TW had, it didn't sell as well as expected AFAIK. Slap on a new pj with Federer and you'll see it will sell.

Wilson is in overdrive cashing in what they can since Federer is at the end of his carrier. The fact he won the Australian Open will be a big boost in sales.

I don't know about other markets but when Wilson release the first Pro Staff Autograph 97 even at the stage of presales the demand was huge here.
 
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joohan

Guest
From the legacy perspective, yes, from the sales perspective, no. Currently Sampras, as a brand, doesn't sell. Look at the reedition of Agassis limited Radical, it was a flop.
Federer as a brand, currently, sells anything tennis wise. Look at the sales of the PS85 reedition which TW had, it didn't sell as well as expected AFAIK. Slap on a new pj with Federer and you'll see it will sell.

Wilson is in overdrive cashing in what they can since Federer is at the end of his carrier. The fact he won the Australian Open will be a big boost in sales.

I don't know about other markets but when Wilson release the first Pro Staff Autograph 97 even at the stage of presales the demand was huge here.

I think Federer will continue to sell Wilsons racquets long after he's retired. He is by far the most popular tennis player in history of the game and it will take someone really special to get even close to him (I mean next gen since Rafa - and only Rafa - is right up there with Roger). With Federers style and fashion taste, I expect his main sponsors to stay put - Mercedes, Rolex, Nike, Wilson (look at Agassi with Longines, Air Jordan initially with Nike...).
 

mogo

Semi-Pro
Wow.....Floored!!! Wilson is very smart. I will probably buy one. It's a classic with a new school look. Yeah I would prefer a Sampras Face as well, but Roger did use the 85 to beat Pete at Wimbledon so its a little iconic. But i like the paint job, and looks like the specs are the same as the old 85 reissue.
 

BorgCash

Legend
Agree that it should be Sampras or Edberg. But of course Federer is more marketable now, so Wilson just want to get more money from nothing.
 
Because when you stamp "RF" on it, it means a lot of $$$ for Wilson

Yeah but... RF did next to nothing with that frame.

From TW's own review of the thing:

"With the U.S. Open upon us, we chose to review the ProStaff 6.0 - Pete Sampras' racquet. Now available in 85 and 95 head sizes, the 6.0 continues to be one of Wilson's most popular selling racquets. In fact, the 85 still enjoys almost a cult status among 5.0+ and wannabes. This is likely due, in no small part, to some of the famous players who have used this racquet (link to ProStaff Pros). It's Pete Sampras, however, who has had the greatest influence on 6.0 sales over the last 7 years."
 

dr325i

G.O.A.T.
Yeah but... RF did next to nothing with that frame.

From TW's own review of the thing:

"With the U.S. Open upon us, we chose to review the ProStaff 6.0 - Pete Sampras' racquet. Now available in 85 and 95 head sizes, the 6.0 continues to be one of Wilson's most popular selling racquets. In fact, the 85 still enjoys almost a cult status among 5.0+ and wannabes. This is likely due, in no small part, to some of the famous players who have used this racquet (link to ProStaff Pros). It's Pete Sampras, however, who has had the greatest influence on 6.0 sales over the last 7 years."
Novak did Nothing with the Speed since 2009...
RF sells stuff. Put the stamp on it and you're guaranteed it will sell.
Sampras sells to a very limited market, Wilson cares about profits and revenue
 

mhkeuns

Hall of Fame
Kind of doesn't make sense. I think most will compare it to the St. Vincent Pro Staff and will be disappointed. Why not a 90, instead of the 85? I think RF 90 Autograph makes much more sense, like other members have said.
 

smalahove

Hall of Fame
Looks really cool.

To me, it was Stefan Edberg who made the PS 6.0 85 an iconic racket. I remember in my youth (mid 80s) that was the racket I really, really wanted - alongside the Pro Kennex Black Ace. And Stefan Edberg was the first S&V magician wielding it.
 
Looks really cool.

To me, it was Stefan Edberg who made the PS 6.0 85 an iconic racket. I remember in my youth (mid 80s) that was the racket I really, really wanted - alongside the Pro Kennex Black Ace. And Stefan Edberg was the first S&V magician wielding it.

That's fine with me too, I just know that there's a whole list of legends who should have his/her initial on this new release before RF gets a crack at it.
 

smalahove

Hall of Fame
That's fine with me too, I just know that there's a whole list of legends who should have his/her initial on this new release before RF gets a crack at it.

Just noticed the RF85 moniker. Yup, that's a bit weird, innit?
But still, an all black PS85 available for sale - in grip size 2. Ding, ding, ding.
 

penguin

Professional
Novak did Nothing with the Speed since 2009...
RF sells stuff. Put the stamp on it and you're guaranteed it will sell.
Sampras sells to a very limited market, Wilson cares about profits and revenue


It's not a fair comparison. Federer's actual racquets are on sale as are Nadal's (cortex shmortex- they're damn close). Anybody who actually cares can easily find out that Novak doesn't actually play with the Speed so it's not a fair comparison. Maybe Head would sell more racquets if they actually gave a **** about what they are selling to the public, but they probably think they would make less money through not making a such a big profit per sale.
 

dr325i

G.O.A.T.
It's not a fair comparison. Federer's actual racquets are on sale as are Nadal's (cortex shmortex- they're damn close). Anybody who actually cares can easily find out that Novak doesn't actually play with the Speed so it's not a fair comparison. Maybe Head would sell more racquets if they actually gave a **** about what they are selling to the public, but they probably think they would make less money through not making a such a big profit per sale.
99.5% of people actually believe that Novak is playing with the Speed and that Murray is playing with the Radical Pro.
Novaks racket is not for everyone and for general population and would not sell better than the current Speed. It is a very high swing weight that only a small percentage of people would want to use. And I am not talking his spec.
I use the PT113B and they are 330g (11.7 oz strung and OG), balance of 32.5cm and the SW of 345!
 
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