Tennis Warehouse Playtest: 2016 Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 Autograph

TW Staff

TW Staff

Administrator
Attention Talk Tennis Members!

We have a VERY VERY Limited number of the 2016 Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 Autograph racquets for a playtest. This playtest is open to USA Talk Tennis members only.

VERY IMPORTANT: Playtesters will be required to get their test racquet strung. Each racquet will be shipped with one set of Wilson NXT 16 and one set of Luxilon Element 16L. You can use either string in a full stringbed or hybrid the two.

Application period is now closed. We will evaluate all the applicants and send an email out those that were selected.

We select playtesters based on a number of factors, including message board participation and performance on past playtests.

In order to participate you must post your findings in this thread by September 2nd, 2016. Posting a review by the deadline is necessary to remain in good standing for future playtests.

Include the following in your review:

String and tension used for test:
Tennis experience/background:
Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley):
Current racquet/string setups:
How many hours did you play with the racquet?
Comments on racquet performance:
-Groundstrokes:
-Serves:
-Volleys:
-Serve returns:
General reaction/comments on overall performance:

Thanks,
TW Staff

Please note this sign up will only be open from 10 am to 1 pm PST today (August 1, 2016). Extraneous comments will be deleted.
 
Last edited:
Please....
Include only 1(!) non USA but European play tester and let that be me!
I am a long long time pro staff user, ánd bought quit a lot of rackets both from TW USA and TW Europe over the years (> 10!)
I will even pay for the shipment:)
 
borgpro said:
Please....
Include only 1(!) non USA but European play tester and let that be me!
I am a long long time pro staff user, ánd bought quit a lot of rackets both from TW USA and TW Europe over the years (> 10!)
I will even pay for the shipment:)
Click to expand...
> 10 years, > 30 rackets, and a lot of other stuff
I am the ideal play tester, used to have a high level, played with wood, PS85, 6.1 classic, 7.5, 6.0 95, you name it. Played against Kraijcek when I once was a talented youngster (never beated him though :)) what more can I tell to convince you Brittany ;)
 
borgpro said:
> 10 years, > 30 rackets, and a lot of other stuff
I am the ideal play tester, used to have a high level, played with wood, PS85, 6.1 classic, 7.5, 6.0 95, you name it. Played against Kraijcek when I once was a talented youngster (never beated him though :)) what more can I tell to convince you Brittany ;)
Click to expand...

Likewise, long time Pro Staff user here. And I'm starting to transition from the 90, so I can probably give a good comparison of the two distinct eras of Pro Staffs.
 
This would be my first if I can get in ( I keep missing them) I am so excited I just dropped my tennis balls..
 
At this time, our playtests are for US playtesters only. However, we are looking at having possible playtests through TWE that would include international members so please hang tight.

Secondly, we will look at all playtest applications. Having been on previous reviews or being an active member of the Talk Tennis community (especially in the area of the playtest) are things that help us narrow down to the 10 playtesters.

Thanks,

TW Staff
 
TW Staff said:
At this time, our playtests are for US playtesters only. However, we are looking at having possible playtests through TWE that would include international members so please hang tight.

Secondly, we will look at all playtest applications. Having been on previous reviews or being an active member of the Talk Tennis community (especially in the area of the playtest) are things that help us narrow down to the 10 playtesters.

Thanks,

TW Staff
Click to expand...

TT/TW,

What if we only playtest specific kinds of racquets before. For example, I don't think I have written any reviews here other than Pro Staffs of one kind or another. (Like when I transitioned from the BLX90 -> PS 6.0 85 -> 2014 PS90)
 
Thank you

BTW, with the limited amount of racquets for play test, would you happen to know if there will be a variety of grip sizes?
 
TW Staff said:
dkNEiGht,

Check back to this thread on Monday to get the details of how to apply for the playtest.

Thanks,
Brittany, TW
Click to expand...

Thanks for the great communication and letting us have the potential opportunity to test the frame.

The @TW Staff does an amazing job setting stuff like this up. We appreciate you all!
 
djNeiGht,

I will definitely include all information on Monday but unfortunately they will all be a grip size 2.

Thanks,
Brittany, TW
 
Woo-hoo! Can't wait to become a 3.0 weekend warrior with this. My dreams of winning USTA matches against the best players in my neighborhood are within reach. So CLOSE I can TASTE it...
 
TWE makes sense for people in Europe. But TW should definitely include Canada. I don't know how much I've spent on TW in the last year, but certainly a whole lot more than many US based customers. But I did not, and probably never will, spend a $ on TWE. I just wanted to voice my opinion.

With that said, I hope you pick players that play heavy/high SW frames. I remember reading some playtesters review for frames that were too heavy for them. Makes the whole review completely pointless. Just my 0,02can$. ;)
 
This is just so awesome. Where else would we get the opportunity to experience something special like this?
 
AMGF said:
TWE makes sense for people in Europe. But TW should definitely include Canada. I don't know how much I've spent on TW in the last year, but certainly a whole lot more than many US based customers. But I did not, and probably never will, spend a $ on TWE. I just wanted to voice my opinion.

With that said, I hope you pick players that play heavy/high SW frames. I remember reading some playtesters review for frames that were too heavy for them. Makes the whole review completely pointless. Just my 0,02can$. ;)
Click to expand...

Completely makes sense. This stick should be reviewed by the people who use and prefer the hefty frames. I can totally see the players who play with lighter frames will have a hard time with the swing weight/weight of the RF 97.
 
AMGF said:
TWE makes sense for people in Europe. But TW should definitely include Canada. I don't know how much I've spent on TW in the last year, but certainly a whole lot more than many US based customers. But I did not, and probably never will, spend a $ on TWE. I just wanted to voice my opinion.

With that said, I hope you pick players that play heavy/high SW frames. I remember reading some playtesters review for frames that were too heavy for them. Makes the whole review completely pointless. Just my 0,02can$. ;)
Click to expand...


I agree. I have spent quite a bit from and pretty sure that TW has quite a bit of Canadian customers. I am not sure why TW only picks "regular" playtesters. IMHO, they should open up to other players with other playing styles contributing better reviews.
 
TW Staff said:
At this time, our playtests are for US playtesters only. However, we are looking at having possible playtests through TWE that would include international members so please hang tight.

Secondly, we will look at all playtest applications. Having been on previous reviews or being an active member of the Talk Tennis community (especially in the area of the playtest) are things that help us narrow down to the 10 playtesters.

Thanks,

TW Staff
Click to expand...

I am ready to serve the TTW community and keep alive my long streak of Wilson Pro Staff reviews. I am sure Geoff can be coerced to participate in a live 'video playtest' to include complete details on the frame derived using our Babolat RDC. :) Please count me in! :) BHBH
 
I am so excited about the quality play test rackets TW is bringing here. During our regular group tennis tonight, I told the group about this and we were discussing about the RF97 for almost 60 minutes instead of actually playing, and we realized that only when the lights went off, and we were not even done with the first set.
 
borgpro said:
Please....
Include only 1(!) non USA but European play tester and let that be me!
I am a long long time pro staff user, ánd bought quit a lot of rackets both from TW USA and TW Europe over the years (> 10!)
I will even pay for the shipment:)
Click to expand...

Maybe you can get TWE to do something similar.
 
TW Staff said:
At this time, our playtests are for US playtesters only. However, we are looking at having possible playtests through TWE that would include international members so please hang tight.

Secondly, we will look at all playtest applications. Having been on previous reviews or being an active member of the Talk Tennis community (especially in the area of the playtest) are things that help us narrow down to the 10 playtesters.

Thanks,

TW Staff
Click to expand...

Well, I can think of far more worthy playtesters than myself if the number is only going to be 10. Maybe we can have nominations as I have a short list of players that would likely work well.
 
I will not miss this application. While I'm not a huge Wilson fan, I've played all of the Pro Staffs and this one is in my wheelhouse for specs. I even prefer that grip size!

 
Say Chi Sin Lo said:
May I be nominated in this short list? Some of you have seen my videos already :)
Click to expand...
It would be kind of cool to put together a collage of play testers videos all using the same racquet, and then put it in the "user reviews" section of that racquet's sale page.
Seeing all different levels and strokes using it might be helpful to anybody considering this frame.
I keep reading things like, "You have to be Roger to use this racquet". I don't believe that at all. I do think it favors/rewards certain types of hitters, however.
I waited 2 years to try it, refusing to abandon the box beam 90. I wish that I hadn't been so stubborn, I believe it to be the best racquet I've ever used. I gave the 97S a honeymoon period, based on the beam thickness and possible flex it had. It didn't "click" for me, while the RF97 only took about 4 hours to start getting grooved.
 
Fxanimator1 said:
It would be kind of cool to put together a collage of play testers videos all using the same racquet, and then put it in the "user reviews" section of that racquet's sale page.
Seeing all different levels and strokes using it might be helpful to anybody considering this frame.
I keep reading things like, "You have to be Roger to use this racquet". I don't believe that at all. I do think it favors/rewards certain types of hitters, however.
I waited 2 years to try it, refusing to abandon the box beam 90. I wish that I hadn't been so stubborn, I believe it to be the best racquet I've ever used. I gave the 97S a honeymoon period, based on the beam thickness and possible flex it had. It didn't "click" for me, while the RF97 only took about 4 hours to start getting grooved.
Click to expand...

That's a good idea.

Maybe I can be that advocate for the still-85/90 user, and assure them that the "Pro Staff-ness" has not been lost in these modern Pro Staffs. I have been playtesting the Vampire looking one for several months now, and yes, it took some convincing but the modern still has a lot of Pro Staff-ness in its roots.
 
Say Chi Sin Lo said:
Likewise, long time Pro Staff user here. And I'm starting to transition from the 90, so I can probably give a good comparison of the two distinct eras of Pro Staffs.
Click to expand...
Dude, you mock 97" in every thread. And question the manufacturers strategies, as if you know more about the market than they do. Nice try. You and @BreakPoint (and @90's Clay - if he plays which is doubtful) would be the absolute worst choices.
 
West Coast Ace said:
Dude, you mock 97" in every thread. And question the manufacturers strategies, as if you know more about the market than they do. Nice try. You and @BreakPoint (and @90's Clay - if he plays which is doubtful) would be the absolute worst choices.
Click to expand...

I'm objective and don't care for marketing BS or which pro is endorsing it, what's wrong with that? I have recently been playtesting the current RF97 because I think a change in my equipment may be necessary, and I'm definitely coming around the RF97.

If you follow me, I actually said that the 97S was not for me, and that the RF97 is more likely the suitable replacement for my 90.

You do know that I have been a long time Pro Staff 85/90 user, right? Which is why I think I'm one of the better qualified candidates to do this review. Not to mention I have had videos demonstrating my abilities already.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

TW Staff
Tennis Warehouse Playtest: Wilson RF 01 Family
6 7 8
Replies
385
Views
37K
Tennisfan2024
T
TW Staff
Tennis Warehouse Playtest: Wilson Pro Staff 97 and X v14
2 3 4
Replies
162
Views
14K
pdparos78
P
TW Staff
Tennis Warehouse Playtest: Wilson Labs Shift Prototype
6 7 8
Replies
395
Views
27K
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Classic-TXP-IG MID
TW Staff
Tennis Warehouse Playtest: Wilson Clash v3
3 4 5
Replies
246
Views
12K
TBM
T
TW Staff
Tennis Warehouse Playtest: Babolat Pure Aero VS 2020
5 6 7
Replies
343
Views
30K
Lavs
Lavs
Back
Top