Tennis Warehouse Playtest: 2016 Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 Autograph

DNShade

Hall of Fame
Interesting, as it seems random when Federer stops spinning his racquet.

It is random -- but you just know from muscle memory what one or two full revolutions is and you can stop it every time on the same way up without thinking about it. Not really that difficult.
 

BreakPoint

Bionic Poster
It is random -- but you just know from muscle memory what one or two full revolutions is and you can stop it every time on the same way up without thinking about it. Not really that difficult.
But what if the ball comes when you're only at half a full rotation so you have to stop it so that you can hit the ball?
 

DNShade

Hall of Fame
But what if the ball comes when you're only at half a full rotation so you have to stop it so that you can hit the ball?

Well you time it so you are ready. Generally only done on return of serve so pretty easy to time so never a problem.
 
Well, Federer did describe the paint as "elastic" after all.

Did you get yours from TW for this playtest or did you find one from somewhere else?

Somewhere else. Aside from string and tension difference, the new black frame is the same as the old black/red one.

Really didn't dig the "Wilson" on the side of the throat, or the rubber paint. (I'm not calling it velvet)
 

BreakPoint

Bionic Poster
Somewhere else. Aside from string and tension difference, the new black frame is the same as the old black/red one.

Really didn't dig the "Wilson" on the side of the throat, or the rubber paint. (I'm not calling it velvet)
OK, thanks. So do some pro shops already have the new one in?

Not surprising that the new one is the same as the old one since this is the racquet Federer actually plays with and he's not going to want to change his specs just because of a new paintjob.
 

BreakPoint

Bionic Poster
Well you time it so you are ready. Generally only done on return of serve so pretty easy to time so never a problem.
OK, thanks. Since I don't spin my racquet, it just seems to me to require some kind of sixth sense to be able to do this so consistently.
 

Shroud

Talk Tennis Guru
r10tnp.jpg


Hello @Shroud

As you mentioned I see that the plastic is still on the racquet!
Yep. It may be the plastic but i had a tough time getting the og on without it bunching. Maybe some bunching is normal in the beginning but it seemed more pronounced here. Could be the normal shape vs my squared handle??
 

gino

Legend
Looks like a Blade 93 with the soft paint of the i-prestige and some design accents. Tuxedo anyone?
@asifallasleep I own a few blade 93s from the Kfactor line. Similar style, yes, but the elastic paint has such a distinct and noticeable grit to it. It sort of locks your fingers in place and really handles sweat well
 

movdqa

Talk Tennis Guru
In my experience if a grip is started the same way on every racquet for that player there tends to be a more comfortable or preferred side "up".

I use the Wilson Pro overgrips which have the starter glue and I put it on the same way and same spot every time. The glue leaves a little residue on the leather grip and I just put it on the same spot. I always have a preferred side to hit the ball on - I don't know if the pallets get somewhat deformed, if it's the leather conforming to my hand or if it's the way I apply the overgrip but it's always distinct. I haven't bothered to check if it's related to how I start wrapping the overgrip but it might be.
 

asifallasleep

Hall of Fame
@asifallasleep I own a few blade 93s from the Kfactor line. Similar style, yes, but the elastic paint has such a distinct and noticeable grit to it. It sort of locks your fingers in place and really handles sweat well
visually i was comparing it to the all black 2013 blx blade. i haven't held the new RF, but based on the descriptions, it sounded similar to the i-prestige rubber paint.
 
visually i was comparing it to the all black 2013 blx blade. i haven't held the new RF, but based on the descriptions, it sounded similar to the i-prestige rubber paint.

For people who never had the i.Prestige, it's probably the coolest thing ever.

But for people who's had the i.Prestige and seen the gangrene that it turns into:

dr-cox-gif.gif
 
For people who never had the i.Prestige, it's probably the coolest thing ever.

But for people who's had the i.Prestige and seen the gangrene that it turns into:

dr-cox-gif.gif

Hi,
Just thought of another question:
Some older generation rackets (iprestiges, older volkl, etc) had a sort of rubber/elastic /matte paint. The coating on these rackets did not age well, they got all gummy, flaky, etc.

What steps have Wilson done to ensure that the paint is in fact going to last and not deteriorate over time? Was this a concern as this paint was different vs the traditional rackets?

This paint is not the same paint as on the racquets you listed. It's been specifically engineered and tested to give a soft (but not rubbery) feel yet perform well on tennis racquets. I think one you hold one in your hand you will see how it's a very nice and unique finish and unlike the finish of the racquets you mentioned.
- Peter

That was my major concern. The long term durability of the paint. See wilsons response....
Only time will tell.
 
That was my major concern. The long term durability of the paint. See wilsons response....
Only time will tell.

I don't think any of us can really say how paint will hold up. But if you had the i.Prestige, or some of the old Dunlop Hotmelt, or even the Prince Precision Response Titanium, stuff from that era... And then you go and hold the new Pro Staffs:

56580800.jpg
 

movdqa

Talk Tennis Guru
Paint gets chipped and scratched and you can just leave it as is or use a Sharpie or touch-up paint. I don't know what the rubbery material is but one could just add a dab of silicone caulk or rubber cement and then touch it up. Racquets are meant to be used; some people clean them up again but I'd guess that the vast majority of people that really use their frames don't as they're too busy playing.
 
Oh no, the hot melts and older iprestiges wasn't just a patch job. I don't care about chips and I don't care about scrapes. The "Soft"/"Rubber" paint on the older rackets would just deteriorate and it'd would be one sticky gooey mess. Imagine sticker residue + tar on the entire frame of the racket. Thats what SCSL is talking about.

I guess only thing to do is pick up 2 of these newer rackets, then just sell them before they start getting disgusting =p.
 
Oh no, the hot melts and older iprestiges wasn't just a patch job. I don't care about chips and I don't care about scrapes. The "Soft"/"Rubber" paint on the older rackets would just deteriorate and it'd would be one sticky gooey mess. Imagine sticker residue + tar on the entire frame of the racket. Thats what SCSL is talking about.

I guess only thing to do is pick up 2 of these newer rackets, then just sell them before they start getting disgusting =p.

Yeah it got pretty disgusting after a while. And if you stacked those i.Prestiges next to one another, it's kind of having double sided tape between them.
 
maybe... the way to prevent that from happening is wilsons new thermoguard 2.0 with their moisture absorbing bead thingies. Gotta get a new bag to go with the new rackets.

All kidding a side, i'm going to hope that wilson they figure out the flaw in the older soft feeling paints. I'll still be getting these =p. Is it September 1st yet?
 
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gino

Legend
Lol weren't the iPrestige and Hotmelts manufactured over 15 years ago?

Give Wilson a chance guys!..
 
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asifallasleep

Hall of Fame
The big promotion of this frame IS the aesthetic. So, if the paint fades and wears off like the old rubber i.Prestige, the frame will look like crap. The original RF97 will end up looking better and lasting longer.
 

mugener

Rookie
I think its pretty much a common sense. Anything that's soft compared with a harder surface either matte or glossy will get the soft paint chipped and scrapped easily. No different than the I prestige.

Sent from my XT1032 using Tapatalk
 
I don't think anyone is complaining about the paint chipping or scrapping easily. We are concerned about the paint turning into sticker residue + tar from hell.
Wilson did say "It's been specifically engineered and tested" so take it for what its worth.
 
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movdqa

Talk Tennis Guru
Because some idiot from the manufacturer thought it'd be a good idea to use rubbery paint, and time is a motherfo****

So that happened because of a reaction from air with the rubber or because of friction with something else?

If friction, then I'd expect similar abuse to damage the paint on a conventional frame too.

I used the PK Redondo for a year or two and it had the rubbery paint as well but I didn't run into it rubbing off and there certainly wasn't any damage in the throat.
 
So that happened because of a reaction from air with the rubber or because of friction with something else?

If friction, then I'd expect similar abuse to damage the paint on a conventional frame too.

I used the PK Redondo for a year or two and it had the rubbery paint as well but I didn't run into it rubbing off and there certainly wasn't any damage in the throat.

Think about it though, which part of the racquet gets handled the most? The throat, and there'll still be some friction from your hands on the paint. And who knows what sweat does to rubbery paint.

Wilson can call this velvet or carpet or felt or whatever marketing crap they want to throw at it, it's rubbery paint.
 

mugener

Rookie
All I am trying to point out it's more susceptible to wear and tear. Traditional finish holds better. I bought 8 i prestiges mid, so I have the experience with the whole thing. If it's not a concern, it should be a concern. Guess will have to see how it pans out.
 
All I am trying to point out it's more susceptible to wear and tear. Traditional finish holds better. I bought 8 i prestiges mid, so I have the experience with the whole thing. If it's not a concern, it should be a concern. Guess will have to see how it pans out.

I dealt with the i.Prestige Mids myself and man, that paint was pretty much stripped by the end of the 2nd year. It was so bad that Head decided to do a mid-cycle refresh, and put on a new (normal matte) finish.

@Wilson Official

Can you comment on the warranty that will be provided with the frame, specifically, its paint coverage? I know that Wilson generally has a 1 year warranty. For most finishes, that's fine because normal matte/gloss finish holds up pretty much indefinitely.

Rubbery finishes will start to deteriorate after 1-2years, right when the 1year warranty expires.

Thanks!
 
I dealt with the i.Prestige Mids myself and man, that paint was pretty much stripped by the end of the 2nd year. It was so bad that Head decided to do a mid-cycle refresh, and put on a new (normal matte) finish.

@Wilson Official

Can you comment on the warranty that will be provided with the frame, specifically, its paint coverage? I know that Wilson generally has a 1 year warranty. For most finishes, that's fine because normal matte/gloss finish holds up pretty much indefinitely.

Rubbery finishes will start to deteriorate after 1-2years, right when the 1year warranty expires.

Thanks!

I think you are unfortunatly making a lot of guesses and incorrect assumptions about a paint and product you have not actually experienced and have no knowledge of as well as comparing it to a different paint from a different manufacturer using a different process with technology from years ago. A lot of engineering and testing has gone into our new velvet finish and we are very happy with the results.

- Peter
 

mugener

Rookie
I think you are unfortunatly making a lot of guesses and incorrect assumptions about a paint and product you have not actually experienced and have no knowledge of as well as comparing it to a different paint from a different manufacturer using a different process with technology from years ago. A lot of engineering and testing has gone into our new velvet finish and we are very happy with the results.

- Peter

I think the reason that we started this assumption because other manufacturers haven't been using this "soft"finished since the Head I prestige and some of us really had a bad experience including myself. I do not think how other people feel, but myself I wouldn't wanna dive into it paying premium price for a product without getting to know the insight of that particular detail.
 
I think you are unfortunatly making a lot of guesses and incorrect assumptions about a paint and product you have not actually experienced and have no knowledge of as well as comparing it to a different paint from a different manufacturer using a different process with technology from years ago. A lot of engineering and testing has gone into our new velvet finish and we are very happy with the results.

- Peter

I held the racquet, I felt the paint, so I have actually experienced and have knowledge of what it felt like and so I am making the appropriate comparison with another manufacturer that churned out a similar product.

The only assumptions I am questioning is the future of this paint. Get it right Peter.

Have you experienced or have knowledge of the frames we mentioned in comparison? Have you lived with he Head i.Prestiges, Dunlop Hotmelt, Prince Precision Response Titanium of the world?
 

mhkeuns

Hall of Fame
Like anything that involves technology (*advancement) since the finish was so i portant this time with this specific frame, I am sure Wilson's done a lot of testing before this playtest.

I didn't particularily find the original RF 97's paint to be really strong. It rather chipped easily, imo. Perhaps the new finish will last longer. Who knows. It looks great, though. Drool...
 

asifallasleep

Hall of Fame
Hmmm, perhaps Wilson will eventually state, "Guaranteed not to fade for 5 years?" If they are so sure of the finish, perhaps we can get a guarantee or warranty of no fading for a period of time. Chipping is one thing, but i would put forth that fading is not after a short period of time........say 2 years. IDK. But maybe they will all fade in time for the new release in 2 years!!! I hope for Roger's sake that all the soft rubber doesn't turn to mush after a number of years. Imagine the outrage!!! You can be assured that tens of thousands of these sticks will be sold. Perhaps the frames will be FINE. Let's all hope so.
 
Has @Wilson Official answered me yet? I mean I asked about the warranty question, didn't get an answer but instead was accused of "not experiencing" the racquet.

I asked you if you have experienced or actually, lived with some of the racquets we mentioned. Have you answered it yet? I want to make sure I didn't miss it, because I'm quite allergic to BS Peter.

I mean, here you say it's not the same thing, and we have several accounts of being mentioned as feeling extremely similar to those old rubbery paint. I mean, not like you're going to disclose the actual chemical composition of the "velvet" paint and why it's different, right?

I also thought this was a thread for reviews/opinions, but I didn't know it's subtitled: "Let's only say good things about the racquet, and nothing bad... ever"
 

mhkeuns

Hall of Fame
Hmmm, perhaps Wilson will eventually state, "Guaranteed not to fade for 5 years?" If they are so sure of the finish, perhaps we can get a guarantee or warranty of no fading for a period of time. Chipping is one thing, but i would put forth that fading is not after a short period of time........say 2 years. IDK. But maybe they will all fade in time for the new release in 2 years!!! I hope for Roger's sake that all the soft rubber doesn't turn to mush after a number of years. Imagine the outrage!!! You can be assured that tens of thousands of these sticks will be sold. Perhaps the frames will be FINE. Let's all hope so.

Yeah..., the fading would definitely suck. That would be great if Wilson did that. I am sure the advancement in paint durability has been made since the i.Prestige days.
 

gino

Legend
I'd like to reinforce what I said about the feel of my playtest frame earlier. It does not feel rubbery. I used the term gritty because it feels like a thick acrylic paint with a matte finish, not a rubbery coating or plasti-dip like rubber paint. I've hit briefly with an i.Prestige and held many Dunlop hotmelts, to juxtapose the new RF with frames manufactured 15 years ago isn't really fair. Time will be the judge. For now, it's one of the smoothest feeling frames out there. I like it better than the matte finish on my HEAD Graphene XT Prestige Pro. It's more gritty and gets way less slippery when I'm playing
 

movdqa

Talk Tennis Guru
Yeah..., the fading would definitely suck. That would be great if Wilson did that. I am sure the advancement in paint durability has been made since the i.Prestige days.

I marvel at paint finishes on cars these days back to what we had in the 1980s.
 
I'd like to reinforce what I said about the feel of my playtest frame earlier. It does not feel rubbery. I used the term gritty because it feels like a thick acrylic paint with a matte finish, not a rubbery coating or plasti-dip like rubber paint. I've hit briefly with an i.Prestige and held many Dunlop hotmelts, to juxtapose the new RF with frames manufactured 15 years ago isn't really fair. Time will be the judge. For now, it's one of the smoothest feeling frames out there. I like it better than the matte finish on my HEAD Graphene XT Prestige Pro. It's more gritty and gets way less slippery when I'm playing

I will have to agree with you to some extend, it does feel grittier. But in my opinion, it's still largely rubbery based.
 

movdqa

Talk Tennis Guru
I'd like to reinforce what I said about the feel of my playtest frame earlier. It does not feel rubbery. I used the term gritty because it feels like a thick acrylic paint with a matte finish, not a rubbery coating or plasti-dip like rubber paint. I've hit briefly with an i.Prestige and held many Dunlop hotmelts, to juxtapose the new RF with frames manufactured 15 years ago isn't really fair. Time will be the judge. For now, it's one of the smoothest feeling frames out there. I like it better than the matte finish on my HEAD Graphene XT Prestige Pro. It's more gritty and gets way less slippery when I'm playing

I wonder if it feels like this:

7_JayBird_Gear_BlueBuds_X_35551482_610x436.jpg


Those are the cases on Jaybird wireless headset products. It's a soft, rubbery feel but I'm pretty sure that it's not rubber.
 

gino

Legend
I will have to agree with you to some extend, it does feel grittier. But in my opinion, it's still largely rubbery based.

Exactly. There is some rubbery/thick texture to it, but it has a few basic differences with those old hotmelt/i.prestige models in terms of the feel and thickness. It doesn't feel sticky either

I wonder if it feels like this:

7_JayBird_Gear_BlueBuds_X_35551482_610x436.jpg


Those are the cases on Jaybird wireless headset products. It's a soft, rubbery feel but I'm pretty sure that it's not rubber.

I should run into best buy and try and feel one. From a glance, it looks to be a similar compound
 

Shroud

Talk Tennis Guru
It certainly doesnt feel like my plastidipped frames!!

FWIW you can totally feel the etching of the wilson logo but when playing I didnt notice it at all.
 
@Shroud
Does the 2016 rf97's play muted similar to your plastidipped frames?

Obviously its not going to play like something that has a worm shock buster thingy on it, but could you tell a difference vs the 2014 rf97s?
 

Shroud

Talk Tennis Guru
@Shroud
Does the 2016 rf97's play muted similar to your plastidipped frames?

Obviously its not going to play like something that has a worm shock buster thingy on it, but could you tell a difference vs the 2014 rf97s?
Hey SI,

Not exactly sure what you mean by muted but I HATE any kind of sound or vibe from the racket and Wilson frames recently are light years ahead in that regard. All other rackets vibe or buzz on framed shots and the wilsons don't. This RF97A is no different. Though when I took out the shock buster 2, I could hear a normal ping and had to put the dampener back in, but I say at least for me it is muted and doesnt buzz on framed shots which makes it better than most rackets in my eyes just for that.

Sadly I never used the 2014 version but Say Chi Sin Lo hit about 5 shots with it and plays with the 2014 version. Says they are the same but that was general, not necessarily interms of it being muted. If the pain mutes it I dont know but wouldnt be surprised. It does make it feel like a smaller head.
 
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