S
Slicehand
Guest
I didnt try them, but i will have a guess... they are shait arent they?
Tennis Warehouse Playtest: Wilson Pro Staff 97 and X v14
- Thread starter TW Staff
- Start date
stapletonj
Hall of Fame
played with a young med student last night. He loves old school stuff. Drives an 70s MG, wears adidas stan smiths, etc. really nice young man.
He plays with a 90 sq. in. prostaff. I promised him that if I was selected I would incorporate his thoughts into my playtest.
But what I noticed is exactly what I thought. When he hit the ball with time to take the classic long swing, he hit BEAUTIFUL shots.
But when jammed, off stride, in a net doubles volley exchange, etc., he was at a distinct disadvantage.
Does the version 14 or X help with this? enquiring minds want to know.........
He plays with a 90 sq. in. prostaff. I promised him that if I was selected I would incorporate his thoughts into my playtest.
But what I noticed is exactly what I thought. When he hit the ball with time to take the classic long swing, he hit BEAUTIFUL shots.
But when jammed, off stride, in a net doubles volley exchange, etc., he was at a distinct disadvantage.
Does the version 14 or X help with this? enquiring minds want to know.........
TennisHound
Legend
Might’ve been several factors outside of the racquet, but surely the lighter weight and larger head would help with reflex volleys.
dak95_00
Hall of Fame
I've hit with so many of the Wilson frames; PS85, PSC6.1, RF97, PS97, and seemingly so many and everything in between. I used the POG90 for many, many years and I just have never liked or gotten used to either the string pattern 16x18 or the swingweight. For example, I always liked the PSC6.1 as it felt very solid and hit great with it but when the pressure of playing points began, I just never had the same control. The balls would sail and I missed the flex and control I got from the 14x18 pattern of the Prince frames.
I'm currently using a Head Gravity Pro 2021 and really liking the 100 head size, thin frame, 18x20 pattern (usually I don't like), and weight of this frame. I'm curious if the X and the more open pattern might feel better. The rest of the specs seem similar enough.
I'm currently using a Head Gravity Pro 2021 and really liking the 100 head size, thin frame, 18x20 pattern (usually I don't like), and weight of this frame. I'm curious if the X and the more open pattern might feel better. The rest of the specs seem similar enough.
TennisHound
Legend
There’s been a lot of good reviews on the X. Most everyone that has tried it said it is was very surprising.
onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
Would prefer to use an extended for more flexible prostaff or a shorter, but stiffer one?
Aestheticsaboveallelse
Legend
Its not about what I prefer I just think the prostaff is one of the few racquet lines that definitely shouldn't have extended. Its the racquet of the gods (such as Federer/myself, and the existence of other Federer esque gods is currently lacking in tennis) and the gods don't need the assistance of extra length on their racquet. In fact since they have superior footwork and technique extended would only harm them. The Pro Staff is the purest racquet that exists in tennis and should be provided only in normal (perfect) length and reward the best technique footwork and shotmaking.
StringStrungStrang
Professional
Re the Pro Staff 97 v14 I am interested to see how they new layup impacts the feel and play. Wilson says that they studied the old classic Pro Staffs which had more bend in the throat and has tried to recreate this in the new PS 97.
I liked how the early iterations of the PS 97 played - countervail not so much, but very curious about this new tweak.
I liked how the early iterations of the PS 97 played - countervail not so much, but very curious about this new tweak.
Aestheticsaboveallelse
Legend
You definitely feel way more bend at ball contact with v14, makes it a lot more forgiving imo. Feels very soft too
Aestheticsaboveallelse
Legend
It is extremely real you don't even need to worry about that. No one would think a v13 and v14 feels the same bending if played side by side
TennisHound
Legend
Ive got several of the Countervail and regular PS97 and I prefer the CV, even though I didn’t like it in the Blade.
TennisHound
Legend
Ended up playing about 5 sets today with the white striped PS97. I played well on returns and volleys but was down on power for serves and high ohbh, compared to the Blade Team. Some of this could be attributed to string choice - 17ga poly around 51lbs. It could use some lead at 12 but it’s not the lightest to begin with. It’ll be interesting to see how the V14 compares.
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The black and red PS was pretty good, kind of wish I had kept mine now.
Hindsight eh?
TennisHound
Legend
Yep. I thought I liked the CV (white striped) better, but the CV feels a little less power compared to the red striped one.
TennisHound
Legend
StringStrungStrang
Professional
@cmkim88, @colan5934 @SlowTiger, @mhkeuns @Chairman3 @Trip @TennisHound among others, I am guessing since this is Wilson's first iteration of the Pro Staff line POST-Federer that we are seeing a reallocation of resources from the RF97 into a broadening of the base for the Pro Staff. The PS 97v14 will be aimed at those who love the recent PS line (me), and the X is aimed at bring new players into the PS family, perhaps even modernizing the racquet to reflect the changes in the game - perhaps more tweener influenced if you will - ala the popular Babolat PA, PS and PD lines.
I am guessing that I pretty much know what to expect from the PS97, but the X is an infusion of new life / ideas into the Wilson Pro Staff line. I am looking forward to seeing if my hunch is correct!
I am guessing that I pretty much know what to expect from the PS97, but the X is an infusion of new life / ideas into the Wilson Pro Staff line. I am looking forward to seeing if my hunch is correct!
TennisHound
Legend
Yeah, it could be. Like I say, all the reviews I’ve seen on the X have been really positive. The 97 is still a very competitive racquet for advanced players. The beam shape is very close to the H22, except for the PWS.
TennisHound
Legend
After using the previous generation PS97 I will be looking to see how the V14 is on power and forgiveness, especially in the upper hoop. The V10 is pretty harsh, while the V12 CV can be used without a dampener and feels more HL.
One of mine even weighed 11.6oz strung with OG and dampener, while the others were 11.8, 11.9, and 12.0oz. So realistically I could add much needed weight at 12 on the two lighter ones but they feel heavy quick. So the added SW in the V14 will be a welcome adjustment.
One of mine even weighed 11.6oz strung with OG and dampener, while the others were 11.8, 11.9, and 12.0oz. So realistically I could add much needed weight at 12 on the two lighter ones but they feel heavy quick. So the added SW in the V14 will be a welcome adjustment.
Downtheline1
Rookie
With the increased swing weight of 332 compared to the prior version, the PS97 V14 should play very nice.
Slightly different in the throat too. Pro staff is thicker at the top of the yoke/bottom of the throat. The current one is anyway. I believe the older ones might have been an exact match for H22 plus PWS. That was the general consensus.
TennisHound
Legend
Pretty sure the string pattern changed with the V13 - tighter pattern up top.
SlowTiger
Professional
I haven't played with every iteration but the V13 is a very open pattern. Shard to believe it more spaced out then that
V13 was a lot denser than the previous drill pattern.
Yes but the mold is what’s in question. String patterns can be drilled to whatever Wilson wants. If the OG’s aren’t the same as the H22 they are very close.
Thought the pro staffs were always their own mold.
Based on the decidely more evenly triangular shaped throat vs. the H22 which is more flaired out as it nears the hoop.
This is based on visual observation, not any engineering or insider knowledge.
Yeah they’re very close if not the same. I don’t have the original 97 on hand but the new pro staff does have a more stout beam at the top of the yoke/shoulders.
What it might be is that Fed’s personal RF97s are H22 with PWS and a pro staff layup. That’s the story I’ve heard from Wilson. But it’s possible the slight variation in throat geometry was necessary to replicate the pro staff feel he wanted, thus the difference.
Could be that it’s like the H22 mold he tried before RF97 development is vanilla flavor and the Pro Staff 97 is Vanilla Bean (metaphor of course because somebody will try to argue my speculation here).
There are different string patterns and spacing available. But they don’t custom make for each and every pro. That would be too wasteful.
TennisHound
Legend
No. Look, the H22 beam width is “similar to the H22, but they are totally different racquets. The PS97 hoop is more oval while the H22 is very round, amongst other small differences. There are some photos of Federer trying the H22, but Wilson made him a unique racquet.
put them one on top of the other and measure. They’re the same dimensions in the hoop apart from the PWS.
TennisHound
Legend
You’re right, they are very close. If you did lay them on top of each other you may not be able to tell much difference. The V8 H22 (Blade Pro) beam width is 21.46mm and the PS97 is 21.5mm. The V7 H22 (BP) was 21.5mm also.
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time_fly
Hall of Fame
I would have to think hundredths of a millimeter is within the normal range of manufacturing variation, especially with the wide range of tolerances on other specs.
They probably just went to one more decimal on the published measurement. The mold has not changed.
TennisHound
Legend
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stapletonj
Hall of Fame
No problem at all, just lean on the Wilson rep a little more and let us all in! heh heh heh.....
StringStrungStrang
Professional
Two Tuxedos, one all black and the Original red & black (at the front) painted all black. You can tell because of the "Braided Graphite + Kevlar" branding.
I always thought the upper hoop had too much writing and graphics on it. They all play wonderfully (except the one that my friend broke) solid, stable, excellent off both wings and phenomenal for volleys.
The latest Wilson PS97 v14 looks very elegant IMO. I prefer the bronze to the recent striped model.
I always thought the upper hoop had too much writing and graphics on it. They all play wonderfully (except the one that my friend broke) solid, stable, excellent off both wings and phenomenal for volleys.
The latest Wilson PS97 v14 looks very elegant IMO. I prefer the bronze to the recent striped model.
TennisHound
Legend
Nice man! I like the painted look on the original. I may try and touch up paint some of the scuffs on my tuxedos and the red 2nd gen.Two Tuxedos, one all black and the Original red & black (at the front) painted all black. You can tell because of the "Braided Graphite + Kevlar" branding.
I always thought the upper hoop had too much writing and graphics on it. They all play wonderfully (except the one that my friend broke) solid, stable, excellent off both wings and phenomenal for volleys.
The latest Wilson PS97 v14 looks very elegant IMO. I prefer the bronze to the recent striped model.
TennisHound
Legend
Aaargh. Good luck boys, Looking forward to the test either way
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Fighting phoenix
Professional
I'm in too! Really excited to play with it and post a thoughtful review. Having been on a fairly intense racquet journey this last year and recently settling in with the Shift 315, and having been a Wilson pro staff user during my college days, excited to see how this stick compares.
