Fintft
G.O.A.T.
Exactly, my 1HBH has never been stronger and it's fun to see it go thru people's FHs...
You the instructor?
There is no better racquet then the Wilson RF 97a, won't you agree?
- Thread starter Fintft
- Start date
Exactly, my 1HBH has never been stronger and it's fun to see it go thru people's FHs...
You the instructor?
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
Yes, I heard this also from a 23 old pro who tried Challengers and he usually prefers lighter racquets in matches...
I try to play at least 4 times per week myself.
Cheers!
Moveforwardalways
Hall of Fame
You must have not played a leaded up 2013 APD with puddy in the handle.
FuzzyYellowBalls
Legend
I am not the nor a instructor
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
I did play with the APD for a couple of years, not leaded though, true it had tons of power, but not enough control. Switched to Wilson Kfactor and BLX 6.1 95. Kinda prefer even Djokovic's (older) racquet Head Graphene MP Speed 100 to the APD.
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
I was only asking b/c I don't see Will Hamilton hefting the RF97a...
https://www.fuzzyyellowballs.com/
Moveforwardalways
Hall of Fame
Lol.
FuzzyYellowBalls
Legend
I understand, I do have a 1 handed backhand and tried the RF for awhile, just didn't think it helped that much, despite being 6'4" and pretty fit relative to the average rec player. Fun stick though. (settled on the Yonex 97 pro 330, probably move to the pure strike if it is good in august.)
nick102potter
New User
RF97a is definitely an awesome racket. Had fun with hitting groundstrokes and volleys using the racket as there's so much plow through. Sadly, my serve suffers as it's too heavy for me and hurts my shoulder if I use it for too long. For me, I prefer Vcore 98 compared to RF97a.
Frans Bleker
Professional
There are more rackets that you can weigh up to the RF 97 category, and the will play as good imo. The weight does the trick.
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
This is exactly what I do. It sits right between a Pro Staff and the RF. Perfection imo.
shapovalovnextgoat
Rookie
A man of culture I see!
parasailing
Legend
RF 97A is just too stiff of a racquet when you string it with full poly setup. I started experiencing tennis elbow using this racquet due to the stiffness. Once I switched back to my 2015 Blade weighted to 12 oz, all was good.
Kudos to those that can handle this racquet but most won't admit that it is beyond their ability and will keep using it even if they actually play better with another racquet.
It is a beast of a racquet similar to the KPS 88 which was such a great racquet as well but just too demanding to use.
Kudos to those that can handle this racquet but most won't admit that it is beyond their ability and will keep using it even if they actually play better with another racquet.
It is a beast of a racquet similar to the KPS 88 which was such a great racquet as well but just too demanding to use.
I havent been able to play very much in the past few months and I got out for the first time in over 3 weeks last night. I forgot how easy the RF97 can be to flatten out balls with this stick. I really struggled to adjust to the RF97 after using the PS90 for 3 years, but now the RF is starting to feel more natural. Still trying to get the drop shot down, but the easy power is so nice against heavy hitters when I'm on the run. I don't have to hit the ball perfectly to dig myself out of a hole.
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What tension do you use? From everything I've heard about 4G, I assume it's an arm killer in the RF97 at tensions above 52ish pounds.
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Possibly so, but unfortunately I missed the boat on the 6.1 95 rerelease by a few years.
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Lukhas
Legend
I'm not using 4G; it came with 4G.
When I strung it with a more reasonable string, yes the weight got cut significantly, but it felt like the racquet was turning above the handle, with the sweetspot in the lower hoop. I think that's what it feels like when the MGR/I is too high. It played well with 4G, it has very good snapback and control and it swung well; which is why I should've noted the specs to try to replicate it with lead tape. I think it was strung in the middle of the tension range if what I know about TWE is correct, so 25.5kg/55lbs. I'm not too sensitive about comfort, but a racquet that's over 13oz/370g strung is so heavy that it absorbs vibrations really well. A racquet that heavy allows you to get away with a lot more string setups that you could consider too stiff with lighter racquets.OTOH, a 6.1 95 18x20 (still sold here at TWE!) is specced like a RF97 but without the overgrip. The beam felt thinner when I tried it, the twist-weight a bit lower. It still has quite a bit of weight at the top of the handle; the balance is a bit too HL. I remember trying the RF97A with a synthetic grip... it didn't work at all for me!
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JOSHL
Hall of Fame
Allegedly it’s coming back for another re-release.
If the 95 is coming back I hope the 90 comes with it. That is my "one that got away".
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SlvrDragon50
Semi-Pro
I think I am going to try the VC98 or VCP97. Not too sure yet though.
I really love the RF97 for groundstrokes, but I find I am too slow on volleys with them if it's returned quickly to me. Yea I know, don't hit it to them, but I don't quite have all my control back yet
My serve is actually great, I think I am getting a lot more power, but I am more mindful of my shoulder with the racquet.
Big_Dangerous
Talk Tennis Guru
This is my preferred racket of choice and I found that the only modifications I needed were to add a Fairway leather grip and about 3 grams to the handle to make the balance a bit more headlight. Other than that, this racket plays fabulous at around 360 grams.
Big_Dangerous
Talk Tennis Guru
This post makes no sense. Why go through the trouble of buying a lighter racket and weighting it up only for it to play as good as the RF97 Autograph? Why waste the time and money?
SlvrDragon50
Semi-Pro
I assume so you can mess around with the balance more and still get the same weight.
Wilson's poor QC?
Big_Dangerous
Talk Tennis Guru
I guess, but I mean if the end result is a racket that only plays as well as the 97, then it seems like a futile effort, but to each their own.
Every racket company has qc issues. That's just a fact of life.
nvr2old
Hall of Fame
I have 2 RF's and 2 PS. Love the RF honestly but it does get a bit, or is a bit too much weight depending on how I feel that day. I weight up my PS to about 12.2 oz vs 12.7 for the RF to use on the days I'm not quite able to use the RF. I don't try to make the PS a RF as you stated, why waste time doing that, but as others stated you can adjust the weight and balance a little to your liking and still have the feel of a box beam, foam filled RF-like response.
Big_Dangerous
Talk Tennis Guru
I guess since I only play with the RF97, I never experience that feeling of it being too heavy. And actually, before I switched to the RF97, I used to use Volkl PB 10 Mids that I had weighted a few grams heavier than my 97 lol. My PB 10's were somewhere around 363-366 grams. You are correct though, you could modify a lighter racket much more than you can a heavy one like the RF97. That is one thing that I think sucks for those that don't like it, is that with it's stock weight, there's not much room to tinker around with the balance and adding weight. For me, it's a perfect setup, so I find it easy enough to just slap 3 grams on the pallet, wrap a Fairway and an overgrip over it and it's good to go.
Frans Bleker
Professional
Let me rephrase; better suited to your personal preference’s. The rf97 gets portrayed as being superior while its the weight setup that does most of the work, something which can be done on every frame and thus, I believe stating that the RF 97 is superior to other rackets makes no sense.
You take that back! The 90 lives on in my bag and in my heart!
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nvr2old
Hall of Fame
Ha yup. Oh to be young and fit! Age takes its toll. Enjoy!
yes, but I cannot understand why wilson's so bad.
my 2 rf97 have a roughly 20mm balance difference. they are bought the same time from TW. Thus I suppose this is acceptable by wilson's standard.
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
Roger... is that you...?
It's been a while since you had a Volkl PB10 in your hands though
GrandSlam45
Rookie
The RF97A is just sublime with Wilson Champion Choice, but that's $40 a month plus stringing fees. My only issue with the 97A is that is has so much plow, I would get lazy and bunt a lot of balls back rather than taking a full swing.
It's too powerful on weak players
Need to be soft
Slice block is always a good winner when they expect a full stroke
iceman_dl6
Professional
So true! I’m currently testing the Head Gravity Pro (lighter racquet vs the Wilson) and realized I have to make the full motion for my slice backhand vs the RF97A.
Back to the topic, I have been using the RF97A for about 3 years now, such a awesome racquet indeed! However, I have tested the Yonex SV95 and the Prince PP100P for a lighter and softer alternative but keep coming back to my RF97A! Currently testing the Head Gravity Pro (mine has stock 12.0 oz and SW of 344 but feels so much more maneuverable and softer than the Wilson) will to see if it has the same benefits as the RF97A! So far, there is an adjustment period, but I just started though.
If there are any RF97A users that have tested the Head Gravity Pro, I would like to have your comments!
Big_Dangerous
Talk Tennis Guru
Roger... is that you...?
It's been a while since you had a Volkl PB10 in your hands though
Probably been about 2.5 years since I last played with one. I still have a few left, so I might just take one out one day.
guardian2002
New User
Let me put it a different way. I use the RF97 today. A few months ago I got it into my head that a PS97 would be a better fit given I am a middle-aged has been. Anyways, long story short, I ended up adding weight bit by bit over a couple of weeks to the PS97 where it was 327 grams unstrung before I felt entirely comfortable. Save for the added weight of the stock leather RF97, I was right back where I started. So I have gone back to the RF97 because it is what I am comfortable with and gives me the best combination of power, control and feel.
