Wilson Pro Staff V14.0

Automatix

Legend
I know about five guys who play various v11 to v13 PS97's and they all pretty much agree. A color shift paint job of gun-metal gray to black seemed like the absolute no-brainer choice. Oh well...
I find it funny because that's exactly what PS97 users I know say.
 

tazz

Rookie
Whatever the reasons for going bronze/gold/rust - the shifting color is amazing. The pictures don't do it justice. Nevertheless, grey/metallic would have been less controversial. I wonder how they are going to update the colors. I assume, Blade v9 will be first.
 
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Deleted member 775108

Guest
My PS97 v14 finally arrived

330g / 7HL / 323SW with Kirschbaum Super Smash Orange 17 without OG or dampener - delightfully underspec! The string kinda matches too.

Screenshot-20230725-155513.png
 

PhxRacket

Hall of Fame
First hit with an PSX 14 demo. Strung with black 4G. I didn’t get the tension from the shop. It was verrrrryyyyy nice. I had used PS 97 v13 for a couple years on and off. It was a hate/love kinda thing. When I was on, it was blissful. When I tried to play on a little sleep and the temp at 108 degrees, it was futile. The 100si head makes ALL the difference. It was a serving machine! Again the 100si., I think. More coming up.
 
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Deleted member 775108

Guest
My PS97 v14 finally arrived

330g / 7HL / 323SW with Kirschbaum Super Smash Orange 17 without OG or dampener - delightfully underspec! The string kinda matches too.

Screenshot-20230725-155513.png

As an update. I was in the unique situation of getting a PS97 v14 with the target spec of the PS97 v13 and basically every PS97 before that. Have 2 full sessions with it.

The v14 (at 322.5sw) was BETTER than the V13 in every department except one - POWER (with the same string). Spin, Feel, Flex, Control was all off the charts. Adding 2.5g at 12 equalized things on the POWER front. (Obviously if same mods are done to the V13 we know what will happen). This has to be why Wilson increased the target swingweight for the PS97.

The V14 is definitely a softer, flexier layup and is therefore open to more string options to mod up a racquet.

it is quite surpising that it is WILSON of all companies is actually doing things to improve and innovating with their rackets. The recent improvements by HEAD seem to be mostly hogwash marketing and fresh paint (that is exactly what they feel like to me)

Wilson makes the best solid feeling rackets in the business - with or without injected foam.
 
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brady1212

New User
Anyone know when the “Noir” / blackout versions of the v14 PS97 or PSX are coming out?
I am wondering the same thing. Just tried this racket out and really want to buy a couple, but strongly dislike the look of them. Debating if it’s worth waiting for the Noir model….
 

PhxRacket

Hall of Fame
I am about to exchange a demo of the PS X for a standard v14 PS. I wasn’t sold on the paint color until I had it in hand. I like it. Perhaps it’s an attempt to reframe the Pro Staff with a color assignment like the others, blue for Ultra, red for Clash, emerald for Blade, pearl for Shift.
 

Blade_X

Professional
I just tried v14. A little bit more pop and more free power. Feel is more plush. I found it a lot more difficult to swing than V13. All the benefits of 14 came with one major con….. the direct crisp feel of v13 is gone. Unfortunately V14 has been muted and as a result it’s way worse than v13 in terms of control. I had a blade v8 18x20 in my bag and i switched to it and my game improved instantly in every aspect. Power, forgiveness, ease of use, control etc….
 
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Deleted member 775108

Guest
I just tried v14. A little bit more pop and more free power. Feel is more plush. I found it a lot more difficult to swing than V13. All the benefits of 14 came with one major con….. the direct crisp feel of v13 is gone. Unfortunately V14 has been muted and as a result it’s way worse than v13 in terms of control. I had a blade v8 18x20 in my bag and i switched to it and my game improved instantly in every aspect. Power, forgiveness, ease of use, control etc….

Interesting - at the same spec (low 320s swingweight) I found the V13 more powerful than the V14

The V13 did have a slight Babolat-ness (maybe thats what tou are calling direct/crisp) to it and now it has a little classic Head softness mixed with standard Wilson solidity to it.

What string did you try it with?
 

Blade_X

Professional
Interesting - at the same spec (low 320s swingweight) I found the V13 more powerful than the V14

The V13 did have a slight Babolat-ness (maybe thats what tou are calling direct/crisp) to it and now it has a little classic Head softness mixed with standard Wilson solidity to it.

What string did you try it with?
Alu power. To be more precise. I found v14 to offer more pop…. it has more of a trampoline blade effect while v13 is more direct.
 
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Deleted member 775108

Guest
Alu power. To be more precise. I found v14 to offer more pop…. it has more of a trampoline blade effect while v13 is more direct.

I thought that was the frame pocketing and slinging the balls - like I would feel in the Wilson Ultra Tour for example. Definitely V13 is more direct and ball leaves the stringbed quickly. Thank god we have so many good options in this market.
 
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1HFH

New User
I've been curious about the PS97 v14. I'm drawn to the feel and precision that it's known for, but I always pull back and remind myself that it's probably too much racket for me. I do have more classic, full, slower strokes, but I find I need something a little more forgiving. Should I demo this one? I don't mind the color at all.

Also, does anyone know if the PSX is getting the "Noir" treatment too or will it be just the PS97 (and Blade and Clash)?
 
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Deleted member 775108

Guest
I've been curious about the PS97 v14. I'm drawn to the feel and precision that it's known for, but I always pull back and remind myself that it's probably too much racket for me. I do have more classic, full, slower strokes, but I find I need something a little more forgiving. Should I demo this one? I don't mind the color at all.

Also, does anyone know if the PSX is getting the "Noir" treatment too or will it be just the PS97 (and Blade and Clash)?

Just the PS97 af far as I could find, its already on some websites but not in the USA.

@1HFH
What racquets do you normally play with?
 
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Dishiki

Rookie
I've been curious about the PS97 v14. I'm drawn to the feel and precision that it's known for, but I always pull back and remind myself that it's probably too much racket for me. I do have more classic, full, slower strokes, but I find I need something a little more forgiving. Should I demo this one? I don't mind the color at all.

Also, does anyone know if the PSX is getting the "Noir" treatment too or will it be just the PS97 (and Blade and Clash)?


I hit with the PS 97 V14 today. My current stick is the Balde Pro 18x20 V8 and played with V7 previously. My blade pros are strung up with ALU power rough/ghostwire at 48/46. The PS had firewire/gosen sheep at 51/49.

Serves - like butter. Kick, slice, flat. Everything was effortless. That is the biggest drawback to my blades. Serving is more of a struggle. Even off center serves oftentimes found their way in.

Volleys- super crisp, easy to redirect, sweet spot feels larger than blade. Had good touch.

Groundies- not nearly as great as BP. A bit more bouncy and less pocketing but that could totally be the string setup.

Overall, it's a fantastic racquet. Perfect for doubles and for serving and volleying. The PS is my wife's racquet but I might need to snag one.
 

1HFH

New User
Just the PS97 af far as I could find, its already on some websites but not in the USA.

@1HFH
What racquets do you normally play with?
@gold325
I play with Blades. 98 V8 16M Silicone in handle (6g) + OG, 4g lead tape split between 10 and 2. Toroline Wasabi green 17g in mains @47#, T1 GhostWire 17g in crosses @45#. Feels great. Just starting to look again for a companion racket - something somewhat similar but gives me more free power and spin.
 

tennistiger

Professional
When is it available?

Seems to look a bit like the Naked Version from 2021 with unidirectional carbon top layer and clear coat. Because of this the Naked Version played different to the normal V13!
 
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Deleted member 793875

Guest
How is this racket in terms of arm friendliness, specifically the 97 and 97L? High stiffness so not sure how others feel. Maybe compared to a Head Gravity/Speed
 
How is this racket in terms of arm friendliness, specifically the 97 and 97L? High stiffness so not sure how others feel. Maybe compared to a Head Gravity/Speed
It feels great and comfortable to me but I don't have any injury issues... more flex this generation with the paradigm bending so should be more comfortable
 

chizzle

Rookie
I have just now discovered that the PS97 becomes such a different racquet with a Multi in the mains and poly (ALU) in the crosses.

I thought I'd lose control and I wouldn't get spin. Wow, was I wrong. I noticed it most on second serves and FHs. I knew that the feel would be better, but ... Maybe the reality is that just poly crosses make a big enough difference in bite on the ball?

I've never felt this confident / connected to a set up in 15 years. I think all this time I was so caught up in the polyester revolution. Also, oddly feels like the whole sweetspot opens up vs when I string full poly, where it feels dead and the sweetspot is the size of a tennis ball.

Anyone else, go multi/gut mains (or full) and have the same epiphany/experience?
 

PhxRacket

Hall of Fame
Finishing another round of demoing the PSX. What a wonderful stick! It isn’t without its shortcomings. But if you wanted a PS with a little more juice and little more spin, here you go. But beware, it is not for flat hitters. I have to put conscious shape on balls or I’m hitting triples off the centerfield wall.
 

TimePlease

Semi-Pro
I have just now discovered that the PS97 becomes such a different racquet with a Multi in the mains and poly (ALU) in the crosses.

I thought I'd lose control and I wouldn't get spin. Wow, was I wrong. I noticed it most on second serves and FHs. I knew that the feel would be better, but ... Maybe the reality is that just poly crosses make a big enough difference in bite on the ball?

I've never felt this confident / connected to a set up in 15 years. I think all this time I was so caught up in the polyester revolution. Also, oddly feels like the whole sweetspot opens up vs when I string full poly, where it feels dead and the sweetspot is the size of a tennis ball.

Anyone else, go multi/gut mains (or full) and have the same epiphany/experience?
Never played the V14 but in other rackets, yes, Multi mains / Poly crosses can be a good combo. My personal favourite is Tier 1 (Tru Pro) Triumph 1.30 mains (similar feel and playability as NXT but much cheaper) with Ghostwire 1.27 crosses in my Zus 100 16x19 (a similar beast to modern Pro Staffs but more forgiving and better feel). I get great power and pop from the soft-ish multi but without losing control or feel - a great combo that lasts around 15+ hours before notching too much.
 

TennisManiac

Hall of Fame
I have just now discovered that the PS97 becomes such a different racquet with a Multi in the mains and poly (ALU) in the crosses.

I thought I'd lose control and I wouldn't get spin. Wow, was I wrong. I noticed it most on second serves and FHs. I knew that the feel would be better, but ... Maybe the reality is that just poly crosses make a big enough difference in bite on the ball?

I've never felt this confident / connected to a set up in 15 years. I think all this time I was so caught up in the polyester revolution. Also, oddly feels like the whole sweetspot opens up vs when I string full poly, where it feels dead and the sweetspot is the size of a tennis ball.

Anyone else, go multi/gut mains (or full) and have the same epiphany/experience?
What was your tension? And will you do it differently next time?
 
Never played the V14 but in other rackets, yes, Multi mains / Poly crosses can be a good combo. My personal favourite is Tier 1 (Tru Pro) Triumph 1.30 mains (similar feel and playability as NXT but much cheaper) with Ghostwire 1.27 crosses in my Zus 100 16x19 (a similar beast to modern Pro Staffs but more forgiving and better feel). I get great power and pop from the soft-ish multi but without losing control or feel - a great combo that lasts around 15+ hours before notching too much.
Hold on whats this BS, theres an unheard of racquet line thats better than a pro staff? And I thought your setup was Velocity mains Cream crosses
 

TimePlease

Semi-Pro
Hold on whats this BS, theres an unheard of racquet line thats better than a pro staff? And I thought your setup was Velocity mains Cream crosses
Zus are a specialist brand selling custom frames of pro stock quality with glass fibres in the layup for incredible feedback/touch/feel. They seem to sell in the US and Italy only. They are not cheap but, in my opinion, you get what you pay for. A few of us were discussing the Zus customs in the Racketaholic thread about 18 months ago so Search is your friend.

I don't have one final setup. I mean, Zus ended my search for the ideal frame but I'm still experimenting somewhat with strings.
 
Zus are a specialist brand selling custom frames of pro stock quality with glass fibres in the layup for incredible feedback/touch/feel. They seem to sell in the US and Italy only. They are not cheap but, in my opinion, you get what you pay for. A few of us were discussing the Zus customs in the Racketaholic thread about 18 months ago so Search is your friend.

I don't have one final setup. I mean, Zus ended my search for the ideal frame but I'm still experimenting somewhat with strings.
Is it much different than Angell racquets? Cause I didn't like TC 100 or K7 red although I played well with TC 100
 

TimePlease

Semi-Pro
Is it much different than Angell racquets? Cause I didn't like TC 100 or K7 red although I played well with TC 100
Similar but different.

Similarities:
* Foam filled
* Equally good build quality
* Customisable specs
* Power levels
* Sweet spot size
* Both amazing for serve bombs

Differences
* String patterns. I found Angel Customs to be either too open (16M) or too closed (18M). The Zus 16M has tighter mains, very similar to the PS97. (I don't know the 18M)
* Feel - although Angels have famously good feel, Zus's are crisper - unbelievably "connected" - especially the 70RA.
* Zus grommets are way better
* Zus 100 plays like a 98 in terms of manoeuvrability. I always found the Angel box beams a little clunky and perhaps the foam is denser which makes them swing slower. Zus's are a little more whippy through the air but still have that solid stability on defence. They get the balance just right.

Zus compared to Pro Staffs (I only know v13)

Similarities:
* String pattern (and launch angle) almost identical
* Slender box beam
* Manoeuvrability
* Stiffness (Zus 70RA is actually about 67RA when strung)

Differences:
* Zus has much more forgiving sweetspot (biggest difference)
* Zus foam filling is safer on the arm even though similar stiffness on paper
* Slightly more power for Zus (but it's still a 21mm player's racket). Zus 100 serves better than PS97.
* Slightly better feel/touch/connection for Zus (although PS is also good to be fair)

Basically ZUS 100 16M has the control and touch of a player's frame with the forgiveness and ease of use of a tweener - more so than any other frame I know of - and FOR ME this combo is exactly what I need most.
 
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Similar but different.

Similarities:
* Foam filled
* Equally good build quality
* Customisable specs
* Power levels
* Sweet spot size
* Both amazing for serve bombs

Differences
* String patterns. I found Angel Customs to be either too open (16M) or too closed (18M). The Zus 16M has tighter mains, very similar to the PS97. (I don't know the 18M)
* Feel - although Angels have famously good feel, Zus's are crisper - unbelievably "connected" - especially the 70RA.
* Zus grommets are way better
* Zus 100 plays like a 98 in terms of manoeuvrability. I always found the Angel box beams a little clunky and perhaps the foam is denser which makes them swing slower. Zus's are a little more whippy through the air but still have that solid stability on defence. They get the balance just right.

Zus compared to Pro Staffs (I only know v13)

Similarities:
* String pattern (and launch angle) almost identical
* Slender box beam
* Manoeuvrability
* Stiffness (Zus 70RA is actually about 67RA when strung)

Differences:
* Zus has much more forgiving sweetspot (biggest difference)
* Zus foam filling is safer on the arm even though similar stiffness on paper
* Slightly more power for Zus (but it's still a 21mm player's racket). Zus 100 serves better than PS97.
* Slightly better feel/touch/connection for Zus (although PS is also good to be fair)

Basically ZUS 100 16M has the control and touch of a player's frame with the forgiveness and ease of use of a tweener - more so than any other frame I know of - and FOR ME this combo is exactly what I need most.
So zus has glass fibres that give a unique feel and angell doesn't have the glass fibres or feel of the zus, right?
 

TimePlease

Semi-Pro
So zus has glass fibres that give a unique feel and angell doesn't have the glass fibres or feel of the zus, right?
Correct. The difference in feel/feedback is quite noticeable. Whether you like that raw, connected feel or not is a different matter (many prefer muted frames), but you can certainly feel way more of the contact yet without any harshness. There's a kind of crystal clarity but still really smooth and comfortable - hard to describe.
 

PhxRacket

Hall of Fame
Just swapped the PSX for a 6.1 100. Anybody who has played both in v14 form able to comment on differences in playability? It is strung with Element 17g at 50#
 
Correct. The difference in feel/feedback is quite noticeable. Whether you like that raw, connected feel or not is a different matter (many prefer muted frames), but you can certainly feel way more of the contact yet without any harshness. There's a kind of crystal clarity but still really smooth and comfortable - hard to describe.
Very nice, what size do you use? And lastly where to buy them? I searched and the only zus tennis site says copyright 2017 and always says working on new website or something
 

PhxRacket

Hall of Fame
Just swapped the PSX for a 6.1 100. Anybody who has played both in v14 form able to comment on differences in playability? It is strung with Element 17g at 50#
Ok hit with the 6.1 100 v14 last night. Revelatory!! I don’t understand why this isn’t more popular with guys needing a little more juice. It excelled everywhere. Shortcoming was a little too much pop at times, but I feel like that is user error because when I was more diligent in the setup and finish phases of my forehand, the balls were staying in play.
 

forzamr_b

Rookie
Ok hit with the 6.1 100 v14 last night. Revelatory!! I don’t understand why this isn’t more popular with guys needing a little more juice. It excelled everywhere. Shortcoming was a little too much pop at times, but I feel like that is user error because when I was more diligent in the setup and finish phases of my forehand, the balls were staying in play.
How does it compare with the PS X?
 
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