Wilson Pro Staff V14.0
- Thread starter DJTaurus
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Fxanimator1
Hall of Fame
Just tried a demo of the regular Pro Staff 97 V14 and it was amazing to hit with. I was assuming it wouldn’t be much different than the V13, I was wrong, it played much better for me.
1HBHfanatic
Legend
-soo, if the v14.ps is supposebly 330 swing weight
-what was the swing weight of the w.RF?
-what was the swing weight of the w.RF?
1HBHfanatic
Legend
-agree 100%, the v14 is more solid at impact!
-and yet it is suppose to be similar or very close to in total weight
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
I see a bunch of talk about swingweight lately. For what's its worth, the two PS97s that I got from TW had swingweights of 302 and 303 unstrung. So that's 332 and 333 strung with Alu Power 1.25
I strung Prostaff X with Kirschbaum pro line II with 23/22 kg.
Fxanimator1
Hall of Fame
IIRC, the swingweight of the RF is supposed to also be 330. Honestly, the V14 felt like the RF to me at contact, yet it’s 25 grams lighter, so you’d think that it would feel more head heavy, yet it doesn’t, it seems to swing even easier that the RF with the same balance.
I really don’t know what type of sorcery Wilson did here, but the new Pro Staff is fantastic!
My hitting experience with it was nothing like what I was expecting. I thought the Gravity MP was one of the best frames I had hit with, but this was a whole different level experience in hitting.
Rasheeq Haq
New User
I had to get my sticks matched to be a similar balance to the advertised specs... TW gave me a few options that were all super under spec (319/315 SW) but found me something that was ~330 SW strung. Didn't like the weight so added a leather grip and then counter-balanced with lead at the hoop (3 grams). should be somewhere in that high 330 SW range now, but still plays easier than the RF 97.
My brother has played with the RF for the last 7 years and he took a hit with my racquet and stated that the feel was quite similar. Absent the extra mass on BH slice and on return of serve he was pretty convinced this was a lighter alternative to the RF.
My brother has played with the RF for the last 7 years and he took a hit with my racquet and stated that the feel was quite similar. Absent the extra mass on BH slice and on return of serve he was pretty convinced this was a lighter alternative to the RF.
Fxanimator1
Hall of Fame
Are you actually saying the V13 and V14 are the same racquets and you can’t feel the difference between the two? Because to me they are completely different in how they play.
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
This was in reference to the six.one 100 version. And yes I couldn’t tell a difference between them.
Fxanimator1
Hall of Fame
I thought you were talking about the Pro Staff 97 V14.
maxplough
Rookie
I'm maining my Six.One 100s alongside my Gravity Pros (seamless switch mid-match for me, typically GPro -> 6.1). I agree with the above about volleys (although it's still very decent there thanks to its balance), but it's just so unbelievably good on the serve that it's an easy decision vis-a-vis anything else --- I might hit 15 volleys in a match versus 80 serves. The kick and slice is just nuts, and it lends itself to energy efficiency given how it swings.
alexsoin
Semi-Pro
Anyone compared PS v14 with Shift Pro? Especially in terms of comfort, power, control, spin and feel. I’ve been using Shift for almost a year now. I like my Shifts a lot. But I think that PS 97s with lower SW (if I’m lucky with Wilson’s QC) could be faster thru the air and providing better control? I had higher 1st serve % and better control especially on really big FHs with my previous racket, Pure Strike 18x20 gen3 but it was bothering my elbow a little. Shift is a really comfy frame and also the feel is amazing and I go up to 55lbs with full poly. I’m 5.0 and playing quick aggressive tennis mostly on hard, sometime on clay. Big serve, fast loopy heavy topspin FH, flatter 1HBH, Serve+1, Return+1, finish at the net or with the swing volley kinda guy. I never even considered Pro Stuff but I hit with an older PS Six.One 95 18x20 BLX frame and fell in love but I can’t manage swinging it for over 2 hours and sweet spot is really tiny.
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
The PS97 V14 is far superior in every category in my opinion over the Shift. Add a little lead at 12oclock, counter balance with a tad bit of weight in the butt cap and throw an overgrip on it. And BOOM! You're all set.
alexsoin
Semi-Pro
I’m mostly worried about the launch angle especially for defensive (and serve return) slice backhands. 18x20s are generally more predictable and consistent. My last 3 rackets over 7 years were all 18x20: Blade, Yonex VCore Pro and Pure Strike. And so is Shift Pro now. Surpassingly, I always generate way more spin on 18x20s than on more open patterns due to ability to swing faster w/o fear of over-hitting or unpredictable crazy launch. Also comfort-wise, Shift is very comfy due to that unique vertical flex but I’ve seen a few PS v14 reviews claiming elbows/wirsts soreness. I like my full polys strung low to mid 50s so it’s a concern. Lastly the shredding of strings in a frame with 16 mains is exponentially quicker than in case with 18 mains.
forzamr_b
Semi-Pro
I’ve not played with the Shift Pro and only played with the Shift for 10mins, but have played both the PS97 and X. If you’re looking for something that swings faster through the air than the Shift (assuming you’re playing stock), I don’t think an under spec PS97 v14 or a PS X would satisfy given their higher static weight, nor the Shift Pro for its higher sw. But if you’re happy to have similar or slightly slower swing speed but gain feel, control, and precision, then they are definitely worth a demo. Between the 97 and X, only go for the 97 if you’re a good ball striker, otherwise the X will give easier access to power and spin. Lastly, I would demo the PS97 v13 too as that in stock form would be a v14 with sw similar to the Shift, i.e an under spec v14.
alexsoin
Semi-Pro
Shift Pro SW - 332, PS v14 - 325; both with same static weight of 315g unstrung. Yes, my three Shift Pro frames are unmodded. I was really lucky with the QC, I got one prototype at 312, and then 2 regular Pros at 313 and 315g. I think PS 97 v14 would swing faster due to smaller head and slimmer beam, also Shift’s wide throat (with 10 mains) makes it feel a bit bulky especially on 1HBH. X is definitely a no go for me, 16x19 on 100sq in will result in hitting the fence for sure. It’s quite difficult to find PS v13 nowadays and isn’t it stiffer feeling and less flexy one of the two?
forzamr_b
Semi-Pro
Sorry, I misunderstood. Thought you played with the Shift 99 and was considering either the Pro or the PS97 v14.
Yes, coming from Shift Pro, 97 v14 should swing faster. And yes, v13 is a little stiffer than v14. And between the 2 I much prefer the v14 for the higher sw.
I wouldn’t write off the X without trying. Strongly recommend you demo it. And if possible add weight at 12 to match PS97 sw. It is only slightly less precise but way more forgiving. But if a demo is not possible then yes 97 v14 would be a safer bet.
Shift Pro is slightly more comfortable, but much more inconsistent, depending on where you get the ball on the string bed, needs superb timing etc, and forces you to swing slightly upwards to control the trajectory, and to anticipate and swing very early
Power is similar, but Pro Staff is waay more precise and consistent, has pin point precision, and swings very naturally, on 1hbh particularly, very easy to free the arm and swing through confidently on practically every ball. Balls easily go where you expect them to go. PS needs a slightly softer string setup though, 1hbh is much more sensitive and injury prone that 2hbh
Blocking and 1hbh returns are better with the Shift though, so you'll need to dial in weight, sw and string setup to get confident blocking 1hbh returns with the PS97 but it's still very good. Balls just don't fly away with the PS, so however you swing at the ball it still goes where you want it, really nice. Shift Pro can however launch balls..somewhere
Loopy forehands and backhands and kick serves are really nice with the Pro Staff, a bit Federer-like really, you can really be creative with angles, trajectories and rotations
Feel is very crispy with Pro Staff, excellent feel, but Shift Pro is on the same level, but different. Shift Pro has a sort of clear thud, and no ringing afterwards, Pro Staff 97 v14 has a bit of that high frequency ringing
Shift Pro is really nice for serving, but Pro Staff is just better, so precise and easy swinging through the ball
I'd aim for a 295-6 unstrung sw with the PS, because it needs to be swung quickly, and fully, you don't want a sluggish racquet tip with it. Shift Pro allows for shorter swings and more blocking
But why don't you just get a Blade v8 18x20 though? It plays wonderfully, and is super comfy. Also at 295sw, 305g and you're golden, you can mod it etc. When you mod the Pro Staff you quickly arrive to 320g unstrung
alexsoin
Semi-Pro
Thank you so much for such detailed review and advices!
I played with Blade v6 18x20 for about a year and was feeling like something is missing. I tend to gel better with heavier rackets and 305g is not enough stability wise for me. But playing with weights is not my kinda thing. I was lucky with Pure Strikes 18x20, all three rackets came in over spec at 308, 309 and 310g. Also RDC at 60 might feel like a noodle and I like crisper response.
I guess PS v14 is a must demo considering your notes on its playability and pin-point control. I’ll have to restring demo with my string of choice and see how my arm holds up say at 52lbs full poly. And yes, 1hbh is a tricky shot and injury prone. The main reason I want to stay with Shift Pro as it doesn’t bother my arm at all even at 55lbs with med stiff full poly. Great point on dampened sound on Shift Pro, actually like that and first time I use the racket without vibro dampeners.
I will wait until Feb so I can get the new Pure Strike 18x20 for a demo as well. I see reports that it’s a little more muted and way more comfortable in this new gen 4. Couldn’t get with Pure Strike VS at all though, demoed it twice
Any suggestions for racket #3 for such demo? I’m considering Yonex Perceipt 97D with all of the specs in my wheelhouse but RDC at 62? If it feels not super noodly flexy on impact then Yonex QC couldn’t be beat. I’ve played with quite a few Yonex-es before. Like isometric shape, my contact point is always a bit higher, closer to the upper hoop i.e. best hitting area of Yonex frames.
Your stability issue with Blade v6 18x20 was very likely just some weight missing in the handle, and too high swingweight, too top heavy for you to swing comfortably. If it was on spec 335sw or so, it's a bit top heavy for a single hander, and you'd need some 10-12g added to the top of the grip, or 5g at the top and 5g in the end cap
Blade v8 18x20 is good for 1hbh, and crucially isn't that top heavy, it's much quicker and juicy on impact, soft for the tendons, just make sure you find one on spec sw wise, at 326-328 or so, 295sw unstrung
Also there's new v9 arriving any day, Speed Pro is even better on 1hbh, new version also arriving any day now, Aux Extreme Tour is also fabulous for 1hbh
Don't get overly caught up with 305 vs 315g, if both racquets are at say 326sw it basically only means that the 315g racquet has a heavier piece of iron baked into the carbon fibre at the top of the handle. Which you actually need for stability - returns, blocks, volleys, on 1hbh especially. However, it's a problem if you get a PS97 with low swingweight, so then you have to add at 12 and you quickly end up with a 320g racquet. It's still a high stiffness racquet, it won't feel very sluggish because it's punchy, but weight is weight
P97D is going to be a bit slow I think, but I haven't tried it yet. I did try the previous VCP97D and it was nice but a bit too sluggish feeling overall. At the same sw, say 328sw, Blade v8 18x20 is going to be waay quicker in play vs P97D, and punchier too. The extra static weight, in the throat and handle, of the P97D are useful mostly if you're returning and blocking pro level serves and attack forehands, otherwise extra weight is only a burden to carry and swing around. If your tennis is practically depending on how you swing and hit the ball, if you're late or not, then lighter is much better. Most people don't have a technique to fully swing 320g low powered racquet. In terms of stringbed response Blade v8 18x20 and P97D are going to be very comparable, Speed Pro too, SP also slightly more forgiving and linear because of the 100 sq in head, and 10g easier to play with vs 97D
Blade v8 18x20 is good for 1hbh, and crucially isn't that top heavy, it's much quicker and juicy on impact, soft for the tendons, just make sure you find one on spec sw wise, at 326-328 or so, 295sw unstrung
Also there's new v9 arriving any day, Speed Pro is even better on 1hbh, new version also arriving any day now, Aux Extreme Tour is also fabulous for 1hbh
Don't get overly caught up with 305 vs 315g, if both racquets are at say 326sw it basically only means that the 315g racquet has a heavier piece of iron baked into the carbon fibre at the top of the handle. Which you actually need for stability - returns, blocks, volleys, on 1hbh especially. However, it's a problem if you get a PS97 with low swingweight, so then you have to add at 12 and you quickly end up with a 320g racquet. It's still a high stiffness racquet, it won't feel very sluggish because it's punchy, but weight is weight
P97D is going to be a bit slow I think, but I haven't tried it yet. I did try the previous VCP97D and it was nice but a bit too sluggish feeling overall. At the same sw, say 328sw, Blade v8 18x20 is going to be waay quicker in play vs P97D, and punchier too. The extra static weight, in the throat and handle, of the P97D are useful mostly if you're returning and blocking pro level serves and attack forehands, otherwise extra weight is only a burden to carry and swing around. If your tennis is practically depending on how you swing and hit the ball, if you're late or not, then lighter is much better. Most people don't have a technique to fully swing 320g low powered racquet. In terms of stringbed response Blade v8 18x20 and P97D are going to be very comparable, Speed Pro too, SP also slightly more forgiving and linear because of the 100 sq in head, and 10g easier to play with vs 97D
Wondering about this also...
alexsoin
Semi-Pro
I actually gravitate to 310-320g static weight and yes folks I play against have big serves. They attack my 1hbh all the time with kick serves and heavy topspin forehands. Lighter rackets are trickier to generate knifing slices and hit topspin backhands from shoulder height. And I know SW is more important but most of rackets I consider to switch to are all around 330. I also found that blocking serves and really heavy shots can cause racket to twist. And Shift Pro is guilty to twisting despite 315g static and 330+ SW possibly due to that unique vertical flex. I’ll ask my amigos to hit with their Blade v8, I believe one of them has 18x20 and in 4 3/8. I don’t want to go up to 100sq in racket either in PS X or Speed Pro/Gravity. The feel of being lost in a giant sweet spot and losing control is not my kinda thing, something I experience with Shift Pro and the reason to switch. So I’ll probably demo PS v14, new Pure Strike 18x20 and new Pure Strike VS or Tour depending on specs. Blade is really easy to find as basically everyone plays with Blade, sadly not the case for Pro Staffs anymore.
Speed Pro feels almost like Blade 98 v818x20 in terms of head size, doesn't feel wide - twisting - like Shift Pro or Gravity Pro, swings very naturally and quickly on 1hbh, and is probably the easiest and most natural feeling racquet to defend that 1hbh with, besides RF97A
Aux Extreme Tour feels even narrower and sharper in that twisting/wide sense, it's a very nice racquet for driving through 1hbhs
Speed Pro doesn't have that huge sweet spot like Gravity Pro either, feels very linear on the string bed, meaning power and trajectories don't drastically change between centre and out, that's my issue with Shift Pro, and yours it seems, so SP works really well and very forgiving in quick play, just like Blade 98 v8 18x20, or Aux Extreme Tour
Typically my min stable swingweight to defend/return 1hbh nicely is 335, although I can get by with 328 or so, because what I lose on returns/blocks but I gain on quick attacks. However, 335sw needs counterbalancing, while 328sw doesn't, or only 2-5g at the top of the handle max for a 305g racquet, so with 335sw strung it's min 310g unstrung, but usually around 315g or so
Aux Extreme Tour feels even narrower and sharper in that twisting/wide sense, it's a very nice racquet for driving through 1hbhs
Speed Pro doesn't have that huge sweet spot like Gravity Pro either, feels very linear on the string bed, meaning power and trajectories don't drastically change between centre and out, that's my issue with Shift Pro, and yours it seems, so SP works really well and very forgiving in quick play, just like Blade 98 v8 18x20, or Aux Extreme Tour
Typically my min stable swingweight to defend/return 1hbh nicely is 335, although I can get by with 328 or so, because what I lose on returns/blocks but I gain on quick attacks. However, 335sw needs counterbalancing, while 328sw doesn't, or only 2-5g at the top of the handle max for a 305g racquet, so with 335sw strung it's min 310g unstrung, but usually around 315g or so
alexsoin
Semi-Pro
Any thoughts on Ultra Pro 18x20 v4?! I know it needs some weight (probably 1-2g at 12, 9 and 3) and balanced in the handle but how is the feel, power, control compared to PS 97 v14? Should be a comfortable stick, fast thru the air for sure and hopefully not too mushy, overly flexy.
You do realize there's a 16x19 Ultra Pro which would be more comparable to the Pro Staff 97? Comparing the different string pattern version is just muddying up a comparison for no reason.
alexsoin
Semi-Pro
Perfectly aware of this
I’m trying to find a replacement for Shift Pro which is 18x20. Also my last 3 rackets were 18x20s: Blade v6, Yonex Vcore Pro 97HD and Pure Strike v3. Ultra Pro v4 16x19 is way too light and needs a bunch of weight which PS 97 v14 doesn’t really need so it’s not a direct comparison either.A few players... Pospisil, Mahut moved from a ProStaff (6.1 and 6.0) to the H22/Blade Pro - which is 305 with a decent swingweight - i feel like its a bit more ProStaff-y than the Ultra Pro and closer to the other racquets youve usedPerfectly aware of this
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Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
Perfectly aware of this
UT 18x20 produces tighter spin (more through-the-court), lower launch angle, it needs to be modified with weight from the get-go, both are precise but the UT 18x20 more so (due to the tighter pattern), and the PS97 produces more spin that jumps up off the court. Both are good on the OHBH side, slices would be better from the UT 18x20 (again due to string pattern), but the PS97 would be more usable in stock form due to the difference in weight and the higher stiffness. The UT is more comfortable, both are great on serve, but I would say the PS97 has a superior kicker.
Both are great racquets... and things come down to preferences.
If you're looking for a replacement/alternative to the Shift Pro... the Blade Pro 18x20 with some weight in the handle would be a much better comparison due to the higher power/greater SW (that both BP/Shift Pro share Vs the lower SW and much more modification needed to bring the UT 18x20 up to the same level). The Shift Pro, BP 18x20, and the PS97 are also much closer together in the RA department compared to the UT 18x20.
Hope that helps.
alexsoin
Semi-Pro
That helps a lot, thank you, pal. Ultra Pro 18x20 v4 sounds like a must demo now! BTW, the RDCs reported at TW for Blade 18x20 v8 and UP 18x20 v4 are same at 62. I don’t want to spend $400+ on pro stock. I also think I’ll be able to get higher static, higher sw UP18x20 out of the bunch in the local store (in case I like it while demoing). Swapping for leather grip and adding 5-6g at the hoop is an easy mod for me.
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
The racquet we were talking about (the Blade Pro) is different from the regular Blade 98. They happen to cost the same amount (or close to it). The Blade Pro has a different mould and flex pattern to the regular Blade... and it can only be bought directly through Wilson (under the Pro Labs banner).
alexsoin
Semi-Pro
Gotcha! Blade Pro looks beautiful for sure. Unfortunately, I started my journey for Shift Pro replacement trying to find something that swings faster. I see folks reporting crazy SWs at 340+ on some of Blade Pros, higher than my Shifts at 333-335. Do you know the RA for these frames? SW is just out of my range considering I'll have to even 3 sticks out with extra weight
and btw you can't demo them.
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
Gotcha! Blade Pro looks beautiful for sure. Unfortunately, I started my journey for Shift Pro replacement trying to find something that swings faster. I see folks reporting crazy SWs at 340+ on some of Blade Pros, higher than my Shifts at 333-335. Do you know the RA for these frames? SW is just out of my range considering I'll have to even 3 sticks out with extra weight
I think from memory the RA is around the 63 or 64 mark. With a bit of tail-weighting, the Blade Pro and the Shift Pro felt fairly comparable (although I must say that the Shift swings through the air very easily due to the beam shape).
alexsoin
Semi-Pro
I could never gel with Shift Pro's ultra-wide neck area with 10 mains. Especially on my 1hbh. Blade Pro 18x20 has a completely different mold and ~10% narrower beam, should be faster through the air given the same ~335sw.
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
I wouldn't get hung up on the 10 Mains in the throat... it's the density of the string pattern that matters. What I mean by that is that I've seen 16x19 racquets with 6 Mains in the throat that have the exact same spacing as 18x20s with 8 Mains in the throat... therefore, same spin and same distance between the Main strings, only they chose to put 6 Main Grommets in the Throat or 8 Mains Grommets in the throat.
The spacing on the Shift Pro didn't look denser than some of my 90 or 95 or even 98 18x20s... therefore the number of Mains in the throat just feels like a marketing/gimmick kind of thing... rather than an actual difference in string density.
As far as the beam design... the Shift racquets are rounded (they used computer generated design/modelling when creating the racquet) and the Blade Pro is square... so this might play a part of how they move through the air and the "resistance"/drag that they create. I found the Shift racquets to be quite good on the OHBH, but that's why we are all different... and it's an individual thing.
All I know, is that I found the Shift to move very easily through the air and I found it very manoeuvrable (and I didn't find it more or less challenging than the Blade Pro).
parasailing
Legend
I tried the Pro Staff 97 v14 and prefer it over past Pro Staff 97s due to it being softer. Just like all Pro Staff 97s in the past, very maneuverable and great at the net.
The Shift Pro is an overlooked racquet as it is way easier to generate power with it than the Pro Staff 97. I like how fast the Shift Pro swings in the air and it definitely has more power and speed on serves.
The Shift Pro is an overlooked racquet as it is way easier to generate power with it than the Pro Staff 97. I like how fast the Shift Pro swings in the air and it definitely has more power and speed on serves.
alexsoin
Semi-Pro
I definitely want to demo PS v14. I like to go big, especially on serves and forehands and Shift Pro's power is not so easy to tame at times. There's gonna be some golden balance of power and control racket for me. So far my last 3 frames: VCore Pro 97 (18x20) was completely underpowered, muted and sluggish. Pure Strike 18x20 (gen 3) was actually kind of perfect power and control-wise but was hurting my elbow and wrist even at 50lb full poly, going lower in tensions was a bit uncontrollable since my Strikes were right on spec and very fast through the air. Lastly, Shift Pro sometimes can launch to the fence maybe like 1-2% of the time when you go full power and flattish. And yes, there's more power, speed and spin on serves but flat bombs tend to fly long for me. I think I kind of tamed my Shift Pros now with Toroline hybrid at 52-53 lbs but sluggishness on 1hbh is still there. Rounded but really wide beam at 23.5 is a part of the issue. I also learned to hold my racket real high by the neck (see Lorenzo opposed to Fed below) on a takeback and Shift's ultra-wide/10 mains neck is a pain in my neck
Still feels weird even after nearly a year of hitting with the frame.
Isn't the Pro Staff v14 the same stiffness as other iterations?
alexsoin
Semi-Pro
v14 has "paradigm bending", it probably makes a difference comfort-wise. Also RAs are 66 vs 65. Besides RA won't tell the whole story. Shift Pros are RA 68 but they are super comfy and not jarring at all most likely due its unique flex. Pure Strike gen3 18x20s are really harsh and jarring even though their RA is 65-66.
time_fly
Hall of Fame
I briefly tried a Shift Pro the other day alongside my PS 97 v14. Unfortunately the Shift was a demo strung with syn gut, so it wasn’t a really fair test. But I found the Shift’s launch angle to be lower and the power level to be lower than the PS 97. Maybe a low tension, thin gauge poly would fix it.
alexsoin
Semi-Pro
Sorry, I never tried Shift Pro with syngut and only had multi in crosses once. As you said thin gauge full poly works best for the frame. And there's substantial power levels which sometimes are hard to tame if you hit big and flattish. As for the launch angle, I found it to be higher than a few 18x20s I played with like Blade v8 18x20, Yonex Vcore Pro 18x20 or Pure Strike 18x20 v3. Maybe there's something about that vertical flex and stiff frame helping with spin production a bit?
parasailing
Legend
To me it is softer than previous iterations I have tried.
Fxanimator1
Hall of Fame
I got some elbow pain with this version but not with any of the previous iterations or the RF’s.
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
Nope. No pain anywhere for me. Full poly at 44 lbs.
I am looking for racket recommendations as second slightly lighter racker to pair with Vcore Pro 97D. Would appreciate if any of you have experience with 97D and can give comparison to Pro Staff V14 or X V14. On paper Pro Staff would seem to be quite close to Vcore 97D but its almost as heavy.
What I enjoy with 97D and what I am looking for in second racket
+I especially enjoy how much more control it gives to me
+How solid it feels on net and how easily I can return even harder serves
+Its also feels very arm friendly with very low vibration and large sweetzone
+I also enjoy how it plows through.
-The downside is that if I play for more than one hour or have been playing a lot during the last few days it starts to feel quite sluggish.
-In addition I have some problems generating spin compared to for example Wilson Blade V8.
My current second racket is Wilson Blade V8 (305g) but it feels bit too light, doesnt feel as balanced and has seemingly smaller sweetzone. The plus side is that it feels very light and I can generate spin very easily.
What I enjoy with 97D and what I am looking for in second racket
+I especially enjoy how much more control it gives to me
+How solid it feels on net and how easily I can return even harder serves
+Its also feels very arm friendly with very low vibration and large sweetzone
+I also enjoy how it plows through.
-The downside is that if I play for more than one hour or have been playing a lot during the last few days it starts to feel quite sluggish.
-In addition I have some problems generating spin compared to for example Wilson Blade V8.
My current second racket is Wilson Blade V8 (305g) but it feels bit too light, doesnt feel as balanced and has seemingly smaller sweetzone. The plus side is that it feels very light and I can generate spin very easily.
alexsoin
Semi-Pro
I had played with Yonex VCore Pro 97HD for about a year and yes, it was getting sluggish and felt extremely low-powered after a couple of hours of non-stop play. I also didn't like that the top of the hoop felt kinda hollow and wobbly even with some added weight. Same feelings regarding Blade and also Pure Strike both at 305 static, imo it's way too low to withstand massive tospin shots especially on my 1hbh. I demoed and played with both in 16x19 and 18x20. You are on the right track with PS v14 and possibly v13 (with lower sw). If you got too addicted to 18 mains, my racket of choice [Wilson Shift Pro] might work for you as well but the disclaimer it has a unique feel and requires a lengthy dial-in. Then there's new Pure Strike 97 but it comes in 16x20. Some folks beef up their Blades or Ultras successfully but such an approach never worked for me. I prefer minimal mods just to even out 2 or 3 rackets I have.
