Hello Povl my current specs with my RF97 (red/black) is just two over grips with a total of 347grams. When I found this forum of Shroud I went back to the original specs of my RF97 (red/black) and tried to experiment his set-up but only added 10 grams 7” above the handle. But I abandoned this setup after my initial practice with this alteration because it does not serve me best in my tennis. I am now back with my current specs of just two over grips but I also added 2 grams each at 3/9 and 2 grams at 12. My total weight of my RF97 (red/black) is now 355 grams and 4 points head light. My experience with this setup are: Serve is powerful; ground strokes are heavy and volleys are also good. I like my two over grips over the leather because the handle is now smaller than it was originally and less weight which gives me a chance to do alterations in the head. I like the performance of my racquet now.
Wilson RF97A... Something isn't right.
- Thread starter Bottle Rocket
- Start date
Hello Povl my current specs with my RF97 (red/black) is just two over grips with a total of 347grams. When I found this forum of Shroud I went back to the original specs of my RF97 (red/black) and tried to experiment his set-up but only added 10 grams 7” above the handle. But I abandoned this setup after my initial practice with this alteration because it does not serve me best in my tennis. I am now back with my current specs of just two over grips but I also added 2 grams each at 3/9 and 2 grams at 12. My total weight of my RF97 (red/black) is now 355 grams and 4 points head light. My experience with this setup are: Serve is powerful; ground strokes are heavy and volleys are also good. I like my two over grips over the leather because the handle is now smaller than it was originally and less weight which gives me a chance to do alterations in the head. I like the performance of my racquet now.
volleymaster2
New User
I bought my first rf97a in October last year, the tuxedo version (367g with overgrip and dampener). I'm used to playing with PS85s/90s weighted to 370g including overgrip and dampener (not sure about SW), but the rf97 is a completely different balance. I tried a b/h flick volley and ruined my forearm. It's still a bit sore now, although my arm is getting stronger. I find it really powerful without added weight. I've just got my hands on some ProKennex Ki 5 PSE frames. Going to try them out this week and I will compare. Should be fun!
What string and tension?
volleymaster2
New User
I'm assuming you mean my rf97? Originally it had Prince Synthetic at 55lbs (strung by the seller) and that felt really nice. I restrung it in January with Kirschbaum Gut Feeling 1.30 mains at 26.5kg and Max Power Rough 1.25 crosses at 25kg. Feels very powerful, might have to restring a bit tighter. I haven't played a lot with it as I bought some St Vincents around the same time and I love the feeling. I've had 5 years away from tennis, so wanted to get my eye in before 'upgrading' to a modern stick while being able to hit the centre of the strings.
Thanks, been playing the RF97 at 58/55 with Klip 1.30/ Black Zone 1.25. Have had a number of people tell me how well the RF97 plays at mid tension (55) with syn gut or multi. Tempted to try NXT @ 55 but it is more expensive than Gut/poly. Maybe will try Sensation at 55.
I've been primarily using the RF97A since 2016. I'm a 4-4.5 player. Its a great racquet for me and it seems like anytime I try to move to a different more modern frame, I come out missing the RF97A. That being said, make sure when you buy the racquet that it lands in the parameters its supposed to. I ordered a matched pair of V13 RF97A from TW and the pair they sent me was around 7 grams heavier. Now I can still play with the heavier racquets but I defintely felt something was "off" for a while until I got used to it. Get a scale, millimeter ruler, and utilize the TW racquet comparison/TW racquet customization tools and see where the issues are.
naturalexponent
Legend
I keep thinking I would have committed to the RF97A long ago if not for my spending so much time on these forums and internalizing all the thoughts about the difficulty of this racquet. Even though a lot of them are valid points, I am repeatedly drawn back to this racquet amid all my demoing and testing and holicing. It has a unique feel and for all of its downsides, there are certainly plenty of upsides!
