Comments: Girls varsity tennis coach at Martha's Vineyard Regional HS. I'm a 36 year vet in high school and college coaching. I would recommend Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 for skilled players with training. Control and spin are good. Balanced shot making while approaching the net is excellent. Need strokes to generate power.
From: William, Ma, 12/24/21

Comments: This racquet is definitely not for everyone. With the weight, it can be rough for most people and after 1-2 hours of heavy hitting, your arm will definitely feel it. However, if you can handle the weight, this racquet is a gem! The volleys are so crisp. Because of the extra weight, I can really hit hard and not worry too much about the ball going out. The overall level of control is remarkable. It has definitely improved my game and I couldn't be happier. I just need to keep going to the gym so this stick doesn't hurt my arm.
From: Alexandre, Chapel Hill, NC, 10/21/21

Comments: More forgiving than the Wilson K-Factor 90, the Pro Staff 88 or 85, without losing the touch and feel. Great choice.
From: Derek, 10/8/21

Comments: Hello again! Part 2 of my review: I had previously stated that I like to feel what the racquet is doing more, so I thought I would try to get the strings out of the way to make more room fo it to do its thing. I dropped the tension 5 lbs, to 50, and that has made the difference! With this racquet, I deduced the problem was most likely me, not the racquet, and there was something I could do to find the magic. After all, it is a Pro Staff!
From: Adam, St. Augustine, FL, 9/19/21

Comments: I guess I have to agree with the Playtesters, it is the Mercedes of racquets. But that's why it's not right for me. It seems like everything about it is too automatic, like a loaded Mercedes; power door locks, seat warmer, keyless this and keyless that. I like to feel what my racquet is doing, and since we're doing car analogies- I like the feeling of American Muscle in my racquet. Something similar to the Kevlar, and even some of the basalt in 90's frames.
From: Adam, St. Augustine, FL 9/12/21

Comments:Amazing racquet to play with. Improves your game if you are prepared to take the ball in the strike zone.
From: Sree, Houston 8/28/21

Comments:Great racquet overall. Before I tried this racquet, I was playing with the Pro Staff 90 and six.one 90 line. The Pro Staff RF97 feels similar, but with the smaller head size I felt better control, especially on the short balls. If you enjoyed playing with the previous Pro Staff, you will enjoy this one as well.
From: George, Fairfield 8/13/21

Comments: For intermediate players and above, do yourself a favor and give this racquet a chance. It will take time to get used to the weight, but if you work for it, it will reward you handsomely. Tips as you learn to manage this racquet:- Stay low and just transfer the weight from back to front. Standing up before the racquet follows through will drive the ball like a bee line or straight to the rafters if your wrist isn't relaxed enough and your racquet head speed isn't there. -Prepare early- Take your time. Even if you're an aggressive baseliner, be patient and wait to step in until you're confident you can hit 80-100% each ball. It will be tiring at first.
From: Brandon, Lambertville, NJ 7/31/21

Comments: I found this racquet works best for someone who likes hard, flat, and powerful strokes. Serves are powerful. Spin is powerful as well when you connect. I can't find another racquet with similar specs to even compare. It is one of a kind. I use an ALU Power Soft string that I cannot find a suitable replacement for. The pair just go together perfectly for me. If you cannot handle a heavy racquet, then its absolutely not for you.
From: Trey, 7/30/21

Comments: I like the feel, weight and responsiveness of this racquet. I am an intermediate 4.5 player, and the racquet's control has helped me win more matches than when I used power-oriented sticks. The added bonus is that the color scheme is just perfect.
From: Andrew, Los Angeles, CA 6/17/21

Comments: Great racquet containing the Pro Staff legacy. Stiff, excellent feedback and feel. Stability on volleys is top notch, as is the plow through. All that being said, if you're used to racquets that are lighter, say 310-330 grams, this will take time to adjustment your ground strokes. You will be late at first. Stay with it and work through it. I've been adding this racquet in once a week, serve practice, then twice a week. If you have elbow issues this might not be for you. I run mine with a full bed of natural gut at 60lbs, so all my experiences will be from that perspective.
From: Jeffrey, 6/16/21

Comments: Great racquet. I like that it is a little heavier than my previous racket. It provides a lot more power on my shots.
From: Rodrigo, 6/15/21

Comments: It's the Mercedes of racquets. Feels solid and powerful with a very satisfying feedback from the racquet (just like the car). Elegant. I'm a rapidly evolving 3.0 player and was told initially this maybe too much racquet for me. I tried other racquets and keep coming back. I did hurt my elbow due to faulty serving technique (pancaking) but since I have corrected that I haven't had any issues and the racket forces me to prep early, swing through and develop correctly. Volleys and slices are natural for this racquet. I'm still experimenting with strings but found blue Luxilon ALU Power at 44-46 lbs great for power. Champions Choice is dreamy but far too expensive. I also like Hyper G and Volkl Psycho both around 48 lbs.
From: Mike , 6/7/21

Comments: The Pro Staff RF97 was the first new racquet I purchased in over a decade. I could not be more pleased. I consider myself an experienced, all court player. This is the main reason I placed my bet on the RF97 v13. The racquet offers an unbelievable balance of control, spin and power. It allows me to place the ball right where I want on technical drop shots, big baseline swings, and everything in between. I would, however, only recommend this racquet to an experienced player. It is quite heavy compared to related sticks and is certainly not forgiving. It will quickly expose any weak points in your game. If you are a weekend warrior, you may wish to opt for the normal Pro Staff, or something else entirely. You will wind up spending more time figuring out the racquet than you will enjoying your time on the court (which is what we should all be doing anyway). I have noticed the matte black finish wearing out in a few places already, but I am rough on racquets and play mostly on hard courts. I spend a significant amount of time at the net chasing down low volleys, so my frame contacts the ground quite a bit. This is not a big deal to me, but just something I have noticed. Right now I string the RF97 v13 with Natural Gut (58 lbs) in the mains and ALU Power (54 lbs) in the crosses. I am still tweaking the tension to find the sweet spot for my game, so these numbers will change. You will notice a BIG difference between string sets and tension with this racquet, so be patient as you figure out what works best for you. Overall, this is an excellent racquet for an experienced, all court player who spends 3-4 days a week on the court. I plan to add another one to my bag soon!
From: Stephen, 5/26/21 Florida, USA

Comments: Great racquet. Helps me a lot with power and control. My opponents have told me that they see my balls coming faster and more powerful. I am a 4.0 player so you don't have to be advanced players to use this racquet. You do need to play a few games to get used to it though. It feels a bit heavier when swinging, which is where the power comes from.
From: Dan W., 5/26/21Huntington, NY

Comments: This is much better than the Pro Staff 85 and 90. Look at how many people use 85 and 90 square inch racquets. Zero. Federer's unforced errors dropped dramatically after using the 97. More control, spin, power with less effort.
From: Patrick, 5/9/21

Comments: It shipped fast and was everything that I ordered. My daughter loved it!! Was packaged great! Super happy and very pleased! Tracking was easy to do and very accurate. We definitely will order again for her tennis needs.
From: Michael, 5/8/21

Comments: I bought five v13 after had 13-15 all black RF 97 Autograph and two grey and red. I strung them with ALU 16L at 55 pounds for most and tried Luxilon Natural Gut, NXT, and Xcel. Luxilon ALU 16 plays best out of them. The paint job is way better on the v13, but it doesn't matter too much because you will scratch from string job and use anyway. Though the feeling is very very close, with matched weight and balance, they are different. It's not a bad thing. Different doesn't mean bad. But I prefer the old all black RF 97 Autograph simply I am already accustomed to. For the new v13, it's solid, stable, pretty much perfect if one can handle its weight to make it swing fast enough. I can't pick a thing that is worse than previous generation. It didn't get any better too. There is some slight variation. Maybe it's ball feeling. Maybe it's the launch angle. I am sorry, but I didn't go to in depth to find out. But I can assure you the new v13 is as good as the old ones.
From: David, 4/28/21

Comments: Great racquet.
From: B.B., 4/23/21

Comments: This racquet is heavy! At first use, my arm became fatigued very quickly, but it was never a problem after that first time. It feels amazing to swing, and it plows through everything regardless of where you make contact. It immediately added a little power to my normal strokes and made me feel like I was always in control of the ball as well. It definitely felt like an upgrade to the Head Speed MP I had been using.
From: Whittie, 4/22/21

Comments: I have played the last few years with the Wilson Ultra Tour, after switching from the Blade 98 Countervail 16x19. The Blade was great, but moving to the similarly-weighted Ultra Tour was a revelation, with it's truly buttery all-graphite. I added a leather grip to get the weight up to about 326 grams, and when I eventually settled on a hybrid string set up with Hyper-G Soft 17 in the mains at 51 pounds, and Luxilon ALU Power 16L in the crosses at 48 pounds, I felt I had found the ideal setup for the Ultra Tour's 18x20 98 inch frame. By this time I had stocked up on the frames, especially after Wilson discounted them in favor of a cosmetic update to the Wilson Ultra Pro. But then, as the song goes, I fooled around and fell in love with the Pro Staff RF. Four weeks before a big tournament! The added weight and firmness of the frame have helped several aspects of my game, and after an adjustment period of several weeks I found there was no downside for any of my strokes. While the frame is 97 inches, I found I had to increase the string tension in this frame by about four to five pounds, perhaps due to the weight, 360 grams, and stiffness of the materials. I'm still trying to dial in the string set up. While the feel is not buttery, it is quite good and even with the 16x19 string pattern the accuracy is on point. While I'm an older player, I have sound mechanics and so far the increased static weight and swing speed of the frame has been additive with no sign of any arm, shoulder, or wrist issues after two months of heavy use. Good preparation on your strokes really helps. For the first time in decades I stopped using a dampener!
From: JG, 4/18/21

Comments: This is one the best racquets I've ever played with. I'm an unconventional player for modern standards. I prefer control-oriented racquets that are on the heavier side. Sub 100 square inch racquet heads are a must for me. My previous racquet was a K-Six.One 95, which I still use from time to time.I found that the RF97 has tons of control. I believe Wilson found the perfect balance of feel and comfort. The dampening system works, but the racquet never felt overly muted. Provided you can handle the weight, this racquet is very easy on the elbow and shoulder. One thing that helps deal with the weight of this racquet is the 9 pts HL balance. I thought the racquet felt maneuverable despite its weight.Another thing I'd like to point out is that I got a pair of this racquet and they feel identical without any mods. I weighed them and there is less than one gram difference between the two and balance seems to be exactly the same on the two.Lastly, I disagree that this racquet is unforgiving. I found it to be quite the contrary. It is extremely forgiving for a heavy control-oriented racquet. Even when playing with dead balls, I never felt that my technique needed to be pristine. It definitely forces me to have good technique, but I never felt pressured to have it absolutely perfect.
From: Paulo, 4/14/21

Comments: What I like about v13 is it is more like a broomstick when swinging it around. Meaning the swingweight seems more evenly distributed throughout the frame.
From: Tennis Hill, 4/4/21

Comments: Wilson Pro Staff RF97 v13 has the characteristics of the Pro Staff RF85 and yet it is not as good as the Pro Staff RF85. It has practically the same weight, balance, stiffness, and swing speed, but is clumsy and not as maneuverable as the RF85. It might be slightly more powerful, approximately 10 to 20 percent, because of a thicker frame width, but the same level of power could be easily generated by a faster swing of the RF85, the 85 is superior to the 97 v13 in terms of maneuverability. The Pro Staff RF97 v13 is clearly less accurate with less control than the RF85. Overall, the RF97 v13 is an inferior racquet than the Pro Staff RF85. I strongly urge Wilson to reintroduce Pro Staff 85, whether Sampras' version or the RF version.
From: AJ, 3/27/21

Comments: Very good racquet, but the heavy swingweight and especially static weight can be a hindrance in matchplay, especially with overheads and crosscourt forehands. Many reviewers have described the RFs as flat-hitting racquets, but I have generally found them pretty spin-friendly. Offers the best slice of any racquet I have used and is pretty arm-friendly, again in contrast with some reviews. Racquet pairs very well with Luxilon ALU Power. Using shaped polyester will make the racquet very spin-friendly, not my preference. The RF will enhance any shot that needs more power, my backhand, but might provide so much power it is difficult to control for other shots, my forehand. This racquet is perfect for physically strong players with an aggressive approach to tennis. I don't think it is necessary to be a 4.5 or 5.0 level to use the RF, but they need to be able to handle a 335 and higher swingweight and very heavy static weight. I am a 30-year old, low 4.5 level counterpuncher.
From: Sam, 3/18/21

Comments: I love this racquet! My salesman was excellent. Great customer service. Thank you Tennis Warehouse!
From: Raymond, 3/2/21

Comments: Purchased the Wilson Pro Staff RF97 v13 a few weeks ago and played with it twice so far. The stability and plow through was amazing. I've used much lighter racquets in the past, but always started to customize them by add lead to them to feel right for me. The RF97 v13 played perfectly for me right from the start even without any other vibration control or any customization. The tension range is 50 to 60 pounds and I requested the Wilson recommended tension of 55 pounds and played well for power, control, spin, and buttery feel. I used Babolat RPM Blast string and Wilson Pro Sensation Overwrap. Tennis Warehouse has great service and two day delivery was right on time. Shoutout to Adan P. at Tennis Warehouse for his support.
From: Tom, 3/1/21

Comments: Like James below, I now have three RF Pro Staffs in my bag; the red, the all black, and the v13. I'm a 4.0 level player in my late sixties, and I love playing with any of them, really not sure I can identify any differences that wouldn't be attributable to production variations. Love the weight; plow through, answering opponent's pace, volleying, half volleying, the physics are on your side if you prepare assiduously. Not sure why I would want less racquet than this. If you have a one handed backhand, you really must demo. Had to wait about three weeks while TW restocked, but they communicated well, as, in my experience, they always have. While the latest version is still only a few weeks old, it appears Wilson may have solved some of the problems with paint chipping that have plagued the earlier black version. I've touched mine up with a black Sharpie several times. On looks alone, the latest is my favorite, with its subtle design tributes to the Pro Staff Classic 85, beloved in memory. This too is a classic.
From: Len, 2/19/21

Comments: My husband is so happy with this racquet. Thank you!
From: Christina, 2/17/21

Comments: This is my third RF Pro Staff. The others are three and six years old. This new one does come around on a swing seemingly quicker that the other two despite being the same weight. Forehands are still awesome but having a bit of trouble locating backhand power, spin and accuracy with this new stick. Will take some adjustments and time.
From: James, 2/9/21

Comments: I used to deal exclusively with another of the bigger online tennis stores, but have switched my allegiance to TW. They have consistently sweetened the deal on new racquets to include the strings as well as stringing. I buy a couple of frames every year. The RF97 v13 is a classic example of the, if it ain't broke, don't fix, school.Those of you who know the value of the stability, power and plow through, this heavy-weight racquet delivers will not be surprised or disappointed with the latest offering. I went down to the regular 97 for awhile when my shoulder was acting up, but as soon as I got a handle on that I was back on this big boy. You need some strength and technique to unlock its potential, but for those with a long swing combined with early preparation, you will be crushing the ball with this pro-level racquet. Not for the faint of heart, of slight of frame though. Happy hitting!
From: Chris, 1/27/21

Comments: Wilson has made yet another milestone with this RF97. I have played with many pro racquets and this new RF97 is the best of all in the hands of a 4.0 level player this will take you to the next level. Precise ball placements from all strokes is what the racquet excels in. Topspin rotation is incredible and slice back hands are deadly. I am using Solinco Tour Bite 1.30 strung at 55 pounds. I will buy another one as soon as the price goes down at $245, it's expensive, but as they say you get what you pay for.
From: Jim, 1/23/21

Comments: I demoed these racquets and really liked them, bought them, and was playing really well with them. I would not recommend this racquet to anyone who is not at least a solid 5.0 level player and someone who is physically strong and has a excellent technique. The weight might seem manageable, but it pulls on your body and it pulls on your joints and these racquets although the weight seems not that much heavier, let me tell you they are heavy! Once you get past a 12.5 ounce racquet that little bit of weight really adds up. My last racquets were 12.5 ounces with everything on them and I was fine with it. These racquets depending on what you end up finding or significantly heavier. I just wouldn't recommend this to anyone that's not a 5.0 level player that's not playing at an extremely high level. That's the only reason this racquet makes sense is to use the mass to handle speed and pace. Or if you were serving and volleying, you're coming in, and you're putting pressure on your opponent and not playing long baseline points! They ultimately didn't work out for me because I started having shoulder issues from them because of the weight. As far as tennis players go I'm 6'1", 225 pounds, I can incline press 235 pounds, I'm strong and they still bothered me! Amazing racquets, but they need to be for the right player.
From: 5.0 player, 1/10/21

Comments: This new RF97 is stiffer, has a smaller sweetspot, a slightly tighter string bed, has less mass in the head, looks, feels and swings like a 95, is much faster around, is whippable, easier to generate racquet head speed, and way way more maneuverable. The braided graphite at the top may have added to the stiffness and it now makes an odd sound similar to those frames from the past with braided graphite. Like a subtle cracking or duck sound. Any balls hitting the braided top of the frame leave a smudge which can be wiped off. They've made it closer to the Pro Staff 85 in my opinion. Definitely way more user-friendly. Happy hitting.
From: Nik, 12/16/20

Comments: I'm not quite sure how to explain it because the weight and plow remains as awesome as usual, but it comes around much easier. This is something I always wished happened to the RF97. Everyone loves its power and plow through, but is too much of a racquet to swing for hours of play. This version, however, feels a lot more maneuverable without having lost any of its benefits. It's now become fun to use.
From: Max, 11/24/20

Comments: Exactly what I was looking for. I've been looking for a heavier racquet and this gets the job done. Tennis Warehouse did a great job with the strings too.
From: David, 11/11/20

Comments: They somehow improved on the v11.0! As Metz noted below, it feels more buttery without sacrificing any of the huge plow through and stability from v11. The sweetspot feels a bit larger to me. Maybe I'm just used to the heft of the racquet now, but this one almost felt a touch lighter. Perhaps they changed the weight distribution slightly? All in all, on paper it doesn't seem like much of an upgrade, but once you play with it you can feel the improvements from v11 and is well worth the splurge.
From: Anonymous, 10/12/20

Comments: Plays similar if not better than v11 black that Roger used for his miracle 2017 season. This new version seems to have a whippier, butter-like feel to it without sacrificing the plow through and stability of its great predecessors. Wilson may have made a rushed mistake with the v12, as even Roger got away from the white side tuxedo cosmetics that plagued the swingweight and classic Pro Staff feel. Wilson got it right this time. I expect to wield this frame to a US Open title by 2027 as no other racquet on the market compares to its fluidity. 10/10 Wilson. Congratulations on an engineering masterpiece!
From: Metz, 10/9/20

Comments: This is an awesome racquet! I switched from the 2015 Pro Staff 97 to the RF Pro Staff v13. The weight is perfect and forgiving. The key thing about this racquet is contacting the ball early with good racquet speed. The sweetspot is right on.Forgiving even though it's a heavy racquet. Great depth and groundstrokes. This racquet really penetrates the ball. The racquet really dampens the vibration, which I really like.My backhand has always been early. With this racquet my backhand becomes a weapon. I was able to put the ball almost anywhere with good depth and pace.I see why Federer's serve is so good. The RF97 v13 really dials in on the precision of my serve. I haven't played a match with it so I don't know what the toll will be on the shoulders and body.
From: Jeremy, 10/1/20