Packed with precision, pop and plow-through, this update combines Wilson's revolutionary bending technology with a classic Pro Staff feel
Updated with Wilson's revolutionary layup technology, the Pro Staff 97 v14 continues to evolve without forgetting its roots. With its 97 square inch head and beefy 330+ swingweight, this stick combines surgical precision with enough mass to effectively redirect the pace of a big hitting opponent. It also delivers impressive pop to those who can leverage its mass. Featuring the same aramid fibers that gave the Original Pro Staff 85 such outstanding feel, the Pro Staff 97 is comfortably dampened without compromising your connection to the ball. According to Wilson, this update brings back that classic Pro Staff feel with Paradigm Bending, a layup technology that optimizes the flex between hoop and shaft. This racquet also has FORTYFIVE technology, which strategically aligns the graphite fibers at a 45 degree angle to increase lateral bending through impact. The payoff is increased dwell time and pocketing for greater command over the ball. Like the previous generation, this racquet also has String Mapping, which combines denser spacing in the center for control with wider spacing at the margins for greater comfort outside the sweetspot. Ultimately, this update combines pinpoint precision with impressive stability and plow-through. Experienced players looking for a modern Pro Staff that doesn't forget its roots will love this one.
Swingweight lowered to 325 on 12.1.23
Specifications
| Head Size: 97 in² / 625.81 cm² | ||||
| Length: 27in / 68.58cm | ||||
| Strung Weight: 11.7oz / 332g | ||||
| Balance: 12.6in / 32cm / 7 pts HL | ||||
| Swingweight: 325 | ||||
| Stiffness: 66 | ||||
| Beam Width: 21.5mm / 21.5mm / 21.5mm | ||||
| Composition: Aramid/Graphite | ||||
| Power Level: Low | ||||
| Stroke Style: Full | ||||
| Swing Speed: Fast | ||||
| Racquet Colors: Rust | ||||
| Grip Type: Wilson Pro Performance | ||||
String Pattern:
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| String Tension: 50-60 pounds |
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Customer Reviews
All Court FreedomI've transitioned to this frame from the Blade V8 18x20. Hitting heavy extra duty balls with low powered box beam oriented frames from 3 feet behind the baseline is for yoga instructors and young people. I know ProStaff! I hit the Classic PS, not well, in the 90's. This frame has a much more forgiving feel and is very modern in how quick and stable it is. It's the hoop shape and possibly the pws system that just makes this a proper ProStaff. I can just hit spots with this thing on demand and there is pop on tap. The frame wants to bomb when you go flat and it's very accurate if not a bit magic. Some angles I get on pronated flat wide stuff are unusual in a paranormal sort of way. But the frame also provides good dwell on kick and run serves, and the spin is very invasive. It's a paint brush on serve. I'm just putting a full bed of 4G 17 gauge at 51 lbs. Simple. Two handed backhands are the only area I struggle with this stick, but I think I watched too much Jim Courier back in the day. The dwell time is not there for me. But forehands, like serves, are whatever I want. I prefer the feel of the Yonex Percept 97D on everyday hitting, but the PS will be my last racquet because of what it gives me on serves, forehands, overheads, and slice backhands. It makes me want to play proactive tennis. I should note that I put a leather grip on one of my two v14's and it ruined the playability of the frame. I added just a bit of weight to the handle and reverted to the synthetic grip and the playability of the stick returned. With the leather grip the engineering of this frame seemed to work against itself and well struck balls would just sink into the frame as if all tension in the strings was lost. I find myself ending points with this frame and I'm getting better results since leaving the Blades. But it took a few months to find this better result. Great frame.
Feels great, great shot making abilities/spinI used to play with pro staff / hyper pro staff racquets a long time ago then gave up tennis for about 15 years. While this racquet does not feel exactly like those racquets did as they were heavier, after demoing every brand and possible head size this pro staff feels the best to me. Just easy to pick up and use. Despite the 97" head size I am able to generate a decent amount of spin. It also serves well, although I can not generate as much slice spin as I could generate with my babolat pure aero tour. I used the aero tour racquet for about 5 years when I initially returned to play. The wilson pro staff v14 is solid and stable at the net, on returns against heavy fast balls and I can easily slice and drop shot easier than the pure aero tour, hit solid overheads as well as topspin lobs - I am able to hit a deep penetrating ball. It is a great all around racquet. I do sometimes miss the super heavy topspin that I could generate with the babolat open string pattern, but, considering the racquets are pretty different it was a super easy transition.
ProStaff 97 V14Awesome racquet. Bought 3 from TW. Very precise. I don't need a racquet to provide power. I can hit out and control the placement. Great volley's. Very pleased.
Wilson Pro Staff 97 v14Great sticks. Bought three. I like the control. Thought I needed more power and was using another "power racquet." But couldn't control them. I have long, fast strokes. I can hit out and the ball stays in the court. I can hit flat or with spin. Volleys are awesome. Highly recommend.
Direct feelingWith this stick you get a crisp and direct feel. The power level is also perfect. The paint job we could discuss
Made for those who like to rip itThe trend is that players with well-developed, longer, traditional strokes and less extreme grip rotations love this racquet. It's not a spin machine and the smaller sweet spot is less ideal for those sporting a full western grip and a windshield-washer swing.
For those in the former group, this thing is ideal for ripping the ball and on some touch shots. It is more lacking for mid-speed swings. In other words, it's great on big serves, volleys, and flatter, piercing groundstrokes. This bias is because of its true stiffness/ feel, which the paper stats don't convey very well.
If you're wanting a slightly larger sweet spot and the option of a greater range of swing speeds, the Blade is the better option. The Blade is a more well-rounded stick and more oriented to a post-2000 style of play where there are more groundstrokes required.
Relative to the v13, there are only modest changes. The racquets come from the same mold, so it's the lay-up and internal dampening that were tweaked. The most notable change is that this racquet feels a little more solid (i.e., less brittle) on off-center shots and a little bit warmer on dead-center shots. However, the changes are minimal. I suspect many other v13/v14 comparisons are influenced more by manufacturing variances and placebo effect than anything. One would have an easy time switching between a v13 and v14 once modified to account for manufacturing variances.
Finally, with respect to aesthetics, few racquets will look as cool as the v13. It's worthy of mounting to the wall as usable art. That said, the v14, in-person, is gorgeous. Photos really don’t do it justice. As a side note, Wilson Duo Feel string works great in this racquet. The hot take is to make your own hybrid setup by matching Element with black NXT. It looks and feels fantastic… more usable art
Pro Staff is a DreamI moved to the Pro Staff v14 from the old PS 85. It’s so much more maneuverable and yet still has the Pro Staff feel. Crisp on volleys, easy to access spin on serves, and steady with ground strokes. I can’t ask for anything more in a racquet.
Feels like old style mixed with power & spinLoving this racquet so far. Great for my two-handed backhand. Seems there's much greater power than usual with an average swing, but not crazy power when swinging out. Overall my groundstroke game feels more solid and reliable than it's ever been. There is a hint of similarity with the old Wilson PS 85, with its weighting and the way it swings around - but with a bit more ease, power, and spin. Volleys are controlled and I would say "unpowered". No need to back off from hard shots coming at you, while punching volleys forward can still be well controlled (or at least with a particular hybrid string setup of [K Pro Line 2 (M) / Head Velocity MLT (X)] at 53 pounds). Getting the racquet tip into position seems easy. Great racquet.
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Great starting pointAfter TW staff selected the racquet for me I was able to analyze its motion properties then I customized it to make comply with my requirements. Racquet is faster from its previous versions
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Outstanding racquetLove the racquet. It is controllable, predictable and direct. Reminds me in that regard of the old Prince Synergy DB26. No downsides to report.
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