2020 Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13 First Look and Impressions

2020 Pro Staff 97 v13

First Look & Impressions

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By Jon Crim
TennisCompanion

In many ways, you can think of the Pro Staff 97 v13 as the younger sibling to the Pro Staff RF97 v13, Roger Federer’s signature racquet.

It’s lighter and more maneuverable but has the same ingredients that make it a Pro Staff and one of the game’s most popular racquets.

Today, I’m sharing an early look and first impressions of the latest version of the Pro Staff 97 released in September 2020.

I’ll be releasing a full review of this racquet in the coming weeks, so follow along on YouTube or join as a member to be notified when it releases.

Pro Staff Models

Wilson Pro Staff RF97

Wilson Pro Staff 97

Wilson Pro Staff 97L

Wilson Pro Staff 97UL

Note: to gain early access to these racquets through 9/27/20, you’ll need to sign up as a Wilson Insider on their website.

Article Contents

1

Design

2

Specs

3

Technologies

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Design

2020 Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13 Design

Right off the bat, I’m super excited about the new look of the Pro Staff line. Not only has Wilson returned to the all-black matte frames that I loved from 2016, but they’ve refined it further.

2020 Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13 All Black Three & Nine O'clock

For the Pro Staff 97, my favorite part is the tasteful red and yellow strips added to the frame as a nod to the Pro Staff Original 6.0. It’s a classic look layered on one of the most elegant looking silhouettes in tennis.

However, the boldest change to the frame’s design shows the braided graphite at the top of the hoop under a clear gloss finish with the heritage stripes flanking either side of the grommets.

2020 Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13 Braided Graphite Under Clear Gloss Finish

All in all, the Pro Staff line’s design is subtle and understated, but if you look closely, it’s refined and tasteful, which is a breath of fresh air with so many racquets these days screaming for attention.

Specs

2020 Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13 Specs

Although Wilson has made a few updates to the Pro Staff 97, the racquet’s specs compared to the previous generation remain unchanged.

Here’s a look at what to expect.

Spec	Measurement
Head Size	97 in² / 625.81 cm²
Length	27 in / 68.58c m
Unstrung Weight	12 oz / 340 g
Unstrung Balance	12 pts HL / 30.5 cm
Swingweight	TBD*
Stiffness	TBD*
Beam Width	21.5 mm / 21.5 mm / 21.5 mm
Composition	Graphite & Kevlar
String Pattern	16 Mains / 19 Crosses
String Tension	50-60 pounds / 22.68-27.22 kg

*I don’t have access to a racquet diagnostic machine to take these measurements, but expect they’ll be near if not identical to the prior model. I’ll update this article when I learn more.

Pro Staff Line

2020 Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13 Pro Staff Line

The Pro Staff line of tennis racquets includes the RF97, 97, 97L, and 97UL.

One of the significant distinguishing factors between each of these four racquets is their weight. Here’s a look at how they stack up.

Pro Staff RF97 v13: 12 oz (340 g)
Pro Staff 97 v13: 11.1 oz (315 g)
Pro Staff 97L: 110.2 oz (290 g)
Pro Staff 97UL: 9.5 oz (269 g)*

Many Pro Staff fans often gravitate toward the Pro Staff 97 as a more user-friendly option to the RF97, while the lighter 97L and 97UL are great options for players looking to drop the weight even further.

At the same time, all of these racquets feature the same core Pro Staff technologies, including braided graphite and perimeter weighting system.

*Note: The Pro Staff 97UL will only be available in the European tennis market.

Technologies

2020 Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13 Technologies

The Pro Staff 97 v13 retains the essential ingredients, including braided graphite and perimeter weighting system, but offers up a few updates.

Braid 45

Perhaps most significant is Wilson’s new approach to braided graphite and kevlar for this racquet, which they’ve dubbed Braid 45.

The new technology references the braid’s unique 45-degree angle for the weave, which intends to improve ball pocketing for enhanced feel without giving up on the stability front.

String Mapping

Beyond the update to the racquet’s braided graphite, Wilson has made some adjustments to the string bed’s density with the goal of enhancing precision and feel. You’ll find this toward the upper third of the frame.

It’s a subtle update that can have a noticeable impact on the racquet’s performance.

Perimeter Weighting System

Although it remains unchanged, it’s worth noting that the Pro Staff 97 retains the added weight at three and nine o’clock of the racquet’s head to reduce the frame’s twisting on contact and improve control.

Last but not least, you’ll find that the latest generation of this racquet offers a more comfortable red butt cap with rounded edges, which you can find on many of their other racquets like the Wilson Clash.

Wrapping Up

Hopefully, you enjoyed my first look and initial impressions of the Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13. Stay tuned for a full review and playtest.

In the meantime, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask in the comments below.

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2020 Pro Staff 97 v13

Article Contents

New to TennisCompanion?

Design

Specs

Pro Staff Line

Technologies

Braid 45

String Mapping

Perimeter Weighting System

Wrapping Up

Play Better Tennis

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