WILSON 2017 Pro Staff RF97 Tennis Racquet (4-3/8)

Prior to this racket I played with the Wilson K-six one 95. I modified those rackets with additional lead tape at the 1 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions as well as along the inner throat. The set up had great plow through and control as long as my footwork was solid and I hit directly in the center of the string bed. I had to work hard to make my strokes work. Consequently, if I was fatigued or unfocused, I would tee up some really ugly short balls for my opponent or just plop it in the net.When I began to demo rackets I didn't want to make a huge departure. I still wanted a heavy, control oriented racket. I just wanted a little more power to come from the racket and a little more forgiveness. I play tested this racket strung up with a very spin oriented string and all the other demos were quickly swept aside.I bought this racket and strung it with Baboblat RPM Blast (black). I did not add any lead tape. In the end this set up was lighter than my prior rackets, but still has enough natural heft to absorb a heavy ball and return it with mustard. The slightly larger string bed (97 vs 95) gives that little bit of power I need to avoid the short ball. It also volleys with better feel and less clang. Most importantly, I can land topspin ground strokes on the baseline with a very effortless swing. I'm keeping opponents pinned back at the baseline with far less effort than before. That means my play level is more consistent even during those third set tie-breakers everyone loves.Random notes:1. The matt black finish with gloss accents is pretty hot. However, if you are tough on rackets the scratches and such show quickly on such an austere design. I took a tumble the first day I took this out. I scraped a fat strip of paint off (though the frame itself must be well made because it had zero structural damage).2. Use a dampener. I use one from 21k Sports that goes across the six middle mains. I never used one before but found it important with this racket.3. This is still a heavy, control oriented racket that requires proper stroke technique. My review above is likely coming from the opposite direction of many players, as I'm coming down in racket weight. In my context it added power and "ease" but in your's it may not.4. The supplied overgrip felt a little thin, so I left it on when I added my Tourna Mega-tac overgrip. With two layers it's now squishy and sticky just how I like it.

Coming from the Pro Staff 95s, this racquet is no joke. With overgrip and dampener, it's pushing 12.9 oz, which is about an ounce heavier than my 95s. That said, this is the greatest racquet I've ever used, and I felt it from the very first ball! Rock solid and stable, all you have to do is put a string on the ball and it's coming back to your opponent with interest! Played both singles and doubles with this racquet and absolutely dominated from the very first day hitting. You feel so in control of the ball, it's almost unreal coming from a lighter racquet. Ridiculously easy access to topspin, speed, depth, precision, as well as touch at the net, just by willing it with your arm. The only drawback is it's heavy as a rock, so you might want to get a grip size lower than usual for better comfort. I played with this racquet for about 2 hours, and I am very much feeling the effects of it now. No pain, but a really tired arm, forearm and shoulder, as though I've just started a new exercise regimen. Hope this goes away after a few weeks of working out!Edit: Racquet is no longer heavy. Actually feeling just right at this point! Everything else stands. 7/20/20184.0 player in CA.

First and foremost, let me tell you that I am beginner with zero coaching and was looking for a racket to buy and went through few iterations of cheap ones you find in supermarketsThen I decided to check for good tennis racket and I ended up buying this one without reading the reviews only because RF is my favorite player and thought it will be fun to own this.I started reading the reviews later on and this was designed for a really good player and it's noticeably heavier than any rackets which my buddies own.It was a tough few sessions for me with this racket and as many reviews mention that it requires great skill and strength to play with this one.I have been playing for few months continuously and I just love this racket. It's improved my game a lot and I feel more in control of my shots than I did my other lighter rackets. It can get heavier and tiring as the session progresses, but I really like the feel of this racketSlices and drops are so easy to control and precise and it's head Heavy which helps if you have a nice swing going.My buddies who are also beginners tried on and off on my racket and they did not feel remotely comfortable. If you are a beginner, stay away from it. But if you are willing to put in effort to play the right way, I felt that this racket helps you a lot and it's actually super fun to play with.I wouldn't trade this experience with any other racket

Amazing racket! First had HEAD but switched to Wilson. Beware this racket is very heavy and it is possible for your arm to get tired from swinging it after a while. Amazing plow through, power, and the build quality is top notch. Overall this racket is great but it is definitely not for beginning players. Racket is suited for experienced players who like to play from the baseline.

I used Wilson k-tour and Wilson pro staff 6.1 hundred in the past 9 years, after I re-started playing tennis. I strung this new one myself at 58 lbs with Luxilon Big Bang Alu. I needed an excuse to justify a further 2 rackets purchase since I already own 7. Well, after playing a little more than 2 hours with this masterpiece, I put 5 of my previous rackets in E-bay and ready to kiss them good bye. This is just extraordinary. Anything I was lacking from my previous rackets is just right here. Control, spin and , most important: total confidence. I barely miss a shot and my usual opponent (way better player than me) has to hit the extra shot if he wants to score a point because I can return almost anything, including one handed back. The only con is that this racket is pretty heavy compared to what I had before but if in just 2 hours my game improved dramatically no doubts I will improve that too, may be a little more gym.

Powerful and just plain cool looking. Tons of plow through on every shot

Indeed, the roger feels. With an impeccable balance of this racket and the way it has been designed, hats off. The premium feels never fades away. Surely, i would recommend you to buy if you're professional.

Una tremenda raqueta, máxima calidad. Diseño único y precioso. Vale la pena pagar lo que vale, es un raquetón máximo

The kind of racket head speed I can get is amazing. Given the smaller sweet spot it makes you focus more on your shots and it on the heavy side. I view it as a plus though.

Too heavy for me