Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Review and Playtest

I have been waiting to get my hands on Wilson Pro Staff RF97 for a long time, and I was really excited that I finally had the chance to put it to the test. If you are a loyal tennis fan, you have probably already heard of it since it is Roger Federer’s signature racket. Safe to say that expectations were very high, but I was also prepared that it might be a little rough to play with it. 

The representatives of the Wilson brand claimed that they had added some technological updates while still retaining the same features that made this racket iconic. I don’t believe in repairing what is not broken, but curiosity got the best of me, and I wanted to see what all the fuzz was about. If you are also thinking about buying Wilson Pro Staff RF97, you have to read my full, brutally honest review beforehand so that you’ll know exactly what to expect. Keep scrolling! 

Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Specifications

Fresh out of the package, Wilson Pro Staff RF97 is made to impress. I couldn’t help but feel like I was about to play in a grand slam finale while holding this racket, probably because of the history, but looks also play a part. The aesthetic of it is absolutely beautiful, with clean, classical lines and a seamless paint job, with a mat color finish. 

The brand has used braided kevlar construction and basalt fiber all throughout the shaft, which gives Pro Staff RF97 a unique feeling due to the dampening characteristic and the lightness of these materials. 

When strung, this tennis racket comes at a hefty weight of 12.6 ounces, with a standard height of 27 inches. It features a small 97 sq. in head, which adds another layer to the control levels and precision that Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 is able to deliver. To make it more manageable, the brand has integrated Perimeter Weighting System technology on the frame to reduce twisting. 

The dramatic 9 points, headlight balance, and thin beam make this racket much easier to maneuver on the court while also helping the player to continuously hit all of the targets. 

Wilson Pro Staff RF97 specs:

• Head Size: 97 sq. in / 625.81 sq. cm
• Weight (strung): 12.6 oz / 357.2 g
• Length: 27 inches / 68.58 cm 
• Balance: 9 pts HL 
• Swingweight: 335
• Stiffness: 68 
• Beam width: 21.5mm / 21.5mm / 21.5mm /
• Composition: Braided Kevlar & Graphite / Basalt Fibers
• String patterns: 16 mains / 19 crosses 
• Colors: Red / Black 

Groundstrokes – Score: 8.7

Wilson Pro Staff RF97 tennis racket can turn into a real weapon in the baseline on the right hands of an experienced player. What struck me the most was how solid and stable this racket felt. The small frame combined with the hefty weight delivers an impressive control level, making it incredibly easy for the player to hit all targets and redirect the ball across the court. 

Flat shots during serve come almost effortlessly, as the spin potential was just right; not too much to ruin performance by overdoing it, but enough to add depth and speed to all of my strokes. I found that generating power was easy if you were prepared for excellent timing and could add enough physical strength yourself.

Forehand slices were my absolute favorite with this one, but if you are not used to this head size, it might require some small adjustments until you feel connected with the racket.

It delivers a crispy feeling, and I did enjoy the sweet spot despite its small size of it. The damping effect of the materials really came in handy during some off-center shots, which made the racket feel slightly more comfortable than I was expecting. 

I was hoping the open string pattern would have some relief effect as well, but I have to admit that the racket still was quite stiff, and I felt the harsh vibration on my arm and wrist more often than I would like. However, this did not come as a surprise, considering the features of the racket; comfort is a small price in exchange for incredible performance. 

Volleys – Score: 8.6

Up in the net, Wilson Pro Staff RF97 did a great job. Once again, it did not fail to impress with its incredible control and stability, making this racket very precise and one of the best rackets for control. Throughout the game, I was able to hit all the targets with ease and predict exactly where the ball would land.

The racket helped me block dangerous shots while providing more than enough leverage on the court to reach even for the most difficult angles, which made my opponent struggle and constantly get into defensive mode. The hefty weight can be a bit overwhelming if you are used to playing with a lighter racket; that’s why it is important to prioritize footwork and proper positioning when coming close to the net. 

I did use hybrid strings setup for the frame, which, combined with the other specifications, made Wilson Pro Staff RF97 absorb pace effortlessly and helped me preserve rhythm. It does requires some serious efforts to generate decent spin and power, but once you build momentum, it comes easier. For more plow-through, it would be a good idea to make some small adjustments, especially for those players that are used to playing with lighter rackets. 

On the downside, this Wilson racket is not very maneuverable and immediately transmits harsh vibrations when missing the sweet spot. Again, this is a racket for advanced and professional players, which are more physically and technically prepared to deal with these drawbacks. 

Serve – Score: 8.6

Wilson Pro Staff RF97 did not disappoint when it came to service. The incredible control and the low spin potential made my flat serves effortless. I was able to hit with great accuracy without ever missing a target. Kick and slice serves were also a delight, helping me close off points quickly. 

One of my favorite things about the racket during serving was its stability and the crispy feel it delivered. However, this is the area where the player might need the most adjustments, especially when coming from lighter rackets. 

You have to be prepared to add enough physical strength and have excellent timing in order to generate speed, power, and spin. Some changes in technicalities, here and there, will make the racket be more reliable while letting it do most of the work for you. 

With a little effort, it was rather easy to build and keep a comfortable pace and rhythm. Even though the hefty weight makes it challenging to build momentum since it can slow you down for a few seconds when swinging the racket. I noticed that if I was mindful to constantly aim for the sweet spot when hitting the serve, it made the racket more comfortable, for which my arm was definitely grateful. 

This Wilson tennis racket is definitely the one you need to execute technically perfect serves, as long as you bring the right skillset with you and are not trying to overhit. Remember, this is a player’s racket; it’s all about precision and less about power. 

Returns – Score: 8.9

At returns, Wilson Pro Staff RF97 delivered its best performance so far. I loved the stability and the control of the frame, which made it easy to return even the big serves. The heavy weight of the racket makes up for a challenge to manage, but it also makes it harder for the opponent to push you around.

Just like with the groundstrokes, you need to have excellent timing and great technical skills. I found that I was more successful at returns when I made sure to put my racket in position and bend it forward as quickly as possible. The results are fantastic if you can get this one right because, as a result, the racket will absorb the pace of the heavy serves and help you neutralize the opponent.

However, it’s important to highlight that for a better outcome on the returns, you must nail the timing; otherwise, it would simply not work, and you might lose some precious points. 

The big downfall of Wilson Pro Staf RF97 was, of course, the immediate transfer of harsh vibrations on the arm with each off-center shot or forced error. It does feel quite uncomfortable during returns and requires a great deal of physical strength to maneuver or generate power and speed. 

Overall – Score: 8.72

Wilson Pro Staff RF97 delivered an amazing performance and was everything I expected it to be. I was simply in awe of the outstanding level of control and precision, which helped me tremendously to hit targets successfully and determine the trajectory of the ball. This is, without a doubt, a players’ racket aimed only at those who compete at advanced, professional levels. 

To manage this racket, one must have the right technical skills and be physically very fit; otherwise, it will push the player around and become overwhelming to deal with. I would say that this Wilson tennis racket can perform well in all areas of the court, but it can transform into a true weapon on the baseline, during the groundstrokes and serves. 

The controllable amount of spin and speed made the flat shots my favorite, as well as backhand slices. With some effort and good timing, it was easy to build momentum and keep a good pace throughout the game. 

Since I am usually used to playing with lighter rackets, I went for some small adjustments, which made the play experience with Pro Staff RF97 much more enjoyable. I would suggest you do the same, especially if it’s the first time using such a hefty racket; however, I discourage the begginers or intermediate from picking up or even considering this racket. There are a lot of other great tennis rackets for beginners out there that will suit you better. 

Different Series

Throughout the years, Wilson has come up with several models of the iconic Pro Staff line that has now achieved legendary status. It wasn’t surprising at all to find out that the technicalities were almost the same; however, there were some noticeable differences when it came to performance. I felt that this review wouldn’t be complete without adding my thoughts on those others rackets, so here are some short reviews of them. 

Wilson Pro Staff RF97 V12

I loved the tuxedo cosmetic of the Wilson Pro Staff RF97 V12 tennis racket, which made it stand out from the other models. The updated colors and technology make this racket more appealing for those who want a weapon on the court but with an unexpected edge. 

This Wilson racket is made for advanced players that have an aggressive approach to the game and can handle the hefty weight. It can deliver incredible control, precision, and stability, helping the player to constantly hit targets. The racket can deliver a good amount of spin and power, but just like with Pro Staff RF97, you should be able to add physical power and put in excellent footwork to keep up with its potential. 

On the downside, the racket is not easy to maneuver, and it can be quite harsh with the off-center vibrations. Well, with the striking similarities that it has with the first model, nobody is really surprised by these understandable drawbacks. 

Specifications 

• Head Size: 97 sq. in / 625.81 sq. cm
• Weight (strung): 12.6 oz / 357.2 grams
• Length: 27 inches / 68.58 cm 
• Balance: 9 pts HL 
• Swingweight: 335
• Stiffness: 68 
• Beam width: 21.5mm / 21.5mm / 21.5mm
• Composition: Graphite and Aramid 
• String patterns: 16 mains / 19 crosses

Wilson Pro Staff RF97 V13

The latest model in this line is the Wilson Pro staff rf97 V13, which is the lighter version of the Federer tennis racket. Don’t get too excited, though; the difference in weight is not that big to make much of a difference. During the playtest, this racket felt quite heavy and prioritized the same features; precision and control. 

This racket offers some controllable power and descends spin, which can come in handy during the game as long as it doesn’t interfere with your strategy. It works well all around the court, but it truly shines in serve and volleys, where it is easy to weaponize. I might sound a bit like a broken record here, but same as the other models of this like, the racket offers a great deal of control, precision, and stability. 

Specifications 

• Head Size: 97 sq. in / 625.81 sq. cm
• Weight (strung): 12 oz / 340 grams 
• Length: 27 inches / 68.58 cm 
• Balance: 9 pts HL 
• Swingweight: 335
• Stiffness: 68
• Beam width: 21.5mm / 21.5mm / 21.5mm /
• Composition: Graphite and Kevlar 
• String patterns: 16 mains / 19 crosses
• Colors: Black / Red 

Conclusion

In conclusion, I can say with full conviction that Wilson Pro Staff RF97 deserves all the praise that it gets. This line of rackets has not become iconic by accident, and it’s not the merit of a good marketing campaign either. During the playtest, the rackets lived up to their reputation and delivered amazing performances. 

Their most noticeable feature is a blend of control, stability, and precision, which can transform these rackets into surgical weapons on the courts. However, it is important to highlight that the Wilson Pro Staff line is suitable for advanced and professional players only who have mastered all the right skills, have experience, and are in great physical shape. Beginners, recreational and intermediate players should stick with lighter frames that are more comfortable and safe to play with. 

FAQs

Still wondering if the Wilson Pro Staff RF97 racket is worth every penny? Here are some frequently asked questions that will help you out.