Wilson Pro Staff 97 V14
- Head Size: 97sq in / 625.81 sq cm
- Length: 27 in/ 68.5 cm
- Unstrung Weight: 11.11oz / 315g
- Strung Swing Weight: 325g / 11.4oz
- String Pattern: 16x19
- Strung Weight: 332g / 11.7oz
The Wilson Pro Staff 97 V14 is the latest iteration in the legendary Pro Staff line, renowned for its precision, control, and classic feel. Building on its rich heritage, the V14 version integrates modern technologies while retaining the characteristics that have made the Pro Staff a favorite among advanced players.
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Design and Build
The Pro Staff 97 V14 features a sleek, matte black finish with subtle red and white accents, exuding a professional and timeless look. The braided graphite and aramid construction provides a solid, stable feel, enhancing the racket’s control and responsiveness.
Grip and Comfort
The Pro Staff 97 V14 offers a comfortable playing experience, even during extended matches. The advanced construction materials and design help reduce arm fatigue and vibrations, making it suitable for players who are prone to arm issues. The grip is comfortable and secure, contributing to the overall positive feel of the racket.
Aesthetic
9
Out of 10
Design and Appearance
The Wilson Pro Staff 97 V14 continues the legacy of the Pro Staff series with a design that exudes elegance and sophistication. Here are the key aspects of its aesthetic design:
Color Scheme
The Pro Staff 97 V14 features a sleek and classic color scheme. It predominantly sports a matte black finish with subtle red and yellow accents. The elegant, understated color palette gives the racquet a professional and timeless look that appeals to both traditionalists and modern players.
Graphics and Branding
The racquet’s graphics are minimalistic, with the iconic Wilson “W” logo prominently displayed on the throat and head of the racquet. The “Pro Staff” branding is subtly placed, maintaining a clean and uncluttered appearance. The refined use of graphics enhances the racquet’s premium feel.
Build Quality
The Pro Staff 97 V14 has a streamlined and aerodynamic frame that not only contributes to its performance but also adds to its visual appeal. The design features sleek lines and a sophisticated silhouette that aligns with the racquet’s high-performance capabilities. The matte finish of the Pro Staff 97 V14 gives it a modern, premium feel. The smooth texture is both aesthetically pleasing and functional, providing a comfortable grip and reducing glare under bright lights.
Overall Aesthetic Rating
The Wilson Pro Staff 97 V14 excels in aesthetic appeal, combining a sleek color scheme, minimalistic graphics, and a refined frame design. Its matte black finish with subtle red and yellow accents creates a professional and timeless look that stands out on the court. The clean and sophisticated design is a testament to the racquet’s high-performance capabilities, making it a favorite among players who appreciate both style and substance. Whether you’re a competitive player or a recreational enthusiast, the Pro Staff 97 V14’s aesthetic appeal is sure to impress.
Groundstroke
9
Out of 10
On-Court Performance
The Wilson Pro Staff 97 V14 is designed for players seeking precision, control, and stability in their groundstrokes. Here are the key aspects that contribute to its groundstroke performance:
Control
The Pro Staff 97 V14 excels in providing exceptional control. The smaller 97 square inch head size and dense 16×19 string pattern allow for precise shot placement, making it easier to hit your targets with confidence. This is particularly beneficial for players who prioritize accuracy over power.
Stability
The racquet’s weight (approximately 315 grams unstrung) provides excellent stability, which is crucial for handling heavy, fast-paced shots from opponents. This stability ensures that the racquet remains steady on contact, reducing frame twisting and allowing for more consistent groundstrokes.
Overall Groundstroke Rating
The Wilson Pro Staff 97 V14 delivers outstanding groundstroke performance, with an emphasis on control, stability, and feel. Its ability to provide precise shot placement and excellent feedback makes it a top choice for advanced players who rely on accuracy and consistency from the baseline. While it may not be the most power-oriented racquet, it still offers sufficient power and spin potential to execute a variety of groundstrokes effectively.
Volley
9
Out of 10
Maneuverability
Despite its relatively heavy weight (approximately 315 grams unstrung), the Pro Staff 97 V14 is well-balanced, allowing for quick reactions and easy maneuverability at the net. This balance helps players to position the racquet swiftly for rapid exchanges and volleying.
Control and Precision
Control is a standout feature of the Pro Staff 97 V14. The smaller head size (97 square inches) and tight 16×19 string pattern provide excellent precision, enabling players to place volleys accurately and effectively. This level of control is crucial for executing sharp angles and delicate touch shots at the net.
Overall Volley Rating
The Wilson Pro Staff 97 V14 excels in volley performance, offering a combination of maneuverability, control, stability, and feel that is well-suited for net play. Its precision and stability make it an excellent choice for players who rely on sharp volleys and quick reactions to dominate at the net.
Serve
8.5
Out of 10
Power
The Pro Staff 97 V14 offers substantial power on serves, thanks to its relatively heavy weight (approximately 315 grams unstrung) and solid frame construction. While it may not be as power-focused as some other racquets, its weight and stiffness allow players to generate significant racquet head speed, resulting in powerful, penetrating serves.
Spin Potential
The Pro Staff 97 V14 offers good spin potential, which is crucial for effective serve placement and variety. The 16×19 string pattern aids in generating topspin and slice, enabling players to hit kick serves that bounce high and slice serves that move wide off the court. This spin capability helps in keeping opponents guessing and off-balance.
Stability and Feel
The Pro Staff 97 V14’s stability is a significant advantage when serving. The racquet’s weight and solid frame construction ensure that it remains stable upon impact, reducing vibrations and enhancing consistency. This stability helps in maintaining control and power, even on off-center hits.
Overall Serve Rating
Overall, the Wilson Pro Staff 97 V14 is a strong performer on serves, providing advanced players with the tools needed to execute powerful, precise, and varied serves effectively. Its balance of power, control, and spin makes it a reliable choice for players looking to dominate their service games.
Returns
9
Out of 10
Control and Precision
The Pro Staff 97 V14 excels in providing exceptional control on returns. The smaller 97 square inch head size and dense 16×19 string pattern allow for precise shot placement, enabling players to direct returns with accuracy. This control is particularly beneficial when trying to hit sharp angles or deep returns to neutralize the server’s advantage.
Stability
The racquet’s weight (approximately 315 grams unstrung) provides excellent stability, which is crucial for handling powerful serves. This stability ensures that the racquet remains steady on contact, reducing frame twisting and allowing for more consistent and reliable returns.
Maneuverability
Despite its relatively heavy weight, the Pro Staff 97 V14 is well-balanced and offers good maneuverability. This balance helps players to position the racquet quickly and react swiftly to different types of serves, making it easier to handle fast and well-placed serves.
Spin
The 16×19 string pattern facilitates good spin generation, which can be instrumental in varying return shots. Players can produce effective topspin and slice returns, helping to keep the server off-balance and creating opportunities to take control of the point.
Overall Return Rating
The Wilson Pro Staff 97 V14 delivers outstanding performance on returns, combining control, stability, feel, power, and spin to handle a variety of serves effectively. Its precision and stability make it an excellent choice for advanced players who rely on accurate and consistent returns to gain the upper hand in rallies.
Overall
8.9
Out of 10
Summary
The Wilson Pro Staff 97 V14 stands out as a racquet that excels in control, stability, and feel across various aspects of the game. Its well-rounded performance makes it a top choice for advanced players who prioritize precision and consistency while still offering sufficient power and spin for aggressive play.
Overall, the Wilson Pro Staff 97 V14 is a top-tier racquet that provides a balanced mix of attributes, making it a reliable and versatile choice for advanced players seeking to enhance their performance on the court.
Pros.
- Exceptional control and precision across all strokes.
- High stability, reducing frame twisting and enhancing consistency.
- Superior feel, providing excellent feedback and touch.
- Adequate power for aggressive shots, both from the baseline and at the net.
- Good spin potential for varied shot-making.
Cons.
- Heavier weight may require an adjustment period for some players.
- Not as power-oriented as some other racquets, which might affect players looking for maximum power.
