The pro staff 97 wasn't even really on my radar until I played with one for a day while my friend was demoing racquets. I thought I would prefer something like the Yonex ezone 98, but consistently I felt the feedback and control with the 97 was hard to look past. I use my legs and torso a lot with my ground strokes so power generation wasn't an issue and the pro staff 97 lets me swing out without worrying about missing long. I was really surprised how much top spin I was able to generate with this racquet despite the smaller head size but I am guessing that's because the -10 pts head light balance allows for great acceleration through the final part of your ground strokes. Volleys and touch shots are superb as you would except with the pro staff 97. Probably the best slicing racquet I've used as well. I was a bit worried that the kick serve wouldn't get as much spin with the smaller head size but again was pleasantly surprised and I found the control on the serve worth the very slight loss in power. The one place I don't love the pro staff 97 is on the backhand. I have a two-handed backhand and admittedly I find I need to abbreviate my normal back swing with this racquet if I want to make good contact (probably a good idea anyway). If you don't find the sweet spot with the pro staff 97, I do find you lose a lot of power and the backhand is where I noticed that the most. I have to really dwell on the ball to get good contact on the backhand or it will produce a weaker shot that is easily punished by my opponents. I think for one-handed backhands this racquet is probably a dream because it is very manoeuvrable but for two-handers it takes a lot of discipline to get consistent quality shots out of this racquet. The only other thing is that producing power with this racquet does require good footwork and full body involvement on your strokes so if you're coming from a more powerful/larger frame you may find this racquet tires you out more quickly than your old frame. It certainly is demanding but way less so than I expected looking at the spec sheet. You just may need to work with it for a while to get the cardio built up. What I like the most about the pro staff 97 is that everything challenging about this racquet feels like it encourages me to be a better player and reinforces habits I should be doing anyway. It rewards good footwork and taking full strokes and punishes you when you aren't focusing enough on the ball. When you hit off-centre, it lets you know immediately and it feels bad. heh. If you're looking to improve your volleys and touch shots, this racquet is perfect for that because it has an extremely connected feel. I don't use a dampener but some folks I know find the feedback a bit too stiff without one. Even if you're coming from a very different racquet, I highly recommend demoing the pro staff 97 because you might be surprised how accessible it is despite its old school reputation.
@scottlumpkin7023
11 ай бұрын
I’ve played and taught with Head rackets for 30 years…btw…you hit a very nice ball, no doubt you can play with the Pro staff…but your basic explanation to me is spot on…the 100 to teach with…but the 97 to play with. I found the that the 97’s accuracy was almost intuitive…just HIT it!!!….simple as that….I’m also 68 years old….love the new 97 Pro Staff!
@jacksonlar
Жыл бұрын
Among all the v14 Pro Staff reviews I've seen (many) this is the very first to answer the lingering questions I have had in mind. Thanks so much, Ashley.
@TheTennisMentor
Жыл бұрын
Thanks buddy, glad it was useful for you!
@brettwilliams5996
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Ashley! I've recently moved from maybe my fave all time stick, the 90sq inch Blx Pro Staff to the V13 97. Similar feel between them and about 20 grams lighter for my battle weary arm 🎾😀
@TheTennisMentor
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing. Love that you stuck with the 90 for so long, gotta have some skill for that stick!!
@end3r527
Жыл бұрын
Finally this video is out! We have been waiting for this one Ash.
@TheTennisMentor
Жыл бұрын
I got you! 😎
@rucas10
Жыл бұрын
Fantastic Prostaff review ! Thank you my friend
@TheTennisMentor
Жыл бұрын
🤜🤛
@Javi_C
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Ashley.
@nathanmiller6051
Жыл бұрын
I did enjoy the video! Excellent review! I'm also more of a Speed fan forsure 🙏🎾
@eujhin24789
Жыл бұрын
Hi Ashley, thank you for the review. What are the key differences between the Prostaff X and your racket of choice, speed pro?
@TheTennisMentor
Жыл бұрын
To be honest, not huge differences. The pro staff is slightly more control oriented so I feel the speed gives me more pop. The other difference is the amount of time I’ve spent using the rackets!
@ThePBJ96
11 ай бұрын
I still use the Pro Staff 97 V10
@roellie5272
Жыл бұрын
I am still using the v11 (315gr) for years and i still love playing with it! I have heard that the 14.0 version is a bit more flexibel, and that is my biggest concern. I want to try out the new version, but I'm afraid there is a big difference between the rackets
@TheTennisMentor
Жыл бұрын
Is there a racquet store near to you for you to demo one?
@OCDProject
2 ай бұрын
I’ve just got back into tennis, never really played seriously before. I went for the Prostaff Team thinking the lighter racket will be better for me as a beginner, hope I made the right decision… I can’t find any reviews of the Team version
@PrecisionPointTennis
Жыл бұрын
I’m a 100% Head believer and I could never I feel play with another racket. I’m extremely happy with my 2001 I.prestige mids at 345 grams strung and with Alu power at 23/22. It’s all about control for me as I got the extreme power. Good luck with Wilson
@TheTennisMentor
Жыл бұрын
You must have missed the end of the video 😉
@PrecisionPointTennis
Жыл бұрын
@@TheTennisMentor no, I saw it all. Your a Head Speed man. That’s great. I just can’t play with anything over 60 RA flex . Keep rocking !!!
@mustafamohamadhaidar966
2 ай бұрын
What racquet would you say is the best for touch shots, like drop shots, drop volley and slices
@edmundogordon7370
3 ай бұрын
Great information aloha coach Mundo
@bojack3827
Жыл бұрын
The curious thing is that since Fed retired, Wilson don't actually have anyone to endorse the Pro Staff....
@TheTennisMentor
Жыл бұрын
You’re right, there aren’t so many… Ons Jabeur and Grigor Dimitrov use it
@203132
Жыл бұрын
Dan Evans
@bojack3827
Жыл бұрын
He uses a Wilson Six One 95.....he wouldn't sell any rackets anyway lol. @@203132
@welwynsinglesleague2598
11 ай бұрын
I'll put in a word for you Ash!
@LL-kz1qe
11 ай бұрын
@@203132evans uses 95 six one
@almonkalbuadi2501
5 ай бұрын
The 97 v14 there are also Light and Ultra Light version, have you had try too? And what your impressions?
@Sinner.number23
11 ай бұрын
Is it a noticeable diffrence in power between blade98 and prostaff 97 v14 , since prostaff97 v14 injected with paradigm bending technology and pws ?looking forward to see a comparison between these two rackets
@twinwankel
Жыл бұрын
Hard to switch rackets unless you are on a racket search. That's why a lot of these racket reviews are biased. But that's just the nature of humans.
@raytrace2014
Жыл бұрын
Deep.
@TheTennisMentor
Жыл бұрын
😂 they make a very good point though!
@TheTennisMentor
Жыл бұрын
Yes, true!
@savaniste0
Жыл бұрын
these kind of reviews are basically ads, Wilson sending free rackets to influencers and asking them for good reviews
@james2578
Ай бұрын
100% pro Wilson review. Even has the bag and the shoes. I would do the same if Wilson sent me free stuff. Or would I?
@Rigo_S
Жыл бұрын
The tan coloured logo looks really off after you put literally any colour of overgrip. If only it was black. I think the designers tried to be too cute by matching it to the base grip and missed a trick in the end. Now if Wilson were to release a tan coloured overgrip................... I'd probably still prefer the logo to be black 😂
@TheTennisMentor
Жыл бұрын
😂😂
@pyrofeaks
6 ай бұрын
Talking about feeling - playing with damper. Pro Staff need to be played without damper!
@jonienglish3231
7 ай бұрын
I have a prostaff 88 Pete Sampras version
@TheTennisMentor
7 ай бұрын
A thing of beauty!
@jonienglish3231
7 ай бұрын
@@TheTennisMentor also a 1987 Wilson Ultra 2 midsize 85 and 1988 jack Kramer staff 85. What I measured them close the Pete Sampras 88 not that much bigger compared to 85 sq/in or prestige mp 95 graphine touch 2019 version
@jonienglish3231
7 ай бұрын
@@TheTennisMentor also Have a 1986 head TXP, 89.5 sq/in AMF - made in USA
@Ikon_Sound
8 ай бұрын
very nice review, to the point and beats anything I’ve watched so far for me personally, thanks for putting this together. I’ve decided to go for a noir 97 and think the black finish looks very good, I was using Head after many years with Wilson so we’ll see how that goes for me, you only live once after all 😀
@TheTennisMentor
8 ай бұрын
Glad you liked it! I agree about the blackout rackets. Have you seen my latest racket review? It was the Head Speed but I tested it with data too!
@Ikon_Sound
8 ай бұрын
@@TheTennisMentor not yet, I will check it out for sure
Пікірлер: 52