The Wilson Pro Staff V14 racquets are here. They are not here with me literally, but available for sale. Let’s have a look!
Wilson Pro Staff V14
This is not a review of the Wilson Pro Staff V14 because I have not yet tested these racquets. But I hope to do so soon.
The big debate around the new Pro Staffs for 2023 is the design. The brown/copper tones seem polarizing when you read comments on various social media. Most Pro Staff fans seem to prefer the traditional all-black design that the V13 did so well. I think it was gutsy by Wilson to try something new as they ushered in a new era of the Pro Staff, post-Federer.
That is why there is no RF 97 V14. This makes sense because the RF97 Autograph remained the same and came in different cosmetics. On the other hand, plenty of fans of that racquet would have liked to update the cosmetic.
Instead of the Roger Federer autograph, we have a new type of PS racquet – called Pro Staff X.
You can buy the 2023 Pro Staffs at Wilson’s official website or from our friends at Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Only, and Tennis Warehouse Europe.
Tech
This is how the technology in the new Pro Staffs is described:
According to Wilson, V14 brings back that classic Pro Staff feel with Paradigm Bending, a layup technology that optimizes the flex between hoop and shaft. This racquet also has FORTYFIVE technology, which strategically aligns the graphite fibers at a 45-degree angle to increase lateral bending through impact. Like the previous generation, this racquet also has String Mapping, which combines denser spacing in the center for control with wider spacing at the margins for greater comfort outside the sweetspot.
Specs
Let’s have a look at the specs of Wilson’s flagship line. Beginning with the most popular model, the 97 sq inch, 315g.
Wilson Pro Staff 97 V14
| Head Size: 97 in / 625.81 cm | ||||
| Length: 27in / 68.58cm | ||||
| Strung Weight:11.7oz / 332g | ||||
| Balance: 12.6in / 32cm / 7 pts HL | ||||
| Swingweight: 332 | ||||
| Stiffness: 66 | ||||
| Beam Width: 21.5mm / 21.5mm / 21.5mm | ||||
| Composition: Graphite braided with aramid | ||||
| Power Level: Low | ||||
| Stroke Style: Full | ||||
| Swing Speed: Fast | ||||
| Racquet Colors: Rust | ||||
| Grip Type: Wilson Pro Performance | ||||
String Pattern:
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| String Tension: 50-60 pounds |
Pro Staff X
This is a new 100 sq inch, more forgiving racquet in the silo. It can be interesting to compare to the Six One 100.
| Head Size: 100 in / 645.16 cm | ||||
| Length: 27in / 68.58cm | ||||
| Strung Weight:11.7oz / 332g | ||||
| Balance: 12.59in / 31.98cm / 7 pts HL | ||||
| Swingweight: 322 | ||||
| Stiffness: 66 | ||||
| Beam Width: 21.5mm / 21.5mm / 21.5mm | ||||
| Composition: Graphite | ||||
| Power Level: Low-Medium | ||||
| Stroke Style: Medium-Full | ||||
| Swing Speed: Medium-Fast | ||||
| Racquet Colors: Rust | ||||
| Grip Type: Wilson Pro Performance | ||||
String Pattern:
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| String Tension: 50-60 pounds |
Pro Staff 97L
This is the lighter option for players who still prefer the 97 sq inch head size.
| Head Size: 97 in / 625.81 cm | ||||
| Length: 27in / 68.58cm | ||||
| Strung Weight:10.8oz / 306g | ||||
| Balance: 13.12in / 33.32cm / 3 pts HL | ||||
| Swingweight: 313 | ||||
| Stiffness: 68 | ||||
| Beam Width: 23.5mm / 23.5mm / 23.5mm | ||||
| Composition: Graphite | ||||
| Power Level: Low-Medium | ||||
| Stroke Style: Medium-Full | ||||
| Swing Speed: Medium-Fast | ||||
| Racquet Colors:Rust | ||||
| Grip Type: Wilson Pro Performance | ||||
String Pattern:
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| String Tension: 50-60 pounds |
Wilson Pro Staff 97 UL
The lightest 97 sq inch head-size racquet on the market? Not sure a small head size and ultra-light racquets go together but that is another story.
| Head Size: 97 in / 625.81 cm | ||||
| Length: 27in / 68.58cm | ||||
| Strung Weight:10oz / 283g | ||||
| Balance: 13in / 33.02cm / 4 pts HL | ||||
| Swingweight: 301 | ||||
| Stiffness: 67 | ||||
| Beam Width: 23.5mm / 23.5mm / 23.5mm | ||||
| Composition: Graphite | ||||
| Power Level: Low-Medium | ||||
| Stroke Style: Medium-Full | ||||
| Swing Speed: Medium-Fast | ||||
| Racquet Colors:Rust | ||||
| Grip Type: Wilson Pro Performance | ||||
String Pattern:
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| String Tension: 50-60 pounds |
Wilson Pro Staff Six One 100
Comparing this one to the X will be interesting as they look fairly similar on paper. But the mold is different, so they will probably behave quite differently.
| Head Size: 100 in / 645.16 cm | ||||
| Length: 27in / 68.58cm | ||||
| Strung Weight:11.4oz / 323g | ||||
| Balance: 12.85in / 32.64cm / 5 pts HL | ||||
| Swingweight: 326 | ||||
| Stiffness: 65 | ||||
| Beam Width: 22.5mm / 22.5mm / 22.5mm | ||||
| Composition: Braided Graphite | ||||
| Power Level: Low-Medium | ||||
| Stroke Style: Medium-Full | ||||
| Swing Speed: Medium-Fast | ||||
| Racquet Colors: Rust | ||||
| Grip Type: Wilson Pro Performance | ||||
String Pattern:
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| String Tension: 50-60 pounds |
Are you excited about the new Pro Staffs?
I don’t know Wilson’s sales numbers (obviously), but I would bet that this has been their best-selling line for quite a while (although the Blade is also hugely popular, of course). It is the Federer effect. Will it diminish now that Federer has retired? Time will tell. But the Pro Staff is a classic line offering great control and feel for the ambitious tennis player. I hope to get my hands of a few of the models from the new line to see how they play.
I will keep you posted when I do and, as always, first impressions go up on my Patreon.
3 comments
* ´Paradigm Bending´. LOL
* ´FORTYFIVE technology´. LOL
* ´String Mapping´. LOL
These tennis racquet companies are mugging-off the general public EVERY year now.
People are going to fall for this absolute BS as usual.
When is the review for the v14 coming?
It is already up on my Patreon. Coming soon on YouTube.