Category Archives: Racquet Demo
What’s in a Name!
In this particular case, it is the name “Roger Federer” and the racquet that carries his name, or just about!
When you hear about the Wilson Pro Staff 97 his name comes to mind as well as the thought “I can’t possibly play with his racquet”. Well, maybe not but there is really good news!
You don’t have to play with “his” racquet to get the benefits of the Pro Staff concept!
The Wilson Pro Staff 97, V13, is that racquet you have been looking for if you want:
- The really good overall weight of 339 grams (11.9 ounces)
- The very easy to handle swing weight of 314 (11.1 ounces)
- A reasonable stiffness of 64 RDC
Only the sharpest of eyes will notice the subtle differences between this racquet and that RF97 Autograph.
This Pro Staff returns to the classic Pro Staff accent colors of red and yellow. The red butt cap is a small concession to the lighter racquet with it’s more hand-friendly smooth edges.
| Wilson Pro Staff 97, V13 | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Wilson |
| Racquet Model | Wilson Pro Staff 97, V13 |
| Reference Tension | 55 lbs - 24.9 k |
| String: Main/Cross | MonoGut ZX Pro |
| Machine Used | TT Professional |
| ASPS, RDC | 51 |
| ASPS, FlexFour | 61 |
| Racquet Flex, RDC | 64 - After stringing |
| Racquet Flex, FlexFour | 49 |
| Weight, Grams | 339 |
| Weight, Ounces | 11.96 |
| Balance, mm | 317 |
| Balance, Inch | 12.48 |
| Length, Cm | 68.5 |
| Length, Inch | 26.968 |
| Head Width | 9.625 |
| Head Length | 12.77 |
| Head Area, cm2 | 622.9 |
| Head Area, Sq. Inch | 96.5 |
| Beam Width, mm, Shaft, Center, Tip | 22, 22, 22 |
| In Plane Stiffness, Pounds/In | 468 Lbs/In. |
| In Plane Stiffness, Kg/cm | 212 Kg/cm |
| Number of Main Strings | 16 |
| Number of Cross Strings | 19 |
| Ratio Cross/Mains | .635 |
| Main String Grid | 7.40 |
| Cross String Grid | 10.51 |
| Density (% of head filled with string) | .779 |
| Average Cross String Space | .546 |
| Average Main String Space | .453 |
| Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT | 35 |
| Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in | 195.8 |
| First Moment, Nm | .821 |
| Polar Moment | 330 |
| Torsional Stability | 16 |
| Swing Weight, Kg/cm2 | 314 |
| Swing Weight, Ounces | 11.08 |
| Swing Weight Calculated | 340.7 |
| Power, RDC | 51 |
| Control, RDC | 49 |
| Manueverability, RDC | 77 |
| Power, Calculated | 1940.2 |
| Head Points | 8.03 (negative = head heavy) |
| Head Weight, % | 46.3% |
| Center of Percussion | 20.7 |
| Dwell Time, ms, No Swing | 8.91 |
| Effective Stiffness - lbs | 28.4 |
| K, Lb/In (SBS) RDC | 163.46 |
| Recoil Weight | 157.6 |
| Twist Weight | 235.6 |
| End Weight | 144.5 |
| Tip Weight | 194.3 |
| Total Weight | 338.8 |
| 9 O'Clock | 97.6 |
| 3 O'Clock | 98.4 |
| Butt Cap | 141.6 |
| Total Weight | 337.6 |
What’s New?
We have had a “sneak peek” at some new tennis racquet models that will be arriving early in 2021! Typically, we can’t divulge a lot of the details yet but suffice it to say these are exciting models!
But let’s back up a minute and talk about new racquets that are here, or should be here, or will be here soon! The new Wilson Pro Staff series had a delivery date of September 28, 2020. They are way behind! If you are waiting for a new Pro Staff…we are sorry! Who knows what happened, but it is not good when the expected deliveries are not met!
The new Pro Staff RF 97 Autograph will change only to the Pro Staff colors of red and yellow stripes; the Pro Staff RF 97 will get a new grip pallet and butt cap setup that is intended to be easier on the hand.
The new Tecnifibre RS Series offers some interesting geometric concepts that continue their push for more player traction.
The new Head Graphene 360+ Radical Series retains the classic Radical Orange, but this one is “in your face orange”! Awesome! A cool gray shaft and grip temper this orange!
The Radical MP that we have seen has a few changes in shape and dimensions, and in fact, it is a different racquet than the past years. The head shape is more “round” by a slight amount, and the beam cross-section is different. The beam height is slightly less than the previous version, but the stiffness remains nearly the same. The shape of the “yoke” section is a little deeper and slightly wider at the junction of the head.
The new Radical has a “slicker” aerodynamic grommet system, for, no doubt, greater head speed to go with the “spin” friendly grommets!
And, the Radical Series has been scaled back to three (3) models! The Radical Pro, the Radical MP, and the Radical S. The Radical S is 102 square inches and the Pro and MP are 98 square inches.
The Head Graphene 360+Gravity has been a top seller and therefore is only getting a “cosmetic” make-over! The Hot Lava and Teal are being replaced by very interesting blue and yellow graphics! They look really good!
The Head Graphene 360+ Speed is staying the same but will add a black edition to the mix! It seems Novak likes black better than black and white so there will be a “black” in early 2021!
Don’t forget the Head Instinct “Effortless Power” series! It continues in a new color scheme, still blue and blue but in a more Head consistent pattern.
This week we will be getting the new demo racquets setup for your evaluation…if all goes well!
It is reassuring to know even in this time of uncertainty that racquet companies continue to produce great products that can, and will, help many players stay in the game!
Head Extreme Tour
Head is, I believe, going to expose and promote the Extreme Series to a greater extent than before.
Why do I think that? Because I am holding in my very own hands a Head Extreme Tour! This 98 square inch racquet continues the Graphene 360+ technology which has become popular in the last several releases of Head Racquets!
The new Extreme series will be shipping in July so we can’t show many pictures except the all-black version I am holding.
Head Extreme Tour
The other Extreme models will be:
Extreme MP – 100 square inch head size, 300 gram
Extreme S – 105 square inch head size, 275 gram
Extreme Lite – 105 square inch head, 265 gram
Extreme PWR – 115 square inch head, 230 gram
Extreme Jr – 100 square inch head, 240 gram
All of this series continues the “extreme” optic yellow colorway but it is now complemented by a really nice grey upper shaft and hoop! The optic yellow grip may be over the top but that is easily changed.
The Extreme Tour is fitted with a TK82S grip pallet for a comfortable rounder feeling.
Take a look at the specs here:
| Manufacturer | Head |
|---|---|
| Racquet Model | Head Extreme Tour |
| Reference Tension | 55 lbs - 24.9 kg |
| String | Victrex PEEK fiber Experimental 7718 |
| Machine Used | True Tension Professional |
| ASPS, RDC | 52 |
| ASPS, FlexFour | 63.5 |
| Racquet Flex, RDC | 62 - After stringing |
| Racquet Flex, FlexFour | 40 |
| Weight, Grams | 320 |
| Weight, Ounces | 11.29 |
| Balance, mm | 323 |
| Balance, Inch | 12.72 |
| Length, Cm | 68.6 |
| Length, Inch | 27.008 |
| Head Width | 9.59 |
| Head Length | 12.87 |
| Head Area, cm2 | 625.1 |
| Head Area, Sq. Inch | 96.9 |
| Beam Width, mm, Shaft, Center, Tip | 22, 23, 21 |
| In Plane Stiffness, Pounds/In | 359.5 Lbs/In. |
| In Plane Stiffness, Kg/cm | 163.0 Kg/cm |
| Number of Main Strings | 16 |
| Number of Cross Strings | 19 |
| Ratio Cross/Mains | .627 |
| Main String Grid | 7.12 |
| Cross String Grid | 9.63 |
| Density (% of head filled with string) | .708 |
| Average Cross String Space | .507 |
| Average Main String Space | .445 |
| Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT | 35 |
| Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in | 195.76 |
| First Moment, Nm | .794 |
| Polar Moment | 322 |
| Torsional Stability | 16 |
| Swing Weight, Kg/cm2 | 306 |
| Swing Weight, Ounces | 10.79 |
| Swing Weight Calculated | 333.9 |
| Power, RDC | 47 |
| Control, RDC | 55 |
| Manueverability, RDC | 83 |
| Power, Calculated | 1856.5 |
| Head Points | 6.30 (negative = head heavy) |
| Head Weight, % | 47.1% |
| Center of Percussion | 20.8 |
| Dwell Time, ms, No Swing | 8.62 |
| Effective Stiffness - lbs | 28.3 |
| K, Lb/In (SBS) RDC | 166.67 |
| Recoil Weight | 149.14 |
| Twist Weight | 220.52 |
| End Weight | 132.8 |
| Tip Weight | 190.4 |
| 9 O'Clock Position | 96.6 |
| 3 O'Clock Position | 98.3 |
| Butt Cap Position | 126.3 |
Weight is Your Friend!
If you have been following the Racquet Quest Podcast you know how much we rely on weight to mitigate some poor shot execution or physical issues!
So, don’t be surprised if that position continues for a while! It is majorly important now that we are beginning to play (openly) again!
It is not clear to me why some players object to even discussing weight let alone add it to their racquet!
The latest podcast episode, The String Holder – Part Two, focuses on three (3) players of about the same age and skill and looks at the differences in racquet setup including weight.
If weight is so scary why do most racquets have a bunch of it hidden away from us?
This is a Tecnifibre racquet however most performance racquets will have a similar setup. Game Improvement (ultralight) racquets, typically, will not!
What you see in that groove is lead! If you flip the racquet over you will find the same thing on the other side! Lot’s of lead means lots of weight, relatively speaking!
If we wanted to reduce the weight of this racquet we could remove some or all of the weight without affecting the swing weight very much. The static balance, however, would be very different. That is why we don’t rely on “balance” as a performance metric.
In the case of this racquet, we are printing a grip pallet that will replace the original pallet but be heavier so we can remove some of the lead weight to make the new version the same weight if we wanted to. We don’t want to!
Racquets Taking Off …and Racquets Crashing!
Sometimes I am surprised at how a tennis racquet will find a new life after a few years of dormancy! And of course, I am astonished at how some racquets are “finished” way before their time!
The new Head Graphene 360+ Prestige is an excellent example of a racquet taking off, and the Head Adaptive Speed is an excellent example of a racquet that was laid to rest prematurely, in my opinion!
Head Graphene 360+ Prestige
Let’s start with the Prestige. One look says this is a racquet you want!
You may not care that this series has been a mainstay on the pro tour for over 25 years! You may not care that this racquet has a unique feel or a magnificent “cap” system.
You may not care that this racquet comes in a model to suit almost any playing style! NO…you care about the way it looks! The rest of the good stuff is just icing on the cake or racquet in this case!
Other racquets that would fit this category are the Wilson Pro Staff and Yonex VCore series.
On the other hand, a racquet that met its demise way too soon is the Head Adaptive Series! If you don’t know much about this series, it is not your fault! It was pulled way before it’s time.
Head Speed Adaptive Tuning Model
The Adaptive series was just that, adaptive! The string pattern could be either 16×16 or 16×19. The length could be increased in increments of .20 inch up to a total length of 27.6 inches (701mm).
Plus, the swing weight can be increased by using the optional heavy side grommet set, and the overall weight can be increase by inserting the “heavy” butt cap!
So, what happened? I think it was just too hard to sell for those places that don’t have hands-on expertise or didn’t want to take the time to explain the benefits of this concept!
Because the grip pallet was designed to be removed, it is likely that, if not done correctly, there would be some squeaking. That is not good, but it is not a problem that should keep a great idea from being a great racquet!
We still believe this is a good idea and if you do too, and want to take a look at this great idea, we have some in stock!
Racquet Quest, LLC
