Comments: I am NTRP 4.0/4.5 player. I have been using this racquet for over couple of years now. I would say it's "the best racquet" i have ever played with. I would rate it as highly as ProStaff 6.0. But this racquet has extra-ordinary combination of feel, plow through, control, and if you do the right things it can help you transfer enough power on the ball as well. Some people say this racquet is for advanced players. But thats not true. As an intermediate level player you will find that you will get a lot of control over the ball, but as your groundstrokes and bio-mechanics improve, you will also start generating pace with it. For those who are worried about the heaviness, yes it is true that it will take a little getting used to. I started doing a little shoulder and arm strengthening and now I am totally fine with it. At least 3 of my friends upgraded to this racquet (one from Blade, one from Yonex EZONE 310, one from Yonex pro 330). All of them like this racquet and don't want to go back to their previous racquets.
From:Janarthanam, 2/10/19

Comments: I've honeymooned with countless frames since the release of the first RF 97 and nothing compares to this amazing racquet. This comparison includes Wilson H19 and H22 pro stock frames. The RF 97 out performs both those frames and in my opinion, the RF 97 is a pro stock level frame made available to the general public at the retail level. Power, control, feel, plow, spin... his frame does it all. Most pro stock frames are from molds and layups from the 1980's, and they are truly amazing. What Fed and Wilson did with the RF 97 was to improve upon existing pro stocks and took them to the next level. I never looked at it that way, but that's what they did and it makes perfect sense.
From:Kevin, 2/6/19

Comments: I bought this racquet after demoing it for almost 10 days (12 hours of play). I just love this racquet with the feel and consistency in my shots from baseline and volleys. Makes you tired if your technique is not right (especially serves). Again, this is certainly not the racquet's fault. I am a 3.5 baseline player and switched to the Autograph from Pro Staff 97L CV. I can switch occasionally to my Pro Staff 97L CV if I am in a particular situation and swing back with RF 97 Autograph. But to be honest, you don't like to play with anything else after playing with RF 97 Autograph. Strung with Luxilon ALU Power red 16L at 53 lbs. I might want to try different strings. Advises are welcome and appreciable.
From:Rama, 2/5/19

Comments: I've been playing with these racquets since they came out, and the black ones exclusively for the past 2 years. Over that time I've purchased several, all from TW. While I absolutely love the racquet, the quality control from Wilson is pretty bad. If you purchase this racquet because you like the specs, make sure you pay the $10 to have TW 'match' the racquet, even if it's just to TW's default strung specs. The reason for this is that the racquet specs can vary greatly. One of the frames I purchase was so heavy, it was actually painful to swing, turns out it was 380g strung with a HL balance of 5. Luckily I got back in touch with TW soon enough, sent my racquet in for review, and received a new one more inline with published specs (+$10 for matching of course). I've also had one racquet that wasn't finished properly. One sign was that the printed on graphics were all proud of the finish, you could actually feel the lettering and they came off easily if you put lead tape over them. I've had this happen before with a Babolat Aero Pro Drive, Babolat said the racquet didn't have the clear coat and replaced it immediately. The other sign was that the finish near the throat and handle, where I rest my hands, was coming off (see the reviews on Wilson's own site). While TW did nothing to remedy this defect, a quick IM on Facebook to Wilson with some photos, and I had a new racquet in my hand from them in 2 days. The stranger thing is they never asked for the defective one back. The racquet plays fine, just looks bad, but I've now got an extra backup. I'm glad I didn't listen to all the reviews telling me I needed to be a professional to swing this racquet. I grew up playing with heavier racquets and the heft of this frame feels normal to me. The racquet also helped get rid of the medial epicondylitis the Aero Pro Drive gave me.
From:James, 12/20/18

Comments: The Pro Staff RF97 Autograph is a great racquet, but it requires good technique. I'm a 4.0-4.5 club player in mid 40's. I've used many different racquets, mostly tweeners, but wanted to get a racquet with some heft to provide more stability at the net. Strung it with gut/poly hybrid at 53/50 pounds. Tried it with full bed of poly at 50 pounds, but it felt too stiff. With this hybrid setup, I'm getting tremendous plow through, power on the serves, and stability at net. This racquet is not effective playing defense. It needs some momentum and follow through in order to give the ball some zip. Works well when you're playing against people that hit with good pace. If you're playing against a pusher, and need to generate all of the power, it'll tire you out after an hour. One downside of buying Wilson racquets. The weight differential is huge! One weighs in at 360 grams and the other at 375 grams with exact same setup. Ordered a third, hope it's closer to 360, not 375! Overall, great racquet!
From:Michael, 11/28/18

Comments: I'm 5'6, 145 lbs, a 4.0-4.5 recreational player, and I'm sure many would say I should not be playing with this racquet. I wanted to give it a try. I've been playing with a Babolat Aero Pro Drive (with a fair amount of lead tape) for the last year and liking it but I wanted to see if a heavier racquet would give me more power, and just see what it would be like. I have to say I've never played better than with the RF 97, though I can't say I like it, it is so much heavier and it feels more like a baseball bat. But the way it forced me to change my strokes has really helped. You have to take a big swing with this thing. It's not possible (for me) to muscle it with a short stroke. And that has helped me a lot. My shots are much more constantly deep but rarely go long. My backhand (2 hander) was always weak but suddenly I've got this big sweeping swing that puts the ball where I want it, I can even add some power and it stays in the court. Volleys are fabulous with this thing, it's so stable. All in all it has helped me a lot. But it's like carrying around a tree trunk. I've been beating my partners with it so I hope I'll get used to it. If not I'll go back to the Babolat and hope the good habits stick... good luck.
From:Jason, 11/21/18

Comments: Apart from no leather grip in this Red limited edition you will have to be super fit to use this because if you add the leather grip back on it will be the heaviest RF97 to date in base form. My 2 debut matches in B league was a success with serves having a lot of pop and groundstrokes hit with weight. Spin was good too when on the defensive and enough topspin for the rally ball. My 2 opponents were both using RF97's first iteration. The color is very sharp and a head turner. Strung with Wilson Sensation 16g and Luxilon Alu Power @ 57.5/54 lbs. NTRP level 5.0
From:Tim, 9/28/18

Comments: Wow, I just picked up the RF 97 Laver Cup edition in all red. I thought I was going to be using it but after looking at it I decided it was too pretty to use. So I'll just keep on with my original RF97's and store the Laver Cup version. Wilson has really improved their cosmetics on this racquet! I don't know how durable it is but it looks and feels great to the touch. As for how the racquet plays, well, it's great. I like to use it with lower tension polys. Diadem Solstice 16 is pretty good for a few sessions. Having solid fundamentals helps a lot, but so does playing free and aggressive. Hesitant play does not work for this racquet!
From:Shawn, 9/27/18

Comments: I've played with a Wilson racquet since Sampras (ProStaff 85). I was skeptical at first because of the headsize difference, but I realized my fears were for naught. I love Wilson's spec. Compared to my lead taped ProStaff 85, this racquet was feather weight. I swung it like before and it actually had more pop and spin. I really enjoy hitting with this racquet. Note: I had the black version but the paint started coming off. But I contacted Wilson and they gave me new ones (Black-White 2018 Version) to replace (free shipping). I love their service! It's great!
From:Sven, 9/25/18

Comments: A unique offering in today's game. The RF97 has the best stability and plow through on the market. Volleys are exceptional. The feel is ultra solid. It's very spin friendly. The power level is high for a players frame-derives from the mass and a stiff beam. The feel is very good, but not as plush or connected as pro staffs of old. The beam is just a bit too firm. Highly recommend natural gut mains and a poly cross. Or a low tension poly in the full bed. The high weight is not really an issue if you are strong 4.5+, but it becomes noticeable on serves, overheads, and high ground strokes after a few hours on court.
From:Jason, 9/19/18

Comments: I've been playing tennis for 40 years (I used the 85" Wilson Pro Staff way back when). The RF97 is a great, yet physically demanding racket. After being injured & not really working out much at all for two years, even with years of playing experience and familiarity with this line, it is not the easiest racquet to pickup after a long layoff and use for the long hall. It is great for working on your footwork, stroke production, and getting a great workout but I think I need something lighter to get back into tourneys (make the finals without my arm falling off). As such, I will switch to the dark side (Babolat) for the time being. I've made these back & forth switches over the years for the same reason and I definitely don't recommend the RF97 stick to beginners.-WillFormer #1 college player and USPTA Pro
From:Will, 9/11/18

Comments: Update to my previous post directly below. I was talking to my stringer while taking my C10 Pro to be restrung. He asked about why I'm not hitting with my RF97 Pro Staffs? I told him about my volley woes. He suggested that I drop the tension 2 pounds and see how that works. I had my RF97s strung at 57 mains with gut and 55 crosses with poly. What a difference. It took me about 45 minutes to get used to the looser tension from the baseline, but the volleys were improved immediately. My serves were also improved immediately. Now, I feel like I'm hitting the ground strokes harder as well. This tension is the loosest of any of my previous racquets, and I'm a person who likes high tension. But with this stick, it just works.
From:Farhad, 8/15/18

Comments: My favorite racquet of all time is the Pro Staff 6.0 85. So when Federer came out with a new and updated Pro Staff (RF 97 Autograph), I jumped on the band wagon and bought 3 of the red ones. I have tried my best to gell with this thing. Seems like I'm the only person here that finds this racquet difficult to play with. This is a very different animal than the 6.0 85. It is stable, and has a lot of plow through. It is also the best feeling stick from the baseline. Unfortunately, I only play doubles and have to come to the net to volley. This is where the racquet is lacking. One would think that with the weight of this racquet, volleys would be spectacular. But they're not. They become sitting ducks and tasty morsels for my opponents. I've had them strung with Klip legend gut mains at 59 lbs, and Volkl cyclone poly crosses at 56 lbs (Roger's tension as per the markings on the racquet). Needless to say, these racquets are occupying their place in my closet, and I've gone back to playing with another great stick, the Volkl C-10 Pro which also is a very stable racquet, and a lot easier to play with.
From:Farhad, 6/29/18

Comments: It took me a month or two to get used to the racquet but I love it now (I came from a Wilson 6.1 95 16x18). The differences between the 6.1 and RF97 are the following: The RF97 has greater power, torsional stability and forgiveness. Despite the 16x19 string pattern, the string spacing in the sweet spot of the RF97 is wider which results in more spin and forgiveness. I almost never mishit the ball especially on volleys; that's how stable it is. The 6.1 on the other hand had a slightly greater tendency to twist if you hit outside the sweet spot. It's biggest advantage was the denser string spacing in the sweet spot which allowed for greater precision in a down-the-line shot. However, the RF97 more than makes up for the loss of precision by allowing me to swing more freely given its greater forgiveness so what I lose in precision, I gain in pace and spin.
From:Steve, 6/15/18

Comments: If your slice is good, you will love this racquet even more. The weight of the racquet bites on the ball making the shot low and heavy. Very difficult for opponents to handle. I am using Diadeim Solstic Power 18 at 50 pounds. Loving it.
From:Mark, 5/25/18

Comments: For whatever reason, this racquet plays much better (feel and power) without a dampener. That seems to be my experience with most Wilsons. For other (bigger and more powerful) racquets, a damper makes it feel better. The RF97 is a dream, but need to be without a dampener.
From:Mark, 5/22/18

Comments: This racquet is in the truest sense of the word majesterial. It's hefty, great balance in which you can generate racket head speed and get great plow through. The weight and balance is great for volleying and utilizing a one handed backhand. You can use a two hander as well, but you will need a proper take back on your swing. If you don't have proper technique, if you snatch at your forehand, muscle or simply "arm" it, this racket will do absolutely nothing for you. Zero. The RF 97A will work if you use your core, your legs and use a full, arm extended swing for it to do what you want. If you do, this baby is simply a work of art. You can tell Roger had input into the making of this racquet. With proper technique and good timing (the weight can be an issue for some) this thing is one of the finest rackets ever made. It excels everywhere, you can trade baseline rallies and the racket won't twist or feel overpowered by more modern frames. It's incredibly stable and predictable at net when volleying so you don't need to be fearful when coming up to volley. The backhand slices are very penetrating, the ball keeps a low trajectory, it knifes through the air and the ball doesn't "pop" up after it hits the ground. The 16x19 string pattern helps with spin, don't expect it to spin like a Pure Aero or Pure Drive, but it's respectable. The only downside would be that it's not made for defensive purposes due to the weight and lack of easy power. So if you're on the defensive and you have to counter or just keep a rally alive, you can't just scramble and whack the ball so easily as with lighter, more modern frames. Perhaps on the backhand side you could slice it and keep yourself neutral, but once again, preparation. With time and technique very little can touch this frame. If you're aggressive minded and an all round player this will do the job. If you're defensive minded or a "wristy" player, look somewhere else.
From:Manny, 5/21/18

Comments: After reading through the threads on this I'm in agreement with the masses: stability, velvety stiffness and a really balanced swing off the shelf. One major sticking point is the handle shape and size; if I could transplant the handle and pallet off my Head Prestige Classic 600 it would make the manoeuverability really stand up. I'm not a big fan of the flattened, rectangular handle shape and my standard grip 2 feels too big, like I have to keep regripping at the net on on serve. I'll either order grip 1s or buy 3s and shave them down or maybe strip the foam off and replace the pallets. I'd probably strip out the metal loading in the handle too and replace with silicone just to give the racquet a more connected feel. These are minor things but I'm big on feel and tiny little things can irk me in a racquet. For winter in the UK I'm strung with Weiss Cannon Ultra Cable at 52/50 lbs -- my gut/ALU hybrid just shreds in the damp but will come back on for summer. I've given up the Head PC600s to play with the RF97 and won't go back -- this racquet can soak up monster shots and serves (great for mixed dubs) and is a dream to hit a one handed backhand on the rise with, stable and strong ain't the word. It only feels heavy if I back off or get lax. This beauty really needs the whole stroke to come through or it will punish! The RF97 forces me to fine tune my game too, which can never be a band thing.
From:Sarah, 4/12/18

Comments: I have the RF97A from 2015, and it doesn't swing as easy as the all black RF 2016. But maybe the sweetspot is bigger on the 2015, like a tradeoff of one thing for another. Strings -- I thought 53 lbs with natural gut would make the raquet less stiff, and it did, but a mistake, because it gave too much power, and so I have to swing slower. Next time, maybe tecnifiber HDX at 55 lbs I think heavy raquets work good for down the line shots, and lighter racquets are good for crosscourt shots. That makes sense because light racquets swing across the body faster. I'm about 4.0 and a baseliner. None of that net rushing junk!
From:Jack, 4/7/18

Comments: Played with this frame from a friend and it felt a bit heavy and hard to accelerate comparing it to my Babolat. Bougth a 97S because I love the frame to hit a one handed backhand with. A couple of years later tryied again and I fully love it. The weight and the extra pace comparing to the 97S allows ypu to play longer and harder saving effort and being more accurate. If you can handle the weight is the one.
From:Daniel, 3/8/18

Comments: Pros: all black finish and rubbery textures, added power to serves and groundstrokes. Cons: too heavy, less control. For the amateur and club player (3.0-4.0), control trumps power.
From:Herman, 2/2/18

Comments: I think it's the best racket out there, but you need to string it in the low 50s or less to get the full benefit of this frame as it's stiff. Serves and volleys are rock solid and groundstrokes crush the ball. Cosmetic is great and I don't think they'll ever date.
From:Gary, 2/1/18

Comments: Just purchased it after playing with a POG mid, and Graphite II Mid for years and years. This racquet has the same great feel as the others, but after adjusting which took me a couple of days, I found this to be something of a magic wand -- it does everything well. Control and power -- lots of shots that I could never make, I now make thanks to this racquet. I no longer have to try for a winner -- I just hit a solid groundstroke and know I will get a tepid reply in most cases -- and I am playing with the club pro and city champ while I'm in my mid 60s.
From:Bill, 1/26/18

Comments: I play with a Volkl C10 which I love (330g, 323 SW). This is quite a bit heavier than modern racquets. So I thought this stick at 340g and a 335 SW should be easy to adjust. It is not as easy as I thought. It is damn solid. Slices are a dream, heavy and low. But that 10 extra gram somehow makes the racket head speed a bit lower which I am adjusting. Trying a lower tension. 46/44 lbs with Ashaway Kevlar 18g string.
From:Mark, 1/17/18

Comments: This racquet is excellent. Precision, power, spin, touch. In the right hands, there is nothing it can't do. It definitely demands sound technique from the player. However, even intermediate players with good technique should benefit from thia frame. If you are a "hacker" or need a racquet that generates forgiveness and power, look elsewhere. But, if you have good fundamentals and intermediate or better experience, give this a demo.
From:Anonymous, 1/15/18

Comments: I am a 66 year old 4.0-4.5 player with good strokes who plays doubles. I have been using the red andwhite version for about 4 years. I tried the black version but I did not like it as much. Perhaps I did not give it a chance. I am in love with the red version. The ball explodes off my racquet but with control. The weight makes volleying easier against harder shots. Because of the weight, volleying may be more difficult in quick exchanges but in my opinion these situations occur less frequently. The setup that works for me is the one suggested on the racquet, 59 lbs with gut in the mains and 56 lbs with Luxilon in the crosses.
From:Nate, 1/15/18

Comments: If every beginner used this racquet, they would be forced to learn good technique. Light racquets have actually done lots of harm to a great number of people who play tennis, as few ever develop good strokes. This is an amazing racquet. Just buy it and learn. Only a few other racquets out there match it. I am a 5.0 player.
From:Fernando, 1/5/18

Comments: Very rarely is a thing made which is actually a good product, even rarer are those who have the chance of getting one. Without any doubt this is one such stick. I have just started playing the sport, it's just one year and the RF97 autograph has upgraded my game a lot. Yes it's heavy, yes it requires you to be very technical when you play with it but just give 1% of your skill to it and see how it transforms your game to lethal levels. I am 30 years old and i have been playing with it for a month now and i can handle the weight and I am pretty set with the RF97 AUTOGRAPH. If i can handle it any one can handle it. Don't get put off by its weight or heft. Give it a try and see your game go up astronomically.
From:Debayan, 12/28/17

Comments: The racquet is definitely not for everyone. It does not matter if you're 5.0+ or just a beginner, that is about your school, about your play style, not about your level. The racquet assumes that you're used to generate with your legs and body muscles, not with the hands. It assumes meeting the ball in front of you, extremely early preparation, the ability to keep the ball in focus at the pace of your play. It assumes natural, relaxed, slow and smooth strokes with compact backswings, and reinforced prolongations. It does not allow you to compensate a lack of skill or concentration with the stroke speed. It's extremely strict, but, if you meet the requirements, it will give you divine power: light pressure of the foot, and the ball flies out like a cannon. In a word this racquet is for old school players, it may be suitable even for beginners, if they are training with highly qualified old school coaches.
From:Alex, 12/12/17

Comments: I loved this racquet for the first 5 weeks, but gradually wrist tendinitis became so severe that I could no longer use the racquet. As soon as I picked up a Babalot Aero Pro Drive racquet the wrist pain disappeared. This is a wonderful racquet if you don't need to use your wrist to execute your strokes. Otherwise, use a lighter racquet. I'm 64 years young and a 4.0 player.
From:Michael, 12/8/17

Comments: First and foremost, please make sure you are ready to use this racquet. Do not purchase it if you are hooked on the Roger Federer aspect of the frame. I have played with the Pro Staff 88, then 90, and finally the RF97 in my tennis career. I can say that this frame does offer exceptional volleying and serving power, and it feels comfortable from all areas of the court. You will experience more mishits than a traditional 100 square inch frame, but that's why you should not hit wit h this frame until you are at a level to do so. Once you have become comfortable with the feel of this racquet, it is almost impossible to stop using it.
From:Cole, 11/22/17

Comments: First of all, very important advice -- if you are not an advanced player please dont waste your time and money buying this racquet, you wont be able to use it's potential. Buy it only if you are able to get into position in time and are able to swing freely. Having said that, this racquet is a beast! I strung it first with Volkyl Cyclone at 54 lbs, didn't get enough power, was very playable though, very stable at the net, but the serves and shots were missing some power and spin, that's because of the strings. I restrung it at 50 lbs, and boy did that make a difference! Great combination for me, it's my choice of racquet and string from now on. No more getting beat by my club coach! Not sure how this would play with Federer's strings and tension, but I know it won't be as comfortable for me as Cyclone.
From:Walid, 11/16/17

Comments: I love this racquet. I was looking for a racquet that would fit my length and strength, and finding an old ProStaff 88 just wasn't (and isn't) feasible. Then I found this. Immediately after demoing it, I wanted it. I like feeling the weight of the racquet on my swings and above all, feeling the ball. There's a lot talked about weight of the frame and swing, but I can easily play for 2 hours or more if needed. The weight is most pronounced on serves, as if you really want to get all out of the racquet, you can't be lazy with the elbow speed and motion. If you just follow through and get on top of the racquet, it will work fine but it won't be "put away" power. It took me a few minutes to adjust but once I got comfortable, I was learning to imprint more and more power with the placement right or near the lines. For the regular swings this racquet was also fabulous. I love feeling the ball. My forehands can be aggressive and flat or full of spin. My backhands (one-hand) can be sharp, spin-induced cuts that open the court, finish a point, or push the opponent deep. I still have plenty of headroom to push even more and make the ball bounce closer to the backcourt line. I don't have to use 100% power to hit the balls, I can save it for serves or specific moments because thanks to the frame's weight, it naturally gets moving and provides mass to send the ball to the other side. Besides feeling great like a player's racquet should, it has one thing that I find important: classic, simple and sleek looks. I play soccer and volleyball and it's already impossible to find something dating back to more refined, "unsplashed" paint jobs. I wish I could have more black in this frame, actually. I love the looks especially when compared to anything else that's available. It doesn't have the ogling beauty of the ProStaff 88 but it's the best next thing.
From:Guilherme, 10/31/17

Comments: This is by far the best racquet I have ever used. I did not like this racquet the first 3 months of using it. It was fatiguing me. What makes this racquet so great is that it improves your stroke mechanics. Now using a loose grip and a relaxed elastic body, this racquet has dramatically improved all my strokes. The weight is only an issue if using improper technique.
From:Tom, 10/24/17

Comments: I have been hitting with the RF97A for the past month now. I used to play with the HEAD Youth Graphene Speed. These two racquets are very different not just weight but characteristics. I had to change my game especially when it came to the efficiency of my groundstrokes and serve. One thing I noticed after years of playing with a lighter racquet and than this hefty beast is that my take back for forehand was unnecesarily long to the point where I can arm the rest of the stroke. After playing with this racquet it has cleaned up my game like you won't believe. Further utilizing the kinetic chain especially with this racquet makes everything "flow" so much easier, allowing me to play harder and for longer. I don't know about all the other details like stiffness and such but I have enjoyed this racquet that offers superb stability and power. Don't get me wrong though, getting used to the extra 1-2 ounces was not easy but it was well worth it.
From:Rodrigo, 10/24/17

Comments: This racquet is appropriate for 5.0 + level players only, in my opinion.
From:Jack, 10/23/17

Comments: I'm a 5.0, prior collegiate player. Just recently got a demo of this racquet to give it a go. I was impressed with the feel compared to other frames with similar build. The weight and feel along with the added power of the 97 square inch head size makes this an ultimate players frame. My previous racquet was the Wilson BLX Blade Tour (93) and the transition to this racquet was a breeze. The bigger head size gave me a little extra power which was nice and the feel was even more dialed in. I wouldn't recommend this frame to anyone below a 4.5 level, just due to the fact that your technique needs to be very clean in order to produce the types of shots this frame was made for. Overall very impressive frame and worth a demo if you get a chance.
From:Eric, 10/20/17

Comments: The king of racquets. It bestows you with great power for each true, bold, and full swing you take. It lays forth punishment for every half-hearted step or hesitant stroke. Not all are in the king's favor, and vice versa, but those that respect the king gain the utmost respect of his majesty.
From:Cadmus, 10/20/17

Comments: I just got my RF97A and had the first hit today with it with full bed multi (Wilson Sensation 16g) at 57/55 lbs and it worked great! Way better then my previous 97s. Disclaimer: I'm just your average club player and I was rallying against a better one, probably a 4.5, younger and the intermediate club champion using the same frame strung with Luxilon.
From:Marian, 10/13/17

Comments: I tried liking this racquet. I demoed it a few times from my club and here at TW and thought it was the right fit for me. I had been using, and still do, use a racquet that is even heavier than this one at 13.2 ozs and a 98 sq in head. So the weight of the RF97 is not an issue. Once I bought it that is when I started having issues with it. At times the racquet felt great then it didn't feel "right." I changed the strings three different times, both with types and tensions. I think it is the stiffness that is the issue. It does not feel like it is as stiff as it is rated until you play with it for a long period of time, such as in a drill session or hitting with a ball machine. I used a soft string and it still does not help. So I'm back to my old racquets.I really tried to like this racquet, I really did. Not that it is too much racquet for me, I think it is just too stiff.
From:Mike, 9/27/17

Comments: For a while I was using Babolat AeropPro Drive for a few years and kind of stuck with the same line that kept getting updated. I hadn't paid much attention to Wilson since I quit using it since High School. Mostly stuck with Babolat through college. It was not until I worked at a Wilson specific tennis camp early last summer, that I found out they had Roger Federer's RF97 Autograph on hand. At first glance I was a wee bit skeptical thinking it'd be much too hard to even use and too stiff to play with. Well that day I went out to the courts with it in my free time and I was absolutely stunned. Needless to say, for a racquet weighing in at 12.6 ounces strung, yes for many people the mass asks a lot. But if you are able to handle the weight and control your shots to a T, it just does not get any better than this. I was able to play just as well with this racquet if not better than my old Babolats. Keep in mind I was using a 10.6 ounce racquet. So going from 10.6 to 12.6 took a long time to adjust. There were times I thought I don't know how ill ever swing this effectively. I gave it time and kept playing with it and now I never want to be caught without it in my hands. I like what someone else wrote about it feeling like a Ferrari in your hands. It really does. No racquet out there compares to what this can offer if you can play up to its level.
From:Ben, 9/16/17

Comments: Regardless of what your style of play is, the RF97 Autograph would probably be the best racquet you could ever play with once you have mastered its phenomenal capabilities. I struggled handling its massive weight in the first few weeks as it will seriously tire your arm out! But after about 2 months of getting used to it, I truly felt how great this racquet was. Returning shots particularly the heavy ones felt incredible thanks to that heavy swing weight that seems to be giving you magical powers to hit back every shot beautifully. Power and control is amazing, I don't need to exert much energy when hitting as the racquet simply does all the work. Every shot I hit is precise and super powerful. Slicing felt exceptional. All in all, this racquet is like Thor's Hammer. Once you're fully capable of hitting with this lethal weapon, you just might be able to play like Federer.
From:George, 9/16/17

Comments: For the stronger, better player, this is still one of the better choices on the market. Great looks, (if you like the weight) great specs, tremendous power and easy access to spin. Very good feel, cushioned without being too dampened so touch and control is excellent. If they did a "Lite" version of this racquet at say 325 grams I bet it would still play great and be a bestseller. My only gripe is on the quality control. Wilson seems to have some of the worst QC for a leading brand. There seems to be enough of a variance that you can feel the difference swinging the unstrung frames. There are all sorts of little scratches and paint marks on the frames too which just do not do justice to the beautiful design and aesthetics (straight out of the cool RF plastic bag).
From:Wayne, 9/11/17

Comments: Best racquet out there by far. Very solid but lovely control and feel. Try one, then buy one. You won't be disappointed.
From:Gazza, 8/30/17

Comments: Demoed this along with the previous version of the Autograph (red-black). As other people have stated, even though the specs are identical to the previous version, its very different when you swing. This version felt much easier to play with compared to the previous which felt sluggish in my hand. This racquet was excellent in terms of feel and power on ground strokes. Was strung with Wilson NXT 16. Weight was not an issue. However, I did find it a bit stiff.
From:Aaron, 8/24/17

Comments: I'm a 5.0 player and try to play as much as possible on indoor, outdoor, hard and clay courts. This racquet is a beast. I have always played with Pro Staffs but it looks elegant style and a sophisticated design -- feels like a Ferrari. By far the most beautiful tennis racquet ever. I'm considering buying a second pair.
From:JD, 8/4/17

Comments: Barry, I am also almost 70 years too. I have been using the previous model RF97A (red). I find this racquet to be the most solid, controlled and powerful racquet. Just like you and others, I have owned and tested several brands. I have added 6 grams of lead just below the buttcup to give me a bit headlight. Best racquet. I will never change racquet for another 70 years.
From:Archie, 7/29/17

Comments: I consider myself a pretty solid 4.0 but I can't play well with this stick right out of the box. It feels nice and smooth but my shots suck. They get killed. My current stick is the Head Graphene Extreme Pro. It's a much easier to hit deep groundies and big serves with Head. I will change the string on the RF to test it out more but it is not an easy stick to play with at all.
From:Fred, 7/28/17

Comments: Best racquet that I have ever used! I've used hundreds of racquets in my life hoping for the perfect one and this is it. I t makes me probably a half of ranking better and I am almost 70 years old and have no trouble swinging it or getting tired. Power, control and comfort are the best!
From:Barry, 7/22/17

Comments: Originally when this frame came out, basically I had no intentions of using/demoing it. I was really skeptical about it due to the fact that at first glance to me, it was just a much bigger head size than I was used to seeing Fed use. The all black look never really caught my attention because at first, well to be honest I just thought it was kind of like a racquet that never made it out of the "concept phase" if you will. So originally I just used my Pure Aero which I was content with. Served me very well through college. It was not until I had the opportunity to work for a Wilson branded Tennis Camp, that I had begun to see the true brilliance of this truly beautiful stick. Because the Camp is Wilson branded, they get free Wilson demos quite often. When I saw they had this stick I thought I need to see what all the rave is about it. I demoed it for a week or so and absolutely fell in love with it. I'd like to consider myself a 4.5-5.0 Player. I'm a 9 on the UTR scale if that helps any. Anyway, this stick was without doubt the most firm and stable feeling racquet I've ever beheld. Let me give you an example of it's genius. I was in a forehand rally point and the exchanges of shots became wider and more sharp each time. It wasn't until I received a very difficult ball which came with enormous pace and velocity that I had to somehow play back to a safe area in the court, which to my surprise I did it with relative ease. Which is definitely something I cannot say the same for my Babolat. How can I also not mention the stock weight of this thing. It's 12.6oz stock weight which is very heavy. I switched from using an 11.3oz (strung) Babolat to a 12oz (unstrung) 12.6oz (strung) Wilson RF97 Autograph. The change is still in transition. But I loved the demo so much I went and bought it. Yesterday was the first day of using my own RF97 Autograph. Already in love with it. Can't say enough about it. When I'm well behind the baseline and I wanna be risky and go for a drop shot as I will occasionally do, I will look to none other than this stick. It truly is amazing in its capabilities. Surprisingly I can wield it with ease do to my level of expertise and experience which I'm fortunate for. So yes I absolutely love it. It's destined to become an instant classic.
From:Ben, 7/1/17

Comments: While the specs of the 2016 (red/black) and the 2017 model (all black) may be identical the 2017 model plays a lot softer in my opinion! A few of my buddies that use the Blade 98 have experienced a similar "softness" and in fact, a few of them are sticking to the older model. If I were to move to the 2017 RFA frame, I would probably increase the string tension by a couple of pounds! Would love to hear from other folks who have tried the 2016/2017 RF97. As an FYI, I use VS 17 in the mains and Hyper G 17 in the crosses at 57/56 lbs respectively -- a bit on the tight side I know, but just coming off a few injuries and trying not to spray the ball!
From:Raj, 6/28/17

Comments: I've found the one. Loved the feel from the get go. This racquet provides exceptional power, responsiveness, and feel, if you can swing it. I got plenty of pop on the serve, and felt really comfortable from the ground. The combination of feel and heft allowed me to stay aggressive from the baseline, and end many points at net. This racquet has great feel, and I felt like I could place the ball on a dime. If you are an advanced player with proper footwork and mechanics, this is could be the one!
From:Matthieu, 6/14/17

Comments: This is a racquet that can only help your game if you stick with it and can handle the extra heft. Lazy footwork and prep will be punished! Also lazy half-hearted swings are not going to work. You need to get in position, be prepared, and groove a nice full stroke to receive your just reward! I would call myself a typical player, a 3.5 who has issues with consistency. But do have good mechanics if I get myself into the proper position to hit any given return. I have decided that I'll work on form and conditioning and grow with this racquet. Not into Roger, just to improve my own game! Highly recommended to give it a demo, see what you think!
From:Russ, 6/11/17

Comments: This is my first post, so be gentle! I am a 55-year-old 4.5- 5.0 (depending on how much I'm playing) player, who still tries to compete in several tournaments a year (not leagues) mostly doubles. I played college at the NAIA level in the early 80s. I play an all-round style with topspin (not super heavy, except sometimes) and try to come in on short balls. I have been playing since 2012 with the Babolat Aero Pro Drive for five years and it's time for a change since I've worn out the three I have. I have demoed the following three frames each for a week:1. Wilson Pro Staff RF Autograph 97 (liked it, but shoulder got sore on extended hitting sessions. I am fit, so perhaps catching the ball late. It's so solid.)2. Babolat Pure Aero (liked it too overall, but not amazed. I still could play well with this. I like the extra string area/sweet spot.)3. Yonex Vcore Duel G 97 (330G) (liked it too, but still get fatigued. I know it's about the same weight as the Wilson, but seems more maneuverable. First time hitting with the Yonex, so the shape would take some getting used to.So, tell me experts out there, who are savvier on current racquets, what should I choose. I usually buy three frames at a time since I go through strings pretty quickly, so it is a chunk of change. Thanks!
From:John, 6/3/17

Comments: Feels hefty and stable. This racquet requires the players with the correct hitting form or it will easily hurt your elbow. A very good racquet which can help to improve your game, serve and volleys. I'm a 4.5 recreational player but have no issues with the wrist nor the elbow after hitting it out with this racquet for over 5 months.
From:Sean, 6/1/17

Comments: Beautiful looking frame. It hits a heavy ball with good spin and feel but it is just too much frame for most to handle for an extended period or for competitive play. The Yonex Duel G 330 is a little easier to play with and has better control. The PS RF97A has more spin and pop and is better on serves that the DG330. The paint finish and color scheme on this is fantastic. But in the end, I can hit almost as heavy a ball with my modified Volkl with less effort. This is a frame to play with for fun from time to time.
From:Thomas, 5/4/17

Comments: I'm a level 2/3 player from Europe, very experienced and have played a lot of different frames, always played with 570 grams plus frames. Great looking frame, feels very well balanced. Easy access to spin. But the frame feels totally different than the previous one (not being told by the specs). Feels stiffer, more hollow, less damped, bad paint job (the matte finish comes off easily). It plays ok, esspecially on the backhand side, but with the forehand I miss the punch, miss ball bite, acceleration and plow through like you can have for example with the Prestige Classic 600 (or Youtek series) or Pro Staff Classic 6.1. The same will occur on the serves, difficult to get the first serve in when speed is around 200 KMH. Frame feels more stiff and less damped than the previous version, which will gain small elbow (underarm) problems. Volleys are ok when you are in time. A bit overrated frame compared to the old frames or first Pro Staff 97S frame (a bit too light but amazing ball pocketing plowthrough). No need to make this frame more pricy than the older Wilson frames. Strung with Wilson Revolve Spin 1.30at 53 lbs.
From:Ivo, 5/2/17

Comments: This is an awesome racquet. I've playing with Babolat racquets for the last ten years. The Wilson Pro Staff RF97 is better than the Babolats I've used -- both on forehands and backhands.
From:George, 4/24/17

Comments: The best racquet I've played with in my entire tennis life -- which is over 43 years. Like many of the reviews state, the main downside is the racquet can be tiring on your arm and shoulder after a certain period of time. For me, my shoulder starts getting tired after one hour from continuous rallying the ball with very little rest. I have found that if I stick to a strict regimen of strengthening exercises with small weights and stretch bands my shoulder and arm is not only stronger but can wield this magic wand for up to two hours. It is by far the most stable racquet that I've hit with. It's a joy to block back booming serves and overheads with very little effort. For a 16x19 string pattern, it generates as much topspin as the more open string pattern racquets but with more control. Also, unlike many of the open string pattern racquets, I've found the RF97 is extremely accurate when flattening out on groundstrokes; hence you get the best of both worlds. Oh, and the power is like a thunderbolt. At the net, it's like a mac truck, sticking volleys without much effort. In summary, if you are very solid with your preparation and take the time to strengthen your shoulder and arm (for the arm use a flexbar, not only to prevent tennis elbow but to strengthen your grip and forearm) you will be rewarded with both power and accuracy that surpasses any other racquet on the market (and I've demoed lots of them).
From:Robert, 4/16/17

Comments: This racquet is in a class of its own. It is a very unique racquet especially in the feel category. You have to be an advanced player with full on swings, think college player game or at least swing style to really take advantage of it. Extremely precise, power when you need it, tons of spin, this racquet does not leave you wanting for anything. String bed is highly predictable and the racquet itself is comfortable specially for the power level. It is unique in that it is not a power racquet like a Pure Drive, yet stick a volley or take a full forehand swing and the power reveals itself. Sure it is probably one of the heaviest static weight racquets sold and you will notice it after a while. Swinging it does not feel much different than a Blade 98, but the results are better until you get tired and start hitting late. You have to be on to play with this racquet, but when you are, it is highly, highly enjoyable.
From:Gtechy, 4/2/17

Comments: More muscle compared to the Pro Staff 6.0 85 and Pro Stff RF 90. One-handed backhand shots have lots of power and go deeper! The weight of the racquet is never a problem if you're an experienced player.
From:Eddie, 3/28/17

Comments: Feels hefty and stable. A very good racquet which can help to improve your game, serve and volleys. I'm a skinny guy and a 4.5 recreational player but feel no issues with the wrist nor the elbow after hitting it out with this legendary frame for over 1 month.
From:Polo, 2/27/17

Comments: Highly recommend this frame! From the specs to the paint job, this stick is fun, stable, and makes you feel like you get to enjoy the outcome of thoughtful research and design. I'm 43 years old, a 4.0+ recreational player, trying to overcome wrist and tennis elbow issues (past 2 years have been kind of painful). I've done extensive research, demoing, purchasing frames, and doing a lot of experimentation by trial and error. I had concluded it all came down to the racquet's flex rating. For that reason I played first with the Volk Organix 325g and then Babolat Pure Control Tour. I was pretty happy with the latter until a friend of mine asked me to try the RF97. I first avoided it because of it's flex rating, but after reading some of the reviews below, I decided to give it a shot. I'm so glad I did. The mass makes this frame even more comfortable than lower flex rated sticks. In addition, I find that the Head Light design also helps me maneuver better, especially at the net both on volleys and overheads. My tennis buddy calls it the Darth Vader racquet because I can now be more aggressive and seem to be putting more balls away. I find that I'm less apprehensive about off-center shots as I feel much less vibration on the occasional frame shot. I've been using it for over two months and I believe that I continued to recover. I string with Technifibre NRG 16 at 56lbs. I also use the Babolat RVS dampener. Finally, for my elbow I'm wearing the ProBand Bandit tennis strap, and I've been using the Theraband flexbar. I'm sharing all of this detailed info because it took me over 18 months to figure these things out. I know everyone is unique, but feedback like this helped me a lot in being able to continue playing tennis and avoid costly treatments or surgery. Enjoy!
From:Fernando, 2/18/17

Comments: I haven't played with a Wilson for 10 years since getting elbow issues with one, and after reading reports of a more muted feel I decided to give it a try since I play with the similar Yonex Vcore Duel G 330. The Duel G weights 8 grams less and is a tad more flexible, is a bit less stable and provides less spin. I am surprised at how stable the RF97 is, feels very solid and it is forgiving on off-center hits at the net. Also the pace it generates, which has been corroborated by my opponents, is another improvement over the Duel G. I never thought I would ever go back to Wilson but this racquet is suiting my game well, the one handed backhand is great. Highly recommended.
From:Leo, 1/17

Comments: I'm 60 years old and a 4.5 player. This racquet is almost telepathic. As others have said with clean strokes, good racquet prep, good footwork, and commitment in your point construction, this racquet is almost telepathic. If you are missing any those things, but willing to work to improve, this racquet can and will help. It will definitely punish you for being a bad or sloppy. Having said that you will be forever motivated the first time you correctly strike a ball with this racquet. The feeling is wonderfully addictive. This is the 3rd generation of Federer Autograph racquets I have used. These racquets helped me improve from a 4.0 rating to 4.5. But be warned if you are the least bit lazy in your game this racquet will hurt you. It will hurt your wrist, it will hurt your arm, it will hurt your shoulder, and most of all it will most definitely hurt your feelings.
From:Mike, 1/17

Comments: I bought this latest version of the RF97 after playing with the original a bit. They both feel similar except the new one feels lighter on swing. Also they produce different sounds using the same strings and tension. The new version sounds muted. Almost everything about this racquet is good except for the beautiful velvety paint that could easily gets scratched when the ball hits the frame. It's really a bummer that my 20 year old racquet looks newer than my RF97 after a few matches. Anyway, the RF97 has a lot of weight which helps you if you have a nice long, smooth stroke with good swing fundamentals. Don't bother with this racquet if you like to whip your stick. You may wind up with an injured wrist, elbow, and/or shoulder. I feel the weight when we have to battle it out on the third set. But the more I use it, the stronger I get. I'd rather have the weight behind the ball for more solid shots. I have the racquet strung with a black Babolat Spiraltek at 55 lbs. It looks badass with an all black color scheme. Thinking of going down to 50 lbs for more power. Overall, I'm very happy with my RF97 except for the highly marketed velvety paint job that wears off quickly exposing he shiny black paint underneath. Head has done a better job with this type of paint on their super popular TiS6 racquet. I hope Wilson will fix theirs.
From:SB20, 1/17

Comments: This will be an historic frame. It's been a long time since I last wrote a review on a frame but this one deserves all the praise that can be. It's indeed a fantastic racquet. I own 3 of these beauties strung with Luxilon 4G Soft at 48 lbs. All has been said about it -- like other reviewers here, I also do feel it to be faster than the previous one. I love it on serves and backhands (double handed), love the power and control for a 16x19 (on par with my Six.One 95 18x20). I have to say the sweetspot is not huge, but decent instead. If you hit in or close to the sweetspot, you'll feel it plush but outside that is rather crisp and not so comfy (although you won't notice any drop on power). Another thing, Wilson Quality Control sucks. Like I said, I own 3 frames, two have a pretty close weight (339g and 340g) and the other is 9 grams heavier! I string it between 45 lbs and 50 lbs to harvest all the sorcery it can provide. Like its designer, this may be the G.O.A.T. When I bought these RF97s, I also bought the 25th anniversary Pro Staff Classic 6.1 reissue. What a frame! I honestly give a slight edge to that one, although I serve much better with the RF97 and that makes a difference. But you do have to be in shape to last 3 sets with any of these frames. I just love to feel the weight behind the ball and this RF97 gives me that. Roger designed a piece of art and Wilson delivered it! A must have.
From:Bernardo, 1/17

Comments: I have played with the original RF 97 for two years. Demoed the new Autograph. It has a more muted feel and you have to go down 2 pounds in tension for a similar power level to the original. The grips feel similar. Nice black matte finish. Similar heft, plow through, balance etc. Overall plays similar to the original.
From:Dante, 1/17

Comments: Very, very rewarding racquet if you're on time and stay on the gas. Weight didn't seem a problem at all, but after a few weeks I started to develop golfers elbow complaints. Maybe just not for me although I have a fluent swing and a strong arm. If you demo this thing, be sure to play at least a few weeks with it before you decide. Maybe a little more flex would have done the job. Lot's of pleasure to those who swing it problem free.
From:Mark, 1/17

Comments: Stable, good feel, great control for a 16x19 string pattern, the best cosmetics and fantastic QC by Wilson standards. But man is this a frame for strong players only. You need physical strength to wield it and good technique to harness the power that comes with the mass. No flipping of the wrist to get topspin with this frame. I do wish they had made the frame 10 grams lighter but I guess in that case it wouldn't be Fed's frame anymore. I do recommend stringing below the recommended tension particularly if you have done poly in there as it is a relatively stiff frame. With this frame I feel like I can hang with the flat bellies just because I can generate pace so easily.
From:Wayne, 1/17

Comments: Amazing racquet! I found a new partner for 2017! For me, this is like the Youtek Prestige MP but with more mass and a 16x19 pattern -- but the mass distribution is very similar. I totally agree with the comments of Michael, 10/16. Hope it gets even better with more time (just played 3 hours with the racquet). Strung it with Signum Poly Plasma 1.18 at 48 lbs.
From:Juliano, 12/16

Comments: I'm 16, 165 lbs. I am an aggressive all-courter with a big serve and first strike mentality. I've tried all of the player frames and this one is the best one out there. One very important thing is how you set this up. If you use poly, I do not recommend stringing over 50 lbs. I didn't fully realize the potential of this stick until I put my Alu Power at 46 lbs. I had experimented with tensions anywhere from 50-55 but once I dropped down to 46, I really started seeing what this frame could do!
From:Drew, 12/16

Comments: I found my forever racquet! I indulged and strung mine with Babolat VS Gut on the mains at 50 lbs and RPM Blast on the crosses at 46 lbs. Loved it so much I had to purchase a second.
From:David, 12/16

Comments: What a great racquet. 25 years ago I started with the Wilson PS 6.1 and many many other frames have since came and went and finally there is this beauty. Came full circle. Do not kid yourself thinking this will be a easy frame to master. You have to have the stamina, the game and the technique to wield this. This frame demands you have a fluid swing and it will reward you for it. If you have whippy Nadal-like strokes, walk away before you injure your wrist. The tiny sweetspot demands you to be perfect every time. Those who know will know what I am talking about, if you feel you need to complain or tweak things differently then you are simply not a candidate for it. This is a purist racquet at its very best.
From:Reubiwan, 12/16

Comments: Great frame! Just confirming what others have said -- it is definitely easier to swing than the previous version, and my forehand can snap through quicker with more spin. Wilson may not say it, but the swingweight is probably 5-7 points less in my opinion. Cosmetics are better too! I'm a 43 year old USTA 5.0 player.
From:Rob, 11/16

Comments: There's no substitute for mass, and the mass here really delivers in plow, stability, power and control. What really surprised me is how manageable it is, with what can only be described as perfect balance. I'm not a young man, but I was whipping one-handed backhand topspin returns off decent serves, something I'm hard pressed to do often with my own considerably lighter racquet. I had no trouble handling the weight, admittedly indoors on a cool autumn day; I don't know how I'd feel after a long match on a hot summer day. This is truly a great racquet. The two negatives for me were a decent but not overly generous sweetspot, and a somewhat more jarring feel than I expected; my wrist was starting to complain a bit towards the end of play. Not sure if I'll switch to it, might, or might look for something a little softer with similar specs.
From:Mike, 11/16

Comments: I have this on demo right now. I had the PS97 on demo a few weeks ago and loved it, but wanted to try this one. When this came in the mail it just seemed heavy. I was very skeptical and thought for sure I would be going with the PS97. Then I went to the court. The weight just vanished. This swung with ease and surprisingly fast. My serves were very strong, volleys were amazingly solid, and I felt like I was just shoving my opponents back from the baseline. I have already ordered one that will be delivered tomorrow and I will be ordering a second one once I get a credit from a trade-in on my account. I am a very strong man, not strong for a tennis player but strong for a power-lifter. I would assume the PS97 would be better suited to someone of average physical attributes, but if you are able to handle the little more weight, give this one a try.
From:Dave, 11/16

Comments: This racquet felt like a heavier tweener racquet or a stiff sledgehammer. It reminded me of the Pure Drive Roddick. It didn't have enough control and feel overall for me to call it a players racquet. I don't know how anyone can say the RF97 is plush or buttery smooth. My wrist hurt after an hour of doubles. My C10 has better control and feel. I did enjoy the RF97 more on serves and backhand. I could slam the backhand again. The sweetspot also felt bigger than 97 square inches. The spin potential was similar to the C10. The racquet was strung with gut/poly in the low 50s. It was a good racquet but slightly too heavy and way too stiff for me. I was expecting it to be more like the Dunlop 4d 200 Tour (way better) rather than the PDR.
From:Anonymous, 11/16

Comments: Good racquet. Prefer the previous generation to this one. While the overall weight is similar, I feel like the weight distribution on the previous generation was better.
From:Anonymous, 11/16

Comments: Just demoed it today, with a 4 3/8 grip instead of my regular 4 5/8. My topspin on serves and baseline was easier to achieve than with my ProStaff Hyper Carbon 90 Federer. I never served so well in my life, everything was going in, kick was amazing. Very easy to swing. Again, try a smaller grip -- you may be surprised.
From:Marius, 11/16

Comments: Definitely much quicker through than the red/black original one, surprisingly so. I have a selection of both, so it is not just down to a frame or two with lower swing weights. I can lead up the new version, something I would not contemplate with the first generation frame. What I really like about the frame is it accommodates a wide range of strings. Champions Choice, RPM, ALU Power Rough -- the frame really lets you know what is happening. Some racquets plow through the ball but it feels like you are using a sledgehammer, the RF97 feels light at contact. Still don't like the flared butt cap, so will replace with a pre-sensor handle.
From:Anonymous, 11/16

Comments: I love this racquet! The plow through is amazing and I'm able to hit my shots with precise accuracy. And then there's the appearance. The matte black finish, black leather grip, and laser etched Pro Staff makes this a "classy" racquet. I really like how the minimalist look adds to the classiness. I primarily use poly string but I'm experimenting with different kinds and hybrids to see what works best. I string my racquets on the higher end for more control. I'm a 4.5 all-court player.
From:Charles, 11/16

Comments: Not a forgiving, but a rewarding racquet. If your technique is sound and you are willing to stay on the accelerator, this is the one for you. Some say it is heavy and takes its toll in the second set. It is, however, not heavy, but it will kill you when you get tired, lazy and late in your preparation in the second set. In fact, it is a surprisingly easy stick to get going; if you have long, well timed swings, it will do the work for you. It will give you shots you did not believe you had in stock. Just take your time. It will not oblige, if you are late and want to force it.
From:Andrew, 11/16

Comments: I picked up tennis earlier this year. I am in my late thirties and I have never lifted anything other then kids and groceries so it's safe to say I am not what you'd call strong. As with most ladies my first racquet was a tweener. I chose the Babolat Pure Drive Lite because I love gadgets and the Play feature was too cool not to have. I very quickly progressed to regular Pure Drive Play since I found the other too light but I still found myself overhitting many shots. For the record I enjoyed tracking my progress with the Play feature and was rather addicted to working on my stats so I had no desire to switch the racquet or the brand. I'll admit watching TW Playtester Michelle doing play tests of different racquets made me consider trying out a Wilson. I play nearly every day a couple of hours and take lessons twice a week. I do believe that is what will improve my game more then equipment but I felt compelled to write the review about this racquet after I have played with it for a month. I love it! The feel in hand, how it swings, how it has improved my accuracy on the shots and how much harder I have been hitting my serve. I haven't quite dialed it in yet at the net since it feels very different from what I played with before specially with the head size is a tad smaller but when I get the volley right it is always a winner. My favorite thing is how stripped off and basic it feels which I think makes it swing through the air efficiently. And truth be told it is a very handsome racquet indeed. I could do without all the RF ornaments since him staring at me is a little over the top but I guess he did help design this beauty so fair enough. It's very head light compared to my previous sticks. The main reason I wrote this review is that I really don't find the weight of this racquet an issue. I know I have less experience then most who write reviews but I am confident I play intense enough matches and hit hard balls (thanks to the Babolat app for backing my claims up) to say that if this racquet was tough to swing I would be the first one to complain. If anything the weight helps me not to overhit the balls which especially on returns now stay just inside the baseline. I had the racquet strung at 58 lbs with a natural gut string and just ordered a second one to keep as back up.
From:S, 11/16

Comments: This racquet swings surprisingly fast. The stability and plow through is extraordinary. It must be the mix of the high swingweight and the head light balance, that automatically creates that special Pro Staff feel. Once you swing the racquet it will stay on its orbit. Even defensive shots under pressure have a decent length, regardless of the weight. The racquet is very comfortable even with a poly. The feel is just Federer-esque.
From:C, 10/16

Comments: What an amazing racquet! This is my first review and I'd like to share my experience because of the outstanding performance. Played with the previous version but for me the racquet was tiring after 1 hour of play. This version, although it has the same specs, feels like the swing weight is lower. Perfect feel and great plow through for groundstrokes even with a two handed backhand. There's no better racquet at the net for volleys and overheads. Of course you've to be able to swing this racquet and early preparation is demanded. Very happy with my new racquet of choice!Strung with hybrid Luxilon Savage black (mains) and a synthetic gut (crosses) at 55 lbs and plays like a dream.
From:Michael, 10/16

Comments: I own and use the black RF racquet. My previous racquet (which I still have and use as backup) is a Blade 98 (18x20). If I play the RF for subsequent days (multi-hour sessions each), it builds up a lot of stress on my wrist (I use a lot of wrist action with top spin and slices). So while the overall weight doesn't feel overwhelming, it can become unwieldy for wrist movements. I may have to wear a wrist guard now to use this racket (just as a precaution), but this is still my go-to racquet.
From:Thomas, 10/16

Comments: I developed the love for the RF 97 after playing with the 2014 edition. The other guys are right when they say that you must string it low in the 45 to 50 lb range -- the performance is phenomenal. I had to do a lot of weight training to wield the beast but then no racquet even comes close. I ordered the new one and then a pair of them, I guess I might be the first one in India to play with it. Also ordered the DNA bag and now I look super classy. I strung it with a hybrid of Babolat Natural and ALU Power Rough at 48 lbs and it played really great.
From:Col, 10/16

Comments: Bought the RF97 in 2014 to replace my very old racquet. The old racquet was more head heavy, had a higher weight and swing weight, yet noticed, as per TW reviewer Chris, that the RF97 seemed to swing a little heavier despite that. Chalked it up to other differences in the 2 racquets and loved my 2 RFs, which were noticeably different in SW and balance. Beginning my demo of the black RF, my perception, like that of others here, is also that the new RFs swing a little easier than the original. Meanwhile, still a great racquet. Don't be put off by weight issues.
From:Anonymous, 10/16
Note from TW: The discrepancy could be due to the quality control of the racquets as well and your new RF97s may have different specs than your original RF97s.

Comments: I get a kick out of the crowd that complains about the weight of this stick. You guys should have tried swinging with the block of wood I used at 10 years of age. The RF97 is not a dumb bell, you don't have to be fit and muscular to use it and if you get tired of hitting with it after an hour, you're out of shape. This is a racquet that does not stymie stroke development, it promotes it. And it does so without sacrificing your elbow and shoulder. The stick takes the brunt of the force instead of your body. Think of a small car vs. an SUV. Which one would you rather be in wreck with? Most of the pros weight up/customize their frames. If you cannot afford to do that, I suggest you try this racquet. String it at 45-50 lbs if using poly, 52-54 lbs with a hybrid and no higher than 56/57 lbs on a syn gut/gut.
From:David, 10/16

Comments: Interesting stick. Jeremy, a 1/2 dozen or so posts back, hits the nail on the head. This thing can penetrate quick flat strikes like no one's business, yet also baseline like any of the flexies. Not sure how they pulled it off with a stiffness getting toward 70 and a non-dense pattern, but it seems to work. The difference is, when I compare this to my Volkl 93 Powerbridge, the RF has real artillery for the put away. Man though, you do need some muscle; this stick is not for the 150 pounders. And late in the 3rd hour of a match, with this great dumb-bell of a stick, even the most fit and muscular will not be able to catch up for shots like the unexpected overhead put-away within the service line (unless you play tennis for a living). With all that said, I've made the switch to it. The things you can do, oh what fun!
From:D.K., 10/16

Comments: I know it's supposed to be just a paint job with identical specs, but this new version swings much easier, is faster through the air and is more maneuverable than my previous version RF97s. I'm extremely happy with these frames. I measured the swingweight and both are slightly below spec, which is to my advantage. There is no better frame on the market with this combination of power, feel, spin and control. I went down to the 4 1/8 grip size from the 4 1/4 with the original RF97. I've always used 4 3/8 in all my frames but the original RF97 grip sizes I believe ran one size too large -- which is why I went to the 4 1/4. 4 1/8 now feels great and perhaps factors into the ease of use with the frame this time around. The new paint job looks amazing as does the new bag.
From:Nik, 10/16

Comments: I dropped the tension by 2 lbs to match the previous model RF97. I used to string the previous model at 57 lbs , but now I have to string this new version at 55 lbs.
From:Kambiz, 9/16

Comments: I was an early adopter of the first version of the RF97 Autograph and I have been playing with the Black version for about a month now. If you have the shoulder and arm strength, it's an awesome racquet. 1) Almost no adjustment period with the transition to the Black version. Volleys, groundstrokes, serves and overheads are about the same. 2) One other reviewer commented on the swing weight, which seems to be a little lighter. In my opinion, the difference is the grip, which is a little more padded than version 1, so I could have gone down 1 grip size. 3) I love the texture of the frame for grip changes. After tweaking with the grip, version 2 is my new weapon of choice. 4) About a year ago I started stringing with Champions Choice and that did take an adjustment. The strings feel alive compared with a monofilament, and they seem to reward good stroke production and punish lazy strokes. Note to Wilson -- I never break strings but damn they wear out fast. I'm restringing a racquet every month.
From:PL1, 9/16

Comments: Wilson's quality control has been left somewhere in the 90s, since these 'new' sticks dont have the exact same weight and balance as they should. Overall, a good stick. Does not differ much from the the previous model. Definitley not for everybody, good form and technique is a must in order for the racquet to do what it's supposed to do. Very demanding stick, could be a weapon in the right hands.
From:Anonymous, 9/16

Comments: After playing for some time with my Pure Aero racquet, I felt like I wanted to experiment with something a bit heavier and more stable. I always wanted to try Fed's iteration of the Pro Staff and I made up my mind after seeing the new aesthetic. Firstly, this is the most beautiful racquet out there and it feels great in hand. This is a very different racquet from the Pure Aero in many ways. Firstly, the weight of course. This thing is heavy and you really need to be in great shape to wield it. But if you can, then you get the benefits of that added stability and plow through. If you play with a single hand backhand, you'll love this racquet. My serves were coming off with pace and quite a bit of spin -- I'm surprised at how connected I felt to the racquet. This thing will let you know when you've hit off center which is a good thing in my opinion. There is a definite feedback from this racquet. It did take a little adjustment when hitting my groundstrokes but the key is early preparation I think. Once you have good form and early preparation I think this racquet will elevate your game. That being said, I find myself struggling after a good hour of hitting, particularly if you serve a lot. Working on improving my overall fitness and strengthening that shoulder so I can wield this beast. Make no mistake, this is a player's racquet!
From:Rajiv, 9/16

Comments: I just bought two of these racquets and was impressed with the new look and the way the matte black paint felt in my hand. The specs, however, are not matched in weight and balance. Also the swing weight feels lighter than that of the previous model.
From:Raid, 9/16

Comments: I am one of the lucky few who laid their hands on this gem. Having acquired a few of the red version about a year ago, I stopped using them for a while as my tennis suffered from lack of fitness due to work pressure. Switched to the slightly lighter Pro Staff 97 and it plays beautifully. I tried both the red and black versions and find some subtle differences. Honestly, I prefer the black version since the finish and quality are far superior. Like one of the fellow reviewers below, I use a double layer of overgrips (size 2) on all my RF97As. Before I bought the black one, I thought I would only keep it as a collector's item, lucky that I changed my mind. I cannot play without it now. Be warned, it can be addictive! Last words, I dug out my PS 88 and compared it with the RF97A, quite different. No doubt the larger head and thicker beam make the RF97 a much more versatile racquet. This new one (version 11 as engraved in the inside rim) is the best to-date. Strung with ALU Power Feel (at 50 lbs mains) and Tonic+ (at 53 lbs crosses).
From:CPH3, 9/16

Comments: Just played with it today. Strung at 55 lbs with Babolat VS gut. Love the weight for volleys. No longer will a hard shot move your racquet. Serving was effortless and generated spin and pace. Groundstrokes are also effortless. My one word of caution is if you don't take a big swing at the ball, it goes weakly into the net. More my fault than the racquet. Absolutely beautiful finish. I added a black dampener with my black strings just for fun.
From:B, 9/16

Comments: Last year I was able to demo the original version of the RF97 Autograph and came very close to making it my new racquet. Incidentally, I decided it was a tad too heavy (I really didn't want to believe it) and out of my price range. Since then I've stuck to my usual racquets, a few variations of the Head Prestige (Youtek IG Mid and Flexpoint Mid). I thought I'd demo the new RF97 Autograph to get another taste of what I loved in the original. I had it strung with Wilson Sensation and 57 lbs and put in 6 hours of singles and 2 hours of doubles. The Pros: plow through, spin, power, and touch. In singles play, my groundstrokes were heavy! Huge amounts of spin and consistent depth pushed my opponents back more than I ever have. The stability and plow through were addicting. With proper footwork and technique, this racquet provides everything else. You just have to be able to get there. Additionally, there was a ton of accessible power, especially on the one handed backhand. I hit several down the line winners which is a shot I usually stray away from because of the high risk but was rewarded with this racquet. Lastly, the touch is excellent. Drop volleys, piercing slices, and angled touch shots were easier and more accessible than what I usually experience with my Prestiges. The Cons: control and maneuverability. I am accustomed to a small midsize head and dense string pattern, so the more open pattern and larger head of the RF97 saw me lacking some control. I am not a heavy spin bitter and use an Eastern forehand grip which saw control slip a bit with my typical mechanics. However, I adjusted to provide more spin which improved my control. I didn't like having to adjust to this though because it made my usual flatter hitting style not as effective and somewhat unpredictable off the stringbed. Also, the weight of this racquet really is a hinderance in doubles. I struggled to get my racquet in position on quick volleys and control pinpoint shots which I usually can do with my Prestige. In sum, this racquet is great for a aggressive baseline player who wants power, spin, and tons of plow through. As an all around racquet, I struggled to overcome the challenge in maneuverability and control.
From:Jeremy, 9/16

Comments: Beautiful design. Haunting and awesome! The paint texture feels good in hand. Though the specs are similar to the previous model, I feel that this new one has a lighter swingweight.
From:Anonymous, 9/16

Comments: I bought two of the newly designed RF97 Autographs, and as usual, Wilson did not fail in proving their poor quality control. Both racquets did not match in weight nor in balance. one racquet is heavier by 5 grams but head lighter by 0.6 cm than the other, which is quite substantial. I also own six racquets of the previous red and black RF97.
From:Anonymous, 9/16

Comments: Compared to the previous model I found this to be softer. It's hard to describe it, but it feels more muted. I feel I was getting more feedback with the previous model, but feedback usually means more stress and shock to your arm. So If you are having arm/shoulder problems with the previous model, this might be your racquet. Tension -- I haven't quite figured out if the tension is similar to the previous model. I feel as if you'd need to drop the tension by 1-2lb to match the previous model. This is based on the first string job, so don't quote me on it. I have to try it couple more times to be sure.
From:Kambiz, 9/16

Comments: When I saw this new frame, I had to try it! First saw it with a Wilson rep, who explained this was the actual racquet Roger is playing with. I'm not sure I believe him, but it is such high quality, I could believe it, and he did reiterate that the tennis brands are getting in trouble for false advertising the specs and "endorsements" of players. Regardless of if RF uses this exact frame, it is a huge advancement in racquets. I had owned several of the previous version and read it was the same racquet except for the paint job. The specs are indeed basically exactly the same. After I put 2 overgrips on, it weighed in at 13 ounces strung. I have not been able to try my size grip in a demo yet. I am caught between the 3/8 and 1/2 grip size since I use a 3/8 Babolat, and it is slightly bigger. However, this racquet is so finely tuned, even an extra overgrip pushes its weight further into the redline. The graphics and quality are amazing. Play wise: it does everything you want it to. There are no shots this racquet will not do on command. The only downside that has ever been to this frame is the weight. If you string it at a low enough tension, it would never hurt your elbow, and it is headlight enough to probably never hurt your shoulder. This racquet will perform as long as you will. It's such high swing weight will have you suffering if your not a supreme athlete. You will even find yourself trying to "SABR" and attempt shots you never thought were possible. Here's to hoping I can swing this for several matches or hours on end without the tiring! Stringing: I would string much lower than people regularly do. Unless your combining gut or something electric in the mains, go lower. I use Hyper G 16g between 40-45Ibs. Good luck, and here's to hoping the Greatest of all time comes back to win at least one more!
From:Reuben, 9/16

Comments: First impression review. I did pre-order this racquet and I choose overnight delivery. I was a little concerned on how much I paid for the racquet unit I opened the box -- wow! The color and the texture is something that I have never seen before. You would not want to get a single scratch on it, this could easily be a collector's item. It is a 12.6 ounce racquet but somehow it feels lighter. This is a unique racquet. Super delivery service. A++
From:Dave, 9/16