Will Wilson bring back the legendary Pro Staff 90, iconic racquet of Roger Federer?
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- Опубліковано 6 вер 2024
- In a previous video, I described why I feel the racquet should be re-released. I reached out to Wilson and they gave me a response -- watch the video to find out what they said.
Wilson discontinued the Pro Staff 90 line in 2014, which coincides with when Roger Federer switched to the larger 97 inch head size. The Pro Staff 90 is the racquet in which Federer captured 17 of his 20 majors, and it has gained a dedicated and loyal fanbase. The racquet is unique in its raw feel and pinpoint control with access to both power and spin.
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Hey Andy! Great video and I couldn't agree with you more! My everyday racquet is a "K-Factor Tour 90" with the "Champions Choice hybrid" strung at 55 pounds (mains) and 52 pounds (crosses) and I wouldn't trade it for anything! It is by far the sweetest feeling racquet I have ever used. The power, the control, and the spin are second to none however, as you have pointed out, finding them can be a bit of a challenge. HELP US OUT WILSON!
The Pro Staff Tour 90 is an iconic frame. I will always remember Roger playing with the Ncode paint job. The red and white colorway really suited his personality on the court. If you enjoy the Pro Staff 90, you might like the Volkl PB 10 mid or Yonex Vcore tour 89. Nice video!
So many racquets to try, LOL. I love a yonex frames and honestly they are probably tied with Wilson for my favorite brand of racquets. I used the Rdis 100 for awhile and I’ve used various versions of the vcore 95 as well as the duel G 330 line. I’m pretty set now with my 2018 vcore 95 as my racquet of choice but would be willing to do videos on the volkl pb 10 mid or the Dunlop 95 sq in racquet (name slipping my mind) or the the pro staff 95 (pro stock version) if I get my hands on them. I am liking the 95 sq in size now as a good balance.
@@tenniswithandy Awesome that you have tried out several Yonex frames. The Vcore 95 looks awesome. I am happy to hear it works for you. I liked the all red cosmetic on it. Is it the Dunlop CX 200 tour or like older Dunlop Muscleweave 95 that you are thinking of? The Volkl PB 10 mid is a fun hit. I could not switch to it full time, but to use it from time to time for fun is great. It is a classic. The C10 pro is slightly more forgiving and did better with a 98 over a 93. Thanks for your content Andy!
It's funny that you mentioned this Volkl: as of now, my only two rackets are Pro Staff 90 (BLX) and Volkl PB 10 mid, both purchased more than 10 years ago. I heard Volkl is still in production, but it isn't as impressive as Wilson; I can't think of a good replacement for the latter once it will become unusuble anymore (quite some wear over the years).
I own 4 Wilson Hyper Pro Staff Tour 90’s, the original ones. If they do bring it back, I hope they do so with the original string pattern rather than the version starting with the KFactor series. That original pattern layup (both versions were 16 x19, with the older being more dense in the sweet spot) should stay the same, keeping with what Wilson originally co-developed with Pete Sampras and Nate Ferguson of Priority One. I still say that the original version is the closest to the Pro Staff Original 6.0 in feel.
I heard that is the version that Fed used as well. Well, I can assure you that Wilson does have this thread on its radar so if the re-release happens, hopefully they incorporate some of the feedback.
@@tenniswithandy Thanks man, just the fact that your videos got the attention of the advisory staff is amazing. Just finding bumperguard/grommet sets for these racquets require me to spend a kings ransom from some random people off the internet, lol. Thanks again for these videos!
I agree , I love to buy this racquet . I had 4 lost 2 . and never find a chance to get them back.
Spec-wise, your best bet would be to either get a custom 90 from Angell or tennis warehouse is also selling the PS85 now. I haven’t played with the Angell racquet before but I’ve enjoyed the PS85.
It seems 98-100 is the head size right now. I use the Dunlop cx 200 tour which is 95 and really like.
I agree. 98-100 seems to be the sweet spot right now. I use a 98 sq in racquet but I often come back to the 90 to correct my form. I've heard nice things about the Dunlop cx 200 tour. I also heard that the swingweight is a bit low in stock form. Do you weight it up at all?
@@tenniswithandy I use mine in stock form.
Btw i also use the CX 200 tour 16x19, great racquet , very underrated. I use lead tape in 3 and 9 for stability and it's a great stick. Btw my racquet of choise is 6.1 95 18x20 but when i am feeling out of shape or i want to change my gamestyle according to the opponent the CX200 tour is a very good option
@@SineMetuFreedom I’m still yet to try the cx 200 tour. I’m sure I’d like it. I’ve been hitting with the yonex vcore 95 (2018) version and I’m going to stick with that as it is the perfect blend for my game.
@@tenniswithandy we may have similar playing style as I was about to buy toned vcore 95 2018 but then they changed it and the new model is very muted, so for now I keep my eyes open to find one of yours on the used market. I wish you good tennis matches my friend
I play with the Hyper Carbon Pro Staff Tour 90. One of my favorite rackets ever. Hope they bring back a great 90 sq in racket. I would definitely buy a few if it played like the old HC PS Tour.
I heard there was a good one. Let’s see what they decide to do.
You're doing the lord's work. The market is desperately in need of a true mid sized frame, especially now that Head has abandoned the mid sized Prestige. The market is saturated with 98 and 100 sqi rackets, so Wilson could have the mid sized market all to itself.
You made me laugh with that first line. I’m demoing the phantom 93p 18*20 now and will do a review shortly. I’m also tired of 98 sq in, 305 gram frames.
Go play with a wooden racquet then.
I prefer the 95 and more specifically the K-Factor 95 tour.
I've been meaning to try the 18*20 version off that racquet. I haven't gotten around to it yet though.
Give me some new K90’s and I’ll be a happy camper! Best 90 in my opinion and closest to what Roger used.
The K90 did feel sweet. It was beefier than the other models I’ve used. Selling it was one of the silliest mistakes I’ve made.
@@tenniswithandy I still have 3 usable frames - the only frame I play with regularly to this day.
Andy, Prince currently has a 93 which comes with a closed pattern and a open pattern string bed. Try it or review it!
One of the best older 90's hoops is the Dunlop Aerogel. It's color is brown, black& gold.
Boris Becker's Company's last red 93 is a good racquet.
Yonnex has a very nice capable red 93 called IS 100.
Donnay had a gold 93 which was unique for tweaking swing weight&balance on the hoop and butt cap. It was very stable and handled well. Review the Prince 93 and check some of the the above in your 90 search.
They need to bring a RF90 racket. He’s retired now it’s perfect sense for them to bring it back. Call it the RF90 Autograph. Federer had the most successful time in his career with the 90
Let’s see if they do it. If they do, may it be the kfactor specs.
I have the last one from circa 2014 called Pro Staff BLX Amplifeel 90 and I have a older NCODE version. Possibly, I have a K version 90 in storage. Anyway, the last Amplifeel version is the one I have been playing with and really like having it in my bag with other Pro Staffs.
I have that one as well. It seems a bit rawer than the 2012 version and also less power than the K factor. I add a bit of weight (2 grams) at 12 to bring up the swingweight and then it really shines for me. It is a great training tool and I play some competitive matches with it too.
@@tenniswithandy
Like you I really like the way you can swing out and it's balance seems to be more special for me compared to other 90 Pro Staff versions.
@@tenniswithandyI have that racquet too. My boys just starting to play tennis again so I pulled it out. My favorite player was John McEnroe and I string it at 49 pounds with Federer gut mains and Luxilon cross pattern and use a continental grip. To this day the Pro Staff the closest thing to an old MAX 200G
The Wilson Pro Staff Tour Hypercarbon is the best of all those 90s, which Roger played through the years. But, he already used this racquet with a different drilling. That particular racquet was originally designed for Pete Sampras who retired in 2002. Roger won with that frame in Wimbledon 2003, but as I said with a different drilling that later was implemented with the k factor.
The RF 97 is a completely different racquet with practically no feel at all.
I think the RF97A is a great racquet in my opinion. The issue that I had with it is that I went into using it with the mindset of playing like a PS90 or PS85. It is very much different from these two sticks, only similarities I feel are the static weight and materials used in construction.
@@tenniswithandy Yes, the weight is the same. But, the 90s are easier to swing.
The RF 97 is more forgiving. I am playing with an eastern forehand grip and I like the feedback of small box frame racquets.
Just a side note - Roger never played with that particular paint job, never! His last PS 90 was the BLX paint job. I'm not sure why he didn't use that particular incarnation - I think it had to do with the side paint on the 3 and 9. He had that same issue with the Wilson Countervail Tuxedo. I loved the 90's. My first one was the PS Tour (black with yellow inner part). Interesting that the first two PS 90's were not the same string pattern that Roger used. Roger had four lateral strings in conjunction with the PWS where the retail versions all were tighter with 5. I stayed with different incarnations .... until the 12.4oz of the racquet started hurting my arm. Good video - my favorite racquet of ALL time is the original Wilson Pro Staff 85. Greetings from a Western & Southern Open Marshal.
Wow, you have quite the history with the 90s. I only started using them around 2009/2010. I thought Roger had already started using the Blacked out RF97A when the 2014 ps90 came out. I could be wrong though. Side note, I was born and raised in Cleveland so I am an Ohioan through and through. Great job with the Western and Southern Open, I’ve always wanted to go. Perhaps next year.
Probably around 5 years ago Wilson reissued a limited edition ProStaff 85 in an all black velvet paint job, I had the chance to buy one but didn't (which I regretted). A year or two later a friend of mine decided to sell his ProStaff K Factor 90 and I decided to buy one off him which was in very good condition (he had two or three and the one I bought was his spare racquet).
It's not a racquet that I'll play a match with (when it matters) - I did use it once in a 3rd place playoff. But what a joy it is to hit with. Fantastic plow through, and strangely enough I was able to generate decent top spin as well.
When Federer finally retires - I think Wilson will probably re-issue the 90 as a commemorative / limited edition for collectors. I'd be surprised if they don't but it might be very expensive.
I bought the rereleased PS 85 when Tennis Warehouse sold them about 10 years ago. It was the best tennis coach I ever had. It encouraged me to hit with full strokes using my whole body. I ended up buying 2 of them. I've only recently started using bigger frames. Hopefully Wilson will do another release of this legendary racquet at some point down the track.
Another great racket if you really like the 90 is the Wilson Pro Staff 6.0 95. It is basically a 95 inch version of the Wilson Pro Staff 90.
It is funny you mention that. That is exactly what the Wilson rep told me. I’m not sure where I can demo it though as it is only available at the pro labs.
@@tenniswithandy If not already aware, the Pro Labs version is a Six.One 95 rather than a 6.0 95. The 6.0 95 played quite a bit different than the legendary 6.0 85 (as when head size is increased the racket generally isn't comparable in play) and a couple guys I knew had it back in the day & I tried hitting with it but didn't like it at all as a completely different feel imo. I also remember trying the original 6.1 (Six.One) version around the time Wilson issued it & one of my least favorite rackets I ever hit with (felt like I was swinging with a tin can) but the current version (in pro stock form) remains popular among pro players like Delpo, Opelka, Bautista-Agut, etc.
I would think Wilson would issue a commemorative 90 head size pro staff version once RF retires (since most of his slams are with the 90 head size) as you noted, possibly the black/yellow/red hyper carbon tour cosmetics version which he won his 1st Wimbledon but who knows. Unfortunately Wilson & Sampras parted ways shortly after Pete retired so we presumably missed out on some great commemorative Pro Staff 85's honoring Pete. Let's hope RF & Wilson reman on good terms post retirement. I've played the Pro Staff 85 since the mid-80s but recently picked up 2 of the 2014 Pro Staff 90's in brand new condition (w/plastic still on the handle) & looking forward to breaking them in this summer. If you still have contacts at Wilson you might consider mentioning that it's very disappointing they no longer offer for sale grommet & headguard strips for the Pro Staff 85 & 90 versions & so they're very hard to locate on the secondary market for a reasonable price. I mean TW was selling a new commemorative RF facsimile autographed Pro Staff 85 version as recent as 2017-2018 as I recall so the lack of support for replacement parts for players still playing that stick & the 2014 90 version (as not yet even 8 years old) does not sit well with me. Enjoyed the video & the previous one regarding the 2014 Pro Staff 90.
Thank you very much for the positive feedback. I’m truly floored by all the comments and popularity of these Pro Staff 90 videos given that I have under 50 subscribers. It just shows that these racquets are near and dear to people. With regards to Pistol Pete, I can see why the special edition PS85 was dedicated to Roger and not Pete given the breakup with Wilson.
I’m sorry you haven’t found grommets at a reasonable price. I mean, those parts probably cost less than a $1 to make as it is just plastic. I may reshare the comments with Wilson just to show them how popular it is. Your best bet is to just try and take care of your current PS85s and PS90s.
@@tenniswithandy Yeah, apparently when you have a young up & coming Roger Federer (who recently ended Pete's reign @ Wimbledon & nabbed a few add'l slams thereafter around when Pete retired) in your stable you don't worry about parting ways with Pete over disagreements. The 2017-18 special edition Pro Staff 85 issue should have had Pete's facsimile autograph & been a tribute to him (rather than RF) imo as Pete is the guy primarily responsible for the Pro Staff 85's popularity. When I think of the Pro Staff 85 it's easily Pete that comes to mind first & foremost & then Edberg & Courier before I even get to RF. That special edition issue of the Pro Staff 85 with RF's facsimile autograph shb a Pro Staff 90 instead imo (since that's the racket RF won 17 slams with). So did not pick up that special edition Pro Staff 85 RF issue as sorta disrespectful to Pete imo but understand from Wilson's perspective as RF sells, ha ha.
@@tenniswithandy Yeah, I presume Wilson still has all the molds to produce. I guess they want customers to buy their most recent racket issues so supporting legendary sticks for long-time loyal customers isn't on their priority list, unfortunately. Something's wrong when you have dealers offering for sale special edition Pro Staff 85's only several years ago & then now there's no dealers or Wilson direct that offer the accessories for that issue for sale. Frustrating....
@@vnishpt7036 I hear what you are saying. In my opinion, there would not be any cannibalization of sales of their modern rackets if Wilson provided support for the PS85/PS90. The costs of doing that (whether in terms of supply chain, shipping, etc.) may not be worthwhile for them.
I hope Wilson watches this......
They have
Federer never played with this version of the pro staff. This is a racket from 2014, the year which he went to the 97inch headsize. But nevertheless cool video. His last racket was the pro staff six.nine BLX 90.
Yes I do know. To be precise, his last paint job was the pro staff BLX 90 (circa 2012-2013). He probably used some version of the ncode throughout his career under various paint jobs. The 2014 version just happens to be the one that I have. I like it, but I think my favorite is the kfactor. Unfortunately, I sold that about 10 years ago.
I don’t know if I buy their response since the 85 is still available.
I have four 2014 pro staff 90s, and it's my main racquet. Everything else feels somewhat cheap by comparison, to me at least.
They are great frames. I have 2 of them and I always keep them in my racquet bag whenever I need to reset. They are demanding though.
@@tenniswithandy thanks for reaching out to Wilson. I don't think their "marketing research" is totally accurate - even badly worn 90s, 85s and 88s sell quite handsomely on ebay, which I think shows just how desired they are by the community of players that use them.
From a marketing standpoint it makes sense, but it is disappointing.
Agreed
I was lucky to get one on eBay auction for $65 bucks! Unstrung Go Fed!
That’s pretty awesome, a much better deal than I found.
going back to a prostaff myself, but man,,, first time seeing a muscular tennis player haha.... if you have the chance try the prince phantom 93P 18x20, Ive been using it as it reminded me of the rf97 but lighter and softer with a dense string pattern,,,, they have similar balance to the prostaff very headlight, solid and handle is about the same shape... just lower the tension as it is very low powered
Everyone always used to be amazed that I played tennis instead of football. Lol. Thank you. I did try the 93P, absolutely love it. It’s a beautiful racquet and if I had a very classic game, I think it would be my racquet of choice.
I grew up playing with the pro-staff 85. I loved those racquets; still do. I thought they were the best racquets ever made. Then Wilson stopped making them. I managed to get one of these 90's (used) and really enjoyed that one too. It got stolen. I went on a search for a racquet that felt similar to the 85's. Couldn't find anything, but settled on the Wilson ultra tour. Everything else out there feels like a widebody. Now, Wilson apparently stopped making the ultra tours! Wilson needs to just f****ng stop! They make a good racquet and then discontinue them. WTF Wilson!
I think you’re being unfairly harsh to Wilson. They did bring back the 85 twice: once in a partnership with TW and another as a tribute to RF. I personally don’t think they should have stopped producing the 90, but other manufacturers have been consistent with that trend. You won’t find anything that plays like the 85, even the 90 is sufficiently different. With regards to the ultra tour discontinuation, you can purchase the ultra pro from the Wilson Pro Labs. I believe they should be the same racquet…the pro might have a glossier finish.
Tell Diadem to knock off a 90 Pro Staff and put it out there to keep the small head category alive if they can take the risk.
I would actually prefer it in a 93 sq in or even 95 frame. It should be like 325 or 330 grams unstrung, but have the same beam specs as the 90. And a 16x19 or a 16x20 pattern would be preferable. It is basically what the Prince Phantom 93P should have been.
@@tenniswithandy
Ha, Prince gets you pretty close. Have you hit with the Prince Phantom 93? If not, you may have fun with a demo. It and possibly Yonnex IS 100(they come in different head sizes)are the only companies with a current 93.
@@bowsershark the string patterns on the phantom 93p aren’t the best in my opinion. 18x20 is too closed and 14x18 is too open. It also cuts through the air a bit too quick, I think because of the thinner beam. I only used the first version of the 93p, maybe they’ve adjusted the beam in the second version. Thanks for all the racquet recommendations, will try to demo some and review.
@@tenniswithandy Yeah, Prince tried to mirror the POG mid with that 14 X 18 pattern in the 93p but wish they would have went with a 16 X 20 pattern instead as in the Diablo Tour mid (which was a an excellent stick imo). Agree the 18 X 20 pattern in a 93 head size isn't the greatest imo.
@@vnishpt7036 That is exactly what TennisNerd said. My game has changed since I first tried the original 93P 18*20. I'll be demoing the 2020 version soon (the one with Twaron) and I'll make a review of that. I was getting good spin with the original just a low launch angle. I just remembered that it swung so fast and I had to be ultra aggressive when playing with it, as it didn't lend itself well to defense (which is not necessarily a bad thing).
I hope not. Not as a large scale production model. Maybe as a special edition collector's item or something. 90 inch racquets are a thing of the past and not something rec players should be hitting with in 2022.
Thanks for your opinion, but I respectively disagree in terms of whether or not rec players should be hitting with the PS90. It depends on what your goals are as a player and also what feels at home to you. Hitting and redlining with the PS90 is so much fun, but it can be tiring sometimes. I switch between it and my modern racquet of choice depends on how I'm feeling. At my level (4.0 regularly and 4.5 on a good day), I can play well with both and competitively with both.
I totally disagree. A 90 sqi racquet is more useful to a rec player than a pro. The smaller frame encourages a rec player to hit with good technique while a larger racquet allows them to get away with poor form. It can also be difficult to control the power on a large racquet, so rec players will often shorten their follow through to compensate. A pro already has good technique and has the skill to swing fast and still control the ball with a large racquet.
Why??? That would be an incredibly dumb move
Why would it be a dumb move? You are not really going to detract from other sales as it such a unique offering. It would be a great tribute to RF; it makes a lot more sense than an RF85. Plus it is an incredible training tool and still viable in rec league tennis.