Two very notable additions with Version 10. This system is a measurement of a racket’s flexibility and stability. According to our catalogs, this version wasn’t called the Pro Staff “Original” until 1990. (Racquet shown in picture on the far left) Jan 1, 1975. In History. History of the Tennis Racquet Timeline created by codbishop. In the case of the Prince, the name is more apt, but even that racquet went through a number of major revisions, including the addition of grommets and a change of hoop shape. Fun Fact: Roger Federer has used 3 different head sizes throughout his professional career, starting with the 85”, then 90”, and then began using the 97” in 2014. From the baseline, the Pro Staff 95 felt light and maneuverable to our playtesters -- and also low-powered. Continuing the trend of making the overall makeup of our tennis rackets “stronger”, (K) Factor technology was designed to bond Carbon Black, graphite and SiO2 together at the nano level to create “Karophite Black”. A flat hitting power-oriented game will therefore benefit considerably from the inherent control and stability of the frame. Sampras also had all frames re-strung daily during tournaments, whether used or not - a consistency which, along with his choice of just one racket model and those from just one factory, illustrate his preference for his rackets to be as familiar, and therefore as predictable, as possible. Scroll up to read up on “SI” if you haven’t already…it’s a system our engineers still use to this day. The first Pro Staff was the high-end Jack Kramer standard wooden model. It’s safe to say that if you make something for 37 years, people must like it. The 85” and 125” were then developed from the 110”. While many top professionals receive custom-designed frames which differ from the stock version, Pete Sampras used production frames from the St Vincent factory, which he chose for their slightly greater stiffness. Wilson recently released the 13th version of the Pro Staff that still embodies the classic feel of the original. Shop Wilson Pro Staff tennis rackets. In 2012, Wilson reintroduced the Prostaff line with their Amplifeel series of rackets. Originally manufactured in Chicago, Illinois and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the Pro Staff line was Wilson's answer to the Prince Graphite, Yonex Rex series, and the Dunlop Max 200G. Piggybacking on the success of Version 11, v12 introduced a timeless black and white design to the minimalistic design used on v11 that Pro Staff fans loved. Check out the latest and greatest tennis gifts that are sure to be a hit for your student... Shopping for a tennis player this holiday season? Fun Fact: This was the first time we started using “Stiffness Index” to differentiate our Pro Staff models. Developed as one of the first carbon tennis rackets, the Pro Staff line was actually our third venture into the carbon tennis racket space, following our “Galaxy” and “Sting” racket lines. This allowed our team to swing big without fear of losing control of their groundstrokes. Instead, early Wilson models were the 1980 Ultra, the 1981 Javelin, the 1982 Sting, and the graphite/boron Ultra II. The material composition utilized nanotechnology to bond new molecules that fill spaces between the racket's graphite fibers (branded [K]arophite Black) to the graphite itself, rather than the unbonded fill used in Wilson's prior N-Code racket series. While we could say many things about Version 11, perhaps most notable is the all-black, minimalistic design featured on the RF97 Autograph model. Fun Fact: The 2002 Hyper Pro Staff 6.1 was the last racket an up-and-coming Roger Federer would use before he was known as Grand Slam Champion. The Pro Staff 85 6.0 was Federer’s first Wilson racquet when he burst onto the scene in 1998. Pete Sampras, who used the racquet for his entire professional career, established the reputation of the Pro Staff 85 (graphite/Kevlar) as a legendary racquet more than any other player. The Pro Staff models also were of medium stiffness, again reflecting a design philosophy that blended the Ultra II, which was very stiff, and the Sting, which was flexible. Post that, Roger Federer’s graph on the ATP Tour began having a downward slope and again he underwent a racquet change. He used the Wilson Pro Staff 85 up to 2002. I have always thought these are some of the most strikingly good looking irons ever made. They come in a variety of weights, from the heavy & stable RF97 Autograph, … While many of these models are carry-overs or evolutions of models launched in 1990, the Pro Staff Classic was one that gained some serious traction. Having been traditionally a 90” or 95”, Version 10 of Pro Staff featured mostly 97-square-inch models. 2007 – 2009: (K) Factor Six.One Tour (90”, 95”), (K) Pro Staff 88 (6.0si). ProStaff Perimeter Weighting 1991-93. This was a string-bed innovation used across our racket franchises. 2002 - 2003:  Hyper Pro Staff Surge (5.1si, 98”), Hyper Pro Staff (6.1si, 95”), Hyper Pro Staff Extreme (6.7si, 110”),  Hyper Pro Staff Zone (7.1si, 95”). Fun Fact: Roger would go on to win 7 grand slam titles with the nCode series, the most with any one racket in his career. 1200 TN Gear Effect 1990-92. Wilson produced many lesser-known models with the Pro Staff mold, including the Jack Kramer Pro Staff 85 (80% graphite and 20% fiberglass), the Matrix, the Graphite Cruncher, the Graphite Aggressor, the Ceramic, and several others. Called “Braid 45”, this strategic placement of the braid allows the frame to “breathe” more upon impact, increasing dwell time while maintaining the stability responsible for the classic Pro Staff feel. Wilson started trimming its Tour staff and, much to the chagrin of Pro Shops (who still sold most of the balls and equipment back then. Sounds like some high-tech stuff. 1996 - Wilson Pro Staff 6.0 Original 85 (St. Vincent version) I bought this while on holiday in the U.S.A. Speaking of Federer, the Wilson Produced Pro Staff RF 97(shown above) is a star among other Wilson tennis racquets. Fun Fact: In 2004, Wilson Advisory Staff member Grigor Dimitrov was the first to play the Spin-Effect Pro Staff on Tour. Because Pro Staff players largely preferred the double braid of the original Pro Staff, the Hyper Pro Staff 6.1 was designed to be the first Pro Staff to use both the double braid AND Hyper Carbon technology. For reference, the most popular Pro Staff’s typically have measured around a 6.0si, which is considered an ideal blend of flexibility and stability. … Originally manufactured in Chicago, Illinois and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the Pro Staff line was Wilson's answer to the Prince Graphite, Yonex Rex series, and the Dunlop Max 200G. Among the new rackets were 3 "Pro Staff" branded models: a 90, 95, and 100 square inch headsize. The racket has brought on many variations such as the 6.1 models and the ROK models, both of which are still favoured in the tennis world. They featured larger head sizes (95 and 110 sq in) and a more flexible frame than either the 6.0 or the 6.1. Today, Pro Staff is still made with this classic double braid. The Wilson Pro Staff Original, first introduced in 1984[1] is most known for being the model of racket used by Pete Sampras. Staff FLUID FEEL (Logo) 1989-90. Second, the introduction of the RF97 Signature Model. For v13, our R&D team arranged the racket’s famous double braid at all-new 45-degree angles. However, in 2012 Wilson rereleased the box beam design by separating the 6.1 rackets into two categories, 6.1 ProStaff (which retained the box beam design), and 6.1 (which kept the curved beam design). By using fewer cross strings than main strings, we were able to create a racket that naturally increased spin without players having to change their swing. The Wilson Pro Staff 85 is not the correct naming, but I think it simplifies it a bit. The all-new Pro Staff v13 line brings together modern technology with a heritage-inspired design paying homage to the original 1983 Pro Staff. I remember it cost me ‎£45. The 90’s graphic below paints a visual, but in a nutshell, the lower a tennis racket’s SI, the more stiff, while the higher a racket’s SI, the more flexible. There has been a noticeable difference in swing-weight in these rackets, with the 90 having a 327 swing-weight, the 95 having a 306 swing-weight, and the 100 having a 304 swing-weight. The main differences on the new release are: 1. With the massive success of the Wilson “Profile” racket in the late 80’s, our engineers decided to bring the all-new “Dual Taper System” to the Pro Staff Franchise. It was the racquet he used to defeat his long-time hero Pete Sampras at Wimbledon in 2001 on his way to superstardom. Racket: Wilson Pro Staff. Wilson later acquired the rights to it and in 1967, players grew intrigued enough by the Wilson-made T2000 that it showed up in tournaments. Only for later productions did Wilson add "6.0" to the paint job. Fun Fact: In July 2018, Wilson worked with former Beastie Boys producer “Money Mark” to create a music track using “tennis sounds” performed by Roger Federer. She defeated Navratilova in 1985 with the graphite/Kevlar Pro Staff 85. Grigor had one of the best years of his career, winning 3 titles and making the semi-finals at Wimbledon after beating Andy Murray in the quarters. Theirs were the first composite ProStaff and thus, the "Original" (composite) ProStaff. The 85 is unforgiving for the currently popular semi-western topspin style with its 12.6 ounce (357 g) weight and low power. THE HISTORY OF THE WILSON PRO STAFF TENNIS RACKET An Evolution of the Brand’s Most Iconic Racket Family . All totaled, 117 grand slam titles have been won with Pro Staff. What started in a 110 sq. Fun Fact: While Wilson typically show our pro athletes in marketing images, we have used an astronaut, a hooded figure, and even Teddy Roosevelt to market our rackets! History In 1954, the company introduced its Wilson Staff ball, which Wilson claimed traveled 40 percent faster than the speed of the club head. The frames of the latest 2014 Pro Staff models feature graduated lines at 3 and 9 o'clock, prompting players to customize the rather low stock racquet weight with lead tapes. Fun Fact: While many remember the Pro Staff 85” 6.0 as the original Pro Staff released, the first Pro Staff actually developed was the Pro Staff 110”. The result was a significant increase in strength, stability, resiliency and power. The Pro Staff family tends to have more flexible beams than the Burn and Ultra families, giving them a more classic & buttery response. 1994: Pro Staff Classic (4.2si), Pro Staff Tour Classic (6.6si), Pro Staff Lite (5.8si), 1996 - 1997: Pro Staff Stretch (5.9si, 6.1si), Pro Staff Lite 6.9si, 1998: Pro Staff EB Stretch (4.7si, 5.7si), Pro Staff EB (6.7si). Wilson Pro Staff rackets are ideal for intermediate and advanced players who value precision and feel. But before the French Open he transitioned to a bigger head size (90). For example, the very first Pro Staff line in 1983 featured 125”, 110”, and 85” head sizes. By today’s standards, an 85-inch head seems almost unfathomable. Wilson reintroduced the ProStaff Original 6.0 85 in May 2011 via an exclusive arrangement with Tennis Warehouse in the USA. Also, what a ponytail. Continuing the trend of innovating every couple of years, our nCode line included two Pro Staffs; most notably the third edition of the Pro Staff Six.One. in., Head Light; Babolat Pure Strike: 98 sq. Quantity. Wilson has since produced numerous Pro Staff models, including some based closely on the design of the Original. These irons were released in 1978, available through 1980. Fun Fact: The red-and-yellow pinstripes found on the Pro Staff Original that inspired v13’s design was sold in our catalog from 1983 up until 2004. These are some awesome irons that were before my time. Get free shipping on orders over $50. This construction blends the extraordinary strength of graphite with the durability of Kevlar®, a space-age material. 2. The 95 is more forgiving of off-center shots with an overall weight of 12.2 ounces (346 g) and a lower swingweight (317 as opposed to the 85's 326). Other brands were already making rackets with carbon, but the addition of the aramid fibers both added weight and dampened feedback felt in other frames, giving the Pro Staff its unique feel. The series produced Steffi Graf's racquets of choice in the 1990s as she signed an endorsement deal with Wilson in 1994 after having played with Dunlop since the beginning of her career. A Brief History of the Wilson Pro Staff Ahead of the curve - that’s how the Wilson Pro Staff line came to be regarded as the choice of champions during the past 40 years. At the beginning of 2002 his racquet was painted as a Wilson Hyper Pro Staff 6.0 95, but actually the same PS 85 as he was using before. Wilson Pro Staff ROK Mid 93. It made its first appearance in the Wilson catalog in 1969. The result is a breathtaking power and a solid feel with every shot. Carrying on the traditional black/red/yellow color combination, Version 5 became much more famous because of the hand that held it. More importantly, its first golf ball, the Wilson Staff, set the industry standard--other companies then followed Wilson's lead and researched ways to improve the golf ball. However, Pro Staff’s unique carbon and aramid fibers double braid instantly garnered the attention of serious players due to its combination of power, feel, and control. The result was a few very powerful thick-beam Pro Staff frames made out of carbon and fiberglass. Most professionals using these rackets choose the 95-square-inch (610 cm2) head size, with the notable exception of Roger Federer. Other first-rate players who have used the Pro Staff 85 Kevlar during their professional careers include Jimmy Connors, Jim Courier, Stefan Edberg, Chris Evert, Roger Federer, and Mary Pierce. Federer was 8-0 against Roddick in grand slam match-ups. An evolution of Wilson’s most iconic tennis racket. Inspired by a recent comment from a reader I thought I'd look into the various models of racquet Roger Federer has used since he went pro way back in 1998. The ProStaff Original 6.0 85 maintains a large enough following to continue as one of their best selling racquets as of December 2013. Both have a 16x18 string pattern making the frame more open and easier to generate spin albeit the user must generate much of the spin's power with timing and wrist pronation. Perhaps one of the best thing about their racquets is the control you have when using them. It’s important to understand a few things before you geek out in this Pro Staff Time Machine: 1. And more importantly, you build a following. Okay, time to answer the first question, which was, what were the previous versions of Pro Staff like? This created more strength and stability in the racquet, while increasing the weight of the frame. The most iconic brand in tennis has continued to evolve into a popular favourite among casual players. Following on the heels of the successful Ultra and Sting models, the Pro Staff combined the basic racquet shape of the Sting with the Ultra's braided graphite/kevlar construction and Perimeter Weighting System (PWS). The BLX frames we launched back in 2012 were our first using a new racket material: basalt. As with the earlier Sting and Ultra II, the first graphite/Kevlar Pro Staff model was a "large head" 110 square-inch oversize. As the saying goes, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Well, we haven’t. The Wilson Staff golf department came into existence in 1914 after the emergence of Walter Hagen as a major sporting personality in the United States. in., 11.3 oz., Head Light; Head Graphene Touch Speed MP: 100 square inch head size; Babolat Pure Aero: 100 square inch head, 11.3 oz., Head Light; Head Graphene 360+ Speed Pro: 18 x20 string pattern; Wilson Blade 98 Countervail: 98 square inch head, Head Light A similarly misapplied "original" refers to the very famous Prince Graphite oversize. To put it more simply, the original Pro Staffs had a 50/50 mix of carbon and aramid fibers. Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph It was a big change for Federer, from a 90-inch racket to a 97-inch. 2003: Pro Staff Tour 90”, Pro Staff Rok (93”), Pro Staff Torch (110”). It took a lot of digging through old catalogs, but we’ve been able to track down every Pro Staff racket ever made! ULTRA System 45 (dot on sole) 1991. Fun Fact: While we no longer use Basalt in our Pro Staff frames, we are still using a braid of carbon and Basalt in our Blade frames to provide as much feel as possible for the competitive players that rely on feedback from the ball to feel confident going for their shots. Also unique is that the graphite in the Pro Staff Original is braided. The small headsize of the 85 and Perimeter Weighting System also minimize the torque on off-centre hits, further enhancing control at impact. “The first concern was don’t do anything to mess it up,” Jon Pergande, Wilson Golf’s Global Innovation Manager tells MyGolfSpy. Having been around for 37 years, it’s best known for its classic double braid of carbon and aramid fibers (commonly known as graphite/Kevlar®), and of course the many greats who use(d) … 37 Years of Pro Staff. Documenting my thoughts and some hitting of the Wilson Staff Tour Blade 6 iron. Sold Out Wilson's ProStaff ROK could be called a retro or throwback racquet. The graphite iron has an extreme undercut cavity, which achieves an exceptionally low centre of gravity ensuring your balls soar high & reach a great distance on the golf course. To enhance control, Pro Staff rackets have head sizes that are 97 square inches or smaller. At the moment we all know that Federer uses the Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 Autograph and has done since 2014. JP Wilson Staff 1991-93. It’s an incredible frame, but only if you can wield it. Wilson has arguably overused the ProStaff brand to the point of watering down its prestige. Sampras used natural gut, the norm for top professionals at that time, but the frames were strung at around 75 lb tension, well above the frame's stock recommended range of 50-60 lb. They can’t get enough of that classic “Pro Staff feel”. As Wilson’s reputation evolved from a pro-equipment distributor to a department store brand, the company still continued to innovate. 1994 - Wilson Pete Sampras Comp 25 This was a great starter racquet. The Pro Staff Original was the brainchild of Wilson marketing back in 1982. The Prostaff 6.0 also performs admirably well with flatter hitters (as evidenced by the success of Pete Sampras, Chris Evert, and Mary Pierce) as a result of its considerable heft and control. Perfect for experienced players looking for a racket that delivers the pinnacle of precision and performance. Stiffness RA rating lowered from the original stiffer 67 to a flexier 62 as listed on Tennis Warehouse web site. Wilson produced the throwback [K]Pro Staff 88 [5] in 2008, a Pete Sampras signature model, produced for Sampras post-retirement and which he has used in the Senior Tour and other events since its introduction. Chris appreciated the classic Pro Staff feel, but at times he wished for a little easier access to power and spin. Most published reviews of this racket feel that the heavy weight and relatively small head size are ill-suited to modern stroke production techniques.[6][7]. At that time Wilson’s Ultra was one of the best selling balls in golf, giving Titleist a run for its money. This “tuxedo-style” cosmetic, co-designed with Roger Federer, has inspired every Wilson racket design since. Of particular interest is the frame composition of 80% graphite and 20% kevlar. "The GOAT that never came... Wilson ProStaff Limited Edition - Midsize 95 ** 17mm beam width** | Page 2 | Talk Tennis", http://www.tennis.com/gear/2012/06/tennis-radar-modern-classics/38583/, http://ca.complex.com/sneakers/2012/08/the-evolution-of-the-tennis-racket, https://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/10/what-a-racket-the-wilson-prostaff-circa-1983/, http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Reviews/PSRF85/PSRF85Review.html, http://tennisnerd.net/gear/racquets/wilson-pro-staff-rf-85/5524, http://www.wilson.com/wilson/racquet/products.jsp?CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=10134198673997475&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302756111, http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Wilson_K_Factor_KPro_Staff_88/descpageRCWILSON-KPS88.html, http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Reviews/60/60Review.html, http://av.warehousesports.com/tw/Features/9908NateFerguson.html, http://www.allabouttennis.com/Wilson-Pro-Staff-Original-6-0-85-L3-4-3-8-p/t5799.htm, http://www.tennisexpress.com/category.cfm/tennis/wilson-tennis-racquets, http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Reviews/W6085/W6085Review.html, http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Reviews/W6085/ProstaffOrigins.html, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wilson_ProStaff_Original_6.0&oldid=966753523, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 9 July 2020, at 00:29.

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