Head Prestige Pro vs Wilson Pro Staff 97

This article will compare the Head Prestige Pro vs Wilson Pro Staff 97 to see how they compare to each other in terms of racket specs and playability.

The Pro Staff 97 (or “PS 97”) is endorsed by top tennis pros on the ATP and WTA Tours including Grigor Dimitrov, Ons Jabeur, and Petra Kvitova while the Prestige Pro (or “HPP”) is endorsed by Aslan Karatsev and Marin Cilic.

Both of these rackets are low-powered and heavy rackets that are best used by advanced players and are not suited to beginner to intermediate players.

Head Prestige Pro vs Wilson Pro Staff 97

Head Prestige Pro vs Wilson Pro Staff 97 Comparison

In the below racket comparison, I will be looking at the 2023 version of the HPP and Version 14 of the PS 97.

Racket Specs Comparison

Main Differences: The Pro Staff 97 has a smaller head size (97in vs 98in), a lower strung weight (11.7oz vs 11.90oz), a higher swing weight (332 vs 324), a higher frame stiffness rating (66 vs 58), a thicker beam width (21.5mm vs 20.0mm), and a more closed string pattern (18 x 20 vs 16 x 19).

Technical Specs:HPPPS 97
Version:2023V14
Design:Head Prestige 2023Wilson Pro Staff 97
Head Size:98in97in
Length:27in27in
Strung Weight:337g (11.9oz)332g (11.7oz)
Swingweight:324332
Balance:7 pts HL7 pts HL
Frame Stiffness:5866
Power:LowLow
Beam Width:20.0 mm21.5 mm
Composition:GraphiteGraphite
Colors:MarronBlack
String Pattern:18×2016×19
Grip Type:Hydrosorb Pro GripPro Performance Grip

Head Size and Length

The PS97 (97in) has a slightly smaller head size when compared with the HPP (98in) so you will find that the HPP will have a slightly larger sweet spot.

Both rackets have a standard 27in racket length and are not extended.

Strung Weight, Swing Weight, and Balance

Both of these tennis rackets would be considered heavy with the HPP having a strung weight of 337g (11.9oz) and the PS97 having a strung weight of 332g (11.7oz).

The PS97 (332) has a heavier swing weight when compared with the HPP (324) so the HPP will be more maneuverable than the PS97.

Stiffness Rating

The HPP (58) has a relatively low stiffness rating for a racket of this type when compared with the stiffness rating of the PS97 (66).

If you want to find out more about how a racket’s stiffness rating can affect how arm friendly a tennis racket is, then check out my guide on the best tennis rackets for tennis elbow.

Beam Width

The HPP (20.0mm) has a thinner beam width than the PS97 (21.5mm) so you will find that you get more control but less power from the HPP.

String Pattern

The Pro Staff 97 has a 16 x 19 string pattern while the Prestige Pro has a more control-oriented string pattern of 18 x 20.

A 16 x 19 string pattern will give you more topspin on your shots which will allow you to hit your shots harder while an 18 x 20 string pattern will give you more control.

For more information on string patterns, check out our guide on tennis racket string patterns.

Racket Recommendations

I would only recommend these tennis rackets to advanced players who have already developed a full swing and have good technique on their ground strokes, serve, volley, etc…

In my opinion, beginner to intermediate players will only hurt their progress if they try and play with either of these two tennis rackets as they are too heavy for most recreational tennis players to play with.

Both rackets are also not very forgiving and have relatively small sweet spots so a beginner to intermediate player would be better off going for a lighter and more forgiving racket like Wilson’s Pro Staff 97L or Head’s Boom MP.