Both the Wilson Pro Staff 97 and the Pro Staff 97L are good options for players looking for a lighter version of Roger Federer’s RF97.
In this article, I will be looking at the racket specs of the Pro Staff 97 (or “PS97”) and the Pro Staff 97L (or “PS97L”) to see how these two tennis rackets compare to each other.
Wilson Pro Staff 97 vs 97L Comparison
In the comparison below I have used the V14 version of the PS97 and the PS97L.
Racket Specs
Main Differences: the Pro Staff 97 has a higher strung weight (332g vs 306g), a higher swing weight (321 vs 311), a more head light balance (7pts HL vs 3pts HL), a lower frame stiffness rating (66 vs 69), and a thinner beam width (21.5mm vs 23.5mm).
Similarities: Both rackets have a 97in head size, a 27in racket length, a 16×19 string pattern, and 7T,9T,7H,9H mains skips.
| Specs: | PS97 | PS97L |
|---|---|---|
| Version: | V14 | V14 |
| Design: |  |  |
| Head Size: | 97in | 97in |
| Length: | 27in | 27in |
| Strung Weight: | 332g (11.71oz) | 306g (10.79oz) |
| Unstrung Weight: | 315g (11.11oz) | 290g (10.23oz) |
| Swing Weight: | 332 | 313 |
| Balance: | 7pts HL | 3pts HL |
| TW Stiffness Rating: | 66 | 68 |
| Power: | Low | Medium |
| Player Level: | Advanced | Intermediate – Advanced |
| Beam Width: | 21.5mm | 23.5mm |
| Colors: | Black | Black |
| String Pattern: | 16 x 19 | 16 x 19 |
| Main Skips: | 7T,9T,7H,9H | 7T,9T,7H,9H |
| Grip Type: | Pro Performance Grip | Pro Performance Grip |
Head Size
Both the PS97 and PS97L tennis rackets have a 97in Midplus head size.
Racket Length
The PS97 and PS97L have a standard length of 27 inches.
Strung Weight
The strung weight of the PS97 (332g/11.71oz) is 26g heavier than the strung weight of the PS97L (306g/10.79oz), so the PS97 will feel considerably heavier to play with when compared with the PS97L.
Unstrung Weight
The PS97 has an unstrung weight of 315g/11.11oz, while the PS97L has an unstrung weight of 290g/10.23oz.
Swing weight
The PS97 has a swing weight of 322, which is 10 more than the PS97L (311) so the PS97L will be a lot easier to swing and will be more maneuverable at the net.
Balance
The PS97 has a 7pts HL balance, while the PS97L has a 3pts HL balance.
The more head light balance of the PS97 will help to make it more maneuverable and easier to swing while the less head light balance of the PS97L will help players generate more power on their shots.
Beam Width
The PS97 (21.5mm) has a thinner beam width when compared with the PS97L (23.5mm/23.5mm/23.5mm) so you will get more control from the PS97 but more power from the PS97L.
Frame Stiffness Rating
The PS97 (66) has a slightly lower stiffness rating when compared with the PS97L (69), with neither racket being particularly arm friendly.
Power and Control
The Pro Staff 97 is a low powered tennis racket so it will suit more advanced tennis players, while the 97L is a medium powered tennis racket, which will better suit intermediate tennis players who need help from their racket in terms of power.
In terms of control, the PS97 is the better of the two rackets as it has a thinner beam width, a more head light balance, and a heavier swing weight.
Player Level
As mentioned previously, the PS97L is aimed at intermediate tennis players while the PS97 is for advanced tennis players.
String Pattern
Both rackets have a 16 x 19 string pattern which will help you generate more spin on your shots.
Grip Type
Both rackets have a Pro Performance Grip which comes as standard on most Wilson tennis rackets.
Head to Head
Below are my recommendations in terms of which racket is better in terms of Power, Control, Spin, and Arm Friendliness.
| H2H | 97 | 97L |
|---|---|---|
| Power | – |  |
| Control |  | – |
| Spin | – | |
| Arm Friendliness | – | |
Player Recommendations
Below are our recommendations for recreational players at the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels.
| Player Level | 97 | 97L |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner |  | |
| Intermediate | |  |
| Advanced | | |
Where can you buy these rackets?
The rackets are for sale in most good online tennis shops and on Wilson.com.