Wilson, bring back the legendary Pro Staff 90, iconic tennis racquet of Roger Federer

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. In this video, I detail why Wilson should re-release this racquet either as a full commercial product or a limited release. I personally think Wilson should re-release the K-Factor 90. What do you think?
Please like, subscribe and leave a comment. Are there other racquets you think should be re-released?
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[@pleaseenteraname1103]

Probably my favorite of all time, The bad part about this racket is that it’s been discontinued for quite some time and it’s impossible to come by.

[@tenniswithandy]

You can usually get them on eBay but they are at an exorbitant price and sometimes the quality isn’t as good. Talk tennis at tennis warehouse also sometimes has some good deals.

[@Harshana.Godamanna]

Couldn't agree more. Best racket I've ever played with 🔥

[@tenniswithandy]

Thanks. I like it because it encourages me to attack and have good footwork

[@livingtribunal4110]

Just found this video _late!_ I bought the ProStaff Tour 90, in its original black (with yellow & red) in 2007. Originally it gave me 'tennis elbow' so I put it in the attic for 15 years. Played with it last week - on clay - for 2hrs, synthetic grip, NXT strings at 55lb and it literally turns your game into something else! When you relax your arm and swing freely but correctly, its the perfect combination of power & control. It's an _insanely_ good racquet. However, Im terrified of damaging it as its in mint condition. I need a racquet I can use which is like this but more 'expendable' lol Cool video. Agree with everything you said.

[@tenniswithandy]

It is a lovely frame and I usually play well with it. I’ve moved on though to lighter, easier to use racquets, but I still can always pick up my pro staff and it will feel at home. You can try the Angell racquets, I think they make a 90 sq in. I’ve liked the Phantom 93p 18*20, it swings faster and has a bit more plow through but less access to spin. Wilson blade v8 18*20 is also a solid choice; you may need to customize it a bit (add a leather grip and probably some weight at 3/9 or 12).

[@livingtribunal4110]

Thanks for your reply. I can´t use modern, lighter frames - they feel like toys to me now! I currently have (and use rotationally): • *Head Prestige* (600 Classic Mid and Liquidmetal Mid both customized at around 360-370g - would say these are preferable to Prostaff Tour90 as they play a lot easier due to low stiffness) • *Head Liquidmetal Radical MP* (standard and the monstrous _Tour_ version - at 350g stock, its great. Add 15g lead around the frame and it absolutely smokes on every shot) • *Wilson ProStaff Tour 90* (357g - just an exceptionally balanced raquet in stock form, surprised that I played so well with it for 2 hours) • *Babolat AeroPro Drive* (got _4_ of these - all Nadal 2004-05 versions without all the subsequent fancy tech. but struggle to use cos of my flatter swing-plane. Get it right though and ball is _jumping_ off the clay with this)

[@livingtribunal4110]

@@tenniswithandy ADD. I also have a *Wilson ProStaff Original 6.0 85* (non-St. Vincent version, perfect for those days when you feel like leading it up to 375g, stringing it with natural gut at 65-70lb and Sampras-ing it up on a hardcourt. But of course, no-one would be silly enough to do that now. Right? 🤭

[@tenniswithandy]

@@livingtribunal4110 haha. I used my RF85 on my 40th birthday a few weeks ago. I was surprised by how much power I was getting. Didn’t try it natty gut though.

[@livingtribunal4110]

@@tenniswithandy 14 Majors/Slams with one racquet/same spec - says it all, eh? I think I read that the Prostaff Tour90 was designed for Sampras as he was finally going to make the jump to 90-inch, but he did a 180 and retired leaving Wilson with a new racquet and some Swiss guy with a ponytail to promote it with. 😉

[@undergroundbuzz]

I used to run it as my main raquet for 8 years. When I played often I was amazing with it. The weight allowed me to plow through my first serve. However I stopped being consitent with my tennis and when I would play I felt like the 90 inches was very punishing. As an alternative I switched the the purestrike tour

[@tenniswithandy]

Purestrike tour is a great frame - very nice blend of control and power. I use the 90 primarily now for fun or as a training tool. Thanks for sharing Guillermo.

[@verdell]

I just bought one to play with. Been using a pro staff since 2002 with the 85 sq in!

[@MarrisaL-bs2ch]

I have 2 K factor 90, a BLX 90 (2011 Fed), a Prostaff BLX 90 (2012 Fed at Wimbledon). Recently, I managed to get a lightly used BLX 2014 90 (your version). Love these rackets, they are very unforgiving but force you to play better to keep up.

[@LanceJordan]

Totally!!!! These are going for $1500 now on eBay. I have 2 of them!!! I also I have one old 85.

[@tenniswithandy]

Yep, I’m definitely keeping mine even though I’ve moved on to using a different racquet.

[@justenn9949]

My favorite stick ever is still the Pro Staff Tour 90. While its a great racquet, I think the modern game and my age make me less inclined to play well with it. I'd love to see a Wilson do what Prince did with the POG. Update the Prostaff line while keeping the essence of the 90 with a box beam in 95/98/100 sq variations.

[@tenniswithandy]

I understand you with regards to the 90 being a demanding racquet. When I started using it again this year, I was playing well but I actually started to feel tired after playing which normally doesn’t happen. I think the pro staff 97s which was discontinued is exactly what you are talking about with regards to keeping the thin beam heritage in a more forgiving head size. My hypothesis is that roger picked the thicker and stiffer beam for the RF97A and that is why Wilson ditched the thin beam pro staff line altogether.

[@justenn9949]

@@tenniswithandy yeah I definitely don’t have the stamina anymore. Let alone the precision to always accurately hit with the 90 on massive spin shots. Don’t get me wrong I do really like the v13 prostaff but there’s something about those thin box beam frames that had a great plush but solid feeling I’m missing.

[@philipmeijer157]

There is a 95 version from this (2014) racket.

[@philipmeijer157]

I personally play with it

[@samdc-usa2745]

I am a club player , and this 90 is great . I had 3 , lost 1 . like to get few more.

[@tatsf226]

Modern mid plus racket gives easy power but it also magnifies errors. Just tiny mistake timing, spray balls

[@tenniswithandy]

Exactly. I find that the 90 is more forgiving in that it is hard to hit the ball long if you hit it relatively cleanly.

[@returntotennis706]

I'd like them to bring back the 6.6 Tour classic 95. Very under appreciated racquet in my opinion

[@tenniswithandy]

Oh, I've never heard of it - I feel ashamed. :-) Is it similar to the PS95 18x20? How are you liking your diadem elevate?

[@returntotennis706]

@@tenniswithandy it's actually probably closer to the Rf97. Strung weight was 12.6 ounces, RA was 70, 10 pt headlight. I love the Diadem on ground strokes but I'm having problems dialing in the serve, so much so that I'm developing shoulder pain from swinging it. I've recently been hitting the Solinco Whiteout and it is extremely comfortable on my arm by comparison.

[@tenniswithandy]

@@returntotennis706 sorry to hear about your shoulder pain and definitely listen to your body. Michelle from TW also looked great hitting with the Solinco Whiteout, and she usually prefers heavier frames,. Haven’t tried it yet but may look to review it later.

[@returntotennis706]

I also prefer frames with more weight but have to be more selective now. I have Technifibre TF40 305 and it feels too light. The Solinco is also 305 but you can change out the butt cap to increase weight, so I bumped it to 315.

[@ipodcar]

@@tenniswithandy I have the 6.6 tour classic , but I broke it with a smash in 99 , it have the jim courier signature , the frame crack after the smash with 59 lbs string tension.

[@b.lakeberg7456]

The special Prostaff 88 with Roger's picture was kind of strange. I thought it would have made more sense to do that with the Prostaff Tour 90. A special tribute frame with the Prostaff Tour 90 would be a an excellent idea for Wilson. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@tenniswithandy]

I agree, and hopefully Wilson will do this. I’ve never actually seen the Pro Staff 88, and never considered using it. I was either an 85 or 90.

[@tenniswithandy]

I agree, and hopefully Wilson will do this. I’ve never actually seen the Pro Staff 88, and never considered using it. I was either an 85 or 90.

[@davidcunningham7330]

The Pro Staff 88 was Pete Sampras' racquet (lastest about a 'month'!)

[@b.lakeberg7456]

@@davidcunningham7330 Yes, I got the Prostaff 88 confused with a special Prostaff 97 with Roger's portrait lazer engraved on the frame. I was reading about the different versions of the Prostaff line during the time of writing the comment.

[@WaltKurtz68]

Should have put Pistol Pete's face on that one. HE used an 88 Pro Staff, not Roger. I agree bring that one back. But not as a Ltd Ed. at a a ridiculous price point!

[@curin2760]

Man I said the same thing about they should make a RF90. They made an RF85 a year ago or so, and I thought that was really silly, since Federer won 17 of his 20 slams with a 90

[@LattaTea]

What's difference between pro staff and staff?

[@tenniswithandy]

I don’t know what staff is

[@LattaTea]

@@tenniswithandy 👋..I have a Wilson Series 95 PWS High Beam series, it's marked Staff on the raquet and the jacket ...all I could find on Google is "Pro Staff is a store line club. Wilson Staff is the pro line."...thanks for replying back

[@ryanjguidry]

You have not said anything incorrect here. Great video.

[@tenniswithandy]

Thanks Ryan, really appreciate it.

[@transamination]

I have three of the asian version (320g rather than 340g). It's a great racquet, and the idea that it's difficult to use or low-powered is a myth. It's stiff and has an open pattern. It has a massive sweet spot and loads of free power.

[@jasona6171]

This is random but it’s good to see other jacked tennis players bro people make me feel out of place saying I should be playing football after I beat them😂

[@tenniswithandy]

Love it. For me, people think that my strength and big muscles are what defines me on the tennis court. In reality, my speed and touch/reflex at net are my key assets. It’s funny you get the football thing too. Keep it up. 👍🏾

[@KozielloRU]

Strings on your 90?

[@Michael-fy6ux]

Champions Choice 1 racket Black widow 17g on racket 2 Both play amazing...

[@taytay8732]

Ask fed to switch back and Wilson will bring back the line. I hated this racquet compared to the prestige mid but these racquets just aren't in demand anymore, esp for an American style heavy baseline player.

[@tenniswithandy]

Great point. I wouldn’t see too many juniors say that they want to buy a 90 sq in racquet. I’d say it is a niche market of old school type players, players who grew up hitting with true midsize frames, and Fed fanatics/collectors.

[@tenniswithandy]

Also, I'm curious, should I review the prestige mid? I'm assuming you are referring to the classic, the one that Safin used.

[@steinanderson]

if he swapped to a modern racquet 5 years earlier, he would have had 25 majors

[@tenniswithandy]

It took him awhile to get used to the 97 sq in. I’m actually not sure what would have happened if he switched earlier. 2017 was the best I’ve ever seen him play though.

[@jayp123]

Honestly i don't think Wilson will ever relaunch the 90 inch racquets. They only market to beginners and amateur players now

[@goldencalf5144]

Yes, yes, yes!!! Now that Head has ditched the mid sized Prestige, Wilson can have the mid sized niche market all to itself. And for the life of me, I don't know why Prince has opted for such weird string patterns for its 93P. I mean, 14 x 18???? Honestly. They should have just one model for the 93P with a 16 × 19 (or possibly 16 x 20) pattern. It's not rocket science. Why are racquet companies so clueless about mid sized frames?

[@tenniswithandy]

I guess it all comes down to the marketability. I see why Wilson and Head would ditch the midsize if their goal was for every racquet to have XX amount of sales per year. I still think they should leave them in the lineup as a legacy offering. Prince, on the other hand, I have no idea what they were thinking with the string patterns for the phantom 93p. I owned both versions and agree that a 16/19 or 16/20 (personal preference) would have played much better.

[@propgee]

The head prestige mid is gold. I also have the mid plus. It was difficult to get some to buy when I accidentally broke first inw playing an overhead

[@marcogray8090]

Great video! I broke one of my ps90 today, dropped it while serving 😭 still have two PCs left. Anyone wants to sell L2 grip ps90? Let me know!

[@tenniswithandy]

Sorry to hear Marco. You should try the talk tennis forum. But be careful of scammers though.

[@solyomandras]

Clearly an iconic racquet, but very few recreational player could use it. Wilson would not be able to sell decent quantity, especially since Roger is endorsing the RF97.

[@fingersm]

Why???

[@tenniswithandy]

I list potential reasons in the video

[@frankojudoka]

Very small head. I have a Wilson Pete Sampras autographed 95.

[@tenniswithandy]

Nice, what string pattern?

[@vanlendl1]

RF 97 lacks feedback.

[@mattiasbb3k466]

G.R.O.A.T - Greatest Racket Of All Time!👍🩵