Wilson Pro Staff X V14 Tennis Racket Review
We tried out the fourteenth version of the iconic Wilson Pro Staff tennis racket to see how plays and stacks up
The Wilson Pro Staff V14 is the 14th version of the iconic tennis racket and was launched in the first part of 2023.
Where to buy: www.wilson.com
Featuring a renewed design and upgraded look, the Wilson Pro Staff V14 is marketed as one of the brand’s most iconic and popular tennis racket models.
We tried out the Pro Staff X V14 model, a racket with a bigger sweet spot and more playability compared to its Pro Staff 97 V14 counterpart, which features a smaller head size and sweet spot.
In this review article, we’re going to bring you everything you need to know about the Wilson Pro Staff V14, paying particularly close attention to the specifications, the look and feel of the racket, and most importantly, how it plays.
So, with the introductions out of the way, let’s start taking a look at the key things to know about the 14th version of this popular tennis racket.
(Photo: The Sport Review)
Wilson Pro Staff X V14 – Things To Know
Now in its 14th version, the Wilson Pro Staff is one of tennis’ most iconic rackets. Since its launch back in 1983, the racket has been used by some of the sport’s biggest names, including the likes of Chris Evert, Stefan Edberg, Jim Courier, Steffi Graf, Pete Sampras and Roger Federer. On the current tour, it’s used by the likes of Ons Jabeur and Grigor Dimitrov.
(Photo: Wilson)
It’s clear that there can be no doubting this racket’s pedigree and history. Indeed, at the time of writing, a grand total of 117 grand slams have been won with it over the years.
In terms of look and style, the Wilson Pro Staff V14 abandons the previous black-coloured versions and moves on to an eye-catching metallic bronze colour with a matte finish.
“The new design of the Pro Staff is beautiful and gives me the confidence I need to step on the court and play my best tennis,” said Ons Jabeur, who is a member of Wilson’s Advisory Staff.
For the purposes of this review, we’re going to be focusing on the X version of the Wilson Pro Staff V14. This version has a bigger head and sweet spot than the Wilson Pro Staff 97 V14 model, making it a bit easier to use for recreational players.
(Photo: Wilson)
Wilson say that the Wilson Pro Staff X V14 is perfect for players who are looking for a more forgiving and easier-to-swing racket than the Wilson Pro Staff 97 V14.
The racket features Wilson’s ‘Paradigm Bending’ tech, which refers to a carbon fiber construction which has been designed to optimise the bending profile of the racket’s hoop and shaft.
The frame construction has double braided fibers at 45 degree angles to allow the braid to breath more easily upon impact with the ball, which is said to increase stability.
(Photo: The Sport Review)
Wilson Pro Staff X V14 – Key Specifications
So, how does the Wilson Pro Staff X V14 compare to its competitors and previous versions? Here are some of the key specifications to know about.
• Head size: 645cm / 100in
• Length: 68.58cm / 27in
• String Pattern: 16 x 19
• Strung Weight: 330g / 11.64oz
• Unstrung Weight: 315g / 11.11oz
As you can see, the 100-inch head size makes for a nice sized sweet spot for added playability. This is in comparison to the the Wilson Pro Staff 97 V14, which has a head size of 626cm / 97in. Both rackets have strung weights of 330g.
(Photo: The Sport Review)
How Does It Play?
Having been used to playing with a slightly lighter racket recently, the first thing I noticed when picking up the Wilson Pro Staff V14 was that it felt heavier. That immediately translated into me being able to generate more power with my shots.
It didn’t take long for me to adjust to the racket, and once I had a good feel for it, I noticed that I was hitting the sweet spot with more shots than I was used to. The racket also has excellent feel and control for accurate shot placement.
That being said, it definitely took a while to adjust my serve to the new racket, although that may be partly down to not having put on an overgrip.
Overall, I was highly impressed by the Wilson Pro Staff V14. It was a clear and very noticeable step up from the Babolat racket I had been using in the weeks before, with the main differences being added power and control.
Price And Where To Buy
There’s no getting away from the fact that the Wilson Pro Staff V14 carries a hefty price-tag. At the time of writing, it costs $279 / £260 when bought directly from Wilson. This certainly makes it a pricey option, but it’s worth remembering that this is a professional-grade tennis racket.
It’s worth checking the price on the official Wilson website for your region, as they do sometimes offer discounts and run sales.
Generally speaking, we think it’s best to buy your tennis racket directly from the manufacturer, but you may prefer to look elsewhere on other retail sites such as Amazon.
(Photo: The Sport Review)
Anything Else To Bear In Mind?
As we mentioned above, we tried out the X version of this racket, which is easier to maneuver and use overall. If you’re looking for a more technical racket, then the Wilson Pro Staff 97 V14 model may be a better option.
Where possible, we do recommend visiting your local racket sports store before making a purchase. This will allow you to hold a few different rackets in your hand to get a good feel for what they’re like.
Visiting a physical store will also give you the opportunity to get some tailored and personalised advice from staff, who can help you pick out your perfect tennis racket.
If you’re shopping for a racket online, it’s important to be aware of the returns, refunds and exchanges policies of the site you’re shopping from, so that you’ll know where you stand if you need to return an item.
(Photo: The Sport Review)
Wrapping Things Up – Our Final Thoughts
So, that brings us to the end of our Wilson Pro Staff X V14 tennis racket review. We’ve walked you through the key things to know about this impressive racket and have taken a look at it from all angles.
All in all, we were highly impressed by the Pro Staff X V14. It offers excellent feel and control and looks great, too. The main drawback is the hefty price tag, but we think that lots of players will be happy to shell out a bit more on a tried-and-tested racket that’s built to last.
