Condition 8
10: New
9: Mint
8: Excellent
7: Good
6: Fair
5: Average
4: Below Average
3: Poor | Rarity 9
10: Impossibly rare
9: Extremely rare
8: Hard to find
7: Fairly rare
6: Uncommon
5: Common
<4: Big Seller
9: Mint
8: Excellent
7: Good
6: Fair
5: Average
4: Below Average
3: Poor
9: Extremely rare
8: Hard to find
7: Fairly rare
6: Uncommon
5: Common
<4: Big Seller
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A Racket with a Long History
The Pro Staff Original was the brainchild of Wilson marketing back in 1982 (reaching production in 1983 and general sale mostly in 1984). Following on the heels of the successful Ultra and Sting models, the Pro Staff combined the basic racket shape of the Sting with the Ultra’s braided graphite/kevlar construction and Perimeter Weighting System (PWS). The Pro Staff was originally manufactured in Wilson’s River Grove, Chicago, IL factory, it had no bumper (a bumper was added in late 1984) and briefly it was outsourced to Donnay’s Mega-factory in Belgium! Shortly thereafter, manufacturing was moved to St. Vincent, The Grenadines. The St. Vincent factory version, used by Pete Sampras to the exclusion of all other versions, has become the collector’s choice of preference probably because the St. Vincent factory closed down leading collectors believe it had special value. If you want this version look for H*B/J*B/H*Q/J*Q/K*Q/B*Q/A*Q on the buttcap! Afterwards production moved to Taiwan and/or China. Other Pros using this model included Jennifer Capriati, 18yo Roger Federer, Stefan Edberg, Chris Evert and Jim Courier.
Constructed from a single long strand of braided graphite and reinforced with Kevlar, the frame utilized an 80% graphite and 20% Kevlar composition, revolutionizing the sport. Kevlar, a lightweight and robust space-age fiber, paired seamlessly with graphite to enhance performance. The innovation was a result of collaboration with DuPont, the industrial pioneers behind Kevlar.
Design The racket featured an all-black color scheme with two thin lines of red and yellow. These lines began at the 6 o’clock position near the Wilson logo and raced counter-clockwise around the frame, stopping at the open throat on the left side. There is a tan leather “fairway grip”. The midsize head measured 85 square inches, equipped with a Perimeter Weighting System (PWS) at 3 and 9 o’clock positions for stability and reduced twisting. Weighing 12.6 ounces (357g), it had low power but offered an unparalleled feel when hitting a ball cleanly. There is a special edition all black 85.
Confession Time! This isn’t the legendary Wilson ProStaff 85″ v6….that was too expensive, I couldn’t get one. This is the cheaper Pro Matrix from the same year with nearly identical construction and without the PWS bumps…. but almost entirely disregarded because of these tiny differences 🤷It is quite possible the Pro Matrix is rarer because no one gives it a second glance.
Historic Gallery
Specifications (👋 not yet accurate….check back soon)
Measurements | Value | Performance | Score |
---|---|---|---|
Weight | 394g | Power | 33/100 |
Head Size & Length | 68sq in | 27inch | Control | 28/100 |
Balance | 8pt head light (220) | Spin | 26/100 |
Grip | Perforated leather | Handling | 30/100 |
Strings | 18 x 20 | gut | Comfort | 49/100 |
Flexibility | RA 49 | Consistency | 33/100 |
Gallery
About Wilson
Wilson Sporting Goods Company traces its origins to the “Schwarzschild & Sulzberger” meatpacking company, which later became “Sulzberger & Son’s”. Founded in 1913 to utilize animal by-products, the company initially manufactured tennis racket strings, violin strings, and surgical sutures. By 1914, it expanded into producing baseball shoes and tennis racquets. Thomas E. Wilson, a former meatpacking president, was appointed in 1915, renaming the company “Thomas E. Wilson Company”. He steered the company into producing a variety of sporting goods, including footballs and basketballs.Wilson’s entry into the sporting goods industry was marked by innovation and strategic partnerships. In the 1920s, the company introduced the Ray Schalk catcher’s mitt and collaborated with Knute Rockne on football equipment. In 1931, it was renamed “Wilson Sporting Goods Company”. The company developed the Wilson Duke football, which became the official NFL ball in 1941, a partnership that continues to this day.Wilson’s influence in tennis began in earnest in the 1950s with the partnership with Jack Kramer, resulting in the Jack Kramer Autograph racquet. This racquet became one of the best-selling models of its time, used by numerous champions including Arthur Ashe and Billie Jean King. The 1960s saw further innovation with the introduction of the first steel racquet, the Wilson T2000, endorsed by Jimmy Connors.Wilson continued to innovate with the release of the Chris Evert Autograph racquet in 1975 and the introduction of wide body racquets in the 1980s. The company’s tennis balls became the official balls for the US Open in 1979 and the Australian Open in 2006. In 2021, Wilson returned as the official game ball supplier for the NBA and WNBA.
YEAR | EVENT |
---|---|
1868 | Thomas E. Wilson born in Ontario, Canada. |
1914 | Wilson Sporting Goods founded; first racquet crafted. |
1915 | Thomas E. Wilson appointed president; company renamed “Thomas E. Wilson Company”. |
1917 | Wilson’s catalogue included 28 racquet models. |
1922 | Introduced Ray Schalk catcher’s mitt, became the standard. |
1925 | Renamed “Wilson-Western Sporting Goods” after distribution agreement. |
1931 | Renamed “Wilson Sporting Goods Company”. |
1935 | Released original leather tennis handle wrap, Mahogany Leather Grip. |
1941 | Wilson Duke football becomes official ball of NFL. |
1946 | Becomes official game ball supplier for BAA (NBA predecessor). |
1950s | Officially partnered with Jack Kramer; created Jack Kramer Autograph racquet. |
1958 | Thomas E. Wilson passed away. |
1967 | Introduced first steel racquet, Wilson T2000. |
1969 | Released Billie Jean King Autograph racquet with Strata-Bow technology. |
1975 | Introduced Chris Evert Autograph racquet. |
1979 | Wilson tennis balls first used at the U.S. Open. |
1987 | Introduced Profile racquet, first wide body racquet. |
1990 | Introduced Hammer technology for recreational players. |
2006 | Wilson tennis balls began use at the Australian Open. |
2021 | Became official game ball supplier for NBA and WNBA. |