Wilson Hyper Carbon Pro Staff 6.1 Midsize (95) Tennis Racquet4 1/4 grip. 95 square inches. 22 mm beam. 16x18. This racquet is in good hitting condition with considerable scratching to the paint, but no cracks or anything. The bumper guard only has surface scratching. It's gripped with just 2 over grips. I can put on a replacement grip if that's a problem. Wilson Sensation 16 gauge strings that are nice to hit with and in good shape. 11.95 ounces strung (I weighed it), with a very head light balance. Tennis Warehouse Review and SpecsHas it really been 10 years since Wilson introduced the ProStaff Classic (now called the ProStaff 6.1)? What began as one of the first widebody, or aerodynamic player's racquets, turned out to become one of the most visible and best-selling racquets in history. Many would claim the ProStaff 6.1 is indeed worthy of "Classic" status.
Now Wilson has taken the bold move of discontinuing this Classic and replacing it with a "new and improved" Hyper Carbon version - the Hyper ProStaff 6.1. When we first heard this news we thought Wilson was taking a huge risk. Along with the Hammer 6.2, the ProStaff 6.1 has been Wilson's franchise racquet for many players. It's still one of the most popular racquets on the ATP Tour and among junior tournament players.
Produced using the same mold as the Classic 6.1, the Hyper 6.1 incorporates braided Hyper Carbon with a second braid of Kevlar and Graphite to create their new Double Braid Technology. Weight on the Midplus Standard model has been slightly reduced, as has frame stiffness. New, brighter cosmetics make the Hyper ProStaff 6.1 more visible. In addition to the Midplus Standard, Wilson offers the Hyper ProStaff in a Midplus Stretch and Oversize Stretch. We playtested all three models for two weeks and did a comparison of the Hyper ProStaff 6.1 Standard and ProStaff Classic 6.1.
Hyper ProStaff 6.1 Midplus Standard Length
Groundstrokes
The Hyper ProStaff 6.1 Midplus remains a full-bodied player's stick, yet it is noticeably more maneuverable from the baseline than its predecessor. Dan offers, "no question, this is a lighter version of the Classic 6.1. It's also a little less powerful but delivers a very comfortable hit with a larger sweetspot than many competing racquets. I also liked the slice and topspin options the Hyper 6.1 Midplus offered." Granville concurs, adding, "since I currently use the original ProStaff 6.1 I was very curious how this new version would play. I wasn't disappointed. Groundies are simply dynamite. I found the Hyper ProStaff 6.1 Midplus more comfortable than the original 6.1 and slightly lighter. I believe the enhanced comfort comes from the frame being more flexible (65 RDC vs 70 RDC), which seems to have enlarged the sweetspot overall. It has that nice 'thwap' sound, which tells me the racquet has a good weight-to-balance-to-stiffness ratio. I felt I got all of the same performance benefits of my old 6.1 with added maneuverability and comfort. I'll be switching to the Hyper ProStaff 6.1 Midplus."
Drew comments, "I was never a fan of the ProStaff Classic 6.1. I felt the sweetspot was uneven (lively here, dead there - unpredictable) and the racquet itself was a little mushy. However, I liked the Hyper ProStaff 6.1 Midplus on groundstrokes. It has a nice, crisp feel and predictable power. When I wanted power it was there. If I couldn't take a full swing I could maintain control and still get enough on the ball. I also liked the spin this racquet provided. I had no problems producing hard, topspin shots, rolling angles or high bouncing moon balls. The benefit also came through on slice shots - I could hit biting approach shots or take off pace by hitting a more 'floaty' slice. I was rarely surprised by how the ball came off the strings, and for a player's racquet that's a compliment." Mark adds, "I really liked the Hyper ProStaff 6.1 Midplus. It had a good blend of touch, maneuverability and stability, without being overwhelmed by any one feature. If it had a little more power, it would be perfect. I was able to hit solid, although not spectacular, groundstrokes with this racquet. Its biggest strength is its versatility. I could hit good slice or topspin groundstrokes, as well as flatten out my shots. You can find better racquets for just ripping topspin or if you want to slice and dice all day. However, the Hyper ProStaff 6.1 Midplus allows you to hit both shots consistently." Don says, "having never really liked the original ProStaff 6.1 I wasn't expecting to like the Hyper ProStaff 6.1 Midplus either. Boy, was I wrong. In addition to the welcome drop in weight and swingweight, the racquet simply has a crisper feel while still being more comfortable. It was more responsive on every shot and I was able to hit with better spin on both sides. My initial skepticism of a 'new and improved 6.1' was quickly erased and I liked the Hyper ProStaff 6.1 Midplus more and more the longer I played."
Volleys
The Hyper ProStaff 6.1 Midplus delivers few surprises at net. It is best suited for accomplished players used to wielding a full-bodied racquet. Drew explains, "the racquet isn't lightning-fast at net but it is solid and predictable. I could block volleys without giving my opponent an easy passing shot or worrying my balls would fly long. When I could hit with more authority the power was there. I also got better than expected underspin on my volleys." Dan adds, "volleying with the Hyper ProStaff 6.1 Midplus was like driving a new Porsche! The combination of weight, balance and flexibility strikes a perfect cord for hitting crisp, clean volleys. I could also hold back a little for superb control and touch angles, making this a very nice racquet at net." Granville says, "the Hyper ProStaff 6.1 Midplus feels like a scalpel at net, as does my original 6.1. It offers excellent maneuverability and a precise, crisp response. Even when I was in trouble defending those down-the-line passing shots I could make a stab at the ball and keep it in play. It worked especially well on half-volleys, allowing me to keep the ball low and deep on return." Don comments, "while I prefer a slightly lighter racquet the Hyper ProStaff 6.1 Midplus performed well for me at net. As long as my stroke was short and I used good form I could let the racquet do the work and hit some pretty effective volleys." Mark offers, "the Hyper ProStaff 6.1 Midplus didn't have as much pop on volleys as I like. I felt like I had to swing a little too much to generate power. It is very maneuverable, which is a definite advantage at net, but I'd trade some of that mobility for a little more power."
Serves
Serving with the Hyper ProStaff 6.1 Midplus is a little easier than with the ProStaff Classic 6.1 thanks to its trimmed-down weight. Drew comments, "I particularly liked hitting flat serves with this racquet. I found I could get the head moving well, yet the racquet still had enough mass to produce power. Control was very good - I could pick and choose whether I wanted to hit up the middle, out wide or into the body. Topspin and slice serves were also first-rate, with my slice serves having quite a bit of break to them." Don continues, "I liked the easier swinging of the Hyper ProStaff 6.1 Midplus compared to the ProStaff Classic 6.1. Although I've hit harder serves with other racquets, I was able to hit consistent serves with adequate pace and impressive precision. Again, there seemed to be increased spin potential that allowed better spin and kick." Dan adds, "the Hyper ProStaff 6.1 Midplus met all my serving requirements - heavy slice potential, better-than-average kick height and the right weight/balance ratio to hit the big, flat bomber without over-hitting." Mark offers, "I was able to serve very consistently with the Hyper ProStaff 6.1 Midplus, but I didn't get as much power as I would have liked. However, the racquet does swing easy and is easy on the arm."
Returns
Similar to groundstrokes, the Hyper ProStaff 6.1 Midplus is versatile when returning serves. Drew says, "the all-around nature of this racquet came through on returns. I had no problems blocking back tough serves. When I could take a full swing I had control and power. On the backhand side I could slice or come over the ball with equal ease. My slice return is a little more dependable and I was happy to have decent pace and placement." Dan adds, "I like a racquet to be weighted enough to send returns back with sharp, controlled slice off the backhand side - thick slice that bites and doesn't put me on the defensive. The Hyper ProStaff 6.1 Midplus gave me this ability, along with enough feel and flex to drill the easy or short serve." Granville offers, "the Hyper ProStaff 6.1 Midplus felt great in my hand when returning serve. It's light enough to really get around on the ball and hefty enough to either block the ball back or take a big swing. As expected, this is a racquet that will follow your lead rather than give you something you didn't ask for." Don comments, "being used to slightly lighter racquets I initially had a few problems returning hard serves. Once I adjusted my swing I successfully hit some good slice backhand returns. Against second serves the Hyper ProStaff 6.1 Midplus is maneuverable enough to take a good swipe at the ball."
Summary
Our consensus is that the Hyper ProStaff 6.1 Midplus is a worthy successor to the ProStaff Classic 6.1. The racquet is crisper, more responsive and comfortable, and delivers on-demand power without sacrificing control. Players who prefer the heftier feel of the original can always add lead tape to match those specs. However, we believe the Hyper ProStaff 6.1 Midplus is actually more appealing to a broader base of players. We strongly encourage playtesting this racquet to find out for yourself.
Length: 27 inches 69 centimeters Head Size: 95 square inches 613 square centimetersWeight: 12.4 ounces 352 grams Balance Point: 12.25 inches
                      31 centimeters 10pts Head Light Construction Beam: 22mm Flat Composition: 10% Hyper Carbon
                       90% Graphite/Kevlar
                       Double Braid String Pattern: 16 Mains / 18 Crosses
Flex Rating: 65Swing Weight: 332Manueverability: 67