Today we discuss here on mijnracket.nl a racket that has earned its spurs in global top tennis over the years and therefore certainly deserves a place in this 'hall of fame of tennis rackets': the Wilson Pro Staff 6.0 85.
Choice racket of Pete Sampras, Stefan Edberg, Steffi Graf, Roger Federer (early in his career) and many more tennis greats, this racket had to compete with rackets such as the Prince Graphite Classic and the Dunlop Max 200G at the time of its release in 1983. Racket specs: Brand: Wilson Model: Pro Staff 6.0 85 Head size: 85 sq/inch Weight: 357 gr Balance: 31.5 cm Stringing pattern: 16/19 Length: 27 inch
The combination of graphite with Kevlar, the narrow frame and the ultra-small 85 sq/inch racket head, ensured optimum ball control and feel, but you did need plenty of muscle to get the 357 grams (!) moving. The small head required hitting the ball cleanly in the small sweet spot, off-center hits were a strain on the arm. All this together made this racket very 'exclusive': only a very small group of players could handle this racket, which also clearly contributed to the mythical status that this racket acquired over the years: you had to be able to do quite a lot with a Pro Staff 6.0 85 in your tennis bag...