Seven Wilson rackets collectors look for, from the wooden Jack Kramer Autograph to the Pro Staff Pete Sampras played for his whole career.
Wilson is the brand that ties together the whole history of the racket: wood, steel and graphite. Champions from Billie Jean King to Jimmy Connors to Pete Sampras played Wilson frames, which makes them some of the most collectible rackets there are. Here are seven, with what makes each one worth looking for. All prices are indicative estimates.
1. Wilson Jack Kramer Autograph (wood)
A staple of the wooden era, designed with Jack Kramer, a central figure in the sport. It is the racket that defined the American wooden frame, and it is easy to find in good condition. Value: roughly €25–€80 used, up to about €180 in exceptional examples. Tip: identify the production decade, because the version matters. Full profile and value →
2. Wilson Billie Jean King Autograph (wood)
One of the defining women’s signature rackets. Billie Jean King used a Wilson Autograph in the Battle of the Sexes against Bobby Riggs on 20 September 1973, and according to the auction house Bonhams the model sold even better after that match. She had won her first Wimbledon singles title in 1966. Value: roughly €40–€100 used, up to about €200. Full profile → · King and Evert →
3. Wilson Chris Evert Autograph (wood)
Chris Evert turned professional in 1972 and signed a racket deal with Wilson. The International Tennis Hall of Fame holds the wooden Wilson Pro Staff / Chris Evert she used to win the 1982 US Open, strung with natural gut and with lead tape on the top of the head. Value: roughly €50–€120 used, up to about €200. Full profile → · Evert and Navratilova →
4. Wilson Kramer Pro Staff (wood)
The wooden frame John McEnroe played early in his career, including in the 1980 Wimbledon final against Borg. He signed with Dunlop in 1981. It represents the final generation of tour-level wood. Value: roughly €60–€130 used, up to about €220. Full profile → · Borg and McEnroe →
5. Wilson T2000 (steel)
A tubular steel frame based on a René Lacoste design, made by Wilson from 1967 to 1984. Jimmy Connors played it for some eighteen years and won Wimbledon with it in 1974; the Hall of Fame holds the one he used at the 1983 US Open, strung with clear gut. Value: roughly €120–€250 used, up to about €500. Tip: check the chrome plating, the wire anchors and the grip. Full profile → · The T2000 story →
6. Wilson Pro Staff Original 85 (1980s)
Braided graphite and Kevlar, introduced in the early 1980s. Stefan Edberg won six Grand Slam titles with the Pro Staff 85, and Chris Evert won the 1985 French Open with one. Many pro-stock versions were painted to look like other Wilson models. Value: roughly €120–€250 used, up to about €500. Full profile →
7. Wilson Pro Staff 6.0 85 (1990s)
Pete Sampras played it for his entire professional career and won 14 Grand Slam titles with it. His racket was customised with lead tape at 3 and 9 o’clock and strung with natural gut, bringing it to close to 385 grams, well above the stock frame’s roughly 340 grams unstrung. Collectors prize the early St. Vincent models. Value: roughly €350–€600 used, €700–€1,000+ in excellent condition, and €1,200–€2,000+ for early St. Vincent examples. Full profile → · Sampras and Becker →
How to Choose
- Wood frames: straight, no warping, no cracks near the throat, original varnish and grip.
- The T2000: chrome in good condition and the wire anchors intact.
- Graphite Pro Staffs: no cracks or paint damage, and ask whether a frame is stock or customised.
- Any “player’s racket” claim needs provenance: professionals often played frames painted as retail models. See Four Rackets That Weren’t What They Looked Like.
Want to start your own collection? Get the free collector’s guide. For the wider picture, read The Most Sought-After Vintage Tennis Rackets and browse the collection by decade.
— The Editor, Court Privée
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