The making of Roger Federer's new tennis racket

In this ‘behind the scenes’ feature courtesy of our partnership with Wilson, we take you into the mind of Roger Federer with a fascinating insight into the process behind is new range of rackets for Wilson, the RF range and the first racket for the range, the RF01.

When you think of tennis greatness, one name that undoubtedly comes to mind is Roger Federer. Known for his precision, elegance, and versatility on the court, Federer has left an indelible mark on the sport. With 20 Grand Slam titles, 310 weeks at number 1, and 103 total titles, all accomplished using a Wilson racket, his achievements are legendary. Now, he’s set to do the same off the court with the launch of the RF Collection by Wilson, a range of tennis gear co-designed by the legend himself.

THE JOURNEY BEGINS

In April 2022, as Federer was eyeing a comeback to the Pro Tour from his knee injury, he reached out to Wilson with a unique request: he wanted a new racket that would help him compete with today’s heavy-hitting baseliners while maintaining his unique, more versatile style of play. While his knee prevented him from returning to the Pro Tour, this marked the beginning of a two-year journey of playtesting and design meetings, resulting in the RF Collection by Wilson.

WHY ROGER?

Roger Federer is one of the most attuned athletes in the sport’s history. With his design and performance insights, Wilson was able to craft an exceptional product collection to solidify his legacy for generations to come. His unparalleled experience across all surfaces and racket materials makes him a true master of play testing.

From Zurich to New York, London to Vancouver, and Los Angeles, the Wilson development team met with Roger Federer numerous times to test and design this collection. With his help, a new type of racket for him and the world was created.

No new racket development is complete without playtesting. The RF Collection was play tested extensively with over 600 play testers worldwide. Here are a few of the shared remarks: “Every shot is so pure.”, “Great racket. Sound, Spin, Control all good!”, “Way more maneuverable. Felt like I knew where the ball was always going!”, “My net shots were greatly improved with this racket!”.

THE RF 01 PRO: A MASTERPIECE IN THE MAKING

The RF 01 Pro is the fourth Roger Federer tennis racket developed for his professional career. During his career, Roger Federer used the Wilson Pro Staff 6.0 85", the Wilson Pro Staff Tour 90", and the Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph (nearly 20 different cosmetics). Stepping away from the Pro Staff, his new racket, the RF 01 Pro, was designed to help him better compete with today’s aggressive baseliners by maximizing his versatile playing style. Despite Federer’s retirement, the project continued, turning into a mission to provide the next generation with a more playable version of his racket.

HOW DOES THE RF 01 TENNIS RACKET DIFFER FROM THE RF97 TENNIS RACKET?

Weight and Balance:

• The RF 01 Pro is lighter at 320 grams compared to the Pro Staff RF97 V13’s 340 grams, making it more maneuverable.

• The balance point of the RF 01 Pro is slightly more head-light at 31.5 cm, enhancing its ease of handling.

Head Size and Beam:

• The RF 01 Pro has a slightly larger head size (98 in²) compared to the Pro Staff RF97 V13 (97 in²), providing a larger sweet spot and more forgiveness.

• The beam of the RF 01 Pro is more varied (23.2-24-22 EDTB), which helps in providing a blend of power, control, and feel.

Performance Characteristics:

• The RF 01 Pro excels in power, spin, control, feel, maneuverability, and forgiveness, making it a more versatile and player-friendly racket.

PRODUCT INNOVATION: SABR FRAME DESIGN

The SABR Frame Design was created in collaboration with Roger Federer for excellent performance versatility, allowing for pace, spin, and direction changes, which are a signature of his all-around style. Here are the key innovations:

• Aerodynamic Beam: Designed for accelerated racket head speed to hit penetrating ground strokes with a variety of spins, transition shots, and quick reactions at the net.

• Forgiving Frame: A progressive dual taper beam and larger 98 in² head size providing more forgiveness than Roger’s old Pro Staff rackets.

• Stable Throat: Larger shoulder blend, shaft base and inverted taper enhance stability during transition shots and net play.

• FORTYFIVE°: Patented technology for enhanced stability on off-centre shots.

• Glide Guard: Bumper and grommets completely flush to the frame for reduced air resistance and faster racket head speed.

THE RF COLLECTION: MORE THAN JUST A RACKET

The RF Collection by Wilson is a long-term partnership between the RF Brand and Wilson Brand, akin to Nike and Air Jordan. It’s not a short-term collaboration. It is more than just a range of tennis gear. It’s a testament to Federer’s enduring legacy in the sport. Federer's involvement goes beyond design—it's about inspiring the next generation of players. “I want to see the next generation having the same excitement I had when I got my first Wilson racket,” says Federer.

WHAT IS ROGER FEDERER’S NEW RACKET? A CLOSER LOOK

The RF 01 Pro was developed with the intention of being the tennis equivalent of a fine-point paintbrush, enhancing Federer’s on-court artistry. The racket offers ultimate performance versatility, enabling a mix of pace, spin, and directional changes. It’s more forgiving and playable compared to the RF97, enabling a wider range of players to emulate Federer’s style of play.

DESIGN AND DETAILS: ELEGANCE WITH ENERGY

Federer's meticulous eye for detail is evident in every aspect of the RF Collection. The rackets feature the iconic RF logo, straddled by pinstripes representing his two sets of twins as well as paying homage to the Pro Staff rackets he used throughout his career. The truly unique ombre design fade, elegant yet energetic, extends to the entire collection of RF Performance Rackets: the RF 01 Pro, RF 01, and RF 01 Future.

THE BAGS: FUNCTIONALITY MEETS STYLE

While the rackets certainly steal the show, the RF Collection also includes an elegant range of tennis bags designed with the same level of care and sophistication. This line includes three types of bags, each inspired by those Roger used throughout:

Versatile Duffel Bag: Perfect for training sessions, this bag is ideal for when you need just a couple of rackets for practice, much like Roger did during events.

Stylish and Functional Backpack: Suitable for both on and off-court use, this backpack is reminiscent of the one Roger used to carry when he rode his bike to practice as a kid.

Traditional Racket Bag: Designed for tournaments, this is the type of bag Roger used while competing.

Each piece is crafted to meet the needs of every tennis player.

Additionally, the collection includes a range of accessories such as premium replacement grips and dampeners.

CONCLUSION: JOIN THE LEGACY

Wilson’s RF Collection is a testament to the enduring legacy of Roger Federer. It’s a range of tennis gear that embodies the qualities of a fine-point paintbrush – versatile, maneuverable, and forgiving. It’s a tool for future generations to play a versatile game that encourages creativity and shot making from all parts of the court.

Explore the RF Collection today and be a part of the legacy. Visit Wilson.com to see the full range of products and start your journey to tennis excellence.