Racquet Review: Wilson RF 01 Pro, made in tandem with Roger Federer

• Price: $299
• Head Size: 98 sq. in.
• Length: 27 in.
• Weight: 11.9 oz.
• Balance: 6 pts. HL
• Swingweight: 330
• RA Rating: 67
• Beam Width: 23.2mm / 23mm / 22mm
• String Pattern: 16x19

What’s New

The RF franchise is a completely new offering from Wilson. Made in tandem with Roger Federer, the Pro has the specs that most closely resemble the personal preferences of the Swiss great. As such, it is the heaviest and most demanding of the three frames that make up the collection.

Under the hood, the racquet’s SABR Frame Design incorporates a dual taper beam for greater aerodynamics and easy acceleration. The more integrated bumper and grommet design (Glide Guard) fits nearly seamlessly on the frame to also reduce air resistance, as well as give the racquet a sleeker appearance. Braid 45 construction enhances the racquet’s ball-pocketing, stability and feel. And Feel Fill is a polyurethane foam injected throughout the frame to reduce vibrations and improve the sensation at contact.

Read More: Federer on designing racquets—and an unforgettable bucket-list item in Central Park

What Works

Few recent racquet releases have been as eagerly anticipated as the RF 01 Pro. The marketing pitch is certainly alluring: It’s the racquet Federer custom made for his final days on tour, made available to the general public. Having the legend himself spearheading the promotion campaign only added to the fervor. But rest-assured the racquet isn’t just hype.

Federer wanted to evolve from his previous RF 97 Autograph into something more modern and user-friendly. And to that end, the racquet hits its target, essentially for two reasons. The most basic is it’s 20g lighter than the RF 97, making it easier to whip through the hitting zone, as well as manage over the course of a match. A 340g frame is a dinosaur in today’s game; even at the pro level, players typically balk at such heft.

The second is the slightly bigger head size, and slightly thicker, variable beam both give the user a bit more margin for error. The sweet spot isn’t quite as exacting, and there’s more help when contact is just outside of it. Yet, the response remains highly predictable, and you can expect to get out of the shot exactly what you put into it.

The racquet’s composition gives it a firm, solid and connected feel at contact. Users of the RF 97 may find it different from the straight box beam and perimeter weighting of that racquet, but it’s still a pretty direct approach. Wilson has been manipulating the bending properties of many of its recent offerings to address a frame’s stability and response, but the RF 01 Pro is more traditional in this regard. There’s also no special dampening technology—just good old foam filling. So feedback is clean with a good appreciation of where the ball is on the string bed.

While designed to be more nimble, the racquet still brings plenty of mass to contact. The tapered beam cuts through the air more efficiently than a traditional box shape, producing shots that penetrate through the court with good velocity and weight. It also feels sturdy against incoming pace and stands out when taking the ball early and changing directions. It should suit players who like to take space on top of or inside the baseline and push the action.

The 16x19 string pattern is fairly dense in the sweet spot, offering a modest spin window. It’s capable of producing heavier topspin with the right technique, but it excels more at harder, more linear drives. The frame’s first-rate targeting, which feels almost like an 18x20 frame, encourages you to put those shots into tight windows. When you go after a flat first serve, you can really take aim at the corner of the box and let it rip.

Perhaps it’s the need to channel your inner Federer with the racquet, but hitting slice backhands is particularly effective. It feels right at home whether you’re trying to stay neutral in a rally in the hopes of setting up a forehand, carving under the ball to create a low skidder, or taking pace off at the last second to feather a soft drop shot.

Same with transitioning forward as the racquet shines at net. It’s first-rate stability, control and responsiveness chews up volleys. The ball is in and out of the string bed quickly—the definition of point and shoot—yet there are no issues applying touch or delicate angles. Given it’s pedigree, it’s no surprise that the racquet would suit players who like to employ attacking, all-court tactics.

What Needs Work

Yes, the RF 01 Pro is perhaps easier to use than the RF 97 Autograph. But that’s a little like saying it’s easier to return Federer’s serve than John Isner’s. Both are degrees of difficult. This new one is still a challenging frame, and requires proficient strokes and conditioning to swing effectively. Federer faithful undoubtedly won’t be deterred by the requirements, but having great affection for its namesake doesn’t mean his racquet is an appropriate fit. Fortunately, if the Pro proves too daunting, the less demanding RF 01 can provide a suitable landing spot.

One of Federer’s wishes for his new stick was extra spin potential, and that was accomplished primarily by making the frame easier to accelerate. There’s really not much help from the tight string configuration. If you don’t already have a decent kick serve, this racquet won’t make it jumpier. Played alongside a frame with the same number of strings but wider spacing, and the difference in inherent spin production is noticeable. And because the RF 01 Pro does possess pretty good power, if you don’t provide enough coverage spin, shots can sail long.

The feel of frame is on the stiff side. Contact outside the sweet spot toward the top of the hoop can even prove to be somewhat rigid. Depending on your preferences, this harder response will either be a feature or a bug. Keep in mind that Federer uses natural gut for his main strings, which softens the string bed and creates a deeper pocket. This naturally adds some comfort to the frame. If you can’t afford that luxury or are an all-poly player, the racquet will present a pretty firm hitting platform. Experimenting with different strings and lower tensions could be required.

Bottom Line

The RF 01 Pro performs pretty much as you’d expect a racquet designed by Roger Federer, for Roger Federer would play. If you’ve got a dynamic all-court game, this frame will help show it off.