Artistry, Perfected: Roger Federer and Wilson collaborate to develop the new RF-01 racket collection
Inspired, designed, and tested by the legendary Roger Federer, the RF x Wilson collection ensures the 20-time Grand Slam champion’s legacy in tennis reaches into improving the standards of rackets and equipment.
Federer and Wilson have collaborated to create equipment suitable for the eight-time Wimbledon champion’s personal use and to aid those who wish to follow in his footsteps. The partnership allows Federer to ensure he stays connected with the next generation of tennis players while leaving something behind for his millions of fans to enjoy. The range features groundbreaking racket technologies such as SABR Frame Design and Glide Guard to help players unlock their full potential, while elegant design lines replicate the aura around the Swiss Maestro.
History
During his playing career, Federer enjoyed various iterations of the Wilson Pro Staff. He started his professional career using the same Pro Staff 85 6.0 as his idol Pete Sampras, appreciating the purity of stroke that the smaller sweetspot gave him. Shortly after beating Sampras in their one and only meeting on Tour at Wimbledon in 2001, Federer switched up to a 90 square inch headsize racket to cope with the intensity of the modern game. He’d stay at that headsize until 2014 when his age and injuries started to catch up with him, moving onto a 97 square inch racket for the Pro Staff RF97 Autograph. The larger racket allowed him to have a more efficient backhand and kept him in rallies for longer despite his waning fitness.
Technology
SABR Frame Design
One of RF’s requirements when designing this racket collection was that they should behave like a fine-point paintbrush, cutting through the air to offer pace and manoeuvrability and making every rally a piece of art. The result is SABR Frame Design, featuring a new aerodynamic beam shape that minimises air resistance to allow for both powerful ground strokes and subtle adjustments for spin and transition shots. Stability comes from the large shoulder blend and shaft base, while the progressive dual taper beam provides flexibility and forgiveness, making creativity and high performance accessible for players of all levels.
Every variation of the RF-01 is built to a 98 square inch headsize – larger and more forgiving than any of Roger’s previous personal use rackets. Stability comes from the large shoulder blend and shaft base, while the progressive dual taper beam provides flexibility, making creativity and high performance accessible for players of all levels.
"I wanted to make it more user-friendly, not just for the people, but also for myself.” - Roger Federer
Glide Guard B&G and Braid 45
Integrated with the frame to reduce air resistance, the Glide Guard bumper and grommet design complete a sleek construction that further enhances mobility. Faster racket swings deliver more power on the ball and combined with the Braid 45 technology that improves stability and ball pocketing, players get the confidence to push their shots closer to the lines and unlock new angles of attack.
Feel Fill
Federer’s storied career of 24 years was prolonged because he took care of his body, and now it’s his intention to protect the players of today thanks to Feel Fill technology. Each racket is filled with polyurethane foam as a natural vibration dampener.
The Rackets
Luggage
Frequently Asked Questions
Which racket in the RF x Wilson range does Roger Federer use?
While all three rackets were inspired, designed, and tested by Roger Federer, the RF 01 Pro is the racket he personally uses.
Do RF x Wilson rackets come strung?
No, all rackets in the RF x Wilson collection come unstrung, allowing you to use strings that will suit your own game. View our full range of strings here.
What type of player are the RF x Wilson rackets designed for?
All rackets in the RF x Wilson collection are designed head light, which brings plenty of manoeuvrability and draws power from short, fast racket swings. Consequently, the range is a fantastic all-rounder, able to cope with the demands of intense rallies from behind the baseline, generate spin to keep your opponents on their toes, and react quickly to find winners from the net.
The RF 01 Future is slightly more balanced than the RF 01 Pro and RF 01, to allow younger or more inexperienced players to generate more power from the weight of the racket rather than their swing.
Can I customise RF x Wilson rackets?
Yes, as part of the RF x Wilson collection, there is a full range of accessories available to tailor your racket’s performance and aesthetics. Check out the range here.
Roger Federer will go down in history as one of sport’s most revered and respected athletes. Whatever you admire most about him, whether it’s the artistry he created on court, the ruthless dominance he exhibited in tournaments, or the incredible longevity that saw him stay at the top of the sport for so long, the RF x Wilson collection allows you to draw on those remarkable traits and bring them into your own game.
Shop the full RF x Wilson collection here, and show us videos of you replicating your favourite tennis star’s best shots using his signature equipment using our Instagram @prodirecttennis
