Federer's latest masterpiece is a versatile all-court weapon
Initially designed for the twilight of his playing career, the RF 01 Pro underwent exhaustive testing and tweaking by Federer, bearing the mark of insights gleaned over one of the most remarkable careers in tennis history. Compared to his RF97 Autograph, the RF 01 Pro has a slightly more forgiving head size, along with a lighter weight and thicker, more aerodynamic beam construction. The upshot is a more explosive weapon, one that is better suited to the speed, spin, and pop of the modern game. This racquet's design is appropriately named SABR, a moniker that epitomizes Federer's attacking style. It includes a powerful carbon fiber layup with Braid FORTYFIVE technology to enhance both dwell time and pocketing while helping the racquet bend in ways that complement the vertical mechanics of the modern game (think spin). It also features foam throughout the racquet to deliver a more solid feel, coupled with a reinforced shaft and yoke for more torsional stability (think less racquet flopping on volleys). Ultimately, the RF 01 Pro is not only a great snapshot of Federer’s evolution; it's also hard to put down.
Specifications
| Head Size: 98 in² / 632.26 cm² | ||||
| Length: 27in / 68.58cm | ||||
| Strung Weight: 11.9oz / 337g | ||||
| Balance: 12.75in / 32.39cm / 6 pts HL | ||||
| Swingweight: 331 | ||||
| Stiffness: 67 | ||||
| Beam Width: 23.2mm / 23mm / 22mm | ||||
| Composition: Carbon +Carbon Braid | ||||
| Power Level: Low-Medium | ||||
| Stroke Style: Medium-Full | ||||
| Swing Speed: Medium-Fast | ||||
| Racquet Colors: Black | ||||
| Grip Type: Leather | ||||
String Pattern:
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| String Tension: 50-60 pounds |
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Customer Reviews
Great pieceI know a lot says advance player should use it. I was a varsity in HS but haven't played for over 10 years I'm about intermediate at this point. I gave it a try even with my current damaged wrist it's a great racquet. I honestly wouldn't recommend to player who never really tried heavy racquet. it's light to swing but heavy to get there. If you are a pursuing spin oriented shot mainly I wouldn't recommend it. If you are a 50/50 flat/spin it's a great racquet. One hand Backhand feels very smooth, slice feels great! by the net is on another level. My current set up is toroline O-Toro strung at 52. If you are Roger fan just give it a try it's a good racquet. Is it the best ? For me so far I love it. Might get rid of my head racquet and get another rf01 pro just to have as spare.
Wilson RF 01 ProIt is a nice frame for advanced players. I would not recommend this frame for beginner or intermediate players. The frame is slightly heavy but does have the mass to plow against hard hitters. My grip is 4 3/8, and I ordered this grip size and felt a tad smaller than my other racquets, Yonex VCore 95. The color looks good with excellent detail design. I must say, Wilson could have paid more attention to the paint type used for the racquet. The pain for this racquet is brittle and easily chips.
A point finisherThis racquet is not for everyone and to some it may feel a bit muted but when you hit the sweet spot it really makes you feel like Roger. The ability to finish points quickly and put the ball away really feels like you are slamming balls. Some times it does feel jarring and you may be shanking more or less I recommend to string it in the high 40's low 50's anything higher than 54 feels like a piece of wood.
Not heavy due to good balanceI believe this is the best racquet I've ever encountered. It has a perfect balance, and its stiffness is precisely 65, making it soft while still providing the right amount of firmness. As some others have mentioned, the strings should be set at least to 55 pounds. I am using ALU Power Rough at 58 pounds, and it offers plenty of power while delivering a smooth hit. Even if you miss the sweet spot, the racquet has enough torsional stability to ensure the ball still travels well. This feature is particularly beneficial for slice shots. It seems especially advantageous for players who use a one-handed backhand, like Federer, who is known for his one-handed backhand.
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Amazing Evolution of Federer racquetI started tennis a few decades ago. I tried to copy Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi as my role models in tennis until Roger Federer came to the scene. As soon as he won his Wimbledon trophy, I purchased his racquet (Pro Staff Six.One 90) then followed him whenever he changed racquet until RF97. After a while I gave up RF97 as it was heavy for over three sets. Moved away to many great racquets and my latest was Yonex Regna 98 which has superb feel. Just recently tried RF 01 Pro and after a couple of sessions ordered a couple as it brought my best memories from RF97. Of course it plays different from RF97, however being at the age of 63 I think the switch is a great one. I am amazed that so many people say it’s not good compared to the lighter version. If you have good mechanics and technique, RF 01 pro is absolutely perfect. I love it for every shot and I find that the frame is more comfortable than RF97. I highly recommend it for advanced players. You can play with top spin or flat. It’s really not the racquet but you and your technique. I actually prefer the RF 01 Pro on forehand and backhand to RF97. The only area that RF97 is superior is at the net and serves at the cost of less manageability. Also RF97 is great until you miss time a serve or high backhand volley that causes injury. Just be aware that RF 01 pro is string and tension sensitive depending on your game style. So give it time if you are serious. It will pay off
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Hits the targets but I prefer the RF 97One thing with this racquet is it begs for a softer string like a natural gut, hybrid, or possibly a softer poly. I usually prefer frames with around this stiffness rating but like my Babolat Pure Aero Tour, Luxilon just feels like too much at impact. Like one of the reviews this racquet has some issues outside the sweet spot. It reminds me of a Yonex in that if you get the sweet spot it is deadly. It is also a very easy stick to swing, but it demands some time on court to get used to the feel. With the right string set up it is a great racquet, for me it would just take too much time to adapt to this particular feel.
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The best purchase I madeI love it
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BEST RACQUETWhen I play tested this racquet, it felt like Federer gifted me with his skills. The racquet felt REALLY good on the forehand and backhand, one-handed or two-handed, doesn't matter, the feel was amazing. Serves are like rockets and second serves had really nice kick. I wouldn't recommend this racquet to anyone below a 4.0 however and even then the regular RF 01 model might be better. This racquet is incredible and I would rate it 10/10!
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Great racquetI have played with almost every edition of the Wilson Pro Staff for the past 30 years. I just started playing with the RF 01 Pro racquet a couple of weeks ago and it's a winner. The power off this racquet is tremendous. I am also able to hit with topspin and slice. It's probably too powerful of a racquet for a beginner, but anyone with an advanced game that hits a variety of shots and spins will love this stick. I would suggest stringing with a higher tension (I am at 60) as the racquet is plenty powerful enough where you don't need to go lower for additional power.
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It’s interesting but a pass from me.I played with it for a couple weeks and it was just sublime for a one handed backhand and volleys. I hit more of a loopy modern forehand and you might as well not even bother if that is your technique. The string pattern is more favorable to flat strokes. Serve was okay, but again the string pattern tends to dump more of them into the net. I would play with it if I could hit forehand’s with it, but you know it’s a pass if you find yourself running around balls to hit backhands. Lastly, it’s super brassy if you catch it outside the sweet spot. It’s worth a demo if you like players racquets, but there are just so many other better racquets on the market.
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