On this evaluate, I discover the RF 01, a racket designed by Roger Federer to deliver parts of his recreation to a broader viewers.
Wilson says it’s the road of rackets Federer would have used if he had efficiently recovered from knee surgical procedure in 2021.
Sadly, everyone knows that by no means occurred, so we are able to’t be certain if that’s true, however at first look, it actually appears and looks like the kind of racket you’d have seen him wielding on the courtroom.
The RF 01 is positioned between the tour-level RF 01 Professional and the lighter RF 01 Future. It’s constructed for superior intermediates and aggressive gamers who search a flexible steadiness of spin, management, and manoeuvrability.
With its exact body geometry and Braid 45 know-how, the RF 01 is claimed to supply the best center floor within the RF lineup. It delivers the ability and stability to help an aggressive enjoying type whereas sustaining a player-friendly really feel.
It’s additionally foam-filled, which isn’t new however comparatively uncommon in most fashionable rackets and never widespread within the different rackets I’ve playtested this 12 months.
On this detailed evaluate, I’ll share my expertise testing the RF 01, specializing in the way it carried out in numerous conditions and whether or not it meets my expectations.
Wilson RF01 Cosmetics & Options
One of many standout facets of the Wilson RF 01 is its smooth, minimalist design. The racket boasts a clear, polished look with no flashy colors or gimmicks.
Its matte black end and refined Roger Federer and Wilson logos convey sophistication and understated class.
This racket is designed for purists—gamers preferring understated efficiency over fashionable aesthetics. Its lack of shiny colors or daring patterns displays its seriousness, aimed toward those that method the sport with focus and intention, like Federer himself.
Relating to supplies, the RF 01 isn’t any completely different from most different rackets in the marketplace. If something, the “know-how” aspect of issues will not be closely pushed on this racket like in most new releases with the newest and biggest developments.
As a substitute, it’s marketed as high-quality graphite with braided fibres at 45-degree angles, which ensures a sturdy but light-weight body.
It is usually foam-filled with PU to optimise vibration dampening, which Federer requested, as he should like that feeling.
Other than the cosmetics, this racket’s design includes a fastidiously chosen beam width. As talked about within the specification chart, the RF 01 incorporates a novel 23.2mm/24mm/22mm beam, which goals to offer a mix of stability and manoeuvrability.
The marginally wider center part (24mm) ought to be sure that the racket has sufficient stiffness to generate energy. Compared, the tapered beam in the direction of the pinnacle (22mm) is supposed so as to add to its management and finesse, making it simpler to govern for contact photographs and volleys.
Specification and Setup
I had the racket strung with Luxilon Aspect 1.2mm. Rigidity was 22.5kg on each mains and crosses. Aspect is a cushty poly to think about if you need an arm-friendly monofilament.
| Wilson RF 01 2024 | My Wilson RF 01 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Head Measurement | 98 in² / 632.26 cm² | 98 in² / 632.26 cm² |
| Size | 27in / 68.58cm | 27in / 68.58cm |
| Unstrung Weight | 10.6oz / 300g | 10.6oz / 300g |
| Strung Weight | 11.2oz / 318g | 11.1oz / 316 g |
| Unstrung Steadiness | 12.85in / 32.64cm / 5 pts HL | 12.85in / 32.64cm / 5 pts HL |
| Swingweight | 319 | 320 |
| Stiffness | 64 | Not measured |
| Beam Width | 23.2 mm / 24 mm / 22 mm | 23.2 mm / 24 mm / 22 mm |
| Composition | Carbon + Carbon braid (Graphite) | Carbon + Carbon braid (Graphite) |
| Racket Colours | Gradient black to gray | Gradient black to gray |
| Grip Sort | Wilson Professional Efficiency | Wilson Professional Efficiency |
| String Sample | 16 Mains / 19 Crosses | 16 Mains / 19 Crosses |
| String Rigidity | 23-27 kg | 22.5 kg |
Wilson RF01 Playtest
First Impressions
From the primary moments of testing the Wilson RF 01, it appeared clear that this racket is constructed for precision and high-level efficiency regardless of its moderately light-weight really feel.
Once I first held it, the load distribution and steadiness felt nicely fitted to an aggressive, fast-paced type of play.
The racket feels strong and nimble, giving me confidence that my swings can be met with an ideal response.
As quickly as I began hitting balls, these first impressions have been confirmed. The RF 01 is clean and responsive, providing distinctive suggestions on each shot.
Inside a couple of minutes, I realised this racket was designed to let me dictate play whereas sustaining full reliability on my contact photographs.
Past its technical prowess, I additionally honeymooned with this racket’s aesthetics. It’s a great-looking body.
Groundstrokes
The RF 01 carried out admirably concerning groundstrokes, particularly on flat photographs and attacking strokes. The racket gives a strong reference to the ball, providing clear, crisp responses whether or not you might be enjoying aggressive photographs from the baseline or going for exact placement.
It excelled on drive photographs, notably when getting into the courtroom. Nevertheless, I’d have appreciated it if the racket had delivered extra weight to the ball throughout acceleration.
I’m uncertain if including extra weight or altering the load distribution would negatively have an effect on the body’s manoeuvrability, however the specs do depart room for customisation, or as some gamers wish to name it, a “platform racket.”
Nonetheless, because the racket will not be designed for monotone, fast-paced baseline play, this slight lack of energy from the baseline mustn’t pose an excessive amount of of a difficulty in case your recreation type is extra of an all-court variable kind of play.
I additionally observed that the racket misplaced management when trying heavy topspin photographs at larger speeds.
The difficulty arose after I tried to take care of a quick tempo whereas producing topspin. The spin potential was first rate however not as robust as another rackets I’ve examined, particularly beneath these circumstances.
Whereas wonderful by way of feeling and luxury, I believe that the Luxilon Wilson Aspect string is probably not the very best match for the RF 01 300g relating to dealing with aggressive topspin photographs at velocity.
That being mentioned, the racket’s excellent manoeuvrability allowed me to generate good spin after I slowed down and targeted purely on creating topspin, although I needed to sacrifice some velocity for that added spin.
This steadiness may match nicely for gamers prioritising management over uncooked energy of their topspin recreation.
Contact Pictures and Volleys
The RF 01 shines in contact photographs and volleys. The racket felt quick and responsive on the internet, making it straightforward for me to exactly hit delicate drop photographs and angle volleys. The body gives wonderful suggestions, which gave me confidence when attempting extra inventive and exact performs.
The racket was extremely straightforward to manoeuvre on the internet, nearly as if I have been gripping it from its throat. This allowed me to react rapidly to fast-paced rallies and end factors effectively.
Furthermore, feeling the mushy and managed response on contact photographs made me perceive what Wilson and Roger had in thoughts when claiming this racket was designed for inventive tennis gamers.
Serves
If I needed to describe my expertise serving with RF 01 in a single phrase, it might be “clean.” The racket allowed for a superb mixture of energy and precision.
I discovered it straightforward to put serves precisely, and the ability was there when wanted for flat, aggressive first serves. The top-light steadiness additionally contributed to a fast swing, which helped generate first rate racket-head velocity on serves.
Nevertheless, like with groundstrokes, I felt the racket lacked some spin potential on second serves. The spin serves didn’t appear to have as a lot kick as I usually count on, doubtless once more influenced by the string setup.
Returns
I notably loved testing my return with RF 01. The racket’s strong construct offered stability in opposition to massive serves, whereas its gentle head made it straightforward to manoeuvre when reacting to fast-paced photographs.
Whether or not blocking a serve again into play or attacking a second serve, the RF 01 delivered with energy and precision. Its distinctive management makes it simpler to information the ball to particular spots on the courtroom, and I believe the foam-filled facet provided some added stability and made the sound much less pingy when returning quick incoming balls.
Who’s This Racket For?
The Wilson RF 01 is undeniably designed for gamers who respect precision and contact of their recreation. It is a perfect racket for gamers who take pleasure in a inventive, all-court type, permitting them to combine up their photographs and preserve their opponents guessing.
The mix of energy and management makes it excellent for gamers who need to dominate factors with finesse, aggression, and selection.
Whereas the RF 01 might not excel in producing heavy topspin, its strengths in different areas make it a wonderful selection for gamers who prioritise contact, internet play, and strategic shot-making.
I agree with Wilson that this racket is geared towards the following era of inventive tennis gamers.
In comparison with the RF 01 Professional and RF 01 Future
In comparison with the RF 01 Professional, which is heavier and geared towards superior gamers looking for most stability and management, the RF 01 is lighter and extra accessible, supreme for intermediate to superior gamers who need versatility with simpler dealing with.
In distinction to the RF 01 Future, the lightest of the trio and finest fitted to inexperienced persons or early intermediates, the RF 01 gives a extra substantial really feel whereas nonetheless forgiving sufficient for a variety of enjoying kinds.
I like to recommend that almost all gamers who play recurrently and have just a few years of expertise demo the RF 01 first. The Professional mannequin has a narrower match at 337g strung.
In the event you like lighter-weight frames however nonetheless like the98 square-inch head dimension, then the RF 01 Future is an possibility,
Closing Ideas
In abstract, the Wilson RF 01 300g delivers a superb mixture of class and efficiency. Its minimalist design is visually interesting and displays its on-court efficiency, the place precision and contact photographs really shine.
I genuinely love the design—it’s undoubtedly probably the most lovely rackets I’ve ever seen. I’m additionally inquisitive concerning the RF 01 Professional’s efficiency, and I hope to check out that model (the one they are saying Federer would have used) to see if it might meet the calls for of ATP and WTA-level gamers.
Professionals
- Tremendous smooth design
- Secure really feel regardless of 300g unstrung weight
- Good weight distribution
- Exact feeling
Cons
- $300 price ticket
- Might be unforgiving, it requires good footwork and timing
Have you ever tried any rackets from the brand new Wilson RF line? What did you assume?