On this assessment, I discover the RF 01, a racket designed by Roger Federer to carry components of his sport 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 will’t make sure if that’s true, however at first look, it actually seems and appears like the kind of racket you’d have seen him wielding on the court docket.
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 stability of spin, management, and manoeuvrability.
With its exact body geometry and Braid 45 know-how, the RF 01 is alleged to supply the best center floor within the RF lineup. It delivers the facility and stability to help an aggressive enjoying model 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 frequent within the different rackets I’ve playtested this yr.
On this detailed assessment, 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 modern, minimalist design. The racket boasts a clear, polished look with no flashy colors or gimmicks.
Its matte black end and delicate 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, geared toward those that strategy the sport with focus and intention, like Federer himself.
Relating to supplies, the RF 01 isn’t any completely different from most different rackets available on the market. If something, the “know-how” facet 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’s also foam-filled with PU to optimise vibration dampening, which Federer requested, as he should like that feeling.
Apart from the cosmetics, this racket’s design includes a rigorously chosen beam width. As talked about within the specification chart, the RF 01 incorporates a singular 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 direction of the top (22mm) is supposed so as to add to its management and finesse, making it simpler to control for contact photographs and volleys.
Specification and Setup
I had the racket strung with Luxilon Factor 1.2mm. Rigidity was 22.5kg on each mains and crosses. Factor is a cushty poly to contemplate if you would like 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 Stability
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 stability felt properly fitted to an aggressive, fast-paced model of play.
The racket feels stable and nimble, giving me confidence that my swings will likely be met with an excellent 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 supplies a stable reference to the ball, providing clear, crisp responses whether or not you’re enjoying aggressive photographs from the baseline or going for exact placement.
It excelled on drive photographs, significantly when entering into the court docket. Nevertheless, I might have appreciated it if the racket had delivered extra weight to the ball throughout acceleration.
I’m not sure if including extra weight or altering the load distribution would negatively have an effect on the body’s manoeuvrability, however the specs do go away 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 shouldn’t pose an excessive amount of of a difficulty in case your sport model is extra of an all-court variable sort of play.
I additionally seen that the racket misplaced management when making an attempt heavy topspin photographs at increased 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 sturdy as another rackets I’ve examined, particularly beneath these circumstances.
Whereas glorious by way of feeling and luxury, I believe that the Luxilon Wilson Factor string might not be one of the best match for the RF 01 300g with regards 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 stability may go properly for gamers prioritising management over uncooked energy of their topspin sport.
Contact Photographs 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 affords glorious suggestions, which gave me confidence when making an attempt extra artistic 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 tender and managed response on contact photographs made me perceive what Wilson and Roger had in thoughts when claiming this racket was designed for artistic 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 very good mixture of energy and precision.
I discovered it straightforward to put serves precisely, and the facility was there when wanted for flat, aggressive first serves. The pinnacle-light stability 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 anticipate, probably once more influenced by the string setup.
Returns
I significantly loved testing my return with RF 01. The racket’s stable construct supplied stability towards large 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 court docket, and I believe the foam-filled side 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 recognize precision and contact of their sport. It is a perfect racket for gamers who take pleasure in a artistic, all-court model, permitting them to combine up their photographs and preserve their opponents guessing.
The mix of energy and management makes it good 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 alternative for gamers who prioritise contact, internet play, and strategic shot-making.
I agree with Wilson that this racket is geared towards the subsequent era of artistic 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, excellent 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 greatest fitted to inexperienced persons or early intermediates, the RF 01 supplies a extra substantial really feel whereas nonetheless forgiving sufficient for a variety of enjoying kinds.
I like to recommend that the majority gamers who play usually and have a couple of years of expertise demo the RF 01 first. The Professional mannequin has a narrower match at 337g strung.
Should you like lighter-weight frames however nonetheless like the98 square-inch head measurement, then the RF 01 Future is an possibility,
Remaining Ideas
In abstract, the Wilson RF 01 300g delivers a very good mixture of class and efficiency. Its minimalist design is visually interesting and displays its on-court efficiency, the place precision and contact photographs actually shine.
I genuinely love the design—it’s undoubtedly one of the vital 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.
Execs
Tremendous modern design
Steady really feel regardless of 300g unstrung weight
Good weight distribution
Exact feeling
Cons
$300 price ticket
Could 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?