This intermediate-friendly version of the RF Collection combines quick handling with controllable power and great feel
Introducing the RF 01! Designed in collaboration with Roger Federer, this racquet reflects insights accumulated over one of the most legendary careers in tennis history. Featuring the same frame geometry and technologies as Federer's RF 01 Pro, this racquet combines spin-friendly precision with an arm-friendly stiffness of 64-RA. At roughly 11.2 ounces strung, the RF 01 is perfectly weighted for intermediate players; it will also appeal to the advanced ball striker looking for a speedy all-court weapon or a platform for customization. This racquet's design is appropriately named SABR, a name the 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 along with a reinforced shaft and yoke for more torsional stability through impact (think less racquet flopping on volleys). Ultimately, this companion to Federer's RF Pro is defined by its quick handling and controllable power. The arm-friendly flex point is a nice bonus.
Specifications
| Head Size: 98 in² / 632.26 cm² | ||||
| Length: 27in / 68.58cm | ||||
| Strung Weight: 11.2oz / 318g | ||||
| Balance: 12.85in / 32.64cm / 5 pts HL | ||||
| Swingweight: 319 | ||||
| Stiffness: 64 | ||||
| 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: Pro Performance | ||||
String Pattern:
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| String Tension: 50-60 pounds |
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Customer Reviews
Amazing racquetReally good feel overall
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For the agressive playerAs a Yonex Vcore 95 does not feel like a 95 but bigger, RF01, in a reverse way, does not feel like a 98 but smaller. That becomes more pronounced on the defensive. That's the Achilles Heel of this racquet. Otherwise, everything else is impressive. Very agile but very stable also, especially for a 300 gram static weight. It has good topspin potential, is stable on the upper hoop, also a very solid serving tool. This is my favorite racquet at the net. Highly recommend RF01.
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Nice racquetAn iconic racquet!! It is a must for all Roger Federer Fan!
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RF01 RacquetThis is an excellent racquet, especially strung with a 17 gauge string at 56 pounds. It's very controllable, has good speed and is very lightweight. Granted, I am graduating from the Pro Staff used by Federer and Sampras that I've been playing for 30 years. I never thought I would but with the combination they set up I get a lot of power and very good topspin. I love it
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Amazing racket for me!So I used this racket for 30 hours at 48-52 pounds of tension. And I was miserable. Hated the unforgiving small sweet spot and instability due to lack of stabilizers. And I was mentally not playing well, and it just sucked. Then I decided to string at 40-42 pounds and the string bed became more comfortable and the sweet spot became bigger. It was a cannon, with great spin potential for control on higher swing speeds. Instability still there on off center hits, but a lot more bearable and less loss of power when it happens. Slices, slice serves, kick serves were all glorious. At net the racquet plays really well but make sure you're hitting the sweet spot, because it can really twist when hit off center from a hard fast ball. I very much love how I can get so much power without compromising control on this. 9/10.`
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Great racket for racquet for aggressive playThis was my first racquet purchase since my high school and college days. I used to play with a LM Radical MP and was in search for a modern racquet with old school feel. Enter the RF01. After the initial play test I was instantly hooked. It has an old school feel and very communicative, if you miss the sweet spot, you know it. If you make good contact, you know it as well! I really enjoy the balance of RF01 as well. Very whippy when coming around on ground strokes, maneuverable at net, and a joy on serve. I have noticed that you really have to commit to your shots, and there's a ton of precision and pace when you swing through the contact point. But, any half-hearted swings and you're immediately punished. Where it shines is on offense, stepping in and dictating the points. Defense isn't as comfortable, it's almost as if the racquet is begging you to go for the winner when on the defensive footing. Perfect for aggressive play styles like my own. If you enjoy ripping winners and have a flatter shape to your shot, give the RF01 a try!
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RF 01Much preferred over the RF 01 Pro model. Much softer feel and easier to play with overall. Improved playability with tungsten putty in the butt cap, a leather grip and some weight at 12 o'clock. The string spacing is a bid odd and takes some getting used to is the only drawback I've found.
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Very interesting racquetFirst, hats of to manufacturers like Yonex (Percept 100D) and Wilson (Shift, RF) for trying new things even instead of meaningless updates year after year. While some have written off this RF series as "gimmicky" and "Fed's GoFundMe page," I think this RF01 will find a home with a decent number of players from a performance standpoint. Second, after a week of intensive play, this is not a Pro Staff, so I hope people will stop with that. To me it is plays much closer to a whippy PA 98 than anything in the current Wilson line. What I liked: forehands, volleys, serves, slice backhands. What I did not: Two-handers were oddly problematic. I am a 4.5 all court player that typically shies away from Wilson and I think this could be a great higher level doubles stick - why does no one talk about good doubles sticks? Intangibles: I have played with and strung three to four of these in the last week and all of them came in about 309-313 strung SW - so very low. I customized mine to 319 SW/5.5 points HL strung with several things but stuck on VSquare mains and ALU Power crosses. Last, I can't properly end this review without talking about the paint quality. It is TERRIBLE. It is impossible for me to believe something that is $280, has Fed's name all over it and has been years in production has such delicate paint - was the paint on the prototypes different?? If you just look at this racquet wrong, the paint chips off. At the current pace, I may have an all white RF01 by the end of the year. It literally should come with a black Sharpie.
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Good platform racquetI'm a 4.5 who plays aggressive and hits mostly flat with a semi western grip. I have used Pro Staffs for decades and have to say that this is not a Pro Staff. If you are looking for the full PS feel just buy a PS. All that being said this is a great racquet to customize. I see it like a different flavor of an Ezone 98. Stock I found it weak and unstable, but once I added four grams at 12 it became a good stick. I also added about five grams on the handle. It has pretty good power and spin, although it is not a spin racquet by any means. I could hit very nice volleys, slices and drop shots with it, which I loved. The serve was okay, nothing to brag about. In general if you want something like an Ezone 98, but with a tiny bit of Pro Staff in it, then this is the stick to get.
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Another Great Racquet in the Market!This one is an interesting racquet to review. Looking at the racquet I thought it would be comparable to the Babolat Pure Strike 98 16x19. However, after holding/hitting with this stick it’s definitely not that. This racquet has some similarities to Yonex Ezone, Babolat Pure Drive, and Head Boom Pro. All these racquets have the spin, power, and launch angle suited for a modern game. In my opinion, I think this racquet has a fair shot at being one of the most popular racquets of the year if not most overall. For its weight, stability, and feel, I can see a large demographic of players being able to use this racquet and perform well in all areas of the court. If you want a modern player’s racquet and love Roger Federer, you should definitely give this a try. As for those who are using the Pro Staff 97 and thinking about switching--- you can give this a try but don’t expect them to be similar. Even though the 97 is a modern version of the Pro Staff 85/90s, it still to me performs like a control-oriented racket. In comparison, the RF 01 gears toward a more power/spin game while not needing to swing as fast. Although the demo came in with Luxilon Alu Power, I think this racket will do amazing with textured poly strings with good bite for superb spin, or the good ol’ Natural Gut x Luxilon ALU Power Rough Hybrid for the feel and drive on the ball.
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A Connected ExperienceEx-ProStaff 90 BLX user and ProStaff 97 Countervail (which I like). I must be a borderline ProStaff user since I only felt good with the BLX and never really could get the RF97 around. But I do like a whippy racquet. I had just moved to the CX200 this year. I really liked this on demo and not sure what strings it had. Excellent all around racquet. On backhands, you can lose power quickly if you don't hit the sweet spot. Like a PS in that way. With my first poly string job (Dunlop Explosion Tour) I felt the racquet was too stiff and almost pingy compared to the demo racquet I tried. I will need to keep playing with strings including a soft poly. I also strung at 45 pounds and though my balls went deep, I feel like going a bit tighter might have helped with control. Did not have the confidence in a match today and switched back to the CX 200. This racquet is a nice control-oriented frame with access to more power and spin than the CX200 but needs to be adjusted to. Serves were fine. Like this racquet better than the Blade.
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Very Approachable Player's FrameSome feedback from a 4.5 USTA player as for background and skill level - Playing with the RF-01 (300g) Spec'ed to be 310 unstrung (I added 10 grams in the handle, which for me packs the stability but not the arm wear-down over time as the 320g Pro Version). Using 17 gauge poly hybrid strung at 47 (this is probably the most important IMO, I tried my second one at 53 pounds starting out and it was atrocious compared to starting it a few pounds lower). Total time now at 12 hours with the racquet, final strung weight - 334 grams. Plays better than my Aero 98s and Radical Pro for my all-court game style, but hands down can generate intense spin (thank the thicker throat beam) from the baseline when needed. Playing against some variety of servers, but notably a couple guys that hit around 115-120 mph consistently, never had any issues getting good cuts on return especially. If you like to step in and do slice blocks aka SABR type of returns. I play 2H but am competent in 1H backhands as well, I will say it plays great for both but it does have a little extra something for 1H backhanders. Best shots with this are by far the serve, slice and volleys. I'd give the RF-01 300g a 9/10 in performance and a 10/10 in style and looks. Only hit with the Pro about two hours so wouldn't say for sure but it felt amazing if you like heavier frames.
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