Does Federer Actually Play With the RF97?

[ProStaff forever]

Every time Roger wins a slam, a lock of his hair is chopped off and woven into the braided graphite and Kevlar layup. If you buy a RF97 now it has 19 strands of hair in the layup --- so that's why it plays softer than the last generation of RF97 which only had 17 strands of hair. Roger has really soft hair. Just thought I'd give some concrete evidence as to why the new RF97 plays differently than the old RF97 according to some.

This is gold lol

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[ProStaff forever]

Every time Roger wins a slam, a lock of his hair is chopped off and woven into the braided graphite and Kevlar layup. If you buy a RF97 now it has 19 strands of hair in the layup --- so that's why it plays softer than the last generation of RF97 which only had 17 strands of hair. Roger has really soft hair. Just thought I'd give some concrete evidence as to why the new RF97 plays differently than the old RF97 according to some.

This is gold lol

Proud to be one!

Thanks for all design and proud owner of your works, do you mind to share the background of the drastic change between the 2014 and 2016 RF97A paint jobs? Thanks in advance.

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[ProStaff forever]

I am not interested in info if Roger plays the retail stick, but I'm curious if I am the only one who notice that 2015 RF plays differently than the latest black one. It is not the manufacturing variances i.e. weight, balance differences, but the feeling of the racquet. The feeling I am getting with black one is completely different than the red one, the red one is great and reminds me on old pro staffs, but the black one is too boardy, brassy. Wilson had to change something regarding build in materials. Anyhow, no problem for me, I will sell the black one and buy another red one to have it in spare, although I prefer the black colour over the red.

I get what you mean: ive hit with the red RF and felt its heavy like a rock. Ive hit with the latest one and it felt solid, in a good way, with alot of control and feedback. Hopefully its only me.

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[gplracer]

Every time Roger wins a slam, a lock of his hair is chopped off and woven into the braided graphite and Kevlar layup. If you buy a RF97 now it has 19 strands of hair in the layup --- so that's why it plays softer than the last generation of RF97 which only had 17 strands of hair. Roger has really soft hair. Just thought I'd give some concrete evidence as to why the new RF97 plays differently than the old RF97 according to some.

Peter this is too much! If other manufacturers do this as well it would explain why the Babolat Aero Drive made my elbow hurt years ago when I played with it.

 

[Povl Carstensen]

I get what you mean: ive hit with the red RF and felt its heavy like a rock. Ive hit with the latest one and it felt solid, in a good way, with alot of control and feedback. Hopefully its only me.

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My best guess is that this regretfully is mainly due to the rather wide tolerances in manufacturing/QC.

 

[Harry_Wild]

Wilson commercial shows RF in the design and development stage of the RF Autograph 2nd generation! But Jimmy Connors was also involve with the design and development of the Prostaff 6.0 85 and ended up going back to his T2000! So maybe, not?

 

[sureshs]

https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/pro-stock-rf97a-spotted-on-the-web.597905/

 

[NuBas]

Here is a screen shot of the video in EPSN article about Rogers racquet at the USO 2017. Even his butt cap is different.

Reminds me of the Wilson Blade 2015 pro stock butt caps which were red/silver metallic and retail was black.

 

[moon shot]

I did notice in photos that Ron has posted the info, silhouette, and hologram are back in the throat.

 

[stringertom]

Neither do I. In fact, I refused to go pro just because of that.

I think something else is holding you back. Maybe a better eye out there can put their finger on the problem by watching this:

 

[racquetreligion]

when Feds stick is checked for flex ratings we will have the answer

 

[MasterZeb]

I think something else is holding you back. Maybe a better eye out there can put their finger on the problem by watching this:

I'm actually crying

 

[stringertom]

I'm actually crying

Buckle down! You can't properly ANALyze this through tears!

 

[MasterZeb]

I think something else is holding you back. Maybe a better eye out there can put their finger on the problem by watching this:

Approach shot at 1:30 was top notch. Movement seems to be limited. Maybe he has a back injury

 

[ppmishra]

Well I customised my specs to Roger Federer's and also added weight under the bumper. The racket is now 359g, 6 points HL, SW of just over 350. I've spent two hours hitting with this this setup. It swings very quickly consudering the high SW, and is very stable.

Tennis warehouse was selling some Dunlop pro stock frames (Option 2, biomimetic paintjob, extended length of 27.5', 16x19, 100 sq in headsize) in the vintage section and I was lucky enough to get a matched pair (365 sw, 12.1 oz, 65 Ra) strung but since the balance was only 1 pt HL I added 10 grams of lead tape to the handle and with an overgrip and it's now 360 sw;6pts HL;359 grams and despite the extended length frame and more oval head shape very similar to your modded autograph. This is my first hit with a extended length prostock frame (though I have hit with the prokennex ki5 pse and a modified Becker 11 se) and while serving is a challenge for me , the plowthru and stability are amazing even though I can hit effectively for an hour or so. I don't know which pro played with a Dunlop option 2 (I know robredo used a 2C).

 

[Geoff]

Here is a screen shot of the video in EPSN article about Rogers racquet at the USO 2017. Even his butt cap is different.

Reminds me of the Wilson Blade 2015 pro stock butt caps which were red/silver metallic and retail was black.

This butt cap is actually found on the current Triad frames

 

[moon shot]

This butt cap is actually found on the current Triad frames

On the Triad Three, but not the Triad XP frames that just came out. I was about to question you but then found it.

It is similar but it looks like Federer's doesn't have a hole to pop the trap door, which makes sense on his frame. His edge also appears to have the recessed face and raised rounded lip the same as the traditional wilson buttcap, while the Triad has no recessed face.

 

[Geoff]

On the Triad Three, but not the Triad XP frames that just came out. I was about to question you but then found it.

It is similar but it looks like Federer's doesn't have a hole to pop the trap door, which makes sense on his frame. His edge also appears to have the recessed face and raised rounded lip the same as the traditional wilson buttcap, while the Triad has no recessed face.

Good point @moon shot
I would also think that Federer uses a Pro Staff butt cap as opposed to the non Pro Staff butt cap found on the non Ultra XP Triads

 

[NuBas]

This butt cap is actually found on the current Triad frames

Good eye but I still think its a bit different. I loved the pro stock Wilson Blade 2015 butt caps.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

This butt cap is actually found on the current Triad frames

Umm, no.

These are just the BLX buttcaps painted in red. BLX buttcaps are the only ones with a clear bubble covering the W.

 

[moon shot]

Umm, no.

These are just the BLX buttcaps painted in red. BLX buttcaps are the only ones with a clear bubble covering the W.

Not quite, it doesn’t have a trap door or size markings, but it does look similar.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Not quite, it doesn’t have a trap door or size markings, but it does look similar.

It follows the style and design of those BLX buttcaps. He wouldn't need trap doors, not like he does any customization himself.

 

[moon shot]

It follows the style and design of those BLX buttcaps. He wouldn't need trap doors, not like he does any customization himself.

Sure, but it has the red bubble like the triad three, that’s all he was really saying

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Wilson_Triad_Three/descpageRCWILSON-W3BLX.html

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Sure, but it has the red bubble like the triad three, that’s all he was really saying

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Wilson_Triad_Three/descpageRCWILSON-W3BLX.html

I wonder why Wilson is going back to the BLX styled buttcaps on these racquets, where as the main stream ones are still on the current (quite honestly, ugly) buttcaps.

I loved that little bubble on my PS90.

 

[moon shot]

I wonder why Wilson is going back to the BLX styled buttcaps on these racquets, where as the main stream ones are still on the current (quite honestly, ugly) buttcaps.

I loved that little bubble on my PS90.

I think it was initiated by the Sony sensor redesign. I think this model isn’t compatible.

 

[Povl Carstensen]

Just like his grip shape supposedly is copied/modelled from an old favourite, he could very well be sticking to an "old" shape buttcap.

 

[Bobby Jr]

Just like his grip shape supposedly is copied/modelled from an old favourite, he could very well be sticking to an "old" shape buttcap.

I think Ron Yu has explained a number of times over the years that Federer's butcaps are just whatever they have enough of the same of to do a whole batch of his frames when setting them up initially.

 

[RJYU]

I think Ron Yu has explained a number of times over the years that Federer's butcaps are just whatever they have enough of the same of to do a whole batch of his frames when setting them up initially.

These red buttcaps were sent to us with the hairpins, so we are using them. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, I guess.

 

[Sixpointone]

Hey Ron,

Hope life is treating you well!

Best,
John

 

[Marius_Hancu]

So, has anyone in this thread had in their hands an RF97 played by Roger and measured its SW?

 

[Icsa]

So, has anyone in this thread had in their hands an RF97 played by Roger and measured its SW?

Ron Yu of course

 

[mtommer]

Yeah, and that couldn't have had anything to do with grip pressure, it had to be a conspiracy to build his frames with an ultra low twist weight not available to the masses. I'll bet Wilson even concealed a 20g weight at the top of his grip...

 

[stephenclown]

These red buttcaps were sent to us with the hairpins, so we are using them. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, I guess.

Hey Ron, given Wilsons terrible quality control in the retail market could you please just confirm the RA that Wilson are sending Roger for his frames before customisation?

I read that you notice it doesn't vary by more than 1 or so RA on your machines but not sure what that figure is. It isn't divulging any of his specs I hope, just to see if Wilson are choosing a specific range for Fed. General manufacturers variances are +/- 3 RA according to Chris here:

https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/what-are-the-tolerances-for-weight-and-swingweight-in-tennis-rackets.389019/#post-5852556

This would put the RF97A range between 65 and 71. I would guess the ones you are getting are between 65 and 66 given his previous frames?

 

[NuBas]

Lots of answers here and something special @ 3:40 seconds

 

[BounceHitBounceHit]

Lots of answers here and something special @ 3:40 seconds

The GOOD news: It’s the same hairpin. His is modified. Yours can be too. In fact you can buy a few and shoot for different SW’s based on a number of published measurements of his actual frames.

The BAD news: It’s not the frame!

[emoji120][emoji3][emoji120]


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[zalive]

The GOOD news: It’s the same hairpin. His is modified. Yours can be too. In fact you can buy a few and shoot for different SW’s based on a number of published measurements of his actual frames.

The BAD news: It’s not the frame!

With his main rivals (especially the older players) polarizing and playing at higher swing weights, highly unlikely Roger plays with 335 SW non polarized hoop racquet. Especially when you see his strokes, wrist flicks...much more likely guys at P1 put some lead at 12 o'clock (in fact, it's unbelieveable no one present here still didn't get one of Roger's racquet to confirm or disprove this). Not to mention siliconing of the handle so the other end gets polarized too.

So, bad news...RF97A, it's not really Roger's specs as suggested. But funny how he can say 'it's the same racquet' even if his is clearly customized.

Then, no confirmation Roger actually plays with as stiff racquet, which many suspect (like racquetnerd on his blog site, for example). If his pro stocks are flexier, so again more bad news: it's not the same hairpin as retail either!

So what is the same as his racquets then, if not specs (customization), not racquet (custom handle side) or not even hairpin (flexier pro stocks)? Even if Roger believes it's the same, 1) he doesn't need to know every detail about different flex on his pro stocks and actual retail; 2) he obviously doesn't care about difference in specs which result from customization, as he clearly shows.

 

[Povl Carstensen]

With his main rivals (especially the older players) polarizing and playing at higher swing weights, highly unlikely Roger plays with 335 SW non polarized hoop racquet. Especially when you see his strokes, wrist flicks...much more likely guys at P1 put some lead at 12 o'clock (in fact, it's unbelieveable no one present here still didn't get one of Roger's racquet to confirm or disprove this). Not to mention siliconing of the handle so the other end gets polarized too.

So, bad news...RF97A, it's not really Roger's specs as suggested. But funny how he can say 'it's the same racquet' even if his is clearly customized.

Then, no confirmation Roger actually plays with as stiff racquet, which many suspect (like racquetnerd on his blog site, for example). If his pro stocks are flexier, so again more bad news: it's not the same hairpin as retail either!

So what is the same as his racquets then, if not specs (customization), not racquet (custom handle side) or not even hairpin (flexier pro stocks)? Even if Roger believes it's the same, 1) he doesn't need to know every detail about different flex on his pro stocks and actual retail; 2) he obviously doesn't care about difference in specs which result from customization, as he clearly shows.

We have been over these points many times. It is quite commonly accepted that Federer plays with some lead in the hoop and lighter pallets (no lead). Whether the hairpin is different, everyone is allowed to believe what they want, but there are statements to the opposite.

 

[zalive]

We have been over these points many times. It is quite commonly accepted that Federer plays with some lead in the hoop and lighter pallets (no lead). Whether the hairpin is different, everyone is allowed to believe what they want, but there are statements to the opposite.

Only people involved with Wilson have statements to make about these, but you know...

 

[Icsa]

So, bad news...RF97A, it's not really Roger's specs as suggested. But funny how he can say 'it's the same racquet' even if his is clearly customized.

Wilson needs to sell racquets. In the first iteration of RF97A, everyone here was complaining how much of a log it feels due to its 335-340 SW. The second iteration dropped the SW and everyone is in awe about it. If Wilson were to sell it in Roger's specs at 355+ SW, nobody would buy it.

At least we are able to buy the same hairpin that Roger is using. And I'm grateful for that.

Btw, based on the pictures I've seen with P1 customizing racquets, carving out handles and removing the metal, it is very likely they start with the same racquets available in store.

 

[Nostradamus]

Every time Roger wins a slam, a lock of his hair is chopped off and woven into the braided graphite and Kevlar layup. If you buy a RF97 now it has 19 strands of hair in the layup --- so that's why it plays softer than the last generation of RF97 which only had 17 strands of hair. Roger has really soft hair. Just thought I'd give some concrete evidence as to why the new RF97 plays differently than the old RF97 according to some.

holy Momma mia..........No wonder Roger is Losing his hair and needs a hair transplant................

 

[haqq777]

Alright, the specs are finally here. TWE has Federer's used racquet for sale. Link below. Thanks to @MattCrosby for pointing it out originally.

http://www.tenniswarehouse-europe.com/Roger_Federer_Autographed_Match_Tennis_Racket/descpageRFF-RFATR.html

Strung specs with overgrip & Natural Gut/Poly hybrid:

• Weight: 12.9 ounces / 366 grams
• Balance: 31.5cm / 9 pts HL
• Stiffness: RA 68
• Swingweight: 340

 

[sureshs]

Price is only 12605 Euros

 

[Faris]

Alright, the specs are finally here. TWE has Federer's used racquet for sale. Link below. Thanks to @MattCrosby for pointing it out originally.

http://www.tenniswarehouse-europe.com/Roger_Federer_Autographed_Match_Tennis_Racket/descpageRFF-RFATR.html

Strung specs with overgrip & Natural Gut/Poly hybrid:

• Weight: 12.9 ounces / 366 grams
• Balance: 31.5cm / 9 pts HL
• Stiffness: RA 68
• Swingweight: 340

Looks like @PeterFig and all others saying tht you can replicate his specs on a racket off the shelf were right....a little lead tape here n there and you can achiece 340 swingweight 9pt HL balance and 366g static easy...wonder what tin foil hatters will say now

 

[sureshs]

And his RA is not low as claimed but the same as the commercial one

 

[sureshs]

Looks like @PeterFig and all others saying tht you can replicate his specs on a racket off the shelf were right....a little lead tape here n there and you can achiece 340 swingweight 9pt HL balance and 366g static easy...wonder what tin foil hatters will say now

Make me one and I will pay you 12.6 Euros

 

[Faris]

Make me one and I will pay you 12.6 Euros

Sure, and I'll throw in coaching lessons for free...

 

[movdqa]

Make me one and I will pay you 12.6 Euros

TW's Automated Customization tool provides three solutions. The simplest is to add 0.3 oz slightly above 6:00.

 

[dgoran]

TW's Automated Customization tool provides three solutions. The simplest is to add 0.3 oz slightly above 6:00.

Thanks to Wilson qc mine had the same exact specs as alleged Rf specs for sale on twe

 

[dgoran]

I am natural born skeptic so I have to ask:What is the proof that this is actual racquet that Roger plays matches with?

Sounds like an easy $12350 euros

 

[sureshs]

I am natural born skeptic so I have to ask:What is the proof that this is actual racquet that Roger plays matches with?

Sounds like an easy $12350 euros

DNA test the overgrip