Tennis Warehouse Playtest: Wilson RF 01 Family

[mpournaras]

I am excited for this. Those mains look tight and that is delicious.

I am hoping this is a "thunkier" and less hollow Aero 98

 

[dudu]

Hoping to get selected - Love this Pro Staff and Wilson RF; exciting they are still putting out RF signature rackets.
I hope to be selected for 01.

 

[vndesu]

To see a RF without the pws still weirds me out. Cant wait to see what the reviews are like.

 

[Crimsonchen]

Anyone have any idea on the flex of these frames?

 

[dudu]

Can someone expound on the naming convention? Why 01?

 

[jimmy8]

Can someone expound on the naming convention? Why 01?

Because they added 01 to the RF97 to make 98 sqin.

 

[ngoster]

Hope to get in on this one. I "grew up" playing with the PS6.0 and have always been a fan of the Pro Staff.

 

[Trip]

Hope to get in on this one. I "grew up" playing with the PS6.0 and have always been a fan of the Pro Staff.

I presume you know this already, but this is only going to have so much in common with a typical Pro Staff... and by that I mean not much.

 

[Icsa]

Can someone expound on the naming convention? Why 01?

V01. Next year, 02

 

[Icsa]

Anyone have any idea on the flex of these frames?

Some numbers people reported were a bit all over the place. The Pro was 67, the regular 63. I only trust TW to give us the correct average.

 

[Fuzzy]

Caught a peek of the 01 in a video, 11.3oz, 9pts HL...really interesting spot...maybe a little heavier than what i'm used to...curious where the RA and SW end up.

Very cool stuff!!!

 

[Bhagi Katbamna]

To what racket?

In the process of deciding between the 2024 Head Extreme Pro(playtest racket) and Yonex VCore 100L. Haven't decided yet but my main Pure Drive cracked and the other one I sold off because it was a spare and had a 4 3/8 grip and not a 4 1/4 like the one that cracked.

 

[Crimsonchen]

Some numbers people reported were a bit all over the place. The Pro was 67, the regular 63. I only trust TW to give us the correct average.

Thank you, just wanted to know a ballpark estimate on what to expect!

 

[BBender716]

I seriously can't wait to see this racquet and see the feedback even if I'm not selected. I'm currently a Blade 100 / Shift 300g user and am super curious how the 300 plays here.

 

[ngoster]

I presume you know this already, but this is only going to have so much in common with a typical Pro Staff... and by that I mean not much.

Thanks Trip. I browsed the RF 01 thread after I posted and learned this also. As a racquetholic, I am still interested in how it plays...lol.

 

[TwinCinema]

I’m most curious about the 320 because the specs are more up my alley these days, and I tried the 300g Shift but never the 315 - this feels more like a Shift 315 companion but with a more open string pattern. The butt cap is really nice too.

 

[naylor73]

Having played the v10-v13, I’m super excited about this release and update from Wilson. Fingers crossed to have a chance to test and review the Pro.

 

[ulunxtns]

Having played the v10-v13, I’m super excited about this release and update from Wilson. Fingers crossed to have a chance to test and review the Pro.

It's not an update, it's a new line, different from PS.

 

[RF2017]

It's not an update, it's a new line, different from PS.

Doesn't stop us from hoping that it still has traits that we love from the PS

 

[Trip]

Doesn't stop us from hoping that it still has traits that we love from the PS

Indeed. It's likely going to have a good portion of the overall solidness, but swing and impact behavior will probably be more like an Aero 98, owing mainly to the much more elliptical cross-section of the beam in/around the hoop.

I'm mainly intrigued because the drill pattern on the RF 01 appears to have a bit tighter center mains than the Aero 98, TFight 300/315, etc, which is (IMHO) a more appropriate balance for those of us who hit more flat and through the court, which, believe it or not, is still a good portion of us, both young and old.

 

[dudu]

Indeed. It's likely going to have a good portion of the overall solidness, but swing and impact behavior will probably be more like an Aero 98, owing mainly to the much more elliptical cross-section of the beam in/around the hoop.

I'm mainly intrigued because the drill pattern on the RF 01 appears to have a bit tighter center mains than the Aero 98, TFight 300/315, etc, which is (IMHO) a more appropriate balance for those of us who hit more flat and through the court, which, believe it or not, is still a good portion of us, both young and old.

If it is the racket, you think it will be, I am very excited. I think it will be more like a blade than like a pro staff. But that is just my intuition.

 

[Trip]

If it is the racket, you think it will be, I am very excited. I think it will be more like a blade than like a pro staff. But that is just my intuition.

Yep, I'm expecting kind of a Blade crossed with a Shift, minus the dual flex.

 

[BBender716]

Yep, I'm expecting kind of a Blade crossed with a Shift, minus the dual flex.

This would be the dream-- given that I'm maining a Shift 300 and Blade 100

 

[Alcawrath]

Yep, I'm expecting kind of a Blade crossed with a Shift, minus the dual flex.

I'm expecting it to allow me to harness my inner Roger while playing like a PS, Aero, Blade, and Speed, and Prestige all in one.

In all seriousness I'm really excited to hear how these play because as much as everyone is projecting their expectations, the exciting part is that it's completely new, unlike any other silo, and that's super fun to have a stick come out without any predecessor.

 

[Way2Slow]

In all seriousness I'm really excited to hear how these play because as much as everyone is projecting their expectations, the exciting part is that it's completely new, unlike any other silo, and that's super fun to have a stick come out without any predecessor.

Agree …well-said. That’s it in a nutshell. Can’t wait to start seeing some of these in the wild!

 

[StringStrungStrang]

Having seen it I can tell you it is not the traditional box frame, but if I had to guess (and hope) a modern racquet infused with the attributes of a classic frame. Lighter more powerful but stable and stylish. The beam shape is Pure Drive-like. It sure looks good !

 

[vsbabolat]

Having seen it I can tell you it is not the traditional box frame, but if I had to guess (and hope) a modern racquet infused with the attributes of a classic frame. Lighter more powerful but stable and stylish. The beam shape is Pure Drive-like. It sure looks good !

Reminds me of the old YT Radical.

 

[vickan240sx]

I'm currently using a blade pro 98 18x20 v9 and have been hitting very well with it. Looking to try this racquet out/add it to my collection and I've been able to find 2 nearby in my grip size with the following specs:

1. 318g 11pts HL
2. 322g 10pts HL

I typically just add a Tourna Tuff XL overgrip.

Any suggestions on which of the 2 options to choose?

 

[Icsa]

I'm currently using a blade pro 98 18x20 v9 and have been hitting very well with it. Looking to try this racquet out/add it to my collection and I've been able to find 2 nearby in my grip size with the following specs:

1. 318g 11pts HL
2. 322g 10pts HL

I typically just add a Tourna Tuff XL overgrip.

Any suggestions on which of the 2 options to choose?

For the playtest? The Pro, however, the application is now closed. As expected, everyone applied.

 

[Icsa]

Best hope is that Federer put his feedback into the making of this racquet, not just his name on the paint. If he indeed contributed to the spec and feel, there is a good chance that it would be a good and fun racquet to play with for many.

 

[vickan240sx]

For the playtest? The Pro, however, the application is now closed. As expected, everyone applied.

Hi,

Sorry, I wasn't referring to the playtest. My apologies for not being clear. Was just a general question and specific to the 2 options that I listed.

 

[Icsa]

Hi,

Sorry, I wasn't referring to the playtest. My apologies for not being clear. Was just a general question and specific to the 2 options that I listed.

No problem, I also misread your post. My recommendation is to go with 322g 10pts HL if you like to play with it stock. If you are ok with lead customization, go with 318g 11pts HL. I'm guessing 11pts HL would be too headlight and it might lack power.

 

[Cowboy]

Best hope is that Federer put his feedback into the making of this racquet, not just his name on the paint. If he indeed contributed to the spec and feel, there is a good chance that it would be a good and fun racquet to play with for many.

He says that he did...

 

[Cowboy]

Application period is closed (wow- we had an overwhelming number of applicants- thanks to everyone that applied!). Emails will be sent out on Friday, August 9th by 5 pm PST.

 

[jlouie]

Hi,

Sorry, I wasn't referring to the playtest. My apologies for not being clear. Was just a general question and specific to the 2 options that I listed.

Did they measure the swing weight for you?

 

[vickan240sx]

Did they measure the swing weight for you?

They did not. Machine was broken.

 

[Bhagi Katbamna]

They did not. Machine was broken.

Was it made by the same company that makes the ice-cream machine for McDonald's?

 

[TennisHound]

Those things are always broken. And they never have hot fudge or peanuts

Was it made by the same company that makes the ice-cream machine for McDonald's?

 

[OEEspino]

Having seen it I can tell you it is not the traditional box frame, but if I had to guess (and hope) a modern racquet infused with the attributes of a classic frame. Lighter more powerful but stable and stylish. The beam shape is Pure Drive-like. It sure looks good !

How do you think this racket will play? Any differences in specs between the pro and 01? Or is it only weight?

 

[vickan240sx]

Did they measure the swing weight for you?

I went back to the shop again and had both racquets re-measured.

1. 319g 9pts HL
2. 321g 9pts HL

Swing weights for both racquets came in ~298g unstrung with Option 2 having a tiny bit lighter SW than Option 1. Based on my FeelyCraft, Option 1 felt a bit more HH compared to Option 2.

 

[A_Instead]

Ultra line is bye bye..

 

[OEEspino]

@TW Staff specs posted anywhere? Wouldn’t want to apply to a review a racquet I would never use.

I mean if they send you the racket, it should come with the specs

 

[BBender716]

Ultra line is bye bye..

God willing, tbh.

 

[mikejen10]

I've read that the Pro has a genuine leather grip while the others have a leather coloured synthetic grip, and you can also purchase it separately, comes in a black package with more RF branding, not sure if they meant both the leather and synthetic or not

Glad I'm able to handle weighting it up to RF specs if needed, don't think I can gel with a 6pts HL strung specs but interesting one to try once again

Different string spacing, might boil down to preference, I never liked the spacing on the regular Pro Staff originally introduced in the V13 model

I'm assuming this provides more spin potential straight off than the V14 based on the marketing and geometry.

This still looks like a Shift type hoop, mixed with a Whiteout type taper viewed from face-on between the hoop and shaft, and Pure Strike-ish design elements in the throat to me

If Roger wanted more speed and versatility on the forehand side, he could have just stopped wrapping his overgrip all the way to the top and stopped somewhere above his hand or close to the top ala Stan since he has a one-hander, have P1 then customise so the weighting stays the same, or could also have gone down a grip size but stayed the same where he held the racquet if he really wanted too

This racket plays a lot better then v13. I got alot more spin. The racket feels soild like RFv13 but lighter. I love it for my backhand slice and one handed backhand. It is great for serving too. The only thing I like better on the RF v13 was the volleys

 

[mikejen10]

I have the RF 01 Pro 320grams strung with Re string zero

 

[Rally]

This racket plays a lot better then v13. I got alot more spin. The racket feels soild like RFv13 but lighter. I love it for my backhand slice and one handed backhand. It is great for serving too. The only thing I like better on the RF v13 was the volleys

How is it on the forehand? Does it feel as sweet as a Pro Staff 90 or 85, or at the very least sweeter than the RF97? As much as I love my RF97s on OHBH and volleys, I put it down because I love my forehand more, and the 90 and 85 are just perfection on that shot.

 

[mikejen10]

How is it on the forehand? Does it feel as sweet as a Pro Staff 90 or 85, or at the very least sweeter than the RF97? As much as I love my RF97s on OHBH and volleys, I put it down because I love my forehand more, and the 90 and 85 are just perfection on that shot.

It feels like the 90

 

[Rally]

It feels like the 90

Wow that is a big statement. I really want to try hitting with an RF 01 Pro now.

 

[Devil_dog]

Good luck to those who will soon get their hands on a RF! I was fortunate enough to hit with all three and I had a great time with them. I really enjoyed the 320 but I really liked the 300 version the most. The 280 was nice too but for a straight out of the box experience the 300 was my preferred stick of all 3. The RFs made my slice backhand feel like Roger was guiding my shot for me. Sublime. But overall really nice power, decent action and fairly stable all around. Very quick too. Best of luck to all and enjoy!

 

[jwocky]

TW Review:

Wilson Pages:
RF 01 Future

RF 01

RF 01 Pro