ChanterRacquet
Professional
Composition 101: helps to tell people what you’re writing about at the beginning
Tennis Warehouse Playtest: Wilson RF 01 Family
- Thread starter TW Staff
- Start date
dgoran
Hall of Fame
Just for youSo I played with(Obviously RF 01 Pro come on lol are we RF Minions or not
) for about an hour (one set ) and
’s basically weighted pure drive 98.
Mine was strung with vs guy 130 and Alu rough 125 at 57. I wishwas 60lb at times it’s too much power imho combines with aero beamflies too quickly. Maybe after few matches I would get use tobut this was exactly why I sold pure drive 98 it was too stiff to quick off the stringbed.
Maybe because I got use to prestige pro dwell time lately this new Ed pro felt like I had nanosecond on the stringbed.
I used ps85 Asian k90 us k90 original rf97 back in a day but gave up those for various reasons. Any YouTube review that even mention those in comparison is delusional. IMHO best Wilson racquet these days for my taste is blade pro and blade 98.
tophersuwita
Rookie
Imo too much competition for 300-305 g 98 rackets so I personally think if you want this specific line, the Pro version should be the first to be tested. If you like it but find it too unforgiving, then move to the regular?
All depends. With the 300, even the 280, if you have the customization skill, you can apply weight exactly how you like, and craft the swing mechanics (via MGR/I and recoil weight tuning) to a much greater extent and still have a reasonably easy-to-play spec. Then again, if you're just a pickup-and-play type of player, then perhaps the Pro is your jam. And of course, there's always the argument that having the extra mass baked in from the start is superior than adding it on afterwards. Ultimately, it just comes to personal preference.
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Smecz
Professional
Without players with a one-handed backhand, no matter what new racket they create, it won't be the same.!
A certain era has probably ended, the lack of 1Ohb players on tour, it will be uninteresting and boring.
Pro staff played mostly with one hand, so is there any point in continuing this series?!
Maybe it's good that Wilson is slowly cutting himself off from Pro Staff, and creating new creations for 2HB, who will continue to dominate the tour.!!!
A certain era has probably ended, the lack of 1Ohb players on tour, it will be uninteresting and boring.
Pro staff played mostly with one hand, so is there any point in continuing this series?!
Maybe it's good that Wilson is slowly cutting himself off from Pro Staff, and creating new creations for 2HB, who will continue to dominate the tour.!!!
Sardines
Hall of Fame
I played for almost 5 hours with a blacked out demo of the RF01 Pro about 1.5 months ago. It was strung with champion's choice @ 59lbs gut mains, 56lbs Alu rough, which had about 3-4 hrs play, so the strings were a bit worn by the time I got it. So those snapped after 2 more hours, then restrung the next session with Eco Spin @ 52/50.
I played with the original PS85 in college, then switched to PS90, then 6.1 95 16x18, then RF97A, then switched to the SV98+, and lately still testing the '22 EZ98+ as a replacement for the SV98+. My usual specs are 345ish SW, 342ish g weight, 32.6cm(7.1 pt) balance.
The RF01P Blacked out Spec: 328SW, 333g, 32.1g (5.5 pt) balance
Tennis experience/background: Former D1 College player, now occasionally ITF Masters. Eastern semi-western forehand, single backhand.
Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): Aggressive All court
-Groundstrokes: Off the ground, the RF01P reminded me of the CX200, where the center of string pattern is also tighter. So it was nice warming up and hitting through, with that somewhat familiar WIlson feel. Once game play started, I had difficulty getting a consistent stroke for balls mid chest high and aboce, because I'd be hitting a little around the stringbed and the string pattern reacts differently depending on where the ball lands. It was also a bit wobbly when I hit past the 6 mains on topspin drives. When I flattened the shot, it reacted better. Where it becomes a nice stick is when I am more precise with hitting a little less spin and more drive. Even then, once I hit outside the sweet zone, the racquet face would wobble a bit, but then again I'm used to 14.3+ twist weights. I was enjoying the snap on topspin drives from knee and below balls, but lower flat drives were effective too.
-Volleys: Good feel on the volleys, though not as stable as the RF97A, but noticeably faster to move so volleys stayed crisp. The lighter feel also lets me carve the ball a little more. Also nice on the overheads, where the quicker swing allows snap for spin.
-Serve returns: Returns is where I missed the plow of higher swing weights. I had to back up a bit to get a bit more swing at the ball, and the less stable frame was harder to drive a topspin return short angled consistently. Also block/bunt returns against hard serves have good feel, but felt a little wobbler, and the lighter weight allowed a little more wrist flick. I hit one forehard return stretched out with better aggression, than my usual block guide to a general direction, but the lower stability also gave less ball control.
-Serves: Being 8 years older since I played with the RF97, I felt RF01P allowed more spin on the ball, but I didn't get the groove on the service spots. The wilson feel allowed me to sort of know where I hit the strings, and I would need a lot more time to dial in the serves. My deuce wide serves were good, but high kick serves were not a high kicking as my SV98+ or even the EZ98+, because of the string pattern. When I tried to hit out on the serves, the head speed made for good serves when I connected right, but it needed to be hit on a slight different part of the stringbed vs the SV/EZ. When the string snapped in the RF01P, I went back to the SV98+, and the easier power and plow showed me the RF01P needs a bit of longer stroke to generate pace/spin.
Comments on racquet performance in each area (should be 2-3 sentences minimum)
Power/Control-The power levels when you swing out is very decent, more than the RF97, but allows a bit more spin because it's lighter. That lightness creates racquet head speed. However, that lightness also works against the RF01P, because once the pace really picks up, there isn't as much plow on short strokes. So very short flicks lack a little speed and depth.
Top Spin/Slice-The differential in swing weight allows players to accelerate over or under the ball, but there is a little more instability, especially in the upper half of the hoop.
Comfort- It does play a little stiffer than the RF97, despite the RA, but is never harsh. I'm accustomed to stiffer sticks and the off center hits have no harshness.
Feel- The feel is not the classic Wilson Pro Staff, but a "modern" interpretation of good feel like the Angell T100 or TF range. Good feel on the ball due to the gut hybrid, especially when serving and hitting with spin.
Maneuverability- The handling of the frame is much like how I felt when I switched to a 18g lighter SV98+ from the RF97. It is easier to wrist flick balls on the rise, volley hard passing shots and heavy balls.
Stability- Generally decent stability but nothing outstanding. Out of fun, I tried to be whippy with the RF01P, and outside the medium sweet spot, it was not the most stable of sticks.
General reaction/comments on overall performance:
The RF01P is an interesting evolution from the PS line. Trying to modernize a traditional frame is not easy. Since I'm more of a fanboy of the specs and feel than RF, I personally don't think it's that special. It has more feel than the EZ98T, but not the stability or sweet zone. It is by no means unstable, but I'm accustomed to very stable high weight frames. It does have a bit easier power due to the stiffer frame, but lower launch angle off the sweet spot and inconsistent stringbed performance.
I played with the original PS85 in college, then switched to PS90, then 6.1 95 16x18, then RF97A, then switched to the SV98+, and lately still testing the '22 EZ98+ as a replacement for the SV98+. My usual specs are 345ish SW, 342ish g weight, 32.6cm(7.1 pt) balance.
The RF01P Blacked out Spec: 328SW, 333g, 32.1g (5.5 pt) balance
Tennis experience/background: Former D1 College player, now occasionally ITF Masters. Eastern semi-western forehand, single backhand.
Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): Aggressive All court
-Groundstrokes: Off the ground, the RF01P reminded me of the CX200, where the center of string pattern is also tighter. So it was nice warming up and hitting through, with that somewhat familiar WIlson feel. Once game play started, I had difficulty getting a consistent stroke for balls mid chest high and aboce, because I'd be hitting a little around the stringbed and the string pattern reacts differently depending on where the ball lands. It was also a bit wobbly when I hit past the 6 mains on topspin drives. When I flattened the shot, it reacted better. Where it becomes a nice stick is when I am more precise with hitting a little less spin and more drive. Even then, once I hit outside the sweet zone, the racquet face would wobble a bit, but then again I'm used to 14.3+ twist weights. I was enjoying the snap on topspin drives from knee and below balls, but lower flat drives were effective too.
-Volleys: Good feel on the volleys, though not as stable as the RF97A, but noticeably faster to move so volleys stayed crisp. The lighter feel also lets me carve the ball a little more. Also nice on the overheads, where the quicker swing allows snap for spin.
-Serve returns: Returns is where I missed the plow of higher swing weights. I had to back up a bit to get a bit more swing at the ball, and the less stable frame was harder to drive a topspin return short angled consistently. Also block/bunt returns against hard serves have good feel, but felt a little wobbler, and the lighter weight allowed a little more wrist flick. I hit one forehard return stretched out with better aggression, than my usual block guide to a general direction, but the lower stability also gave less ball control.
-Serves: Being 8 years older since I played with the RF97, I felt RF01P allowed more spin on the ball, but I didn't get the groove on the service spots. The wilson feel allowed me to sort of know where I hit the strings, and I would need a lot more time to dial in the serves. My deuce wide serves were good, but high kick serves were not a high kicking as my SV98+ or even the EZ98+, because of the string pattern. When I tried to hit out on the serves, the head speed made for good serves when I connected right, but it needed to be hit on a slight different part of the stringbed vs the SV/EZ. When the string snapped in the RF01P, I went back to the SV98+, and the easier power and plow showed me the RF01P needs a bit of longer stroke to generate pace/spin.
Comments on racquet performance in each area (should be 2-3 sentences minimum)
Power/Control-The power levels when you swing out is very decent, more than the RF97, but allows a bit more spin because it's lighter. That lightness creates racquet head speed. However, that lightness also works against the RF01P, because once the pace really picks up, there isn't as much plow on short strokes. So very short flicks lack a little speed and depth.
Top Spin/Slice-The differential in swing weight allows players to accelerate over or under the ball, but there is a little more instability, especially in the upper half of the hoop.
Comfort- It does play a little stiffer than the RF97, despite the RA, but is never harsh. I'm accustomed to stiffer sticks and the off center hits have no harshness.
Feel- The feel is not the classic Wilson Pro Staff, but a "modern" interpretation of good feel like the Angell T100 or TF range. Good feel on the ball due to the gut hybrid, especially when serving and hitting with spin.
Maneuverability- The handling of the frame is much like how I felt when I switched to a 18g lighter SV98+ from the RF97. It is easier to wrist flick balls on the rise, volley hard passing shots and heavy balls.
Stability- Generally decent stability but nothing outstanding. Out of fun, I tried to be whippy with the RF01P, and outside the medium sweet spot, it was not the most stable of sticks.
General reaction/comments on overall performance:
The RF01P is an interesting evolution from the PS line. Trying to modernize a traditional frame is not easy. Since I'm more of a fanboy of the specs and feel than RF, I personally don't think it's that special. It has more feel than the EZ98T, but not the stability or sweet zone. It is by no means unstable, but I'm accustomed to very stable high weight frames. It does have a bit easier power due to the stiffer frame, but lower launch angle off the sweet spot and inconsistent stringbed performance.
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Have you modded it to maybe 335sw, or higher? 333g strung, w/o overgrip I'm guessing -> -18g for 1.30 gut hybrid = 315g unstrung
328sw means constant drive through, and almost constant giving pace and high/est rhs, like Alcaraz or Sinner, blocking not so much
It was very difficult for me to go from RF97A slowly down, to settle with Aero VS, at 327sw or so, took some years
Sardines
Hall of Fame
I was just play testing it on a dare to try it and "not fall in love with it". It also depends on who I am playing against. It has the nice feel but the stringbed response was not to my liking. And I'm not a collector of sticks. It is a pity because knowing Wilson, despite the QC issues, they did keep the design relatively the same for the RF97, and I assume it would be the same for the RF series. So I didn't mind trying to like it, but it doesn't work for me.
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It absolutely would.
Sardines
Hall of Fame
From my experience with a leaded PS97 vs RF97 and leaded EZ98 vs EZ98T, it does not really feel or hit the same. Much of the extra weight is in the grip, but also a better weight distribution in the hoop of the weight. Unless you wrap weights around the hoop, it will have a bit of difference in parts of the stringbed. I would try the pro first, before doing both. If you feel there is instability, then try the RF01 and customizing it.
I think you have the balance backwards. 32.6cm is around 5pts HL, and 32.1cm is around 7pts HL.
TennisHound
Legend
Yep, exactly what I was thinking
It sounds like they all are platform frames to an extent.
NguyenieThePoo
New User
So I wasn't part of the playtest, but I bought an RF 01 just for the sake of having it. It's pretty nice after some lead. Coming from the Prince ATS 98, this gives me the extra amount of shape on the ball that I was missing without needing to adjust my swing mechanics. The ball dips pretty aggressively at the end, and I'm finding it's hard for me to miss. Obviously, more time is needed to experiment with lead placements and break past that "honeymoon phase," but so far it's been a successful first weekend. Strung with Hyper G 1.20mm at 45x42 with a 10% pre-stretch.
Thanks for comparing it to the RF97. Would you mind also adding some notes on comparisons to the PS85 and PS90?
tophersuwita
Rookie
So is there any new review about the Pro play test?
Excellent. Maybe I trouble you to list your customization materials, locations and amounts? And as much of the unstrung and/or strung spec, if you've measured?
Alcawrath
Professional
Based on the emails, they will be sending/shipping out racquets within this week. I'm hoping to receive my play test racquet by the end of next week. As soon as I get my play test racquet I'll post some initial thoughts and impressions!
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
I'd like to hear a comparison between the RF01 Pro and the PSV14. People keep comparing the RF01 Pro to the RF97. Why? They're not even close in spec comparison. They're two totally different rackets. So who cares how the RF97 compares. Compare it to something closer in specs.
Also curious to hear this comparison
JEDI MASTER
Professional
I added 4g to my 01.. and got it around 323 SW..
Big_Dangerous
Talk Tennis Guru
Well, obviously they would because Federer Co-Designed the Rf97A and used it from 2014 to the end of his career. So with this new version, people will want to see how it compares to the RF97A.
I purchased two RF-01 Pros when released direct from Wilson. I'm a strong 4.0 player 4.5-5.0 on a really good day, and have played with the RF97 since 2014. I utilize gut mains and poly crosses strung at 58lbs main and 56lbs crosses. My bread and butter strings are babolat vs touch and lux element crosses, although ALU Power is still a good setup but they just dont last as long as the element does IMO.
Racquet #1 Weight Strung with Overgrip is 345g, balance 315mm
Racquet #2 Weight Strung with Overgrip is 338g, balance 322mm
Both racquets play very well from the baseline, however the difference in balance is noticeable in volleys, serves, and backhands due to feel of timing.
Launch angle is very similar to the RF97A, more spin and racquet head speed from the RF-01s.
Feel is dare I say, almost identical to the RF97A mostly due to the foam filling. The feel is not exact to the RF97A, but I could see why Fed would have moved to the RF-01 Pro whilst not sacrificing the feel he's had for many years.
Now for serving, I was pleasantly surprised. Power was easy to generate, point and shoot was same as the RF97A, lighter weight enabled more aggressive second serving. The balance/weight difference is the MOST noticeable on serves for me from the RF97A, wilson quality control at its best with the differences in weight/balance on the RF-01 Pros.
I've tried many different racquets over the last 10 years, Yonex 330g, Yonex Percept 97H, Tecnifibre TFight 305 customized to RF97A specs, and every time I found myself coming back to the RF97A.
With the RF-01 Pro, I don't see myself going back to the RF97A... less overall weight with better spin, more margins, easier power generation, almost the same feel, and simply more forgiving.
Likely will be ordering 2-4 more so I can have them for years to come.
Racquet #1 Weight Strung with Overgrip is 345g, balance 315mm
Racquet #2 Weight Strung with Overgrip is 338g, balance 322mm
Both racquets play very well from the baseline, however the difference in balance is noticeable in volleys, serves, and backhands due to feel of timing.
Launch angle is very similar to the RF97A, more spin and racquet head speed from the RF-01s.
Feel is dare I say, almost identical to the RF97A mostly due to the foam filling. The feel is not exact to the RF97A, but I could see why Fed would have moved to the RF-01 Pro whilst not sacrificing the feel he's had for many years.
Now for serving, I was pleasantly surprised. Power was easy to generate, point and shoot was same as the RF97A, lighter weight enabled more aggressive second serving. The balance/weight difference is the MOST noticeable on serves for me from the RF97A, wilson quality control at its best with the differences in weight/balance on the RF-01 Pros.
I've tried many different racquets over the last 10 years, Yonex 330g, Yonex Percept 97H, Tecnifibre TFight 305 customized to RF97A specs, and every time I found myself coming back to the RF97A.
With the RF-01 Pro, I don't see myself going back to the RF97A... less overall weight with better spin, more margins, easier power generation, almost the same feel, and simply more forgiving.
Likely will be ordering 2-4 more so I can have them for years to come.
Thank you for this nice review..!
Hoping for some advice from those who have hit RF 01...below are my choices. I prefer strung sw to be in the 315-320 range and prefer to not have to add lead and just play stock. What would you go with? I'm leaning toward 5 or 8. My concern is I don't want to end up with something too tip heavy and have it feel like a blade balance, but also want enough SW to have stability. Do these tapered beam racquets swing faster than a standard box beam at same SW? So say a 290sw RF 01 vs same SW blade the RF would swing faster and feel more maneuverable?
I usually string with16g gut/poly hybrid.
Thanks,
R1- Weight: 300g Balance: 10 pts Swing weight: 277 kg*sq. cm
R2- Weight: 300g Balance: 9 pts Swing weight: 280 kg*sq. cm
R3- Weight: 299g Balance: 9 pts Swing weight: 278 kg*sq. cm
R4- Weight: 305g Balance: 7 pts Swing weight: 293 kg*sq. cm
R5- Weight: 300g Balance: 7 pts Swing weight: 290 kg*sq. cm
R6- Weight: 301g Balance: 10 pts Swing weight: 280 kg*sq. cm
R7- Weight: 305g Balance: 10 pts Swing weight: 282 kg*sq. cm
R8- Weight: 300g Balance: 8 pts Swing weight: 284 kg*sq. cm
I usually string with16g gut/poly hybrid.
Thanks,
R1- Weight: 300g Balance: 10 pts Swing weight: 277 kg*sq. cm
R2- Weight: 300g Balance: 9 pts Swing weight: 280 kg*sq. cm
R3- Weight: 299g Balance: 9 pts Swing weight: 278 kg*sq. cm
R4- Weight: 305g Balance: 7 pts Swing weight: 293 kg*sq. cm
R5- Weight: 300g Balance: 7 pts Swing weight: 290 kg*sq. cm
R6- Weight: 301g Balance: 10 pts Swing weight: 280 kg*sq. cm
R7- Weight: 305g Balance: 10 pts Swing weight: 282 kg*sq. cm
R8- Weight: 300g Balance: 8 pts Swing weight: 284 kg*sq. cm
TW Staff
Administrator
Wow! So exciting to see so many people excited for a new launch! It was one of our highest applications for a playtest ever! We sent emails and received confirmation from the selected playtesters. Congrats to those selected! The racquets will be sent out by the end of this week and will take 1-5 business days to get to you. If you weren't selected, thank you so much for your willingness to participate and don't give up. We have many more playtests on the horizon.
TW Staff
TW Staff
Icsa
Professional
Poly adds ~30 to SW. I would not worry about 5g of static weight - just pick the SW and balance you like. R5 looks good for a lightweight racquet in your preferred range. R4 doesn't look bad either.
The RF-01 non pro is rated at 319 swingweight, which is right in your range. The RF-01 Future is a lighter version. The RF-01 Pro is heavier and has a swingweight rated at 333. The difference between the blade and the RF-01 is perhaps the feel, however I have not hit with the future/non pro version of the RF-01.
#2 and #6 look to be a good pair. This is one area I wish Wilson would improve in, their quality control is all over the place.
That's a rough draw. The only ones with a decent SW will have the same balance as a Blade. The rest of them are a bit gutless in the SW department and will need some lead treatment to get in your target specs. I'd take R7 or R8 and slap 2 grams of lead at 12 o'clock. With strings and the lead, you'll be at 318-322g, 7 HL, and 316-318 SW. If you don't like looking at the lead, you could put it under the grommets on the outer side of the hoop.
Yes, but it says different stiffness ratings for pro and regular version, and that cannot be customized.
That is true. At equivalent spec, the 300 is going to flex/pocket/dwell a bit more. But overall, you'll still get roughly the same end product coming off the frame.
TwinCinema
Professional
I don’t think so, because the RF 01 isn’t a Pro Staff.
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
That’s correct, It’s not a Pro Staff at all.
SteveI
Legend
Seems more like Pure Drive or newer Head Radical MP 16 x 19.
julianokay
New User
Posted this in the other RF01 thread, but to me it felt very similar to the Dunlop FX500 Tour, just more predictable/precise stringbed and more solid feel.
KC!
Hall of Fame
My buddy bought the RF 01 & let me hit with it last night. Super whippy, I was hitting crazy forehands with it. It was pretty solid on serve too, needs weight added for the backhand. I felt like I could put the ball anywhere I wanted with it. He had it strung with Hyper G round @ 48 lbs. I would probably add 3-4 grams to 10/2 to get swing weight up closer to 330. I’d tail wait it too & get static weight up to 330. I haven’t hit the Pro, but definitely considering the 01 weighted to my liking.
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Ive got around 12 hours of time in with the RF-01 Pro. Continues to impress me and is definitely a great upgrade from my previous beloved RF97As. I just wish Wilson's quality control was tighter, such a huge gap between the two I have. I did order two more and will see where those end up end of this week.
Less overall weight, similar swing weight, same balance, more forgiving, more racquet head speed, more maneuverable, same accuracy, easier access to power.... what's not to like!
Less overall weight, similar swing weight, same balance, more forgiving, more racquet head speed, more maneuverable, same accuracy, easier access to power.... what's not to like!
StringStrungStrang
Professional
Sounds like more than a few will want to make the switch !! An easy modernization path for many RF players not wanting to leave the brand !!
Big_Dangerous
Talk Tennis Guru
Isn't the Pro noticeably less headlight than the RF97 Autograph? It seems like the specs say that the RF97A is like 10 points headlight vs 6 points on the RF01 Pro.
With an overgrip, my correctly spec'd RF-01 Pro is within 1mm of the balance if my RF97A.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Haven't heard anything about mine yet. Guessing this is a slow play test roll out.
Alcawrath
Professional
Same, I'm also in the middle west so I'm thinking it might be a while for me
