Wilson x RF Aug 8, 2024

[Katzenjammer]

One thing that's curious to me. I have never liked logos on anything; and shy away from any gear/clothing that has it displayed prominently. And by extension, one of the things that truly bewilders me is seeing a grown man walking around with a shirt that has their sports hero's name on it. I sorta get it, but past the age of -- say -- 15 or so, it has a very weird vibe, imo.

I might try this racquet; but the one thing going against it is the RF branding everywhere. But maybe the racquet is so good I won't care.

But pros, I imagine, will care. It's hard to imagine a pro player on tour walking around with a RF racquet and gear.

 

[codonnell]

That is too high for me. 63 is my max. Pro rackets should be big on feel, and 65+ does not provide feel.

I actually like feeling of the 65-67 racquets A bit. More feel then your ultra stiff racquets but not too mushy like the high 50 low 60 frames. This frame is also foam filled which may help with that feeling/response .

 

[Alcawrath]

One thing that's curious to me. I have never liked logos on anything; and shy away from any gear/clothing that has it displayed prominently. And by extension, one of the things that truly bewilders me is seeing a grown man walking around with a shirt that has their sports hero's name on it. I sorta get it, but past the age of -- say -- 15 or so, it has a very weird vibe, imo.

I might try this racquet; but the one thing going against it is the RF branding everywhere. But maybe the racquet is so good I won't care.

But pros, I imagine, will care. It's hard to imagine a pro player on tour walking around with a RF racquet and gear.

I would agree if he weren't retired, but Jordan paved the way here in the basketball space. Pros can be seen wearing jumpman branded gear and it's not an issue. I'm hoping Roger has a similar trajectory in the tennis world.

 

[curtstead]

 

[Dishiki]

One thing that's curious to me. I have never liked logos on anything; and shy away from any gear/clothing that has it displayed prominently. And by extension, one of the things that truly bewilders me is seeing a grown man walking around with a shirt that has their sports hero's name on it. I sorta get it, but past the age of -- say -- 15 or so, it has a very weird vibe, imo.

I might try this racquet; but the one thing going against it is the RF branding everywhere. But maybe the racquet is so good I won't care.

But pros, I imagine, will care. It's hard to imagine a pro player on tour walking around with a RF racquet and gear.

Castore did with Andy Murray. His line says AMC. Unless you are a die hard you wouldn't even know. If the RF line made high quality polos, then I would buy them. No different than buying Peter Millar.

 

[pico]

Sounds like the CX 200 Powergrid tech when they mention being denser in the middle.

 

[ollinger]

But pros, I imagine, will care. It's hard to imagine a pro player on tour walking around with a RF racquet and gear.

Not hard to imagine at all. Before graphite racquets became the norm, a great many pros played with the Jack Kramer Autograph racquet (a tremendously popular frame) that was festooned with his signature. Shortly after, the Wilson Stan Smith Autograph racquet was used by many pros including John McEnroe and Chris Evert (who subsequently used the Chris Evert Autograph model). I think the Stan Smith Adidas autograph model tennis shoes may still be available a half century after his career, though they are more practical for casual wear these days.

 

[elsk]

Interesting, the difference between the 01 and 01 pro seems to be just 20 grams. 10 grams from the addition of a leather grip and 10 grams in the frame. Looking at th TW specs the other difference is in the flex, 64 vs 67.
What is going on here? Is the layup actually different to cause this flex? Is this just QC? Perhaps the pro rackets came off a different line.

I'd probably go for the 300g stick and weight it up but the difference in flex has me worried that there is more than just a weight difference betweent the two. Any thoughts?

 

[eric42]

PK already made this racquet in 1990.

https://imgur.com/a/8e7cIRH

 

[sureshs]

I actually like feeling if the 65-67 racquets. A bit. More feel then your ultra stiff racquets but not too mushy like the high 50 low 60 frames. This frame is also foam filled which may help with that feeling/response .

Which frame do you say is foam filled?

 

[danbrenner]

either way. i have both the pro and the 01 on the way. to demo

 

[A_Instead]

The question is ..?? Will Blade users switch the the RF..

 

[dl32]

Interesting, the difference between the 01 and 01 pro seems to be just 20 grams. 10 grams from the addition of a leather grip and 10 grams in the frame. Looking at th TW specs the other difference is in the flex, 64 vs 67.
What is going on here? Is the layup actually different to cause this flex? Is this just QC? Perhaps the pro rackets came off a different line.

I'd probably go for the 300g stick and weight it up but the difference in flex has me worried that there is more than just a weight difference betweent the two. Any thoughts?

RA higher by design on the Pro is what was stated.

 

[Grafil Injection]

Which frame do you say is foam filled?

All models are described as having 'foam throughout the racket'.

 

[leojramirez]

I'll let you know, ordered the 300g version. Blade v9 100 user.
I once did the overnight queue (camping tents) for Wimbledon just to see Roger in Centre Court. Guess I was an easy for this release.

The question is ..?? Will Blade users switch the the RF..

 

[Leen]

I got to play with it (300g version) compared to my ezone 98 and a v9 blade. Definitely high launch angle, similar to the v9 blade 16x19 launch angle. But coming from an ezone 98 I didn't find it super hard to control, needed to get used to it though

How's the spin and power difference between the ezone and the RF300. I'm coming from the ezone thinking of the 300g.

 

[A_Instead]

Unless I missed it in the TW review I didn't hear any reference to the Blade..???
Likely there will be over 1000 videos in the Social by Sunday..
It will be compared to everything I am sure..
But only a few have earned creditability as a reviewer compared to an influencer..

 

[Fluffy_Skye]

Is the RF series replacing the Pro Staff series or existing in parallel?

 

[aaron_h27]

This racket seems very similar to the TFight ISO 315

Tecnifibre TFight ISO 315 Racquet | Tennis Warehouse

www.tennis-warehouse.com

 

[BarryG]

I just purchased the Pro. My tennis shop said all the 300’s came in under spec with 306 swing weights.

 

[Holic]

Rf98 Pro vs Pa98

Launch angle : Lower for Rf(something between Ezone98 and Pa98) but can manipulate it much better with Rf. Can easilyyyyy play high launch angle game if you want.

Power : About the same.

Spin : Less than Pa98(Not by much)

Forehand : You must have good fundamentals with both racquets. Rf and Pa98 are racquets for offensive players, when I went all out I felt much "safer" with the Rf. Both racquets destroy the ball.

2HB : Much better for Rf, could find the sweetspot easier and thus access power.

Flat - Slice serve : Rf Much easier placement and more power on both.

Kick serve : Rf Slightly harder due to weight.

Serves: On serves Rf is the type of racquet that you must not arm it, be fluid, loose and crash it.

Maneuverability : Somewhat harder than Pa98 but much easier than lets say VcoreproHD-D(which also has much thinner beam). Didnt feel exhausted at all.

Bh and Fh Slice : Amazing, skids through the court like a laser.

 

[jmysun]

Rf98 Pro vs Pa98

Launch angle : Lower for Rf(something between Ezone98 and Pa98) but can manipulate it much better with Rf. Can easilyyyyy play high launch angle game if you want.

Power : About the same.

Spin : Less than Pa98(Not by much)

Forehand : You must have good fundamentals with both racquets. Rf and Pa98 are racquets for offensive players, when I went all out I felt much "safer" with the Rf. Both racquets destroy the ball.

2HB : Much better for Rf, could find the sweetspot easier and thus access power.

Flat - Slice serve : Rf Much easier placement and more power on both.

Kick serve : Rf Slightly harder due to weight.

Serves: On serves Rf is the type of racquet that you must not arm it, be fluid, loose and crash it.

Maneuverability : Somewhat harder than Pa98 but much easier than lets say VcoreproHD-D(which also has much thinner beam). Didnt feel exhausted at all.

Bh and Fh Slice : Amazing, skids through the court like a laser.

How about the pro vs the ezone 98?

 

[jlouie]

I just purchased the Pro. My tennis shop said all the 300’s came in under spec with 306 swing weights.

Strung? I assume they mean strung for demo.

This is the problem I have w/ one of my Shift 99s, which is why I had been considering swapping to the Pro but held off in order to demo the RF 01s. One of my Shifts is 291g w/ a swing weight of 269 unstrung, and I ended up adding around 15g of lead to get it to an acceptable starting point.

 

[BarryG]

Strung? I assume they mean strung for demo.

This is the problem I have w/ one of my Shift 99s, which is why I had been considering swapping to the Pro but held off in order to demo the RF 01s. One of my Shifts is 291g w/ a swing weight of 269 unstrung, and I ended up adding around 15g of lead to get it to an acceptable starting point.

306 strung swing weight! I ended up buying a pro with a 326 swingweight. My thoughts are if the 320g static weight is too heavy, I can swap out the grip for synthetic to bring the static weight down.

 

[HitMoreBHs]

Happy birthday, Roger!

 

[Blade_X]

Take these rumours with a grain of salt. A blue PJ of RF01 will be introduced during the Laver Cup and Roger may compete on an exhibition match.

 

[what_army]

The question is ..?? Will Blade users switch the the RF..

No. Too happy with my 98 V7s and V8s at the moment.

 

[konstantinos kalfountzos]

Take these rumours with a grain of salt. A blue PJ of RF01 will be introduced during the Laver Cup and Roger may compete on an exhibition match.

There's a blue and grey RF-01 in the middle of the Wilson promo clip on a table meeting.

 

[Dishiki]

I play with a Blade Pro and have for the past 4 years. I have an RF 1 headed this way. I went with the 1, because am nervous about the RF 1 Pro specs. My Blade Pros all sit at about 340 SW and that is the sweet spot for me. I figure I can lead up the RF 1 to get it into that area, but unsure if I would be able to do that with the Pro. Should arrive on Monday so we will see.

 

[struggle]

Money grab, suckers. Wilson already has a full model lineup.

 

[lidoazndiabloboi]

Interesting, the difference between the 01 and 01 pro seems to be just 20 grams. 10 grams from the addition of a leather grip and 10 grams in the frame. Looking at th TW specs the other difference is in the flex, 64 vs 67.
What is going on here? Is the layup actually different to cause this flex? Is this just QC? Perhaps the pro rackets came off a different line.

I'd probably go for the 300g stick and weight it up but the difference in flex has me worried that there is more than just a weight difference betweent the two. Any thoughts?

I dont think a leather adds up to 10grams, maybe 5-7. The layup would have to be different in order to achieve the desired SW and also to compensate for the different balances.

 

[aaron_h27]

Money grab, suckers. Wilson already has a full model lineup.

It does seem like a money grab...why another 98 if there's already one in the line up? People want to give Federer & Wilson their cash though so I don't blame them for taking advantage of it. But a 98, 16x19, thicker beamed frame is not anything special on the market these days

 

[Ronin74]

Well I bit the bullet and ordered direct from Wilson. I had a USTA member discount code for Wilson. I got the 300g because the lower RA works better for my elbow, although I'm jealous of the Pro weight. Out the door, $235, should have it by Monday

 

[emhtennis]

PK already made this racquet in 1990.

https://imgur.com/a/8e7cIRH

I have own conspiracy theory that PK is the only company that creates new molds and then licenses them to the major brands. I have a PK Copper Ace and it looks exactly like a smaller head size Gravity tear drop - just 30 years early to the party. And it feels fantastic because of the fiberglass layup!

 

[dl32]

Measured out 2x Pro’s just now:

Unstrung:
Static 320.4 on both
Bal, 31.5 and 31.2
SW 300 and 293 respectively

I went with 31.2 Bal and 293 SW. This will be the testbed to see if this frame makes sense.

First setup will be gut/poly 130/125 @ 52/49 and second setup restring zero/sync 125/125 @ 46/44.

Will probably add 1g of lead at 12 under bumper to get SW up to 296 unstrung + 1 gram rubber band.

 

[A_Instead]

Not a conspiracy theory... but those design engineers of today were using PK as kids.. hence the perfection keeps coming back..

 

[Federerkblade]

Measured out 2x Pro’s just now:

Unstrung:
Static 320.4 on both
Bal, 31.5 and 31.2
SW 300 and 293 respectively

I went with 31.2 Bal and 293 SW. This will be the testbed to see if this frame makes sense.

First setup will be gut/poly 130/125 @ 52/49 and second setup restring zero/sync 125/125 @ 46/44.

Will probably add 1g of lead at 12 under bumper to get SW up to 296 unstrung + 1 gram rubber band.

Pls report back

Which poly cross ?

 

[aaron_h27]

Measured out 2x Pro’s just now:

Unstrung:
Static 320.4 on both
Bal, 31.5 and 31.2
SW 300 and 293 respectively

I went with 31.2 Bal and 293 SW. This will be the testbed to see if this frame makes sense.

First setup will be gut/poly 130/125 @ 52/49 and second setup restring zero/sync 125/125 @ 46/44.

Will probably add 1g of lead at 12 under bumper to get SW up to 296 unstrung + 1 gram rubber band.

twistweight?

 

[dl32]

PK already made this racquet in 1990.

https://imgur.com/a/8e7cIRH

Which model was this?

 

[Chairman3]

I have own conspiracy theory that PK is the only company that creates new molds and then licenses them to the major brands. I have a PK Copper Ace and it looks exactly like a smaller head size Gravity tear drop - just 30 years early to the party. And it feels fantastic because of the fiberglass layup!

There are always those companies that are way ahead of the curve.
Then other companies just have to dig through patents, see which are expired or about to and go from there.
I'm not even sure if molds are patented. (I don't know enough about racquet manufacturing.)

 

[dl32]

twistweight?

Don’t have that measurement

 

[dl32]

Pls report back

Which poly cross ?

Restring Sync, it’s my favorite cross for poly/poly or gut/poly

 

[eric42]

Which model was this?

https://imgur.com/a/pEFvh1C

 

[rizoto]

I really really do not get the Wilson line up. And this RF release makes everything a bit too much for basically no revolution except the reference to Roger.

Looks like we are sponsoring the marketing budget by buying these sticks

 

[chapmpe]

I play with a Blade Pro and have for the past 4 years. I have an RF 1 headed this way. I went with the 1, because am nervous about the RF 1 Pro specs. My Blade Pros all sit at about 340 SW and that is the sweet spot for me. I figure I can lead up the RF 1 to get it into that area, but unsure if I would be able to do that with the Pro. Should arrive on Monday so we will see.

interested in your feedback. I went from a RF to blade pro - 306sw unstrung - and love them but ordered a couple of these as well. Being a little quicker through the air would be nice

 

[PistolPete23]

PK already made this racquet in 1990.

https://imgur.com/a/8e7cIRH

My first thought when I saw the overall beam shape, except for the divot in the base of the throat, was that it resembled a lot of the widebody racquets in the 90s. Notably, many of the Prince racquets had very similar "aerodynamic" beam cross section. Quite amusing when I hear reviewers saying it's a modernized beam design.

 

[dgoran]

PK already made this racquet in 1990.

https://imgur.com/a/8e7cIRH

I know it was reminding me of some old molds. I was thinking prince or Fisher:

 

[Federerkblade]

Don’t have that measurement

Apprently not the highest from a reviewer …

Will need to see official specs on twu

 

[Federerkblade]

There's a blue and grey RF-01 in the middle of the Wilson promo clip on a table meeting.

What’s the link for video pls

 

[dl32]

https://imgur.com/a/pEFvh1C

Beautiful frame