Wilson x RF Aug 8, 2024

danbrenner

Legend
Again. I don’t mean to keep posting the same thing, but this line is going to have to outdo the blade 98. Because the blade is an incredible racket, but it’s a control oriented Racquet, that is a little bit low on the spin and power side. Then it’s also going to have to make more sense than going with the pro staff either the 97 or the 100. so it’s going to be very interesting to see where this line comes in at.
 
That is too high for me. 63 is my max. Pro rackets should be big on feel, and 65+ does not provide feel.
It's higher than I prefer too, 63 is a good spot, maybe 64 depending on the racquet but RA only goes so far in telling the whole picture

People felt the RF97 was too high and Roger couldn't have used that but I could always understand why he switched, based on the orig V10 model, he need the stability and I could feel a similar power-from-effort response off the stringbed, it still had a crisper aramid-ish feel to me. Before the all black v11 muted the response more, but made it more manageable which I always suspected was an accident

Anyway people are raving the normal PS 97V14 now which has a higher mid 60s RA, but much better touch and plow than the V13, and Prince Tours have a lower 60s RA but an amazing stable feel on contact, so it's possible to go either way I guess
Again. I don’t mean to keep posting the same thing, but this line is going to have to outdo the blade 98. Because the blade is an incredible racket, but it’s a control oriented Racquet, that is a little bit low on the spin and power side. Then it’s also going to have to make more sense than going with the pro staff either the 97 or the 100. so it’s going to be very interesting to see where this line comes in at.
I think this is meant to compete with the Extremes and Speeds, Pure Strikes, and Vcores more directly off a spin and power front than the Pro Staff was designed to. People could experiment with strings but this is another chance for a racquet company to sell and make money aha

Should also mention the Prince Beasts and Tfights I guess.
Edit: wow how could I also forget the Pure Aero 98 :-D I joke to myself watching Alcaraz play and win the US Open 2022 is what inspired Roger to look at what else he could change to his racquet setup looool

Looks like Shift hoop and string spacing, Whiteout hoop to shaft beam, and Pure Strike-ish throat power design elements, plus old school Vcore throat stability design (which I don't actually like the best anymore, also still don't like the name)

Better choices for this racquet's style of play based on marketing might be Pure Strike VS/97 but you have to mod, Black Ace Pro but sand and old school rectangular Head handle shape, and 2024 Ats Beast 98 possibly
What you feel is vibration frequency and not RA.
People feel the racquet bend on harder hit shots too, and well serves too for that matter, but yeah RA and stiffness profile might not be what most people are describing of as feel
 
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Sooooo... No PWS, not 340g unstrung, no box beam... hell, not even the "pseudo box beam" of the 97.

So what makes this a Pro Staff? (From what I understand, this is supposed to assume the Pro Staff line when it's released...)
 
Maybe it will be a little like the Prince Tour 95, textreme version onwards. Doesn't have any of that either but plays very reminiscent of what one might be like, oh except the box beam-ish part

I think this is meant to play more like the Pure Aero 98, Extreme Tour, and Vcore 98 than the Pro Staff line does anyway. But taking away the RF97 with no replacement or minor changes is a punch in the gut type move

Would have wanted to go lower in static weight anyway, but normally 10g like 330g. PWS is getting too old school, don't really need it if you get the layup or frame geometry right, but for feel, it would have been better to go even more conservatively and like the Pro Staff 97S which I think is less raised but more spread out
anybody have this in hand and can post a few pics?
Wait what? Do you mean specifically anyone on this board? Can't you Google it now? There's few pics and pages floating around, 'red dit' specifically has a couple good pics
 
I don't understand why everybody assumes it will succeed the entire ProStaff line
it only replaces the RF97

About 50 players worldwide play the PS paintjob or model, so they won't bring down their most prestigious line
If it's supposed to replace the RF97, then my earlier criticism is valid once again.

It's got no PWS, not even 340, not even that "pseudo box beam".

Looks more like a repainted Ultra Pro than anything else.
 

aus89

Hall of Fame
If it's supposed to replace the RF97, then my earlier criticism is valid once again.

It's got no PWS, not even 340, not even that "pseudo box beam".

Looks more like a repainted Ultra Pro than anything else.
It doesn't "replace" the RF97 - it's a new "RF" line away from the classic ProStaff line - it is not targeting the ProStaff market or to be or erase their classic box beam style frame - it's just something new in addition.
 
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yourtennisfit

Professional
It doesn't "replace" the RF97 - it's a new "RF" line away from the classic ProStaff line - it is not targeting the ProStaff market or to be their classic box beam style frame - it's just something new in addition.

It surely does replace that, as it targets exactely that group of customers and the RF97 will no longer be made

The racket companies do not look to replace a frame with a similar one, but want to have the biggest target audience possible
So the classic Fed fan, who wants everything branded by their hero, will purchase RF01 instead of RF97
 

aus89

Hall of Fame
It surely does replace that, as it targets exactely that group of customers and the RF97 will no longer be made

The racket companies do not look to replace a frame with a similar one, but want to have the biggest target audience possible
So the classic Fed fan, who wants everything branded by their hero, will purchase RF01 instead of RF97
It replaces it in the sense of a RF branded racquet but it is not a replacement for the heaviest classic beamed Pro Staff racquet - it is a new modern frame that is Federer specific - not a replacement for any prostaff model
 

kunos

Rookie
I'm so torn on whether I should buy this racquet.
I'm hitting fine with the Ezone but man, it's hard to say no to an all black racquet.

hahah so true. Some pages back I wrote "who's going to buy this?".. but now I am checking TWE to see if it's there every morning :D :D :D
 
Meanwhile no one has been checking other brands pages like Prince lol
I can’t seem to find a link to the specs someone had posted a few days ago minus the flex rating

Weight
Balance
Sw
I think the posts and links may have been wiped. Like when I try to open that Swedish link, it comes up with a 404 error. That may have been an e tennis link?

Anyway, only a couple days left to wait, someone on here with a username starting with 'G' posted a couple sample specs

Balance of about 32cm for both 300g 01 and Pro, the other measured specs was about of a surprise, Wilson QC might be at play, hard to tell right now

RF01 300:
303 SW
320g Static
62 RA

RF01 Pro 320:
332 SW
342g Static
67 RA

Recall having heard now the 300 is felt a little softer to those who tried it, obviously not quite as stable as the 320g Pro but hard to say what the layup difference might be, that 342g static weight and difference in SW is suspicious

Mods please delete if not permitted, no harm intended
 

kblades

Semi-Pro
If it’s intended to compete against the vcores, extremes, pa98, etc, then where does that leave the Shift within their lineup? I thought from a marketing perspective, that’s where they had been positioning the Shifts.
 

RichS56

New User
If it’s intended to compete against the vcores, extremes, pa98, etc, then where does that leave the Shift within their lineup? I thought from a marketing perspective, that’s where they had been positioning the Shifts.
Possible that the Shift will be gently re-positioned as a recreational/ "club player's" frame (vs. the RF01 being aimed at those with a more competitive focus)? Andy Roddick (who openly talks about how little he plays these days) makes more sense as the ambassador for the Shifts if that's the direction they're taking it
 

Rally

Professional
Meanwhile no one has been checking other brands pages like Prince lol

I think the posts and links may have been wiped. Like when I try to open that Swedish link, it comes up with a 404 error. That may have been an e tennis link?

Anyway, only a couple days left to wait, someone on here with a username starting with 'G' posted a couple sample specs

Balance of about 32cm for both 300g 01 and Pro, the other measured specs was about of a surprise, Wilson QC might be at play, hard to tell right now

RF01 300:
303 SW
320g Static
62 RA

RF01 Pro 320:
332 SW
342g Static
67 RA

Recall having heard now the 300 is felt a little softer to those who tried it, obviously not quite as stable as the 320g Pro but hard to say what the layup difference might be, that 342g static weight and difference in SW is suspicious

Mods please delete if not permitted, no harm intended
I hope the SW on the 300g is wrong because 303 is unplayable. Even $40 game improvement racquets must have at least 310 SW strung. You would have to add about 8 grams of lead on the upper hoop for it to feel playable.
 
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Alcawrath

Professional
If it’s intended to compete against the vcores, extremes, pa98, etc, then where does that leave the Shift within their lineup? I thought from a marketing perspective, that’s where they had been positioning the Shifts.
A gimmick? This is a great question, but the shift just doesn't play like a vcore, extreme, or aero
 

Djinn

Semi-Pro
Meanwhile no one has been checking other brands pages like Prince lol

I think the posts and links may have been wiped. Like when I try to open that Swedish link, it comes up with a 404 error. That may have been an e tennis link?

Anyway, only a couple days left to wait, someone on here with a username starting with 'G' posted a couple sample specs

Balance of about 32cm for both 300g 01 and Pro, the other measured specs was about of a surprise, Wilson QC might be at play, hard to tell right now

RF01 300:
303 SW
320g Static
62 RA

RF01 Pro 320:
332 SW
342g Static
67 RA

Recall having heard now the 300 is felt a little softer to those who tried it, obviously not quite as stable as the 320g Pro but hard to say what the layup difference might be, that 342g static weight and difference in SW is suspicious

Mods please delete if not permitted, no harm intended

These SW seem off to me, I don’t think those can both be strung or unstrung. If strung, then the 300g version is like 270 SW unstrung? If unstrung, then 320g version is like 370+ SW strung? Makes no sense.

The 300 version will be 302 sw strung ?

I doubt it. Those SW don’t make any sense. See my above post.
 

kblades

Semi-Pro
A gimmick? This is a great question, but the shift just doesn't play like a vcore, extreme, or aero
Oh, I totally agree it doesn’t play like any of them haha…but strictly from a marketing standpoint, I felt like that was the audience they were targeting with the release of the Shift.
 

tele

Hall of Fame
These SW seem off to me, I don’t think those can both be strung or unstrung. If strung, then the 300g version is like 270 SW unstrung? If unstrung, then 320g version is like 370+ SW strung? Makes no sense.



I doubt it. Those SW don’t make any sense. See my above post.
i am guessing the average swingweight will be higher than 270unstrung, but due to qc, some will dip that low.
 

Chairman3

Hall of Fame
Folks.....

THIS IS NOT A PRO STAFF.

The messaging from Wilson is to completely distance it from the Pro Staff and not even compare them.
This isn't a replacement, isn't an evolution of, it has nothing to do with the Pro Staff, it is a whole new line.

So, don't get upset about it having no PWS, not being a box beam, and having an elliptical, thicker beam.
It isn't a Pro Staff, naturally it won't share anything with the Pro Staff.

That is all, some seem confused, wanted to clear it up.
 

Federerkblade

Hall of Fame
Folks.....

THIS IS NOT A PRO STAFF.

The messaging from Wilson is to completely distance it from the Pro Staff and not even compare them.
This isn't a replacement, isn't an evolution of, it has nothing to do with the Pro Staff, it is a whole new line.

So, don't get upset about it having no PWS, not being a box beam, and having an elliptical, thicker beam.
It isn't a Pro Staff, naturally it won't share anything with the Pro Staff.

That is all, some seem confused, wanted to clear it up.
Nice have you had a chance to play test if so how was it
 
I hope the SW on the 300g is wrong because 303 is unplayable. Even $40 game improvement racquets must have at least 310 SW strung. You would have to add about 8 grams of lead on the upper hoop for it to feel playable.
Ooops I assumed most people on here would have seen the other thread before it was deleted, the specs are strung with an overgrip, one part I also forgot, measurement of SW is likely off due to QC, I think most people said they tried the Pro and the 300 felt good but a little light in the head, 310 SW seems right
Oh, I totally agree it doesn’t play like any of them haha…but strictly from a marketing standpoint, I felt like that was the audience they were targeting with the release of the Shift.
For those who tried them at least, they said it played like a Shift but better, someone said it just felt right, like a Shift and a Blade had a baby, or a Shift with a thicker Blade type shaft
Slightly larger head with a thicker beam doesn't scream one hander to me. :unsure:
Same to me but maybe it's like the old Ezone Ai/Dr 98, people with a one-hander can definitely make those work
 
Folks.....

THIS IS NOT A PRO STAFF.

The messaging from Wilson is to completely distance it from the Pro Staff and not even compare them.
This isn't a replacement, isn't an evolution of, it has nothing to do with the Pro Staff, it is a whole new line.

So, don't get upset about it having no PWS, not being a box beam, and having an elliptical, thicker beam.
It isn't a Pro Staff, naturally it won't share anything with the Pro Staff.

That is all, some seem confused, wanted to clear it up.
Got it so this is exactly like when they modernised a Pro Staff 90 with an elliptic type hoop and thicker beam, they would get an Ezone Ai/Dr 98, which is something only I seem to believe and push

Awesome, I'm good with that. Send one to me now. :)

Joking aside, I actually wonder if this will be like what a Blade 93 if you modernised it to a thicker 100 headsize, tweener spec, would be like a Beast 100. It doesn't look like it at first, but after I tried one for 1st time after staying away from it after trying out the 98, I can totally see it. It can work for a one-hander too. It'll be close but not much different than a Speed.

Anyway, if people are to be believed, this plays like a better version of the Shift mixed with a Blade, some said the Pro felt like an Ezone 98 Tour but better, not hollow feeling. Which sounds good
 

Fed Kennedy

Legend
Slightly larger head with a thicker beam doesn't scream one hander to me. :unsure:

363-F858-E-8529-4-C1-C-A0-E5-265-B1-AC736-E2.jpg
 

Fed Kennedy

Legend
Folks.....

THIS IS NOT A PRO STAFF.

The messaging from Wilson is to completely distance it from the Pro Staff and not even compare them.
This isn't a replacement, isn't an evolution of, it has nothing to do with the Pro Staff, it is a whole new line.

So, don't get upset about it having no PWS, not being a box beam, and having an elliptical, thicker beam.
It isn't a Pro Staff, naturally it won't share anything with the Pro Staff.

That is all, some seem confused, wanted to clear it up.
So you’re saying its not a pro staff???
:p :p :p
 
Gasquet - Instinct Tour XL - 100 sq. inch. and a beam of 23-25-21mm.
Good example, though he has a very unique setup with that massive amount of weight at the buttcap proves it's definitely workable, might not feel as classic or sweet but can't argue with results

I looked at my Beast 100 spec, it's 25.5 or 26mm at its widest measurement depending where you look :cry:

Glad it has a taper to 22m, you kinda feel it but it works better than a Pure Aero or Vcore 100 for sure, basically the same as a Tour 100 frame, Gasquet has a better spec of 21mm though damnit
 
This line feels more like Roger wanted something for everyone and the next generation specifically that wants to play like him so it doesn't sound like they're going that way but it is business.

The newer Pro Staff line and molds always looked like they started with what would work best for Roger specifically, then make lighter versions but sticking with the 97 mould almost exclusively, which didn't seem to work once you took the weight off. Until you got to the worse-looking V14 model with the altered string spacing, which sounds like what Wilson did with the 2014 PS90 with parallel drilling before it was discontinued, though I haven't read or hope Wilson is stopping the Pro Staff line, doesn't sound like it
Could just be the lighting, but it looks like the "Pro" version is all black and the other two have silver at the top of the hoop?
I think you're right with the lighting and they still have a bit of silver at the top, maybe the next design brief from Wilson across the next update of lines
The pro heavier one having a leather grip will make the grip size slightly smaller ?
Have read that the leather to still a little thinner again than the synthetic ones so I guess
 

danbrenner

Legend
Were all eagerly anticipating these sticks. and their reviews. does it make more sense than a blade. does it have its own merits over a pro staff. well see. its gotta sit between the two. because if it doesnt it will be for naught.
 
Folks.....

THIS IS NOT A PRO STAFF.

The messaging from Wilson is to completely distance it from the Pro Staff and not even compare them.
This isn't a replacement, isn't an evolution of, it has nothing to do with the Pro Staff, it is a whole new line.

So, don't get upset about it having no PWS, not being a box beam, and having an elliptical, thicker beam.
It isn't a Pro Staff, naturally it won't share anything with the Pro Staff.

That is all, some seem confused, wanted to clear it up.
Agreed, it isn't a Pro Staff, it's just a repainted Ultra Pro.
 
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