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Roger Federer’s racquet

Roger Federer’s Tennis Racquet

by TN January 26, 2018

written by TN

US Open 2019 Men's Quarter-Finals Predictions

A lot of people wonder about Roger Federer’s Tennis Racquet and if you can buy it in the stores. This post deals with Roger Federer Autograph racquet.

Roger Federer’s tennis racquet is nothing magical, but his game style and results easily make you think it is. Federer uses his own Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 Autograph racquet that you can buy in the store. He uses Champions Choice strings. If you’re interested in what racquets other ATP pros actually use…read this post about pro player racquets.

For many years, Roger Federer played with the Wilson Pro Staff 90, a 90-inch racquet with a small but efficient sweet spot. Then after his slumping results and an injury-packed 2013, he decided it was time to make the move to bigger pastures and worked together with Wilson on a new, more powerful racquet, with a bigger beam and a larger racquet head. It became the Wilson Pro Staff Roger Federer Autograph 97 (racquet names ARE getting longer!), abbreviated to the RF97A.

If you want to buy Federer’s racquet, check out one of our affiliates, Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Only, Tennis Warehouse Europe.

Roger Federer’s Racquet – A signature frame

Federer allegedly worked very closely with Wilson to create his specs and to offer them to the public, instead of using a paint job like Djokovic’s racquet and Murray’s PT630 (PT57A pro stock code) with a 16×19 string pattern for example. We still have the conspiracy theorists on the tennis forums claiming that what Federer plays with is completely different, but I really believe Federer plays with at least a very close version of the same stick that is being sold to the public. What could potentially be different is the stiffness rating as amateur retail racquets are often stiffer (pros can generate much more power with their swings), but it’s hard to be sure. According to Federer himself, he was excited by the idea that offering the public the ability to use the same racquet as he is.

Buy Roger Federer’s Gear here.

Roger Federer’s Tennis Racquet Customization and Strings

Wilson even wrote the string specs (Wilson’s Champion’s Choice) on the frame, although they didn’t add whether there is any lead tape, string savers or power pads. My guess is that he still uses string savers and power pads and I know that racquet customization company P1 customizes his handle.

The Wilson Pro Staff Federer Autograph is a racquet that requires a lot from the user, but when they bring the goods, the racquet can be a wonderful hit. Like with everything, you need to be honest with yourself if your game benefits from the weight. I’m used to heavy racquets and found it close to magical at times, but after a few sessions, I got some wrist pain that I think is either due to the wrong choice of string or the stiffness of the frame and that’s why I moved away from it the end. I do however, suggest that accomplished players give it a serious spin, it’s a racquet that can help your game if you’re eager to put the work and movement into it.

Roger Federer’s Tennis Racquet Specifications

Wilson Pro Staff Roger Federer Autograph 97

Head Size: 97 sq. in. / 625.81 sq. cm.
Length: 27in / 68.58cm
Strung Weight: 12.6oz / 357.2g
Balance: 12.38in / 31.45cm / 9 pts HL
Swingweight: 335
Stiffness: 68
Beam Width: 21.5mm / 21.5mm / 21.5mm /
Composition: Braided Kevlar & Graphite / Basalt Fibers
Power Level: Low
Stroke Style: Full
Swing Speed: Fast
Racquet Colors:Red/ Black
Grip Type: Wilson Premium Leather
String Pattern: 16 Mains / 19 Crosses
Mains skip: 7T,9T,7H,9H
One Piece
No Shared Holes
String Tension: 50-60 pounds

Federer’s actual specs (no lead added, just a slightly heavier batch)

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

Swingweight: 340

What are your thoughts about the Wilson Pro Staff 97 Roger Federer Autograph? Does it entice you? Please comment below!

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January 26, 2018 51 comments

Racquet Reviews

Comparing Angell TC 97 Custom to Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 Autograph

by TN September 5, 2017

written by TN

As most of you loyal readers know, I’ve been play-testing the Angell TC 97 Custom 18×20 for a while now and I wanted to throw in a comparison between another popular racquet: the Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 Autograph.

The reason I wanted to do this test is because the Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 Autograph is a great, best-selling racquet used and endorsed by the GOAT himself, Roger Federer, while the Angell TC 97 Custom has become a legend among a lot of racquet aficionados as a great way to get a “proper” player’s racquet made to your own specs. Now you can also get the beautiful H19-inspired Wilson Ultra Tour and lead it up, which I’ve also been testing recently.

I also wanted to compare these two racquets since the Wilson Pro Staff RF97 is a powerful, heavy racquet (stiffness rating RA 68 strung) and the Angell is quite plush around RA 62 and more of a control and feel-oriented racquet.

Mind you, the two tested racquets are slightly different in stock weight. The RF97 is 355 grams strung while my Angell weighs 347, but I added some extra lead to it to make them as close as possible. Another difference is the string pattern, my Angell is 18×20 while the RF is 16×19, but I’ll take that into consideration and the Angells are available in the more spin-friendly 16×19 pattern too.

Here is a video of me and my hitting partner playing some points (so called “elevens” and a practice set) with the RF97A and the TC97C.

What people will tell you about the Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 Autograph is that it is a lot to swing. I’ve been known to enjoy racquets up to 375 grams previously and the RF97A is only 355 grams, but you’ll definitely feel it after a while. It just doesn’t cut through the air as well as I wish although if you have Roger Federer’s technique, I’m sure that’s not a big issue. But I could definitely get the Angell TC 97 Custom moving much faster, also with lead. It has a lot to do with the 1,5 mm thinner beam on the Angell (20 mm compared to 21,5). A lot of times the RF 97 feels clunky to me.

Okay, the RF97 takes more to swing and moves slower through the air, but once you make good contact you’re in for a treat. The ball really pancakes on the racquet and you get nice injection of power and that wonderful “thwack” sound. Volleys are amazing, the serve is as great, slice shots are magnificent. However, on average ground strokes that extra drop in racquet head speed doesn’t work for me and I much prefer the ultra-fast response of my Angell racquet.

Another thing that bothered me with the RF97 is that (with a hybrid of a multifilament and a poly string) still felt some arm fatigue after an hour’s play. Part of it might be the heft, but the stiffness also bothers me. Can Federer really be using a 68 RA stiffness racquet (most pro players use racquets in the low 60s or below) or is it to give recreational players more power? I much preferred the plush feel of the Angell here.

But when it came to heated exchanges where I wanted the extra juice for stability and power, the RF97 did not let me down. As long as I timed it right, I could place my balls on a dime with interest and when my opponent used the RF97 the weight it gave his shots really bothered me. Here, the Angell TC 97 Custom felt more low-powered and required better movement and more from me to get that extra injection of pace. With the RF97 I could just “block” the ball back, it wasn’t as easy with the Angell.

So there are definitely pros and cons in this comparison of two great racquets. In some situations I prefer the RF97, in others I’ll go with the Angell TC 97 Custom. Let’s look at the different points below.

Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 Autograph
+ Stability
+ Decent spin
+ Power
– Slow through the air
– Can bring arm fatigue
– You need good technique and footwork

Angell TC 97 Custom 18×20
+ Great feel
+ Maximum control
+ Pretty fast through the air
– Low-powered
– Lower trajectory (get the 16×19 for more spin)
– Smaller sweet spot

Which racquet would you choose based on the above? Let me know in the comments field!

WHERE TO BUY THE WILSON PRO STAFF RF 97 AUTOGRAPH

Europe
Racquet Depot
Pro Direct Tennis

USA/CANADA
Tennis Express
Do It Tennis
Amazon.com

GOOD GUIDES TO BUYING A NEW RACQUET

Here is a great racquet buying guide to get you started.
What tennis racquet should I buy?
Top tennis racquets to buy right now
The Gear of the Year 2016
Tennis racquets for juniors
Tennis racquets for kids

September 5, 2017 8 comments

News Players

Federer’s Year

by TN March 20, 2017

written by TN

I was going to put a question mark after the wording “Federer’s Year” initially since there’s only been 3,5 months so far, but even if he didn’t win another match you can still call it his year. At soon 36 years of age, Roger Federer has won his 18th slam and 25th Masters title (with his 6-4 7-5 win against compatriot Stan Wawrinka in the Indian Wells final yesterday) and he looks hungry for more. The most valuable brand in sports is just growing stronger.

You wonder what strings and racquet Roger Federer uses? Read this article.

I felt quite strongly that Federer would win the tournament after his 4th round match against his familiar legendary rival, Rafael Nadal, (coupled with the early exits of Murray and Djokovic who, by the way, are not playing Miami Masters) where Federer arguably hit his backhand better than he has ever done before. Finally, I understood why Ljubicic had been such a good coaching decision, the Croat always had a very strong one-handed backhand and the way Federer stepped in and took the ball on the rise and thundered it cross-court, it was obvious there had been lots of work on that usually inferior wing.

The Telegraph tennis correspondent Simon Briggs wrote about the new-found efficiency and beauty of Federer’s backhand in his (premium subscriber) post: “Why I was wrong to suggest Federer is mortal after all“:

Not even Stan Wawrinka, supposedly the man with the world’s best single-armed backhand, rips his service returns with such ambition.“It’s like the birth of a new great shot in the game,” breathed the Sky commentator Peter Fleming, with the excitement of a naturalist stumbling over an unclassified beetle.

Briggs then went on to write:

How is Federer able to learn new tricks at 35 – an age at which every other modern giant, with the partial exception of Andre Agassi, has crumbled or quit? The answers are wide-ranging. Physically, he possesses the explosivity of a Dan Carter or a Cristiano Ronaldo. Technically, his strokes depend less on brute force than a perfect kinetic chain. Tactically, he has a fencer’s eye for a quick kill: his average set length of around 40 minutes is the lowest of the leading men.

He also mentioned Federer’s “new” racquet, the Wilson Pro Staff 97 Roger Federer Autograph:

The enlarged, 97-square-inch surface area of Federer’s new racket is clearly a factor in his latest reinvention. So too is the guidance of coach Ivan Ljubicic. But the impetus still starts with the man himself – a rare example of a professional athlete for whom sport is less work than play.

Briggs wrote his article before Federer had actually won his 25th Masters title so I’m sure he’s even more in awe of the great champ now (as we all are).

I think what sets Federer apart from pretty much all other legends is the game is his never-dying and playful love of the game. He just enjoys the game so much and constantly looks for new ways to improve. In 2015 he surprised everyone with the sneaky SABR attack that he had worked on in practice with his then coach Stefan Edberg. This time he’s showing the world that the one-handed backhand can indeed be a deadly weapon.

I don’t know any other player who works on his game with such enjoyment. And that’s why he’s the GOAT. Because really, is that even a discussion anymore?

March 20, 2017 0 comment

Pro player racquets

Is a pro stock racquet better than a retail one?

by TN November 23, 2016

written by TN

This is a typical question I would get from players beginning to grow an interest in tennis racquets. This question as well as what is the difference between a pro stock tennis racquet and a retail one?

The answer to this question is essentially: no, a pro stock racquet is not better than a retail tennis racquet. Why? Because pro stock racquets are most often customized versions of older existing retail racquets! And racquet customizations are highly personal and a racquet that is customized to fit for example Stan Wawrinka or Novak Djokovic won’t likely fit your tennis style or level of play.

This is an important thing to understand. You need to play with what is best for your game, not what is best for a pro player. Pro player racquets usually have very high swing weights (they are heavy and not as head light as even fans of heavier racquets would like) and are therefore quite difficult to play with. If you can effectively swing a 360 gram racquet with a 370 swing weight effectively for hours, well then you could probably play well with a pro racquet. But if you need a little less weight to get that racquet head speed on the ball – well then you need to look for a racquet that is suitable for you.

There are so many good racquets and strings on the market right now and if you start “low” you can always add lead tape and silicon to find the specs you like. And remember – a racquet is just the platform for you to find your holy grail specs. There are so many things that influence how a racquet plays such as the strings (you can choose multifilament, poly, natural gut or a hybrid!), where you add the leap tape, what grip you choose, the shape of the grip (with some racquets you can even change the pallets on the handle to customize the grip shape) and much more. So don’t give up on a racquet just because you’re not playing your best with it. Experiment and see if you can improve it.

I must add here that there are some pro stock racquets that are VERY hard to get and expensive once you do. Here are a few players (the fantastic four) and list to respective articles where you would need to do some searching to get that exact racquet or spec.

Andy Murray – Andy Murray plays a pro stock racquet from Head labelled as PT57A and it is basically a 20-year-old model called Head Pro Tour 630 in a 16×19 string pattern. When you get a pro stock racquet, it comes in the form of a lighter hair pin (the racquet in raw fom) which is then customized to the players specs. Read more about Andy Murray’s racquet here.

Novak Djokovic – Djokovic doesn’t use a Head Graphene Speed Touch MP although that is a decent racquet in its own right. Novak Djokovic’s racquet is something as mysterious sounding as a PT113B – which is the code for an old Head Radical model from the early 2000. It is really a 95 sq inch racquet and that’s why it a bit odd that he endorses a 100 sq inch racquet.

Rafael Nadal uses a Babolat Aero Pro Drive Original (not the Babolat Pure Aero) and that’s not too hard to find on eBay or racquet forums.

Roger Federer is the only guy who uses the signature model he advertises – the Pro Staff Roger Federer Autograph. He likely uses a customized grip and some lead, but the frame is the same. Read more about Roger Federer’s racquet here.

As you can see there are a few guys that use hard-to-get racquets. But are they better racquets? Maybe for them, but like I said, a racquet is a personal thing – and you need to find what is right for you. Not an ATP touring pro with thousands of hours on the courts.

November 23, 2016 0 comment

Gear Players

Roger Federers’ Racquet

by TN May 10, 2011

written by TN

It seems like a lot of people are interested in what the pro’s play. They think, if the racquet is good for the top players in the world, it should be good for them, right?

Wrong. It’s only in rare occurrences that an amateur player would benefit from using a pro racquet, since they are heavier and usually more difficult to play than most other models. The models you see in the stores are rarely also the exact same specs as the pro’s use them, because they usually customize them a bit, adding weight, changing grips, string patterns, etcetera.

I started playing tennis again a lot thanks to Roger Federer after several years off the game. There is beautiful, magical and mystical about the way Roger Federer plays, the way he moves, the way he swings his racquet.

So of course I went out and bought it. Back then the model was still Wilson K-factor Six One Tour and now it’s in the BLX paint. It’s basically the same although the paint is different, they say the added basalt (BLX) in the frame will help feel and I assume reduce vibration.

But no matter which different model of Roger Federer’s racquet you use, the head size is still 90 square inches, the string pattern is 16×19 (good for spin), it weighs 12,5 oz strung, and it’s 12 pts (very) head light.

Roger Federer’s racquet is a Stradivarius, a scalpel, a precision instrument. It’s not something Nadal would play with. You need to hit the ball in the middle of the racquet to achieve results with this racquet and you need proper technique and movement to always be able to do this.

The Federer racquet, Six.One Tour, is a true player’s frame. As Federer shows us from time to time (when he’s not shanking or framing balls) It’s a fantastic tool in the right hands.

If you’re interested in buying this or another tennis racquet I would recommend Tennis Express.

Get Federer’s racquet or any other racquet from the top pro’s at Tennis Express

May 10, 2011 2 comments