Federer's Rackets Throughout The Years
Roger Federer’s rackets throughout the years has been analysed and written hundreds of times throughout the GOAT’s career. Federer has been mostly playing with Pro Stock frames painted to look like retail models. He spent the longest time with a 90 sq head size before switching to a 97 sq for the latter half of his career. His racket customisation included adding extra weight, custom handle, string savers, power pads to name a few.
1998–2001: Wilson Pro Staff 85 (St. Vincent)
Actual Racket: Wilson Pro Staff 6.0 85
Retail Paint Jobs: Wilson Pro Staff Classic
Specs:
-
- Head Size: 85 sq in
- String Pattern: 16×18
- Weight: ~360g strung
- Balance: ~31.5 cm (head light)
- Strings: Natural gut / Synthetic hybrid
2002–2003: Wilson Pro Staff 90 (Hyper Pro Staff 6.0 90)
Actual Racket: Wilson Hyper Pro Staff 6.0 90 (Pro Stock)
Retail Paint Jobs: Wilson Hyper Pro Staff 6.1 95
Specs:
-
- Head Size: 90 sq in
- String Pattern: 16×19
- Weight: ~360g strung
- Balance: ~31.5 cm
2004–2006: Wilson Pro Staff 90 (nCode nSix-One Tour 90)
Actual Racket: Wilson Pro Staff 90 (same mold as before)
Retail Paint Job: Wilson nSix-One Tour 90
Specs: Same as previous model
2007–2009: Wilson Pro Staff 90 (K-Factor KSix-One Tour 90)
Actual Racket: Wilson Pro Staff 90
Retail Paint Job: Wilson KSix-One Tour 90
Specs: Mostly unchanged, slightly stiffer feel
2010–2013: Wilson Pro Staff 90 (BLX & Pro Staff 90)
Actual Racket: Wilson Pro Staff 90
Retail Paint Jobs: Wilson BLX Six-One Tour 90 (2010–2011), Wilson Pro Staff 90 (2012–2013)
Specs:
-
- Weight: ~365g strung
- Balance: ~31.3 cm
- Stiffness: ~63 RA
2014–2022: Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph
Actual Racket: Wilson Pro Staff RF97 (custom pro stock)
Retail Paint Job: Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph
Specs:
-
- Head Size: 97 sq in
- String Pattern: 16×19
- Weight: ~366g strung
- Balance: ~30.6 cm
- Swingweight: ~335-340
- Strings: Luxilon Alu Power Rough / Wilson Natural Gut
Federer’s Racket Weights Over His Career
Static Weight: His rackets were always 360g+ (12.7+ oz) strung, much heavier than retail models (~320g).
Balance: Very head-light (~30.5-31.5 cm, 9-10 pts HL) for maneuverability.
Swingweight: 335-340 range, giving him exceptional plow-through while keeping the racket whippy.
Customisation: Federer used lead tape under the bumper guard and silicone in the handle for weight tuning.
| Years | Racket Model | Strung Weight | Balance | Swingweight |
| 1998–2001 | Wilson Pro Staff 85 | ~360g (12.7 oz) | ~31.5 cm | ~330-335 |
| 2002–2013 | Wilson Pro Staff 90 (various) | ~365g (12.9 oz) | ~31.3 cm | ~335-340 |
| 2014–2022 | Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph | ~366g (12.9 oz) | ~30.6 cm | ~335-340 |
Federer's String Setup
His go-to string setup was a hybrid of natural gut and polyester, which gave him exceptional feel, control, and spin. His setup remained virtually unchanged from 2002 until retirement.
- Mains: Wilson Natural Gut 16 (1.30mm)
- Crosses: Luxilon ALU Power Rough 16L (1.25mm)
Natural Gut in Mains → Power & Feel
- Gut provides touch, comfort, and controlled power.
- Maintains tension better than poly.
Polyester in Crosses → Spin & Control
- Luxilon ALU Power Rough enhances spin & durability.
- Polyester tames gut’s power, making it more controlled.
- The rough texture increases bite on the ball.
Federer’s String Tension
- Pre-2014 (90 sq in racket):
- Mains (Natural Gut): 48-49 lbsCrosses (Poly): 44-45 lbs
- Post-2014 (97 sq in RF97 Autograph):
- Mains (Natural Gut): 50-55 lbsCrosses (Poly): 46-50 lbs
Federer’s rackets throughout the years have evolved to complement his playing style and adapt to the modern game. A major change came in 2014 when Federer transitioned to the Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph, a 97 sq in frame designed for added power and forgiveness.
It’s a shame we never got to see Federer wield the Wilson RF 01 Pro in competition, but his legacy lives on through that racket and the many iterations still to come.