Historical equipment profile · Sources compared
Roger Federer String Tension & Setup
Natural gut mains, Rough crosses, changing reference settings—and the boundary between his RF97 tour frame and the later RF 01.
By String Tension AI · Published · Research checked
This source-based profile covers Roger Federer’s late-career competitive setup, centered on the RF97 era. Federer retired in 2022. The RF 01 project began while he considered a return, continued after retirement, and was not his tour racquet. This is not an official Federer page.
Roger Federer’s best-documented late-career setup used Wilson Natural Gut 1.30 mm in the mains and Luxilon ALU Power Rough 1.25 mm in the crosses. The String Tension AI catalog preserves approximately 58.4/55.1 lbs (26.5/25.0 kg), while other RF97-era reports include 59.5/56.2 lbs (27/25.5 kg) and 57.3/54.0 lbs (26/24.5 kg), depending on conditions. Wilson identifies the Pro Staff RF97 Autograph as his competitive platform from 2014 through the end of his professional career in 2022. Specialist reports describe a match-ready RF97 around 12.9 oz (366 g) strung, with a 31.5 cm balance and roughly 340 swingweight. The RF 01 project continued after retirement and was not used by Federer in professional tour competition. These are historical equipment reports from different sources, not permanent settings, a prescription for your racquet, or expected app readings.
Evidence: Wilson · Wilson Japan · Mouratoglou · TennisCompanion · Tennisnet · 2022-02-17 · Lisa Sabino / FITP library
Roger Federer’s setup at a glance
- Player
- Roger Federer
- Status
- Historical · late-career RF97 era
- Mains
- Wilson Natural Gut
- Main gauge
- 1.30 mm / 16g
- Crosses
- Luxilon ALU Power Rough
- Cross gauge
- 1.25 mm / 17g
- Construction
- Natural-gut / polyester hybrid
- Catalog snapshot
- ≈58.4 lbs (26.5 kg) mains / 55.1 lbs (25 kg) crosses
- Other RF97-era reports
- 57.3–59.5 lbs (26–27 kg) mains / 54.0–56.2 lbs (24.5–25.5 kg) crosses
- Late-career racquet
- Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph
- Reported match-ready mass
- ≈12.9 oz (366 g) strung
- Evidence status
- Historical reported setup; tension varied
- Research checked
- 2026-09-07
View all 69 sourced pro string setups →
What strings did Roger Federer use?
Wilson Natural Gut 1.30 mm mains and Luxilon ALU Power Rough 1.25 mm crosses. Wilson Japan documents the two-string kit and sizes; TennisCompanion identifies the orientation and gauges. The gut/poly construction is part of the setup, not an interchangeable list of two products.
What string tension did Federer use?
The retained catalog setting is 58.4 lbs (26.5 kg) mains and 55.1 lbs (25 kg) crosses. Mouratoglou corroborates that historical pair. It should not be read as his permanent tension or a newly observed competitive setup.
Scroll the table sideways to compare all source details.
| Snapshot | Mains | Crosses | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catalog retained | 58.4 lbs (26.5 kg) | 55.1 lbs (25 kg) | Mouratoglou |
| Alternative report | 59.5 lbs (27 kg) | 56.2 lbs (25.5 kg) | TennisCompanion / Tennisnet |
| Lower reported pair | 57.3 lbs (26 kg) | 54.0 lbs (24.5 kg) | Tennisnet |
Was Federer’s tension 58/55 or 59.5/56.2?
The labels describe different reported settings, not an arithmetic dispute. “58/55” loosely rounds the catalog’s 58.4/55.1 lbs (26.5/25 kg). TennisCompanion instead lists 59.5/56.2 lbs (27/25.5 kg). Tennisnet also reports 57.3/54.0 lbs (26/24.5 kg).
Together, the RF97-era reports span 57.3–59.5 lbs (26–27 kg) mains and 54.0–56.2 lbs (24.5–25.5 kg) crosses. The three published pairs keep the crosses about 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg) lower. That is a descriptive observation, not a universal formula or proof of every professional job. We did not average the reports to manufacture the catalog value.
Did Federer change tension with conditions?
Tennisnet’s February 2022 report connects the different pairs to surface and weather. It does not establish a fixed surface, temperature or opponent formula. These sources cannot tell us which exact pair he selected at every tournament.
Did Federer use natural gut in the mains or crosses?
Natural gut mains. ALU Power Rough crosses. Tennis.com explicitly documents that orientation. Reversing the strings describes a different job. Keep each direction separate when using the hybrid string tension guide.
Is Wilson Champion’s Choice the same string setup Federer used?
The package contains the two documented strings and gauges: Wilson Natural Gut 1.30 and ALU Power Rough 1.25. It does not dictate orientation or reproduce his complete stringing routine.
The linked retailer lists Rough as mains and gut as crosses—the opposite of Federer’s reported orientation. We use Wilson and equipment reporting for that distinction, not retailer installation labels. This is one two-string kit, not two separate shopping products.
Shop Champion’s Choice Hybrid Set · Affiliate link: we may earn a commission. Federer’s reported orientation was natural gut mains and ALU Power Rough crosses.
Why do some old Federer tension reports say 48/46 lb?
ESPN’s 2014 account contrasts high-40s tension in the 90-inch frame with mid-50s after the change.
Read older 48/46-type labels in their racquet-era context. Do not blend them into the later RF97 range or assume an exact 48/46 job is established by an era-level description.
What racquet did Roger Federer use late in his career?
Wilson identifies the Pro Staff RF97 Autograph for 2014–2022. The public record now uses that full name and an explicitly strung weight basis. The modern Pro Staff 97 Classic shopping link has been removed: it is a different model, not a verified Federer match frame.
Was Federer’s RF97 a stock retail racquet or customized?
Tennisnerd describes his RF97 as a slightly heavier selected specification close to the retail platform. That does not make every off-the-shelf RF97 identical. Specialist customization accounts differ; we do not assert exact added-material locations or construction details.
The table compares strung snapshots separately from the retail unstrung reference. Similar geometry or weight cannot establish complete equivalence.
Scroll the table sideways to compare all source details.
| Field | Reported Federer RF97 | Retail RF97 reference | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head / pattern / length | 97 sq in / 16x19 / 27 in | 97 sq in / 16x19 / 27 in | Tennisnerd / Lisa Sabino / FITP library |
| Strung mass | 366 g | 357.2 g | Tennisnerd |
| Strung balance | 31.5 cm | 31.45 cm | Tennisnerd |
| Swingweight | ≈340 | 335 | Tennisnerd |
| Unstrung retail mass | Not inferred from strung mass | 340 g | Tennisnet / Wilson |
Reported Federer RF97 specs
Lisa Sabino’s 2019/2020 training thesis, hosted by FITP attributes this snapshot to a Federer-used 2017 RF97 and explicitly calls the mass strung. Tennisnerd corroborates the personal weight, balance and swingweight. This is reported historical equipment, not our physical inspection or a factory certificate.
Scroll the table sideways to compare all source details.
| Field | Reported value | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Head | 97 sq in | Lisa Sabino / FITP library |
| Length | 27 in / 68.58 cm | Lisa Sabino / FITP library |
| Strung mass | ≈12.9 oz (366 g) | Lisa Sabino / FITP library / Tennisnerd |
| Strung balance | 31.5 cm | Lisa Sabino / FITP library / Tennisnerd |
| Swingweight | ≈340 | Lisa Sabino / FITP library / Tennisnerd |
| Pattern | 16x19 | Lisa Sabino / FITP library |
What changed when Federer moved from 90 to 97 sq in?
Wilson dates the transition to 2014 and describes a larger head and wider construction intended to add power and stability while preserving feel. That is manufacturer design intent. We do not attribute match results or later titles to the frame alone.
Did Roger Federer use the RF 01 on tour?
No. Wilson says he continued with RF97 through the end of his professional career. The new project began in April 2022 while he explored returning, continued after retirement, and reached consumers in August 2024. Wilson describes that development journey.
RF 01 was designed and playtested with Federer. It was not a replacement he used in ATP tour matches, and it does not belong in his canonical historical racquet record.
RF97 vs RF 01 Pro
Wilson’s comparison, retail specifications and career history separate the two projects. The retail unstrung values below share a measurement basis. The 366 g match-ready RF97 value is strung and must not be directly subtracted from the RF 01 Pro’s 320 g unstrung reference.
Scroll the table sideways to compare all source details.
| Field | RF97 professional era | RF 01 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Used by Federer in professional tour matches | Yes | No |
| Status | Competitive platform | Post-retirement collaboration |
| Head | 97 sq in | 98 sq in |
| Pattern | 16x19 | 16x19 |
| Retail unstrung reference | 340 g | 320 g |
| RF 01 Pro unstrung balance | Separate from the reported strung snapshot | 31.5 cm |
| Reported Federer match frame | 366 g strung | Not a Federer tour-match specification |
| Timing | 2014 competitive transition | 2024 product launch |
Did Roger Federer use string savers?
Yes. ESPN’s 2017 Priority One report documents their use. It does not justify a quantified spin benefit or a universal recommendation.
What the manufacturers say about Natural Gut and ALU Power Rough
Wilson Japan identifies the natural-gut component. Wilson Australia / Luxilon classifies Rough 125 as polyester with a dented, textured surface and positions it around spin potential and flex. These are manufacturer product descriptions, not Federer’s stated reason for choosing either string or a causal explanation for his results.
Should an app reading equal Federer’s machine settings?
Use a personal baseline and repeatable tracking. Read how reference settings differ from app estimates.
Should you copy Federer’s setup?
There is no reason to copy it solely because Federer used it. A heavy reported match frame, 97-square-inch head, costly gut/poly job, condition-dependent settings and professional preparation are specific context. Your technique, preferences and budget may differ.
Use your own frame and string guidance with the starting-tension calculator and hybrid tension guide. This profile prescribes no exact alternative.
Track your own setup instead of copying a legend
A famous setup is context. Your useful number comes from your own history. Save mains and crosses, keep reference tension separate from readings, establish a fresh-string baseline, and repeat the measurement routine under similar conditions.
Track tension loss and compare jobs alongside play history and feel. String Tension AI is a tracking aid for supported combinations; this profile does not imply Federer uses or endorses the app.
Roger Federer string setup FAQ
What strings did Roger Federer use?
His documented late-career hybrid paired Wilson Natural Gut 1.30 mm mains with Luxilon ALU Power Rough 1.25 mm crosses.
What string tension did Roger Federer use?
The catalog retains 58.4/55.1 lbs (26.5/25 kg). Other RF97-era reports span 57.3–59.5 lbs (26–27 kg) mains and 54.0–56.2 lbs (24.5–25.5 kg) crosses.
Did Federer use Wilson Natural Gut?
Yes, in the mains of his well-documented late-career hybrid.
What gauge natural gut did Federer use?
1.30 mm / 16 gauge is the reported late-career main string.
Did Federer use ALU Power Rough?
Yes, Luxilon ALU Power Rough in the crosses, paired with natural-gut mains.
What gauge ALU Power Rough did Federer use?
1.25 mm / 17 gauge is the documented cross-string size.
Was Federer’s setup a hybrid?
Yes: natural gut and polyester, with a different string in each direction.
Did Federer use natural gut in the mains or crosses?
Natural gut mains; ALU Power Rough polyester crosses.
Was his tension 58/55 or 59.5/56.2?
Both describe reported snapshots. The catalog’s precise conversion is 58.4/55.1 lbs (26.5/25 kg); TennisCompanion lists 59.5/56.2 lbs (27/25.5 kg).
Why are there different Federer tension numbers?
Reports describe different string jobs and racquet eras. Source rounding also changes labels; no single pair was permanent.
Did Federer change tension depending on conditions?
Tennisnet’s 2022 report says settings varied with surface and weather. It does not supply a universal formula.
Why do some older sources say around 48/46?
Those lower reports belong to earlier racquet-era context; they should not define the RF97 range.
What racquet did Federer use in his final years?
Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph, according to Wilson’s career equipment history.
What is the RF97 Autograph?
The 97-square-inch Pro Staff platform developed with Federer for his late-career competitive period.
How much did Federer’s racquet weigh?
A reported historical match-ready RF97 snapshot is approximately 12.9 oz (366 g) strung. That is not an unstrung retail specification.
What was Federer’s string pattern?
16x19 in the reported RF97 snapshot.
Was Federer’s RF97 the same as the retail racquet?
Specialists describe a close retail relationship, with a heavier selected/personal specification. Any off-the-shelf specimen was not automatically identical.
Did Federer use the RF 01 on tour?
No. His professional RF97 era ended in 2022; the RF Collection launched in 2024 after retirement.
What is Federer’s RF 01?
A later Wilson collaboration designed and playtested with Federer, distinct from his RF97 tour frame.
What changed when Federer moved from 90 to 97 sq in?
The 2014 transition introduced a larger head and wider construction. Equipment facts do not prove a cause for match results.
Did Federer use string savers?
Yes. ESPN’s 2017 Priority One report documents them.
Is Champion’s Choice exactly Federer’s string setup?
It contains the same two string models and gauges. A kit does not determine orientation, machine settings or a complete professional string job.
Should I copy Federer’s string tension?
There is no reason to copy it solely because he used it. Your frame, technique, preferences, budget and stringing routine matter.
Can String Tension AI measure a gut/poly hybrid?
For supported racquet and string combinations, it can provide a modeled installed-stringbed estimate and repeatable tracking. A hybrid label alone does not guarantee support for every frame.
Should an app reading equal 58/55?
No. Separate machine reference settings and an installed-stringbed estimate describe different states; their average is not a target reading.
How often did Federer restring?
Professional preparation was frequent, but this profile does not assign an exact restring-every-X-games rule. A racquet change is not itself a restring schedule.
Did Federer change tension by tournament?
Reported conditions affected settings, but the sources here do not establish a complete tournament-by-tournament log.
Sources and methodology
Manufacturer pages establish product identity and equipment eras; secondary reports supply changeable reference settings and personal-frame snapshots. A federation-hosted training thesis is attributed to its author, not treated as a manufacturer certificate or independent laboratory measurement. The existing 26.5/25 kg catalog pair is retained as its own historical snapshot. We did not create it by averaging the other reports. An original interview establishing the often-repeated “favorite tension” claim was not retrieved; the numeric pair has secondary corroboration from Mouratoglou. Tennis Canada’s 2017 photo quiz also presents that pair, but a quiz is not a direct stringing record. See the parent catalog methodology.
All external evidence below was checked on 2026-09-07. Publication dates are shown only when supplied by the source; an access date is not a claim that an undated page was published that day. No personal racquet was inspected for this profile.
First-party manufacturer evidence
- Wilson: RF and Wilson: the partnership history
RF97 Autograph competitive era, 2014–2022; retirement in 2022; RF 01 launch in August 2024 after an unrealized return project. Accessed 2026-09-07.
- Wilson Japan: Champion’s Choice Duo
Federer-associated kit: Wilson Natural Gut 1.30 mm and Luxilon ALU Power Rough 1.25 mm. Accessed 2026-09-07.
- Wilson Australia / Luxilon: ALU Power Rough 125
Polyester classification, 17 gauge / 1.25 mm, textured surface and Federer natural-gut hybrid association; performance language is manufacturer positioning. Accessed 2026-09-07.
- Wilson: The making of the RF 01
Post-retirement development and retail model comparison: RF97 340 g versus RF 01 Pro 320 g; 97 versus 98 sq in. Accessed 2026-09-07.
- Wilson Australia: RF 01 Pro retail specifications
Retail RF 01 Pro: 98 sq in, 320 g unstrung, 31.5 cm unstrung balance and 16x19; context only. Accessed 2026-09-07.
Historical equipment reports and source snapshots
- Mouratoglou: Professional string tension guide
Secondary corroboration of the retained historical 26.5/25 kg pair and gut-main/Rough-cross orientation; not an original Federer interview. Accessed 2026-09-07.
- TennisCompanion: String tension guide: pro tension table
Federer row lists Natural Gut 16 mains, ALU Power Rough 17 crosses and 27/25.5 kg. Read as historical despite the table’s ATP label. Accessed 2026-09-07.
- Tennisnet: What tennis racquet did Federer play? · Published 2022-02-17
RF97-era reporting of 27/25.5 and 26/24.5 kg according to surface and weather; gut mains and Rough crosses. Accessed 2026-09-07.
- Tennisnerd: Roger Federer’s racquet: RF97 specifications
Reported personal 366 g, 31.5 cm and 340 swingweight snapshot; separate retail RF97 reference of 357.2 g strung and 335 swingweight. Customization account is specialist reporting. Accessed 2026-09-07.
- Lisa Sabino / FITP library: L’attrezzatura dei tennisti professionisti, 2019/2020 thesis, page 14
Training thesis hosted by FITP, not a manufacturer certificate: 2017 Federer RF97 snapshot, 97 sq in, 68.58 cm, 366 g explicitly strung, 31.5 cm, 340 swingweight and 16x19. Accessed 2026-09-07.
- Tennis.com: Winning Combination
Historical gut-main / ALU Power Rough-cross orientation and Champion’s Choice pairing. Accessed 2026-09-07.
- ESPN: Inside Roger’s racket science, 2014
Earlier high-40s tension versus mid-50s after the larger frame. Accessed 2026-09-07.
- ESPN: Federer’s racket-stringing gurus · Published 2017-08-29
Priority One preparation and string savers. Accessed 2026-09-07.
String Tension AI public data
- String catalog: dated numeric snapshot
- Racquet catalog: model context and uncertainty notes
- Editorial evidence and source links
The racquet record now uses 12.9 oz, reported pro strung, from the FITP-hosted thesis’s 366 g snapshot. We did not subtract strings or accessories to infer an unstrung mass. Ranking remains unused here. See the public racquet weight contract for weight basis and source definitions.