The RF97 is one of Wilson’s best selling tennis rackets as it is endorsed by the recently retired Roger Federer.
If you don’t want to go to the expense of buying an RF97 but would still like a frame with similar specs then this article will help you find the best alternatives.
5 Tennis Rackets Similar to the RF97
Below I have compiled a list of the most popular rackets that are similar to the RF97 so that you can find the best alternative for you.
1. Babolat Pure Strike Tour
Although Babolat is better known for its tweener rackets, the Pure Strike range is their attempt at developing a more a control-focused racket with the Babolat Pure Strike Tour being the most similar to the RF97.
The Babolat Pure Strike Tour has the same length (27in), string pattern (16×19), and the exact same swing weight as the RF97 (333).
The frames also have a similar head light balance (6 pts HL vs 7 pts HL) so this combined with the identical swing weight will mean the two rackets will feel very similar to play with.
The main differences are a lower strung weight (12.0oz vs 12.5oz) and stiffness rating (65 vs 68) as well as a slightly bigger head size (98in vs 97in) which means the sweet spot on the Pure Strike will be slightly bigger.
Babolat Pure Strike Tour vs RF97
| Babolat Pure Strike Tour | VS | RF97 |
|---|---|---|
| V3 | Version: | V13 |
 | Design: |  |
| 98in | Head Size: | 97in |
| 27in | Length: | 27in |
| 340g (12.0oz) | Strung Weight: | 357g (12.5oz) |
| 333 | Swingweight: | 333 |
| 6 pts HL | Balance: | 7 pts HL |
| 65 | Stiffness: | 68 |
| 21mm / 23mm / 21mm | Beam Width: | 21.5mm |
| Graphite | Composition: | Braided Graphite |
| White/Coral | Colors: | Black |
| 16 Mains / 19 Crosses | String Pattern: | 16 Mains / 19 Crosses |
| 50-59lbs | String Tension Range: | 50-60lbs |
| Check Price on Amazon | Price: | Check Price on Amazon |
2. Volkl C10 Pro
Volkl may be better known in tennis circles for their range of tennis strings but they also have a wide range of quality frames, with the Volkl C10 Pro being the racket that is most similar to Roger’s racket.
The Volkl C10 Pro has the same length (27in) and string pattern (16×19) as Roger’s racket as well as having a very similar swing weight (330 vs 333) and head light balance (8 pts HL vs 7 pts HL).
In terms of differences, the C10 Pro has a bigger head size (98in vs 97in) but has a lower strung weight (12.3oz vs 12.5oz) and stiffness rating (64 vs 68).
The C10 Pro also has a much thinner beam width (20mm vs 21.5mm), which usually means that it will have more control but less power than frames with a thicker beam.
Volkl C10 Pro vs RF97
| Volkl C10 Pro | VS | RF97 |
|---|---|---|
| C10 | Version: | V13 |
 | Design: | |
| 98in | Head Size: | 97in |
| 27in | Length: | 27in |
| 349g (12.3oz) | Strung Weight: | 357g (12.5oz) |
| 330 | Swingweight: | 333 |
| 8 pts HL | Balance: | 7 pts HL |
| 64 | Stiffness: | 68 |
| 20mm | Beam Width: | 21.5mm |
| Graphite | Composition: | Braided Graphite |
| Yellow and Black | Colors: | Black |
| 16 Mains / 19 Crosses | String Pattern: | 16 Mains / 19 Crosses |
| 50-60lbs | String Tension Range: | 50-60lbs |
| Check Price on Amazon | Price: | Check Price on Amazon |
3. ProKennex Ki Q+ Tour Pro 325
The Ki Q+ Tour Pro 325 is a control racket that is aimed at more advanced players as you need to be able to generate your own power as you won’t get much help from the racket itself.
The similarities between the Ki Q+ Tour Pro 325 and the RF97 include having the same length (27in) and a 7pts HL balance.
The two frames also have very similar swing weights at 331 for the Tour Pro 325 and 333 for the RF97.
The main differences between the two frames include the Tour Pro 325 having a bigger head size (98in vs 97in) and an 18×20 string pattern in comparison to the 16×19 string pattern of the RF97.
18×20 string patterns generally mean that you will have more control but less power and spin.
ProKennex Ki Q+ Tour Pro 325 vs RF97
| Tour Pro 325 | VS | RF97 |
|---|---|---|
| 325 | Version: | V13 |
 | Design: | |
| 98in | Head Size: | 97in |
| 27in | Length: | 27in |
| 343g (12.1oz) | Strung Weight: | 357g (12.5oz) |
| 331 | Swingweight: | 333 |
| 7 pts HL | Balance: | 7 pts HL |
| 62 | Stiffness: | 68 |
| 20.3mm | Beam Width: | 21.5mm |
| High Modulus Graphite/SpiralTech Carbon | Composition: | Braided Graphite |
| Green and Black | Colors: | Black |
| 18 Mains / 20 Crosses | String Pattern: | 16 Mains / 19 Crosses |
| 50-65lbs | String Tension Range: | 50-60lbs |
| Check Price on Amazon | Price: | Check Price on Amazon |
4. Head Pro Tour 2.0
The second last racket on our list is the Head Pro Tour 2.0 which has a 97.6 inch head size and is produced by Head and is aimed at advanced players who are looking for the maximum amount of control and feel from their frame.
The Tour 2.0 has the same length as the RF97 (27in) and has a similar swing weight at 335 versus 333 for the RF97.
The Tour 2.0 also has a similar head light balance (6 pts HL vs 7 pts HL).
The main differences between the two frames are the head size (97.6in vs 97in), strung weight (343g vs 357g), and beam width (20.0mm vs 21.5mm).
The Tour 2.0 also has an 18×20 string pattern and a lower stiffness rating (65 vs 68).
Head Pro Tour 2.0 vs RF97
| Tour 2.0 | VS | RF97 |
|---|---|---|
| V2.0 | Version: | V13 |
 | Design: | |
| 97.6in | Head Size: | 97in |
| 27in | Length: | 27in |
| 343g (12.1oz) | Strung Weight: | 357g (12.5oz) |
| 335 | Swingweight: | 333 |
| 6 pts HL | Balance: | 7 pts HL |
| 65 | Stiffness: | 68 |
| 20.0mm | Beam Width: | 21.5mm |
| Graphite | Composition: | Braided Graphite |
| Blue and Black | Colors: | Black |
| 18 Mains / 20 Crosses | String Pattern: | 16 Mains / 19 Crosses |
| 50-60lbs | String Tension Range: | 50-60lbs |
| Check Price on Amazon | Price: | Check Price on Amazon |
5. Yonex VCORE Pro 97 330
The Yonex VCORE Pro 97 330 is probably the closest tennis racket to the RF97 on this list in terms of specs and playability.
This is no surprise as it was designed to fit the playing style of Stan Wawrinka who is a player that shares many similarities with Federer .i.e a one handed backhand, powerful forehand, and a great serve.
Both rackets have a 97in head size, 27in length, 16 x 19 string pattern, and a 7 pts head light balance.
The frames also have similar strung and swing weights with only a few grams in the difference.
The one major difference is in the beam width with the VCORE Pro 97 330 being 1.5 inches thinner than the RF97.
The VCORE Pro 97 is also less stiff than the RF97 with a stiffness rating of 65 compared to the RF97 which has a stiffness rating of 68.
Yonex VCORE Pro 97 330 vs RF97
| Yonex VCORE Pro 97 330 | Vs | RF97 |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Version: | V13 |
 | Design: | |
| 97in | Head Size: | 97in |
| 27in | Length: | 27in |
| 349g (12.3oz) | Strung Weight: | 357g (12.5oz) |
| 332g | Swingweight: | 333g |
| 7 pts HL | Balance: | 7 pts HL |
| 65 RA | Stiffness: | 68 RA |
| 20mm | Beam Width: | 21.5mm |
| HM Graphite, Black Micro Core, NAMD | Composition: | Braided Graphite |
| Matte Green | Colors: | Black |
| 16 Mains / 19 Crosses | String Pattern: | 16 Mains / 19 Crosses |
| 45-60lbs | String Tension Range: | 50-60lbs |
| Check Amazon Price | Price: | Check Amazon Price |