Roger Federer on designing racquets—and an unforgettable bucket-list item in Central Park

NEW YORK—Roger Federer has a bucket list, at least where tennis is concerned. Given where he’s already been and what he’s already accomplished, it’s undoubtedly much smaller than most people’s. Where simply getting to Melbourne for the Australian Open would be thrilling for some, he won the event six times.

But even Federer entertains everyman dreams. In one of his final US Open appearances, Federer was struggling with lingering back issues. Long car rides “were a bit of a drag” for him, and he only did some light hitting on his off-days between matches. He wanted an alternative to sitting in traffic getting from Manhattan to the courts in Queens.

Federer had a proposition: “I said to my coaches: Is it possible I can play in Central Park?”

Anyone who has tried to play tennis in Central Park knows how difficult it can be to secure court time. People will get there before dawn or wait in line for hours for the opportunity.

Then again, not everyone is Roger Federer.

“We actually went and there’s normal people playing next to us,” recalls Federer. “They start looking at me: “Are you kidding me? This is not real.” I still remember vividly that it was just a cool moment. You know a bucket-list thing that during the US Open I was still in the tournament and played in Central Park.”

Now just about two years retired, Federer was back in New York again for this past US Open. It was night session of Day 9 of the tournament when his very familiar face was displayed on the video scoreboard at Arthur Ashe Stadium during the one of the stoppages in play. Once the PA announcer alerted the other attendees that Federer was in the house, the New York crowd lost its collective mind.

Federer briefly stood, smiled and waved to acknowledge the overflowing affection. He’s beloved at pretty much every tour stop, but having won the tournament at Flushing Meadows a record five consecutive years, it’s not surprising he got a hometown hero’s welcome.

“When they announced: '20-year anniversary!' I was like, oh my god that’s terrible sounding,” Federer says with a laugh.

Hard as it is for him to swallow, it has been two decades since Federer won his first US Open title. In 2004, he came in as the No. 1 seed, having won both the Australian Open and Wimbledon. After surviving a five-set, windstorm quarterfinal against Andre Agassi, Federer dominated the rest of the way. However, it was the final the following year against Agassi that stands out as a favorite Open memory.

“That was a big moment for me because I thought maybe Andre was going to retire on the spot if he beat me,” he says. “The crowd could sense it and there was a lot riding on the match, and I was surprised at how incredibly pro-Andre they were. Not that it’s a problem, but I was defending champ and I was world No. 1, and people really started enjoying watching me play—and Andre got all the support. It was incredible. That’s why this one really stands out as special to me.”

While Federer did make time to stop by his old place of work, he came to New York on new business as well. He recently launched the RF Collection, a signature line of racquets and accessories with Wilson, and hosted a private event at the brand’s flagship Soho store to promote it. Federer, clad in pristine Uniqlo tennis attire, conducted a series of short interviews with select media to discuss the new racquet franchise.

Federer came up with the idea for the new racquet in 2022 when he was rehabbing his knee. At the time, he had designs on returning to the tour, and wanted a shot in the arm for his remaining playing days. He was intrigued by the trend of lighter-weight racquets being used among the next generation at the top of the game. He also was curious about any updates over the past few years that could give him an edge.

“I told Wilson, I know you don’t think I want to switch, hard-lining with being happy with what I have,” he says. “So don’t change anything that isn’t broken. But I’m actually really intrigued by new technology. And they thought, we have this idea for you and this concept.”

Wilson came up with a new mold and Federer started testing prototypes. It was lighter and more aerodynamic than the Pro Staff RF97 Autograph, his previous frame. It allowed him to whip through contact more easily and create added spin and sharper angles. Unfortunately, it became apparent during the process that Federer’s knee wasn’t up for a last hurrah. But instead of shelving the project, Federer and Wilson decided to bring it to market for a wider audience.

“I don’t remember that we switched paths completely, or that we all of sudden said, now you’re not doing this anymore,” he says of any course corrections in the racquet design due to his retirement. “Let’s say I knew this was going to be the last racquet for my career. Number one, it had to be user-friendly for me, and user-friendly for the people. I’m very happy where we landed.”

In addition to making his frame—the RF 01 Pro—more accessible, two more racquets were added to raise the line’s general appeal. The RF 01 and RF 01 Future are even lighter and more forgiving models, so users of varying ability levels can fine one that suits their game. It was important to Federer to have racquets in the lineup that would entice juniors.

Which is why after Federer finished his media interviews, a group of young players from the Harlem Junior Tennis and Education Program arrived at the store for a meet and greet. Tennis personality Blair Henley, conducted a Q&A with Federer about his new racquets, with the Swiss star’s profile adorning the wall in the backdrop.

He regaled the kids with stories of the different racquets he used throughout his career. A self-proclaimed “racquet nerd,” Federer reminisced about switching from the hallowed Pro Staff 85 to the larger Pro Staff 90 at Rome in 2002 before playing—and losing to—current ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi. He double-downed on the memory since it was also when he tried hybrid stringing, which his doubles partner, Tim Henman, scoffed at. He finished the reverie with the assurance it all worked out in the end—he won his very next tournament in Hamburg.

Federer hasn’t shied from the spotlight or tennis since retiring, but he has been selective about his appearances and projects. Engaging and encouraging the youth of the sport, such as the HJTEP, is a stop he’s willing to make. After taking a selfie with a rep from a major online retailer, Federer kidded that they need to sell more racquets and get more players to compete with the likes of pickleball and padel. In addition to the RF Collection, Federer also has a signature line of performance and off-court shoes with On, the Swiss brand of which he is an investor.

One annual event that will seemingly continue to draw his attention is Laver Cup. The three-day September competition taking place this weekend in Berlin was conceived by Federer and his management company, pitting Team Europe versus Team World to somewhat mirror golf’s Ryder Cup. It debuted in 2017, with the 2022 edition serving as Federer’s goodbye to professional tennis.

Federer’s role at Laver Cup has morphed from participant to more of an ambassador. Even though he still looks as fit as his playing days, sliding into a doubles match appears off the table. And there’s no talk of assuming Team Europe captain’s duties; that role will transfer from Bjorn Borg to Yannick Noah. For the time-being, he remains a highly visible and interested party.

After the Q&A wraps up, a few lucky kids get to gently hit balls with Federer against the wall with his likeness. He makes jokes, rifles through the various racquets, and even shows off a passable two-handed backhand that he roundly criticizes. He comments that when he was their age, he dreamt of playing professionally and winning major tournaments. Designing racquets was the furthest thing from his imagination.

Cross another one off the bucket list.