Imagine Wilson’s disappointment when Roger Federer announced his retirement from competitive tennis after months of developing a new racket to extend his career into his 40s. “We thought it was over,” said Michael Schaeffer, global product director for racquet sports at Wilson. And yet here he was two years later at the East Hampton Tennis Club on Long Island, going back and forth with Federer as the two explained the design process for their new signature RF racket to HYPEBEAST and Forbes media.

To Schaeffer’s surprise, just days after his retirement message that shook the sports world, Federer made clear his intention to continue developing the new product. Such is Roger’s commitment to his friends, his sponsors and the future of tennis. Now, the racket he created and two lighter versions for younger players and advanced adults have been released to the public, encouraging future players to “stay with the same model and continue with it,” as Federer described it.

The $300 RF 01 PRO is the model made specifically for Roger, while the RF 01 is $280 and the RF 01 FUTURE is $260. All are signature Federer pieces, identified by the iconic RF logo, with the frame gently transitioning from black on the shaft to a slate gray on the headstock. The RF monogram is owned by Federer and licensed exclusively to Wilson and one other brand, meaning that anything bearing the insignia has been personally tested by the Swiss tennis player.

“What I really liked about this racket is that I actually made it for the rest of my career while I was rehabbing and trying to get back into it,” Federer told us. “I thought it would be great if I had a lighter blade, a blade that could easily cut through the wind and give me that extra spin that I was looking for.” The concept of athlete testing is a tried-and-true product development (and marketing) strategy in sports equipment, but this one with Federer was a little different. While Wilson knew he would never use it in competition after his retirement was announced, having the extra time allowed them both to properly develop their racket.

“Sometimes when you make a racket you don’t have time because you’re running from one event to another and you’re in recovery,” Federer told HYPEBEAST. “But you have to go out on a practice court and test it but now you’re tired and then you’re getting fit. So mentally you’re there but not fully there. But I feel like this one is completely different and that’s why I really spent a lot of time making sure the rackets were perfect.”

The RF Collection is available now on Wilson’s website and comes with matching racquet bags, backpacks, racquet covers, replacement grips and dampeners.