Sports
Wilson Sporting Goods and Roger Federer Unveil Groundbreaking Tennis Racket Line: The RF Collection
Longstanding partnership elevates with co-creation of performance tennis rackets and accessories
CHICAGO /PRNewswire/ — Wilson Sporting Goods Co. today announces the launch of the RF Collection, a revolutionary tennis equipment line inspired, designed and developed in partnership with Roger Federer. The collection is rooted in legacy, driven by performance and innovated for the future, representing Federer’s profound impact on the sport and his unwavering dedication to excellence. The RF Collection by Wilson will launch globally today, coinciding with Roger Federer’s birthday.
“Wilson’s partnership with Roger over the last 20 years has been one of the most remarkable relationships in the history of sport, and we are thrilled to take it to the next level with the RF Collection,” says Jason Collins, Global General Manager of Wilson Racquet Sports. “This collection has been years in the making, inclusive of in-depth racket testing, designing and collaborating with Roger; we are excited to finally bring it to the court for professionals and future generations of tennis players to continue his everlasting legacy. Roger is a powerful force on the global stage, and his influence will undoubtedly continue to drive the sport of tennis and industry as a whole forward.”
In 2022, Roger Federer began collaborating with Wilson’s innovation team to create a racket for his remaining time on tour. The main goals were to increase racket head speed and maintain his versatile style against heavy baseliners, while retaining a familiar Wilson racket feel. Despite retiring that year, Roger and Wilson utilized these insights to develop the RF 01, devoting countless hours to testing and reviewing the designs to create the most premium performance tennis racket line. This collaboration will keep Roger actively involved in tennis, partnering with Wilson to continue growing the sport, with the RF 01 being the first line in this signature collection.
“Having spent my whole career playing with Wilson rackets, I’m excited about the new RF Collection that we’ve created together,” says Roger Federer. “I’m honored that Wilson is continuing my legacy by further innovating the game I love, and I hope the collection inspires the stars of today as much as I was inspired the first time that I picked up a Wilson racket.”
The RF Collection is a testament to Roger’s illustrious career with Wilson, his enduring influence on the tennis world and inspiration to play it forward. With game-changing innovations, iconic design and elevated performance, this racket collection is set to redefine the game. The RF 01 line is inclusive of three rackets models, all designed and tested by Federer himself:
- RF 01 PRO: Roger’s personally built racket* and the most playable, authentic RF frame ever created ($299).
- RF 01: Built for the advanced adult player who prefers a standard weight performance frame ($279).
- RF 01 FUTURE: Ideal for the advanced next generation player utilizing a lighter frame to develop their game. The lighter weight and adjusted balance point enhance comfort and power needed by young players ($259).
Wilson technological innovations include the SABR™ FRAME DESIGN for superior performance versatility, GLIDE GUARD for reduced air resistance, BRAIDED 45 TECHNOLOGY for enhanced ball pocketing and stability and FEEL FILL for optimized vibration dampening. Style elements draw inspiration from Roger’s personal and professional life, including the iconic RF logo, as well as a unique peak design that represents the mountains of Roger’s native Switzerland.
The collection also features performance bags and accessories, such as the RF Tournament Racket Bag 15 Pack ($189), RF Practice Bag 6 Pack ($159), RF Backpack ($129), RF Racket Cover ($49), RF Premium Leather Replacement Grip ($19.95), RF Premium Replacement Grip ($10.95) and RF Dampener Pack ($6.50).
The RF Collection is now available online and in-stores at Wilson for purchase. For more information, please visit Wilson.com and follow @wilson and @wilsontennis on social.
*Pros often customize the racket they use. Racket specifications on endorsed consumer models may vary from the models used by Pros for match-play.
About Wilson Sporting Goods:
Chicago, USA-based Wilson Sporting Goods Co. is the world’s leading manufacturer of high-performance sports equipment, apparel, footwear and accessories. The Company brings more than a century of innovation and heritage to the world of sport – celebrating the iconic moments made possible by Wilson across Racquet Sports, Baseball, Softball, American Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer and Golf. In Racquet Sports, Wilson is a global leader in tennis, padel, racquetball, badminton and pickleball. Wilson is part of Amer Sports, a global group of iconic sports and outdoor brands, publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange.
About Roger Federer:
Roger Federer is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes and tennis players of all time. With 20 Grand Slam championships and 103 titles in singles, Federer has helped set the standard of excellence in the sport. His legacy of grace, sportsmanship, and versatility on the court endures, as he continues to actively promote and grow the sport of tennis globally.
Off the court, Federer is dedicated to philanthropy through the Roger Federer Foundation, which supports educational projects in southern Africa and Switzerland, reflecting his commitment to giving back to communities and making a positive impact.
SOURCE Wilson Sporting Goods
Get the latest updates and information on the rapidly growing sport of pickleball, specifically designed for the senior community aged 50+. Check out Sleeve’s Senior Pickleball Report on YouTube to stay informed and up-to-date with the ever-changing world of pickleball. Join the community and stay ahead of the game.
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Senior Pickleball Report
Pickleball Kingdom’s California Expansion Starts in Roseville; Sleeves SPR Has Full Details
West Coast pickleball players could see more indoor options soon as Pickleball Kingdom’s California Expansion becomes statewide. The first club opens in Roseville with 11 indoor courts.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Pickleball Kingdom, which calls itself the world’s largest indoor pickleball entity, announced a landmark agreement to develop locations across California, with multi-unit franchisees Parminder and Komal Saini leading the statewide expansion.
Pickleball Kingdom’s California Expansion
The company said demand is rising across the Bay Area, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego County, and the Inland Empire, and that future clubs are expected to include professional-grade indoor courts, coaching and clinics for all skill levels, youth development programs, leagues and tournaments, a pro shop, and social areas.
The first California location is set to open in Roseville with grand opening activities the weekend of March 28. The club will feature 11 professional-grade indoor courts across approximately 32,900 square feet at 10251 Fairway Drive, Roseville, CA 95678.
For more context on the announcement and what the rollout could mean for California players, Sleeves Senior Pickleball Report published a full write-up here: https://sleeves-spr.com/pickleball-kingdom-announces-major-california-expansion-first-club-opens-in-roseville/Pickleball Kingdom also said it is seeking additional franchise partners in California. More information is available at https://pickleballkingdom.com/franchise/
Get the latest updates and information on the rapidly growing sport of pickleball, specifically designed for the senior community aged 50+. Check out Sleeve’s Senior Pickleball Report on YouTube to stay informed and up-to-date with the ever-changing world of pickleball. Join the community and stay ahead of the game. https://stmdailynews.com/sleeves-senior-pickleball-report/
Sports
Sports Facilities Companies Acquires RCI Sports Management
The Sports Facilities Companies has acquired RCI Sports Management, enhancing its national presence and services in sports tourism and venue operations. This acquisition adds properties in Texas and Kansas, focusing on improving facility performance and revenue generation through integrated marketing and standardized systems, reflecting a trend in consolidating sports facility services.
The Sports Facilities Companies has acquired Texas-based RCI Sports Management, a move that expands its national footprint while strengthening its position in sports tourism, venue operations, and economic impact services for municipalities and private owners.
The deal adds RCI-managed properties in Texas and Kansas to the SF Network, including The Refinery Fieldhouse in Garden City, Amarillo Netplex in Amarillo, and Travis Fields at Midtown Park in Bryan. Together, the facilities broaden SFC’s reach in mid-market communities where youth sports, tournaments, and event programming are increasingly tied to hotel stays, visitor spending, and local business activity.
SFC said the acquisition will help accelerate facility performance through integrated marketing, sponsorship sales, standardized operating systems, and expanded event and tourism pipelines. That makes this more than a management deal — it reflects the continued consolidation of sports facility services as operators look to scale revenue generation, improve efficiency, and deliver stronger returns for public and private partners.
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Source: The Sports Facilities Companies via PR Newswire
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Sports
The U.S. Army Names Soldier-Athletes Headed to the 2026 Winter Games in Italy
The U.S. Army says nine WCAP Soldier-athletes and coaches will compete at the 2026 Winter Games in Italy in bobsled, biathlon, Nordic combined and figure skating—showcasing elite fitness, discipline and performance.
The U.S. Army is sending a new group of Soldier-athletes to one of the biggest stages in international sports.
In a Jan. 29, 2026 announcement, the Army said nine Soldier-athletes and coaches will represent the United States at the 2026 Winter Games in Italy, with two additional Soldiers traveling as alternates. The group will compete across bobsled, biathlon, Nordic combined, and pairs figure skating—sports that demand equal parts endurance, precision, and mental toughness.
Who’s representing the Army at the 2026 Winter Games
According to the release, the Army’s lineup of Soldier-athletes and coaches includes:
Competing and coaching in Italy
- Lt. Col. Chris Fogt (Bobsled Head Coach)
- Lt. Col. Garrett Hines (Bobsled Coach)
- Sgt. 1st Class Shauna Rohbock (Bobsled Coach)
- Sgt. Frank Del Duca (Bobsled)
- Spc. Azaria Hill (Bobsled)
- Staff Sgt. Deedra Irwin (Biathlon)
- Spc. Sean Doherty (Biathlon)
- Sgt. Ben Loomis (Nordic Combined)
- Pvt. Spencer Howe (Pairs Figure Skating)
Alternates
- Cpl. Hakeem Abdul-Saboor (Bobsled Alternate)
- Spc. Dana Kellogg (Luge Doubles Alternate)
Soldier first, athlete always
The Army emphasized that WCAP athletes remain full-time Soldiers while training and competing at the elite level. Brig. Gen. Matthew Braman, the Army’s Chief Marketing Officer, said the same traits built through military service—discipline, mental agility, teamwork, and readiness—translate directly into high-level athletic performance.
“Even when competing at the highest level, these athletes are U.S. Army Soldiers first,” Braman said in the release, adding that they’re trained to be “tactically and technically proficient” and prepared to perform in any environment.
What is the World Class Athlete Program (WCAP)?
The Soldier-athletes train and serve through the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program (WCAP), which supports top-ranked Soldiers competing at the international level. WCAP provides coaching, facilities, and training resources while ensuring Soldiers maintain their readiness and complete mandatory Army requirements.
While WCAP was officially established in 1997, the Army says it has been training Soldier-athletes for more than 75 years. Over that span, the Army has sent more than 600 Soldier-athletes to compete on the world stage, earning more than 120 medals across summer and winter sports.
Italy adds a layer of Army history
This year’s Winter Games location also carries historical meaning for the Army. The release points to World War II, when the 10th Mountain Division—an elite unit trained for mountain warfare—climbed Riva Ridge in northern Italy in a mission that helped shift momentum in the war.
After returning home, many Soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division helped build the foundation of the American ski industry by establishing ski resorts and ski schools across the U.S.—a legacy that still shows up in winter sports culture today.
Braman called the upcoming Games “a unique moment” to honor both the Army’s history in alpine terrain and its long-standing presence in elite athletics.
What to Watch For
- Biathlon conditioning: How Soldier-athletes balance endurance output with shooting precision under fatigue.
- Bobsled power and speed: Starts win races—watch for explosive sprint mechanics and teamwork on push phases.
- Nordic combined workload: One of the toughest mixes in sport; look for training insights on strength-to-weight and aerobic capacity.
- Recovery and readiness: How WCAP athletes manage sleep, mobility, and injury prevention while staying Soldier-ready.
- Italy’s alpine backdrop: The region’s mountain history adds context—and pressure—for performance in cold, high-demand environments.
Learn more
For more information about the U.S. Army and opportunities like WCAP, the release directs readers to GoArmy.com, including GoArmy.com/world-class-athlete-program.
Source: U.S. Army (PRNewswire), Jan. 29, 2026
Related External Links
- U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program (WCAP) – Overview of how Soldier-athletes train and compete at the elite level.
- GoArmy.com – Learn more about U.S. Army opportunities and careers.
- Team USA – Athlete news, sport profiles, and updates across Olympic and Paralympic disciplines.
- Olympics.com – Official Winter Games coverage, schedules, and sport explainers.
- International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) – Rules, rankings, and event info for Nordic disciplines, including Nordic combined.
- International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (IBSF) – Bobsled and skeleton sport info, events, and athlete resources.
- International Biathlon Union (IBU) – Biathlon news, event calendars, and performance insights.
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