A few days ago all eyes were on Roger Federer's return to tennis, coinciding with the Qatar Open. The whole world has been waiting for the shoes of the Swiss tennis player. For the first time we see in his feet a unique skill enhanced with a shoe designed especially for him: The Roger Pro, On's first tennis competition shoes, designed in Switzerland by Roger Federer and On Lab.
To carry out the design of this shoe, the technology of ON running shoes has been adapted to the demands of tennis. If in running the movements are forward to move forward, in tennis a technology adapted to lateral and rapid changes of direction at high speeds is required.
"With a lateral movement, a tennis player can load up to three times his own weight on the shoe," explains Olivier Bernhard, co-founder and head of innovation at On. "These high forces demand extreme agility and stability. That's what we worked with Roger for."
The shoes created by Federer have a midsole with high-density performance foam, which extends to the outer sides of the shoe and an internal structure that helps keep the foot stable during rapid movements. It also has the Speedboard technology, made of 100% carbon fiber, which absorbs the impact on each landing and has different reinforcements that help Federer give a better response to changes of direction.
"After so many years at the top of world sport, Federer knows exactly what it feels like to play at full strength," says Bernhard, a former professional athlete. "He can feel every little adjustment. This perception served to guide the entire project."
The Roger Pro is a unique model designed in Switzerland to Roger's requirements and is not available for purchase.
