Yonex Pro RD 70 Long 95 inch

FastFreddy

Semi-Pro
Anyone here ever played with this racquet. I used this racquet back in 1996 to 2005 I liked this racquet the best out of any that I played with. Martina used the 105inch with the 95 paint job. She felt like she needed more power against the bigger stronger players. Martina dumped this racquet for a thick widebody what a mistake. Martina never really played well after that racquet switch.
 

jayserinos99

Hall of Fame
I had one that I cut down to 27". I never got used to the extended length but when I cut it down and leaded the handle to compensate for the weight lost, I was hitting really clean. I liked flex of it and I still haven't found a Yonex that duplicated that feel for me.
 

galain

Hall of Fame
I've often thought about cutting mine down as jay has with his, but I never got around to it. It was a very unwieldy 28inches, but I'm sure at a reasonable length it would be a beauty. Thin thin cross section (I measured mine at 17mm) - nice flex and I really don't know if this was a function of the extra length or the string spacing or some other magic intangible, but the Pro RD 70 (I have the 95 version) hit's the most spin of any racquet I've ever picked up. I've played with most of the so called spin monsters including the POG and RD7 and this thing buries them all for the amount of spin it produces. I'd be curious to see if that quality remains the same at a shorter length.
 

jayserinos99

Hall of Fame
Spin wise, I didn't think it got as much spin as either the POG or RD7 but I think it hit surprisingly well; sort of a like a hybrid of both since the RD70 is thin like the POG but in a RD7 shape and flex (maybe not as flexy but more flexy than the POG). This thread reminds me I should get my RD70 back from my friend; I gave it to him because he was playing tennis and now that he's stopped I'm sure he won't mind returning it...
 

FastFreddy

Semi-Pro
Length

When I switched to a 28 length this was my first one, with this racquet it was all postive no down side. I just took me a few hits to figure how close to get to the ball. I liked the extra reach at the net on volleys and overheads and I could reach balls on my backhand with the slice. In the past I could only get a little racquet on them. other balls that I would slice now I could hit a two hander and get it back pretty well. Plus it helped my serve since I am only 5 10 3/4 tall. I never felt like I got jammed any more than my POG 90 or 110. I liked the how much flex this racquet had, And it was nice that Yonex made a thin beam racquet since my r-18.

I wish they made this in a 29 inch I wonder if it would still hit well and not get jammed into the body. I use to put 15 nylon and a bunch of string savers and string it 70lbs. I guess I like a flexy racquet with tight strings then a stiff racquet with tight or low tension. My racquet weight with 2 overgrips and 15 string and string savers was 13.1. With this racquet I could hit some nice topspin with this racquet but I tried the chang racquet when It first came out and could not hit any everything was flat. So I sold it to a hard flat hiting junior.
 

Kirin0016

New User
I've used this racquet, it's great !! Awaiting for arrival from Australia to London, can't wait. Thinking on buy another one. Is it hard to find?:???:
 

FastFreddy

Semi-Pro
Pro RD 70 Long 95 4 5/8 grip

I posted a want ad already at this site. Are you talking about e bay a auction site. Are there other auction sites I can check out. Well if I can't find one of these racquets. I will buy one of the following racquets. I want to buy and try first a Babolat pure drive Roddick plus then if I hate it I will go with a Dunlop 4d aerogel 200 or Pog longbody.

I already have a 200g muscle weave and had 4 POG longbodys. I tried the first blue and red Babolat racquets back in 1998 or 1999 when they first came out. I liked the red one better than the Moya blue one. I tried a full poly but it didn't feel right it felt better right before it broke. With my new racquet I want to go with a poly main and a natural gut cross just to check out. I love a full gut job but it only last 40mins. I strung a natural gut 15 on the mains and a natural gut 17 on the cross that lasted 90mins but still very short time. 15 nylon lasts me 12 hrs.
 

cyberwing88

New User
3374427784_1b42c2814c.jpg

picture shows three sticks from left to right: apdc, k90, Pro Rd-70 long 95.
rd-70 is about 2mm thinner than k90.
 

Princegod

Rookie
I had the 105 sq.in. version but unfortunately it killed my elbow. I actually found spin to be lacking, but hitting flat was the forte of this racket. I sold it quickly though because of my elbow.

I believe Hingis and Kournikova both used it at one point in their careers FWIW.
 

FastFreddy

Semi-Pro
Pro RD 70 Long 95

Hingis(Jan 1997 to May 1998) then went to a widebody racquet what a mistake. Kournikova and Hingis used the 105 with the 95 paint job since the 105 paint job did not look all that great. I loved playing with the 95 but the 105 played like a different racquet. I hated the 105 and gave them away and bought some more 95's. I think I bought like 12 or 14 of them until you could not get them any more. I used them from 1996 to 2005 when I ran out of fresh sticks. I switched to the POG Longbody it plays ok but not the same feel and flex or spin.
 

galain

Hall of Fame
I had the 105 sq.in. version but unfortunately it killed my elbow. I actually found spin to be lacking, but hitting flat was the forte of this racket. I sold it quickly though because of my elbow.

I believe Hingis and Kournikova both used it at one point in their careers FWIW.

I never hit with the 105 but it sounds like it must have been quite a different stick. With the 95, seriously, I've never extracted spin like I did with that out of any other racquet I've hit. Maybe we (the Yonex and I) just meshed. I hit with an eastern forehand, usually very close to the top of the net, and i had balls jumping up over shoulder height with this thing - I've never done that before. I don't usually play with a lot of spin so it wasn't as if I was consciously trying to put more work on the ball. It's the only long body I've hit with though so perhaps that had something to do with it.

I put it down because I could never dial in my backhand. Slice backhands were great, but I found I'd often be a little late prepping for a topspin backhand - and eventually I decided to go back to what I'd been using before. I still think about whacking a bit off the bottom though and seeing how it plays at a shorter length. For my money, the RD7 was a better all round performer.
 

Automatix

Legend
I never hit with the 105 but it sounds like it must have been quite a different stick. With the 95, seriously, I've never extracted spin like I did with that out of any other racquet I've hit. Maybe we (the Yonex and I) just meshed. I hit with an eastern forehand, usually very close to the top of the net, and i had balls jumping up over shoulder height with this thing - I've never done that before. I don't usually play with a lot of spin so it wasn't as if I was consciously trying to put more work on the ball. It's the only long body I've hit with though so perhaps that had something to do with it.

I put it down because I could never dial in my backhand. Slice backhands were great, but I found I'd often be a little late prepping for a topspin backhand - and eventually I decided to go back to what I'd been using before. I still think about whacking a bit off the bottom though and seeing how it plays at a shorter length. For my money, the RD7 was a better all round performer.

WoW... my thoughts exactly... the RD 70 was a spin and serve demon but the 28 inches didn't click with my one handed backhand... the RD7 is definitely better all-round...

I wouldn't dare to cut my RD 70s...
 

FastFreddy

Semi-Pro
Length

Since I have a two hand backhand the Pro RD 70 long was the best racquet for me. If you have a one hander you will not like a 28 inch racquet. I don't think I ever saw anyone hit a one backhand with a 28 inch length. I have had the rq-220, 2200, rd-7 and the rd-tour and my #2 best racquet is the R-18 then the Prince POG Longbody. I want to buy and check out the Roddick Plus 27.5 racquet with poly on the main and nat gut on the cross and add some lead to the hoop at 3 and 9.
 

Automatix

Legend
First of all my apologies for reviving this old thread but while browsing through I found it funny how things turned out...

WoW... my thoughts exactly... the RD 70 was a spin and serve demon but the 28 inches didn't click with my one handed backhand... the RD7 is definitely better all-round...

Would you believe that after 2 years I can't find a frame which would fit my game as well as this frame? My 1HBH tuned with this frame and now it's like an extension of my arm.

The sad part is that I can't find anything like this model. Luckily thanks to a friend on this board I managed to buy some spare grommets but I only have 2 of these. One which is fairly new, and one pretty beat up.

In search for a replacement I even bought 2 pro frames (Tecnifibre SMU Vliegen PT-043H-1B PU (18x20)) which are pretty nice (95 square inch headsize and 19mm beam) but it's just not the same. :( Decided to unload them.

Hopefully I'll find a replacement before they brake.
 

Buckethead

Banned
First of all my apologies for reviving this old thread but while browsing through I found it funny how things turned out...



Would you believe that after 2 years I can't find a frame which would fit my game as well as this frame? My 1HBH tuned with this frame and now it's like an extension of my arm.

The sad part is that I can't find anything like this model. Luckily thanks to a friend on this board I managed to buy some spare grommets but I only have 2 of these. One which is fairly new, and one pretty beat up.

In search for a replacement I even bought 2 pro frames (Tecnifibre SMU Vliegen PT-043H-1B PU (18x20)) which are pretty nice (95 square inch headsize and 19mm beam) but it's just not the same. :( Decided to unload them.

Hopefully I'll find a replacement before they brake.

There is one on e b a y for sale brand new I think. The best slice ever, the greatest top spin and kick serve, however I could not handle it at the time and looked a bit unstable upper on the string bed, I guess because of the 15mm constant beam, or maybe the string that was with it, I can't remember much more than this, but the positives were top performance, when Safina was young(14 or so) she used to play it.
 
As a big 28 inch fan (with a single handed backhand) I bought this stick thinking it would be stiffer. Could not get used to the flex on impact and found it a bit hard to generate power with a full swing. Still it looks great on the wall of fame
 

ritton07

Rookie
..does anyone recognize this young player, using this frame? :)

anna.jpg


FastFreddy had previously written "... Kournikova and Hingis used the 105 with the 95 paint job since the 105 paint job did not look all that great."
I never saw that second paint job (I have only seen this one), so, I'd be interested to know how it looked like, in case...
 
..does anyone recognize this young player, using this frame? :)

anna.jpg


FastFreddy had previously written "... Kournikova and Hingis used the 105 with the 95 paint job since the 105 paint job did not look all that great."
I never saw that second paint job (I have only seen this one), so, I'd be interested to know how it looked like, in case...

sorry...having difficulty focusing on the racket
 

ritton07

Rookie
(ah, ah.....I can understand it... :)
Sorry for going out of topic for a few seconds,....this pic was taken at the Italian Open in 1998, during a training session with Conchita Martinez; the gear she wore was not the "official one", she had bought it shopping in Rome the previous day and, since the outfit was too long for her liking, she had cut herself both shirt and short at their ends......, ah ah…. women…!)
 

dekko1

Semi-Pro
I had the 105 sq.in. version but unfortunately it killed my elbow. I actually found spin to be lacking, but hitting flat was the forte of this racket. I sold it quickly though because of my elbow.

I believe Hingis and Kournikova both used it at one point in their careers FWIW.

I played with the 95 version for a few months while I was playing futures and satellites. I loved the racket, but it also destroyed my elbow; I had to stop playing for about 8 months.
 

Buckethead

Banned
I played with the 95 version for a few months while I was playing futures and satellites. I loved the racket, but it also destroyed my elbow; I had to stop playing for about 8 months.
It may have been the string and tension, because that racket is very comfortable with great feel, you can really feel the racket bending back when in contact with the ball/hiting the ball, but everyone feels things differently.
Really?! I find it very comfortable and elbow friendly. Go figure...

BTW the 95 was wine color, while the 105 is blueish with gold paint on the sides, so the one on **** was indeed the 95.

There is another one, on TT classifieds 4 5/8 for sale.
 

ritton07

Rookie
BTW the 95 was wine color, while the 105 is blueish with gold paint on the sides, so the one on **** was indeed the 95.

..one month ago I visited a friend that sometimes supplies me with vintage racquets, he had two used Pro RD 70 long, one 95 and one 105, both in
that wine color;
some days ago I wrote to the seller of that new one that was for sale on **** last week, he confirmed it was the 105 version (as previously stated by Automatix)

So I presume Yonex made available for sale also the 105 in the wine colour
(isn't it?)
 

Buckethead

Banned
..one month ago I visited a friend that sometimes supplies me with vintage racquets, he had two used Pro RD 70 long, one 95 and one 105, both in
that wine color;
some days ago I wrote to the seller of that new one that was for sale on **** last week, he confirmed it was the 105 version (as previously stated by Automatix)

So I presume Yonex made available for sale also the 105 in the wine colour
(isn't it?)

I'm wrong then, I had only hit with the ones with different paint, that is why I thought they were different to identify the different sizes as well.
Oh well, good luck to all of those looking for those racket I definitely would like to give them a go this time around, since I'm much better.
 

ritton07

Rookie
...just to confirm,
this is a 105 in. version in the "wine" colour
(it is also written at the top of the hoop :) )

RD70a.jpg


RD70b.jpg
 

Automatix

Legend
Funny thing, when I was looking around for these frames there were more 105s available.


The 105s were IMHO very different from the 95s. Definitely softer but although lighter for me they were less manoeuvrable and sadly nowhere near the 95 stability wise.
 

dekko1

Semi-Pro
It may have been the string and tension, because that racket is very comfortable with great feel, you can really feel the racket bending back when in contact with the ball/hiting the ball, but everyone feels things differently.

at the time I was playing with 1.25 Kirschbaum Super smash which is a really stiff string, but I did try various string setups (most soft synthetics) and never played with too tight strings.
I did like the racquet and you do feel it bending back, but for some reason, my elbow just could not take it.
 

Buckethead

Banned
at the time I was playing with 1.25 Kirschbaum Super smash which is a really stiff string, but I did try various string setups (most soft synthetics) and never played with too tight strings.
I did like the racquet and you do feel it bending back, but for some reason, my elbow just could not take it.

I hear you.

BTW I'm play testing the Yonex Poly Tour Pro(yellow one) 1.30 and I'm very impressed with it, I may switch to it as my main string.
 

dekko1

Semi-Pro
I hear you.

BTW I'm play testing the Yonex Poly Tour Pro(yellow one) 1.30 and I'm very impressed with it, I may switch to it as my main string.

I have been playing with Yonex Polytour Pro for a a while now, 1.25 though, and really love it! Best Poly I have played with so far.
 

JUAN_PRADO

Rookie
i have this racket , its a very flex racket , but for me was not a good racket only for the problem this racket are longbody .
Yes Anna and Martina Plays with this frame , i have a sample of 105 version , but the first sample of this are satin blue no brown /gold glossy . This is the first racket of my soon Juan , ha ha , Juan take 3 years old the next 30 of may
This is a pic of Juan whit a Yonex pro rd 70 long miniature model replica
normal_juan_jr_yonex.jpg
 

t-swede

Semi-Pro
I got a bargain deal and currently own 7 of these. 5 new ones. :)
Yes, I love Yonex frames.
automatix are you still playing with the rd-70s ? i found two brand new ones together with a couple of new rd-7 and rq-1500 basically the shop owner lets me try out the racket and then choose.

what kind of string would be good to put in the rd-70 , rpm blast maybe ?
 

galain

Hall of Fame
I've often thought how good IsoSpeed Classic would play in this frame. I wouldn't put a poly in it personally.
 

ctromano

Rookie
i played with the 95 long version when it came out, Martina Hingis was the "it" girl of the time and I wanted to have a "long" racquet in my bag... the story goes like this, I had an arch rival at the time, he was the girls varsity coach and I was the Varsity boys assistant coach, he was older by 4 years, I've never beaten him in the 10 or so times we played singles, not even close ( he was playing division 1 tennis at the time), but during a practice, we played a singles match, nothing out of the ordinary it happened from time to time. On this day I had my trusty PS 85 in my hands like always an extension of my arm, and we were on it, I won the first set 6-3, in the second set I must have told myself "one more point" too many times because I lost it in a tie break... in the 3rd set I was up and down but had a lead at 4-3 when my strings break, right on the mains just right of the center on a serve that popped for an up the T, it was 30-15 and I had no spare PS 85 at the time, but I did have the Yonex RD-70 tour 95 extra long. I had been hitting with it from time to time but never in a match... I won my serve on a couple of nice serves for forehand service return errors and I closed the set and match while breaking his serve on cross-court and forehand down the line patterns. Crazy but after that win for me, we never played again, it's my only win against him but it's the sweetest win and it was done with my yonex rd-70 95 tour long. I don't have it anymore, I gave it to one of the students some time ago.
 

Gonzalito17

Banned
Seems the pro players who use Yonex are with very talented hands - Rios, Hingis, Nalbandian, Hewitt, Seles. Yonex is a very smart company.
 

Automatix

Legend
automatix are you still playing with the rd-70s ? i found two brand new ones together with a couple of new rd-7 and rq-1500 basically the shop owner lets me try out the racket and then choose.

what kind of string would be good to put in the rd-70 , rpm blast maybe ?
Sorry for the late response.

Yes, I'm still with the RD 70s. I just can't find anything better... although the weight is a bit troublesome. I'd really like to switch but there is nothing similar in a lighter package.

As for the strings I've been testing almost everything from thin kevlar to soft and powerfull multis.

It really depends on what's your game like. If you have efficient power and playing with lot's of spin I'd go with a smooth poly like Beast XP.
With strings promoting spin this racket with it's 16x17 (a nice intro if you're going to playtest he Wilson Spin Effect frames and the 16x16 EXO ESP from Prince) string pattern makes the ball land short... at least for me.

I was really happy with Polyfibre Black Venom 1,25mm.

Currently I'm pondering if I should check out a hybrid of Tonic+ mains and Beast XP crosses.
 

galain

Hall of Fame
One string I think really suits this frame is Isospeed Classic 16. Great control, great spin and easy on the arm.
 

eman resu

Professional
I'm interested on this 95. How good is it at the net for you, and how stable is it? Also, what are the specs of a 4 3/8 in your experience, and how narrow is the headshape?
 
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eman resu

Professional
And how would you rate the 95 in terms of power and control?

ps: I have a Prince Michael Chang MP LB (14x18) and a PS6.1 Stretch
 

Automatix

Legend
YY Pro RD 95 vs PSC 6.1 Stretch?

YY is softer, lower powered, cuts through the air quicker, is more control oriented and is much more spin friendly.
Honestly I think it's hard to compare to anything, it is a really unique frame.

Some lead at the hoop does wonders for this frame IMHO.
 
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