Slightly disagree. Maybe Ai and Dr have followers here at TW, but how many of them Yonex had sold in "real world" ? TW community is ‰ of buyers, but Yonex wants to compete the big three.
TW community is bashing the Head Graphene, Babolat stiffness, etc. but my local tennis shop is selling mostly Head, Babolat and Wilson sticks.
I am very positive that Yonex sells a lot more rackets than before.
When Ezone XI was released, Yonex hit the bottom in my opinion.
Not much success from pros and domination of Wilson and babolat.
Almost similar to Dunlop. Rackets just sit in stores and stores started selling old models around $60.
Stores in Atlanta, stopped carrying Yonex rackets because of slow sales. Also almost no one played Yonex rackets at courts. After success of AI/DR, people asked about Yonex rackets and seeing more people with Yonex rackets.
Also local stores start to bring back Yonex rackets to their stores.
In real world, it's very slim Yonex population comparing to Head, Babolat and Wilson but definitely Yonex gained small market shares. probably best ever for them.
Wilson blade has similar character and spec for decades and still sell decently.
I thought Yonex should do same with AI/DR lines instead of radical changes which Yonex often does it for new models. AI to DR was good move (same racket and just different feel) but DR to Ezone is very questionable (change head shape and making more stiffer feeling).
Yonex is Yonex. Remember They are a badminton company. Tennis is just fun small operation for them.
Yonex never consider to compete with Head, Wilson and babolat and I don't think they will never even try to compete with them. Yonex will more focus on badminton business since their domination can not be compare with Tennis business.
Very unique company, their ideas are sometimes too radical and always try to experiment with something unique instead of just chaining paint jobs. Also most importantly, fundamental which is quality controls.
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