Navratilova’s “RD-7”

Seth · Aug 31, 2019

I found an unusual listing on FleaBay for an RD-7 that didn’t look right. Saw a signature on the grip, and noticed a 16x21 string pattern so I pulled the trigger hoping it was something special. The signature kinda looked like “Martina” so I tweeted Navratilova about it. She replied confirming it was one of hers from 1994.

Anybody know what’s under the paint? It’s definitely widebody. The grip feels like 4 1/2 and it’s still strung with Babolat “NATUREL” string. I can see where lead tape was on the frame at 3/9 but was removed at some point. Interestingly, the frame doesn’t say “RD-7” anywhere - both sides of the frame have the same text: “Graphite Composite Made In Japan.”

https://imgur.com/1ffnola

https://imgur.com/GvShmPT

https://imgur.com/UVQLNt4

https://imgur.com/7vpHxMp

vsbabolat · Aug 31, 2019

Seth said:
I found an unusual listing on FleaBay for an RD-7 that didn’t look right. Saw a signature on the grip, and noticed a 16x21 string pattern so I pulled the trigger hoping it was something special. The signature kinda looked like “Martina” so I tweeted Navratilova about it. She replied confirming it was one of hers from 1994.

Anybody know what’s under the paint? It’s definitely widebody. The grip feels like 4 1/2 and it’s still strung with Babolat “NATUREL” string. I can see where lead tape was on the frame at 3/9 but was removed at some point. Interestingly, the frame doesn’t say “RD-7” anywhere - both sides of the frame have the same text: “Graphite Composite Made In Japan.”

https://imgur.com/1ffnola

https://imgur.com/GvShmPT

https://imgur.com/UVQLNt4

https://imgur.com/7vpHxMp

It was really a RQ-180 under the paint

vsbabolat · Aug 31, 2019

Also seems to have a custom drill pattern

Bhagi Katbamna · Aug 31, 2019

That's cool.

Seth · Sep 1, 2019

vsbabolat said:
It was really a RQ-180 under the paint

Thanks for the info!

BDAZ · Sep 1, 2019

I think it's cool that she tweeted you back about it.

Seth · Sep 1, 2019

BDAZ said:
I think it's cool that she tweeted you back about it.

I was surprised. Didn’t think she’d take the time.

ADar601278 · Sep 3, 2019

Hey Seth,
Just wondering if you would like to sell it??
Andy

n8dawg6 · Sep 3, 2019

thats cool

michael valek · Sep 3, 2019

Rq180 was a hateful piece of junk in my opinion. The 2 I had as a yonex junior both cracked in normal play, across the throat. They wouldn’t replace them.

McLovin · Sep 3, 2019

michael valek said:
Rq180 was a hateful piece of junk in my opinion. The 2 I had as a yonex junior both cracked in normal play, across the throat. They wouldn’t replace them.

Honestly, I think that was common among most Yonex frames in the late 80s/early 90s. I had the same thing happen to me with the R-50, the RQ-420, and a couple of the Cyborg series. The only ones I got replaced were the Cyborgs, but that was through the online retailer, not Yonex.

tennistiger · Sep 10, 2019

vsbabolat said:
It was really a RQ-180 under the paint

Not correct ! It is a RQ 380, look at the wider throat 380 has in comparison to 180. Martina switched to bigger headsize in 1993. It has standart 16/19 drilling but stringers often made one more cross in the upper and bottom. (Seles too)

vsbabolat · Sep 10, 2019

tennistiger said:
Not correct ! It is a RQ 380, look at the wider throat 380 has in comparison to 180. Martina switched to bigger headsize in 1993. It has standart 16/19 drilling but stringers often made one more cross in the upper and bottom. (Seles too)

Yeah, fair enough. I think you’re correct

Rabbit · Sep 10, 2019

Does that mean if @vsbabolat said it twice he'd have been right on the money?

vsbabolat · Sep 10, 2019

Rabbit said:
Does that mean if @vsbabolat said it twice he'd have been right on the money?

I know she really did use the RQ-180. I was thinking to myself the headsize looks with that paint job. I’m human I’m not right all the and I do make mistakes unlike our glorious leader.

Rabbit · Sep 10, 2019

vsbabolat said:
I know she really did use the RQ-180. I was thinking to myself the headsize looks with that paint job. I’m human I’m not right all the and I do make mistakes unlike our glorious leader.

Yep, the 180 was the pearl colored one, right? I used the RQ-260 for a time and it was a fantastic frame. I don't remember the 380, or yesterday for what it's worth.

Yeah, there are plenty of self-proclaimed SME's around here

michael valek · Sep 10, 2019

I used one of the blue ezone yonexes recently. It’s the same shape as the 180, just lighter. I thought it might also crack.

gino · Sep 10, 2019

Seth said:
I found an unusual listing on FleaBay for an RD-7 that didn’t look right. Saw a signature on the grip, and noticed a 16x21 string pattern so I pulled the trigger hoping it was something special. The signature kinda looked like “Martina” so I tweeted Navratilova about it. She replied confirming it was one of hers from 1994.

Anybody know what’s under the paint? It’s definitely widebody. The grip feels like 4 1/2 and it’s still strung with Babolat “NATUREL” string. I can see where lead tape was on the frame at 3/9 but was removed at some point. Interestingly, the frame doesn’t say “RD-7” anywhere - both sides of the frame have the same text: “Graphite Composite Made In Japan.”

https://imgur.com/1ffnola

https://imgur.com/GvShmPT

https://imgur.com/UVQLNt4

https://imgur.com/7vpHxMp

dude this is awesome! congrats on the epic scoop!

Lefty78 · Sep 11, 2019

vsbabolat said:
I know she really did use the RQ-180.

Martina's RQ's were different than retail.

BorgCash · Sep 11, 2019

What a

Lefty78 said:
Martina's RQ's were different than retail.

What about other Yonex contract players, Pat Cash for example, also used RQ180 after R50

BorgCash · Sep 11, 2019

michael valek said:
Rq180 was a hateful piece of junk in my opinion. The 2 I had as a yonex junior both cracked in normal play, across the throat. They wouldn’t replace them.

So, this racquet is a very bad bad quality piece, do not playing long enough?
I got one, and it is amaizingly comfortable soft stick.

michael valek · Sep 11, 2019

It was 1989, who knows!!

Lefty78 · Sep 12, 2019

BorgCash said:
What about other Yonex contract players, Pat Cash for example, also used RQ180 after R50

Sorry, I have no direct info there.

mpournaras · Sep 12, 2019

BorgCash said:
What a
What about other Yonex contract players, Pat Cash for example, also used RQ180 after R50

I think Pat used the EZone 100 lite painted up as an old RD

BorgCash · Sep 12, 2019

mpournaras said:
I think Pat used the EZone 100 lite painted up as an old RD

Not sure, he switched to Yonex at the end of 1987, if i'm not forget something.

vsbabolat · Sep 13, 2019

BorgCash said:
Not sure, he switched to Yonex at the end of 1987, if i'm not forget something.

He was joking. Pat used the R-50. I have one it’s pretty heavy.

SeeItHitIt · Sep 13, 2019

Nice find -

BorgCash · Sep 13, 2019

vsbabolat said:
He was joking. Pat used the R-50. I have one it’s pretty heavy.

Yes, first he used R-50, later he switched to RQ-180

tennistiger · Sep 13, 2019

But he always was unhappy with the RQ180. Yonex changed so many things that under the paint it was a new racket in 1990. They sold it as RQ260 but Cash used his old paintjob.

vsbabolat · Sep 13, 2019

BorgCash said:
Yes, first he used R-50, later he switched to RQ-180

Yup

BorgCash · Sep 14, 2019

tennistiger said:
But he always was unhappy with the RQ180. Yonex changed so many things that under the paint it was a new racket in 1990. They sold it as RQ260 but Cash used his old paintjob.

So, he used real RQ180 under new pj? Or what?

tennistiger · Sep 15, 2019

RQ260 under RQ180 paint job.

mjwtpro1 · Sep 15, 2019

I have this frame as well. It's an RQ 380 with RD-7 paintjob. Mine is a custom made for Seles.

BorgCash · Sep 15, 2019

tennistiger said:
RQ260 under RQ180 paint job.

What is the difference between the two?

BorgCash · Sep 15, 2019

mjwtpro1 said:
I have this frame as well. It's an RQ 380 with RD-7 paintjob. Mine is a custom made for Seles.

Can you post the pictures please?

TimeToPlaySets · Sep 15, 2019

This is the only Yonex worth discussing!

tennistiger · Sep 17, 2019

BorgCash said:
What is the difference between the two?

Exept the paint: Layup and materials.

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