Azarenka to Yonex

moon shot

Hall of Fame
Frame is still blacked out.

http://yonex.com/company/news/tenni...r-world-1-victoria-azarenka-signs-with-yonex/

Yonex signs Victoria Azarenka, former World No.1 tennis player for a racquet, bag, and accessories contract. Returning from an extended break, Azarenka will compete in this year’s Wimbledon with a Yonex racquet, Yonex accessories, and Pro Series racquet bag.


“I really feel I haven’t reached my full potential yet,” says Azarenka, who returned from her 13-month leave. “To achieve my goals I knew I needed to change my technique, biomechanics, as well as finding the perfect racquet to support my game,” she explained. “So I took the opportunity before returning to search for something with more power and control.”


“The square-shaped Yonex ISOMETRIC racquets are actually very familiar to me,” commented Azarenka, who competed with a Yonex during her junior years. After getting re-introduced to Yonex racquets through her coach, Michael Joyce (former World No.64 Yonex player), she was immediately drawn to the expanded sweet spot and power she experienced, as well as Yonex’s meticulous attention to detail in product development and manufacturing.
 

kimguroo

Legend
Wow. Great get YONEX!!! That's very surprising movement from both side. Probably Yonex has some room to sign her since Ivanovic retired.
Hope she will have smooth transition since Yonex rackets can be tough to adjust quickly (in my case haha).

Local stores in Atlanta pulled Yonex brand and Iplay tennis was only dealer but one of store decided to bring back Yonex. This means Yonex definitely grap more people. Good news!!!
 
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Harry_Wild

G.O.A.T.
Azarenka had been a life long Wilson user I think. But Wilson never offer her a new contract is the rumor that is out in the street. Afterward; Yonex offer her a racquet deal and she took it without asking Wilson to counter.
 

Serena2

Rookie
Azarenka had been a life long Wilson user I think. But Wilson never offer her a new contract is the rumor that is out in the street. Afterward; Yonex offer her a racquet deal and she took it without asking Wilson to counter.

I think she used (or played with a PJ of) the Head Instinct / Extreme line for most of her junior career and early pro career up until she won her first Aus Open when she switched to a Wilson PJ.
 

XFactorer

Hall of Fame
Definitely a new EZONE since it's due for an upgrade and because they mention power. I dunno. Anyone got some insider news?
 

kimguroo

Legend
Playing good tennis today and looks like she perfectly adjust to Yonex racket.
Probably either new ezone proto type or DR 100.
 

DanF1961

Rookie
I saw a picture of Vika playing the blacked out frame at Wimbledon. 16x19 string pattern and it looks like 6 main strings in the throat, instead of 8. Not sure of the head size. Her old Wilson frame was an 18x19.
 

David Le

Hall of Fame
I saw a picture of Vika playing the blacked out frame at Wimbledon. 16x19 string pattern and it looks like 6 main strings in the throat, instead of 8. Not sure of the head size. Her old Wilson frame was an 18x19.
She's playing with a Yonex. Supposedly the new DR98 or DR100.
 

moon shot

Hall of Fame
As said before likely DR100 for the throat grommets, head guard matches too.
DChJQL5.jpg


Throat
sCcU7Wi.jpg


3/4 angle
fqLpOCh.jpg


And Watson's sticker says 51lbs, head guard indicates old pure strike
Xivodrc.jpg
 
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XFactorer

Hall of Fame
If it would be a DR, why would it be blacked out? Like I said, it had a bluish tint.
Great question. One not-so-far-out answer could be that they're using marketing tactics to launch the next generation of EZONE. It doesn't matter what's under the paint to most club players. Yonex probably doesn't want the image of her using a DR only to then go to the next gen EZONE 2 months later after her signing. It's marketing.
 

moon shot

Hall of Fame
Great question. One not-so-far-out answer could be that they're using marketing tactics to launch the next generation of EZONE. It doesn't matter what's under the paint to most club players. Yonex probably doesn't want the image of her using a DR only to then go to the next gen EZONE 2 months later after her signing. It's marketing.

Well put, they don't want their version of Thiem's Pure Strike.
 

A_Instead

Legend
You will see the new paint on her racket at the US Open..
The "Great Debut"..
Just image if she wins Wimbledon...which could easily happen..
Yonex will be in a predicament as they will miss the golden opportunity to sell the "model" of the 2017 Wimbledon Ladies Champion..
 
You will see the new paint on her racket at the US Open..
The "Great Debut"..
Just image if she wins Wimbledon...which could easily happen..
Yonex will be in a predicament as they will miss the golden opportunity to sell the "model" of the 2017 Wimbledon Ladies Champion..

That's why her racquet is blacked out. Yonex can say she was using the "New" racquet. People won't care. They will buy it anyway.

Just like other prominent player's racquets. Most people know that they are using PJs. Doesn't stop them from buying the latest and greatest.
 

A_Instead

Legend
Agreed..but most who buy because "x" pro uses a certain paint of a current retail offer..won't know what yonex to buy....
We on TW know what she could be using..but we don't buy just because he or she uses "this" racket..
 

moon shot

Hall of Fame
Looks like they changed the grommet set again, sort of like the pure aero now. Crosses only string one direction.
 
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