Demo suggestions for a long time Yonex user?

[Heavy Ball]

Hello, I first got into tennis in the summer of my eighth grade year. My first racquet(and love) was the Yonex RDX 500 MP. I loved the spin, the head shape, the flex(in the throat) and most importantly the loads of feel in which i have yet to experience with any other racquet. I Entered High School(in Califonia) not as a tennis player but primarily a Cross Country runner who competed Nationally up until my Senior year where i began to lose interest in a sport that was beating me up physically but even more so psychologically. I gave it up my senior year for tennis. Throughout my years playing i put the RDX500's in my bag(sadly)because they did not hold up against the top players in my league and i was being not only outhit, but could not generate enough power without ample time.

I went through tours of duty with the RQis 1 tour(which i never really got used to) but liked it alot and the 2007 version of the RDS 001 MP. I felt i need a racquet that was stiffer so the RDS fit the bill at the time. Great stability but still had the classic yonex flex in the throat and the added bit of power i was looking for. Ive used the RDS for 3 or 4 years now with Pro Supex Bix Ace 17g Mains and Pro Supex Titan 16g Crosses. I only switched to this hybrid from full multi because i was breaking multis in two hours. Now i am breaking this hybrid in about 3:30 hours of hitting(only the cross Titan).

Don't get me wrong i love this setup but i feel this racquet is slightly too stiff for me. I am looking for suggestions on
A) demos i should try from any company that are more flexible(can even be slightly) and offers equal or same pop/power, or
B)A string set up that is more durable and would also make my current racquet more forgiving.
I just got Bumped from a 4.0 team in so cal after 4 matches, and just played and won my first match for a 4.5 team 6-0 6-3. I assume this means i am between a middle of the pack 4.5 and lower end 5.0 NTRP. I would classify myself as a counter puncher vs. bigger hitters and an agressive baseliner when playing other styles. I play with a heavy topspin forehand, mediocre/below average medium spin 2hbh. My first serve is mediocre for my level averages at about 85/90MpH. I have a slightly above average kick serve and volleys. Volleys are important in my racquet selection. My game revolves around my footwork, quickness and forehand. I am very consistant.

I just placed a Demo order for the following racquets to get my demo process going.

RDiS 100 MP(but have not heard good things about the feel)
RDiS 200MP
Technifibre 320 VO2 Max
Volkl C10 Pro

Please give me your impressions on the first racquets i have selected and also more importantly please suggest others for me to demo and reasons why. I know there are experts here that know alot more about the current racquets then i do! All Feedback is Apreciated. Thanks!

 

[zapvor]

no reason to switch from yonex. tecnifibre and volk are good too

 

[mawashi]

I have the chance to hit with the RDX 500 MP quite a few times n it does feel nice if a bit lacking in bite n oomph for my game.

The RDS002Tour is a good alternative as it really has a lot of nice controllable power.

mawashi

 

[Steve F.]

Nice story, thanks for posting a question that's been considered. I hope you'll get some useful responses in addition to those that have been posted.

I've used a few Yonex frames, and currently have a pair of RDis 100 MP in my bag where they seem to stay despite the effortless power and directional control they offer. As you've read from others, I'd agree that they lack the feel that I look forward to when swinging a frame with YY on the butt. There's flex in the throat, but the feel is more metallic than I prefer, and yeah, a bit stiff. (The same is not true of the RDis 100 mid btw, which is a better frame all things considered, with much less hop than the MP, but plenty for a mid.) For this reason, I'm looking forward to getting my hands on the RDis 200 - whose numbers look the same as the 100 MP save for the throat, which I believe no longer has Titanium and I hope, corrects the lack of feel in the 100.

I really think you should stay close to home and try the home cooking before you step out the door and get confused by everything else that's out there. Sounds like you could play with anything with a hair more flex. I'd just remind you that handle shapes vary and, for me, that can become a real chore to deal with, always leading me back to my preferred grip shape.
Good luck, and have fun!

 

[sargeinaz]

I think the yonex RDIS200 you choose and the volkl are good sticks to try. I hear the RDIS200 has some more flex while still having pop and is a yonex so youll be familiar with it. The volkl c10 is also extremely comfortable and has some pop for a players stick and both sticks will give you spin. You'll either love or hate the volkl because really no sticks feel like it. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

 

[fuzz nation]

You'll either love or hate the volkl because really no sticks feel like it.

Yeah, that's sort of the consensus on the good ol' C10. This frame has a little flex in the hoop - no big deal, but it can make for a mildly different personality if you're used to having more give in the throat of your racquet. Some of the love/hate issue with the C10 is that it can take more than just one try to find a string layout that's right for you. I enjoy mine with 17 ga. syn. gut at 62-64 lbs.

In general, I'd say that this is one of the better all court performers available. I'd have also encouraged you to sample the RDS 002 Tour, but I see that it's not offered on the TW site anymore. While that was a nice serve and volley frame, I didn't have the same overall success with that Yonex as I do with the Volkls. The C10's have a comfortable level of flex, but still give me plenty of gas to lean on the ball when I want to.

I also had (well, I still have it, but it's gathering dust) an RQiS 1 Tour and I needed to put a decent shot of 3/9 o'clock lead on it to give it some stability. Hard to believe that Yonex made that frame as light as they did since it was also rather soft. Feel was good, but I thought it needed a little more heft (maybe .5 oz. or so) to play a little more steady under fire.

 

[dekko1]

You know what, I would also try the RDiS100 mid, not just the MP.
People are scared of it because it is a mid and has high stiffness, but put a softer poly on it or string it a bit looser, and oh boy, what a racquet it is. It definately plays bigger than a 93sq in, but at the same time it has the feel and solid sweet spot of a mid. I've had issues with TE, but have not had any pains since switching to RDiS100 mid. Just give it a try!

 

[TheRed]

Hello, I first got into tennis in the summer of my eighth grade year. My first racquet(and love) was the Yonex RDX 500 MP. I loved the spin, the head shape, the flex(in the throat) and most importantly the loads of feel in which i have yet to experience with any other racquet. I Entered High School(in Califonia) not as a tennis player but primarily a Cross Country runner who competed Nationally up until my Senior year where i began to lose interest in a sport that was beating me up physically but even more so psychologically. I gave it up my senior year for tennis. Throughout my years playing i put the RDX500's in my bag(sadly)because they did not hold up against the top players in my league and i was being not only outhit, but could not generate enough power without ample time.

I went through tours of duty with the RQis 1 tour(which i never really got used to) but liked it alot and the 2007 version of the RDS 001 MP. I felt i need a racquet that was stiffer so the RDS fit the bill at the time. Great stability but still had the classic yonex flex in the throat and the added bit of power i was looking for. Ive used the RDS for 3 or 4 years now with Pro Supex Bix Ace 17g Mains and Pro Supex Titan 16g Crosses. I only switched to this hybrid from full multi because i was breaking multis in two hours. Now i am breaking this hybrid in about 3:30 hours of hitting(only the cross Titan).

Don't get me wrong i love this setup but i feel this racquet is slightly too stiff for me. I am looking for suggestions on
A) demos i should try from any company that are more flexible(can even be slightly) and offers equal or same pop/power, or
B)A string set up that is more durable and would also make my current racquet more forgiving.
I just got Bumped from a 4.0 team in so cal after 4 matches, and just played and won my first match for a 4.5 team 6-0 6-3. I assume this means i am between a middle of the pack 4.5 and lower end 5.0 NTRP. I would classify myself as a counter puncher vs. bigger hitters and an agressive baseliner when playing other styles. I play with a heavy topspin forehand, mediocre/below average medium spin 2hbh. My first serve is mediocre for my level averages at about 85/90MpH. I have a slightly above average kick serve and volleys. Volleys are important in my racquet selection. My game revolves around my footwork, quickness and forehand. I am very consistant.

I just placed a Demo order for the following racquets to get my demo process going.

RDiS 100 MP(but have not heard good things about the feel)
RDiS 200MP
Technifibre 320 VO2 Max
Volkl C10 Pro

Please give me your impressions on the first racquets i have selected and also more importantly please suggest others for me to demo and reasons why. I know there are experts here that know alot more about the current racquets then i do! All Feedback is Apreciated. Thanks!

You know, I also use the RDS 001 MP (2007) and it seems like we have a very similar game (except for my 1hbh). I'm more of a 5.0-5.5 but nonetheless, my game is built around a heavy topspin forehand. I also use on occasion Big Ace mains with a soft cross (I use SPPP more). One way to get more durability while retaining softness is to use a soft monofilament main. Something like TNT Fat Core and TNT.

I'd agree with recommendations for the RDS 002/RDIS 200 as well. I've tried the RDiS 100 MP. I wouldn't call it metallic, but it lacks the raw feel of the 001. It's likely due the thick beam. In the end, I preferred my RDS 001's. Also try Fischer Pro 1 (and its various incarnations). Softer but also very consistent high quality racquets. I can't use anything but Yonex these days though. Love the large consistent string bed.

 

[Anton]

Hello, I first got into tennis in the summer of my eighth grade year. My first racquet(and love) was the Yonex RDX 500 MP. I loved the spin, the head shape, the flex(in the throat) and most importantly the loads of feel in which i have yet to experience with any other racquet. I Entered High School(in Califonia) not as a tennis player but primarily a Cross Country runner who competed Nationally up until my Senior year where i began to lose interest in a sport that was beating me up physically but even more so psychologically. I gave it up my senior year for tennis. Throughout my years playing i put the RDX500's in my bag(sadly)because they did not hold up against the top players in my league and i was being not only outhit, but could not generate enough power without ample time.

I went through tours of duty with the RQis 1 tour(which i never really got used to) but liked it alot and the 2007 version of the RDS 001 MP. I felt i need a racquet that was stiffer so the RDS fit the bill at the time. Great stability but still had the classic yonex flex in the throat and the added bit of power i was looking for. Ive used the RDS for 3 or 4 years now with Pro Supex Bix Ace 17g Mains and Pro Supex Titan 16g Crosses. I only switched to this hybrid from full multi because i was breaking multis in two hours. Now i am breaking this hybrid in about 3:30 hours of hitting(only the cross Titan).

Don't get me wrong i love this setup but i feel this racquet is slightly too stiff for me. I am looking for suggestions on
A) demos i should try from any company that are more flexible(can even be slightly) and offers equal or same pop/power, or
B)A string set up that is more durable and would also make my current racquet more forgiving.
I just got Bumped from a 4.0 team in so cal after 4 matches, and just played and won my first match for a 4.5 team 6-0 6-3. I assume this means i am between a middle of the pack 4.5 and lower end 5.0 NTRP. I would classify myself as a counter puncher vs. bigger hitters and an agressive baseliner when playing other styles. I play with a heavy topspin forehand, mediocre/below average medium spin 2hbh. My first serve is mediocre for my level averages at about 85/90MpH. I have a slightly above average kick serve and volleys. Volleys are important in my racquet selection. My game revolves around my footwork, quickness and forehand. I am very consistant.

I just placed a Demo order for the following racquets to get my demo process going.

RDiS 100 MP(but have not heard good things about the feel)
RDiS 200MP
Technifibre 320 VO2 Max
Volkl C10 Pro

Please give me your impressions on the first racquets i have selected and also more importantly please suggest others for me to demo and reasons why. I know there are experts here that know alot more about the current racquets then i do! All Feedback is Apreciated. Thanks!

You should try adding leather to the handle - really makes the RDS feel a lot more substantial.

Whats your tension?