Why did you switch to Yonex?

[Hankenstein]

I switched to Yonex when they re-released the RD-7.

If only this actually happened

PM me if you want some RD7

 

[Nostradamus]

When I was using Yonex in the past, it was for that huge sweet spot. but I didn't like the swing weights of their extended rackets

 

[AtTheNet]

I was intrigued when they changed the head shape to get rid of the squared corners. Hit with one, and decided I liked it. One now resides in the bag, and gets into the rotation on a frequent basis.

 

[PD1978]

Thinking about picking up a VCore Pro HD. Used a DR98 few years ago. Their frames feel great and I think the head shape is cool.

 

[sargeinaz]

Holy cow. I just demoed the new VCORE 98 305 Plus. I’m not an extended length guy, but man this is a nice frame. Comfy. Fantastic smooth power. Stable. It was so easy to hit decent groundies and spin serves it was like cheating. This demo made me want to try out the standard length alongside the Plus and see which I prefer.

Just like rabbit said, it’s like an easier to use volkl and basically gave me what my tour 10 MP does with easier access to pop and just plain easier to use. This is the first Yonex I’m considering switching to since I used the RDS001 Mid.

 

[Kurt0707]

I demoed DR98 sometime ago and really liked the feel, and then came across Vcore 95 which also has a very nice feel, and high quality (similar to Angells imo) and most recently demoed Vcore 98+, and love of them. Great cosmetics too.

 

[zipplock]

Still with the VCP 97 310. Only mods I made were switched out grip to leather, added to butt cap flare then added overgrip. Racquets are so sweet feeling. Happy I took the chance on Yonex.

 

[Classic-TXP-IG MID]

Holy cow. I just demoed the new VCORE 98 305 Plus. I’m not an extended length guy, but man this is a nice frame. Comfy. Fantastic smooth power. Stable. It was so easy to hit decent groundies and spin serves it was like cheating. This demo made me want to try out the standard length alongside the Plus and see which I prefer.

Just like rabbit said, it’s like an easier to use volkl and basically gave me what my tour 10 MP does with easier access to pop and just plain easier to use. This is the first Yonex I’m considering switching to since I used the RDS001 Mid.

Yeah, I recently got the VC98+ as well and it is my first Extended length racquet experience. I found I had almost no trouble playing with it, and although it is slightly crisper than I would prefer, I found I played very well with it. Everything felt easier and almost like I was cheating. The power was there on tap, I could achieve great depth-of-shot, it had great control, the angles I could hit were ridiculous, and I didn't really feel like I was getting pushed back at all. Great racquet... now if only there was a VC95 Plus... Fingers crossed they'll put one out in the future.

 

[Kurt0707]

Yeah, I recently got the VC98+ as well and it is my first Extended length racquet experience. I found I had almost no trouble playing with it, and although it is slightly crisper than I would prefer, I found I played very well with it. Everything felt easier and almost like I was cheating. The power was there on tap, I could achieve great depth-of-shot, it had great control, the angles I could hit were ridiculous, and I didn't really feel like I was getting pushed back at all. Great racquet... now if only there was a VC95 Plus... Fingers crossed they'll put one out in the future.

I felt the same in general, I was playing with Vcore 95 and tried the Vcore 98+, everything was easier and the no issues with the transition since my Vcore95 is also quite hefty (340+ sw).. especially felt better on serves (more consistency) and slices. I actually prefer it being slightly crisper than Vcore95. Only issue I had was on OHBH. I think I will reduce the SW of Vcore95 and have this as an easier swinging option, and add a few grams to Vcore98+ to increase TW to see if it helps with the OHBH... I like both very much so I am not sure how to handle these : ))

 

[apriliano]

Because made in Japan

 

[JoaoN]

Got my vcores pro 97 310 emerald last week, both weighted exactly 326g, strung. Checked TW site to see which was the strung weight listed by them. Exactly 326g. Thats a big reason to play with Yonex.

 

[brownbearfalling]

cuz I had to ask...

if Yonex is so good, why don't more pros use them?

In Japan and Asia is it a dominant brand. Not sure about Europe but I believe yonex is more prevalent there than here.

The whole pro endorsement argument has infinite number of factors. I think one thing that is unique to yonex is They can’t “paint job” a frame for a pro due to the unique shape. I mean they theroretically could but it would be obvious. So the sponsored pro has to like the frame to be able to switch.

another huge factor to me is that there hasn’t been a dominant tennis figure to play yonex. Sure there’s been very very attractive female players but no record breaking player to consistently promote yonex to multiple generations of growing tennis players. young players want what their idols play. Those young players then turn into pros. Also this turns into point #1 where it’s hard for yonex to convert people or paint job frames.

 

[brownbearfalling]

Crazy I have all the rest but the PT113b that head will never release. Yonex has firmer feel and strange isometric hoop that takes some adjustment and Yonex is more expensive . To me They work just as well as my other racquets.

yonex MSRP is similar to other brands. I understand why it seems more expensive because I rarely see close outs on yonex frames ( more than 50% off). Babolat is the most price protected brand. Yonex doesn’t go to the extents that Babolat does.

 

[brownbearfalling]

Side note:

I’m not seeing a lot of people come from Babolat frames ( pure drive and aero pro). Maybe yonex hasn’t quite made an impressive baseliner/ extreme top spin frame yet. Ezone has similar specs on paper but I don’t think it compares. On the other hand, none of the Babolat competitors really compete to the pure and aero drives.

 

[Kurt0707]

Wilson (tennis) is around since 1940s and Head since 1960s, compared to Yonex in 1980s and started in Asia. Babolat also started late in tennis rackets but they are based in Europe where the sport is historically very popular. Also many pros of today started tennis 15-20years ago, or more, so at that time Yonex was not around at that time in Europe (or US probably) and I don't recall seeing any Yonex at that time in Europe. I lived in Austria and used to play with Prince which was very popular at that time with the youth.

Babolat success was being in Europe and also focusing on new playing style of high spin and stiffer rackets. Yonex also went similar path focusing on the modern play and with increased distribution have many juniors are playing with Yonex now, but Babolat is still very popular with kids, as Nadal and other Babolat users are aggressive players and idols for them. Yonex does not have this very successful idols in men yet (in women, they are better), but several potential are coming up .. Shapovalov for example.

Also Wilson is part of a group that makes 1 billion USD profit whereas Yonex just makes around 20 million USD, so naturally they have deeper pockets.

 

[Soznie]

To answer OP's post: It's a predictable answer, but my first introduction to Yonex tennis rackets was when I saw Lleyton Hewitt match against Marat Safin in 2005 Australian Open final. Safin was one of my tennis idols growing up, but somehow my interest was piqued by Hewitt's curious square-shaped racket. A big chunk of my racket collections is still mainly consisted of Wilson with a bit of Head, but since two-three years ago I've been trying to find Yonex rackets I could finally commit to. Still own but don't like the DR98. Love Vcore 95D. Recently acquired Duel G and Vcore Pro 330 and finally I'm planning to switch to Vcore Pro full-time for my "serious" matches.

In Japan and Asia is it a dominant brand. Not sure about Europe but I believe yonex is more prevalent there than here.

I live in SE Asia and I can attest that Yonex is a well-known brand, it's just mostly they're known for making badminton rackets (which is a far more popular sport here). Head is the only other company that has good corporate presence - sponsoring academies, high-ranked national players, etc. but Yonex is still a more established brand among pro-grade player. The puzzling thing is that a huge percentage of recreational players I've encountered is mostly using Wilson rackets. Granted, preloved and/or cheap or worse, counterfeited Yonex rackets are rarely available here, probably that's why Wilson is a more ubiquitous brand among recreational players. I don't think most recreational players around me also fussy about QCs etc as well, so probably that's also a factor. It's also more expensive. Yonex newer models cost 15-20% more than the latest offerings from Wilson or Head.

 

[Christoforos Giatzakis]

I haven't switched yet but I am really close....
I got a vcore pro 97 hd and a wilson blade recenlty to try. The yonex was EXACTLY on spec, while the wilson was 6gr heavier and at least 3 points more head heavy than spec...

 

[Seth]

To answer OP's post: It's a predictable answer, but my first introduction to Yonex tennis rackets was when I saw Lleyton Hewitt match against Marat Safin in 2005 Australian Open final. Safin was one of my tennis idols growing up, but somehow my interest was piqued by Hewitt's curious square-shaped racket. A big chunk of my racket collections is still mainly consisted of Wilson with a bit of Head, but since two-three years ago I've been trying to find Yonex rackets I could finally commit to. Still own but don't like the DR98. Love Vcore 95D. Recently acquired Duel G and Vcore Pro 330 and finally I'm planning to switch to Vcore Pro full-time for my "serious" matches

I remember seeing Hewitt use the MP Tour-1 when I was first starting with tennis. I thought it was the coolest frame ever.

 

[heninfan99]

I needed a lighter stick after my 6.1 95. I demo'd and have been with Yonex since 2014.

 

[hurworld]

Another reason for Babolat's rise in popularity, despite being a newcomer in tennis racquets, is they used to give out free natural gut strings with their racquets in the early days of their racquets. Can't remember where I heard or read that from, probably from one of the tennis podcasts I listen to.

 

[ron schaap]

Another reason for Babolat's rise in popularity, despite being a newcomer in tennis racquets, is they used to give out free natural gut strings with their racquets in the early days of their racquets. Can't remember where I heard or read that from, probably from one of the tennis podcasts I listen to.

In the past old stock Yonex frames were donated to East European players as kind of support. That why Navratilova, Koernikova, Mandlikova and the like began using them. I thought then that it was special manufactured East European stuff because they looked funny and Yonex tennis products were not sold in normal shops at that time in western Europe. Prince racquets were some exclusive items only for the rich at that time too, i ve to add.

 

[NickJ]

Switched to DR98 after years of exclusive Pro Staff use as needed a less stiff frame due to an arm problem I had. Loved it within the first few balls of hitting. Now have 2 AI98s, a Vcore Pro 310g and a 330g.

 

[brownbearfalling]

In the past old stock Yonex frames were donated to East European players as kind of support. That why Navratilova, Koernikova, Mandlikova and the like began using them. I thought then that it was special manufactured East European stuff because they looked funny and Yonex tennis products were not sold in normal shops at that time in western Europe. Prince racquets were some exclusive items only for the rich at that time too, i ve to add.

wow that’s very interesting history. good for them because in turn they received great publicity from these players

 

[brownbearfalling]

I needed a lighter stick after my 6.1 95. I demo'd and have been with Yonex since 2014.

which model are you playing and which ones have you played in the past?

 

[heninfan99]

which model are you playing and which ones have you played in the past?

I play with a vcore pro 310, it's the greatest

 

[Moveforwardalways]

People are switching to Yonex because the game is changing. While I would never say that we are in a post-top spin era by any means, we are certainly in the early stages of moving away from the baseline only “serve and ground strokes are all I need” game. Babolats really are designed for this sort of game - simply create a heavy, heavy ball. Yonex frames don’t create the heavy ball that Babolat frames do, or at the very least that isn’t their strength. Rather, Yonex frames are better suited to the new modern all court game. That’s why all the sudden when you go observe a junior academy you see Yonex frames everywhere with the kids. They are growing up learning a slightly different game than kids who grew up in the Nadal era.

 

[Rabbit]

@Kurt0707 - FYI, Yonex has been around in tennis for quite some time. The first racket I remember seeing was in the mid-70s in the US. They made not only metal/graphite frames, but wood as well, the Carbonex (wooden). Martina Navratilova won the US Open in 78 with a wooden Yonex frame I think.

Yonex did have issues with the perception that they were a chick stick. That was remedied by the active recruitment of male players. The first male I remember playing Yonex as Vince Van Patten who came from the Prince Graphite. Another player who took the same path was Marcelo Rios who really opened the door for lots of male players in the ranks of Yonex users.

In short, Yonex is not a new brand, they've been making tennis rackets for quite some time -- 1969.

 

[Kurt0707]

@Kurt0707 - FYI, Yonex has been around in tennis for quite some time. The first racket I remember seeing was in the mid-70s in the US. They made not only metal/graphite frames, but wood as well, the Carbonex (wooden). Martina Navratilova won the US Open in 78 with a wooden Yonex frame I think.

Yonex did have issues with the perception that they were a chick stick. That was remedied by the active recruitment of male players. The first male I remember playing Yonex as Vince Van Patten who came from the Prince Graphite. Another player who took the same path was Marcelo Rios who really opened the door for lots of male players in the ranks of Yonex users.

In short, Yonex is not a new brand, they've been making tennis rackets for quite some time -- 1969.

Yeah I seem to have the year wrong, but that was my main point.. when I was playing tennis in Western Europe in 1980-1990s there was no Yonex around, at least I dont remember widely, and given that todays top male players still come from Europe, it is clear that they would less likely have come across Yonex when they started tennis.. I switched to Yonex from Prince, as I find them more applicable to my game and better feel with their 95/97/98inch options, and a more modern and exciting brand. Also I still see that TW Europe carries less Yonex models than TW US, and also with lower prices too.. in several markets they have their own shops which clearly makes distibution a challenge.. i am very happy to have found Yonex for sure.. wish their clothing and apparels were more affordable.

 

[jarko111]

I switched because of marketing. First time that watching all the "cool players" move over from Prince and Babolat to Vcores and Ezones. It really was just that simple, what got me through the door.
I could list so many players that made me think, man, I really need to demo this. But I never thought of Yonex as a finesse frame. Then, I watched Sevastova slice and dice her way to titles and the US Open Quarterfinal.
I really play in a way that pockets a little more towards the end of the sweetspot in the hoop and the racquet does so much work for me in keeping the ball in the court. I haven't played tennis or even posted on this forum since summer.

 

[tomato123]

First racquet I played with in middle school was an RD-7, then got on board the Hingis hype train and played with a Super RQ500 before picking up a POG for my last year of high school... fast forward many years and I got an SV95 when I picked up tennis again but quickly got lured by the wave of flexy Prince Phantoms... then I got my wife a gold LE Ezone 98 and when I "borrowed" that racquet from her and played with it, I realized how much I missed Yonex and enjoyed the 98 square inch feel, so I picked up a couple SV98's on amazing clearance deals as a way of coming full circle, and I've been extremely happy with it. Maybe because I first learned how to play tennis with a Yonex, the isometric head shape really gels with me. I also like it that they can play like semi-tweeners without hurting my arm over time.

 

[guardian2002]

When I was using Yonex in the past, it was for that huge sweet spot. but I didn't like the swing weights of their extended rackets

Agree that for the weight and head size. Yonex racquets are more forgiving and stable. Just wish they made a 315g Ezone that was 315mm HL. QC is also great. Paint job is always good and so is consistency in weights and swinvweights.

 

[Nostradamus]

Agree that for the weight and head size. Yonex racquets are more forgiving and stable. Just wish they made a 315g Ezone that was 315mm HL. QC is also great. Paint job is always good and so is consistency in weights and swinvweights.

when is that new Ezone coming out ?

 

[Znak]

when is that new Ezone coming out ?

January they're saying

 

[Nostradamus]

January they're saying

will they have extended version ? and will the swing weight be low ?

 

[Znak]

No idea and looks like mid-high teens. There's a thread on it already: https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/yonex-ezone-2020-ao.649079/

 

[Classic-TXP-IG MID]

Yeah I seem to have the year wrong, but that was my main point.. when I was playing tennis in Western Europe in 1980-1990s there was no Yonex around, at least I dont remember widely, and given that todays top male players still come from Europe, it is clear that they would less likely have come across Yonex when they started tennis.. I switched to Yonex from Prince, as I find them more applicable to my game and better feel with their 95/97/98inch options, and a more modern and exciting brand. Also I still see that TW Europe carries less Yonex models than TW US, and also with lower prices too.. in several markets they have their own shops which clearly makes distibution a challenge.. i am very happy to have found Yonex for sure.. wish their clothing and apparels were more affordable.

Didn't Sergi Bruguera play with a Yonex RD-7... he won two French Opens (93,94) and was No.3 in the world... just saying.

It wasn't the most represented brand on the Men's side, but it is sure responsible for many Grand Slam titles (both men and women). Now you have Stan Wawrinka and a ton of male players showing that Yonex racquets are awesome.

 

[legrandLeconte]

Didn't Sergi Bruguera play with a Yonex RD-7... he won two French Opens (93,94) and was No.3 in the world... just saying.

It wasn't the most represented brand on the Men's side, but it is sure responsible for many Grand Slam titles (both men and women). Now you have Stan Wawrinka and a ton of male players showing that Yonex racquets are awesome.

And also Krajicek Wlmbledon 1996

 

[Classic-TXP-IG MID]

And also Krajicek Wlmbledon 1996

There was also Mario Ancic who got up to World No.7... he didn't win a GS but his career was cut short by a series of illnesses that forced him to quit the game.

 

[Kurt0707]

Didn't Sergi Bruguera play with a Yonex RD-7... he won two French Opens (93,94) and was No.3 in the world... just saying.

It wasn't the most represented brand on the Men's side, but it is sure responsible for many Grand Slam titles (both men and women). Now you have Stan Wawrinka and a ton of male players showing that Yonex racquets are awesome.

We all agree that Yonex is awesome, and rhe comments including others were about the history ans reasons why Yonex is less popular than other brands, despite being superior in quality. Sure there were a few pros in the past using Yonex, but still today the top-100 only a few Western Europeans are only using Yonex, and 15 or so total players.

 

[zettavaska]

We all agree that Yonex is awesome, and rhe comments including others were about the history ans reasons why Yonex is less popular than other brands, despite being superior in quality. Sure there were a few pros in the past using Yonex, but still today the top-100 only a few Western Europeans are only using Yonex, and 15 or so total players.

Do you think that’s because of racquet issues or marketing budget?

 

[Kurt0707]

I dont think its racquet issues, the quality is top notch being manufactured in Japan.. Yonex revenues and thus marketing budgets are significnatly less so difficult to convert many pros, and there are many examples who do switched big brands actually, while generally others dont want to switch or earn enough not to make it worthwhile... thats my observations, not that I am an expert in pro racquet choices..

 

[JoaoN]

Brought my Vcores to a shop for a fresh string job and to replace the original grip with a leather one. The stringer removed de grip, looked at the racquet for a good 20 secs and said: "Man, Yonex does such a great job on their racquets". Thats why i use them.

 

[Allsports]

I switched to Yonex in 1989. I was getting a sore elbow using a Pro Kennex Ceramic Destiny so my Dad took me to a shop the morning of a junior tournament and bought me a Yonex RQ-220. Whether it was a coincidence or the racquet change I don't know but my sore elbow disappeared. Now 30 years later I still use Yonex racquets. I just like the Japanese made quality and I guess I'm brand loyal.

 

[nick102potter]

Used to use Wilson rackets (K6.1 Team, BLX 6.1 95, K6.1 90). Then I had a hiatus of 5 years before coming back to play last year. At that time, I managed to get a pair of VCT97 310 super cheap. Really love the control and spin that I got from them. Sadly broke both of them when they accidentally slip from my hand when serving in just a month lol...

Then I got myself a VC98, enjoyed it but felt the launch angle a bit too inconsistent for me so I sold it and bought a VC95. I love VC95 but it can be demanding at times. Whenever I have a bad day, I can't consistently keep my balls deep so I decided to sell it and get a much more forgiving racket in the future. Currently saving up to get a pair of Ezone 100.

 

[lelopez]

Wilson K90 is my regular stick and I had a session with a Vcore 97 330. It was strung with some multifilament at 55lbs. I typically string my k90 with a poly/synth hybrid. To me, the Vcore 330 was sluggish to get around. Comfort and feel were there but maneuverability was strictly sacrificed in my opinion. I may have to try the 310, but was not expecting this as my k90's SW is 345ish. Anyone else experience this? Twist weight increase issue? I was consistently late in all strokes except my 1hbh.

 

[Classic-TXP-IG MID]

Wilson K90 is my regular stick and I had a session with a Vcore 97 330. It was stung with some multifilament at 55lbs. I typically string my k90 with a poly/synth hybrid. To me, the Vcore 330 was sluggish to get around. Comfort and feel were there but maneuverability was strictly sacrificed in my opinion. I may have to try the 310, but was not expecting this as my k90's SW is 345ish. Anyone else experience this? Twist weight increase issue? I was consistently late in all strokes except my 1hbh.

Just try to relax, let the racquet do the work... fluid swings and don't try to muscle it. I also broaden the butt cap which adds weight at that point and helps the racquet swing more easily.

 

[lelopez]

Just try to relax, let the racquet do the work... fluid swings and don't try to muscle it. I also broaden the butt cap which adds weight at that point and helps the racquet swing more easily.

Not sure I was muscling the racquet, I was trying to be relaxed but swinging the racquet "felt like work" which has never been the case with my K90. I was rotating between the Vcore 97 330, the RF97, and an old PS Classic 6.1 95 for the ~2hr session, and by far the easiest to swing was the Classic 6.1 95.

 

[kblades]

Not sure I was muscling the racquet, I was trying to be relaxed but swinging the racquet "felt like work" which has never been the case with my K90. I was rotating between the Vcore 97 330, the RF97, and an old PS Classic 6.1 95 for the ~2hr session, and by far the easiest to swing was the Classic 6.1 95.

Yes, when I demoed it I don’t think I even made it through a full hopper of balls out of my ball machine before I was quickly reminded I’m not Stan the Man. Too much stick for me to wield!

 

[Sardines]

Not sure I was muscling the racquet, I was trying to be relaxed but swinging the racquet "felt like work" which has never been the case with my K90. I was rotating between the Vcore 97 330, the RF97, and an old PS Classic 6.1 95 for the ~2hr session, and by far the easiest to swing was the Classic 6.1 95.

Well of those 3, the 6.1 95 is the headlightest of the 3, the lowest twist weight and the smallest headsize, and thus the least air resistance, especially if it's the 16x18 version. The RF97 is also headlighter, even if it is heavier. I also do think the isometric shape and 8 string bridge of VC97330 does create a little more resistance and has a higher twist weight. All of which may affect your timing slightly.

 

[lelopez]

Yep, no doubt about the 6.1 classic being the most HL, and indeed it was the 16x18 version I've kept for 25yrs. I did attempt to make the comparison more of an apples-to-apples by matching all 3 sticks pretty close in terms of static weight and balance point (was too lazy to measure swingweight), so what I saw may have been effects due to the different twist weights. I didn't have my k90s for that session, but days later when I went back to it I was quickly reminded how easily that racquet cuts through the air like a hot knife on butter.

The other thing I struggled with using the VC97330 was heavy spin generation, if I compare to my current stick. Likely attributed a little to the difference in the string I was using, plus the reduction in RHS.