Yonex endorsements: actual racquet under PJ

[dje31]

Yonex has a ton of pros on the current roster. I know a few obvious ones using PJs: Stan: VC95d, Kyrgios: EZXi98, Osaka: EZAi98 (still?)

What about the rest? Might be nice to see all of them in one place.

Aaannnddd: Go!

 

[nachoC]

Baez plays with a VCore 100+ 2018 with a lot of lead.
Fonseca plays with a VCore 98 2018 16x20.

 

[johnmccabe]

Fonseca plays with a VCore 98 2018 16x20

Didn't know this exists!

 

[OslerWeber]

It doesnt. Its a prostock made just for him, like the shapo glossy ezone 18x20.
Rare for Yonex but becoming more common to make such racquets

 

[GriekspoorGroupie]

Very curious about what Keys is using as she is so recently signed. Minolon EZONE 98 or older?

 

[Alexh22]

Osaka switched from the AI. I don’t think anyone is still using ai98 on tour right now.
correction: she used the AI 98 L

 

[Dae18]

Ezone:
Kyrgios (Xi98)
Pegula (‘17 98)
Osaka (‘22 98L)
Linette (‘22 98)
Shelton (‘22 98)
Shapovalov (‘22 98 18x20)
Keys (‘25 98)
Andreescu (‘25 98)
Bencic (Ai100)
Vondrousova (Ai100)
Munar (Ai100+)
Ruud (Dr100+)
Schnaider (‘22 100+)

Vcore:
Tabilo (SV98)
Fonseca (‘21 98 16x20)
Navarro (‘18 98 or ‘21 98)
Paul (‘23 98)
Etcheverry (‘23 98 16x20)
Nishikoka (‘23 98 custom drill holes)
Machac (SV100)
Rybakina (SV100)
Paolini (‘21 100)
Garcia (‘21 100)
Vekic (‘21 100)

Percept:
Wawrinka (VC95D)
Chung (DG97 16x19)
Tiafoe (‘20 VCP 97)
Giron (PC97D)
Tauson (‘20 VCP 100)
Yastremska (‘20 VCP 100)

 

[dje31]

Thanks for the list, Dae18! If accurate, one '25 EZ, three current VCs (two custom drilled), and one actual Percept. Confirming Pros' reticence to change. That said, most are using one generation previous to current.

 

[talynen]

Thanks for the list, Dae18! If accurate, one '25 EZ, three VCs (two custom drilled), and one Percept. Confirming Pros' reticence to change. That said, most are using one generation previous to current.

The recency bias with Yonex seems due to many players having switched to them recently or being younger players

 

[Alexh22]

Ezone:
Kyrgios (XI98)
Osaka (‘22 98L)
Pegula (DR98)
Keys (‘25 98)
Shelton (‘22 98)
Shapovalov (‘22 98 18x20)
Bencic (AI100)
Ruud (DR100+)

Vcore:
Paul (‘23 98)
Etcheverry (‘23 98 16x20)
Fonseca (‘21 98 16x20)
Navarro (‘21 98)
Nishikoka (‘23 98 custom drill pattern)
Rybakina (SV100)
Paolini (‘21 100)
Garcia (‘21 100)
Vekic (‘21 100)

Percept:
Wawrinka (VC95D)
Tiafoe (‘20 VCP 97)
Giron (PC97D)
Tauson (‘20 VCP 100)
Yastremska (‘20 VCP 100)

Someone did their homework

 

[am1899]

Ezone:
Kyrgios (XI98)
Osaka (‘22 98L)
Pegula (DR98)
Keys (‘25 98)
Shelton (‘22 98)
Shapovalov (‘22 98 18x20)
Bencic (AI100)
Ruud (DR100+)

Vcore:
Paul (‘23 98)
Etcheverry (‘23 98 16x20)
Fonseca (‘21 98 16x20)
Navarro (‘21 98)
Nishikoka (‘23 98 custom drill pattern)
Rybakina (SV100)
Paolini (‘21 100)
Garcia (‘21 100)
Vekic (‘21 100)

Percept:
Wawrinka (VC95D)
Tiafoe (‘20 VCP 97)
Giron (PC97D)
Tauson (‘20 VCP 100)
Yastremska (‘20 VCP 100)

Great list, Bravo! Minor point, I think Etcheverry is under Percept paint?

 

[Dae18]

Great list, Bravo! Minor point, I think Etcheverry is under Percept paint?

He’s on and off. Percept first then VC98 and now back with Percept

 

[Tronco20]

Ezone:
Kyrgios (XI98)
Pegula (DR98)
Osaka (‘22 98L)
Shelton (‘22 98)
Shapovalov (‘22 98 18x20)
Keys (‘25 98)
Andreescu (‘25 98)
Bencic (AI100)
Ruud (DR100+)

Vcore:
Paul (‘23 98)
Etcheverry (‘23 98 16x20)
Nishikoka (‘23 98 custom drill holes)
Fonseca (‘21 98 16x20)
Navarro (‘21 98)
Machac (SV98)
Rybakina (SV100)
Paolini (‘21 100)
Garcia (‘21 100)
Vekic (‘21 100)

Percept:
Wawrinka (VC95D)
Tiafoe (‘20 VCP 97)
Giron (PC97D)
Tauson (‘20 VCP 100)
Yastremska (‘20 VCP 100)

Thanks for the effort!
Could you add Wimbledon Singles Champion Vondrousova’s Ezone 100? She switched from a Pure Drive either to DR or 2017/8 Ezone.

Also, are you sure about Pegula? From close-ups it looks like Ezone 98 2017/18

 

[McEncock]

Tabilo with SV98?

 

[Alexh22]

is Vondrousova using an AI 100 ? Look at the bumper, I know the pic isn’t super clear.

https://livesport-ott-images.ssl.cdn.cra.cz/r900xfq60/9ea6e8bc-3fc2-4eff-aad7-29a67f1aa451.jpeg

Pegula uses the gen after the DR.

 

[VanDerVaart23]

Navarro (‘21 98)

I thought she also was '21 100

 

[Dae18]

Thanks for the effort!
Could you add Wimbledon Singles Champion Vondrousova’s Ezone 100? She switched from a Pure Drive either to DR or 2017/8 Ezone.

Also, are you sure about Pegula? From close-ups it looks like Ezone 98 2017/18

Just added her!

And my mistake with Pegula. I assumed she used Yonex from her Junior days till now but saw that she started off with the 2013 APD then went to the ‘17 EZ98

 

[Dae18]

I thought she also was '21 100

Nope, she used the SV98 before switching to the ‘21 VC98 but now that I look back at photos prior to the ‘21 VC98, she may used the ‘18 VC98 instead. Hard to tell really

 

[Alexh22]

Bublik and Harris also used dr98 until about a year ago.

 

[gino]

Ezone:
Kyrgios (Xi98)
Pegula (‘17 98)
Osaka (‘22 98L)
Shelton (‘22 98)
Shapovalov (‘22 98 18x20)
Keys (‘25 98)
Andreescu (‘25 98)
Bencic (Ai100)
Vondrousova (Ai100)
Ruud (Dr100+)

Vcore:
Paul (‘23 98)
Etcheverry (‘23 98 16x20)
Nishikoka (‘23 98 custom drill holes)
Fonseca (‘21 98 16x20)
Navarro (‘18 98 or ‘21 98)
Machac (SV98)
Tabilo (SV98)
Rybakina (SV100)
Paolini (‘21 100)
Garcia (‘21 100)
Vekic (‘21 100)

Percept:
Wawrinka (VC95D)
Chung (DG97 16x19)
Tiafoe (‘20 VCP 97)
Giron (PC97D)
Tauson (‘20 VCP 100)
Yastremska (‘20 VCP 100)

awesome post bro, ty

 

[jmacdaununder2]

Ezone:
Kyrgios (Xi98)
Pegula (‘17 98)
Osaka (‘22 98L)
Shelton (‘22 98)
Shapovalov (‘22 98 18x20)
Keys (‘25 98)
Andreescu (‘25 98)
Bencic (Ai100)
Vondrousova (Ai100)
Ruud (Dr100+)

Vcore:
Machac (SV98)
Tabilo (SV98)
Fonseca (‘21 98 16x20)
Navarro (‘18 98 or ‘21 98)
Paul (‘23 98)
Etcheverry (‘23 98 16x20)
Nishikoka (‘23 98 custom drill holes)
Rybakina (SV100)
Paolini (‘21 100)
Garcia (‘21 100)
Vekic (‘21 100)

Percept:
Wawrinka (VC95D)
Chung (DG97 16x19)
Tiafoe (‘20 VCP 97)
Giron (PC97D)
Tauson (‘20 VCP 100)
Yastremska (‘20 VCP 100)

So apart from some custom drilling, they’re virtually all racquets that are or were available retail at some point - therein lies the rub for some of the moralists amongst us…

 

[dje31]

Was surprised to see a Vcore Dual G by Chung. Between that, Kyrgios with the EZXi and Stan's 95d, those are the three oldest in the bunch? Maybe an SV or two?

 

[Nostradamus]

Ezone:
Kyrgios (Xi98)
Pegula (‘17 98)
Osaka (‘22 98L)
Shelton (‘22 98)
Shapovalov (‘22 98 18x20)
Keys (‘25 98)
Andreescu (‘25 98)
Bencic (Ai100)
Vondrousova (Ai100)
Ruud (Dr100+)

Vcore:
Machac (SV98)
Tabilo (SV98)
Fonseca (‘21 98 16x20)
Navarro (‘18 98 or ‘21 98)
Paul (‘23 98)
Etcheverry (‘23 98 16x20)
Nishikoka (‘23 98 custom drill holes)
Rybakina (SV100)
Paolini (‘21 100)
Garcia (‘21 100)
Vekic (‘21 100)

Percept:
Wawrinka (VC95D)
Chung (DG97 16x19)
Tiafoe (‘20 VCP 97)
Giron (PC97D)
Tauson (‘20 VCP 100)
Yastremska (‘20 VCP 100)

Ruud playing with legendary racket,, probably the best racket ever made

Tennis Warehouse - Review

www.tennis-warehouse.com

 

[Dae18]

So apart from some custom drilling, they’re virtually all racquets that are or were available retail at some point - therein lies the rub for some of the moralists amongst us…

Exactly. I mean common sense cause the QC of Yonex frames are second to none hence why it’s easy to reproduce a pro’s specs minus some minor customs

 

[Dae18]

Was surprised to see a Vcore Dual G by Chung. Between that, Kyrgios with the EZXi and Stan's 95d, those are the three oldest in the bunch? Maybe an SV or two?

When Chung switched to Yonex from Dunlop, he went with the Dual G with a 16x19 skipping that extra cross string. Yep, those 3 are the oldest. Second would be the Ai then Dr and SV respectively

 

[Aussie-pro]

Luciano Darderi : Percept 97D

 

[aus89]

Think Etcheverry was on the same VCore as Fonseca not a '23 with custom 16x20
PH-H on the original VCore Pro I think under Percept paint

 

[nachoC]

Think Etcheverry was on the same VCore as Fonseca not a '23 with custom 16x20
PH-H on the original VCore Pro I think under Percept paint

I think so too, in any case since Montercarlo he has gone back to the Percept, unsure which model

 

[L4S10s]

Baez plays with a VCore 100+ 2018 with a lot of lead.
Fonseca plays with a VCore 98 2018 16x20.

SV98?

 

[Nostradamus]

Did Yonex fix that problem with Percept rackets cracking while being strung or while in play ? With so many ATP tour player using this model now, its hard to believe this problem even existed

 

[aus89]

I think so too, in any case since Montercarlo he has gone back to the Percept, unsure which model

I imagine Pro Stock regular customised with weight - its 16x19

 

[Dae18]

Think Etcheverry was on the same VCore as Fonseca not a '23 with custom 16x20
PH-H on the original VCore Pro I think under Percept paint

I’ll have to check out the throat of his VC98 frame. From pictures it looks wider on top like the current ones

 

[jackcrawford]

So Osaka uses a '22 98l? Is this to give massive room for added weight placement?

 

[Dae18]

So Osaka uses a '22 98l? Is this to give massive room for added weight placement?

Yes and add in that leather grip she has underneath. She did the same with her Ai98L

 

[lacoster]

Ezone:
Kyrgios (Xi98)
Pegula (‘17 98)
Osaka (‘22 98L)
Shelton (‘22 98)
Shapovalov (‘22 98 18x20)
Keys (‘25 98)
Andreescu (‘25 98)
Bencic (Ai100)
Vondrousova (Ai100)
Ruud (Dr100+)

Vcore:
Machac (SV98)
Tabilo (SV98)
Fonseca (‘21 98 16x20)
Navarro (‘18 98 or ‘21 98)
Paul (‘23 98)
Etcheverry (‘23 98 16x20)
Nishikoka (‘23 98 custom drill holes)
Rybakina (SV100)
Paolini (‘21 100)
Garcia (‘21 100)
Vekic (‘21 100)

Percept:
Wawrinka (VC95D)
Chung (DG97 16x19)
Tiafoe (‘20 VCP 97)
Giron (PC97D)
Tauson (‘20 VCP 100)
Yastremska (‘20 VCP 100)

Machac actually uses the SV100 (along with Kalinina), add Munar, Linette, and Schnaider with the Ezone 100+

 

[Dae18]

Machac actually uses the SV100 (along with Kalinina), add Munar, Linette, and Schnaider with the Ezone 100+

Oh I appreciate the feedback about Machac, his frame does look smaller than 100. And sure, I’ll add them to the list

 

[Tronco20]

Machac actually uses the SV100 (along with Kalinina), add Munar, Linette, and Schnaider with the Ezone 100+

Linette is using a 98 Ezone (8 mains in the throat vs. 6 in the 100)
Kalinina has been switching between Vcore and Ezone 100, no idea which, probably what you said.

 

[codonnell]

Oh I appreciate the feedback about Machac, his frame does look smaller than 100. And sure, I’ll add them to the list

I thought Machac was using the sv 98. I think if we count the string pattern we could find out.

 

[Dae18]

I thought Machac was using the sv 98. I think if we count the string pattern we could find out.

That’s what I thought so too. There’s a thread about his frame and on the info sheet with his string and tension said SV100

 

[lacoster]

Linette is using a 98 Ezone (8 mains in the throat vs. 6 in the 100)

Linette and Machac are both using 100 square inch frames. Tennisnerd put out an article when Linette out of nowhere reached the AO semifinal in 2023 after switching to an Ezone 100 after using a Pure Drive her whole career.

 

[Dae18]

Linette and Machac are both using 100 square inch frames. Tennisnerd put out an article when Linette out of nowhere reached the AO semifinal in 2023 after switching to an Ezone 100 after using a Pure Drive her whole career.

So which is it so that I can update the list again

 

[FlatShot_V]

Fonseca plays with a VCore 98 2018 16x20.

Wrong, it’s a 2021 mold with custom drilling

 

[nachoC]

Wrong, it’s a 2021 mold with custom drilling

yep, i dont know why i wrote 2018, i got the info from this tweet:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1780991942987235401

 

[Roforot]

for some reason, I feel attacked when he calls it out in spanish "Freaks de las racketas..."

 

[Tronco20]

Linette and Machac are both using 100 square inch frames. Tennisnerd put out an article when Linette out of nowhere reached the AO semifinal in 2023 after switching to an Ezone 100 after using a Pure Drive her whole career.

Linette is definitely using a 98 Ezone, just look at a few pics Google will give you. The 8 mains of a 98 vs the 6 in a 100 is a dead giveaway.
Tennisnerd is probably wrong, happens to everyone

 

[eucebio]

I have 2x Vcore SV98 (16x20) - pro stock with ”IP” code available if somebody interested. Belonged to ex doubles ATP player Henri Kontinen.

Also have Vcore Pro 97 and 98 inch, custom made for Henri. Also with ”IP” - codes.

Also couple Yonex bags with Henri signature and Finnish Flag printed.

Hit me up with DM for more info.

Shipping from Finland.