Yonex RDS 002 MP Review

bertrevert

bertrevert

Legend
Yonex RDS 002 MP Review​

Okay I had a 3 hour hit last night with a new RDS 002 Tour against a hard hitting 4.0 opponent with a ProStaff 95 (an old one with that fireburst against black).

The 002 is 350g stock (measured on postal scale). Strings are Head RIP Control at 58lbs. I can compare it to my RDS 001 MP which is 343g stock (same strings), and also this same racquet leaded up to 360g.


Design & Comfort 9/10
If looks could kill this one will. It is just a great, great looking stick, orange with coppery highlights. It seems much improved to me over the 001 yellow. Similar retro highlights. It has a toned down appeal, perfect. Additional "aerodynamic" silver pinched beam at 3 and 9 (more on this later). The stock grip is again thin and feels cheap (will replace with leather). Has a thinner bridge.

Groundstrokes
Like the 001 just supreme from the baseline. Directionally consistent, great reactive whips, very controlling on anything high bouncing. It just feels like no matter how hard someone hits at me I would not be overpowered, and still retain control. (I was against a PS95 and a nCode 90.) We managed 20 shot rallies and neither gave an inch. Its thinner beam and bridge and livelier stringbed meant it wasn't as solid as the 001. The 002 is less bludgeon and has more finesse.

Backhands had welcome precision down the line and perfect depth.

Slice was really a standout with the 002. It is excellent at defensive and aggresive slices. The even stringbed and big sweetspot facilitated great correctional aim, and added oomph. I really could get myself out of some nasty spots with a slice and have never quite experienced anything like it before.

Volleys
I tend to think 98s with big open 16x19 patterns are NOT that great at the net, and this is no exception. It transitions nicely to the volley (approaches, half volleys, anything overhead) and then just doesn't seem to sting the volley. I mean it's hard to miss a volley with it but I just didn't get the penetration.

Serve
The 001 MP isn't very good for serves (but the 001 MID is great!). The 002's thinner beam, and yes perhaps it's "aerodynamic" pinched beam at 3 and 9, meant that the 002 is indeed better in serve. A welcome improvement. The 002 is not as head light (HL) as the 001. Yet it just burrows into the toss and sends down pace. Strangely I didn't get enough work on the ball nor heaviness. It was all that slappy pace.

Another look
Rather luckily a hitting partner had a stock LM Rad MP. He wasn't getting enough spin (18x20 stringbed) and yet is a wristy player. I swapped with him and was amazed to see his game immediately pick up considerably, as he started scooping up anything low (the Yonex head shape helped) and smacking forehands with more power from an even stringbed and larger sweetspot. Same time I was reminded why I left the LM Rad MP.

Final thoughts
The 002 is very much like its brethren 001. Is the 002 simply a heavier 001 with nicer colours? Strangely, it doesn't behave heavier, not in serve, nor in groundies. while I just wasn't sticking anything, I found it more manouverable and gave greater scope for angles. I think this racquet has great potential. It doesn't feel as substantial as the 001 (due to its thinner beam against heavy hitters?), yet it allows great defence and has a can-do feel in offence. It is whippier and slicier.

This is more in the tweener category so in the grip of Babs and Wilson. I find this type good for my game - allowing error correction and adding power.

I have now tried the 001 (MID and MP), 002 Tour, and 003. I have the feeling it is the 002 Tour (with 10g of lead) and perhaps its 002 lighter version (again with more lead) that will become my sticks of choice this year. And I'd not tried Yonex before, what was I missing!

Please refer with thanks to jdeloach RDS 001 MP review:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=105645
and his others, pace pNoyr3D:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=116246
 
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Bartelby

Bartelby

Bionic Poster
Many thanks for the review. What was your grip size, by the way, as the weight seems to vary with size according to the specifications.
 
jcstennis

jcstennis

Hall of Fame
Damn, i'm pissed that my pro shop does not have one of these yet...!!! Darn you East Coast Yonex Rep!... Get a move on, will you!
 
D

dacrymn

Professional
I really, really hate you all. Actually, not really, but I'm just really jealous that you guys get these new racket so dang early. It makes me feel like these boards are filled with personal friends of the higher-ups of these tennis companies. Anyway.

Back to the 002, you said it's heavier, yet it's whippier/slicier, more maneuverable, doesn't feel as heavy and less head light? huh? Does physics even let that happen? You also said that the 001 felt more solid. Oh, and would you really classify the 002 tour as a tweener or tweenerzy player's racket? Everything seems to conflict here. Is the 001 really as "bludgeony" as you say compared to the 002? Would you agree that the 002 is truly in between of the 001 and the 003, with the tour and standard slightly swaying towards one side than the other? Lastly, you said you got more "slappy" pace with the 002, but in that case, what do you get with the 001? Don't you get a drive-through? Apparently not, but the 002 should, according to what you've said before.

*what do you mean by, "substantial"?* Compared to the 001, the 002 is kinda like the asian version of the same racket if they were both wilson tour 90 rackets, right?
________
Biscayne
 
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Voltron

Voltron

Hall of Fame
dacrymn said:
I really, really hate you all. Actually, not really, but I'm just really jealous that you guys get these new racket so dang early. It makes me feel like these boards are filled with personal friends of the higher-ups of these tennis companies. Anyway.

Back to the 002, you said it's heavier, yet it's whippier/slicier, more maneuverable, doesn't feel as heavy and less head light? huh? Does physics even let that happen? You also said that the 001 felt more solid. Oh, and would you really classify the 002 tour as a tweener or tweenerzy player's racket? Everything seems to conflict here. Is the 001 really as "bludgeony" as you say compared to the 002? Would you agree that the 002 is truly in between of the 001 and the 003, with the tour and standard slightly swaying towards one side than the other? Lastly, you said you got more "slappy" pace with the 002, but in that case, what do you get with the 001? Don't you get a drive-through? Apparently not, but the 002 should, according to what you've said before.

*what do you mean by, "substantial"?* Compared to the 001, the 002 is kinda like the asian version of the same racket if they were both wilson tour 90 rackets, right?
Click to expand...

Speaking of which, I should speak with my Yonex rep, he's rep for the whole m!dwest, so he HAS to have a few right? Just to rub it in, I played the K-Factor about one to two months ago. It belonged to a former top 500 player.
 
bertrevert

bertrevert

Legend
Grip size is 4.

It's static weight is 350g yet it just doesn't behave like it. I attribute its whippier and slicier side to the thinner beam, pinched beam at 3 and 9, and likewise thinner bridge. The 001 can belt the nuts out of things (especially with added lead) while the 002 (stock) doesn't quite.

002 Tour is more player type.

I have my 001 leaded up to 360g so yes it belts it. However the stock 001 still made a fist of a slower ball. I think of these 001s and 002s as occupying that PD and PDR and PD+Cortex territory that everyone seems to want to be in.

Yes teh 002 is inbetween the other models most definitely. But also most definitely leaning towards 001 territory. The 003 isn't in this league.

The 002 gets more pace but hits a less heavier ball than the stock 001. It gets less work and hits flatter I am hard pressed to assess why. Thinner beam and bridge? I will definitely be adding lead to get the grunt going.

Sorry cannot confirm (or deny) any Wilson comparisons.

PS - Can I add it's a pretty good racquet @ stock. I am hard pressed to tinker with lead on it because I like its new characteristics compared to some failings of the 001 (sepcifically on serve).
 
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D

dacrymn

Professional
oho, so it's like a rapier(002) and a......something not quite like a claymore...like a slight thicker rapier(001). Alright, I get it. cool. So the 002's a rapier with more weight, but yet it thinner, and cuts through the air faster, while the 001's more likely to make a louder "thwap" on the other person's mask. Thus the former's more whippy. Oh, and by they way, i was just asking if, you assumed, the 002 was the asian version of say, the k90 and the 001 was the us version. Like, the same racket, just lighter and more maneuverable, thus giving it the advantages of a light and more maneuverable racket. Okay, that's a whole lot clearer. Thanks.
________
vapir one vaporizer
 
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bertrevert

bertrevert

Legend
Yes yes here's the weight range as printed on the frame itself:

UL 300-319g / SL 320-339g

So that's UltraLight for grips 2-3, and SuperLight for 4 and above.

002 Tour, strung plus stock grip size 4, taken this morning on two postal scales concurs at 350g.

Oh and the piched silver-edged beam at 3 and 9 is called "AERO-BOX VARIFRAME" um...
 
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Bartelby

Bartelby

Bionic Poster
Still the whole weight/grip thing is confusing. This what the press release says:

サイズ UL2・3（300～319g）
SL2・3・4（320～339g）
推奨張力 UL 50～60、SL 55～65（ポンド）

This suggests you could get a grip 2 and 3 in two different weights.
 
C

Chauvalito

Hall of Fame
can someone distuingish between the 002 and 002 tour as far as the wight balance and beam with are concerned?

The 002 tour is the replacement for the rd ti 80 which had a beam with of 18 or 19 to 20, so I can understand your whippy like feel comments. Sometimes I feel my volkl's are like that. They are pretty heavy but because of the very thin beam they have lower swing weights...
 
B

BlackJesus

Rookie
Bartelby said:
Still the whole weight/grip thing is confusing. This what the press release says:

サイズ UL2・3（300～319g）
SL2・3・4（320～339g）
推奨張力 UL 50～60、SL 55～65（ポンド）

This suggests you could get a grip 2 and 3 in two different weights.
Click to expand...


My pro-shop has an RDS 002 tour grip 3 and is 320 unstrung. I think that weight and stiffness will be the same of the RD-Ti 80 and for the UL I think that the jap site is referring to the 002 not the Tour version
 
Bartelby

Bartelby

Bionic Poster
I think I'd prefer a grip 3 at 320 to somehing that weighs 330 at grip 4 to get to 350 strung with grip, but the whippiness would be even more evident at the lower weight. The non-tour is 300 grams and a 23/24 beam so maybe less whippy? I find the rdx500 whippy and I like this characteristic, but as it's produced in all probability by a thin, flexible throat this doesn't make for good serves and stuck vollies. Still it's a pleasure to hit groundstrokes with it compared to stiff racquets.
 
A

a guy

Banned
How would you compare the 002 with the 003? I use the 003 i'm just wondering what advantages the 002 can give if any.
 
bertrevert

bertrevert

Legend
a guy said:
How would you compare the 002 with the 003? I use the 003 i'm just wondering what advantages the 002 can give if any.
Click to expand...

The 003 isn't really in this league. It's solid in strokes, it swings very well given its light static weight. A girl hitting partner does well with hers. She has a big wing span, a big swing, and likes hers. But as soon as someone is hitting hard at you it doesn't stand up.

The review here is of the RDS 002 Tour. It's not really comparable to the 003. I imagine the standard 002 at 300 grams might be more comparable but I haven't tried it.

Advantages over the 003? There are many. But if the 003 suits you, and you don't know any reasons why it doesn't, then don't change.
 
bertrevert

bertrevert

Legend
Bartelby said:
I think I'd prefer a grip 3 at 320 to somehing that weighs 330 at grip 4 to get to 350 strung with grip, but the whippiness would be even more evident at the lower weight. The non-tour is 300 grams and a 23/24 beam so maybe less whippy? I find the rdx500 whippy and I like this characteristic, but as it's produced in all probability by a thin, flexible throat this doesn't make for good serves and stuck vollies. Still it's a pleasure to hit groundstrokes with it compared to stiff racquets.
Click to expand...

Good points. I'd say that the standard 002 would behave as you say.

I agree too that with a much thinner bridge, yoke beams also considerably thinner (by about half looking from front on), plus a thinner hoop beam all round also pinched at 3 and 9, that there is just less inherent grunt.

That said, it makes for more finesse (as long as I'm not being overpowered by a heavy hitter), better angles, better defence, and more control.

But I do find the 001 overpowered. I tame it with lead. I immediately liked the 002 a bit more in serves - less grunt but better accuracy - yet I can't believe the TW review credits the 001 MP as a good serve stick:
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Reviews/RDS001/RDS001Review.html
 
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bertrevert

bertrevert

Legend
mark rodgers said:
12.3 ounces strung, huh? Hey Bertrevert, was the RDS002 Tour more flexible than the RDS001 MP? I sure would like to know some more specs like flex, swingweight, and balance. This way I can determine the power level and compare to my MP.
Click to expand...

I think it's thinner beam, pinched at 3 and 9, and thinner bridge and yoke make for a flexier feel. Unsure of SW. Balance is on the label as 310mm.
 
N

Noveson

Hall of Fame
Okay, so I am going to try to get this straight. If put in order from being players racquets on the left to tweeners on the right would it go like this?

RDS 001 Mid -> RDS 002 Tour -> RDS 001 MP -> RDS 002 -> RDS 003

I think the 001 might still be a little bit much for me, and felt like that 003 had more power than even my PD. I was hoping the 002 would be around the middle. I didn't even attempt to put the RDX's in there:)
 
A

a guy

Banned
bertrevert said:
The 003 isn't really in this league. It's solid in strokes, it swings very well given its light static weight. A girl hitting partner does well with hers. She has a big wing span, a big swing, and likes hers. But as soon as someone is hitting hard at you it doesn't stand up.

The review here is of the RDS 002 Tour. It's not really comparable to the 003. I imagine the standard 002 at 300 grams might be more comparable but I haven't tried it.

Advantages over the 003? There are many. But if the 003 suits you, and you don't know any reasons why it doesn't, then don't change.
Click to expand...

I agree with what you're saying on the stability. I haven't had much chance yet to hit with some big hitters apart from a young coach I hit with who would rate around 5.0 or 5.5 in american terms. When i'd try to get onto a big forehand or volley a shot which was coming at some pace the frame really wasn't steady which means you have to try and muscle the ball to compensate.

I may take a look at the 001 MP because without seeing the proper specs the 002 sounds very similar to the 003. Though I like the power level a lot on the 003 and the forgiveness so I don't know how the 001 would compare in that respect.
 
G

Gemini

Hall of Fame
I'm curious to know what the specs of the non-Tour version of the 002 are. I suspect that instead of the 002's being in between the 001 and 003 they'll actually be bookends. From what I gather off of the Yonnie Japan site, the non-Tour may be 11 oz with string but I can't gather whether the orange is the MidPlus and the black is a SuperMid. Hmmm..I'd really like to know the specs on that black racquet.
 
N

Noveson

Hall of Fame
Gemini said:
I'm curious to know what the specs of the non-Tour version of the 002 are. I suspect that instead of the 002's being in between the 001 and 003 they'll actually be bookends. From what I gather off of the Yonnie Japan site, the non-Tour may be 11 oz with string but I can't gather whether the orange is the MidPlus and the black is a SuperMid. Hmmm..I'd really like to know the specs on that black racquet.
Click to expand...

Okay I have seen the Orange one, but I haven't heard anything about the black racquet. Is it an RDS 002 also but with a different pj(ex Pure Storm) or a totally different racquet? Do we even know what headsizes the 002 will come in yet?
 
B

backhander

Rookie
In this link:

http://www.yonex.co.jp/tennis/products/news/rds002/index.html

If you scroll down to look at the pics of the racquet, there is an orange one and a black one......what is the black one?

Does anyone know what the weight of the 002 will be versus the 002 tour?

And when does TW plan on having these in stock?

Sounds like a great racquet, i've recently used the RD Ti 70 Long MP and am looking for something with a little more oomph, or an MPTour1 MP with a little bigger sweetspot and power.

I'm hoping this will be it, I love yonex racquets.

Thanks
 
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N

Noveson

Hall of Fame
backhander said:
In this link:

http://www.yonex.co.jp/tennis/produc...002/index.html

If you scroll down to look at the pics of the racquet, there is an orange one and a black one......what is the black one?

Does anyone know what the weight of the 002 will be versus the 002 tour?

And when does TW plan on having these in stock?

Sounds like a great racquet, i've recently used the RD Ti 70 Long MP and am looking for something with a little more oomph, or an MPTour1 MP with a little bigger sweetspot and power.

I'm hoping this will be it, I love yonex racquets.

Thanks
Click to expand...

I already asked....Didn't get an answer:(
 
K

karl conner

Guest
In the US the RDS002 and the RDS002 Tour will only be available in the orange paint scheme. The black paint scheme is the same frame (RDS002) just a different color. The average weight of the RDS002 is supposed to be an average of 300 grams (10.6 oz). The Tour will be heavier (320-340 grams) and based on the size of the grip size (larger grip=heavier frame). The frames are available now from Yonex and is up to dealers as to when they will get them and have them available.
 
bertrevert

bertrevert

Legend
The stock 002 Tour strung with stock grip is 350g.

I have just added lead - 6g in the hoop counterweighted by 2g at butt. I have done this because last night (rain interrupted) I was getting pushed around by a heavy hitter (using FXP Rad) and hope to increase my SW.

I cannot go to SW2 because the static weight would be too much for me I think. 358g may be too much as I am getting close to ATP player specs
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=1133397&postcount=33

I now want to get a stock 002 standard, add 15g to the hoop at 12, and add 5g at the buttcap and achieve SW2 (370+) while static weight would be 320g. Now that would be an interesting comparison.

With the second scenario I would be close to a WTA spec
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=1133397&postcount=33
 
mhstennis100

mhstennis100

Semi-Pro
I saw the 002's at my local tennis shop. The specs look pretty close to the 001 which I was looking at at the same time. I think I like the 001 yellow better, but the 002 looks very good.
 
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