YONEX rds 002 tour, THE RACQUET?
- Thread starter akwila
- Start date
In D Zone
Hall of Fame
Don't jump into the bandwagon just because you heard others were raving about the racquet. You got to test it out for yourself - it all depends on how comfortable you feel when you play with it, your playing style, the weight and to some even the shape (others did not like the square head shape).
Before you spend that $$$, my advise to you is to demo it first preferable play it for more than a couple of days.
I like the feel of the RDS002 Tour and no doubt its a great racquet ( I own several Yonex racquets), but I still resort back to my mid size Mp Tour 1 or the RDS001 especially when I am competing. For me its the head size and the feel of playing mid size - basically I enjoy generating my own power, the raw energy and control I can translate into my racquet.
Before you spend that $$$, my advise to you is to demo it first preferable play it for more than a couple of days.
I like the feel of the RDS002 Tour and no doubt its a great racquet ( I own several Yonex racquets), but I still resort back to my mid size Mp Tour 1 or the RDS001 especially when I am competing. For me its the head size and the feel of playing mid size - basically I enjoy generating my own power, the raw energy and control I can translate into my racquet.
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Bottle Rocket
Hall of Fame
I suggest you notice that at least one person on this board has said that exact same thing about every new racket that has been released.
I guess considering that you already play with a K95, you're not afraid to listen to those people...
basil J
Hall of Fame
I have the RDS 002 tour and the kfactor 6.1 and although the Yonex is comfortable and I play fairly well with it, In match play, I just seem to be able to play better with my Wilson or my Redondo. I find that I just can't get dialed into the Yonex on my backhand or with flat serves. I have to spin the ball in to get it in play when I serve, where as with the Wilson or PK, I can hit every shot dependably. I have it on the FS boards for a very good price if anyone is looking for a 4 1/2" grip. the frame is spotless.
hmm thats pretty much what I foudn with this racquet ass well. Groundies are good backhand suffers a bit but I hit 2hbh so I compensate a lil. Flat serves are just ughh. Spinning them in is fine.
Ripper
Hall of Fame
basil J
Hall of Fame
When you are off, always blame your gear!. No seriously, when I say I can't hit a flat serve, I meant conistantly hit a good flat serve with the yonex.
I almost have to adjust my service motion away from what works with my other frames. Some people like the yonex head shape, some people struggle with it. If I only had to hit forehands & volleys, this would be my stick, but I tried my Moya imitaion the other night and I am just too old LOL. I still thinsk it's agreat frame, just not suited for me..
I almost have to adjust my service motion away from what works with my other frames. Some people like the yonex head shape, some people struggle with it. If I only had to hit forehands & volleys, this would be my stick, but I tried my Moya imitaion the other night and I am just too old LOL. I still thinsk it's agreat frame, just not suited for me..
Ripper
Hall of Fame
Come on. It has nothing to do with the head shape. It's more about balance and weight. You're used to something, try something else and the timing (on the fastest swing in tennis; the flat serve) is just not there. Not the racquet's fault.
basil J
Hall of Fame
You are probably right. The frame swings extremely light for a 12+oz frame. Like I said, I struggle with finding a groove with this frame, where as with My Redondo & K6.1 I have no issues. the frame does have exception directional control and is comfortable, I just can't find my groove with it.
NEXT!!!
NEXT!!!
basil J
Hall of Fame
Yeah, the honeymoon is over. The more I played with it, the less I liked it.
I never played with a fisher mspeed , so I can't comment on that. The Yonex is a light swinging 12 oz racquet. It's very comfortable, but just a tad too stiff for me. I just coud not get a flat serve going or my 1HBH going consistantly with this frame. I was very excited about switching to it, especially since I can hit great forehands with it, but I used it in a couple of matches and made more unforced errors and double faults than I ever have with my usual frames. If I played more than twice a week, I probably would have settled into this frame after a while, but with 2 young kids and court time at a premium, the last thing I want to be thinking about is my mechanics, or worrying about adjusting to a new frame. I have tried 3 yonexs this year, RDX 500 MP, Rds001 MP and RDS 002 tour. I had the same issues with all three. Couldn't dial into my backhand or flat serve. Everything else ticked, so it's probably not the racquets fault, but I found that they all have a light swinging whippy feel that I never could get used to. I definietly think they are worth pursuing, just not a stick for me I guess. And believe me, I really wanted to settle with the 002 tour. I don't have the same issues with an 6.1 or my redondo so I think that it must be a balance head shape issue? I can't put my finger on it.
I never played with a fisher mspeed , so I can't comment on that. The Yonex is a light swinging 12 oz racquet. It's very comfortable, but just a tad too stiff for me. I just coud not get a flat serve going or my 1HBH going consistantly with this frame. I was very excited about switching to it, especially since I can hit great forehands with it, but I used it in a couple of matches and made more unforced errors and double faults than I ever have with my usual frames. If I played more than twice a week, I probably would have settled into this frame after a while, but with 2 young kids and court time at a premium, the last thing I want to be thinking about is my mechanics, or worrying about adjusting to a new frame. I have tried 3 yonexs this year, RDX 500 MP, Rds001 MP and RDS 002 tour. I had the same issues with all three. Couldn't dial into my backhand or flat serve. Everything else ticked, so it's probably not the racquets fault, but I found that they all have a light swinging whippy feel that I never could get used to. I definietly think they are worth pursuing, just not a stick for me I guess. And believe me, I really wanted to settle with the 002 tour. I don't have the same issues with an 6.1 or my redondo so I think that it must be a balance head shape issue? I can't put my finger on it.
adso1973
Semi-Pro
Yes, I know what you mean, I had the same issue with the prince Hybrid Tour, very nice racquet, great serving, forehand, backhand, but couldn't control it.. tried many strings and tensions.. without success, so.. sell it and now I'm looking for a new one..
Thanks for your response.. and yes, I used to play with the HPS 6.1 95, and it's still the frame i felt more comfortable with, I think the K95 should be simillar.
Thanks for your response.. and yes, I used to play with the HPS 6.1 95, and it's still the frame i felt more comfortable with, I think the K95 should be simillar.
louis netman
Hall of Fame
Don't know what the problem is with everybody and their flat serves with the 002 Tour. The frame is quite adequate in this dept. There may be an ever-so-slight drop in velocity compared to other frames I've compared it with (monster-serving-Volkl 10 series MPs, PRTi), but the frame more than makes up for it in it's ability to place serves on a dime...The orange Yonnie is probably one of the most accurate, laser-guided servers I've used in a long time...
Ripper
Hall of Fame
I own a couple of RDX500 MPs and I know what you mean by describing it as "whippy". I enjoy the RDX500 MP's "whippyness", but would like it to have a bit more "plow through" power. My weapon of choice, the RD-7, has spoiled me. If I could have an RD-7esque racquet that's a bit easier to swing, with a bit more power and with a bit larger sweetspot, I'd be lucky. I'm wondering if the RDS 002 Tour is that racquet. So, since I can't demo, I'm buying it, just to playtest it. I might, also, buy the RDS 002 Non-Tour, since I'm curious about the extreme "whippyness" that I think that model must have. Then, probably, I'll sell the Non-Tour (or both) here, as I mentioned in another post somewhere... blablablablabla :grin:
Omisoshiru
New User
i say demo it first, but i think its fantastic =]
basil J
Hall of Fame
I bought mine outright beacuse I couldn't wait for a demo. I sold it ithe same day it posted. This is a hot stick right now. Worth a test drive for sure. I think people are either going to love it or dislike it, much like my beloved Redondo. people either love them or can't stand them.
Ripper
Hall of Fame
I recently purchased an RDS002Tour and here are my thoughts. For as long as I've been playing tennis, I don't think there is any single racquet I've ever purchased or played with for some time that I absolutely loved everything about. I usually show up at all pickup matches, practices, league matches and tourneys with at least two different make/model racquets in my bag (if not three or four). I will say that while I don't love everything about this Yonex, it is the first one where I've actually played several 3-set matches and not put it down or looked over to my bag to pull out my "sometimey Dunlops or Wilsons." I say sometimey because sometimes I can do no wrong with my Dunlop 200g (HM and MFil) and sometimes I can't find the groove. Same for my PSTour90. When I'm in a match and I start falling off with one of them, I start "batting the cycle" (usually switching to a Radical, then Dunlop, then PS; all in the same match; all in the same set even). I even did this the first two weeks I owned the Yonnie, but since settling in with it, I haven't switched during a match.
It still doesn't have the plow through that my modified MFil 200 has (or my PSTour90) but tell me what racquet, other than a POG or a PC600 has the same plow-through as a PS series Wilson? My point is, I've settled into the RDS002Tour and I can say I can now rally longer without making errors (unless I try to "force the issue" with a low percentage shot). If I'm going to make any mod to this frame it will simply be to remove the stock grip and replace it with a Babolat leather grip; just to give me a tad more weight in the handle. That's it.
Finally, all that said, my suggestion is to spend some real time with the frame if you like it at all. Also, I have no problem hitting flat projectiles with it.
One more thing for the record: I switched racquets with one of my hitting partners who owns an NBlade 98 (stock grip removed and replaced with leather) and let him hit with the RDS002T. Surprisingly, the RDS002Tour and the NBlade 98 feel very similar. The subtle differences are a tad more flex in the NBlade (actually comfy feeling and not mushy) and a different type of spin due to the 18x20 string pattern. I almost wish Yonex made an 18x20 version of this frame. Anyway, after hitting with the NBlade, I almost wish I hadn't sold it (I love to hit drop shots and it's a bit tougher with the RDS002T than with the NBlade).
P
plus
Guest
I played with prostaffs for many years (PSO 95, PS 7,5, HPS 6.1, rok, ncode 90 and 95, k95) and I like this frame very much since I switched several weeks ago. Yet, it is always personal and an ideal racket in general does not exist. For me personally, it is close to perfect/ But I like heavy, flexible frames 9played with PS 7.5 for many years) with a lot of touch. This is the best one out there IMO to date. I like it a more than the n-blade wich has nice touch as well but is too fragile in the end.. With the yonex I can throw the lead tapes away which is nice because I have never really been satisfied with lead-taped frames who obviously didn't have the right weight / swingweight to start with. The k95 (18x20) is another frame that does not need lead tape in my case, and is nice too, but it is a bit more 'harch' than the yonex to me.
For me the yonex works very very good and if you like a heavy players frame that match todays standards you should put this one on your demo list.
For me the yonex works very very good and if you like a heavy players frame that match todays standards you should put this one on your demo list.
basil J
Hall of Fame
Ok, I got my hands on another rds 002 tour and for the price, I figured I'd give it one more try. I played with it today for an hour in stock form. It is a sweet frame. I didn't serve much with it, but it is certainly lower powered than my kfactor. I had to hit many more balls to end the points, but the control is outstanding. I am going to give it a little more time this time around due to how extremely comfortable this frame is.
basil J
Hall of Fame
I don't think that it is an upgrade from the k6.1 at all. Different frames, properties feel etc. With the Wilson, it's a power game. Bigger serves and ground strokes, fair at best volley. With the Yonex, the power level goes way down, but control and spin net approach take over, and I play longer points and try to wear out my opponents. I like the power game better, but my shoulder can't take a 12.6 oz stiff wilson frame on consecutive days, so I will give the yonex further testing. I added some more weight to my redondo, so that frame is actually playing great as well, so I have 3 sticks I am trying to decide from before the winter indoor season starts. If I can find my serve with the Yonex, it is clearly the leader in the control and volley dept.
Wilson leads in the power dept, especially serves.
Redondo leads in the comfort and pretty good for everything dept. A little more power than the Yonex, less than the Wilson.
Wilson leads in the power dept, especially serves.
Redondo leads in the comfort and pretty good for everything dept. A little more power than the Yonex, less than the Wilson.
tennis939
Rookie
Seriously, there isn't racquet that's perfect. all racquets have each of their own faults. u only call the racque 'perfect' when the you personally loves how the racquet performs.
we all have different tastes in racquets.
=]
just demo it akwila and see for ur self if it's ur holy grail
louis netman
Hall of Fame
I own both and 002 Tour is a big improvement over the Ti 80...
martin8768
Rookie
hey guys im a 5.0 moving to 5.5 ish and i've been using the RDS002 and i want to go for the RDS002 Tour? do you think this is a good idea? im moving into the U18 this year. i have a 1HBH. and i think i want more weight. should i get the Tour? or buy some more RDS002? cuz either way i need to buy some more sticks.
jackson vile
G.O.A.T.
I lead my rackets and have tested a lot, I am most used to a prestige type wieghting. The 002tour is the first frame I felt needed no lead, just a good spinny poly, this frame for a 1HBH is solid all around. I can find no weak spot in this racket at all, for a 2HBH it may be different.
It is more of a basline racket, but can still volley, but I don't ever volley anyways. I would suggest MSV hex, or proline II mains and gut crosses and it will be a serving baslining machine.
It is more of a basline racket, but can still volley, but I don't ever volley anyways. I would suggest MSV hex, or proline II mains and gut crosses and it will be a serving baslining machine.
fuzz nation
G.O.A.T.
Go figure... I'm a long time serve and volleyer and I've taken up with newer sticks that support my style, yet are also productive for me from the baseline, too. The RDS 002 Tour (SL here) is certainly one of those racquets for me. I'm an honest 4.0 all court player more proficient in doub's than singles.
Interesting reception this racquet has gotten with some loving it and others feeling pretty alienated by its behavior. I played doubles with mine the day I got it and it really knocked me over, but then we went into a tailspin for a while, I tried some different strings, we saw a marriage counselor, and now I'm having a whole lot of fun with this Yonex. I really think that it can take a little while (let's say more than just a weekend!) to develop an instinct for the sweetspot on this frame if you're not familiar with the Yonex gear. The racquets that I moved on from were the old Prostaff 6.1's and my other favorite bat these days is the new Donnay Pro One "buttah factory".
While this 002 Tour isn't a super-rigid canon, it will easily make more power than I can control if I swing out of my shoes and I can't think of another frame that I've owned that I can smack a hotter first serve with. The throttle control on this one is quite good though and I get great accuracy and stability with it from all over the court. It delivers a very headlight feel and I tried a just a little 3/9 o'clock lead to see if it would benefit... Yuck! I think that this heft and balance is exceptional. Quite composed at the baseline, but if I decide to move forward, this racquet seems happy to lead the way and volley with authority. For me, this frame has turned out to be a different sort of animal. For a while there, I thought I'd be sending them back out the door, but the longer than average settling in period has payed off for me.
Interesting reception this racquet has gotten with some loving it and others feeling pretty alienated by its behavior. I played doubles with mine the day I got it and it really knocked me over, but then we went into a tailspin for a while, I tried some different strings, we saw a marriage counselor, and now I'm having a whole lot of fun with this Yonex. I really think that it can take a little while (let's say more than just a weekend!) to develop an instinct for the sweetspot on this frame if you're not familiar with the Yonex gear. The racquets that I moved on from were the old Prostaff 6.1's and my other favorite bat these days is the new Donnay Pro One "buttah factory".
While this 002 Tour isn't a super-rigid canon, it will easily make more power than I can control if I swing out of my shoes and I can't think of another frame that I've owned that I can smack a hotter first serve with. The throttle control on this one is quite good though and I get great accuracy and stability with it from all over the court. It delivers a very headlight feel and I tried a just a little 3/9 o'clock lead to see if it would benefit... Yuck! I think that this heft and balance is exceptional. Quite composed at the baseline, but if I decide to move forward, this racquet seems happy to lead the way and volley with authority. For me, this frame has turned out to be a different sort of animal. For a while there, I thought I'd be sending them back out the door, but the longer than average settling in period has payed off for me.
Richard Pur
Rookie
I was wondering if there now have been enough people that have played with the 002 Tour UL version that can give an accurate assessment of the real differences (with the SL) in terms of playability.
I loved the SL version when I demoed it, but the swingweight started getting to me. I like a SW closer to 315-320. So the drop from 330 to 325 (SL to UL) would make a little difference to me. Also, my thinking would be that I also would have to build up the grip on the UL to my regular 4 5/8 and in doing that, it would also give me a a more headlight racquet with a lighter perceived SW?
I wouldn't think going from the SL to UL version would have any drastic differences in feel, touch, stability.
Any feedback here?
Thanks,
Rich
basil J
Hall of Fame
I have neglected playing the 002 tour since I got some 200GMW's, but I decided to try juice the frame up with VS gut. I have really come to the conclusion that string is sometimes as important as the frame. My complaint with the yonex was that it was a little whippy and low powered. With the gut at 57#, it really has made the frame come alive. So much so, that I plan on using it in some league matches coming up this weekend. The 200GMW is the standard to which I compare every other frame against. The rds002 tour is as comfortable, has excellent control, not as much as the 200G MW and had loads more spin potential, especially on serves. This is the most comfortable frame since I discovered the Redondo that I have found. I will follow up later this weekend on how I handle match play with it.
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jackson vile
G.O.A.T.
Try some poly strung at a low tension, then you will see the light, or even gut crosses.
IMO I do not understand why people keep saying that this is a low powered racket, this is IMO a high powered racket.
LMP+ , now that was a low powered MP racket.
skraggle
Professional
The ultimate weapon is the player. The really good players I know spend all their time and money on clinics, practice and lessons rather than their equipment.
I'm finally getting this through my head as well.
basil J
Hall of Fame
I played a match last night using the yonex freshly strung with VS gut at 57#. I have only touched this frame once in the last 4 months so I went into the match pretty much cold. I was playing against a very steady 4.0+ player so every point required a lot of shots to finish the point. I lost 6-3, 6-3, but ironically probably played better than I have in weeks. My forehand let me down a bit, but serves, BH and volleys were very comfortable and fairly precise. Going from my beloved 200GMW, the first thing that struck me was how much more spin I was able to generate. The other thing that struck me was that the dunlop has a much firmer string bed and I hit a few balls last night without the feedback I get from the Dunlop, so a few more errors than usual. I hit a "bigger ball" with the dunlop for sure, but I still got good depth and height with the yonex, so I was never really put into defensive position. I found that I couldn't crush a winner with the yonex all night, but I think that will come once I get dialed back into it. The VS gut really improved the play of this frame over what I remember from the summer. The 200GMW are getting harder to find so I think the Yonex may be a suitable back up and eventual replacement when the time comes. The real positive of the Yonex is comfort. At 47 I have no dillusions of greatness. My main focus is fun and comfort. The Yonex scored high in both areas..
