In the present day, I’m trying on the Yonex Percept 100D, the newest addition to Yonex’s revamped control-oriented racket sequence.
This mannequin guarantees a slight uptick in free energy and forgiveness in comparison with among the 97-square-inch Percept fashions and the outgoing VCORE Professional 100 racket.
A fast take a look at the specs exhibits the racket encompasses a dense 18×19 string sample for a managed and predictable ball trajectory, particularly on full swings.
The racket additionally boasts a manageable sub-320 swingweight, which ought to facilitate producing spin and supply fast dealing with on the internet.
As I delve into our full evaluate and playtest, we’ll consider how these options translate to on-court efficiency and whether or not the Yonex Percept 100D lives as much as its promise of offering an distinctive mix of pace, precision, and really feel for intermediate to superior gamers.
Yonex Percept 100D Cosmetics and Options
The Yonex Percept 100D, in addition to all the Percept line, really stands out with its charming design.
The mix of olive inexperienced and aqua (or mint) inexperienced on the racket’s body is a visible deal with for any tennis participant.
This distinctive color mix provides a contact of magnificence and individuality that units it other than different rackets within the Yonex vary. This color scheme immediately caught my consideration.
Furthermore, the Percept line encompasses a thinner profile than different Yonex rackets, just like the EZONE and VCORE. The sleeker body not solely seems to be elegant but additionally permits for extra really feel and presumably higher consolation.
As for the racket’s options, the Percept 100D is designed with an prolonged shaft to enhance pocketing, flexibility, and management, whereas a stiffer face of the racquet goals to ship further stability and energy.
Consolation hasn’t been ignored both; Yonex claims a 15% improve in shaft flexibility and a 3% stiffer racket face.
They’ve additionally launched a Servo Filter throughout the graphite layers to scale back vibrations by 14%. These technological developments intention to enhance consolation and stability on the court docket.
The graphite composition of the racket can also be enhanced with 2G-NAMD Flex Pressure, permitting for optimum body flexing upon ball impression.
Specification and Setup
Head Dimension | 100 in / 645.16 cm |
Size | 27in / 68.58cm |
Strung Weight | 11.3oz / 320g |
Stability | 12.79in / 32.49cm / 6 pts HL |
Swingweight | 318 |
Stiffness | 66 |
Beam Width | 23mm / 23mm / 23mm |
Composition | NAMD-2G/H.M.Graphite |
Energy Degree | Low-Medium |
Stroke Type | Medium-Full |
Swing Velocity | Medium-Quick |
Racquet Colours | Mint |
Grip Kind | Yonex Artificial |
String Sample | 18 Mains / 19 Crosses |
String Rigidity | Yonex Polytour Rev 1.25mm at 20 kg |
Yonex Percept 100D Playtest
First Impressions
After I first picked up the Yonex Percept 100D, I used to be instantly captivated by its distinctive steadiness and the snug really feel it offered in my hand.
The racket’s equilibrium and relative light-weight indicated it could seemingly be remarkably manoeuvrable on the court docket.
This piqued my curiosity as I anticipated how Yonex’s fame for delivering stability in light-weight rackets would translate to this mannequin. The mix of agility and stability held nice promise for my recreation.
Furthermore, the intriguing 18×19 string sample of the Percept 100D added to the sense of anticipation. This sample hinted on the racket’s potential to generate substantial spin whereas sustaining exact management over the ball.
How did these preliminary impressions translate into real-world efficiency on the tennis court docket?
Groundstrokes
Whereas practising groundstrokes with Yonex Percept 100D, I instantly seen that, whereas the racket felt very dependable, there was a eager for extra energy, particularly when unleashing aggressive forehand pictures.
My time with the Percept 100D was marked by a persistent need for that further oomph, primarily after I wanted further power into my forehand pictures to achieve management of the purpose and presumably strategy the online.
On the brighter facet, the racket’s manoeuvrability was genuinely excellent. It gracefully tailored to the calls for of prolonged rallies, enabling fluid and agile motion on the court docket with out subjecting my muscle tissue to extreme pressure.
Whereas the Percept 97D supplied loads of oomph however was difficult to play with because of the weight, the 100D was the alternative; there was not a lot punch, nevertheless it was easy to swing.
I additionally appreciated Yonex’s dampening system applied on this racket, with the racket feeling steady sufficient to counter highly effective pictures with out the discomfort of extreme vibrations.
Furthermore, the 18×19 string sample held true to its promise of making spin and making certain management, but it generally fell in need of offering the load required for heavy topspin pictures to drive my opponent deeper behind the baseline.
It’s additionally price noting that among the points I encountered might be fastened with some mild customisation, and the 305g unstrung weight does give gamers some leeway to do that with out making the racket too unwieldy.
Volleys
As soon as my focus switched in the direction of contact pictures, I found that Yonex Percept 100D has a specific weak point concerning drop pictures and volleys.
The racket didn’t supply the pliability I’d favor in these conditions. After I tried volleys and delicate slices, I couldn’t assist however discover that the racket did reply as easily as I’d appreciated it to.
This lack of flexibility or really feel, which is considerably acquainted in 100-square-inch rackets, made it fairly difficult to finesse these pictures.
Serves & Returns
When it got here to serving and returning with the Yonex Percept 100D, I had a blended expertise. On the intense facet, I discovered the racket to be extremely manoeuvrable, and this made returning serves a pleasure.
Its agility allowed me to finish my swing easily, even when going through quick serves. I might mirror these quick and flat serves successfully, returning the ball with equal power.
The racket’s stability and light-weight design had been a profitable mixture, enabling me not simply to dam but additionally assault returns, taking management of the purpose swiftly.
Nevertheless, I didn’t have the identical degree of enjoyment with my serves. The racket lacked my desired energy, particularly when making an attempt a quick first serve.
Regardless of this, the racket showcased its versatility by permitting me to simply range my spin, making it easy to ship exact slices and kick serves.
Yonex Percept 100D vs VCORE 100
When evaluating the Yonex VCORE 100 (the racket I used all through school) and the Yonex Percept 100D, distinct traits emerge that may considerably impression your tennis recreation.
The VCORE 100 stands out for its distinctive energy, making it a perfect alternative for gamers who thrive on delivering authoritative pictures with power and domination.
When you’re the kind of participant who enjoys overpowering your opponents and setting the tempo of the sport, the VCORE 100 is an ideal match. Nevertheless, it’s price noting that this energy comes with a slight trade-off in precision.
Alternatively, the Percept 100D is designed with a concentrate on management. It caters to gamers preferring a extra measured and strategic strategy, emphasising precision and stability.
Whereas the Percept excels in management, it sacrifices among the energy that the VCORE delivers. So, should you prioritise finesse and precision over sheer energy, the Percept 100D stands out as the better option to your taking part in model.
In the end, the choice between these two rackets comes right down to your particular person preferences and magnificence of play. And whether or not you just like the isometric heads on Yonex rackets 😁
Give our racket finder tool a strive, the place you may see the specs of each racket.
Who’s This Racket For?
The 100D suits into the rising class of 100-square-inch frames that provide a mix of energy and management. It competes properly with the likes of Dunlop CX 400 Tour and Head Velocity Professional, and for my part, the Percept 100D is tailor-made for superior gamers resulting from its traits.
One of many vital options of the Percept 100D is its light-weight design and distinctive manoeuvrability. This makes it an interesting alternative for gamers, particularly superior feminine gamers, who worth the flexibility to navigate the court docket swiftly.
Nevertheless, regardless of its comparatively light-weight nature, this racket is much from forgiving for lower-level leisure gamers. It calls for that gamers have a stable approach to harness its potential totally. In case your approach isn’t refined, you may discover it difficult to regulate the Percept.
It stands out from its predecessor, the VCORE Professional 100, with a bit extra weight and considerably higher stability. The texture additionally differs significantly from older VCORE Professional fashions, however this transformation will attraction to many gamers.
Total, the Yonex Percept 100D is a compelling choice for gamers searching for a contemporary hybrid body with loads of management, some ranges of forgiveness and okay energy.
This racket is right for gamers who depend on fast returns, constant baseline rallies, and precision pictures. It’s not the selection for many who rely upon highly effective serves and attacking forehands.
The upper price ticket of the Yonex Percept additional suggests its place within the superior tennis world slightly than the realm of newbie gamers, so be sure you demo before parting with the cash.
Professionals
- Manoeuvrability: The Percept 100D has distinctive steadiness and is light-weight, making it extremely manoeuvrable and straightforward to deal with throughout prolonged rallies and fast exchanges.
- Management and Spin: The dense 18×19 string sample provides a managed and predictable trajectory, permitting for exact shot-making and first rate spin technology, catering to gamers who worth accuracy over uncooked energy.
- Stability and Consolation: Regardless of its light-weight, the racket supplies ample stability, countering highly effective pictures successfully. The Servo Filter expertise and 2G-NAMD Flex Pressure materials improve consolation by decreasing vibrations upon ball impression.
Cons
- Lack of Energy: Some gamers might discover the racket missing in energy, notably when in search of that further punch throughout aggressive performs or when making an attempt to dominate with a strong serve.
- Contact Pictures Missing: The racket’s efficiency on drop pictures and volleys might disappoint some gamers, because it doesn’t supply the specified really feel or response, making finesse pictures tougher.
- Really feel: Whereas the racket is steady and dampened, this could generally translate to a much less related really feel for the ball, which could not go well with gamers preferring a extra conventional, buttery response from their racket.
Energy – 6
Management – 8.5
Manoeuvrability – 8
Stability – 8.5
Consolation – 6.5
Contact/Really feel – 8
Serves – 7
Groundstrokes – 7.5
Slice – 8.5
Volleys – 8
Returns – 8.5