Our excellent contributor and racquet nerd, Oak Gast, is back with an awaited Yonex Percept 100D Review. Is this the best racquet in the line?

Yonex Percept 100D Review

Yonex’s latest foray into the control market comes in the form of the newly established Percept line. The 100D is the only truly “new” racquet here, as the others come off the legacy of the Vcore Pro; a well-regarded precision line amongst “player’s” frames.

You can check out our reviews of the Yonex Percept 97, 97H and 100 by clicking the links and you can purchase the racquet from our friends at Tennis Warehouse.

Specifications

One thing that immediately distinguishes the 100D and the regular 100 from the rest of the Percept lineup is their comparatively higher stiffness. From a design perspective, pairing the 100” head size with a 66 stiffness rating allows for more power to offset the additional forgiveness the larger hoop offers.

The 100D starts to shimmer on paper when you see that Yonex chose to pair a niche string pattern with a fairly common static weight. The 18×19 pattern is somewhat rare these days, as the Prestige MP, TFight 305, and the SW102 are the only other market-available frames with this arrangement of strings.

Comparisons

As far as the weight is concerned, 305 grams unstrung seems to be a sweet spot for a lot of modern classics (Blade 98, Aero 98, Ezone 98, Whiteout, etc.). Here though the 100D takes a turn with its head size, as I can’t think of that many other 305-gram frames with a 100” hoop. Of the ones that do have this combination (Volkl V8 pro, Phantom 100P, Gravity Tour, and the Ki Q+ 5X Pro), none have that more elusive 18×19 pattern. However, all are going with denser 18×20 or 16×20 patterns overall. This seems to suggest that 305-gram frames, when paired with the 100” hoop, benefit from some additional stability and swing weight sourced via these denser string patterns. With said patterns, the power aspect of the 100” frames is lessened in favor of more directional input through having more strings contact the ball.

Denser patterns are typically understood to give us faster rebound rates, which usually leads to more precision and less shot depth. Higher degrees of control align with what the 18×19 is aspiring to do while simultaneously being slightly more spin-friendly than an 18×20. The 100D then distinguishes itself from the other current 18×19 frames by being the only option with a 100” head size. As such, it is more powerful than the Prestige or Tfight but more refined than the SW102. Where it really stands out, though, is the swing weight, down at sub-320 strung, compared to the other 18x19s, all at 330 plus strung for swing weight. This lower swing weight means that with the 100D, you get a frame that is more maneuverable compared to its pattern siblings, allowing for much faster racquet head speeds.

How does it play?

For testing purposes, I was fortunate enough through Tennis Warehouse to use a near-stock version of the frame strung with Polytour Pro in a 1.25 gauge.

Initially, I was very much thrown by the frame’s lower launch angle. I was expecting the frame to feel similar to the Tfight 305, but this was not at all the experience that I was continuing to get on court. As someone working with more spin-based modern mechanics, the 100D was initially extremely unforgiving and demanding. If you are someone who finds lots of success with flicking your wrist, then this frame may not be for you… The 100D practically forced me to move forward through my shots and to drive the ball flat. Attempting to spin the ball into the court proved detrimental both for the quality of the shot and my own comfort. I moved away from my one-handed ideations and let myself trust the two-hander on the backhand side, which felt incredibly stable as long as I timed my weight transfer properly. On the forehand, this need to move forward became even more apparent, as when I was countering shots of heavier pace, I was only then able to flick my forehand in. Otherwise, the frame required me to finish a couple of feet forward on nearly every shot, necessitating more engaged footwork.

After a few weeks with the frame, the heftier feel (thanks partly to the Isometric beam) combined with the sub 320 strung swing weight started to feel more harmonious. The forehand will probably never feel truly natural to me with the 100D, but it did change my play style a little bit during point play to be more aggressive, which is always a fun testing bonus.

Stroke by stroke

Serving with the 100D feels extremely rewarding if you enjoy laying down flat serves. As for more spin-based service motions, the 100D does not do you any favors, but it doesn’t really feel designed to. It is a frame that is true to its design theory, managing to stay mostly flat regardless of the shot. The precision on serving felt great, as seamless as other classic 100” frames for serving like the Pure Drive or the Ezone 100. I enjoyed the denser pattern’s impacts here, as the serve felt incredibly solid upon contact compared to some 16×19 100” frames.

Volleys with the 100D mainly felt natural, having both good control and easy stability. The frame actually excelled on high volleys and overheads, as the wide-body isometric shape allowed for some expanded hitting zones higher up. Lower volleys were sufficient enough due to the maneuverability of the frame, and the square beam shape should feel traditional enough for most players. The most discernible difference was a lower level of spin access than I’ve grown accustomed to, which changed the shot’s shape on many volleys. Again, this is not a knock on the frame but a testament to the adherence to its design vision.

Summary

I was initially torn on this frame, but I have grown to probably like it the most out of this new Percept lineup. The regular 97 is a close second, but the 100D is simply an outrageously fun frame to play with. Once you start driving through the ball with the frame it begins to really take off upon impact, allowing for heavy line drives from all angles. Any time I catch myself smiling on the court and have the racquet to thank for it, I pay attention.

You can check out our reviews of the Yonex Percept 97, 97H, and 100 by clicking the links and you can purchase the racquet from our friends at Tennis Warehouse or Tennis Only.

The HEAD Prestige 2023 Review deals with the Prestige Tour, Pro, MP and MP L. It has also been called Prestige Auxetic 2.0.

HEAD Prestige 2023 Review

There is a new line of Prestige racquets on the block. We have had four racquets to test over a period of weeks and below you can read our verdict. If you prefer, there is also a Prestige Auxetic 2.0 video review here.

So, what is new in the HEAD Prestige 2023? The racquets play similarly to the HEAD Prestige 2021 racquets, but they are somewhat refined. I prefer the Auxetic 2.0 version over the predecessor, but I understand if some players struggle to tell a difference. You can read more about the Auxetic technology here.

You can purchase the new HEAD Prestige 2023 racquets from Tennis Warehouse.

HEAD Prestige Tour

The Tour model is the most unforgiving, with a true 95 sq inch head size. This was Nikki’s favorite, and he liked it so much he could play a tournament with it. The specifications are similar to the previous generation, but the stiffness is slightly lower, and the swing weight is also reduced. Both changes are positive.

The racquet played with excellent plow-through, stability, feel, and control. But it was too demanding for most play-testers. If you are an aspiring pro or just love smaller head sizes and heavier racquets, this one might be a great option.

It’s easier to use than the predecessor, but still a demanding racquet with a relatively small audience.

HEAD Prestige Pro

I loved the HEAD Prestige MP 360+, which is the model that predated the first Auxetic Prestige. They changed the name from MP to Pro, which makes sense since this racquet is difficult to play with. Dense string pattern, thin beam, low stiffness. It’s a classic racquet with a slightly larger head size. Great for precision, tougher on defense. But if you love being connected to every shot, this is one of the best racquets on the market. I didn’t like the Prestige Pro 2021, but this one felt softer to me. Looking at the specifications below, I can see they really dialed down the stiffness towards PT57A levels.

Fantastic racquet, just too demanding for most players.

HEAD Prestige MP

This is the most complicated racquet to understand for me. It has a relatively high swing weight (around 330 strung), a 99 sq inch head size and an 18×19 string pattern. It is smack down in the middle of control racquets, but it makes it lack a bit of identity. The Pro and the Tour are tough to use, but they offer a beautiful feel and precision when you are playing well. This one is somewhat easier to use, but the rewards are not that strong. The feel and control is simply not quite as good as with the racquets above. I struggled to understand this one, but I know it has a fanbase out there.

Specifications are not yet live on the Tennis Warehouse website for the Prestige MP 2023.

HEAD Prestige MP L

This is what I would call a “sleeper” racquet. An excellent frame that is easily overlooked because it has the name Midplus Light. Yes, it is lighter than the racquets above, but still, 300 grams unstrung, and with some customization it can turn into quite a solid weapon.

Somewhat surprisingly, they really managed to capture the Prestige feel with this one. This racquet is soft on the arm, pockets the ball well, and despite being a control racquet, can offer some power and spin.

Control freaks might struggle with the higher launch angle from the 16×19 pattern. But this is something you can reduce with the right string choice, perhaps adding a gut or multi in the mains.

This turned out to be my personal favorite, with the Prestige Pro coming in at a close second. Excellent racquet.

Summary

This is a slight update from the 2021 version. The improvements are subtle, even when looking at the cosmetic, but the more you play with the racquets, the stronger they become. The softer feel and reduction in swing weight in some models are clear steps in the right direction. I think all racquets played better, and I did enjoy the play-test immensely. However, the Prestige MP is still difficult for me to place in terms of playing demographic.

In short, if you want control and feel, the Prestige line still delivers in spades!

The Prestige Classic is back! Prestige fans rejoice. Here is our HEAD Prestige Classic 2.0 Review and man, it’s nice to see it again.

HEAD Prestige Classic 2.0 Review

The Prestige Classic 600 is an icon among racquet aficionados. A racquet used by tennis legends like Goran Ivanisevic and Marat Safin, as well as tennis nerds worldwide. Sure, the 89.5 sq inch racquet head will be demanding in the modern, more spin and power-focused game of tennis, but it’s still such a joy to hit with this stick.

You can buy this racquet at Tennis Warehouse.

So far, I have only tested this racquet with a multifilament string, but that is really how it SHOULD be played. The excellent HEAD Velocity MLT 1.30 black and 1.25 natural. If you want a control-oriented multifilament string (arm-friendly!), HEAD Velocity is one of the best on the market. Maybe I will test it with a poly or a hybrid string setup later on, for a bit more spin potential. But talking about spin, you can actually swing this racquet head so fast thanks to the small head size, that spin is not hard to come by.

Specifications

Regarding the head size measurement, HEAD used to measure the frame from the outside, while other manufacturers did the inside. That is why 93 sq inches, is really more like 89.5 here. This changed when they moved over to Graphene racquets, but even the Radical Pro IG edition, which is said to be 98, is more like a 95.

How does it play?

The racquet is butter on impact. On attack, you can whip up some aggressive shots and count on pinpoint precision from the small frame. There is little power here, but you can’t complain about control and feel.

It performs surprisingly well, still, so many years later, when you’re aggressive. But as soon as you need to get on the defense, that is when the head size and difficulty level of the racquet can be too punishing.

But playing with this racquet brings a smile to my face. It’s just fun! I won’t bring it into a tournament match, but for a warm-up or a fun hitting session with a buddy – why not?

How does it compare to the Prestige Classic 600?

The re-issue of the HEAD Pro Tour 2.0 was great, but it did not quite have the plushness of the HEAD Pro Tour 630. It played a bit stiffer, more like an old Radical MP. In the case of the Prestige Classic 2.0, I struggle to detect a difference from the original. It offers the same classic feel, not too soft, not too stiff. Kind of just perfect. Like the Wilson Pro Staff 85. There is a reason those racquets still garner so much love.

Summary

If you love classic racquets, old school feel, or just want an icon to put on your wall. This is it. It’s a beauty in terms of design and playability. I talked to HEAD about the idea of bringing these legends back some years ago and I’m happy to see it happen. I’m sure I’m not alone!

Check out this racquet at Tennis Warehouse alongside the new Prestige 2023 racquets.

We have a new contributor on the website, Oak Gast, a 4.5 NTRP player from San Luis Obispo, CA. Here is his Solinco Whiteout 18×20 XTD Review.

Solinco Whiteout 18×20 XTD Review

Before we dip into the review, let’s look at the specifications from Tennis Warehouse. You can also check out our review of the Solinco Whiteout 18×20 or the Solinco Whiteout 16×19.

The frame’s design feels ultimately balanced in the purest sense of that word. Spec-wise, practically every characteristic has a perfect complement otherwise located in the frame’s construction. From a top-down perspective, the racquet exists in a class of its own. It is the only extended-length 18×20 frame you can get from mainstream manufacturers. The pairing of these two particular specs outlines the approach to the frame in that control comfortably melds with power from a highly intentional design angle.

How does it play?

The extended nature of the racquet offers greater reach and additional leverage due to its 27.5” length. From a groundstroke perspective, users now have a larger wingspan and hitting zone, which can be converted into additional power and pop if appropriately timed. Length-sensitive players will notice how the additional half-inch gives you some extra capability in terms of defensive play. I also found the length to change the overall launch angle on my forehand slice, arriving later to the ball in terms of timing. Additionally, the slice felt lower to the net but had compensated with more directional control to make up for a smaller clearance margin. The length makes itself known on the serves for providing an increased downward angle on the ball. As someone who has always struggled with height on the serve, I was pretty satisfied with this impact.

On volleys, the length does make it more challenging to maneuver, but the pros outweigh the cons here. The extra length gives you more reach, which is extremely helpful on stretch volleys, high volleys, and tougher overheads. Further, the extended contact point encouraged me to get to my volleys faster and more in front of my body, which also ended up manifesting well results-wise.

Summary

What makes this Whiteout so captivating though, is that it has a denser string pattern to offer increased control in relation to all of the aforementioned power capabilities. The 18×20 essentially reigns in all of the pop the frame is working with, encouraging good timing, hitting through the ball, and better targeting. By having more directional input with more strings, the frame allows for players to control and experiment with the length-based power impacts. The 18×20 feels surprisingly open too, which mitigates the often heard complaint of denser patterns not being spin-friendly enough. Furthermore, the racquet is able to get away with a somewhat high stiffness (65 RA) due to the foam-filled interior. Solinco has seemingly taken a page out of Tecnifibre’s book here, as the foam adds additional comfort due to shock distribution.

On top of that, I’ve noticed foam-filled frames typically allow for some additional maneuverability, which is a nice bonus considering the less-wieldy 27.5” length. You combine all of this with a swing weight that averages above 330 pts strung, and you get a seriously versatile frame.

The Whiteout has exceeded my expectations in nearly every aspect of the hitting experience. It is a frame that toes the line perfectly in terms of versatility, and I cannot recommend it enough in terms of something that can both encourage good technique as well as mix up one’s playing styles.

About the reviewer

Oak Gast is a 4.5/5.0 tennis player in San Luis Obispo, CA. As a product specialist at Tennis Warehouse, Oak oversees orders and customer communication internally within the racquets department. Additionally, Oak uses his M.A. degree in English to develop writings around various equipment, such as racquets, strings, and shoes, and the geopolitical significance of tennis as an international sport. Personal research topics include modality of information, Romantic literature, and film studies.

The VCORE Pro is no more. The Yonex Percept is here. If you’re curious about a modern control racquet, read this Yonex Percept 100 Review.

Yonex Percept 100 Review

The Yonex Percept 100 is a control racquet but more forgiving and powerful than the smaller head sizes in the Yonex Percept family. Of all the Percept racquets we tested, the Percept 100 was the most exciting. It offers good power, feel, and a nice balance of pop and control.

Compared to the Yonex VCORE Pro 100 predecessor, this racquet plays a bit firmer, with better stability and slightly less flex. I feel like the layup is improved and you get a bit more power and stability than the previous version. The other guys I tested it with agreed and for all of us, the Percept 100 was the winner.

You can check out the Yonex Percept 100 from our friends at Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe and Tennis Only.

Let’s have a look at the average specs of the Percept 100.

Specifications

How does it play?

The Percept 100 balances a modern racquet with the control and feel of a more control-oriented stick. It’s a very balanced racquet and an excellent competitor to racquets like the Wilson Blade 100 V8 or HEAD Speed MP. I feel like it plays a bit more controlled than the Speed and works better for me on flatter shots, while it’s quite similar to the Blade 100 in power level. Maybe the Percept 100 is a bit more stable in stock form.

So you do get a good level of spin and decent power. It’s nothing extreme or excessive in either aspect, so if you want that, you have the VCORE or EZONE lines from Yonex. However, the balanced nature of this racquet makes it very appealing to a large audience. As Nikki said in our video review, it’s hard to fault this racquet. It might not be love at first hit for everyone, as some players might not enjoy the slightly muted feel, but it’s a great racquet for many levels and styles of tennis players.

Two thumbs up from Tennisnerd for the Yonex Percept 100.

The Yonex control line VCORE Pro is now called Percept. It is the same mold, but a new layup. Here is our Yonex Percept 97 Review.

Yonex Percept 97 Review

The Yonex Percept 97 will most likely be the bestseller of the Percept line of racquets, similar to what the Pro Staff 97 is for Wilson. It is relatively user-friendly but still offers the control that the player demographic seeks. It also comes in at a low stiffness, which makes it a pretty arm-friendly racquet, but not one where the power or spin levels are specifically generous.

It’s worth reiterating the Percept line of racquets is for players searching for maximum control. Compared to the Yonex Percept 97H, the Percept 97 is 20 grams lighter and it feels like quite a whippy racquet.

When I tried the frame in Sweden earlier this year, it was closer to the average spec from Tennis Warehouse. This demo that I got from Tennis Warehouse Europe was lacking in mass in the hoop of the racquet. This resulted in a swing weight strung with Yonex Poly Tour Pro 1.20 at 303 SW. This is far too low to get any stability and power from the frame.

After adding about four grams to the head of the racquet, it played much better and shows why it is, and will remain, one of the best control racquets on the market. However, the quality control issue regarding swing weight is an issue that all manufacturers need to deal with. Most players are not used to customizing racquets and getting a racquet lacking the weight in the hoop will make the racquet a lot worse than it is. I wish that in some years, this simply shouldn’t happen for racquets retailing at around 250 euros or dollars.

Specifications

The average swing weight is relatively low and I think the racquet plays better around 320-325 strung SW. It remains fast to swing but then has more mass and plowthrough.

How does it play?

I said in my Yonex Percept video review that I preferred the stability and forgiveness of the Percept 100, especially when they both were uncustomized. But after adding some weight to the hoop, it’s a tighter race between them. The Percept 97 offers better control and a slightly faster feel than the 100. But the 100 allows more mishits thanks to the larger head and a higher power level. It all depends on your needs and wants. Both racquets are good overall, and I could switch between them relatively effortlessly.

So, despite being disappointed about the quality control issue and the low swing weight, I really enjoyed the Percept 97 after adding some weight. I will start playing them side by side in some match play and see which performs best for me. If you are the kind of player who gravitates towards smaller head sizes, the 97 makes sense. If you prefer getting more forgiveness and power from your racquet but still want better control than an Ezone 100, the Percept 100 is worth a demo.

Summary

The new Percept racquets are excellent. They are not far different from the VCORE Pro racquets, but play a bit more stable and with a slightly higher stiffness in the hoop without being harsh. I still like the 100 best for my game, but with some customization, the 97 is also a very nice racquet for the advanced player seeking control.

The Yonex Percept 97H is the heaviest racquet in Yonex’ new control line Percept. Here is our Yonex Percept 97H Review.

Yonex Percept 97H Review

The Yonex Percept 97H is one of the heaviest racquets on the market. It falls right after the Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph with its 330-gram unstrung weight versus the 340 grams of the Pro Staff. I compare these two racquets here. The Percept 97H has the same mold as the VCORE Pro 97H, but the layup is slightly different as it includes a new technology called Servo Filter, which is supposed to filter out vibrations. You can read more about this in my general Yonex Percept post.

In terms of specifications, they have reduced the average swing weight of the 97H model. This is a good idea. The VCORE Pro 97H I tested had a strung swing weight of 347. This is pro-level specs, while the Percept 97H I received came around 334 SW when measured on my HEAD 3-in-1 machine. The 330-ish strung swing weight is relatively “beefy” but more manageable than the previous one.

Below, you can see the average specifications, courtesy of Tennis Warehouse.

Specifications

How does it play?

The Yonex Percept 97H can create a heavy ball and offers great stability. It does this at the cost of maneuverability and the ability to hit with high racquet head speeds. It’s quite an extreme racquet in terms of weight, but it will appeal to strong players who like hefty racquets and perhaps players who have always played with heavy racquets and are looking for a modern option.

The target group is small, but if you fit it, this racquet works well. It’s comfortable and offers decent spin potential and a good level of control. You might want to choke up a bit on the handle at the net to make it easier to move around.

A very specific racquet, but a great one for the player who looks for a hefty control racquet.