Brandon Nakashima switched from his Babolat Pure Strike to a Yonex Ezone 98 in 2023. But what is Brandon Nakashima’s racquet now?
It is the off-season, so players are testing a bunch of new racquets. I have written about it on my Patreon members site and you can also find reels on my YouTube channel and Instagram.
2023 was not quite Brandon’s year. After reaching a career-high ranking of #43 in 2022, he struggled in 2023, dropping to #134 in the ATP Rankings. His 13-20 win-loss-record wasn’t particularly inspiring for a Next Gen Finals winner.
Is it the racquet? No, we cannot really blame the racquet for the results. However, making a racquet switch is a big deal. And it might feel great for the player during the first two weeks, but then some bad results might creep in and then the doubts start. It is more of a mental thing than what the racquet brings to each stroke. And as a player you do need to build a connection to your new racquet the way you did with the old one. This takes time.
Testing new racquets
Nakashima has been testing the Yonex VCORE 98 and the Percept 97 (not sure which model). The Percept is more in the line of his old Pure Strike, although the Pure Strike is stiffer. The VCORE 98 is more spin-racquet and will give him a higher launch angle and more spin potential. I am not quite sure that gels with his game, to be honest, as I think he hits more through the ball.
According to sources, he is still using his RPM Blast string, which is sensible since if you are testing new gear, you want to minimize the variables to considering.
Will we see Nakashima with a new racquet at the start of 2024? I think it’s possible, considering the so-so season he had in 2023. It’s time for a fresh start and a new racquet could help that feeling.
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What will Brandon Nakashima’s racquet be in 2024? Let us know in the comments below.
1 comment
I knew I wasn’t going crazy when I remembered him with an EZONE last season. Just saw him put up a battle against Tabilo and noticed the racquet switch. He seemed to be finding pace and precision with the VCORE today. Hope he finds his best results with the switch soon.