Yonex is now launching extended length (so called “plus”) versions of their already popular racquet lines – Yonex SV and Yonex DR. What do you get with an extended racquet? Better reach and power. What are the downsides? Less manoeuvrability and higher swing weights.
Extended racquets is not for everyone, but if you haven’t tried it, I’d suggest you do. Some players swear by extended frames and their very popular on the ATP World Tour, but rarely advertised as such.
These are the racquets that Yonex now releases in extended lenght:
Yonex DR 98+
Yonex DR 100+
Yonex SV 98+
Yonex SV 100+
I’m actually a big fan (not sponsored!) of Yonex products and am actually using :
Yonex DR 98
Yonex Poly Tour Pro
Yonex Supergrap overgrip
Yonex SV 98 + Specs
Head Size:Â 98 sq. in. / 632.26 sq. cm. |
Length:Â 27.5in / 69.85cm |
Strung Weight:Â 11.4oz / 323.18g |
Balance:Â 13.1in / 33.27cm / 5 pts HL |
Swingweight:Â 340 |
Stiffness:Â 68 |
Beam Width:Â 22mm / 22mm / 21mm / |
Composition:Â HM Graphite, Black Micro Core, Nanometric XT |
Power Level:Â Low-Medium |
Stroke Style:Â Medium-Full |
Swing Speed:Â Medium-Fast |
Racquet Colors:Â Black/Red |
Grip Type:Â Yonex Synthetic |
String Pattern:Â 16 Mains / 20 Crosses Mains skip: 8T,8H Two Pieces No Shared Holes |
String Tension:Â 45-60 pounds |
Yonex DR 98 + Specs
Head Size:Â 98 sq. in. / 632.26 sq. cm. |
Length:Â 27.5in / 69.85cm |
Strung Weight:Â 11.5oz / 326.02g |
Balance:Â 12.95in / 32.89cm / 6 pts HL |
Swingweight:Â 335 |
Stiffness:Â 63 |
Beam Width:Â 23mm / 24mm / 19.5mm / |
Composition:Â HM Graphite, Nanometric DR, Quake Shut Gel |
Power Level:Â Low-Medium |
Stroke Style:Â Medium-Full |
Swing Speed:Â Medium-Fast |
Racquet Colors:Â Blue |
Grip Type:Â Yonex Synthetic |
String Pattern:Â 16 Mains / 19 Crosses Mains skip: 8T,8H One Piece No Shared Holes |
String Tension:Â 45-60 pounds |
6 comments
I see that a lot of people speak well of the Yonex DR 98, but I did a test with her and I did not feel very comfortable, I thought she is very rigid, the weight is totally on the racket handle, difficult to accelerate the ball with her.
Only I had that feeling?
What’s the difference between it and the Head Touch Speed MP?
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Congratulations on the site, I am from Brazil and I always accompany you.
Hug!
Hi Yuri,
The Yonex DR 98 is not for everyone, although it does have a wide appeal. Have you tried a different string or tension? You could also add lead tape at 3 and 9 which I pretty much do for every frame I play (personal taste) which would make the racquet less head light.
The HEAD Touch Speed MP is slightly stiffer and lighter. I would also say it’s more muted in feel than the Yonex DR 98 or a Blade 98. It could work for you, depending on your preference.
Good luck! Cheers / Jonas
Hi,
I am a big fan of yonex products.
And now playing with dr98 and ptp Yellow. Do you try the extended version? Is it more difficult than the standard one? And for one hand backhand?
Hi,
I haven’t tried the extended version yet, but heard many good things about it from both advanced and more recreational players. It will require some adjustment like all extended sticks, but I’ve heard it plays softer and more controlled than the standard DR. Sounds like a winner to me!
The one-hander is always a bit more tricky with extended length, but I think you’ll appreciate the extra plow from the DR+. Let me know how it goes!
Cheers / Jonas
I’m a commited racquetholic and changed a lot of them(Fisher, Head, Wilson BLX & PS97, BAbolat APDT). But now I feel I’m totally cured with DR 98!(..well, I had to try that latest Pure Strike, but that’s it!).
Now seriously, if you are and aggressive all-court player DR 98 + Poly Tour Pro is the best you can get. You should add some lead(I add 12 gramm at 10 & 2). But find your SW – add lead until you feel your timing is affected and then remove little by little until your timing feels good again.
The only downside of Poly Tour Pro string is that when you hit hard, it dies real fast..(RPM Blast is more durable and also plays well in this racquet)
Nice to hear you have been able to cure your racquetholism (at least temporarily :)). The DR 98 is a good racquet and personally I prefer the Yonex PTP string over the RPM Blast, but that is matter of taste I guess. Another good string if you like deader poly’s is HEAD Hawk Touch. Good luck on the courts, Denis!