Yonex RDS 001 Mid 2008 Tennis Racquet

Yonex RDS-001 Tennis Racquet Review
Tennis Magazine April 2006

First Take:  It's clear who this Yonex is built for--Lleyton Hewitt wannabes.  You know, the consistent, all-court types who need a heavy buy head-light racquet to help them scramble.

Compare To:  Yonex Muscle Power Tour-1

How it Tested:  There are two models, the flexible mid and the slightly more flexible mid-plus.  The mid has a tiny head and a sweet spot to match, so unless you're a 4.5 player or better you'll struggle mightily with this racquet.  It requires you to bring your own power.  The Yonex RDS-001 is so head light that, while maneuverable, it lacks the mass toward the tip to help you generate power.  If you let up even a smidgen, your shots will land short.   Of course, that's the pointer, the RDS-001 is designed for players who swing as if they have anger management issues.  Control is adequate, and the flexible construction delivers a lot of feedback--to the point where, even with a dampener, one playertester said, "It still has a buzz."  The RDS-001 mid-plus was overwhelmingly preferred by playetesters, who said if offered a little bit of pop to help you out.  The mid, on the other hand, is only for top=flight players who never let up on their swings.

Bottom Line: You better have your tour card if you like the mid, while the mid-plus is a more realistic choice for the strong rec players.