Yonex PERCEPT 97 Racket Review

Tim Lee

8

min read

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Yonex PERCEPT 97

Head Size: 97sq in / 625.81 sq cm
Length: 27 in/ 68.58 cm
Unstrung Weight: 10.9oz / 310g
Strung Swing Weight: 317
String Pattern: 16x19
Strung Weight: 11.5oz / 326g

The Yonex Percept 97 is a high-performance racket designed to meet the demands of advanced players who seek precision, control, and power. Here’s an in-depth review of its features, performance, and overall value.

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Design and Build

The Yonex Percept 97 scores well in aesthetics, combining a contemporary design with a professional look that appeals to serious players.

Grip and Comfort

The Yonex Percept 97 is a top performer in groundstrokes, catering to players who demand power, control, and spin from their racket.

Aesthetic 8.5 Out of 10

Design and Appearance

The Yonex Percept 97 stands out with its sleek and modern design, appealing to players who appreciate both performance and style. Here’s an in-depth look at its aesthetic qualities:

Color Scheme

The racket features a sophisticated color palette, typically incorporating dark tones such as black or navy, complemented by subtle, vibrant accents. This combination gives the racket a polished and professional look that is visually striking without being overly flashy.

Graphics and Branding

Graphics: The graphics on the Yonex Percept 97 are minimalist yet impactful. The clean lines and carefully placed design elements enhance the overall visual appeal without overwhelming the eyes. This minimalistic approach adds to the racket’s sleek and refined appearance.
Branding: Yonex’s branding is tastefully integrated into the racket’s design. The iconic Yonex logo and name are subtly placed, maintaining a cohesive and elegant look. The branding does not distract from the racket’s aesthetics but rather complements it, adding to its high-end feel.

Build Quality

The finish of the Yonex Percept 97 is smooth and premium, contributing to its overall high-quality look. The use of matte and gloss contrasts in certain areas adds depth and sophistication to the design.

Overall Aesthetic Rating

Overall, the Yonex Percept 97 earns an aesthetic rating of 8.5/10. Its sleek, professional design, combined with thoughtful graphics and subtle branding, makes it a visually appealing choice for players who value both form and function in their tennis equipment.

Groundstroke 9 Out of 10

The Yonex Percept 97 excels in groundstrokes, providing advanced players with a combination of power, control, and spin. Here's an in-depth look at its performance in this aspect:

Stability

The racket’s stability on impact ensures a solid and consistent feel, even on off-center hits. This stability is essential for maintaining shot quality during extended rallies and when facing powerful shots from opponents.

Control

One of the standout features of the Yonex Percept 97 is its exceptional control. The racket provides a precise and responsive feel, enabling players to place their shots with accuracy. This is particularly beneficial for advanced players who need to hit consistent and well-placed groundstrokes to maintain pressure on their opponents.

Overall Groundstroke Rating

Overall, the Yonex Percept 97 earns a groundstroke rating of 9/10. Its blend of power, control, spin, stability, and comfort makes it an excellent choice for advanced players who rely on their groundstrokes to dominate matches. Whether hitting aggressive baseline shots or executing precise and spin-heavy strokes, the Percept 97 provides the tools needed to perform at a high level.

Volley 8.5 Out of 10

Maneuverability

The racket’s balance and weight distribution aid in quick adjustments, making it easier to position the racket head accurately. This maneuverability is particularly beneficial for reacting to fast, close-range shots and executing quick volleys.

Touch and Feel

The responsive nature of the Yonex Percept 97 allows for delicate touch shots and precise placement. This is essential for players who rely on finesse and the ability to hit drop volleys or soft angles.

Overall Volley Rating

Overall, the Yonex Percept 97 earns a volley rating of 8.5/10. Its combination of stability, touch, maneuverability, and power makes it a reliable choice for net play. Whether hitting delicate drop volleys or powerful put-aways, the Percept 97 provides the performance needed to excel at the net.

Serve 8.5 Out of 10

Power

The Percept 97 allows players to generate impressive power on their serves. The racket’s frame and string bed construction facilitate high-speed serves that can put pressure on opponents right from the start of the point.

Spin Potential

The racket offers excellent spin potential, making it easier to hit a variety of serves, including kick serves, slice serves, and topspin serves. This versatility allows players to mix up their serves and keep opponents guessing, enhancing the effectiveness of their serving game.

Control

Control is a standout feature of the Yonex Percept 97 when serving. The racket’s precision enables players to place their serves accurately, hitting the corners of the service box with consistency. This level of control is crucial for maintaining a high first-serve percentage and executing effective serve strategies.

Comfort

The Percept 97 is designed to absorb shock and reduce vibrations, providing a comfortable serving experience. This comfort is beneficial for preventing arm fatigue and injury, especially during long matches or practice sessions.

Overall Serve Rating

Overall, the Yonex Percept 97 earns a serve rating of 8.5/10. Its combination of power, control, spin, consistency, and comfort makes it a strong performer in the serving department. Players looking to enhance their serve game will appreciate the racket’s ability to deliver powerful and precise serves, making it a valuable asset on the court.

Returns 8.5 Out of 10

Control and Precision

Control is a key strength of the Percept 97, enabling precise shot placement. This is particularly useful for targeting weak spots in the opponent’s serve or hitting sharp angles to keep them on the defensive.

Stability

The Percept 97’s stability ensures a solid feel on impact, even when returning powerful serves. This stability helps maintain shot quality and reduces vibrations, providing a consistent and reliable response.

Maneuverability

The racket’s balance and weight distribution facilitate quick adjustments, making it easier to react to serves with varying speeds and spins. This maneuverability is crucial for handling fast-paced serves and directing the ball accurately.

Power

The racket allows players to hit aggressive returns, putting immediate pressure on the server. Its frame and string bed construction help generate the necessary power to send the ball deep into the opponent’s court.

Overall Return Rating

Overall, the Yonex Percept 97 earns a return rating of 8.5/10. Its combination of power, control, spin, stability, and maneuverability makes it a reliable choice for returning serves effectively. Whether hitting aggressive returns or executing precise placements, the Percept 97 provides the performance needed to excel in this critical aspect of the game.

Overall 8.6 Out of 10

Summary

Overall, the Yonex Percept 97 earns an overall rating of 8.6/10. It is a well-rounded racket that caters to the needs of advanced players seeking a combination of power, control, spin, and comfort. Its performance in groundstrokes, volleys, serves, and returns makes it a reliable and versatile choice on the court. Whether you are playing from the baseline or attacking the net, the Percept 97 provides the tools necessary to elevate your game.

Pros:

1. Power and Control: The Percept 97 offers a balanced combination of power and control, allowing players to hit deep, penetrating shots with precision.
2. Spin Potential: The open string pattern and aerodynamic design facilitate excellent spin generation, enhancing topspin and slice shots.
3. Stability: The racket’s stability on impact ensures a solid and consistent feel, reducing vibrations and maintaining shot quality.
4. Maneuverability: Its well-balanced weight distribution and design make it easy to maneuver, enabling quick adjustments and fast reactions, particularly useful at the net.
5. Comfort: Designed to reduce shock and absorb vibrations, the Percept 97 provides a comfortable playing experience, minimizing arm fatigue and the risk of injury.
6. Aesthetic Appeal: The sleek and professional design, with minimalist graphics and a high-quality finish, gives players a stylish look on the court.
7. Versatility: Performs well in various aspects of the game, including groundstrokes, volleys, serves, and returns, making it a reliable and versatile choice for advanced players.

Cons:

1. Price: The Yonex Percept 97 is on the higher end of the price spectrum, which might be a drawback for budget-conscious players.
2. Requires Skill: The racket’s advanced features are best suited for skilled players. Beginners or those with less developed technique might find it less forgiving.
3. Moderate Power: While it offers good power, players seeking an extremely powerful racket might prefer more rigid, power-oriented models.
4. Adjustment Period: Some players might require an adjustment period to get used to the racket’s unique feel and balance.