Yonex goes dark on Percept racquet line

Tis the season for color-ups. Tecnifibre gave the T-Fight a new blue exterior, Babolat turned the Pure Strike carbon grey and Wilson rolled out Aryna Sabalenka’s Fighter Edition of the Blade 98. Not to be outdone, Yonex is adding navy to the Percept’s formerly olive green color palette.

The brand had an official coming out party for the frame at its pop-up store in downtown Manhattan just ahead of the US Open. Visitors had the chance to test them out—as well as other Yonex frames—by hitting balls into a net. The store will remain open throughout the duration of the Open for patrons to check out the racquets and other Yonex gear including the kits worn by players in the tournament.

The Percept was technically launched in the summer of 2023. However, it was essentially a continuation of Yonex’s VCORE Pro line; the name change was done to better differentiate from the brand’s other racquets. The frame earns its stripes for its great command, feel and versatility. As the new moniker implies, it’s intended for creative and precise players who want a racquet that’s an extension of their arm.

Following in the footsteps of the line it replaced, the Percept was updated to increase ball connection and stability at contact for maximum control. Servo Filter, a transparent film placed between the graphite that enhances flexibility at contact and dampens unwanted vibration for better feedback. A tapered and elongated box beam shaft enhances the flex even further, for extended ball-pocketing and feel. Finally, additional layers of graphite have been added to the hoop to raise the stiffness and create more stability at contact.

Although primarily built for control—especially the three 97s in the lineup—there are numerous options in the Percept family to appeal to a wide array of players and styles. The newest member which launched with this edition is the 100D. It brings a weight (305g) and unique string pattern (18x19) that’s unlike any in the brand’s arsenal. Outside of the Percept 97H—a heavy, niche frame—they’re all be offered in the alternative color.

The new look gives Percept users another option to play with, and those who weren’t fans of the current olive green cosmetic—opinions were mixed—another chance to revisit the frame. In addition to the racquets, several accessories will be getting the Midnight Navy treatment. Matching Pro Racquet Bags and PolyTour Pro string color—the brand’s most playable and popular polyester—complement the look.

Yonex players endorsing the Percept, such as Frances Tiafoe, Clara Tauson, Dayana Yastremska and Stan Wawrinka are expected to switch to the Midnight Navy edition. It’s currently available to purchase at yonex.com and tennis specialty retailers.