Ríos used a full bed of VS Touch with 30 kg of tension (average, he even got to 34) - I got this info thanks to the longtime Chilean Davis Cup stringer Exequiel Carvajal aka Yogur de Mora!
Great upload and a long awaited test. Thank you, this is the racquet of my youth before I switched to Wilson ;) Maybe I can add some fun facts: I bought one of the first issues of RD-7 back in 1993 and it had a bit of different bumper guard (it was more of a plastic mesh) and it had written "Graphite composite" on the throat (later issues had only "Graphite") and the cover of the racquet lacked the "ultimate spin" writing which was added later. First issue was advertised more of a successor to RQ-180 than a "spin doctor". One of the first who endorsed the RD-7 was Navratilova, but this was merely an RD-7 paintjob over the RQ-380 as she switched to a larger headsize in 1993. I saw once her RD-7. There weren't any "RD-7" signs on the sides, only "Graphite composite Made in Japan" and 16x19 string pattern made as 16x21 (I guess stringers made one more cross in the upper and bottom for her). Besides Bruguera and Rios, also MaliVai Washington used this frame, Arantxha Sanchez Vicario and Gigi Fernandez. Back in the time, RD-7 was a serious competition to Pro Staff Classic 6.1. - at my place the most popular and well regarded frames at the time. Some of my colleauges at the club even switched from 6.1 to RD-7. My experience with the first issue RD-7 was it was solid and powerful frame, definitely for players with more compact strokes due to strung weight ca. 355g. For some reason I felt the center of gravity felt way towards handle. I know it had nothing to do with actual weight distribution or racquet balance but I think it might be psychological mostly, yet I couldn't serve with it the way I used to but it played great for volleys and my MayDay shot (the bh topspin crosscourt). It was very odd feeling that I haven't experienced with any other racquets. I fixed it a bit with lead at 3 and 9 positions. Later issue of RD-7 that I bought, which was already advertised as "ultimate spin doctor" didn't have that feeling. Cheers and thank you again for the great content and making my day :)
Martina Navratilova and I think Arantxa Sanchez Vicario also used the RD 7. I used to use it myself - it had a lovely buttery feel to it and you could generate massive spin. It wasn't the most powerful racquet but a real pleasure to hit with.
Great racquet, I still play with the rd 7 time to time nowadays (in 2023) mixing with the rd ti 70 which is my favorite racquet of all time with the pro staff original 85… old school racquet forever 😅
You look to be struggling with this frame, the flex is not muted for fans of this frame it lets them hold the ball or pocket it and send it how they like but the swing weight it not suitable for quick actions or high racquet head speeds unless you have the muscle to do it. Rios used a very simple wiper finish to try and reign the sw or plough through which was awesome. You should really try the RD-8 UL2 with 35-45lbs tour bite 1.25 strung weight of 320-330gsm and see how that single backhand will benefit as will your relaxed arm but full action FH. They are old racquets so flex worse than in the past for many using higher tensions. Natural gut worked best but Tour Bite works well at lower tensions as you found Mannarino to be using. Here the racquets weight is sending your head back on both sides it is simply too much racquet for your game which is developed to a modern style opposite of Muster, Bruguera and Rios who really armed the ball. Well almost everyone did back then!. Once can only imagine the strength required for players of the past (Sabatini 406grams!) that needed to swing heavy weights to get any winners on clay courts. That vid of Fed using slice after slice from the annoyance of the spin from Sergei was Nadals Catalyst to what was to come for Fed. Fed never thanked Sod the Swede for taking out Nadal :)
Way back I bought the Yonex. R 10 - most expensive rac. I ever bought, and never liked it. maybe stringing at 65 lbs with gamma.... ? I played just for fun , my fave was a Head Ashe comp , the larger dark grey version with graphite.
Does anyone know the differences between this RD 7 and the early to mid 80’s R-7? I believe it was this earlier model that Martina N. used to win several titles.
Can you suggest the cheapest natural gut strings? I use RPM Blast 1.30mm in the mains at 25kg and gut 1.30mm in the crosses at 27/28kg. I break the gut very quickly in my 2019 pure aero.
Also i've tried multifilament and synthetic gut strings and i don't like them because my play style uses lots of spin and power. A full bed at RPM blast at 24kg isn't bad but i play around 24 hours a week so it can fatigue me.
They play very well with polys. I played the rd7 until a few years ago. Alu Power actually gives a nice mix of power, control and feel in this flexible frame.
@tennisnerd, do you know what is a comparative or similar racquet now to the RD7? I used to use this racquet when I started playing tennis and I loved it! I am hoping to find something similar in the current Yonex range. Pls help!
Esa no es la raqueta de Marcelo Rios, incluso podes ver en la foto que pusiste que es diferente. La raqueta con la que Marcelo Rios fue numero uno del mundo es la Yonex RD 10 Power Long de cabeza 95. Saludos.
I'm using Luxilon Alu Power in my clash100, My friend uses it with Luxilon adrenaline century20 it gives you a bit more touch but I'm liking my Alu Power so far.
@@marekcolapro Currently, my racket is strung with Alu power, but I want to change it and try another string. I want to try tecnifibre x-one biphase. That is why I am asking if it is a good choice.
Tennisnerd, hi mate. Please make a review on luxilon smart (adaptive poly string) and also ashaway Zx (combo of kevlar plus soft poly). Thanks for you work!
Tennisnerd man, I just put hyper g 16g at 52 pounds on a pure aero and it was so low powered... very different from volkl at 52, 16g, in the same set up... thanks for the reply! Hope all is great!
Head MicroGEL Radical Midplus Racket please, still available at TWE and thinking about to switch to it, love your new VLOG‘s and that you share your personal story on finding your holy grail
In my opinion that racket needs to be leaded up a lot to get any playability out of it. The hoop flexes too much for me that it lacks any power. Even after adding weight it didn't improve much. However, it's got a fanbase so maybe you'll like it. And the price for it is good.
Ríos used a full bed of VS Touch with 30 kg of tension (average, he even got to 34) - I got this info thanks to the longtime Chilean Davis Cup stringer Exequiel Carvajal aka Yogur de Mora!
The man's a beast
Lower tension allows for the string to move and snap back. Rafa could benefit from a lower tension esp now
Did he use the 95 square inch version? I read he used an extended 28inch version of the rd7 also
Great upload and a long awaited test. Thank you, this is the racquet of my youth before I switched to Wilson ;) Maybe I can add some fun facts: I bought one of the first issues of RD-7 back in 1993 and it had a bit of different bumper guard (it was more of a plastic mesh) and it had written "Graphite composite" on the throat (later issues had only "Graphite") and the cover of the racquet lacked the "ultimate spin" writing which was added later. First issue was advertised more of a successor to RQ-180 than a "spin doctor". One of the first who endorsed the RD-7 was Navratilova, but this was merely an RD-7 paintjob over the RQ-380 as she switched to a larger headsize in 1993. I saw once her RD-7. There weren't any "RD-7" signs on the sides, only "Graphite composite Made in Japan" and 16x19 string pattern made as 16x21 (I guess stringers made one more cross in the upper and bottom for her). Besides Bruguera and Rios, also MaliVai Washington used this frame, Arantxha Sanchez Vicario and Gigi Fernandez. Back in the time, RD-7 was a serious competition to Pro Staff Classic 6.1. - at my place the most popular and well regarded frames at the time. Some of my colleauges at the club even switched from 6.1 to RD-7.
My experience with the first issue RD-7 was it was solid and powerful frame, definitely for players with more compact strokes due to strung weight ca. 355g. For some reason I felt the center of gravity felt way towards handle. I know it had nothing to do with actual weight distribution or racquet balance but I think it might be psychological mostly, yet I couldn't serve with it the way I used to but it played great for volleys and my MayDay shot (the bh topspin crosscourt). It was very odd feeling that I haven't experienced with any other racquets. I fixed it a bit with lead at 3 and 9 positions. Later issue of RD-7 that I bought, which was already advertised as "ultimate spin doctor" didn't have that feeling. Cheers and thank you again for the great content and making my day :)
Its crazy to see his older videos and see him improving
I have this racket in my bag. Love it when you hit it right. Smooth like butter. I strung it with Hyper G at 52.
also MalVai Washington
i like that you include your errors in these videos. makes them more relatable
IKR feel more at home 😂😂
Bruguera is actually using a Volkl C10 Pro in that clip against Federer in 2000
Well spotted! Another great racquet
Martina Navratilova and I think Arantxa Sanchez Vicario also used the RD 7. I used to use it myself - it had a lovely buttery feel to it and you could generate massive spin. It wasn't the most powerful racquet but a real pleasure to hit with.
What would be the update of this racket in Yonex?
Next racket to review.
Slazenger Phantom. Injection moulded frame.
Nice video mate
Great racquet, I still play with the rd 7 time to time nowadays (in 2023) mixing with the rd ti 70 which is my favorite racquet of all time with the pro staff original 85… old school racquet forever 😅
You look to be struggling with this frame, the flex is not muted for fans of this frame it lets them hold the ball or pocket it and send it how they like but the swing weight it not suitable for quick actions or high racquet head speeds unless you have the muscle to do it. Rios used a very simple wiper finish to try and reign the sw or plough through which was awesome. You should really try the RD-8 UL2 with 35-45lbs tour bite 1.25 strung weight of 320-330gsm and see how that single backhand will benefit as will your relaxed arm but full action FH. They are old racquets so flex worse than in the past for many using higher tensions. Natural gut worked best but Tour Bite works well at lower tensions as you found Mannarino to be using. Here the racquets weight is sending your head back on both sides it is simply too much racquet for your game which is developed to a modern style opposite of Muster, Bruguera and Rios who really armed the ball. Well almost everyone did back then!. Once can only imagine the strength required for players of the past (Sabatini 406grams!) that needed to swing heavy weights to get any winners on clay courts. That vid of Fed using slice after slice from the annoyance of the spin from Sergei was Nadals Catalyst to what was to come for Fed. Fed never thanked Sod the Swede for taking out Nadal :)
Way back I bought the Yonex. R 10 - most expensive rac. I ever bought, and never liked it. maybe stringing at 65 lbs with gamma.... ?
I played just for fun , my fave was a Head Ashe comp , the larger dark grey version with graphite.
. . . RD 10 Power Long - grip 4.5 is it still available in stores
Does anyone know the differences between this RD 7 and the early to mid 80’s R-7? I believe it was this earlier model that Martina N. used to win several titles.
Try the prince response 97
Can you suggest the cheapest natural gut strings? I use RPM Blast 1.30mm in the mains at 25kg and gut 1.30mm in the crosses at 27/28kg. I break the gut very quickly in my 2019 pure aero.
Also i've tried multifilament and synthetic gut strings and i don't like them because my play style uses lots of spin and power. A full bed at RPM blast at 24kg isn't bad but i play around 24 hours a week so it can fatigue me.
Have you done a review of the R27 or R50?
I have the same but i do not find the groomets for this type! Please help me
Yonex RD7 and Super RD Tour were best racquets made by Yonex. Though very much doubt they would play as well with poly.
They play very well with polys. I played the rd7 until a few years ago. Alu Power actually gives a nice mix of power, control and feel in this flexible frame.
Can you do a video on budget strings? Also what are the benefits of using a leather grip?
@tennisnerd, do you know what is a comparative or similar racquet now to the RD7? I used to use this racquet when I started playing tennis and I loved it! I am hoping to find something similar in the current Yonex range. Pls help!
Wow, that is difficult to find - nothing in the current line-up comes even close - try a Wilson Clash 98
Hi, have you ever tried the tourna power cap to ad a flare at the flat Yonex handle?
Love the shirt you are wearing- retro Nike pattern around 1987?
Yes! From Vollaix
Good Video
Make the Vintage RQ-180 !!!!!
what is your go-to matchday shoe atm? @Tennisnerd
HEAD Revolt Pro 3.0
Great video! Ezone Tour 98 review coming any time soon?
Thanks! I hope so
Tennisnerd could you play with Arthur Ashe competition racquet or Jimmy connors t2000? 🤓🤓
Great racquet but i prefer the yonex super rd tour which was a kind of previous version of the rd 7
Esa no es la raqueta de Marcelo Rios, incluso podes ver en la foto que pusiste que es diferente. La raqueta con la que Marcelo Rios fue numero uno del mundo es la Yonex RD 10 Power Long de cabeza 95. Saludos.
Hola, me interesaria saber de donde proviene esa info?
WHAT ABOUT YONEX SUPER RD TOUR 95
Do you recommend stringing Wilson Clash 100 with Tecnifibre X-one biphase? If not, which string is the recommended string for this racket???
I'm using Luxilon Alu Power in my clash100, My friend uses it with Luxilon adrenaline century20 it gives you a bit more touch but I'm liking my Alu Power so far.
@@marekcolapro Currently, my racket is strung with Alu power, but I want to change it and try another string. I want to try tecnifibre x-one biphase. That is why I am asking if it is a good choice.
@@mensudomerovic3773 try Luxilon Element 1,25 (16) strung somewhere between 21 and 23 kg. I used that on my clash 100 and plays really well.
RDiS 100 MP for the win amongst the classic Yonex's!
I can´t remember anybody swinging this racket with a One-Handed Backhand. So this was made for Rios and Bruguera.
Tennisnerd, hi mate. Please make a review on luxilon smart (adaptive poly string) and also ashaway Zx (combo of kevlar plus soft poly). Thanks for you work!
monika lewinski he already done a review for luxilon smart I believe.
@@phyotennis7462 hey yo, you are totally right, somehow missed it out
What do you prefer the most, hyper g or volkl cyclone?
Hyper-G 👍🏻
Tennisnerd man, I just put hyper g 16g at 52 pounds on a pure aero and it was so low powered... very different from volkl at 52, 16g, in the same set up... thanks for the reply! Hope all is great!
Head MicroGEL Radical Midplus Racket please, still available at TWE and thinking about to switch to it, love your new VLOG‘s and that you share your personal story on finding your holy grail
In my opinion that racket needs to be leaded up a lot to get any playability out of it. The hoop flexes too much for me that it lacks any power. Even after adding weight it didn't improve much. However, it's got a fanbase so maybe you'll like it. And the price for it is good.
Bruguera hitting same rpms as Nadal without poly strings? What an animal.
Great racket
Can you review a head radical flexpoint tour 100 mp?
Rios didn't use the RD-7 he used the super SRD 95 in those days
I am pretty sure that was a paint job!?
Never use súper rd tour only paint job
@@Tennisnerd after doing some research I think you're right. It was a paint job
Se traduzir pra português retiro meu voto.
Pc600
Yonex RDX 500 Mid :)
Rios played with the RD10, not the RD7.
feml5150 rd7 with a paintjob
Siempre fue la rd7 después solo paint job de súper rd tour, rd power 10 y ultimun rd ti 50.
Get that lazy non-dominant arm working on your 1hbh, Jonas.
1st