I own 5 Regna 98s. The SW on every single one of them was 290 or 291. That is the most impressive thing to me as most manufacturers dont even mention SW as a spec as they dont want to be called out on the variances. The biggest variance was 2 of them were 2-3g lighter. Those 2 were from the same batch so they matched each other. The others were all dead on spec for static weight, balance and SW. the QC on these is real. And yes they are extremely stable for their weight. Its funny that you said its most similar to the Vc95 in the Yonex lineup. As that is the frame I had before this. The Regna just felt like a more stable VC95.
Very cool to know! That's great that the QC seems to be that tight. That's comparable to matched prostock rackets. And perhaps priced accordingly since those can go for a similar price. You're right it probably is more stable than the VCORE 95. And it is surprisingly stable for the weight. Might be some little magic achieved through the unique way in which it flexes. Great racket!!
@@ZeroLoveTennis I think it has to do with the sheets of carbon fiber they are using (called pre-regs or something like that). I have a feeling they are higher quality - similar to what Head and other brands use in their pro stocks. I've never personally owned a pro stock but every review I've read has said they feel more comfortable and stable then their retail counterparts.
These limited edition products, whether its a car or tennis racket or whatever is actually a genius marketing strategy when you think about it. The manufacture simply limits the number of units they produce so they can justify this big price markup. The big question is, why isn't every racket Yonex manufactures subjected to the same high tolerance levels as the Regna?
I agree. And the answer to your last question is probably just a cost thing. I wonder how much other brands would cost to match that quality yonex brings to their average retail. I wonder if the Regna is more profitable. Maybe but maybe not by much. Limited runs limit scalability. It's possible they make even less, if the materials and labor cost more and aren't fully offset by the markup.
Just to clarify as there seems to be some confusion about this. The quality control on the Regna is the same as for other racquets, the reason the Regna can be made only by highly skilled craftsmen is the way the graphite layers need to be put together. You see the Regna has a special way of flexing which is achieved by assembling the materials in a very specific way which needs to be done by hand and has to be very precise. This means that only the best craftsmen at Yonex can do it and it takes a longer time than other racquets (which are more straight forward to put together).
@@DiegoCabrejas I imagine the bottom line is playability, when it comes right down to it. Just watched a review by Tennisnerd who reviewed the Regna 98 and claims the sweet spot is very small and the racket is too demanding for the average player and most of the other guys he hits with prefer the Ezone 98 or Vcore 98. Maybe we need a pro level player to give it a true test and possibly justify the high cost!
I came from a Blade V7 18 20 and changed to an Ezone Tour, just to see if Yonex suits me. It did and I got a pair of Regnas, and oh boy, does it deliver! It is called string sensitive, but I can even play with as little as 40 lbs! (46 is way better though) It does not have a little bit of everything from the regular line, it has way more than that. It took some time for me to get used to it, but when I did, it revealed its qualities. Slices are like the with Blades, control as well, but spins like hell, power is right on spot, the feel just makes me smile. Perfectly balanced, stable without any lead (I pushed my Blades to 357 g to get the same!). I am never trying another racquet again. Took me 43 years to find such a perfect match. Maybe when I am 10 or 20 years older I will try to get a Regna 100.
That's awesome! I know what you mean. It did feel like in some ways this racket just delivered a bit more without any compromises in some other category. Except the money? But that shouldn't really factor in. If it's a better racket, it's a better racket. I don't care what the price is. It doesn't change that reality.
@@ZeroLoveTennis Price is relative. I remember buying my first own racquet, a Wilson Ultra in 1987 or so. It was 350 DM, which should equal 200$. That was quite a price tag back in the days, so the current price for the Regna doesn't seem so high now. Retail racquets have become quite cheap t.b.h. And when it fits I sits. When it doesn't fit it can be as cheap as it wants, I won't be happy with it. When you play a Regna, then there is no way back.
@@ZeroLoveTennis Not so sure. Thing is, the last bits of improvement are always the most expensive ones. E.g. a Head Gravity or my Ezone Tour are hardly any worse, but way cheaper. On the other Hand, If Yonex launches a new ultimate super-Regna for (let's say) 2000 bucks, I will definetely not accept the offer. For me personally, the above mentoned alternatives are good enough to compete at the very same level. And "Good enough" is the perfect goal to achieve. I should have paid more attention to my footwork anyway, my strokes were never an issue. But instead I took that last micro-Step to improve what didn't need any improvement in the first place. So buying the Regna was stupid. But it's fun to play and therefore worth it, but not for logical reasons.
Nice review. I would agree with most of what you said. The one thing that is still keeping me from switching to my Regna 98 is that sometimes it can be a bit underpowered, i.e. in defence or when returning heavy, deep balls. But it is an outstanding racket all in all. Best at net also also great at serves. If you do the full swing it also delivers. PS. would be nice to also mix in some playing footage, maybe over your talking.
I know what you mean but compared to the vcore 95 and all the vcore pros I really like the power levels on this one. I can get EZONE levels when I want it but it's much more controllable. But it does take a lot to access it. Funny you mentioned the footage of playtest. If I could go back in time I'd mix a little in as I usually do. However I set a deadline for myself and only managed to fit that in at the beginning but I did upload the whole edit as a teaser to this video. So it's out there, just not on this one. But it's just hitting, no voiceover. Kinda nice. Thank you!
I'm also comparing the Regna 98 to the Ezone 98 and the T-Fight 305 ISO from Tecnifibre, which I now play. This one is a bit easier to generate fast balls and pace from almost all situations. The Regna 98 is also string sensitive, I had best results with Hyper-G and yes, also RPM Blast so far (I think Tour Bite Soft should also be good). Those strings add good access to a bit more power. Horrible in this regard was i.e. Grapplesnake M8, which increased the underpowered feel of the Regna (underpowered strings shouldn't be great in it, I think). How is the ReString zero in that regard?
@@ZeroLoveTennis I string all my rackets at 50lbs, so I did the same for the Regna. Hyper-G 1.25 really felt at home for me. Again I was really looking for a string that adds a bit power and also gives a good launch angle and spin. Hyper-G did just that (and it's also my long term favorite string from when I was playing Pro Staffs). With the Regna there is also something else: It actually feels quite thin (it is, compared to the Ezone for instance), while it's also very solid and sturdy, almost metal-like. That's an interesting combination one has to get used to, different than most other rackets.
I know what you mean. It has a solid feel from the flex that does have a metal-like quality. Like a steel beem or something. It's got this malleable flex but still very rigid in all the right ways. Not stiff/hollow/boardy.
Maybe! I think it's closer to those in most ways than with the VCORE Pro but I would actually argue it's comfort and feel is somewhere between EZONE and VCORE PRO. So it's not quite that simple. Very unique can only compare so much to each thing.
Great video - really good explanation and comparison with the other Yonex offerings. But here's the question: when you think about all of the rackets you've played with (regardless of brand), what's your pick? Or what do you prefer over this? And how would you describe your own personal playing style (in a way that is easily measured for comparison by other prospective buyers)? FWIW I'm just a weekend warrior player who loved tennis between ages 10-15, had a break while "adult life" took over and started playing again at 34/35 for a year or so ... and had some more time off. I've gone from being the skinny kid on an old wooden / fibre-glass Sondico Sabre that gave me the power that I lacked but with lack of control and accuracy to my current Yonex Ultimum RD Ti 80 - with 18's @ around 60 lbs ... which I love (because I'm no-longer that skinny kid and if anything, I need to turn power from being depth of court to spin)... although I DO have to keep adjusting my strings between shots! I'm under no illusions: no amount of racket will compensate for my capability (or lack of!) but just keen to understand your view from the perspective of an actual capable Player because we see sooooooo many reviews that sing-up the values of every racket being reviewed but nobody seems to dare offending manufacturers and rank rackets across ALL of the offerings.
Thank you! My playstyle and taste in racquets...lemme try. Currently my favorites are the Pure Aero 98 and Dunlop SX 300 Tour. I always want the most spin I can get along with a few other qualities like control and feel/power etc. I can generate a lot of power and spin on my own but a racquet that compliments that is great for me because then my spin goes from being good to being overwhelming. The Pure Aero 98 really impresses me with the nearly perfect balance of all that stuff in one racquet. The Dunlop just takes that spin a little further but it is a little harder to control but is also more comfortable so I'm seeing what I can do about all that. Either way, loving both racquets. The Regna is actually so good and it's hard to critique. It felt balanced in a very similar way. Might be a little harder to generate power and spin but only by a bit. It might be more stable and better at hitting through the ball and court but many of the differences are more subtle than extreme, in this example. I hope this helps! I'm not afraid to be critical of any details of any racquet. I also think a few reviewers are overly critical JUST to appear honest. I'll try to help with some quick objective critiques that I stand by: I think the Pure Aero 98 is better than most of the Yonex offerings between the EZONE and VCORE line. Those racquets all attempt to do what I think the PA98 just does better all around or maybe all together or outright. Why? I could get into it but it's too much to say. The Percept lineup is great from Yonex. Very different so I don't have anything insulting to say but it is just a different kind of racquet but for what they are, they are among the better offerings across the rest of the brands, in my honest opinion. But a few worthy names come up to rival that such as the Gravity line from Head or Pure Strikes from Babolat. But there is Nothing like the Regna. Might not be the best for your tennis exactly (I have no idea) but I can safely say that it feels and plays in a way that is standout and unique to that racquet alone and in such a way that felt as though the price and hype was justified, not in a gimmicky way.
Easy to buy, any US player can buy new from Tennis Only Australia it's about $400 shipped to the US, easy peasy. I do chuckle when people wiht 8 rackets say it's too expensive, just sell 1 or 2 new Yonex and you can buy a Regna, it's just about $100 more than any other Yonex. I've used it for 2 years, love it. Former VC95 and HD user.
@@ZeroLoveTennis yes, it's a vc95 mixed with a vcore pro , but then a little better than the two combined. However, I could swap between the VC95 and Regna on every point and not have it impact my game to the point of winning or losing a match.
@@ZeroLoveTennis they do sell out, but usually have it listed as out of stock. I got all mine there and they reloaded their inventory every 2 months or so the past 2 years. Maybe they lost their connection, yikes! I'll email them for fun.
Hey mate, great review. I'm loving the Regna 98 v3, and it's now become my frame of choice. I've come from the dr98, so i was wondering if you've tried them? Buttery, more plush than the Regna. Would love to hear your thoughts 🙏
I don't think I have? I had a DR 100 but only to string. A lot of people talk about it...it's not easy to come by. You prefer the Regna 98 or do you feel like you're transitioning out of necessity since it's discontinued?
@@ZeroLoveTennis I've been a collector for a while, and only tried the dr98 after having tennis elbow...I played through it and sorted itself out after a year. I bought up 8 dr98s but sold a few. Was intrigued by the Regna, so bought one and enjoyed it more! I think the dr98 was perfect for my needs but now I prefer the slightly more stiff feeling of the Regna. I have 4 now, 3 second hand.
There's apps you can download that are essentially uber delivery but for Japan only products to the US. You can tell them what you want and they get it for you and charge a minimum fee or a percentage.
So I have this racquet. Been loving it. However I got this in Japan so won't be able to get another one. Any recommendations to a similar racquet I can easily switch to if I break strings in a tournament? I know internet advice says vcore 98 but from research vcore can't hit that flat. I like using both top spin and flat shots to finish. Specifically flat approach shots where I hit close to full power. Thinking maybe ezone 98 as I read that's a very all round racquet. Any thoughts?
Dang it's hard to suggest an alternative to this racket. I wonder which Yonex is the closest thing to the Regna you could find. I honestly feel like the VCORE 95 is a more similar racket! The EZONE 98 is much more powerful and also less stable but you could even a bit of that out with weight at 3/9. Less precise as well. Flex and feel isn't the same. So honestly I think the closest suggestion is the 95. Weight up the handle with a leather grip perhaps (as the Regna has one too but also makes it more whippy which I feel is important for the 95) That's my best suggestion. I wonder if most would agree or disagree that actually tried them all themselves. Might not be very many people who have.
@@ZeroLoveTennis you are right. I just went to hold it in the store. Weight distribution feels different. You are also right in vcore 95 feels similar. At least from just lightly swinging it around. Problem is I hate the paint job for the vcore. Any thoughts on the pro staff v13? Weight distribution feels similar. I like to hit big. So I guess the ezone really wasn't for me.
Nice! I just think it feels and plays more like it. Flexes more like it. Sweetspot size more like it. Lower powered as well although maybe a bit lower than the Regna but again this gets into territory that's tricky to explain. String low on the 95! Like 46lbs or less is most likely best. You can get the paint blacked out hehe. I pay a business to do that. They're good. Pro staff might also not be a bad alternative. I also like hitting big why the e-zone allows that very much so but other things all together it can be frustrating. Volleys not the best and sometimes the power is too much when you don't want it.
@@ZeroLoveTennis A year later and look for the same suggestion. LikeTom, I also bought a solitary Regna 98 in Japan and need a similar backup racket. With the launch of the Percepts, would you still say that the VCORE 95 is the closest to the Regna 98? Which Percept would most resemble the Regna 98?
@tuliodias4301 good question! Percepts get close... They're all still a bit different. At least you have a Regna as a reference. And these other rackets are easy to demo. I've been thinking that the pure strike from generation 3 felt very similar to the Regna flex-wise. None are quite like it but they come closer than anything I can think of
I think the red is pomegranate. I actually don't notice a difference between them but I've hardly used the other colors besides pomegranate. I don't think you can really go wrong with either.
Just bought a Regna 98 with Zero string! What tension do you recommend? I like hitting baseline shots with a good amount of top spin. I currently have a Vcore 100 with Zero at 50lbs and love that setup.
i love how you compare all yonex sticks line to regna 98 and get it correct! at least i agree with you. i played with ezone98, and now choose regna 98 for better power control. with ezone 98 as you said, "good luck not over hitting the ball" lol
I did. It revealed to me how much more stable it could be and how much spin I can still access. However I think the whole EZONE line might be not quite what I want but it came close in a few ways. I think I mentioned in this video that if I had to pick a non-Regna Yonex I might pick an EZONE 98 Tour.
In your experience, is the yellow color the only good volkl v-dry? I love the yellow, it might be my favorite grip ever. Hated the black and green. Haven’t tried the white, orange, or pink yet. The black and green ones felt like a completely different grip, Super flakey and tourna-esque.
Interesting. I haven't felt this way. I did feel like white was a little like dry thin paper. Black and yellow perform well for me. Yellow I got for free but I didn't seek it out. I recall green feeling similar to white. But I still like all of them a lot more than tourna.
@@ZeroLoveTennis interesting, thank you for your reply! Maybe I just got some bad or old packs. I will continue to try the other colors. The v dry certainly puts tourna to shame.
All my racquets have the white V-Dry. I love it that much. My best friend and my sister have it on theirs, too, and love it. It's the preference of players in my local shop, too. For reference, we're in Vegas....always dry and it gets a bit warm here!
Oh yeah climate can affect preference a lot! I visit Vegas sometimes. Definitely less humid there than Cali and it's not even that humid here. Vegas is just crazy dry! I wonder if I could use a tacky grip there...
Great video! Would love an explanation as to what part(s) of a racket is/are most important for spin generation, since you mentioned that a less dense string spacing is not the biggest contributing factor for spin-friendliness.
Basically the further you can push the ball into the stringbed (so design choices like wide string space and larger head sizes). Things like racket head speed of course as well, which while is certainly down to the player, the aerodynamics of the racket, as well as the spec you have it at, can influence that. On the latter note there, the spec can play a role as well. For example, a very light but heavily polarised racket can be excellent for spin generation. Strings of course. A good example might be a Babolat Pure Aero. Open string pattern and wide string spacing. Aerodynamic beam for modern swing mechanics. Let's polarise it. Stick something like RPM Blast in there. You've got a spin machine right there, provided you as a player can actually generate it for the racket to influence that in the direction of easier spin access. It's a sum total of design choices and the specs the racket is at, along with stringing choices, and from there its how that pairs with the individual player. So even though a 100 inch head should open the stringbed more than a 98, a 98 can be more spin friendly. But that's because that 98 in that case is doing other things to compensate enough as an end result.
I will sometime. It's hard to get objective when everyone's technique differs but I hope to be a good example of the extreme which I think is necessary to make the points. I have not met anyone that hits with more topspin than I do, personally. So sometimes someone thinks they get more than they do with another racket but I feel like I can access something that digs deeper into something inherently spin friendly as opposed to something coincidentally having that effect. So we'll see how I go about it and how it's received.
Great review as usual! I have vcore 95 2023 as of December and I am loving it. Awesome all rounder, just trying to figute out how to get a bit more power out of it, even though its not underpowered at all imo. Cheers!
Thank you! I like the linear power of the 95. Besides weight, lower tension or more powerful strings, idk! If you want a cool powerboost by strings I fully back, ENSO is a really cool option. Full bed if you like round poly but otherwise, try in the crosses. It might be a bit powerful for the racquets I use but I see the utility in racquets that could use a little power boost.
@@ZeroLoveTennis Thanks for the suggestion! I haven't got to try any Toroline strings yet, but I am looking forward to. I am definetely going down the strings route here. I currently have Yonex PTP 1.25 and adding more weight at the hoop felt like getting more mass but limiting racket head speed thus not a big benefit of the weight in thia setup. What I am thinking about now is, I will be putting a softer round poly 1.16 in the crosses and softer shaped poly 1.18 in the mains. They are both reported to be somewhat powerful. This would reduce the overall swingweight by few points and would allow me to add few grams of lead to the hoop. I will also drop the tension to 43/42 lbs. I think that thinner gauge + lower tenaion + weight at 12 or 10 and 2 might do the trick quite well. I am not worried about losing control as this frame has plenty of it. I am looking for result that would allow me to get good depth, close to the baseline, allow me to rip the ball when I want to and allow me to vary into more spinny and arching shots that would go out of my opponents striking zone when I want i to. Will see how this plays out 🙂 Again, kudos on yet another in deptg and awesome review, I really enjoy your content!
Nice ideas! I go that route sometimes. I would suggest Ether and Wasabi X as those are on the thinner side and not overly powerful. You could drop tension as you expressed and some swingweight as well. I think that combo would be super nice in the VC95. I often suggest it for tighter patterns. So if you try toroline, I think that is the best combo to start with. If you want to try other strings, most of them are great but I wouldn't suggest them over the combo I mentioned. However, snapper seems to be interesting and might be worth a try.
@@ZeroLoveTennis Thanks for the suggestion! Toroline is nowhere to be found here in Bulgaria, I know you have a contact that can help with toroline supply in Europe but I haven't reached out to him yet. Though this week I called a big retailer with many shops across Europe and I told them: "guys, you really need to start selling ReString Zero and Toroline, they are quite a thing currently in the US". They said they would see what they can do and I hope they listen, I would order few seta for sure 😁 The 1.16 / 1.18 combo I mentioned would be two Weiss Cannon strings, they are German and are quite easy to find here. I will go 1.16 Mosquito Bite and 1.18 Red ghost. Next I will be trying 1.20 head lynx tour. I really love the lynx tour and I have been putting it in pretty much all my rackets. Have you tried it? If you haven't, give it a go sometime, it might not impress you more than Toroline and ReString but its a super solid, holds tenaion auper well, its very durable, hexagonal poly. If you ever decide to try it, go for the silver one imo, its the most crisp. Also 1.25 of it is more like 1.28, its thicker
Intriguing review! After being away from tennis for about 20 years, I tried a few different brands and models in the $200+ range and signed up for a bunch of clinics. I was really eye-balling the EZONE 100, but based on your videos, I gave the EZONE 98 a try and connected with it instantly! It was THE model that helped me rediscover my groove the best. Gave my Gravity 2023 MP to my sister (who loves it), put my Blade 98 aside for now, and bought a second EZONE 98. This will be my "bag" for a while. String? ReString Zero, of course. Another of your recommendations. Thanks for the code, by the way. I love 'em! Still getting the "what in the heck are these?" looks at my local shop. So....if I were to encounter the Regna 98 while passing through Japan, would I pick one up? Yeah, baby! I'd grab two if possible. Not for resale. They'd be keepers. Yonex was cool when I played 20 years ago. Still very cool today. Some things don't change.
No idea. I feel like someone might have revealed that by now if so. My guess is not. Also a lot of pros turn pro on a more retail racquet and don't want to change once going pro do it's unlikely someone goes pro with a Regna of all things. Odds are low, I say.
Nah I can feel the racket flex and flex. Doesn't matter how much the strings are tensioned this sensation remains. I've hit with 5 different strings over the times I've hit with these. It's always that feeling.
Definitely more stiff. The flex is more comparable to something like the VCORE or EZONE but it is still pretty unique. Has a way of "springing" back that I don't feel so much from most rackets. It actually reminds me of the Pure Strike a bit in this way but still, pretty different.
@@ZeroLoveTennis interesting, I like heavier racquets so I’m curious how it feels in comparison to the 330g vcore pro. I highly recommend trying the 2019 vcore pro 97hg, green with the gold lettering. Check the specs when you get a chance.
Great review! Tnx for that. But you didn't mention parallel drilling xDDD Also about your mixed feelings for vcore line. Try to rate them not only by spin. Ezone and vcore are very different in feel. Ezone is noticeably stiffer. Also i dont like how throat feels in my left hand xDDD
I don't usually like yonex racquets but i'm still keen to try one just to see what it's about. Just looking at the shape and beam widths i suspect it will feel similar to the others.
This will definitely feel different in how it flexes. It's like the most modern but old school flex I've felt in one racket. Probably less power and a bit less spin. More control, smaller sweetspot. More comfortable and more stable. At least the Regna would be those things.
Eh, it's more user friendly than quite a few on the retail market but I think more developed players would prefer it than not. Like the Pure Strike 18x20 that racket is so...hard to use. But it's also quite unpopular. You might really dig it but it may not be your thing, also. Hard to say.
Imo the 100 is more special than 98, simply because in 98 sq in market there are so many legendary rackets, while the Regna 100 gives impression of smaller head size for control+feel but retains power of 100 sq in It really doesn't feel like 295 g racket
That's fair. Yeah I feel like that's realistically more of an obstacle than the retail price. All in all it's only a hundred bucks more which isn't a big deal if you love it. People buy 3-4 rackets or more all the time and if you wanna spend the same amount you'd still have 2 or 3. Which is plenty.
Would be great to compare the Regna with other "top" rackets from "other" brands. E.g. Compare to Gravity Pro, MP 2023, some Prince rackets, Wilson PS97 etc etc. that way people have a better idea whether this really is or isn't the holy grail of rackets :)
Well I think the idea, more so then performance, is the quality control. Yonex standard retail is already better than those you mentioned for QC and the Regna is above that, supposedly. I think the value from this idea you shared would be to help put it's playability and who it's for into perspective.
I really enjoy my 100 and the 98 is supposed to be even better. Makes me wonder if there are pros using it but painted to look like something in the standard line up. I felt like the Regna was a cross between the VCore pro and the Ezone. There are retail stores in Japan that were selling the Regna at $320, it's only $373 at the Yonex flagship store. Last I checker though, no one had one for sale anymore.
@@ZeroLoveTennis the odd tweaked frame that never released a retail version in exactly that form. Perhaps the mold of one racket and the layup of another (like Murray did in the off season a year and a half ago). I've read that Ruuds Ezone has a 72 RA or something like that, which isn't like the retail. Djokovic racket is based on an old Radical mold or something but it has a custom pattern, slightly extended and perhaps some other changes. From what I've seen so far it's usually something very close or basically just a pro stock of an actual old or current retail racket customised with lead and silicone etc. Perhaps some cases where they come at custom weights etc, like the Alcaraz Aero 98, his spec now supposedly being slightly lower in swing weight than what tennis warehouse say is the average for the current model. And it's highly unlikely his racket doesn't have lead under the bumper and silicone or something in the handle, so I'd guess that he has a lighter batch that's customised up to near retail specs. Stuff like that. I haven't come across actual entirely different rackets though, at least ones that never have seen a retail release in some form even if it's at a later date relative to when it's first used on the tour. I'd be curious as well if anyone has any knowledge of such an example where a pro has used a frame that's truly a different one, like say the Aero 100 never saw a retail version and there was Nadal swinging it all these years. That would be interesting.
I am not pro player… but i regularly play tennis…i was play with wilson before, and then change to yonex.. first ezone, then change to yonex vcore, and really really love it that i bought more vcore for back up, until one of my friend introduce to me the regna…. He gave so much credit upon regna… then i tried it several times… and it feel owesome…. , regna seem have the control, stability and power… ireally realy love it… now i am about trying to get new one and sell all my previous racket, only the vcore i will keep.. btw if this racket is so good, why no professional player use this racket ?
regna isn't even a yonex, the small amount of isometric shape it has doesn't give it the classic yonex sweetspot. regna is best described as a boutique racket with great q.c.. power and control being the main attributes it isn't the most spin friendly (which is good for me because I have trouble hitting deep). It is the only racket where if I snap the strings and use my 2nd, I cannot perceive the difference between the 2.
I still think it's a yonex. They own that shape and can be as discreet or extreme with it as they like. But I do think the more extreme you go the less precise the sweets what feels. I mean imagine a box for a racket. Like a perfect rectangle shape. How would the sweet spot have any definition? Every cross string the same as the last and every main as well? But it might be the must subtle here. EZONE has been pretty subtle recently as well. They've backed away from the shape a little perhaps? Over the years.
That's funny. That reminds me of the Hypebeast culture around SUPREME although idk if that's a thing still. Oh, a supreme racket paintjob would be sickkkkk I'm getting ideas.
I'll have a tool soon to perfectly measure balance point. Then I might start thinking about recoil weight. Until then, I can do SW and TW in a short soon.
I feel ya. Although I don't disagree with Yonex decision to price it and have limited runs. Especially after understanding that it legitimately does require Yonex uses their most skilled employees to assemble this racket. Making a lot more of these would put more stress on those select few employees. And Yonex might not even make more money by making more of them especially if they reduce the cost. So why put more stress on a select few employees if the net amount of profit would be similar only for more stress and work? Plus it's kind of cool to have this rare racket if you manage to get one but I do feel what you're saying.
Well, I much prefer it. It's stiffer but not in an uncomfortable way. I'd say it feels much more like the pure strike than a vcore pro. But still, very unique in it's own way. More easily able to get power as well but it's very predicable and controlled. Feels more responsive too.
@@ZeroLoveTennis when my 330g Vcore Pro comes in I will add 3 grams along with string and overgrip and will be playing tennis with a 357.....grams that is, lol
Yeah they break in a couple hours for me if you mean a hybrid of anything other than poly. A ton of pros use poly full bed. Do you have an issue with Zero or poly in general?
@@ZeroLoveTennis A poly looses playability after few hours anyway, but offers like so little feel/touch. It sounded kinda conflictive, such a premium racquet, but using a plastic string. If it works for you, great!
I guess I see your point but I just don't think you can say that about poly so easily since so many pros use it and I don't think professionals would make any bad sacrifice to their game. But I can generally agree that they lose playability more quickly but then again, if I break a multi within an hour or so, what does the playability matter if it only survives an hour. So poly is a necessity for me and in addition to that, the playability is absolutely top notch for ZERO. My friends and other people trying and consistently impressed with how long the string plays predicably and lasts overall. I couldn't call a string with performance like that "cheap" and it's absolutely worthy of being in the Regna. It felt great and played awesomely. Stringing lower is key for this one.
I didn't find it that underpowered but maybe I'm used to racquets on the lower half of the spectrum somewhat. I've found the Dunlop CX 200 Tour 18x20 to be very underpowered or the last Gen VCORE Pro. I'd take the Regna power over those any day.
I own 5 Regna 98s. The SW on every single one of them was 290 or 291. That is the most impressive thing to me as most manufacturers dont even mention SW as a spec as they dont want to be called out on the variances. The biggest variance was 2 of them were 2-3g lighter. Those 2 were from the same batch so they matched each other. The others were all dead on spec for static weight, balance and SW. the QC on these is real. And yes they are extremely stable for their weight.
Its funny that you said its most similar to the Vc95 in the Yonex lineup. As that is the frame I had before this. The Regna just felt like a more stable VC95.
Very cool to know! That's great that the QC seems to be that tight. That's comparable to matched prostock rackets. And perhaps priced accordingly since those can go for a similar price.
You're right it probably is more stable than the VCORE 95. And it is surprisingly stable for the weight. Might be some little magic achieved through the unique way in which it flexes.
Great racket!!
@@ZeroLoveTennis I think it has to do with the sheets of carbon fiber they are using (called pre-regs or something like that). I have a feeling they are higher quality - similar to what Head and other brands use in their pro stocks. I've never personally owned a pro stock but every review I've read has said they feel more comfortable and stable then their retail counterparts.
Could be true sometimes. But a lot of pros do just use older retail. Hard to say for sure.
These limited edition products, whether its a car or tennis racket or whatever is actually a genius marketing strategy when you think about it. The manufacture simply limits the number of units they produce so they can justify this big price markup. The big question is, why isn't every racket Yonex manufactures subjected to the same high tolerance levels as the Regna?
I agree. And the answer to your last question is probably just a cost thing. I wonder how much other brands would cost to match that quality yonex brings to their average retail.
I wonder if the Regna is more profitable. Maybe but maybe not by much. Limited runs limit scalability. It's possible they make even less, if the materials and labor cost more and aren't fully offset by the markup.
Just to clarify as there seems to be some confusion about this. The quality control on the Regna is the same as for other racquets, the reason the Regna can be made only by highly skilled craftsmen is the way the graphite layers need to be put together. You see the Regna has a special way of flexing which is achieved by assembling the materials in a very specific way which needs to be done by hand and has to be very precise. This means that only the best craftsmen at Yonex can do it and it takes a longer time than other racquets (which are more straight forward to put together).
@@DiegoCabrejas I imagine the bottom line is playability, when it comes right down to it. Just watched a review by Tennisnerd who reviewed the Regna 98 and claims the sweet spot is very small and the racket is too demanding for the average player and most of the other guys he hits with prefer the Ezone 98 or Vcore 98. Maybe we need a pro level player to give it a true test and possibly justify the high cost!
@@prophetmargin7497 Like Tennis Spin guy Harry?
@@jerome_morrow Yes, because Harry's going to put his spin on your tennis! LOL
Awesome video! Hope you enjoyed the play test, keep doing what you do best! VAMOS 💪
Thank you and thanks again for the racket!
I came from a Blade V7 18 20 and changed to an Ezone Tour, just to see if Yonex suits me.
It did and I got a pair of Regnas, and oh boy, does it deliver!
It is called string sensitive, but I can even play with as little as 40 lbs! (46 is way better though)
It does not have a little bit of everything from the regular line, it has way more than that.
It took some time for me to get used to it, but when I did, it revealed its qualities. Slices are like the with Blades, control as well, but spins like hell, power is right on spot, the feel just makes me smile. Perfectly balanced, stable without any lead (I pushed my Blades to 357 g to get the same!).
I am never trying another racquet again. Took me 43 years to find such a perfect match.
Maybe when I am 10 or 20 years older I will try to get a Regna 100.
That's awesome! I know what you mean. It did feel like in some ways this racket just delivered a bit more without any compromises in some other category. Except the money? But that shouldn't really factor in. If it's a better racket, it's a better racket. I don't care what the price is. It doesn't change that reality.
@@ZeroLoveTennis Price is relative.
I remember buying my first own racquet, a Wilson Ultra in 1987 or so.
It was 350 DM, which should equal 200$. That was quite a price tag back in the days, so the current price for the Regna doesn't seem so high now.
Retail racquets have become quite cheap t.b.h.
And when it fits I sits. When it doesn't fit it can be as cheap as it wants, I won't be happy with it.
When you play a Regna, then there is no way back.
Yeah if it's that much more for a racket that you like that much better then it's absolutely worth it, right?
@@ZeroLoveTennis Not so sure. Thing is, the last bits of improvement are always the most expensive ones.
E.g. a Head Gravity or my Ezone Tour are hardly any worse, but way cheaper.
On the other Hand, If Yonex launches a new ultimate super-Regna for (let's say) 2000 bucks, I will definetely not accept the offer.
For me personally, the above mentoned alternatives are good enough to compete at the very same level. And "Good enough" is the perfect goal to achieve.
I should have paid more attention to my footwork anyway, my strokes were never an issue. But instead I took that last micro-Step to improve what didn't need any improvement in the first place.
So buying the Regna was stupid. But it's fun to play and therefore worth it, but not for logical reasons.
Nice review. I would agree with most of what you said.
The one thing that is still keeping me from switching to my Regna 98 is that sometimes it can be a bit underpowered, i.e. in defence or when returning heavy, deep balls. But it is an outstanding racket all in all. Best at net also also great at serves. If you do the full swing it also delivers.
PS. would be nice to also mix in some playing footage, maybe over your talking.
I know what you mean but compared to the vcore 95 and all the vcore pros I really like the power levels on this one. I can get EZONE levels when I want it but it's much more controllable. But it does take a lot to access it.
Funny you mentioned the footage of playtest. If I could go back in time I'd mix a little in as I usually do. However I set a deadline for myself and only managed to fit that in at the beginning but I did upload the whole edit as a teaser to this video. So it's out there, just not on this one. But it's just hitting, no voiceover. Kinda nice.
Thank you!
I'm also comparing the Regna 98 to the Ezone 98 and the T-Fight 305 ISO from Tecnifibre, which I now play. This one is a bit easier to generate fast balls and pace from almost all situations.
The Regna 98 is also string sensitive, I had best results with Hyper-G and yes, also RPM Blast so far (I think Tour Bite Soft should also be good). Those strings add good access to a bit more power. Horrible in this regard was i.e. Grapplesnake M8, which increased the underpowered feel of the Regna (underpowered strings shouldn't be great in it, I think). How is the ReString zero in that regard?
What tension do you go in the Regna? I genuinely really loved Zero at 47lbs. If I were to try again I might try 45lbs. It was just right for me!
@@ZeroLoveTennis I string all my rackets at 50lbs, so I did the same for the Regna. Hyper-G 1.25 really felt at home for me. Again I was really looking for a string that adds a bit power and also gives a good launch angle and spin. Hyper-G did just that (and it's also my long term favorite string from when I was playing Pro Staffs).
With the Regna there is also something else: It actually feels quite thin (it is, compared to the Ezone for instance), while it's also very solid and sturdy, almost metal-like. That's an interesting combination one has to get used to, different than most other rackets.
I know what you mean. It has a solid feel from the flex that does have a metal-like quality. Like a steel beem or something. It's got this malleable flex but still very rigid in all the right ways. Not stiff/hollow/boardy.
Awesome review, what I got from your description of the Reg98 is that is the love child of Vcore & Ezone, is that somewhat accurate?
Maybe! I think it's closer to those in most ways than with the VCORE Pro but I would actually argue it's comfort and feel is somewhere between EZONE and VCORE PRO.
So it's not quite that simple. Very unique can only compare so much to each thing.
Great video - really good explanation and comparison with the other Yonex offerings. But here's the question: when you think about all of the rackets you've played with (regardless of brand), what's your pick? Or what do you prefer over this? And how would you describe your own personal playing style (in a way that is easily measured for comparison by other prospective buyers)?
FWIW I'm just a weekend warrior player who loved tennis between ages 10-15, had a break while "adult life" took over and started playing again at 34/35 for a year or so ... and had some more time off. I've gone from being the skinny kid on an old wooden / fibre-glass Sondico Sabre that gave me the power that I lacked but with lack of control and accuracy to my current Yonex Ultimum RD Ti 80 - with 18's @ around 60 lbs ... which I love (because I'm no-longer that skinny kid and if anything, I need to turn power from being depth of court to spin)... although I DO have to keep adjusting my strings between shots! I'm under no illusions: no amount of racket will compensate for my capability (or lack of!) but just keen to understand your view from the perspective of an actual capable Player because we see sooooooo many reviews that sing-up the values of every racket being reviewed but nobody seems to dare offending manufacturers and rank rackets across ALL of the offerings.
Thank you! My playstyle and taste in racquets...lemme try. Currently my favorites are the Pure Aero 98 and Dunlop SX 300 Tour. I always want the most spin I can get along with a few other qualities like control and feel/power etc. I can generate a lot of power and spin on my own but a racquet that compliments that is great for me because then my spin goes from being good to being overwhelming. The Pure Aero 98 really impresses me with the nearly perfect balance of all that stuff in one racquet. The Dunlop just takes that spin a little further but it is a little harder to control but is also more comfortable so I'm seeing what I can do about all that.
Either way, loving both racquets.
The Regna is actually so good and it's hard to critique. It felt balanced in a very similar way. Might be a little harder to generate power and spin but only by a bit. It might be more stable and better at hitting through the ball and court but many of the differences are more subtle than extreme, in this example.
I hope this helps!
I'm not afraid to be critical of any details of any racquet. I also think a few reviewers are overly critical JUST to appear honest.
I'll try to help with some quick objective critiques that I stand by: I think the Pure Aero 98 is better than most of the Yonex offerings between the EZONE and VCORE line. Those racquets all attempt to do what I think the PA98 just does better all around or maybe all together or outright. Why? I could get into it but it's too much to say.
The Percept lineup is great from Yonex. Very different so I don't have anything insulting to say but it is just a different kind of racquet but for what they are, they are among the better offerings across the rest of the brands, in my honest opinion. But a few worthy names come up to rival that such as the Gravity line from Head or Pure Strikes from Babolat.
But there is Nothing like the Regna. Might not be the best for your tennis exactly (I have no idea) but I can safely say that it feels and plays in a way that is standout and unique to that racquet alone and in such a way that felt as though the price and hype was justified, not in a gimmicky way.
Easy to buy, any US player can buy new from Tennis Only Australia it's about $400 shipped to the US, easy peasy. I do chuckle when people wiht 8 rackets say it's too expensive, just sell 1 or 2 new Yonex and you can buy a Regna, it's just about $100 more than any other Yonex. I've used it for 2 years, love it. Former VC95 and HD user.
Oh really? Haha ok that's interesting. Do you also feel it was a lot like the 95? I felt like that might be the closest comparison.
Not seeing it btw you sure it's there right now?
@@ZeroLoveTennis yes, it's a vc95 mixed with a vcore pro , but then a little better than the two combined. However, I could swap between the VC95 and Regna on every point and not have it impact my game to the point of winning or losing a match.
@@ZeroLoveTennis they do sell out, but usually have it listed as out of stock. I got all mine there and they reloaded their inventory every 2 months or so the past 2 years. Maybe they lost their connection, yikes! I'll email them for fun.
That's well said.
I know nothing about tennis but you got me here taking notes
Haha I love this
Hey mate, great review. I'm loving the Regna 98 v3, and it's now become my frame of choice. I've come from the dr98, so i was wondering if you've tried them? Buttery, more plush than the Regna. Would love to hear your thoughts 🙏
I don't think I have? I had a DR 100 but only to string. A lot of people talk about it...it's not easy to come by. You prefer the Regna 98 or do you feel like you're transitioning out of necessity since it's discontinued?
@@ZeroLoveTennis I've been a collector for a while, and only tried the dr98 after having tennis elbow...I played through it and sorted itself out after a year. I bought up 8 dr98s but sold a few. Was intrigued by the Regna, so bought one and enjoyed it more! I think the dr98 was perfect for my needs but now I prefer the slightly more stiff feeling of the Regna. I have 4 now, 3 second hand.
Congrats on getting back! That's a cool collection. The feel of the Regna was one of the coolest.
If you would have the opportunity to buy one, will go for the 98 or 100? Tks for your words.
Almost certainly the 98
There's apps you can download that are essentially uber delivery but for Japan only products to the US. You can tell them what you want and they get it for you and charge a minimum fee or a percentage.
Wow that's cool! Could be a clever way to import affordably if an infrastructure isn't set up already.
Can you tell me the name of one of these apps? Ive been trying to get one of these rackets.
So I have this racquet. Been loving it. However I got this in Japan so won't be able to get another one.
Any recommendations to a similar racquet I can easily switch to if I break strings in a tournament?
I know internet advice says vcore 98 but from research vcore can't hit that flat. I like using both top spin and flat shots to finish. Specifically flat approach shots where I hit close to full power.
Thinking maybe ezone 98 as I read that's a very all round racquet.
Any thoughts?
Dang it's hard to suggest an alternative to this racket. I wonder which Yonex is the closest thing to the Regna you could find. I honestly feel like the VCORE 95 is a more similar racket!
The EZONE 98 is much more powerful and also less stable but you could even a bit of that out with weight at 3/9. Less precise as well. Flex and feel isn't the same.
So honestly I think the closest suggestion is the 95. Weight up the handle with a leather grip perhaps (as the Regna has one too but also makes it more whippy which I feel is important for the 95)
That's my best suggestion. I wonder if most would agree or disagree that actually tried them all themselves. Might not be very many people who have.
@@ZeroLoveTennis you are right. I just went to hold it in the store. Weight distribution feels different.
You are also right in vcore 95 feels similar. At least from just lightly swinging it around.
Problem is I hate the paint job for the vcore.
Any thoughts on the pro staff v13? Weight distribution feels similar.
I like to hit big. So I guess the ezone really wasn't for me.
Nice! I just think it feels and plays more like it. Flexes more like it. Sweetspot size more like it. Lower powered as well although maybe a bit lower than the Regna but again this gets into territory that's tricky to explain. String low on the 95! Like 46lbs or less is most likely best.
You can get the paint blacked out hehe. I pay a business to do that. They're good.
Pro staff might also not be a bad alternative. I also like hitting big why the e-zone allows that very much so but other things all together it can be frustrating. Volleys not the best and sometimes the power is too much when you don't want it.
@@ZeroLoveTennis A year later and look for the same suggestion. LikeTom, I also bought a solitary Regna 98 in Japan and need a similar backup racket. With the launch of the Percepts, would you still say that the VCORE 95 is the closest to the Regna 98? Which Percept would most resemble the Regna 98?
@tuliodias4301 good question! Percepts get close... They're all still a bit different. At least you have a Regna as a reference. And these other rackets are easy to demo. I've been thinking that the pure strike from generation 3 felt very similar to the Regna flex-wise.
None are quite like it but they come closer than anything I can think of
Regarding the toroline wasabi string which colour would u recommend - neon pink, red, green?
I think the red is pomegranate. I actually don't notice a difference between them but I've hardly used the other colors besides pomegranate. I don't think you can really go wrong with either.
@@ZeroLoveTennis Thanks
Just bought a Regna 98 with Zero string! What tension do you recommend? I like hitting baseline shots with a good amount of top spin.
I currently have a Vcore 100 with Zero at 50lbs and love that setup.
Awesome! 47-48? I was really happy around there.
@@ZeroLoveTennis can I expect the Regna 98 to have a similar feeling to the Vcore 100?
Hmm it's a pretty different racquet but I actually much prefer it.
@@ZeroLoveTennis you prefer the Regna or Vcore?
Regna all day
i love how you compare all yonex sticks line to regna 98 and get it correct! at least i agree with you. i played with ezone98, and now choose regna 98 for better power control. with ezone 98 as you said, "good luck not over hitting the ball" lol
Awesome! Yeah that Regna has it just right! It's also more stable. Very nice to have the power WHEN you want it. Not all the time no matter what 😆
@@ZeroLoveTennis true that 😂
If you haven’t, you should consider trying the ezone 98tour. It was the stability you’re looking for built in to the racket
I did. It revealed to me how much more stable it could be and how much spin I can still access. However I think the whole EZONE line might be not quite what I want but it came close in a few ways. I think I mentioned in this video that if I had to pick a non-Regna Yonex I might pick an EZONE 98 Tour.
In your experience, is the yellow color the only good volkl v-dry? I love the yellow, it might be my favorite grip ever. Hated the black and green. Haven’t tried the white, orange, or pink yet. The black and green ones felt like a completely different grip, Super flakey and tourna-esque.
I got the green ones and they’re soft and really absorbent and not paper-like like the tourna. I’m going to try the yellow grips next
Interesting. I haven't felt this way. I did feel like white was a little like dry thin paper. Black and yellow perform well for me. Yellow I got for free but I didn't seek it out. I recall green feeling similar to white. But I still like all of them a lot more than tourna.
@@ZeroLoveTennis interesting, thank you for your reply! Maybe I just got some bad or old packs. I will continue to try the other colors. The v dry certainly puts tourna to shame.
All my racquets have the white V-Dry. I love it that much. My best friend and my sister have it on theirs, too, and love it. It's the preference of players in my local shop, too. For reference, we're in Vegas....always dry and it gets a bit warm here!
Oh yeah climate can affect preference a lot! I visit Vegas sometimes. Definitely less humid there than Cali and it's not even that humid here. Vegas is just crazy dry! I wonder if I could use a tacky grip there...
Grabbed some popcord and I am ready to go!
Popcord 🤣
@@ZeroLoveTennis typo! 😅 🍿
So you DJ and play tennis? If so, nice! We both have some musician in us.
Great video! Would love an explanation as to what part(s) of a racket is/are most important for spin generation, since you mentioned that a less dense string spacing is not the biggest contributing factor for spin-friendliness.
Basically the further you can push the ball into the stringbed (so design choices like wide string space and larger head sizes). Things like racket head speed of course as well, which while is certainly down to the player, the aerodynamics of the racket, as well as the spec you have it at, can influence that. On the latter note there, the spec can play a role as well. For example, a very light but heavily polarised racket can be excellent for spin generation. Strings of course.
A good example might be a Babolat Pure Aero. Open string pattern and wide string spacing. Aerodynamic beam for modern swing mechanics. Let's polarise it. Stick something like RPM Blast in there. You've got a spin machine right there, provided you as a player can actually generate it for the racket to influence that in the direction of easier spin access.
It's a sum total of design choices and the specs the racket is at, along with stringing choices, and from there its how that pairs with the individual player. So even though a 100 inch head should open the stringbed more than a 98, a 98 can be more spin friendly. But that's because that 98 in that case is doing other things to compensate enough as an end result.
I will sometime. It's hard to get objective when everyone's technique differs but I hope to be a good example of the extreme which I think is necessary to make the points. I have not met anyone that hits with more topspin than I do, personally. So sometimes someone thinks they get more than they do with another racket but I feel like I can access something that digs deeper into something inherently spin friendly as opposed to something coincidentally having that effect.
So we'll see how I go about it and how it's received.
Great review as usual! I have vcore 95 2023 as of December and I am loving it. Awesome all rounder, just trying to figute out how to get a bit more power out of it, even though its not underpowered at all imo. Cheers!
Thank you! I like the linear power of the 95. Besides weight, lower tension or more powerful strings, idk! If you want a cool powerboost by strings I fully back, ENSO is a really cool option. Full bed if you like round poly but otherwise, try in the crosses.
It might be a bit powerful for the racquets I use but I see the utility in racquets that could use a little power boost.
@@ZeroLoveTennis Thanks for the suggestion! I haven't got to try any Toroline strings yet, but I am looking forward to. I am definetely going down the strings route here.
I currently have Yonex PTP 1.25 and adding more weight at the hoop felt like getting more mass but limiting racket head speed thus not a big benefit of the weight in thia setup.
What I am thinking about now is, I will be putting a softer round poly 1.16 in the crosses and softer shaped poly 1.18 in the mains. They are both reported to be somewhat powerful. This would reduce the overall swingweight by few points and would allow me to add few grams of lead to the hoop. I will also drop the tension to 43/42 lbs.
I think that thinner gauge + lower tenaion + weight at 12 or 10 and 2 might do the trick quite well. I am not worried about losing control as this frame has plenty of it.
I am looking for result that would allow me to get good depth, close to the baseline, allow me to rip the ball when I want to and allow me to vary into more spinny and arching shots that would go out of my opponents striking zone when I want i to.
Will see how this plays out 🙂
Again, kudos on yet another in deptg and awesome review, I really enjoy your content!
Nice ideas! I go that route sometimes. I would suggest Ether and Wasabi X as those are on the thinner side and not overly powerful. You could drop tension as you expressed and some swingweight as well. I think that combo would be super nice in the VC95. I often suggest it for tighter patterns.
So if you try toroline, I think that is the best combo to start with. If you want to try other strings, most of them are great but I wouldn't suggest them over the combo I mentioned. However, snapper seems to be interesting and might be worth a try.
@@ZeroLoveTennis Thanks for the suggestion!
Toroline is nowhere to be found here in Bulgaria, I know you have a contact that can help with toroline supply in Europe but I haven't reached out to him yet.
Though this week I called a big retailer with many shops across Europe and I told them: "guys, you really need to start selling ReString Zero and Toroline, they are quite a thing currently in the US". They said they would see what they can do and I hope they listen, I would order few seta for sure 😁
The 1.16 / 1.18 combo I mentioned would be two Weiss Cannon strings, they are German and are quite easy to find here. I will go 1.16 Mosquito Bite and 1.18 Red ghost. Next I will be trying 1.20 head lynx tour. I really love the lynx tour and I have been putting it in pretty much all my rackets. Have you tried it?
If you haven't, give it a go sometime, it might not impress you more than Toroline and ReString but its a super solid, holds tenaion auper well, its very durable, hexagonal poly. If you ever decide to try it, go for the silver one imo, its the most crisp. Also 1.25 of it is more like 1.28, its thicker
Right on! Hopefully indeed.
I have tried Lynx, actually. Just once in a hybrid and I used the champagne color.
Intriguing review! After being away from tennis for about 20 years, I tried a few different brands and models in the $200+ range and signed up for a bunch of clinics. I was really eye-balling the EZONE 100, but based on your videos, I gave the EZONE 98 a try and connected with it instantly! It was THE model that helped me rediscover my groove the best. Gave my Gravity 2023 MP to my sister (who loves it), put my Blade 98 aside for now, and bought a second EZONE 98. This will be my "bag" for a while. String? ReString Zero, of course. Another of your recommendations. Thanks for the code, by the way. I love 'em! Still getting the "what in the heck are these?" looks at my local shop. So....if I were to encounter the Regna 98 while passing through Japan, would I pick one up? Yeah, baby! I'd grab two if possible. Not for resale. They'd be keepers. Yonex was cool when I played 20 years ago. Still very cool today. Some things don't change.
Awesome story! Thanks for sharing and congrats on coming back to tennis 😄
are some of the pros using the Regna with a custom paint job?
No idea. I feel like someone might have revealed that by now if so. My guess is not. Also a lot of pros turn pro on a more retail racquet and don't want to change once going pro do it's unlikely someone goes pro with a Regna of all things.
Odds are low, I say.
You think it could be your strings limiting power on the VCP? Especially in the 97h?
Nah, its the frame. But it is not a bug - it's a feature!)
Nah I can feel the racket flex and flex. Doesn't matter how much the strings are tensioned this sensation remains. I've hit with 5 different strings over the times I've hit with these. It's always that feeling.
@@ZeroLoveTennis Does the Regna feel more stiff? Same or better sweet spot?
Definitely more stiff. The flex is more comparable to something like the VCORE or EZONE but it is still pretty unique. Has a way of "springing" back that I don't feel so much from most rackets. It actually reminds me of the Pure Strike a bit in this way but still, pretty different.
@@ZeroLoveTennis interesting, I like heavier racquets so I’m curious how it feels in comparison to the 330g vcore pro. I highly recommend trying the 2019 vcore pro 97hg, green with the gold lettering. Check the specs when you get a chance.
No parallel drill. How then? hehe
There is some actually just not on the top mains haha.
Great review! Tnx for that. But you didn't mention parallel drilling xDDD
Also about your mixed feelings for vcore line.
Try to rate them not only by spin. Ezone and vcore are very different in feel. Ezone is noticeably stiffer. Also i dont like how throat feels in my left hand xDDD
Fair. I'll do a breakdown sometime. I just had to say a little something about each one to put it into perspective
I don't usually like yonex racquets but i'm still keen to try one just to see what it's about. Just looking at the shape and beam widths i suspect it will feel similar to the others.
Their lineup is pretty clear so that's nice. What's your racket of choice?
@@ZeroLoveTennis aero pro drive 2013
This will definitely feel different in how it flexes. It's like the most modern but old school flex I've felt in one racket. Probably less power and a bit less spin. More control, smaller sweetspot. More comfortable and more stable. At least the Regna would be those things.
@@ZeroLoveTennis Sounds like a pro's only racquet
Eh, it's more user friendly than quite a few on the retail market but I think more developed players would prefer it than not. Like the Pure Strike 18x20 that racket is so...hard to use. But it's also quite unpopular. You might really dig it but it may not be your thing, also. Hard to say.
Imo the 100 is more special than 98, simply because in 98 sq in market there are so many legendary rackets, while the Regna 100 gives impression of smaller head size for control+feel but retains power of 100 sq in
It really doesn't feel like 295 g racket
I wonder which I'd have preferred if tried both
The issue is not the price but rather that it's hard to find and impossible to demo to confirm if you really want it.
That's fair. Yeah I feel like that's realistically more of an obstacle than the retail price. All in all it's only a hundred bucks more which isn't a big deal if you love it. People buy 3-4 rackets or more all the time and if you wanna spend the same amount you'd still have 2 or 3. Which is plenty.
@@ZeroLoveTennis exactly. I personally would love to try it and see if I would switch from my ezone.
Would be great to compare the Regna with other "top" rackets from "other" brands. E.g. Compare to Gravity Pro, MP 2023, some Prince rackets, Wilson PS97 etc etc. that way people have a better idea whether this really is or isn't the holy grail of rackets :)
Well I think the idea, more so then performance, is the quality control. Yonex standard retail is already better than those you mentioned for QC and the Regna is above that, supposedly. I think the value from this idea you shared would be to help put it's playability and who it's for into perspective.
Slave labor manufactured rackets vs well compensated Japanese labor? You do the math dummy
Anyone know if they ever make an L4 Regna? Only have ever seen L3s or smaller.
I don't know 🤷♂️ but I heard even 4 3/8 kind of hard to find. I imagine next size up even harder.
I really enjoy my 100 and the 98 is supposed to be even better. Makes me wonder if there are pros using it but painted to look like something in the standard line up.
I felt like the Regna was a cross between the VCore pro and the Ezone. There are retail stores in Japan that were selling the Regna at $320, it's only $373 at the Yonex flagship store. Last I checker though, no one had one for sale anymore.
I would love to know. I wonder what Yonex molds are on the tour currently that are not retail. I wonder if there are any that never were!
@@ZeroLoveTennis the odd tweaked frame that never released a retail version in exactly that form. Perhaps the mold of one racket and the layup of another (like Murray did in the off season a year and a half ago). I've read that Ruuds Ezone has a 72 RA or something like that, which isn't like the retail. Djokovic racket is based on an old Radical mold or something but it has a custom pattern, slightly extended and perhaps some other changes. From what I've seen so far it's usually something very close or basically just a pro stock of an actual old or current retail racket customised with lead and silicone etc. Perhaps some cases where they come at custom weights etc, like the Alcaraz Aero 98, his spec now supposedly being slightly lower in swing weight than what tennis warehouse say is the average for the current model. And it's highly unlikely his racket doesn't have lead under the bumper and silicone or something in the handle, so I'd guess that he has a lighter batch that's customised up to near retail specs.
Stuff like that.
I haven't come across actual entirely different rackets though, at least ones that never have seen a retail release in some form even if it's at a later date relative to when it's first used on the tour. I'd be curious as well if anyone has any knowledge of such an example where a pro has used a frame that's truly a different one, like say the Aero 100 never saw a retail version and there was Nadal swinging it all these years. That would be interesting.
I am not pro player… but i regularly play tennis…i was play with wilson before, and then change to yonex.. first ezone, then change to yonex vcore, and really really love it that i bought more vcore for back up, until one of my friend introduce to me the regna…. He gave so much credit upon regna… then i tried it several times… and it feel owesome…. , regna seem have the control, stability and power… ireally realy love it… now i am about trying to get new one and sell all my previous racket, only the vcore i will keep.. btw if this racket is so good, why no professional player use this racket ?
They might! I really wonder now what they have access to via Yonex if they're a pro player. Great Racket.
Try the 1st gen. It's my fav Regna by far
Maybe, if I get the chance. How is it different for you?
regna isn't even a yonex, the small amount of isometric shape it has doesn't give it the classic yonex sweetspot. regna is best described as a boutique racket with great q.c.. power and control being the main attributes it isn't the most spin friendly (which is good for me because I have trouble hitting deep). It is the only racket where if I snap the strings and use my 2nd, I cannot perceive the difference between the 2.
I still think it's a yonex. They own that shape and can be as discreet or extreme with it as they like. But I do think the more extreme you go the less precise the sweets what feels. I mean imagine a box for a racket. Like a perfect rectangle shape. How would the sweet spot have any definition? Every cross string the same as the last and every main as well?
But it might be the must subtle here. EZONE has been pretty subtle recently as well. They've backed away from the shape a little perhaps? Over the years.
Thanks ! Could not find one in Korea :'(
Sorry to hear. I'm not sure finding one in America would be much easier but I guess I got lucky haha.
@time410s For sure 🤣.
They told me they used to have but for a very short period because everyone
stock them to resell 😖
That's funny. That reminds me of the Hypebeast culture around SUPREME although idk if that's a thing still.
Oh, a supreme racket paintjob would be sickkkkk
I'm getting ideas.
What are the Twist weight and recoil, and swing ?
I'll have a tool soon to perfectly measure balance point. Then I might start thinking about recoil weight. Until then, I can do SW and TW in a short soon.
yonex should give this a wider release at a better price. Never seems to be available and cost too much right now.
I feel ya. Although I don't disagree with Yonex decision to price it and have limited runs. Especially after understanding that it legitimately does require Yonex uses their most skilled employees to assemble this racket. Making a lot more of these would put more stress on those select few employees. And Yonex might not even make more money by making more of them especially if they reduce the cost. So why put more stress on a select few employees if the net amount of profit would be similar only for more stress and work?
Plus it's kind of cool to have this rare racket if you manage to get one but I do feel what you're saying.
Keep saving your pennies broke boi it ain’t that expensive
This video is for the birds!! 🤣
They're trespassing and it's all on camera! I think they might have relocated but I didn't ever bother them haha 😂
Got the chance to touch a Regna 98 version 2. Next day it got sold!
ua-cam.com/users/shortskLqw5y3mk4Y
Nice! But I can't see the link
That Raquett like all the others costs 2.50 Usd to build.
You sure? In Japanese money when it's made in Japan? Probably more since it's in house not leveraging foreign labor.
Sounds a lot like the Vcore Pro .
Well, I much prefer it. It's stiffer but not in an uncomfortable way. I'd say it feels much more like the pure strike than a vcore pro. But still, very unique in it's own way. More easily able to get power as well but it's very predicable and controlled. Feels more responsive too.
@@ZeroLoveTennis when my 330g Vcore Pro comes in I will add 3 grams along with string and overgrip and will be playing tennis with a 357.....grams that is, lol
Hefty!
You want to do this racquet justice, but stringing it up with some polyester string. Well....
Zero? It's one of the best to ever be created. I don't want gut, syn or multi or kevlar. Poly for me please. And ideally, Zero by ReString.
@@ZeroLoveTennis It's still a cheap feeling poly at the end of the day. Ever tried something like a hybrid?
Yeah they break in a couple hours for me if you mean a hybrid of anything other than poly. A ton of pros use poly full bed. Do you have an issue with Zero or poly in general?
@@ZeroLoveTennis A poly looses playability after few hours anyway, but offers like so little feel/touch. It sounded kinda conflictive, such a premium racquet, but using a plastic string. If it works for you, great!
I guess I see your point but I just don't think you can say that about poly so easily since so many pros use it and I don't think professionals would make any bad sacrifice to their game.
But I can generally agree that they lose playability more quickly but then again, if I break a multi within an hour or so, what does the playability matter if it only survives an hour.
So poly is a necessity for me and in addition to that, the playability is absolutely top notch for ZERO. My friends and other people trying and consistently impressed with how long the string plays predicably and lasts overall.
I couldn't call a string with performance like that "cheap" and it's absolutely worthy of being in the Regna. It felt great and played awesomely. Stringing lower is key for this one.
Whats your job?
Depends on the day/mood. Career in a funny place but it's all ok.
@@ZeroLoveTennis what kind of gigs you talking about
This, nowadays. Graphic design. Music studio/production work. My brand will be making a comeback sometime and that will take over some of the time.
Just wait a year. The next generation will be better than the previous one as always.
I might actually get one then. Seems like a smart purchase and it'll hold value. I might also love it. Can't go wrong!
Hey, sharing with you guys some info I got from the neighbors channel
ua-cam.com/video/lmkld2SgAfY/v-deo.html&feature=shareb
Bro we get it. Its rare and expensive , ye dont have to explain for 5 mins 😅
How about 20?
Regna 98 lacks power. Youll feel a huge difference between a pro staff or blade pro vs a Regna 98. That for me made me switch to the new Head Gravity.
I didn't find it that underpowered but maybe I'm used to racquets on the lower half of the spectrum somewhat. I've found the Dunlop CX 200 Tour 18x20 to be very underpowered or the last Gen VCORE Pro. I'd take the Regna power over those any day.
Learn to hit the ball in the sweet spot.. ain’t that small
Skill issue
@@felipei2789overrated stick.
You want to get regna? @time410s
Maybe I'm ok but it was a great racket! Very interesting.