Racquet Review: Yonex Percept 97

Price: $259

Head Size: 97 sq. in.

Length: 27 in.

Weight: 11.5 oz.

Balance: 7 pts. HL

Swingweight: 317

RA Rating: 60

Beam Width: 21 mm

String Pattern: 16x19

What’s New

The VCORE Pro 97 is now the Percept 97. The name is changed, but the playability remains very much the same. It keeps a flexible, controlled response with all-court prowess. In an effort to improve performance, the update underwent three noteworthy changes. First is Servo Filter, a transparent film placed between the graphite that enhances flexibility and dampens unwanted vibration. Next is the FlexCon System, located in the tapered and elongated box beam shaft, which adds flex at contact to extended ball pocketing and enhance control. The final addition is Stiffer Racquet Face Design, an increase in graphite in the face of to give it more backbone.

What Works

Smooth, steady and responsive, the Percept 97 is a standout on the baseline. It doesn’t quite pack the same punch as franchise’s heavier 97s, but it’s an honest broker—you get out of a swing exactly what you put in. The flexy layup feels elastic at contact, holding the ball briefly before slingshotting it deep across the net. The string pattern affords excellent directional control, yet is open enough to produce the full arsenal of spin shots—heavy top, hard slice, crafty slice, or flat drives.

In terms of aggression, the racquet’s modest swingweight encourages fast cuts that function as its primary power source. Players with fluid strokes and good timing will have no issues generating sufficient pace. On serve, the racquet easily accelerates from trophy position to contact to amplify speed and spin. And targeting rivals that of a denser 18x20 frame.

Depending on your racquet preferences, the frame’s soft, comfortable feel is also a real strength. Players familiar with older versions of the racquet can attest that, while plush, they had a tendency to feel like a noodle on off-center contact. Yonex has added more graphite to the face of the Percepts to bolster stability, and the 97 is the model it has benefitted most. It’s steadier than the outgoing VCORE Pro 97, making it even more reliable, without robbing it of that buttery response.

So it’s more than capable in the touch department. The dampening doesn’t mute the response, so there’s enough feedback to execute any manner of specialty shot. At net, it’s quick and sufficiently stable to deal with pace. Volleys are trusty and keeping the ball low is almost automatic. Thanks to the flex and ball pocketing, it really excels at taking pace off the ball for drop volleys and delicate angles. For sure a net positive for all-court play.

It doesn’t quite pack the same punch as franchise’s heavier 97s, but it’s an honest broker—you get out of a swing exactly what you put in.

What Needs Work

The frame’s stability has been improved, but it’s still not a rock. The deficiency pops up in situations like the return of serve, where an off-center block can draw wobble. That’s the price you pay for a thin, highly flexible racquet with a low swingweight. (In fact, fans of frames with a crisp feel should probably look elsewhere.) More advanced players may want to add lead tape to the upper portion of the hoop for additional support.

Along the same lines, an aggressive baseliner may find the racquet too underpowered in stock form. It’s more of a combination puncher than a knockout artist. It takes more work than others to finish off a weak second serve or short ball. Again, a little extra weight in the head could be beneficial.

And while it has no bearing on performance, the look of the frame can be an acquired taste.

Tester Comments

“Great dampening, ball pocketing, and solid feel when you catch it clean. Massive spin potential!”

“The adage that 'slow equals smooth, and smooth equals fast' certainly held true for me with this frame.”

“Around my club, I referred to the new Percept 97 using restaurateur David Chang’s term “Ugly Delicious,” as a nod to its fun performance and dismal color scheme.”

Bottom Line

Great feel and comfort, loads of spin and accuracy—if you like arm-friendly, control-oriented racquets, the Percept 97 checks a lot of boxes.