PRICE $199
HEAD SIZE 90 sq. in. (mid); 98 sq. in. (mp)
LENGTH 27 in.
WEIGHT 11.5 oz. (mid); 11.1 oz. (mp)
FLEXIBILITY Flexible
BALANCE 1 in. head light (mid); 4/5 in. head light (mp)
IDEAL SWING Long
NTRP 4.5–7.0 (mid); 4.5–7.0 (mp)FIRST TAKE:
It’s clear who this Yonex is built for—Lleyton Hewitt wannabes. You know, the consistent, all-court types who need a heavy but head-light racquet to help them scramble.

COMPARE TO:
Yonex Muscle Power Tour-1

HOW IT TESTED:
There are two models, the very flexible mid and the slightly more flexible mid-plus. The mid has a tiny head and a sweet spot to match, so unless you’re a 4.5 player or better you’ll struggle mightily with this racquet. It requires you to bring your own power. The Yonex RDS-001 is so head light that, while maneuverable, it lacks the mass toward the tip to help you generate power. If you let up even a smidgen, your shots will land short. Of course, that’s the point—the RDS-001 is designed for players who swing as if they have angermanagement issues. Control is adequate, and the flexible construction delivers a lot of feedback—to the point where, even with a dampener, one playtester said, “It still has a buzz.” The RDS-001 mid-plus was overwhelmingly preferred by playtesters, who said it offered a little bit of pop to help you out. The mid, on the other hand, is only for top-flight players who never let up on their swings.

BOTTOM LINE:
You better have your tour card if you like the mid, while the mid-plus is a more realistic choice for strong rec players.