Former Federer hitting partner Yury Bettoni who has also worked with Jeff Tarango, Mary Pierce and Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario discusses the new innovations of Dunlop tennis racquets and technology…
Question: What Dunlop racket do you play with?
Yury Bettoni: I play with a Dunlop CX 200 Tour 16/19
Question: What do you like the most about your racquet?
Yury Bettoni: Its playability matches perfectly my all around style of play. It is designed for advanced players with big swings. It allows you to hit aggressive shots but also has excellent feel. One of the characteristics I love about the CX200 Tour is its string pattern of 16/19. It allows me to put that additional spin to the ball that is key in defensive and offensive situations. And of course, for clay court playing, the 16/19 pattern is tremendously helpful.
I personally have always played with smaller head sizes and thinner beams, but when Pedro Herrera, Dunlop Players Representative, suggested that I try the CX200 16/19, that hot day at IMG, I fell in love right away. The feel of the racquet was so amazing, I just wanted to keep hitting with it. Until then, I was using the previous model, which I was incredibly happy with – the Dunlop Srixon Revo CX 2.0 Tour 18/20. But the CX200 you notice the advancements right away – especially with the new technology, Sonic Core. It’s made with Infinergy by Basf which the racket responsiveness and comfort just on a different level.
Since I have been on Team Dunlop, I have switched to a bigger head size 630/95 and a thicker frame beam 20.5mm and I find myself playing much better. I have a bigger sweet spot and more control. The racket overall unstrung stack weight is 309/10.9 and strung 326/11.5 with a 311 swing weight which makes the racquet a fast/long swing type frame. Power/control ratio is 6.5 and 9.5 respectively which is a good playability proportion.
I also like to play with heavy frames so I have all my rackets customized at the Dunlop Innovation Center at IMG Academy, and Austin, with the supervision of Pedro, does a great job in making all the frames perfectly the same.
Q: Does the stiffness of the racket matter to you?
YB: Yes, absolutely. I tend to like racquets with a soft flex, the CX 200 Tour has a stiffness of 64 which is consider on the lower end of the scale, so this makes the 95” a solid entry for control players and definitely easier on the arm then a frame with a higher flex point.
You are considered by the “Gatorade Sport Science Institute” at “IMG’s Academy” a “heavy sweater,” what are the main characteristics you look in choosing a grip?
I find myself very comfortable with the Dunlop Gecko-Tac over grip. It gives superior grip without being sticky. It provides great moisture absorption and comfort. Also after few hours of playing, the grip feels like it was just put on the racquet. I prefer the white version especially playing with a black racquet – it visually gives that clean, minimal look. At times, the eye likes to have its part as well.
Q” What is exactly this Sonic Core technology?
YB: Sonic Core made with Infinergy by Basf is an innovative technology that was introduced this year, 2019 for the CX’s models. It is great technology built into the racquets which dampens impact shock and reduces frame vibration by 37%, giving a more comfortable hitting sensation. This foam was developed by Basf, the world’s first E-TPU, offering much greater rebound properties compared to the original Sonic Core material, resulting in faster ball speed off the racquet.
Q: What advantage you think Dunlop has over the competition?
YB: Dunlop is the most innovative racquet company on the market now. Its quality control is second to none and everyone in the company is extremely hands on with its players and customers. This is optimal for the fastest feedback loop to keep momentum and positive advancements going forward.
Q: What strings do you use and tension?
YB: I use Dunlop Black Widow 17 gauge – it certainly delivers a deadly bite! I have never been a big fan of polyester and multi-sided shape strings. I always preferred synthetic gut or even natural gut, I use 16 gauge which is a thicker string better for a wider string pattern.
When Pedro Herrera, with his extensive product development experience and approached me the “Black Widow 17 gauge”, at first I was a little skeptical, because it was a revolutionary change for me. I had already had some past experience in using stiff strings and I was not a big fan. When I was sponsored by a different company, I had tried some Polyester strings which had led to some arm problems. This time around, as soon as I started hitting the first few balls I could feel a tremendous difference in playability, control and power. Also, the shaped string design offers exceptional ball spin. However, what sets it apart from other polyesters I have tried, is how much softer and more powerful it is with great durability.
The string felt very lively at impact, and the ball seemed to explode off the strings, making it extremely comfortable. Whereas the polys I have tried in the past felt dead, definitely the Black Widow allowed the ball to come off the racket much quicker. Lastly also Tennis Warehouse University lab tests show that Black Widow is one of the softer polyester strings available.
SOCIAL MEDIA PROFILES
@yurybettoni @dunlopofficial @dunlopsquad @dunloptennisjapan
HASHTAGS
#teamdunlop #journeyforperfection #cxseries #lovethegame #yurybettoni #ysystem
BACK LINKS
www.yurybettoni.com
www.italkraft.com
Dunlop Tennis · Dunlop Tennis Japan · Team Dunlop · Yury Bettoni
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