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2022 Wimbledon Team Yonex

2022 Wimbledon: Team Yonex leaves with a proud sentiment

  • LONDON – “Proud,” said Elena Rybakina, when asked what her parents would think of her first Grand Slam title.

    Rybakina defeated World No. 2 Ons Jabeur in three sets to lift the Ladies’ Singles Wimbledon trophy, the 23-year-old’s third professional title.

    “Proud,” said Nick Kyrgios, when asked about his first major final appearance.

    Unseeded, Kyrgios made a surprise run to the finals, where he lost in four sets to now 21-time Grand Slam Champion Novak Djokovic. It was Kyrgios best performance in a major, and his best major run since reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open in 2015.

    Kyrgios was 7-2 on grass this season, his favorite surface. Despite being unseeded and ranked 40 in the world, Kyrgios was deemed “dangerous” to begin the tournament.

    Although he was coming into Wimbledon with momentum, it wasn’t going to be easy. Kyrgios narrowly escaped defeat in his first-round match against British wildcard Paul Jubb, winning 7-5 in the fifth. He needed four sets to upset [4] Stefanos Tsitsipas and then five sets again in his next match against Brandon Nakashima.

    He spent just over two hours on court between Tuesday and Sunday’s final with a straight-set victory over Cristian Garin in the quarterfinals and walkover from [2] Rafael Nadal to advance to the finals.

    Kyrgios got out to a quick start, capturing the first set in the championship match. He kept the pressure on, but Djokovic proved why he is one of the greatest of all time, staying “composed” throughout the ups and downs, winning the next three sets to take the title.

    “It’s taken me 10 years, almost 10 years in my career to finally get to the point of playing for a Grand Slam,” said Kyrgios. “I felt like I belonged.”


    TEAM YONEX CHAMPIONS

    Girls’ Singles: [1] Liv Hovde (USA) def. Luca Udvardy (HUN), 6-3, 6-4

    • Hovde is a perfect 12-0 on grass in her career, winning the Grade 1 junior event in Roehampton then winning Wimbledon a week later
    • Hovde saved a match point in the third round, thanks to a Hawk Eye challenge overrule
    • Udvardy is the first Hungarian junior to ever reach the girls’ singles final at Wimbledon

     

    Men’s Wheelchair Singles: [1] Shingo Kunieda def. Alfie Hewett, 4-6, 7-5, 7-6

    • Kunieda became the first-ever men’s wheelchair singles player to complete the Career Grand Slam
    • Kunieda currently holds all four major slams, winning the last four singles titles

     

    Men’s Wheelchair Doubles: [2] Shingo Kunieda / Gustavo Fernandez def. [1] Alfie Hewett / Gordon Reid, 6-3, 6-1

    • Kunieda / Fernandez were nearly flawless – they combined for a 82% first serve percentage and converted on 5 of 6 breakpoints; the pair had just 1 unforced error the entire match
    • It is Kunieda’s 22nd doubles title (50th overall) and Fernandez’s 3rd doubles title (5th overall)

     

    Women’s Wheelchair Singles: [1] Diede de Groot def. Yui Kamiji, 6-4, 6-2

    • De Groot won her 15th women’s wheelchair singles Grand Slam, her 8th in a row
    • De Groot has not lost since January 2021, 55-straight wins
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Elena Rybakina

2022 Wimbledon: Elena Rybakina is Champion

LONDON – “I just know that I have this gift,” said Elena Rybakina during her two-week stay at this year’s Wimbledon.

She shared her gift with the world on Saturday afternoon – a powerful, relentless game, blistering groundstrokes, swift movement – especially for a 6-footer, untouchable serves, and a sense of calmness on the biggest stage.

The 23-year-old was playing in just her second Wimbledon. Her first time on Centre Court was two days prior for her semifinal victory over former champion Simona Halep. Now, she’s 2-for-2 on the historic court, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary.

The Wimbledon ladies’ final would be the first time in the Open Era that both finalists were making their major final debut. Rybakina was up against World No. 2 Ons Jabeur, who was looking to become the first African player to win a Grand Slam.

Nerves were in play during the opening set for Rybakina. For the first time all tournament, Rybakina failed to serve an ace in a set and racked up 17 unforced errors, 11 more than Jabeur and one more than she had in her entire semifinal match.

Rybakina saw her first breakpoint after a forehand winner in the first game of the second set and capitalized on the opportunity. In the fourth game, Rybakina fended off three breakpoints with two winners and an unforced error from Jabeur to go up 3-1.

That game proved to be one of the most pivotal in the match. Rybakina was finding her rhythm, cut down on her unforced errors, and found the corners. She would win five of the next six games to take a 2-0 lead in the deciding set.

The third set was a lot like the second. Rybakina was 2-for-3 again on breakpoints on Jabeur’s serve to give her a three-game cushion at 5-2 to serve out the match.

At 40-30 in the 26th game, Jabeur’s backhand sailed wide and Rybakina – staying true to her calmness on the court – silently sighed and casually walked to the net after her 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 victory.

Elena Rybakina, your 2022 Wimbledon Ladies’ Singles Champion.

 

Fast Facts

 

  • Elena led the tournament in aces with 53, averaging 7.5 per match. She also won 74% of her first serve points.
  • Elena’s head-to-head with Jabeur is now even, 2-2
  • Elena’s powerful game helped her hit 59 more winners than her opponents over the course of the tournament
  • Rybakina defeated two of the five former Grand Slam champions in the draw (Andreescu, Halep)

 

 

Elena’s Road to the Finals

 

  • Rd. of 128 def. CoCo Vandeweghe, 7-6, 7-5
  • Rd of 64 def. Bianca Andreescu, 6-4, 7-5
  • Rd. of 32 def. Qinwen Zheng, 6-4, 7-5
  • Rd. of 16 def. Petra Martic, 7-5, 6-3
  • Quarterfinals def. Ajla Tomljanovic, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3
  • Semifinals def. [16] Simona Halep, 6-3, 6-3
  • Finals def. [3] Ons Jabeur, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2

 

 

Elena’s Gear

 

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Infinity Power Cushion

Feel the power: Introducing the new INFINITY POWER CUSHION

TOKYO, Japan – Connect your feet to elite performance footwear with the newly innovated POWER CUSHION INFINITY. This newly designed model manages to pack multiple intricate technologies into a sleek design guaranteed to turn heads. The new POWER CUSHION INFINITY will see a worldwide release at the end of May 2022.

The dual dial BOA® Fit System is built with dual straps purposefully designed to cradle your feet with optimal support. The implementation of two straps optimizes all Yonex technologies within for a superior experience. Connect your feet to higher performance through millimeter adjustments that create a precise fit both on the forefoot and on the ankle.

Hosting the BOA® Fit System is an inner bootie construct with an overwrap built of the new Durable Skin Light, a thin yet sturdy thermo-compressed film. With the introduction of upgraded material, the pattern of the wrap is expanded, tucking the foot in for a more comfortable yet secure experience from the inner arch to the top of the foot. Find racquet-grade repulsion but for your footwork with the 3D POWER GRAPHITE SHEET. Our proprietary graphite sheet is built to flex and generate power with each step, while providing stability from unwanted twist.

Absorb impact and convert energy to the next step with POWER CUSHION+. This technology in the heel plays a key role in converting each step into energy for the next move. Compared to standard EVA materials, the POWER CUSHION+ takes the impact of a step and absorbs 28% more shock while kicking back 62% more repulsion for the next step. This protects your body from strong impacts while propelling you forward for longer.

INNOVATION

BOA® Fit System
The dual dial BOA® Fit System is built with dual straps, purposefully designed to cradle your feet with optimal support. Connect your feet to higher performance through millimeter adjustments and precise fit both on the forefoot and on the ankle. 

Durable Skin Light
Durable Skin Light is a flexible yet strong film that is thermo-compressed. It is applied onto the wrap to provide an improved, secure fit with soft comfort. 

3D POWER GRAPHITE SHEET
Yonex’s proprietary graphite sheet is built to flex and generate power with each step, while providing stability from unwanted twist.

POWER CUSHION+
The impact in every step is energy you can use for your next move. By improving shock absorption, the POWER CUSHION+ technology transforms impact into energy. A 28%* increase in shock absorption and a 62%** increase in repulsion when compared to the standard EVA materials.

*Measured by the Japan Vehicle Inspection Association
**According to research by the Boken Quality Evaluation Institute, JIS Law is applied 

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Yonex Signs Thanasi Kokkinakis

Thanasi Kokkinakis Signs with Yonex

TOKYO – Yonex Co., Ltd. is proud to announce the addition of Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) to Team Yonex.

Kokkinakis began testing Yonex racquets in the 2021/22 off season, finding the 7th-generation EZONE racquet to suit him best. Still unsure about the performance in competition, Kokkinakis took the court at the Adelaide International 1 with a blacked-out EZONE.

Playing in front of his hometown, Kokkinakis reached the semifinals of an ATP-level event for the first time since July 2017. A week later at the Adelaide International 2, another ATP 250 event, Kokkinakis won his first-career ATP title.

It was a dream come true.

“I’ve been playing and practicing on this court since I was eight or nine years old, coming here before school every day,” said Kokkinakis. “I love this court so much.”

The Aussie kept dreaming. After bowing out in the first round of the Australian Open days later, Kokkinakis teamed up with his childhood friend, Nick Kyrgios in doubles.

The duo made history, becoming the first wildcard team to win the Australian Open men’s doubles title in the professional era and the first all-Aussie doubles champions in Melbourne since 1997.

Kokkinakis saw his ranking soar. From World No. 171 to begin the 2022 season to World No. 84, Kokkinakis is inching up on his career-high ranking of 69, which he reached in 2015.

“Yonex’s support of me has been tremendous,” said Kokkinakis. “I’m so happy to have found a racquet that suits my game best and to have had the results I’ve had already. I don’t take anything for granted and can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

Thanasi’s Gear
Racquet: EZONE 98
Overgrip: Super Grap
Bag: Pro Series

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Yonex All England

March 20/2022

BIRMINGHAM, England – The YONEX All England finals were held on March 20 with a packed stadium full of passionate fans and determined finalists. For the second year in a row, Japan took the prestigious event by storm with three strong victories by women’s singles, Akane Yamaguchi (JPN), women’s doubles, Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida (JPN) and mixed doubles, Arisa Higashino and Yuta Watanabe (JPN).



World no. 2, Akane Yamaguchi and world no. 4, An Se Young (KOR) kicked off the finals in the highly anticipated women’s singles match-up. Yamaguchi remained calm and steady throughout the match, affording her the focus to wrap it up in just two games. The final score: 21-15, 21-15.



In women’s doubles, Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida proved they are a force to be reckoned by making quick work of opponents Zhang Shu Xian and Zheng Yu (CHN) in just two swift games 21-13, 21-9.



Mixed doubles pair, Arisa Higashino and Yuta Watanabe found their rhythm against Olympic Gold medalists, Huang Dong Ping and Wang Yi Lyu (CHN) in two nail-biting games. Higashino and Watanabe’s defense was unbreakable, and their creative attacking style won them a well-deserved victory. The final score: 21-19, 21-19.



Finishing off finals day was Olympic gold medalist, Viktor Axelsen (DEN) facing off against the promising, up-and-coming Lakshya Sen (IND). After Lakshya’s colossal win against Lee Zii Jia (MAS) in the semifinals, fans were excited to see how he would perform against top athlete Viktor Axelsen. After two energy filled games, Viktor claimed his second All England title and proved why he is world no.1. The final score: 21-10, 21-15.

Athlete gear: