Martina Navratilova is considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time – But what racket did she use?
She dominated the sport in the 1980s and continues to hold records today.
So what was her secret to success? Many people attribute her incredible skills to her use of a special racket.
In this article, we will take a closer look at Martina Navratilova’s racket and find out why it made her such a successful player!
Who is Martina Navratilova?
Martina Navratilova is a former Czech-American professional tennis player. She was born on October 18, 1956, in Prague, Czechoslovakia.
Since turning professional in 1975, she considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time alongside Chris Evert:
And just a quick look at what some of her records are today:
She won 18 major singles titles, 31 women’s doubles titles, and 10 mixed doubles titles for 59 majors- the most in the Open Era.
And not just that: Navratilova was world No. 1 in singles for a total of 332 weeks, second only to Steffi Graf.
And she was good not only in singles: she also holds 237 weeks in doubles which made her the only tennis player in history to be world No. 1 both in singles and doubles simultaneously for more than 200 weeks – can you imagine?
I can write several articles just about her records alone – but I guess you are here not to learn more about her achievements, but about her racket. So let’s get to it!
What Racket Did Martina Navratilova Use?
There is no one answer to this question because Martina used to play with so many tennis rackets in her long career so it’s hard to tell you what specific racket is “Navratilova’s racket”-
When I started to make some research about her racket by watching her videos playing, I quickly noticed she used to change rackets like a normal person changes clothes!
There are so many different rackets that she used in her carrier – and I’m pretty sure the list is not complete.
Here are just some of the most famous rackets that Navratilova played with:
More Control DB 800 MP by Prince
This is one of her “latest” rackets. she used to play with it, and you can see it if you watch her play at the 2003 Wimbledon Championships – only 3 years before she retired.
The racket is white with black and blue, and with a big Prince logo on it the back.
She used gut strings (Babolat VS Touch 130/16) with it and a graphite composite frame.
Dunlop Max 200G
This racket, Max 200G, by the British brand Dunlop, was one of the popular tennis rackets back in the day – even Stefanie Graf played with it.
Martina played with it in the last 1980s, but she painted it to be black because she was endorsing Yonex at the same time.
Bosworth Yonex Pro RD 70 Long
And If I mentioned Yonex, I can’t forget to mention this Yonex racket with the Bosworth frame which Martina used in the 90s.
It had a unique 16×17 string design with a narrow beam and an extended length.
YONEX R-7
The iconic graphite tennis racket was made famous by Martina Navratilova, who began using it in 1982.
It was the first time Martina used graphite.
This racket head shape was designed to give the player a larger sweet spot.
VCORE 100
If you’re an all-around player who wants a more nimble racket to create spin and speed, this is the one for you.
This racket by Yonex is probably considered one of Martina’s best-known rackets, which is known for endorsing Yonex for many years.
What are VCORE 100’s tennis racket specifications?
The head size of the VCORE 100 is 100 square inches. It weighs 300 grams (or approximately 11 ounces).
The racket’s grip size is small-medium, and it has a length of 27 inches. The VCORE 100 also has a width range of 24-25-22 mm, and its balance point is 320 mm.
This racket has a red color and the recommended string for this racket is POLYTOUR REV or POLYTOUR STRIKE, and the stringing tension is 45-60 lbs.
Like all Yonex’s rackets, VCORE 100 is also made in Japan.
Can I buy Navratilova’s tennis racket?
Yes, you can! her VCORE 100 is still available to purchase. You can find it on Amazon or other online retailers.
Of course, you can also find other rackets that she used in her carrier, like the YONEX R-70, on websites like eBay, but they are harder to come by and usually more expensive.
Click here to purchase the VCORE 100 tennis racket.
Which other pro players use this racket?
Because this racket is still on the market and known as “Martina’s racket”, Many WTA players use this racket.
Some of the big names that use it are Elena Rybakina, Angelique Kerber, Donna Vekic, Camila Giorgi, Caroline Garcia, Eugenie Bouchard, Tamara Zidansex, Marie Bouzkova, Tatjana Maria, Fiona Ferro, Nao Hibino.
Is the VCORE 100 a good racket for me?
This racket is good for all-around players who want a more elegant racket to create spin and speed.
If you are an aggressive player who likes to hit hard, then this racket is also good for you.
Don’t miss my honest review on the best Yonex tennis rackets to find out which Yonex racket is the best for your needs.
In conclusion
Martina Navratilova is one of the most successful tennis players of all time.
She used many different rackets throughout her career, but some of her most famous rackets are the YONEX R-70, Bosworth Yonex Pro RD 70 Long, and VCORE 100.
You can still purchase her VCORE 100 racket today.
It is a great choice for all-around players who want to create spin and speed.
I hope you enjoyed this post. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below and I will be happy to answer them.
If you want to know more about tennis rackets by active pro players and past legends, check out my blog post on the best tennis rackets by players.
Thanks again and I will see you in the next post!
