Chris Hardiman
Director of Tennis
When Chris was growing up in Summit, no one in his family played tennis. Then he watched Gaston Gaudio come from behind to win the 2004 French Open in five sets, and knew that he wanted to be a tennis player. Chris was playing tennis for Summit High School when he met Steve, who was on the verge of opening Strand Tennis. After attending Dension University, Chris returned to New Jersey to join the Strand staff in 2012. He has been teaching tennis professionally at the club ever since. Over the years, he has developed an excellent reputation in the Chatham area for leading creative, high-energy group clinics, and for developing juniors into high school players through private instruction.
The Yonex PERCEPT 100 Tennis Racquet takes up the mantle of the VCORE PRO 100. At 10.6 ounces unstrung, the PERCEPT 100 is the easiest model in the line to play. The racquet uses the FLEXCON System; a tapered and elongated box-frame design for greater precision. Yonex' Flex Force graphite means the racquet can flex, but it snaps back quickly for greater spin and ball acceleration. Vibration Dampening Mesh is NOT in the PERCEPT models. Instead, Yonex added a transparent film between the graphite to enhance flexibility called the SERVO FILTER. The new technology reduces unwanted vibration by 13%. While FLEXCON and SERVO FILTER create a more flexible shaft, Yonex increased the amount of graphite in the racquet face for a 3% increase in stability at impact. Think comfortable flex in the shaft but with a firmer and more powerful racquet head.
The PERCEPT 100 offers more power than the 97 models thanks to the larger head and thicker cross-section. However, the elongated shaft design and constant beam deliver control characteristics as well.
Features:
-New Elongated shaft design puts the focus on control and precision
-SERVO FILTER filters unwanted vibrations but allows for improved feel as well
-100 square inch head for added forgiveness
-Isometric head shape creates a larger sweet spot
Chris’s Gear
Wilson NXT 16 Tennis String - Set, Black
35% PU by volume
X-bonded core increases tension maintenance and power
10% larger sweet spot and 74% less shock than traditional synthetic gut string
Original and best-selling high performance multifilament string
