Our Heritage

The One Motor

Our heritage began in 1946, just after the end of World War II, when Minoru Yoneyama founded Yoneyama Company, Ltd. to produce wooden floats for fishing nets. Yoneyama’s wood-crafting business thrived until modern advancements - namely plastic floats - forced the company out of the industry. Frustrated by being pushed aside by advancing technology, he vowed to never be technologically left behind and committed to constant innovation in future endeavors.

One Motor One Motor
1940

Crafting Wooden Racquets

Relying on strengths in wood crafting, the Yoneyama Company evolved into manufacturing badminton racquets in 1957 as an OEM for the Sanbata racquet brand. Today, Yonex tennis racquets, golf clubs, snowboards, road bikes, tennis and badminton string, and more are produced at Yonex manufacturing facilities in Japan. Throughout the years, Yonex companies have learned that “the toughest situations create the greatest chances” - and this spirit carries through in our mission to enrich the world with sports through high quality products.

One Motor One Motor
1950

The First Yoneyama Racquet

With Sanbata’s bankruptcy in 1961 and Yoneyama’s Manufacturing Headquarters burning down in 1963, the 1960s truly tested the spirit of creating opportunities in tough situations. Despite these set-backs, Yoneyama established Yoneyama Sports Co., Ltd. to manufacture Yoneyama-branded racquets, rebuilt the factory in three days, and expanded its business to the United States and Europe during this pivotal decade.

In 1965, the Tokyo Factory opened its doors to manufacture shuttlecocks -- now, Yonex shuttlecocks are the official tournament shuttle of all Badminton World Federation (BWF) Major Events, as well as the Olympic Games since 1992 in Barcelona.

In 1968, the world’s first “T-Joint” was developed, which led to Japan’s first aluminum badminton racquet. The Yonex “T-Joint” was inspired by a gas tap design that connected the frame and shaft.

In 1969, the Yonex brand expanded into the tennis industry with the aluminum T-7000 racquet.

First Racquet First Racquet
1960

Pushing Structural Limits

To improve upon the widely popular T-7000 racquet, the Oval Pressed Shaft (OPS) was developed, which created a stronger, more stable racquet and was implemented in the Yonex T-7500 racquet.

In 1973, the “YY Yoneyama” logo is introduced and eight-time (seven consecutive) All England Open Badminton Champion and badminton icon Rudy Hartono began competing with Yonex equipment.

The following year, wooden tennis racquet manufacturing commenced, and Tony Roche, the fourteen-time major champion from Australia, began competing with Yonex racquets.

In 1978, the first badminton racquets weighing under 100g launched as B-8500 and CARBONEX 8.

- -
1970

ISOMETRIC™ Racquets to Longest Drives

The brand’s iconic square-shaped ISOMETRIC™ racquet was first introduced in 1980 with the launch of the R-1, R-2, and R-3. The same year, Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova began competing with Yonex racquets.

Our parent company was renamed Yonex Co., Ltd. Utilizing the brand’s extensive experience with graphite technology, the company entered the golf business.

In 1983, Navratilova won the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and US Open in both singles and doubles with the best-selling R-22 racquet.

In 1984, Yonex Co. Ltd. becomes the title sponsor of the sport’s oldest and most prestigious tournament, the All England Open Badminton Championships.

In 1989, the Yonex ADX 200, a widebody graphite driver that changed the game of golf, was introduced to the United States. The ADX 200 was recorded in the Guinness World Records with the longest drive at 412 yards.

Billie Jean King Billie Jean King
1980

A Series of World No.1s

In 1990, Navratilova claimed her 9th Wimbledon title with the Yonex Widebody RQ-180, and in 1991, Monica Seles became the youngest female player to achieve a World No. 1 Ranking with the Yonex Widebody RQ-380.

Borrowing from the signature square-shaped tennis racquet frame, the first ISOMETRIC™ badminton racquet in history launched in 1992.

In 1995, to further push the limits of graphite innovation, Yonex Co. Ltd. began manufacturing snowboards.

In 1996, Martina Hingis gained prominence as the youngest major champion in history at 15 years old and continued on with a legendary career with Yonex gear.

In 1999, Yonex begins hosting the YONEX Ladies Open, a LPGA Japan Tour event (Ladies Professional Golfers' Association of Japan) at the Yonex Country Club.

Monica Seles Monica Seles
1990

Breaking Records

In the early 2000s, Lleyton Hewitt became the youngest male World No. 1 in history and claimed two major singles titles to his name: Wimbledon and US Open.

In 2007, Yonex athlete Ryo Aono becomes the first Japanese snowboarder to win a gold medal at the Snowboard World Cup in Halfpipe. Throughout his career, he goes on to win 12 World Cup titles and competes in two Olympic Games.

In 2009, Yonex Co. Ltd. became the longest title sponsor of the All England Open Badminton Championships.

- -
2000

Enriching the World Through Sports

Originating in Japan and expanding globally, the Yonex Vamos•J tennis camps begin developing high-performance juniors in 2011. Through unique programs and life experiences, Vamos•J aims to promote tennis and develop young players worldwide.

Spearheaded by badminton’s greatest players, The Legends’ Vision initiative launches in 2015 to raise the profile of the sport and to inspire the next generation of badminton players. Led by Taufik Hidayat, Peter Gade, Lin Dan, Lee Chong Wei, and Lee Yong Dae, these Legends tour the world to increase badminton awareness and participation.

Yonex Co. Ltd. enters two new businesses, sport bikes and wind turbine blades in Japan, further expanding its expertise in carbon graphite technology.

At the 2016 Australian Open, Yonex Co. Ltd. becomes the first Japanese brand to provide stringing services for a major tennis tournament through the Yonex Stringing Team.

Today, with the trust of the world’s top athletes - former and current World No. 1s –Yonex USA offers products combining timeless Japanese craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology to give players the tools to succeed.

Wawrinka Wawrinka
2010