04/01/2026
Recently, I’ve had a few customers come in after purchasing some secondhand rackets from Facebook Marketplace. And unfortunately, some turned out to be counterfeit Yonex rackets.
It sucks seeing people get burned like that, so I have decided to make a post about how to authenticate genuine Yonex rackets. (I might make separate posts in the future talking about how to authenticate Victor's and Lining's rackets!)
Things to look for before buying a Yonex racket:
1. Check for the Yonex hologram authentication sticker
Genuine Yonex rackets usually come with a proper hologram authentication sticker. Fakes often either don’t have one, or the quality looks off (blurry, peeling, or poorly aligned).
2. Check the serial number on the shaft and cone cap
Each genuine Yonex racket has a unique serial number engraved cleanly into the shaft and cone cap. If the engraving appears inconsistent, painted, or carved rather than laser-etched, it raises a warning.
3. Check the serial code format
This one is a bit tricky! Older Yonex rackets had region codes (SP, JP, US, CH etc.), but newer models (2021-current) no longer use them. Yonex has changed its coding system, and region codes are no longer included at the end. If you see a “new” Yonex racket with a region code, be cautious.
4. Overall build quality of the racket
Look closely at the paint, decals, and finishing of the overall racket. Yonex quality control is very consistent, especially on the Pro and Tour models. If you see uneven paint, crooked logos, cheap-feeling materials, or unsymmetrical shapes and designs, they are major warning signs!
5. Manufacturer sticker on the handle
With genuine Yonex rackets, you will be able to find 2 Yonex manufacturer stickers on the handle after removing the under grip. One sticker should have the model, specs, and serial code, while the other is a barcode.
6. Extremely cheap pricing
Lastly… pricing!!! Especially when buying second-hand, if the listing price is significantly lower than the market value, you should be very cautious proceeding with the deal. Because when a deal looks too good to be true, it usually is.
If you’re ever unsure, feel free to reach out or bring it in! I’d rather help you double-check. Don’t let untrustworthy sellers scam you out of your hard-earned money 💸💸💸
