Marcos Giron’s Racquet and Equipment Setup: What Does He Use?
Marcos Giron is one of the cleanest ball-strikers on the ATP Tour. The American takes the ball early, redirects pace exceptionally well and relies on accuracy rather than producing extreme levels of topspin.
His equipment has evolved alongside that playing style.
After spending much of his career with a customised Yonex VCORE 95, Giron moved into the Yonex Percept range in search of greater directional control and a slightly more forgiving hitting area.
As of July 2026, the strongest available evidence indicates that Giron is using a Yonex Percept 97D, strung with Luxilon ALU Power Rough 1.25mm. His current equipment also includes Vuori clothing and adidas Barricade 14 tennis shoes.
What racquet does Marcos Giron use?
Marcos Giron currently uses the Yonex Percept 97D.
Recent gear checks identify the Percept 97D as his match racquet, while Yonex also lists the model in Giron’s official athlete kit. The racquet has a 97-square-inch head and a dense 18×20 string pattern designed primarily for control, stability and predictable ball flight.
The current retail version of the Yonex Percept 97D has the following specifications:
SpecificationYonex Percept 97D retail modelHead size97 square inchesLength27 inchesString pattern18×20Strung weightApproximately 337gBalance7 points head-lightSwingweightApproximately 329Stiffness62 RABeam21mmRecommended tension45–60lbs
These are the specifications of the commercially available racquet, not necessarily Giron’s exact match frame. Yonex explicitly notes that its professional players may use customised specifications that differ from the model sold to the public.
Is Marcos Giron’s racquet customised?
Almost certainly.
Professional players normally have their racquets matched for weight, balance and swingweight so that every frame feels virtually identical. Giron has also spoken openly about the importance of racquet customisation.
When he entered college tennis at UCLA, Giron found himself facing older and physically stronger opponents. Rather than abandoning a racquet whose feel and accuracy he already trusted, he gradually added weight to the hoop and handle until he reached his preferred balance.
That process tells us quite a lot about Giron’s equipment preferences. He appears to favour:
A relatively substantial static weight
A head-light balance
Enough swingweight to remain stable against heavy shots
A controlled and predictable response
A flexible feel rather than a particularly stiff frame
His current Percept 97D naturally fits those requirements, although the exact weight and balance of his current racquets have not been publicly confirmed.
What strings does Marcos Giron use?
Giron currently lists Luxilon ALU Power Rough 1.25mm as his string of choice.
ALU Power Rough is a textured polyester string used by players who want a crisp response, controlled power and reliable access to spin. Giron uses it in his Yonex Percept 97D, complementing the racquet’s dense 18×20 string pattern with a string that provides a direct and predictable connection to the ball.
His tension appears to be around 22kg, or approximately 48.5lbs, although professional tensions regularly change depending on conditions, court speed, temperature and the balls being used. Earlier information from Giron suggested that he generally strung around 50lbs, moving roughly three pounds higher or lower according to the conditions.
A reasonable estimate for his current setup is therefore:
Racquet: Yonex Percept 97D
String: Luxilon ALU Power Rough 1.25mm
Tension: Approximately 48–50lbs
Pattern: Full polyester setup
Grip: White overgrip
The precise tension used at any individual tournament may differ.
Why does the Yonex Percept 97D suit Marcos Giron?
The Percept 97D is an unusually logical choice for Giron’s game.
He frequently plays close to the baseline and takes the ball early. That style gives him less time to make large racquet adjustments, so he needs a frame that produces a consistent response even when he is redirecting significant incoming pace.
The dense 18×20 string pattern helps keep his launch angle controlled. The 97-square-inch head provides slightly more margin than his previous 95-square-inch racquet, while the substantial weight and swingweight help prevent the frame from twisting against heavy shots.
The Percept 97D is not primarily designed to produce easy power. Instead, it rewards players who generate their own racquet-head speed and consistently strike the centre of the string bed.
That description fits Giron. His compact preparation, strong timing and early contact point allow him to take advantage of the racquet’s precision without needing the free power offered by something such as the Yonex EZONE 100.
Did Marcos Giron use the Yonex Percept 100D?
There was some speculation during 2025 that Giron had changed from the Percept 97D to the larger Yonex Percept 100D.
The Percept 100D offers a 100-square-inch head and an 18×19 string pattern, providing slightly more forgiveness and power than the 97D. Tennisnerd reported that Giron appeared to have made the change during the summer of 2025.
However, more recent equipment information identifies his racquet as the Percept 97D, and Yonex continues to associate him officially with that model. It is possible that Giron briefly tested or competed with the 100D before returning to the 97D.
Professional players frequently test different frames, string patterns and customisations during practice without permanently changing their match setup.
For that reason, the Percept 100D should be regarded as a racquet Giron reportedly experimented with rather than his confirmed current frame.
Marcos Giron’s previous racquet: Yonex VCORE 95
Before switching to the Percept 97D, Giron used a customised Yonex VCORE 95 for several years.
This was a more spin-oriented racquet than his current Percept, with a smaller 95-square-inch head and a more open 16×20 string pattern. Tennis Warehouse measured one of Giron’s customised VCORE 95 racquets with the following specifications:
SpecificationGiron’s customised VCORE 95Head size95 square inchesLength27 inchesStrung weight340gBalance31.8cm / 8 points head-lightSwingweight326Stiffness62 RAString pattern16×20
These specifications produced a frame that was heavy enough to remain stable but sufficiently head-light to move quickly through Giron’s compact swings.
Interestingly, the measured swingweight of 326 was not exceptionally high by professional standards. Giron’s setup depended more on static weight, head-light balance and clean timing than on an extremely heavy racquet head.
Why did Giron switch from the VCORE 95 to the Percept 97D?
The move gave Giron two important changes:
A larger hitting area: The jump from 95 to 97 square inches provided a little more forgiveness without moving him into an oversized or power-focused frame.
A denser string pattern: The change from 16×20 to 18×20 gave him a lower and more controlled launch angle.
Giron explained the transition in equipment content produced with Tennis Warehouse, while equipment analysis at the time linked the switch to his desire for improved directional control.
That makes sense for a player who hits relatively flat and takes the ball early. Giron does not need an extremely open pattern to generate large amounts of topspin. He benefits more from knowing that the ball will leave the strings at a consistent trajectory when he changes direction.
Marcos Giron’s previous string setups
Giron has experimented with several different strings and hybrids during his career.
ProStringer Blue Steel
During his time with the customised VCORE 95, Giron was listed as using ProStringer Blue Steel. His Tennis Warehouse profile paired the customised VCORE 95 with Blue Steel strings, K-Swiss clothing and K-Swiss Hypercourt Express shoes.
Natural gut and Solinco Tour Bite
In 2023, Giron changed to a hybrid combining natural gut and Solinco Tour Bite.
A gut-and-polyester hybrid can provide greater comfort, feel and power than a complete bed of polyester while retaining enough control and spin for professional-level hitting. The setup was another sign that Giron was willing to adjust his strings even while remaining loyal to the VCORE 95 frame.
Yonex Poly Tour Rev and Poly Tour Pro
Giron later used a hybrid of Yonex Poly Tour Rev 1.25mm in the mains and Yonex Poly Tour Pro 1.25mm in the crosses.
Poly Tour Rev is a shaped polyester designed to provide additional bite on the ball, while Poly Tour Pro offers a smoother and softer response. The combination gave Giron spin from the mains while maintaining a relatively controlled and comfortable feel through the crosses.
Luxilon ALU Power Rough
His latest change is to Luxilon ALU Power Rough 1.25mm.
Compared with his previous hybrids, this appears to represent a move towards a simpler and more direct string bed. The combination of ALU Power Rough and the Percept 97D should offer a crisp response, excellent directional control and enough spin to prevent the dense pattern from feeling completely locked down.
What shoes does Marcos Giron wear?
Giron currently wears the adidas Barricade 14.
The Barricade line is known for prioritising stability and durability, making it suitable for players who change direction aggressively and place significant force through their outside foot. Giron has described the Barricade 14 as his preferred ATP Tour shoe, and it appears alongside the rest of his current equipment in recent gear checks.
Earlier in his career, Giron wore K-Swiss Hypercourt Express shoes.
What clothing does Marcos Giron wear?
Giron wears Vuori clothing.
The California-based performance and lifestyle brand signed Giron in 2023 as it began expanding further into tennis. He has continued to compete in Vuori apparel during the 2026 season.
He previously wore K-Swiss clothing alongside his K-Swiss shoes.
Marcos Giron’s equipment history
Giron’s recent equipment progression can be summarised as follows:
Earlier professional career: Customised Yonex VCORE 95 with ProStringer Blue Steel.
2023: Yonex VCORE 95 with a natural gut and Solinco Tour Bite hybrid.
2024: Yonex Percept 97D with Yonex Poly Tour Rev and Poly Tour Pro.
2025: Reported testing or use of the Yonex Percept 100D.
2026: Yonex Percept 97D with Luxilon ALU Power Rough 1.25mm, Vuori clothing and adidas Barricade 14 shoes.
The timeline demonstrates that Giron has not simply changed equipment whenever Yonex released a new cosmetic. His changes appear to have followed specific performance goals: initially adding weight for stability, then experimenting with strings for different combinations of power and control, and eventually moving to a larger and more precise frame.
Can you buy Marcos Giron’s exact racquet?
You can buy the Yonex Percept 97D, but the retail racquet will not necessarily be identical to Giron’s customised match frames.
The standard Percept 97D is already close to professional territory. At approximately 337g strung with a 329 swingweight and an 18×20 pattern, it is considerably more demanding than the average modern tennis racquet.
Additional weight, a different grip, manufacturing tolerances and professional racquet matching could all make Giron’s personal frames feel different from a racquet taken directly from a shop.
Players interested in replicating his setup would be better starting with the retail Percept 97D and gradually adjusting the weight rather than immediately trying to create a 340g professional specification.
Should recreational players use Giron’s racquet setup?
The Percept 97D is best suited to advanced players with developed technique and reliable racquet-head speed.
It could work well for someone who:
Generates their own power
Prefers control over free depth
Hits a flatter ball
Likes dense string patterns
Uses a full and confident swing
Regularly strikes near the centre of the racquet
It may be less suitable for players who need help generating power, struggle with late contact or want a large and forgiving sweet spot.
The Percept 100D, Percept 100, EZONE 98 or EZONE 100 would generally provide an easier starting point for players who like the idea of Giron’s setup but do not want such a demanding racquet.
Copying a professional player’s equipment does not automatically reproduce their results. Giron’s racquet works because it complements his technique, timing and physical strength. For most players, borrowing the general principles behind his setup will be more useful than copying every number.
Frequently asked questions
What racquet does Marcos Giron use in 2026?
Marcos Giron currently uses the Yonex Percept 97D. Recent equipment checks and Yonex’s official athlete page both associate him with the 97D.
What strings does Marcos Giron use?
Giron currently uses Luxilon ALU Power Rough 1.25mm polyester string in his Yonex Percept 97D.
What tension does Marcos Giron use?
His tension is believed to be approximately 22kg, or 48.5lbs. Giron has historically adjusted his normal tension of around 50lbs by roughly three pounds depending on the surface and conditions.
Did Marcos Giron use a Yonex VCORE 95?
Yes. Giron used a heavily customised Yonex VCORE 95 for several years before switching to the Percept 97D.
How heavy was Marcos Giron’s VCORE 95?
A Giron match racquet measured by Tennis Warehouse weighed approximately 340g strung, with a 326 swingweight and a balance of 31.8cm.
What tennis shoes does Marcos Giron wear?
Giron currently wears adidas Barricade 14 tennis shoes. He previously wore the K-Swiss Hypercourt Express.
Final thoughts
Marcos Giron’s racquet history reflects the way he plays tennis: controlled, precise and methodical.
His customised VCORE 95 gave him the speed and accuracy he valued during college and the early part of his professional career. The Percept 97D has retained that controlled identity while adding a slightly larger head and a denser, more predictable string bed.
Combined with Luxilon ALU Power Rough, the result is a demanding but exceptionally precise setup built for a player who takes the ball early and generates his own pace.
It is not the easiest racquet setup on the ATP Tour. For Giron, that appears to be exactly the point.