The world's first ultra light badminton racquet, Carbonex 8, was introduced. Yonex signed, the Grand Slam champions, Billy Jean King and Martina Navratilova. Yonex commitment to innovation brought exciting changes to tennis racquet manufacturing with the introduction of the R-series in 1980. The R-1 was the world's first square or "isometric" tennis racquet.

Following the successful use of lightweight materials to build racquets, Yonex began to explore similar applications in golf clubs. Yonex decided to introduce the world's first all-graphite head driver, the Carbonex II. This was followed by the first graphite headed iron, aptly named the Carboniron. The super light R-7 was the first tennis racquet to win both the French Open and Wimbledon.

The Yonex Corporation was established in the United States as a subsidiary of Yonex Company, Ltd. Martina Navratilova successfully won Grand Slam in both of singles and doubles with R-22. It is the first time in the world.

Yonex became the exclusive sponsor of the All England Badminton Championships.

Prince Edward honored the tournament with his presence. Martina Navratilova successfully won six consecutive Wimbledon titles.

Yonex launched the A.D.X. Widebody golf club line, the first manufacturer to feature widebody club heads. In that same year, an A.D.X. driver made the Guinness Book of World Records when it was used to hit a 412 yard drive, the longest drive ever in a PGA sanctioned event.