Yonex VCORE 98 tested

After previously testing the VCORE 95, Stephan has now put the impressive Yonex VCORE 98 through a rigorous test. You can read his full review here!

Tested racket:

Brand: Yonex Model: VCORE 98 Head size: 98 sq/inch Weight: 305 gr Balance: 31.5 cm Stringing pattern: 16x19 Length: 27 inch RA: 65 Stringing: Yonex Poly Tour Fire 1.25 on 23/22 kg.

Tester:

Intro:

New this summer is the long-awaited YONEX VCORE 98, successor to the YONEX VCORE SV 98, which I also tested . This middle frame in the new YONEX VCORE series which I believe was launched on August 25th – just before the start of the US Open. I, as one of the few, had the privilege of testing this beautiful update. I was already very enthusiastic about its predecessor and am very curious to see how this Ferrari-red edition plays. YONEX has dropped the "SV" names, similar to EZONE's dropping "DR" and has implemented the simplification in its racquet lines as follows: "VCORE Pro", "VCORE" and "EZONE". Personally, I think it is very clear this way. I didn't think sticking new technology behind the name as a nickname was a success. In short, great!

Aesthetically, these are beautiful frames. The paint is a matte Ferrari red with subtle shades of burgundy, highlighted with metallic silver logos. In my opinion they are much more attractive than the VCORE SV models. The "95", "98" and "100" labels are easier to read and identify at a glance compared to the SV models. The newly applied technology is fully focused on the mission of the VCORE 2018: Maximum Spin.

Baseline:

This frame is solid! The YONEX VCORE 98 is reminiscent of the classics from the early 2000s and has feeling and control. The 2-3 points lower RA than the VCORE SV 98 has a lot to do with this and if you prefer stiff frames with less feedback, you might not love this update. Although the frame is relatively flexible and feels, it is still crisper than the EZONE DR 98 (RA 62). As the mission statement goes, the spin potential is absolutely there and very remarkable. I normally hit fairly flat balls with a long and fairly fast Eastern grip. With this YONEX VCORE 98, however, I get much more ball rotation with my grip. I see the balls splashing away on the other side of the court. During my playtest I tried to hit higher deep spin balls. I could tell from the grimaces on my opponents' faces that I was hitting annoyingly heavy spin balls. A real treat for someone who normally hits hard but generates little spin. In short, I am completely happy from the backfield.

Both my backhand and forehand crash heavily on the back line. I noticed in the beginning that my balls landed a little shorter due to the high spin content. A little more height in my strokes solved that nicely. I hit my targets with spin and pace on both sides and was also able to pull through flat balls with a lot of margin. The balls stay within the lines more easily than with my EZONE DR 98. The YONEX VCORE 98 is a frame that I could play almost unchanged. I would add a leather grip and some lead to get the (strung) weight around 340g, just like my EZONE. The VCORE 98, which previously had a 16x20 string pattern in the SV version, now has a more open 16x19 string pattern, which of course also contributes to the spin potential. This makes it more comparable to my EZONE DR 98.

Volleys and serves:

I can be brief about the volleys. These are going great! Better than with my EZONE 98. The narrow, more box beam-like frame is very easy to maneuver. The serve with the VCORE 98 is also just a little harder and with a lot more spin than with my EZONE. Creating racket head speed was probably even easier thanks to the extra Aero Fin technology. I already experienced this with its heavier brother, the YONEX VCORE 95 . But that certainly also applies to the VCORE 98.

Comfort:

Compared to its predecessor, the Yonex VCORE SV 98, this frame is slightly more flexible and that makes it a lot friendlier to my arm.

Conclusion:

Add it all up and you get a frame that is designed to impart a lot of rotation to the ball. Yonex's family names have not only become much clearer, there also seems to be much more meaning behind the families. The EZONE is friendly and powerful, the VCORE Pro has the most feel and control, and the VCORE is crisp and full of spin potential. This new YONEX VCORE 98, with its lower RA value and enormous spin potential, is an absolute must for the serious baseliner. In my view, a very high-quality competitor to the Wilson Blade 98 or the Babolat Pure Strike . I enjoyed playing the Yonex VCORE 98 so much that I played an official match with it. We are now used to the quality that Yonex demonstrates. This update is certainly high quality and has almost tempted me, as a YONEX EZONE DR 98 player, to switch. In short, a must demo!!