Guest blogger Frans has been testing the new Yonex VCORE Pro 97 310 the past few weeks. This successor to the VCORE Duel G is lightning fast and offers solid spin, combined with good control!
Yonex VCORE Pro 97 (310 Gram)
Yonex is on the rise in the tennis world, does this new VCORE Pro contribute to that?
Specifications of the Yonex VCORE Pro 97 (310 Gram)
Brand: Yonex Model: VCORE Pro 97 310 Head size: 97 sq/inch Weight: 310 gr Balance: 31.0 cm Stringing pattern: 16x19 Length: 27 inch RA: 64 Stringing: Diadem Flash 16L , 23/22 kg
Tester:
Name: French Player type: semi-western grip, double-handed backhand Player's racket history: Head Flexpoint Radical Team, Head Microgel Radical MP, Head Youtek Prestige Pro, Head Youtek IG Radical Pro, Head Graphene Radical Pro, Head Graphene Speed Pro, Yonex VCORE Tour Duel GTest scores
Power: 7 Control: 8
Spin: 8.5
Comfort: 7.5
Agility: 9.5
Touch: 8.5
Yonex
Yonex is increasingly seen on the court, both at home and abroad. More and more tennis schools, youth players and professionals are allying themselves with this Japanese brand. Yonex has managed to create a unique range, and that combined with excellent construction quality and quality control makes them an increasingly dangerous competitor for the traditional top brands.
The Updates
Although the looks are debatable, this successor to the VCORE Duel G does look great. Yonex has made an adjustment to the construction of the racket. In this new edition, Namd has been added. Namd is a type of carbon that was previously used in the well-known badminton line of Yonex. Yonex claims that this ensures a faster snapback, which in turn should ensure more spin.
So how does the added Namd translate into real life? What is most noticeable is a change in feel compared to its predecessor. The Duel G was a bit softer and more flexible. The ball also stuck a bit more with the Duel G. This is different with the VCORE Pro. The ball contact with the VCORE Pro feels much shorter, the frame therefore feels less flexible and the response is a bit more direct.
Baseline
The Yonex VCORE Pro 97 310 is a fairly unique frame, there is little on the market that really resembles it. The VCORE Pro is perhaps most similar to a Prestige Pro from Head. However, this VCORE Pro is much faster and lighter and is therefore less stable. The racket does not correct a mis-hit as easily as, for example, a Wilson Blade or a Babolat Pure Strike does. On the other hand, this Yonex VCORE Pro 97 310 is much faster and this ensures, among other things, that heavy spin balls can be hit easily. The attack can also be initiated quickly with this frame.
Service
The VCORE Pro is a dream from the service line! This racket allows the player to serve with incredible speed without too much effort, while still maintaining a decent amount of control. In my opinion, this is one of the best performing rackets on the market when it comes to serving.
Just
A lot of control, that is the advantage of this frame at the net. However, the Yonex VCORE Pro is not the most stable frame at the net. All in all, this racket performs quite normally at the net.
Power/Control
This racket does not have a particularly high swingweight, which means that the racket is not very heavy in the front. As a result, the power must come mainly from a fast swing, or from the player himself. It is easy to get a fast swing with this frame, and this is also easy to control.
Comfort
This racket is not particularly comfortable but certainly not uncomfortable either, it is somewhere in between. In terms of comfort, the racket is quite comparable to a Head Prestige.
Bottom line
This Yonex VCORE Pro 97 310 is very similar to its predecessor in terms of playability, the big difference is the ''feel'' of the racket. Compared to other rackets on the market, it is particularly noticeable that this racket combines maneuverability and control very well. This combination makes the racket extremely suitable for attacking players. The spin that comes from the racket is also excessive. For the rest, the racket excels in service, excellent quality control, and its beautiful looks. This frame is unique in terms of playing characteristics, many players can reap the benefits of this and this frame is therefore highly recommended for a demo!