Tester
Tested racket
The Yonex VCore Pro 97-310 is now available in our webshop, including free stringing of your choice!
Intro
New this fall is the dark green Yonex VCORE Pro 97 (310 grams) the lighter brother of the Wawrinka percussion iron. For this test opportunity I took my old Yonex VCORE Duel G out of the closet to make a comparison with this renewed VCORE Pro. I was a fan of the Duel G and am very curious how this modern version plays.
Yonex has once again succeeded in producing a beautiful looking racket. The paint is matt green with subtle shades of brighter green, highlighted with matt gold logos. The newly applied technology is focused on control and shock absorption.
Baseline Yonex VCORE Pro 97 310
The Yonex VCORE Pro 97-310 has a thin frame that provides sufficient power and a lot of control. The racket absorbs almost all vibrations, making a dampener actually unnecessary. The RA value of 64 offers a good balance between stiffness and flexibility, and although the VCORE Pro is not as flexible as the EZONE DR 98 , it is still more flexible than other rackets such as the Babolat Pure Strike and Wilson Blade .
Stephan, who hits flat balls with a long, fast Eastern grip, finds that this racquet enhances his playing style. The weight and stability of the frame allow him to easily get length in his strokes. Compared to lighter racquets such as the Head Gravity MP, it is easier to hit powerful, controlled shots. Although the racquet does not generate as much spin as the VCORE 98 , it offers unparalleled control on flat shots.
Both forehands and backhands Stephan was able to hit the balls with high speed against the lines. The combination of length and control is excellent from the baseline. Compared to his EZONE DR 98 the balls stay within the lines more easily with the VCORE Pro 97-310. The open 16x19 string pattern contributes to the ease of play.
Volleys and service
About the volleys I can be brief, just like with the VCORE 98. They go fantastic! Better than with my EZONE 98. The narrow, more box beam-like frame is very easy to maneuver. If you are powerful enough to get the racket around, the YONEX VCore PRO 97 is really a dream for every net player. Partly due to the large sweet spot, putting away volleys is a piece of cake. Hard incoming shots can be parried well without the frame becoming unstable. Many times people looked surprised when my volleys came back after a seemingly devastating ball straight at me. That makes me happy. The service also goes well with this VCORE Pro 97 of 310 grams. The frame is just heavy enough to be able to put enough mass in the ball, so that flat serves come through hard. What is remarkable here is that the power never becomes uncontrollable. The second service can also easily be provided with a venomous kick or slice effect due to the large sweet spot.
Comfort
Compared to my VCORE Duel G (yes, I also have this Yonex model in my collection), this frame feels a bit crispier, but that certainly does not make it arm unfriendly. On the contrary: the new technology absorbs vibrations even more, which makes the racket feel very nice.
Conclusion
All in all, Yonex has definitely gone one step further. This VCORE PRO 97-310 is the more refined version of the Duel G. Without compromising the core competence of the racket, Yonex has made the racket more comfortable but also kept it super stable. This new VCORE PRO 97 310 is with its relatively low RA value and fine control an absolute must for the serious baseliner. In my opinion a very high-quality competitor of the Wilson Blade 98 or the Babolat Pure Strike. In short, a must demo!!
The Yonex VCORE Pro 97-310 is now available in our webshop , including free stringing of your choice!