Yonex Vcore Pro 97

Curtennis

Hall of Fame
All right so I just received the sticks, and I'm surprised to see that they're quite lighter than I expected (350g strung + overgrip).
Also, it seems that the weight distribution is quite polarised (feels a little closer to my original pure strike tour actually).
15 g for strings 5 g for overgrip is pretty normal. I’d imagine that’s bang on 330…
 

smalahove

Hall of Fame
Don't know if this is know, but the info I got from my local shop mngr is that they were expecting a new Vcore Pro in august this year.
 

Curtennis

Hall of Fame
Don't know if this is know, but the info I got from my local shop mngr is that they were expecting a new Vcore Pro in august this year.
Right on the Vcore Pros official website it says September 13. Been there for months. I’m fairly excited but just decided I’m making the switch to the rf97. It just swings better than the VCP
 

smalahove

Hall of Fame
Right on the Vcore Pros official website it says September 13. Been there for months. I’m fairly excited but just decided I’m making the switch to the rf97. It just swings better than the VCP

Are you sure that's not related to the previous model? I haven't seen anything on Yonex' SoMe channels ... :unsure:
 

smalahove

Hall of Fame
I can’t be positive or anything for sure, but see for yourself: https://vcorepro.yonex.com/

go all the way to the bottom.
the picture shows green decals instead of gold like the current model.

yes, that’s the one I’ve seen as well, and that’s the emerald (2019) version. You can see the spiderweb design if you zoom in.

To the extent of my knowledge, Yonex hasn’t come out with this type of pre-release marketing with an exact date before, several months before launch.
 

PrinceYonex

Semi-Pro
Played with the blue VCP330 for a year or so, then moved on to the PT2.0 for a while, have been messing about with the TF40 as well. But recently came back to the old vcp. Such an amazing combination of feel and touch with power and stability. Beautiful frame, feels like I’m having a honeymoon phase, except it’s with a racquet that I used to play with all the time.
 
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!<-_->!

Hall of Fame
any rumors on a potential replacement in the works? not really a fan of the feel of the current line of yonex rackets w/ the vdm mesh stuff that makes it too muted.
 

PrinceYonex

Semi-Pro
any rumors on a potential replacement in the works? not really a fan of the feel of the current line of yonex rackets w/ the vdm mesh stuff that makes it too muted.
I don’t know about a new model, and truthfully I don’t really even know about the current model. The one I have is the 2018 blue one, no VDM, the feel is soft and plush but not muted — that is, it’s not at all jarring outside the sweet spot but it’s also not as if you lose a sense of the ball on the stringbed at contact.
 
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Anyone try Polytour Spin as a hybrid in the 330g version? I have some PTSp to use up and I'm wondering what a good string to pair it with might be.
 

Masato

New User
Can anyone compare the VCORE Pro 97 (310) with the Wilson Pro Labs: Ultra Pro (16x19)? I'm trying to decide which one to buy.
 
D

Deleted member 780836

Guest
Best replacement for RF97A is the new Radical Pro.
The vcore pro 330 comes very close in terms of stability, but I have a hard time imagining the radical pro's stability is anywhere close to the rf97a or 330.
 

Mischko

Professional
Radical Pro is only slightly more stable than VCore Pro 330, but both are great, just a slight difference in feel. VCore Pro also has a more similar launch angle to RF97A while Radical Pro has a slightly lower launch angle and ball trajectories, but a more similar crisp feel to RF97A
 
I don't find the radical pro that stable, at least compared to the vcore pro 97. The radical has a pretty low launch angle, which I didn't like. I switched back to the vcore because I missed the stability and the higher launch angle.
 

tata

Hall of Fame
Anyone got feedback on the current vcore pro 97 290 version? I've demoed the 310 version and quite like it but with an overgrip, it basically becomes a 315g racquet in the low 330g range when strung. This is actually pushing the upper limit in terms of weight for me, as I am fairly skinny. However, the thin beam and 97 head made it very easy to swing through when I demoed it. I was surprised how uniform and predictable it was, even with my flatter eastern grip forehand. In Australia they don't sell the 290 version, but TWE has them and it has me intrigued. I've been meaning to play as light as I can without getting pushed around too much. I find my serve is much more consistent with lighter frames. Does the 290 play similar but lighter and with a little less plow and stability? There's always the leather grip + overgrip treatment, which will get it to around 305 unstrung mark which is right in between a 290 + overgrip (~295g) and the 310 + overgrip (~315g).
 

smalahove

Hall of Fame
Anyone got feedback on the current vcore pro 97 290 version? I've demoed the 310 version and quite like it but with an overgrip, it basically becomes a 315g racquet in the low 330g range when strung. This is actually pushing the upper limit in terms of weight for me, as I am fairly skinny. However, the thin beam and 97 head made it very easy to swing through when I demoed it. I was surprised how uniform and predictable it was, even with my flatter eastern grip forehand. In Australia they don't sell the 290 version, but TWE has them and it has me intrigued. I've been meaning to play as light as I can without getting pushed around too much. I find my serve is much more consistent with lighter frames. Does the 290 play similar but lighter and with a little less plow and stability? There's always the leather grip + overgrip treatment, which will get it to around 305 unstrung mark which is right in between a 290 + overgrip (~295g) and the 310 + overgrip (~315g).

I've owned quite a few Duel G/VCore Pro 97 in both 310 and 330 g, but no 290g.
However looking at the specs, the 290 will most likely feel very different as it has an even balance when strung, as opposed the 310 and 330 which hover around 7 pts HL.
With that balance, I highly doubt the SW is going to be much lower than the 310 version, which is the important thing here: how "heavy" the racket feels to swing.
You could of course counterbalance it by tail-weighting it to get it more headlight, but that would prob lead to the same specs as a 310 version more or less (and it wouldn't change the SW).

If you think your frame is just a little too heavy to swing, you should first check what the exact measurements are, because even if Yonex has top QC, the weight varies.
One possible solution is to ask for the lightest 310 version the shop has in stock. That could well be 4-5g under spec. Just make sure the balance is close to spec, and if you can, check the SW too (or ask the shop to do it).

If you're buying from TWE, they have a paid program (around 20 euros), where they measure the specs you want, of 6 rackets that you then can chose from.
 
Anyone got feedback on the current vcore pro 97 290 version? I've demoed the 310 version and quite like it but with an overgrip, it basically becomes a 315g racquet in the low 330g range when strung. This is actually pushing the upper limit in terms of weight for me, as I am fairly skinny. However, the thin beam and 97 head made it very easy to swing through when I demoed it. I was surprised how uniform and predictable it was, even with my flatter eastern grip forehand. In Australia they don't sell the 290 version, but TWE has them and it has me intrigued. I've been meaning to play as light as I can without getting pushed around too much. I find my serve is much more consistent with lighter frames. Does the 290 play similar but lighter and with a little less plow and stability? There's always the leather grip + overgrip treatment, which will get it to around 305 unstrung mark which is right in between a 290 + overgrip (~295g) and the 310 + overgrip (~315g).

I've played all 3 of the 2018 versions, but I think they're basically identical to the 2019 versions so I'll give you my opinion.

For me, the 310 version plays a little differently than the 290 and 330 g ones. I found the 290 and 330g very control friendly but the 310 a little more powerful (or at least I struggled with directional control a bit). I'm not sure if the 310g one I got was a dud, but I missed the control I had with the 330g racquet so I tried the 290 g with some silicone in the handle and a lot of lead tape to bring it to 333g strung and I find it pretty identical to the 330g racquet, just a little lighter and slightly less powerful bc of the lower mass.

The great thing about the 290 g version is it's light enough to customise it pretty easily. If you just want a lighter 310g version then either some lead around the handle, silicone or a leather grip would probably work out pretty well for you. You probably would even have a few g left to play with, say a bit of lead at 12 or 3 & 9, if you feel like it's lacking stability. Overall, bc the stiffness and beam width are basically the same, all 3 versions are pretty similar. I for one am a huge fan of yonex offering 1 racquet in 3 different weights. The 2018 version can be had pretty cheap, maybe worth a try if you don't want to commit to it at the full price of the 2019 version.
 

!<-_->!

Hall of Fame
I've owned quite a few Duel G/VCore Pro 97 in both 310 and 330 g, but no 290g.
However looking at the specs, the 290 will most likely feel very different as it has an even balance when strung, as opposed the 310 and 330 which hover around 7 pts HL.
With that balance, I highly doubt the SW is going to be much lower than the 310 version, which is the important thing here: how "heavy" the racket feels to swing.
You could of course counterbalance it by tail-weighting it to get it more headlight, but that would prob lead to the same specs as a 310 version more or less (and it wouldn't change the SW).

If you think your frame is just a little too heavy to swing, you should first check what the exact measurements are, because even if Yonex has top QC, the weight varies.
One possible solution is to ask for the lightest 310 version the shop has in stock. That could well be 4-5g under spec. Just make sure the balance is close to spec, and if you can, check the SW too (or ask the shop to do it).

If you're buying from TWE, they have a paid program (around 20 euros), where they measure the specs you want, of 6 rackets that you then can chose from.

Have any Duel G 310 lying around you no longer use and want to unload?
 

tata

Hall of Fame
I for one am a huge fan of yonex offering 1 racquet in 3 different weights. The 2018 version can be had pretty cheap, maybe worth a try if you don't want to commit to it at the full price of the 2019 version.

Totally agree. Other brands make changes when you hop to a different weight class of the same line but yonex has kept the formula same with changes in the weight and balance mainly. It is rare to find a thin beam, sub 100 head frame in a 290 weight class.
 

smalahove

Hall of Fame
Given the listed stock spec of the 290, I can't see how it can be modded to a 310 or 330g version without placing lead in the throat.

I've had 4x 310g and 3x 330g (and tested the emerald one), and to me, the biggest difference between the 310 (stock and modded) and the 330 (stock), is that the 330 has a lot more weight in the throat area. Ime, they have different layups and it's not possible to mod a 310 to feel like a 330, anymore than you can mod a PS97 to feel like an RF97A.

Now the 310 and 330 versions have the same balance (stock), whilst the 290 is HH, so I can see how you can mod the 290 to have identical specs as a 330 but it will be more polarized. Perhaps if you add lead to the throat it will get closer, but it won't be same feel.
 
Given the listed stock spec of the 290, I can't see how it can be modded to a 310 or 330g version without placing lead in the throat.

I've had 4x 310g and 3x 330g (and tested the emerald one), and to me, the biggest difference between the 310 (stock and modded) and the 330 (stock), is that the 330 has a lot more weight in the throat area. Ime, they have different layups and it's not possible to mod a 310 to feel like a 330, anymore than you can mod a PS97 to feel like an RF97A.

Now the 310 and 330 versions have the same balance (stock), whilst the 290 is HH, so I can see how you can mod the 290 to have identical specs as a 330 but it will be morue polarized. Perhaps if you add lead to the throat it will get closer, but it won't be same feel.

I agree with everything you said. I put lead in the throat of the 290g. But in my opinion, because of the head size, beam width and stiffness, all 3 versions feel pretty similar. If someone wants a lighter version of the 330 g, the 310 g one has a pretty similar feel, just less plow and stability and is a bit more maneuverable. Same goes for the 290 g vs the 310g. If you're more sensitive to certain spec changes, for example polarized vs not, then maybe unmodded they'll feel different. But I think for most people they're pretty similar feeling and can easily be modified to fit your preference. I switch between all 3 versions, with the 290 and 310g ones being modified with lead and silicone, depending on how I feel on a certain day or who I'm playing and I don't have any trouble adjusting. They all feel like a similar racquet to me.
 

morten

Hall of Fame
My 12yo son has the 290g version, but we find it hard to find the right string.. tried msv focus hex and now 4G both at 43lbs, but not really great any of them.. he has pretty classic strokes, one handed backhand.. any advice?
 

Esque

New User
Poly tour pro 1.2mm at 46 is reasonable in the 310, but gut/poly hybrid is what I loved in mine. 53/50 with 1.3 gut and either Alu rough, poly tour strike or pro in the cross.

Wow are you me? I’m using emerald 310 with Babolat VS mains at 53 and Alu rough cross at 50. Leather grip. It’s fantastic.
 
Tried the full 4G again yesterday in my sons 290g. Really terrible, stiff, no sweetspot..
I've never used 4g but I believe it's a pretty low powered string designed for durability, so maybe not the best for a light racquet and a 12 year old. Polytour pro works pretty well in the 290g. I also like solinco confidential. I find both a bit too powerful for me, but I would think they'd be ok for a 12 year old. ALU power is also good, but expensive, but should be cheaper than 4g.
 

Curtennis

Hall of Fame
Very surprised…. My 310 that I sold on the big auction site came back to me. That site has zero help for sellers…

Now I’m back with a pristine condition, stock racquet that I’m just going to keep. I’m excited to play around with it again. Almost like I ordered a whole new racquet

I will try getting it well above the 330 variation in terms of weight. After playing my best tennis ever with the RF97 im beginning to think this whole weight thing is way overblown. I don’t think 310 to 320 to 340 grams is really a big deal. Looking forward to getting this pup up to a 360 or so swing weight, properly counter balanced :)
 

PrinceYonex

Semi-Pro
Very surprised…. My 310 that I sold on the big auction site came back to me. That site has zero help for sellers…

Now I’m back with a pristine condition, stock racquet that I’m just going to keep. I’m excited to play around with it again. Almost like I ordered a whole new racquet

I will try getting it well above the 330 variation in terms of weight. After playing my best tennis ever with the RF97 im beginning to think this whole weight thing is way overblown. I don’t think 310 to 320 to 340 grams is really a big deal. Looking forward to getting this pup up to a 360 or so swing weight, properly counter balanced :)
Did you end up weighing up the vcp310 to 360gm? How did it work out for you?
I recently brought the weight on mine down a bit, from 345 to 335. Feels whippy, cuts through the air fast, really nice for generating bigger spin.
I’m playing with the previous, navy blue model. I moved on from the frame a number of times, but keep coming back to it. Love the thin beam and feel of the flex.
 

cortado

Professional
Very surprised…. My 310 that I sold on the big auction site came back to me. That site has zero help for sellers…

Now I’m back with a pristine condition, stock racquet that I’m just going to keep. I’m excited to play around with it again. Almost like I ordered a whole new racquet

I will try getting it well above the 330 variation in terms of weight. After playing my best tennis ever with the RF97 im beginning to think this whole weight thing is way overblown. I don’t think 310 to 320 to 340 grams is really a big deal. Looking forward to getting this pup up to a 360 or so swing weight, properly counter balanced :)
Just watch you don't put too much weight at 3 and 9. Pros can have a ton of lead at 3 and 9 because their pro-stock frame has really low twist-weight to start with. The frames we buy have higher twist-weight to start with. I tried to weight a racquet up to see what 340g strung would feel like, but because I put 10g in the hoop with 8g split across 3 and 9 it became so sluggish to swing.
 

mpournaras

Hall of Fame
Tennisspin said q1-22 for vcore pro in a YouTube video he’s since made private. Ezone was 2020, VCore 2021, and VCore Pro in 2022. Probably at the AO 2022.
I heard today that it would be coming Fall 2021? Interesting

It is going to be very purple with green mixed in predominantly at 3/9 o'clock if I recall. No information on specs. We need more purple rackets
 

emaz8724

Rookie
I heard today that it would be coming Fall 2021? Interesting

It is going to be very purple with green mixed in predominantly at 3/9 o'clock if I recall. No information on specs. We need more purple rackets
I’d love if Yonex can make a sweet feeling racquet to compete with the blade v8, but TW staff said they have nothing penciled in for Yonex in Q3. I called Yonex to confirm, and the Yonex customer service concurred that there wasn’t an upcoming release b/c new Vcores just launched. I hope you’re right though!
 

mpournaras

Hall of Fame
I’d love if Yonex can make a sweet feeling racquet to compete with the blade v8, but TW staff said they have nothing penciled in for Yonex in Q3. I called Yonex to confirm, and the Yonex customer service concurred that there wasn’t an upcoming release b/c new Vcores just launched. I hope you’re right though!
Maybe prototypes will be sent out Q3. Manufacturers seem to be doing that now with every release.

The VCPro already feels great IMO. Way more maneuverable too... at the cost of a bit of stability. But thats physics for you
 

emaz8724

Rookie
Maybe prototypes will be sent out Q3. Manufacturers seem to be doing that now with every release.

The VCPro already feels great IMO. Way more maneuverable too... at the cost of a bit of stability. But thats physics for you

I demoed the vcore pro 310 and the new vcore 95, and I thought the vcp felt anemic and just kind of hollow. The vcore 95 was better and I really enjoyed the flex in the throat. Both racquets felt stiff in the hoop, esp for 64 RA. I just prefer the feel of my blade v7 better. Hope that Yonex knocks this next release out of the park.
 

Curtennis

Hall of Fame
I demoed the vcore pro 310 and the new vcore 95, and I thought the vcp felt anemic and just kind of hollow. The vcore 95 was better and I really enjoyed the flex in the throat. Both racquets felt stiff in the hoop, esp for 64 RA. I just prefer the feel of my blade v7 better. Hope that Yonex knocks this next release out of the park.
I have to agree that the 310 just overall feels like a weak racquet all around. V7 blade just trumps it every step of the way.
the Vcore 95 also felt better than the 310, but I couldn’t bring myself to use a 95, something psychological about it I guess.
 

mpournaras

Hall of Fame
Its purdy
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Arjuntino

Rookie
Anyone have thoughts on the new 2021 vcore pro 97 310. I was about to but the 2019 (green one). Is the hype in the reviews real, or just marketing. Seems the biggest difference in the specs is the flex.
 

Johnny505

Semi-Pro
Anyone have thoughts on the new 2021 vcore pro 97 310. I was about to but the 2019 (green one). Is the hype in the reviews real, or just marketing. Seems the biggest difference in the specs is the flex.

Brands need to sell rackets to make $$$, of course they'll say the new version is the best yet, not knocking Yonex, all of them are the same.

Buy based on how well you play with it, not on cosmetics and because its the new version.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Anyone have thoughts on the new 2021 vcore pro 97 310. I was about to but the 2019 (green one). Is the hype in the reviews real, or just marketing. Seems the biggest difference in the specs is the flex.

Well we have to wait and see but I suspect, based on early reviews that the feel is better and the stability has been improved. I think this frame may now be able to compete with the Blades, especially if someone wants less plow and more whip, and also more net clearance. That's my guess so far, Ill have mine when they release.
 

Wheelz

Hall of Fame
Anyone played extensivly with the vcore pro 100 ? I'm curious to have a comparaison (currently playing with ezone98 for a year) with my current racquet, pro 97 310 version and maybe even the vcore 95. I also have a UT in my bag if that could be a useful comparaison for power and feel. I imagine the 97 vcore pro being a tad more power and spin then the UT, but similar feel, touch and ease of use at the net (and general all court shots). I imagine the 100 being anoter step more power and spin (similar to ezone98?) while still keeping some touch and feel, maybe less easy to move around at the net give its higher twist weight.
I'd probably get the 100/97 close to my specs 334g, 31.6, 325sw give or take.

I'm talking about the green 2019 version...
 

halfpast

New User
Hi, I have the 2019 emerald green vcp97 inherited from my acquaintance. Today out of curiosity I decided to look up the butt cap, and was surprised to see some silicone in 1 out of 2 chambers. I generally don't customise racquets, and I don't think it is factory, so I hope I could remove it, but before just wanted to check with the audience if Im not doing something stupid.

 

Classic-TXP-IG MID

Hall of Fame
Hi, I have the 2019 emerald green vcp97 inherited from my acquaintance. Today out of curiosity I decided to look up the butt cap, and was surprised to see some silicone in 1 out of 2 chambers. I generally don't customise racquets, and I don't think it is factory, so I hope I could remove it, but before just wanted to check with the audience if Im not doing something stupid.


Do you like how it plays?

If so, why change thinngs?
 

Curtennis

Hall of Fame
Hi, I have the 2019 emerald green vcp97 inherited from my acquaintance. Today out of curiosity I decided to look up the butt cap, and was surprised to see some silicone in 1 out of 2 chambers. I generally don't customise racquets, and I don't think it is factory, so I hope I could remove it, but before just wanted to check with the audience if Im not doing something stupid.

Weigh it unstrung on a kitchen scale. If it weighs the right amount you know it probably came factory. Yonex static weights are almost never more than 5 grams off target, if that.
 
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