ryushen21
Legend
Yeah, I'm skeptical on the 8 mains in the throat. Don't mind the beam shape though.
I didn't even notice I'd hit legend.
2021 Yonex VCore Pro Official Thread
- Thread starter ryushen21
- Start date
I didn't even notice I'd hit legend.
Saitamaxpunch1
Rookie
Review from Tennisnerd is live!
puppybutts
Hall of Fame
- Throat supposedly is 1/2 inch longer, so the extra beam thickness is to help stabilize this, not necessarily to add more power (I agree with this theory, as the RA also went down, so I don't think the beam thickness is going to impact power level much compared to previous version...with all their media emphasizing additional "flex," I'm actually concerned the line will lose power)
- Yonex QA was always the best, but even they struggle to QC swingweight perfectly. That makes the 330's higher swingweight more of a concern to me personally
- I'm not really a fan of low flex, thick beam racquets. Obviously it's still thin beamed, but that approach is in the Head Speed Pro and the Yonex Ezone Tour, and I feel like the result is something that has the worst of both worlds, slow warbly vibrations from low flex, but still a stiff feeling from the thick beam. Can't wait to demo one to see where this lands...
- People are saying the 2019 version is already selling out...I'm hoping it will go on sale before they all sell out.
- Yonex seems to be mastering the art of polarizing paint jobs people love or hate. I myself feel polarized about it....at a distance it looks like a cool galaxy effect, up close I feel like I'm holding some beauty youtuber's makeup palette
- Yonex QA was always the best, but even they struggle to QC swingweight perfectly. That makes the 330's higher swingweight more of a concern to me personally
- I'm not really a fan of low flex, thick beam racquets. Obviously it's still thin beamed, but that approach is in the Head Speed Pro and the Yonex Ezone Tour, and I feel like the result is something that has the worst of both worlds, slow warbly vibrations from low flex, but still a stiff feeling from the thick beam. Can't wait to demo one to see where this lands...
- People are saying the 2019 version is already selling out...I'm hoping it will go on sale before they all sell out.
- Yonex seems to be mastering the art of polarizing paint jobs people love or hate. I myself feel polarized about it....at a distance it looks like a cool galaxy effect, up close I feel like I'm holding some beauty youtuber's makeup palette
Syfo-Dias
Professional
Did you use calipers to measure? Trying to differentiate 1mm difference with a ruler or tape measure is kinda tough.
flanker2000fr
Hall of Fame
Both the commodities price and the shipping rates are at an all time high for the past 6 months, so the manufacturers have to reflect this into their retail prices.
Krulik
New User
August 24th they launch in the US market.
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
Weren't you always a legend...
TW is just slow to recognise it
. But they got there in the end.
408tennisguy
Semi-Pro
Comparing the specs the new Vcore 97 (310) looks like a lower cost Regna 98.
Same balance, same weight
1 inch less headsize,1 mm less beam width, similar swingweight, drop in stiffness which could be compared to the characteristic that makes the Regna stand out the most (the flex in the throat).
Hmmmmmm........
Same balance, same weight
1 inch less headsize,1 mm less beam width, similar swingweight, drop in stiffness which could be compared to the characteristic that makes the Regna stand out the most (the flex in the throat).
Hmmmmmm........
I’m not a fan of sub 320 swing weight. Loss in stability isn’t worth the extra whippiness, imo. Hopefully the specs are from a limited batch, and get updated to upper 320s.Comparing the specs the new Vcore 97 (310) looks like a lower cost Regna 98.
Same balance, same weight
1 inch less headsize,1 mm less beam width, similar swingweight, drop in stiffness which could be compared to the characteristic that makes the Regna stand out the most (the flex in the throat).
Hmmmmmm........
408tennisguy
Semi-Pro
I bet there will be some variance in the racquets that the stores will get. You might be lucky to get some with upper 320s, just bring a scale or do the TW matching service.
celito
Professional
In case anyone missed the rough renders that got posted today
WOW !!! Reminds me a lot of the Wilson Pro Staff 5.8 lite from the 90s.
BoxbeamsFTW
Semi-Pro
I know. I just meant it looked like you were comparing $200 US prices to Australia's $370-390. Racquets in Australia were closer to around $300 for them there not long ago. Exchange rate historically being around 1 Aussie dollar to 65-70 US cents. So $200 US to $300 AUD was fair, except minimum wage and cost of living is different. They're both higher in Aus. Minimum wage in the US is still the basically the same and low so this sucks.
Glad I'm not the only one who's noticed and not appreciated this anyway.
It would be really tough, but still quite doable. I think they may have increased by a tiny margin anyway and rounded it off to not upset us.
I don't use it as a be-all or final guide or whatever, but becoming familiar with how TW likes to describe racquets, I'm pretty certain this generation won't be much lower in power over the previous. Power in the 97D over the HD will be larger.
They mention "Ultimately, with some impressive changes to the beam and layup" for the 320 97D, I don't believe they normally or deliberately straight-up lie.
They state for the 310 "Ultimately, with this 2021 update to the VCORE PRO 97, Yonex has checked all the right boxes." Kind of strange if they mention this if they lowered the power on the 310 even more....
For the Pro 100 300g, they begin with the "2021 VCORE PRO 100 is ideal for intermediate and advanced players in search of controllable power" and they list it as having a low-medium power level and medium-full or fast swing style and swing speed. But the overall flex is still lower at 63 from 66 RA and it still has the new technologies, so some power should really be there along with more flex.
These will perform well and have power, as long as you can move them. They just made them a bit harder to use. This racquet will certainly turn heads anyway. Maybe the 97D will be my new fun racquet over the TF40.
Strayfire
Rookie
Big sticker shock to me and I thought the $350 Vcore 95 was bad...
The price on the outgoing VCP 2019 series was $330 AUD (~$243 USD) which is very close to the $239. After tax the Australian price could be cheaper (esp if you live in Manhattan, NY).
I've noticed lately that TennisOnly seems to be inflating the pre-order price by about $10-20 so I guess it's worth waiting a least a little while.
Tennis racquet price inflation seems to be going nuts lately. Hopefully it calms down after the pandemic.
408tennisguy
Semi-Pro
Japanese tennis racquet pricing is the highest inflation I've ever seen compared to the US. I wonder how it is compared to Australian pricing. Tennis only in Australia had a deep discount for the prior genereation Vcore pros, but I dont think Japan followed suit
Doubles specialist
Rookie
US release is Aug 24th.
smalahove
Hall of Fame
Used a tape measure, but started a few cm in, using the exact same procedure, and both were as close to 21 mm as you can get using the eye and a tape measure as a control instruments. Btw my eyesight and visual judgment is pretty good; I can spot a pixel misplacement on most computer screens.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
310 97 sounds like the way to go. I loved the old version but it needed lead and it sounds like this one may not. Also the feel of the 2019 frames was fantastic, and it sounds like these are even better. I may have to grab one for this reason, although I'd be surprised if it can overtake my PKs. It's still nice to have a really soft frame in the bag.
Notorious_Junkballer
Hall of Fame
Me too. Vcore 95 2018 is my current frame.
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
Interesting. It will also come down to where the material is at within the frame (how it's distributed), and for me personally, the balance of the racquet.
My Blade Pro 16x19 played well in stock form, but I prefer a more HL balance in general. In stock form it was 308g, 320mm balance (from memory), and 313 SW unstrung (which would make it around 343 strung - string dependent), after modifying it with weight in the head and handle it ended up 343g, 305mm balance, and 324 SW unstrung (which would make it around 361g, 315mm balance, and 354 SW when strung - string dependent). Even though it is heavier in static weight and SW, the modified BP 16x19 swings and plays easier for me because it has a much more HL balance after modification (12 pts HL unstrung and approx 9 pts HL strung - like the RF97A).
The amount of weight and it's location/distribution within the frame was significantly changed post-modification, and as a result the racquet played very differently.
Just my 2 cents.
Nate7-5
Hall of Fame
This is my opinion on swingweight...
#1: It's not a spec listed by Yonex and there are probably minor differences between frames.
#2: These minor differences in swingweight could be even more exaggerated depending on the type of string and gauge of string that is installed.
I just traded my VCore98 for a VCore95 which came with PolyTour Air 1.25mm. I measured it at 320 swingweight on a Gosen machine. I just replaced it with Solinco Confidential 1.15mm and now it reads 313.5 swingweight on the same Gosen machine.
I also had an interesting swingweight experience with the navy VCP 330g. When I bought it, the first string I put in it was Völkl Cyclone Tour 16g (1.30mm). I've come to discover this is one of the heaviest poly strings out there. In the VCP 330g, I was above 330sw and the racquet had that strong inertia feeling where if you swung it very hard, it was difficult to stop. Now I have TierOne 18g Firewire Boost installed and it's much more manageable. The Yonex triangle dampener is 4g+ and you can take 3g off the string bed by changing it to a Tourna Sampras or Luxilon purple ring dampener.
So when TW lists a "swingweight strung" - with what strings? There really isnt a standard. So I'll reserve judgement until I get to demo them myself.
And no offense to TennisNerd but I'd be more interested in a review from someone that uses the 320g HD most of the time to compare it to the new 97D.
#1: It's not a spec listed by Yonex and there are probably minor differences between frames.
#2: These minor differences in swingweight could be even more exaggerated depending on the type of string and gauge of string that is installed.
I just traded my VCore98 for a VCore95 which came with PolyTour Air 1.25mm. I measured it at 320 swingweight on a Gosen machine. I just replaced it with Solinco Confidential 1.15mm and now it reads 313.5 swingweight on the same Gosen machine.
I also had an interesting swingweight experience with the navy VCP 330g. When I bought it, the first string I put in it was Völkl Cyclone Tour 16g (1.30mm). I've come to discover this is one of the heaviest poly strings out there. In the VCP 330g, I was above 330sw and the racquet had that strong inertia feeling where if you swung it very hard, it was difficult to stop. Now I have TierOne 18g Firewire Boost installed and it's much more manageable. The Yonex triangle dampener is 4g+ and you can take 3g off the string bed by changing it to a Tourna Sampras or Luxilon purple ring dampener.
So when TW lists a "swingweight strung" - with what strings? There really isnt a standard. So I'll reserve judgement until I get to demo them myself.
And no offense to TennisNerd but I'd be more interested in a review from someone that uses the 320g HD most of the time to compare it to the new 97D.
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Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
100% agree with everything you said.
I think the only way to really know and be able to judge something is your personal experience, because for all of us that is really the only thing that counts.
I too would want to hear from someone that has played with the 97HD and used it as their main racquet or for a prolonged period, and then can make a comparison between it (HD) and the new 97D.
Absolutely! I do prefer the balance of the RF97 more than the VCP330. My VCP330 with leather grip and about 20 g of lead in the butt plays so much easier. Motivated by all this talk, I did a quick check on the specs last night. 383g strung, 365 SW, 30.9cm balance! As much as I love the racquet at this spec, I do hope to find something that's similar but easier to use. Unlikely to be the new 97H, maybe a modified VCP97 or the blue/orange 310.
smalahove
Hall of Fame
VCore 95 2018 >>>> VCP 97 310 2021
It's always difficult to gauge someone's else opinion on frames, without knowing their preferences.
Even though I usually love thinner, maneuverable frames, not all of them manage the trade-off between feel and control on the on side, and power and forgiveness on the other. And the new VCP 97 is a frame that falls right in between, and does nothing exceptionally well imo. The 2018 VCore 95 is one of the few frames that felt fantastic from the first hit, even though it is low on power. It's my favorite Yonex racket so far, but the 95 sq in size makes it hard to stay competitive against better players (for me).
I play with the new VCore 95, and it seems to me the dampening tech (VDM) has removed a lot of _the_ feel the old one had (rather than the beam change).
It's much more stable, doesn't need lead, is more forgiving, and as a result is more solid at net and from the baseline f.inst. But it's lost the feel and confidence I got from the previous gen. Based on the TennisSpin feedback of the Regna 98 and comparison to the 2018 version of the VCore 95, I'm tempted to try that one. Can't understand how Tennisnerd thinks this frame is a "player's frame" continuation of the previous models. Otoh, I only tried the emerald one briefly, and that has VDM as well, so it might be closer. But it's def a Pure Strike direction, rather than a Prestige one imo.
This is how I would rate the Yonex frames I've owned:
- VCore 95 2018
- Duel G97 310
- VCore 95 2020
- VCORE Pro 97 310 (blue)
- VCore 98 2018
- Duel G 100 (16x19 pattern)
- Ezone/DR 100
- Ezone/DR 98
- VCore 100
Power Player
Bionic Poster
You have already hit with the new VCP 97?
smalahove
Hall of Fame
Yes, I got to demo it for a week or so, just after the shop I normally use got demos of all the new VCP rackets in.
Here's some copy-paste of other posts I've made regarding how it plays:
I played against some ok heavy hitters, and it held up nice. I loved it on my (2H) BH side, probably due to the more generous sweet zone and laugh angle compared to my VC95. On serves and FH it felt a little sluggish and low powered, coming from the whippy VC95. But that's something I also experienced with the previous versions of the VCP97 (and was why I switched to the VC95, red one).
I think this will be a divisive racket for the VCP fans, as it represents a clear step towards a more modern type of 97/98 frame.
[...]
With regards to playability, this is a solid racket, but imo, it will not be everyone's cup of tea, esp previous DG/VCP owners.
Yonex has taken this racket a further step in the Pure Strike 98 / Blade 98 direction, from the previous Prestige-type feel.
But just as the Extreme Tour, I feel this frame lacks a bit of free power, esp. given the muted feel, which normally trades touch and control, with a bit more free pop.
[...]
More muted than the blue and emerald one imo.
Muted is a difficult description, as it can be positive (more comfortable, more solid, better forgiveness) and negative (less feel).
A better player than me would be able to swing harder and perhaps bring the racket more to life.
The one thing I'm wondering, is if Yonex should have made the frame stiffer to unlock more power. But that would have been an even larger departure from the previous VCP.
[...]
Even though I might seem a bit reluctant, this is still a frame that I would put on the list of frames I would consider switching (back) too: VCore 95 '18, Duel G97 (310g) and a few I haven't tried yet: VCore 98 '21, Radical MP+, Radical Pro+, the 2021 Prestige 98, and a few others I can't remember atm.
Also wrote this:
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Power Player
Bionic Poster
Nice. This actually sounds promising to me. I love the muted feel of the v7 blade, very classic. Pure strike 98 was too muted for me though. Babolat lost their way in the feel category with those frames imo.
The vcp sweet spot typically explodes on good contact like the v7 blade does. Sounds like a crisper string like tour sniper would play well in it.
smalahove
Hall of Fame
I think this line *might* be a good for those who like the Blade V7, but then again I've never gel'ed with the Blade line unf.
Even though tennisnerd had some serious SW on his demos, the one I demo'ed (310) lacked plow and pop, so compared to the plow-machine that the Blade V7 is, I'd def check the specs before buying (or demo).
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
Careful though it does have VDM which in my opinion takes all the feel away.
ryushen21
Legend
I'm wondering if they overdid the VDM in the VCP line. Or like as @Power Player mentioned, a crisp string is needed to improve the feel.
After my recent experience and switch over to the VCore 100, I can tell that the EZone I was using was definitely too muted where the VCore has more feel and feedback.
FuzzyYellowBalls
Legend
The "Green" version of the VC Pro HD has more feel than 90% of sticks even with VDM, just needs 48 lbs or lower tension, and it has the most feel of any racket I tried if you use full bed of natural gut.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
I didn't mind it in the last VCPro HD. It was a battle between that one and the Blade v7 for me. I went Blade because it was a bit easier to use than the more traditional HD.
The feel of that HD was top notch.
J
joohan
Guest
Higher SW than Tour G 330? Well...good luck with that.
!<-_->!
Hall of Fame
Paintjob aside, the frame looks like the old Paradorn Srichaphan / Mary Pierce racquet
RD Ti-80 was a nice frame. Both the bronze colorway and the red/blue you're showing were also very clean. A bit tinny though iirc.
bingo lol
BoxbeamsFTW
Semi-Pro
But you don't want lavender-scented strings?
I also think 9 pts HL or 315mm balance for a 27 inch racquet in general is the way to go to get maximum maneuverability from a racquet. There is a little bit of give either way depending on the frame, but that looks like the sweetspot.
Serious answer though being more like they want a racquet in the Vcore Pro family that's also accessible to stronger juniors but who are not kids. Adults yes can just add lead. Grab 'em while they're young.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Yy just seems to generally like lower SWs. Its wild. Kyrgios is at around 322 so i guess it works for some.
Some frames do well with less swingweight too. Its a tough call there. I could never get the lead to work how i wanted in the 2019 310.
Some frames do well with less swingweight too. Its a tough call there. I could never get the lead to work how i wanted in the 2019 310.
