Looking for a maneuverable racket to replace my Yonex VCore 100

[Pavel]

Hi all,

I've been playing with my Yonex VCore 100 2023 for almost 1 year now and recently had a chance to compare it to the Head Prestige MP L 2023. And I was shocked how much faster the Prestige was. It was much easier for me to play with it, the game felt much faster, I managed to hit the balls which I previously just couldn't hit properly because I was too slow, and my flat forehands stayed in the court.

Such a drastic difference, so now I am thinking which racket to replace my VCore 100 with. It is still a great racket, just not for me it seems. I guess that I am too slow for it and need something different.

I play tennis for 2 years. I take it seriously and want to progress.
I am looking for a faster racket with more control, I want the racket to feel good and be comfortable. I hit a lot of flat shots from the baseline, so I need a racket which would be good for both flat and topspin shots but I am not looking for a spin heavy racket.
I was looking at Head Prestige MP L 2023, as I have already tried it and liked it.
Other options would be Head Radical MP 2023, Head Speed MP 2022 or Head Speed MP 2024. Unfortunately I don't have an ability to try and compare them.

Any suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Bill Lobsalot]

EZONE light. Very powerful and quick.

 

[Pavel]

Thank you very much for the response. Do you mean EZONE 100L or EZONE 98L? Some people say that it might be too powerful and hard to control, what do you think? How does it compare to the Radical or Speed?

 

[2ndServe]

EZONE light. Very powerful and quick.

is that not too head heavy?

 

[Bill Lobsalot]

Thank you very much for the response. Do you mean EZONE 100L or EZONE 98L? Some people say that it might be too powerful and hard to control, what do you think? How does it compare to the Radical or Speed?

100L. Haven't hit those other rackets. String it tight with poly and you can control it. I can really get a lot of wrist action with mine. I have compact strokes.

 

[Bill Lobsalot]

is that not too head heavy?

I couldn't say. I don't get stuck with fine details. I can whip it really fast with a lot of wrist.

 

[Brouss]

- Head Extrême Tour 98, bon spin. Rapide et facile à jouer. Bon équilibre puissance/contrôle
- Wilson Shift 99 ou 99L
- Vcore 98L ou Ezone 98
- Prince Tour 100 290

 

[ulunxtns]

Since you said you're more of a flat hitter, try Ezone 98, Radical MP or Boom MP.

 

[GimmeBackMyDog]

I like and play an Head Extreme Tour.

I think you should at least try it.

Second would be the Head Prestige MP you've already played and liked.

As a third suggestion, I might even put the Boom MP above the Radical MP and Speed MP on the suggestion list.

But sometimes you never know what you're going to like until you hit it.

 

[esm]

Before spending the money on a new racquet, I can suggest to adjust the head balance on the VCore100 to a more HL balance and see how you go with it.
Bluetac is much cheaper than a new racquet. lol

 

[TheBoom]

Hi all,

I've been playing with my Yonex VCore 100 2023 for almost 1 year now and recently had a chance to compare it to the Head Prestige MP L 2023. And I was shocked how much faster the Prestige was. It was much easier for me to play with it, the game felt much faster, I managed to hit the balls which I previously just couldn't hit properly because I was too slow, and my flat forehands stayed in the court.

Such a drastic difference, so now I am thinking which racket to replace my VCore 100 with. It is still a great racket, just not for me it seems. I guess that I am too slow for it and need something different.

I play tennis for 2 years. I take it seriously and want to progress.
I am looking for a faster racket with more control, I want the racket to feel good and be comfortable. I hit a lot of flat shots from the baseline, so I need a racket which would be good for both flat and topspin shots but I am not looking for a spin heavy racket.
I was looking at Head Prestige MP L 2023, as I have already tried it and liked it.
Other options would be Head Radical MP 2023, Head Speed MP 2022 or Head Speed MP 2024. Unfortunately I don't have an ability to try and compare them.

Any suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Maybe try the Vcore 98? It’ll be similar to what you’re using, a bit more maneuverable, and Yonex are more forgiving than their head size would suggest. It’ll give you rooms to grow as your game develops as well.

That said, you’re pretty early on in your tennis journey and unless you’re suffering from pain, I’d stick with your current racket. It’ll help you a lot in the long run if you stick with the frame for a few years while you improve and groove your strokes. The Vcore 100 is a great frame to grow with!

 

[Pavel]

Thank you so much, everyone, for the suggestions.

I have several points to clarify based on the recommendations:

1. What do you think about a 98 head size for someone with my level of playing experience (2 years)? A lot of people suggest avoiding them until you reach a certain level. I haven't had the chance to play with a 98 head size racket yet, but I haven't had any issues with a 99-inch head size.
2. I suppose that I need a racket with a lighter head. What would be the better options to check out, like the Boom MP or Wilson Blade maybe?

I am worried that I might end up with a racket that is "harder to use" at my level. I just don't know what to expect from 98 head size rackets or whether I might have difficulties "taming" powerful rackets like the Ezone or Boom MP.
I am also concerned that the Speed MP for example might be too head-heavy for me, especially since I already find a similarly spec'd Vcore 100 too slow.

 

[ulunxtns]

Thank you so much, everyone, for the suggestions.

I have several points to clarify based on the recommendations:

1. What do you think about a 98 head size for someone with my level of playing experience (2 years)? A lot of people suggest avoiding them until you reach a certain level. I haven't had the chance to play with a 98 head size racket yet, but I haven't had any issues with a 99-inch head size.
2. I suppose that I need a racket with a lighter head. What would be the better options to check out, like the Boom MP or Wilson Blade maybe?

I am worried that I might end up with a racket that is "harder to use" at my level. I just don't know what to expect from 98 head size rackets or whether I might have difficulties "taming" powerful rackets like the Ezone or Boom MP.
I am also concerned that the Speed MP for example might be too head-heavy for me, especially since I already find a similarly spec'd Vcore 100 too slow.

Based on your description 'I play tennis for 2 years. I take it seriously and want to progress.' 98 head size is not a problem for you, especially something like Ezone 98, it feels bigger than 98 and forgiving.

If you want a lighter head, Boom MP. And Blade is harder to use than Boom MP, even compared with Blade 100.

Ezone 98 and Boom MP are not as powerful as you think. They have good controllable power, they are not rocket launchers. I'm talking about Boom MP 2024 here.

Speed MP to me is more powerful than Boom MP, both Aux 2.0 versions. Speed MP is supposed to play a little head-heavy (around 33cm balance strung), but it still swings fast through the air. I tried to add weight to the handle to make the speed mp more headlight, but it didn't work. Boom MP on the other hand is more versatile, I also think it's a good platform racquet, it takes weights very well, and you can customize it to your liking.

 

[GimmeBackMyDog]

Thank you so much, everyone, for the suggestions.

I have several points to clarify based on the recommendations:

1. What do you think about a 98 head size for someone with my level of playing experience (2 years)? A lot of people suggest avoiding them until you reach a certain level. I haven't had the chance to play with a 98 head size racket yet, but I haven't had any issues with a 99-inch head size.
2. I suppose that I need a racket with a lighter head. What would be the better options to check out, like the Boom MP or Wilson Blade maybe?

I am worried that I might end up with a racket that is "harder to use" at my level. I just don't know what to expect from 98 head size rackets or whether I might have difficulties "taming" powerful rackets like the Ezone or Boom MP.
I am also concerned that the Speed MP for example might be too head-heavy for me, especially since I already find a similarly spec'd Vcore 100 too slow.

You didn't like my Extreme Tour suggestion?

It just got a markdown and is cheaper than those other rackets.

 

[GimmeBackMyDog]

Also, I don't buy into all that stuff you're reading OP.

I started out two years ago with a couple 100 inch Pure Aero rackets. And they just didn't feel right to me for some reason.

After two and half months of playing tennis, I picked up a Pure Aero VS and immediately fell in love with it.

Sure, it was supposed to be a racket for more advanced players.

But it just worked for me.

I liked the smaller 98 inch head size and didn't find it any more difficult to hit than a 100 inch racket.

I also like the maneuverability of having more weight in the handle (6 points headlight).

I'm currently using an Extreme Tour because it has those same qualities plus a nice, soft feel.

I'm the kind of person that wants to do the hitting. I don't want the racket doing the hitting.

So a larger frame with a lot of power isn't my thing.

I want something I can hit quickly and confidently from anywhere on the court.

So I'm not really into the "I'm not good enough to play this racket" philosphy.

You use what feels right, gives you confidence and makes the game fun.

 

[_FrankTheTank_]

Thank you so much, everyone, for the suggestions.

I have several points to clarify based on the recommendations:

1. What do you think about a 98 head size for someone with my level of playing experience (2 years)? A lot of people suggest avoiding them until you reach a certain level. I haven't had the chance to play with a 98 head size racket yet, but I haven't had any issues with a 99-inch head size.
2. I suppose that I need a racket with a lighter head. What would be the better options to check out, like the Boom MP or Wilson Blade maybe?

I am worried that I might end up with a racket that is "harder to use" at my level. I just don't know what to expect from 98 head size rackets or whether I might have difficulties "taming" powerful rackets like the Ezone or Boom MP.
I am also concerned that the Speed MP for example might be too head-heavy for me, especially since I already find a similarly spec'd Vcore 100 too slow.

1. Two years can be various levels of skill. If you think you hit clean and the Prestige 99 MPL gives you enough power, you could also go for some 98s. I personally got wrist issues from switching to a 98 too early, but it disapperead after 6 months after adapting technique.
2. Wilson Blade 98 &100 both are good rackets, but depending on QC, you might get one that feel sevens less manuverable than your VC100 at your level. Boom MP 2024 is not as powerfull as you think, it got a bit softer and has a relatively HL balance given the 295g static weight. Due to the head shape it would be an easy transition from an '23 Vcore i guess.

The Speed Mp 2022 could work out for you for baseline hitting with flat und spin, 2024 semms to have more SW which mit feel sluggish.
The Rad MP '23 is harder to use than the Prestige MPL, less forgiving, you have to work to get some lift and spin, more direct, precise and powerfull. Depending on QC and string, can also feel a bit sluggish.

I also tested the Prestige MPL 23 and liked it, good compromise of everything and might be a racket to grow with, loved the paint job but just couldn't stand the shape of the head and the cap grommets.

 

[Pavel]

Thank you for the recommendations.

So, I've narrowed down the list to the following options:

1. Prestige MPL 23
2. Extreme Tour
3. Boom MP 24
4. Ezone 98

I've also heard that the Gravity MP is a good option for control and flat shots. How do you think it compares to the other options?

 

[GimmeBackMyDog]

Thank you for the recommendations.

So, I've narrowed down the list to the following options:

1. Prestige MPL 23
2. Extreme Tour
3. Boom MP 24
4. Ezone 98

I've also heard that the Gravity MP is a good option for control and flat shots. How do you think it compares to the other options?

Personally, I think that's a better list based on what you seem to be looking for. They're all headlight rackets.

The Gravity MP might be worth a try.

But it's 3 points headlight and has a 100 inch head. So I think it's going to be one those "love it or hate it" rackets.

The Gravity Pro could be a better fit for you.

It's a little bit heavier but is 6 points headlight.

I personally think you should do the demo program.

Demo the Extreme Tour, Boom MP and Ezone.

Then demo the Prestige, Gravity MP and Gravity Pro.

That way you don't have to second guess your decision.

 

[ulunxtns]

Personally, I think that's a better list based on what you seem to be looking for. They're all headlight rackets.

The Gravity MP might be worth a try.

But it's 3 points headlight and has a 100 inch head. So I think it's going to be one those "love it or hate it" rackets.

The Gravity Pro could be a better fit for you.

It's a little bit heavier but is 6 points headlight.

I personally think you should do the demo program.

Demo the Extreme Tour, Boom MP and Ezone.

Then demo the Prestige, Gravity MP and Gravity Pro.

That way you don't have to second guess your decision.

Tbh, I think Gravity Pro is way too much for a player with 2 years of experience. Of course, anyone can hit with it, but it's def not feasible for match play.