Ok so I just went through a racquet testing phase which I haven’t done in 5 years and wanted to share thoughts for consideration with
@galapagos reviews.
I am a very different player with very different strokes. Less of a guiding type and more of a fast twitch and play naturally with lots of top on forehand.
Vcore 98 2023.
I really wanted to like it. Could not miss backhands but could not hit forehands with it.
It feels like there is a lot of mass at the head which makes it very hard to whip - which is ironic given it is a spin racquet. When I do connect however the ball just explodes and I go ‘holy mother what just happened’? However that doesn’t happen enough. It also flexes more in the throat (like the great DR) which some may not like. I think it suits more of a linear swing given how well my bh performs.
Based on your review of the 95 you wanted more plow - I think you should give the ‘23 98 a go because if nothing else, that is what it has! It plays chunkier than its specs.
I prefer the SV line of old.
Head Speed MP
If we judge racquets purely on performance, this one is top notch. Does everything well (not just ok) but it’s boring to play with. Plus it’s a lot like my tc 100 (constant beam powerful 100). The tc100 feels much better but is more powerful (harder to control). If this was my racquet review I’d be giving it higher score than the tc95 - yes I think it’s that good performance wise.
Extreme pro
Needs lots of weight but plays well once it does. Lots of spin and shape and feels nice, but does not have X factor. Feel a bit muted and I prefer something more direct.
Aero 98
I’m switching to this bad boy over my tc100. It has that X factor extreme pro lacks. The feel is direct which I prefer (not Angell direct but enough for me to feel my way through shots). Similar if not slightly lower powered than tc 100 but way more spin potential which gives me the control and makes lives difficult for opponents.
Much more stable than tc100/95 stock. It doesn’t need lead at 3/9. Maybe at 12 to give more plow.
More powerful and spinny than tc 95. I actually control shots better with aero and they are more vicious.
Lefty sliders are stupid with this racquet and so are flat bombs.
Surprisingly comfortable even though this is subjective.
I can see why the power baseliners use some version of this frame. It is incredible. Volleys are pretty good too. It even has the versatility to let me play chip and slice, I actually control these shots better with the aero than the tc.
I don’t know if you’ll like the aero 98, but
@galapagos its definitely a racquet you should give a go!