Vcore 95 2023 alternatives

25-TENNIS

Semi-Pro
Hi!

I’m currently playing with the Vcore 95 2023 strung with Poly Tour Rev at 21kg. When serving and especially with my one-handed backhand, this racket is fantastic. I can confidently go for full backhands. However, it’s a different story with my forehand. I’m lacking some power and, more importantly, forgiveness. When I have to play a more defensive game or my footwork isn’t perfect, it’s difficult to stay in the rally. I experimented with adding lead at 12 o’clock, but I noticed little difference.

Recently, I tried the DR98, and my forehand was much better with this racket. However, I couldn’t really drive my backhand properly. I added lead to the grip to lower the balance, but it still didn’t feel right on my backhand, which is a significant issue as it’s my main weapon.

Now, I’m looking for a racket that offers a bit more free power and pop for my forehand, while still being “whippy” enough to generate power and especially spin on my one-handed backhands. An important requirement is comfort, as I’ve had an arm injury in the past. Both new and older models are an option (especially older models, since they can be found second-hand).
Do you have any suggestions?
 
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Rosstour

G.O.A.T.
Percept 97 with some lead in the head would be the easiest transition
Can't recommend these when so many of them are breaking at the throat. Known defect

And furthermore I play with a VCP97 which is what became the Percept. That racquet hits a beautiful backhand of any style, terrific overheads, but I can't make it work with my serve and FH
 
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Rosstour

G.O.A.T.
Hi!

I’m currently playing with the Vcore 95 2023 strung with Poly Tour Rev at 21kg. When serving and especially with my one-handed backhand, this racket is fantastic. I can confidently go for full backhands. However, it’s a different story with my forehand. I’m lacking some power and, more importantly, forgiveness. When I have to play a more defensive game or my footwork isn’t perfect, it’s difficult to stay in the rally. I experimented with adding lead at 12 o’clock, but I noticed little difference.

Recently, I tried the DR98, and my forehand was much better with this racket. However, I couldn’t really drive my backhand properly. I added lead to the grip to lower the balance, but it still didn’t feel right on my backhand, which is a significant issue as it’s my main weapon.

Now, I’m looking for a racket that offers a bit more free power and pop for my forehand, while still being “whippy” enough to generate power and especially spin on my one-handed backhands. An important requirement is comfort, as I’ve had an arm injury in the past. Both new and older models are an option (especially older models, since they can be found second-hand).
Do you have any suggestions?

Blade 98 or Clash 98
 

thenewbig3

Rookie
An underspec (basically all of them at this point) 22-24 Ezone 98 w/ weight specifically added at 12 only

Ive played with the VC95 (albeit 2018) extensively
 

RF2017

Rookie
I would recommend the new gravity tour 98, as the head shape is pretty similar to the vcore 95 and should give you more power while keeping the maneuverability for the most part. Another recommendation would probably be the Dunlop CX 200 if your open to customization. The last one would be the Wilson pro staff 97 for the one hand backhand while wanting more power for the forehand.
 

fuzz nation

G.O.A.T.
Hi!

I’m currently playing with the Vcore 95 2023 strung with Poly Tour Rev at 21kg. When serving and especially with my one-handed backhand, this racket is fantastic. I can confidently go for full backhands. However, it’s a different story with my forehand. I’m lacking some power and, more importantly, forgiveness. When I have to play a more defensive game or my footwork isn’t perfect, it’s difficult to stay in the rally. I experimented with adding lead at 12 o’clock, but I noticed little difference.

Recently, I tried the DR98, and my forehand was much better with this racket. However, I couldn’t really drive my backhand properly. I added lead to the grip to lower the balance, but it still didn’t feel right on my backhand, which is a significant issue as it’s my main weapon.

Now, I’m looking for a racket that offers a bit more free power and pop for my forehand, while still being “whippy” enough to generate power and especially spin on my one-handed backhands. An important requirement is comfort, as I’ve had an arm injury in the past. Both new and older models are an option (especially older models, since they can be found second-hand).
Do you have any suggestions?
The VCore 95 has enough old-school tailoring that you might want to consider a trial with the Volkl C10 Pro in case you've never sampled one in the past. I've had a long-term relationship with these (along with one or two other Volkls) and while they're not perfect, there also seems to be a whole lotta right going on in this frame.

The C10 is noted for having some hoop flex that can make it a little "tip dead", but I've found this personality quirk to be helpful in terms of accentuating the comfort I get from it. Catching the ball up higher on the string bed can be a good bit less jarring or harsh than what I'll feel with other frames having stiffer hoops. Not flimsy but nicely forgiving (I also hit a one-handed backhand).

Power - these racquets give me what feels like nearly unlimited power. They're not quite as spin-happy as other racquets I've used, but they'll turn the ball nicely if I swing deliberately across the ball for more rpm's than pure gas. I'm 58 and when I'm working out with one of the stronger high school kids I coach, these are usually best for me when I need to crack it from around the baseline.

"Whippiness" with any racquet for me is about having enough head-light (HL) balance for that racquet's static weight that I can maneuver it and swing it without too much trouble. My C10's have weight added to only their handles to give them 10-11 pts. HL balance and a static weight at 12.4-12.5 oz. A lighter frame with that much HL balance would probably be twitchy and unpredictable, but this package is a nice combo of hefty and solid, but also manageable for me.

Comfort: I have a stringing machine at home and I use either 16 or 17 ga. syn. gut in all my own frames - my arm has no tolerance for polys. I can comfortably slug with my Volkls six or seven days a week during the warmer months; low 50's (lbs.) when it's still chilly out there in late March right up to the high 50's when it's hot in the middle of the summer.

Two other racquets I've been enjoying off and on for a couple years are the Prince Phantom 97P and the Dunlop CX 200 Tour (18x20). Both give me good comfort and a remarkable degree of control, but not the same amount of thump on demand like I get with my C10's. I've done just a little tuning with both frames - the Dunlop seems to need a little more "help" here compared with the Phantom - and I'll probably experiment some more with one or both in the spring.
 

good_jello

New User
The VCore 95 has enough old-school tailoring that you might want to consider a trial with the Volkl C10 Pro in case you've never sampled one in the past. I've had a long-term relationship with these (along with one or two other Volkls) and while they're not perfect, there also seems to be a whole lotta right going on in this frame.

The C10 is noted for having some hoop flex that can make it a little "tip dead", but I've found this personality quirk to be helpful in terms of accentuating the comfort I get from it. Catching the ball up higher on the string bed can be a good bit less jarring or harsh than what I'll feel with other frames having stiffer hoops. Not flimsy but nicely forgiving (I also hit a one-handed backhand).

Power - these racquets give me what feels like nearly unlimited power. They're not quite as spin-happy as other racquets I've used, but they'll turn the ball nicely if I swing deliberately across the ball for more rpm's than pure gas. I'm 58 and when I'm working out with one of the stronger high school kids I coach, these are usually best for me when I need to crack it from around the baseline.

"Whippiness" with any racquet for me is about having enough head-light (HL) balance for that racquet's static weight that I can maneuver it and swing it without too much trouble. My C10's have weight added to only their handles to give them 10-11 pts. HL balance and a static weight at 12.4-12.5 oz. A lighter frame with that much HL balance would probably be twitchy and unpredictable, but this package is a nice combo of hefty and solid, but also manageable for me.

Comfort: I have a stringing machine at home and I use either 16 or 17 ga. syn. gut in all my own frames - my arm has no tolerance for polys. I can comfortably slug with my Volkls six or seven days a week during the warmer months; low 50's (lbs.) when it's still chilly out there in late March right up to the high 50's when it's hot in the middle of the summer.

Two other racquets I've been enjoying off and on for a couple years are the Prince Phantom 97P and the Dunlop CX 200 Tour (18x20). Both give me good comfort and a remarkable degree of control, but not the same amount of thump on demand like I get with my C10's. I've done just a little tuning with both frames - the Dunlop seems to need a little more "help" here compared with the Phantom - and I'll probably experiment some more with one or both in the spring.

I played with my friend's Volkl C10 Pro and it was comfortable even more than my Phantom was. Do you have maneuverability issues with it due to it being so heavy and headlight? That's the main knock on it based on reviews and on my playing with it. I also found the launch angle to be really low and there was even less power than I'm used to.
 

BPlain

Semi-Pro
Hi!

I’m currently playing with the Vcore 95 2023 strung with Poly Tour Rev at 21kg. When serving and especially with my one-handed backhand, this racket is fantastic. I can confidently go for full backhands. However, it’s a different story with my forehand. I’m lacking some power and, more importantly, forgiveness. When I have to play a more defensive game or my footwork isn’t perfect, it’s difficult to stay in the rally. I experimented with adding lead at 12 o’clock, but I noticed little difference.

Recently, I tried the DR98, and my forehand was much better with this racket. However, I couldn’t really drive my backhand properly. I added lead to the grip to lower the balance, but it still didn’t feel right on my backhand, which is a significant issue as it’s my main weapon.

Now, I’m looking for a racket that offers a bit more free power and pop for my forehand, while still being “whippy” enough to generate power and especially spin on my one-handed backhands. An important requirement is comfort, as I’ve had an arm injury in the past. Both new and older models are an option (especially older models, since they can be found second-hand).
Do you have any suggestions?
I've played both VC95 2023 and DR98 previously. Loved VC95 forehand feel but also found I needed more free power than it was providing. I liked the DR98 especially on forehand wing but the slightly thicker beam bothered me especially on the backhand side. I also tried weighting up a Gravity MP 2023 but felt like the higher SW to get the stability I wanted meant sacrificing that whippiness you mention wanting. And then I briefly tried Head Boom Pro 2024 which was great on the backhand wing but not whippy enough for me on the forehand side.

Long story short, I settled back on the Babolat PSVS. It's super stable but still quite whippy and enough pop even at a lower SW similar to the two Yonex frames you mentioned. They can also be acquired pretty cheap second hand at this point.
 

fuzz nation

G.O.A.T.
I played with my friend's Volkl C10 Pro and it was comfortable even more than my Phantom was. Do you have maneuverability issues with it due to it being so heavy and headlight? That's the main knock on it based on reviews and on my playing with it. I also found the launch angle to be really low and there was even less power than I'm used to.
Which one are you asking about - the C10 or the Phantom?

I also have weight added to the handles of my Phantoms (not their hoops) and I should note that I don't use an exact formula to dial in my balance. I like to hit against a wall at a practice court I have access to and also hit some serves, make adjustments, hit some more... eventually I get where it feels pretty good and then I do some weighing and measuring when I get home.
 
Hi!

I’m currently playing with the Vcore 95 2023 strung with Poly Tour Rev at 21kg. When serving and especially with my one-handed backhand, this racket is fantastic. I can confidently go for full backhands. However, it’s a different story with my forehand. I’m lacking some power and, more importantly, forgiveness. When I have to play a more defensive game or my footwork isn’t perfect, it’s difficult to stay in the rally. I experimented with adding lead at 12 o’clock, but I noticed little difference.

Recently, I tried the DR98, and my forehand was much better with this racket. However, I couldn’t really drive my backhand properly. I added lead to the grip to lower the balance, but it still didn’t feel right on my backhand, which is a significant issue as it’s my main weapon.

Now, I’m looking for a racket that offers a bit more free power and pop for my forehand, while still being “whippy” enough to generate power and especially spin on my one-handed backhands. An important requirement is comfort, as I’ve had an arm injury in the past. Both new and older models are an option (especially older models, since they can be found second-hand).
Do you have any suggestions?
It's not surprising at all that you seem to like the DR98 on your forehand and not your OHBH. In my experience the Ezone line in general hits a monster of a ball on serves and forehands but the throat is too chunky and clubby for most OHBHs (mine included). I think it mostly comes down to a player's preferential feeling more than anything where some players like that "thwack" feeling (Wawrinka and Thiem) of unloading that mass into the ball but most OHBH players like that very headlight, whippy, and maneuverable feeling (Federer, Dimitrov, and Shapovalov).

If you are part of the latter camp I would take a look at the current Head Extreme Pro. I was on that playtest this past summer and can confirm that it was very plush and comfortable in stock form (I used a dead feeling poly, Kirschbaum Proline II at 48lbs) and had no issues playing 12 hours on a single string job. The frame is pretty darn headlight and swings super easily begging for high racket head speed as I had no problems swinging out on any of my shots from any position on or off the court. While not the most forgiving 98 it is still a 98 so it will be more forgiving than you VC95 while offering some good feel in the process. but power level is probably around the same. It also has a tight 16x19 string pattern so control and spin levels will probably be comparable to what you are used to.

Good luck!
 

am1899

Legend
Extreme and Radical pro’s (maybe the MP’s as well) might be worth a look see / test drive,

Also already mentioned, but another vote for the my current stick, the ‘22 EZ98. I had trouble w the DR98 on my OHBH, but that’s not the case with the 22. Just a little weight in the on the handle and at 12 o’clock and it’s been a spectacular frame all around.
 

Trip

Legend
Background info on @25-TENNIS:
- Bio: 19-yo, male, slightly built, arm injury history
- Level: self-described "clean mechanics"; official level unknown
- Play Style: Attacking baseliner, rarely come into the net, 1HBH.
- Gear History: many 95-100" player/pleener sticks, per his last major thread, "The endless search for the perfect racquet", here:

Between all of that and the info shared here, I think it's obvious the kid is looking for a the following type of frame:
- Head Size: Only the most forgiving 97s, otherwise 98-99", only the most-precise 100's
- Weighting/Balance: 300-315g, more even mass distribution, so no less than ~4pts HL
- Pattern: vertically and horizontally consistent, no hot spots, flatter-hitting-friendly but able to spin/lift as needed, so 16 mains, perhaps 8 in the throat, and 19 or ideally 20 crosses, semi-open overall
- Beam: Hybrid-box, constant-width beam at 21.5-22.5 mm, or minimal variable-width with a mid-beam of 22-23mm
- Flex: as firm as he can get away with (probably 63-66RA)

All of that factored in, here's what I would look at:

- Babolat Pure Strike 97 (or previous Strike VS), w/ light hoop lead
- Dunlop CX 200 (if you don't mind a large amount of customizing)
- Head Extreme Pro, with light full-length customization
- Head Radical MP w/ handle weight & lead at 9 & 3, maybe the Pro
- Prince ATS Tour 98, only via matching service, for unstrung SW of <295
- Solinco WhiteOut 18x20 - I know I said 16-main patterns only, but if you're going to try an 18-main pattern, this is probably the model to try. Lifts/spins more like a 16x20.
- Tecnifibre TF40 305 16x19, with a leather grip; or maybe the 315 w/ tip weight
- Yonex Percept 97 (provided you don't mind gambling on the neck cracking issue), with lead at 10 & 2
- Yonex EZ98, '22 and/or '25 - Despite not getting along with the DR, seems to be enough evidence that it could work.

What to pass on:
- VCore 98 - He's already tried it, and obviously moved on.
- Gravity Tour 98 - Think it would feel too soft.
- ND Model 99 - Too cumbersome and immovable in the hoop.
- Older-school, flexy/heavy control sticks - Too slow, cumbersome, outmoded
- Anything with too much hoop mass and/or head-heavy a weight distribution, ie. too "meat mallet" -like (Blade, Blade Pro, non-97 Strike, etc.)

@25-TENNIS, you're walking a fine line here, and as such, I think most choices will come with at least some kind of compromise. The task is to pick the frame who's compromise is most easily worked around, via customization, string setup or otherwise. On a positive note, everything I have listed is going to be noticeably more consistent across and especially up and down the string bed (between 12 and 6) than the '23 VCore 95. The question will be, is the overall feel on contact as firm as you want (unsure with the Strike 97 or ATS Tour 98) and is the racquet consistent enough while still being spinny enough (questionable with the Radicals, TF40 maybe even ATS 98 too). The best option then, or put another way, the least bad option, may indeed be the Extreme Pro, if you can deal with the muted, muddy feel (just string with the absolute most crisp strings possible). Then again, if you don't mind VCores for feel, you'll probably be just fine with an Auxetic 2.0 layup.

Hope that helps. Any questions, feel free.
 
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am1899

Legend
What to pass on:
- EZ98 - If the OP didn't gel with the DR, I find it hard to believe he's going like the '22 or '25.

Just want to reiterate, i did not gel with the DR98, especially on the OHBH. But the ‘22 EZ98 works great for me. YMMV.
 

Trip

Legend
Just want to reiterate, i did not gel with the DR98, especially on the OHBH. But the ‘22 EZ98 works great for me. YMMV.
That's good to know. I just find it interesting that the thinner-profiled DR, with what many think is the better-feeling layup, didn't work, but the current one does. Obviously, beam thickness/profile/feel is only part of the equation, and there must be something about the current layup, flex, weight distribution, maybe string bed, that now makes it work. Would be interested to know what about the current one feels better for your OHBH, if you can put your finger on it.
 

snoflewis

Legend
That's good to know. I just find it interesting that the thinner-profiled DR, with what many think is the better-feeling layup, didn't work, but the current one does. Obviously, beam thickness/profile/feel is only part of the equation, and there must be something about the current layup, flex, weight distribution, maybe string bed, that now makes it work. Would be interested to know what about the current one feels better for your OHBH, if you can put your finger on it.
3rd party opinion who also thinks the 2022 is better than the DR. the DR98 has more weight around the middle of the stick that makes it feel clunky, and it's not particularly comfortable despite the lower RA (to be fair, the 2022 isn't super comfortable either).
 

Trip

Legend
3rd party opinion who also thinks the 2022 is better than the DR. the DR98 has more weight around the middle of the stick that makes it feel clunky, and it's not particularly comfortable despite the lower RA (to be fair, the 2022 isn't super comfortable either).
Got it. Again, good to know. And in trying the EZ98 myself, I thought it certainly was at least acceptable on the 1-hander, especially for the amount of easy power.

Since you and am make such a good case for it, I'll include it back in the list. The OP might as well thry the '22 and '25, just to check them off if nothing else.
 
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am1899

Legend
That's good to know. I just find it interesting that the thinner-profiled DR, with what many think is the better-feeling layup, didn't work, but the current one does. Obviously, beam thickness/profile/feel is only part of the equation, and there must be something about the current layup, flex, weight distribution, maybe string bed, that now makes it work. Would be interested to know what about the current one feels better for your OHBH, if you can put your finger on it.

Yeah i agree, it is indeed interesting. And I honestly wrote the EZ98 off for a number of years…until I finally caved with this iteration.

The most notable thing I can put my finger on is flex. The 22 seems firmer to me overall than the DR. And to me at least, the DR exhibited noticeable flex in the throat which just did not work for me. I don’t notice the throat flex trait at all with the ‘22. (I’m fairly certain there are other differences contributing to how I perceive the two, but those are the most tangible differences to me).
 

Trip

Legend
Got it. And I presume that you prefer an impact behavior that doesn't "give way" too much, ie. it maintains a certain amount of firmness, and continually so throughout the flex of the entire length of the frame, on contact? If so, then that would make two of us. Thus why I don't tend to enjoy RA's much below 62-63RA strung, or thereabouts.
 

am1899

Legend
Got it. And I presume that you prefer an impact behavior that doesn't "give way" too much, ie. it maintains a certain amount of firmness, and continually so throughout the flex of the entire length of the frame, on contact? If so, then that would make two of us. Thus why I don't tend to enjoy RA's much below 62-63RA strung, or thereabouts.

Correct. I do enjoy hitting with flexier frames for fun or posterity. But when I have a serious hit or meaningful match, I do better with a firmer stick.
 
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