Vcore Pro 97 (2021) vs Vcore 98 (2021) vs Ezone 98 (2022)

[Junaid2007777]

Hi All,
It's my first post on the forums, even though I actively read a lot of stuff on here.

So, I've been playing tennis for about 2 years - twice a week. For most of that time I've been using the Vcore Pro 100 alpha - this is essentially a takedown version of VCP 100 but made in china and is 290g unstrung instead of 300g. Earlier this year I suffered from borderline arithritis, basically trigger finger in 3 of my fingers on my right hand (might be because of my kickboxing past and not entirely because of tennis). I decided to add lead tape at 9&3 for stability and a leather grip to balance it out; making it around 322g strung with an overgrip. To my surprise not only did my game get better but my trigger finger problem got better as well.

Now I would rate myself around 3.0 NTRP. I have a one handed backhand where I can generate good power. I have a loopy forehand with a lot of net clearance but not a lot of power, but I can be very consistent with it. I do come to the net occasionally but I would say I'm more of a scrambler. somehow I've become a very defensive player, going for winners only on my backhand side. My volleys are not that great, and my serve and overheads are just trash. I like to get creative and do go for lobs and drop shots often.

So coming to my main query; I want to move onto a new racket sticking with the Yonex Lineup. I have already hit with the 2019 VCP 97 which had lead at 9&3 and it felt nice but it was just for 20 minutes. Since I live in Dubai, I can't demo rackets.

Here's my analysis of what I would get from each racket. Do let me know if I'm getting ahead of myself by considering any or all of these.

Expectations:

VCP 97 310g (2021) - 60RA so easier on the arm. Thin beam, which I prefer for slicing and one handed backhand. I love the paintjob. More stability perhaps? My concern is the 97sqinch head and the lack of power. Would I be getting too ahead of myself? Does this even suit my game as I've described above? Would the weight be too much?

VCP 98 (2021) - More Power & Spin. I'm worried about the stiffness accentuating my trigger finger problem

Ezone 98 (2022) - From what I've read, this is basically good at everything. Good comfort, power and stability, and it is probably the racket I should be switching too. What bothers me is the Pure Aero style beam design, which is very awkward to hold for a one handed backhand player like me.

P.S. Apologies for such a long post. But I'm super confused. Would appreciate if someone can guide me.

 

[Junaid2007777]

For those who might be wondering what racket I currently play with.

 

[ichaseballs]

you dont need a heavy racquet to play well. the new yonex frames play well without any weight added.
i haven't tried the new ezone, but i have used the last 3 generations.

the VCORE and EZONE are both "power racquets". the VCORE is more open pattern. great for a baseliner.
if you prefer all court game, then EZONE. both of them are similar in comfort. i think the VCORE is easier on the arm tbh.
the "control racquet" is the VCP 2021. coming from the last gen, this is a smooth transition. but definitely softer, but still an improvement (plus looks great).
i would recommend to you to pick a 100 sq in for all 3 frames.

just remember no racquet will make you better. of the 3 choices, the VCP will require the best technique to take full advantage of it. (in another words you take big swings and generate your own power)

What bothers me is the Pure Aero style beam design, which is very awkward to hold for a one handed backhand player like me.

the ezone "aero shape" does not affect the handle/grip. if you're talking about off-hand then that is very picky

 

[Nate7-5]

Havent tried the 2021 VCP 310g yet, but have tried the previous 2 versions. If your current frame isnt bothering your finger, I dont think you will have issues with any of their latest frames. The 2021 VCP 100 is also a big improvement over the previous versions if you wanted to stay close to the same static weight and headsize but with a little more power/stability/comfort.

I gave the VCore98 a month and traded it for a VCore95. IMO the 95 is a much better all around racquet and also better for 1HBH. VCore98 is a jump in power from what you are currently using and seems to be optimized for hitting with extreme brush strokes.

You're not going to get a lot of advice on the new EZONE98 because almost no one has tried it yet. Im looking forward to demoing it in a week or 2.

 

[Junaid2007777]

I would like to get more power on my groundstrokes, and I like everything about VCP 97 on paper except the fact that it might be too advanced for me with the 97 headsize. So would VCORE 98 be a good option considering I am looking to get more power on my forehand? or should I go for VCP 97, and just get better at generating my own power?

 

[ichaseballs]

vcore 100 or vcp 100 i think are your best options.
the vcore 100 is easier to use, and plenty good to grow into.

 

[Junaid2007777]

vcore 100 or vcp 100 i think are your best options.
the vcore 100 is easier to use, and plenty good to grow into.

I want to move to a smaller headsize. For whatever reason the 100sqinch head feels bigger than I'd like. I actually have no real complaints with my current setup though. Just want to see how I fair with a racket that in theory has a slightly smaller head size and a bit more free power.

 

[Curtennis]

You really can’t go wrong with a Vcore 98 or the Ezone. Based on what you described, there is no right answer. I’d say pick whichever one you think looks cooler, or can get a better price on, and just stick with it.

at that point you know you’re playing with top tier equipment and can just concentrate on your game. After 6 months or more of improving your own skill set, you’ll begin to see more clearly what you are looking for in a racquet.

 

[veedo]

It sounds like you wanna go for the vcp97 I get that, am also a fan.

It’s really a guess what will fit you, but from your self-described playing style and frequency, I would say:
- on paper, new vcp100 sounds like the best guess if you wanna stick with vcp. vc100 better for free power, but not for a sensitive arm.
- vcp97 is for an agressive / dictating game, not defense. For defense / countering you’d need to add weight or get an incrementally more stable frame in general.
- that loopy forehand - is it a full motion? Is it more of a forward swing as opposed to an upward brush? Does your elbow end up nicely in front of your chin? If mostly yes on these, you might be ok with vcp97, but I don’t see how you’d get more power vs your current vcp100.
- ohbh - risky business with a low-swingweight, low-power frame like vcp97

Before you go for the new frame, experiment a bit with different strings / tensions on your current racket, maybe add some weight and see what it gets in terms of free power. It’s like a demo by proxy when you can’t get a demo.

Disclaimer: 2hbh, playing 2019 vcp97 + 5g in the hoop. Also have no access to demos

 

[Nate7-5]

I would like to get more power on my groundstrokes, and I like everything about VCP 97 on paper except the fact that it might be too advanced for me with the 97 headsize. So would VCORE 98 be a good option considering I am looking to get more power on my forehand? or should I go for VCP 97, and just get better at generating my own power?

If you hold a 98in Yonex against a 97in Yonex, the size difference is virtually indistinguishable. Same with the VCore95 vs a 97in. You dont want to be hitting the ball that far out anyway.

Both the purple VCP 97 and 100 are going to give you a little more power than the previous iterations of the VCP 100. The VCore98 is going to give you a lot more power, and I needed to hit brush strokes with a lot of spin just to keep the ball in.

My primary racquets are the VCP 97D and the VCore95. Dont be intimidated by smaller head sizes - many people used to use 85-90 sq in not long ago.

 

[Junaid2007777]

It sounds like you wanna go for the vcp97 I get that, am also a fan.

It’s really a guess what will fit you, but from your self-described playing style and frequency, I would say:
- on paper, new vcp100 sounds like the best guess if you wanna stick with vcp. vc100 better for free power, but not for a sensitive arm.
- vcp97 is for an agressive / dictating game, not defense. For defense / countering you’d need to add weight or get an incrementally more stable frame in general.
- that loopy forehand - is it a full motion? Is it more of a forward swing as opposed to an upward brush? Does your elbow end up nicely in front of your chin? If mostly yes on these, you might be ok with vcp97, but I don’t see how you’d get more power vs your current vcp100.
- ohbh - risky business with a light, low-power frame like vcp97

Before you go for the new frame, experiment a bit with different strings / tensions on your current racket, maybe add some weight and see what it gets in terms of free power. It’s like a demo by proxy when you can’t get a demo.

Disclaimer: 2hbh, playing 2019 vcp97 + 5g in the hoop. Also have no access to demos

As I stated above I have already added like 15g to my 290g unstrung frame to bring it upto 322g strung. Oehms leather grip and I believe 3 grams in total on 9 & 3. This massively improved the stability for me. Would you suggest I try adding lead at 12 for some increase in power? Would 1-2g be okay? I don't want to mess with the balance much.

 

[Junaid2007777]

Also, yes I have a full forehand motion, but it's not like I'm hitting the ball with heavy top spin. My forehand has high net clearance and never actually hits the net or goes long for that matter. It goes high and lands in consistently, it's just that there's nothing behind the ball. I can stay in long rallies with it, but if somebody decides to attack it, they can with ease which is probably why I'm always on the defense.

My one handed backhand on the other hand is completely different. If I get time to set it up, it goes for a winner more often than not.

So my game mostly revolves around making the other person make a mistake. If I get a short ball, I go to the net. I'm usually slicing on the backhand, and if I get some time on the backhand, then I pull out the top spin one hander and go on the attack.

 

[ichaseballs]

So my game mostly revolves around making the other person make a mistake.

this sounds like you are a defensive player. or maybe a pusher. basically a counterpuncher is a 4.5+ pusher
a power racquet for most ppl will be better at counter punching. (defense into offense)

 

[veedo]

As I stated above I have already added like 15g to my 290g unstrung frame to bring it upto 322g strung. Oehms leather grip and I believe 3 grams in total on 9 & 3. This massively improved the stability for me. Would you suggest I try adding lead at 12 for some increase in power? Would 1-2g be okay? I don't want to mess with the balance much.

The leather grip mostly pulls the balance towards the handle, but doesn’t change SW that much. The 3g total at 3 and 9 equal about ~6pts of SW. Overall, it sounds like you’ve put together smth like the regular vcp100 300g, so 310-320 SW, but maybe more headlight. That means you wanna experiment with smth in the mid 320s for power.

1g at 12 add ~3pts of SW, which is more than it sounds like, so start with that. Then maybe add 1g more or replace with 1g each at 11 and 1.

1g in the hoop moves the balance just ~0.1cm, so not really a concern with that leather grip.

When you start seeing balls flying long consistently, you know you’ve put too much and / or you need to adapt the swing. If you see balls flattening out and / or pushing the opponent back, you’re on the right track.

 

[SCTW]

Curious what you ended up with? I’m also looking to switch from a 2019 VCore Pro 97 to either the Vcore or Ezone 100’s. Want a little more help with power and spin.

 

[Junaid2007777]

I went for a hitting session with a coach on Wednesday and came back with a sore arm, which probably pushed me towards the VCP over the others. So I ended up taking a risk and went for the VCP 97 310g. It weighs 330g with an overgrip and PTP 16L (strung at 53lbs) , which sounds like a lot.

My first impressions - 75 minutes of hitting:

1. As you can see from the pics, there's barely any difference between the 97 and 100 heads.
2. It is extremely plush. Especially coming from a racket with 66 RA. My arm is probably thanking me for using this racket.
3. The plushness comes at the cost of feel. I was struggling with touch shots and slices, but maybe I just need to get used to it.
4. Even though it is heavier by about 10 grams than my previous racket, it actually feels more manueverable.
5. My one handed backhand felt amazing with this. Great stability on contact.
6. Might be the strings, but I actually feel I was getting a bit more pop with it compared to my VCP 100alpha.

Overall, I'm happy with the purchase. Love the looks, the plush feel and stability of it.

 

[Teddie]

For those who might be wondering what racket I currently play with.

whats the ra?