Yonex VCore 95 2021 or Ezone 98 2022

[comebacktrail]

Hi all!

New user here and really needing some help and advice on a new racquet. I know there's a lot of talk about these two racquets on other threads given Shapo's move into the new Ezone but thought it might be good so concentrate it on the one for anyone looking.

I'm getting back into competitive tennis and was an 8.0-9.0 UTR player in my junior years. I used to use the Head Liquidmetal Radical and bought the Head Graphene 360+ Speed MP as I ease back into competitive tennis after a 10 year layoff! I like the racquet, added a leather grip for more weight at the handle but unfortunately it is just too powerful for me and the launch angle is higher than I like.

About my playstyle:
More often than not I'm a baseliner but do enjoy coming to net to finish off points. I have a semi-western forehand that is on the flatter side but like to generate solid topspin during heavy rallies. I'm definitely a driver of the ball on both the forehand and backhand side where I love to finish down the line. Favourite shot as a junior was pounding crosscourt forehands though, getting more and more angular to pull players off the court during a point. Playing a OHBH right now.

Potential new sticks:
I'm very interested in both the Yonex VCore 95 2021 or Ezone 98 2022. I was pretty keen on the new Head Graphene 360+ Radical MP but honestly can't look at the paintjob too long before my corneas are seared haha! I definitely enjoy a relatively crisp feel and play with a full poly Head Lynx Tour strung at 52lbs. Just looking for something with a bit more control than my Speed MP as I'm finding shots flying long too often when I try to flatten out a shot. I also just mentally can't get over the thick beam despite it overall being a good racquet. Both the Yonex sticks are very intriguing to me with the VCore 95 having that point and shoot character where it sounds like I can confidently drive the ball consistently and the Ezone 98 with controllable power, especially what I hear with the 2022 version, just unsure if the feeling of the Ezone is too muted or not based on what I'm reading.

Can't really demo where I am and don't have the funds to buy both (oh how I would love to do that!) so I am very keen to hear everyone's opinions!

 

[aaron_h27]

Because you're a one hander I'd say Vcore 95. It was pretty much made for one handers.

 

[Tranqville]

Vcore 95 fits your style better.

Other racquets to consider:
Technifibre TFight RS 305 or 315
Babolat Pure Aero VS
Head Extreme Tour

 

[88fingers]

The 95 vCore is more muted than the Ezone 98.
I say the eZone is better with poly than the 95.
With the 95 I had to go 1/2 gut to get any pop on the ball.
Power is a good thing but is something you have to get used to.

 

[Curtennis]

If you don’t like thick beam, the Ezone might not be it for you. Anytime I play a thick beam racquet it just reminds me of my old K-Mart sticks. The Vcore 95, while variable thickness feels and plays like a traditional thin beam, players racquet.
People often rave about the OHBH qualities of the 95, haven’t heard the same with the Ezone.
If you want to try to hit clean winners down the line go Ezone. If you want to hit aggressive shots down the line that a simple net volley will finish, go for the 95.
Lastly, corneas only refract light, they’re basically a built in contact lens. Unlikely they’d be seared.
The retinas are what begin to gather the information collected and pass on through the optic nerve into the brain for processing.
I’d imagine that it is your retinas that are being seared.

 

[AmericanTwist]

Acid test for me is if I can return serve. I went from 85 to 95-100. 100 feels a bit too big for me though it is very forgiving. The vcore 95 is definitely a better control stick. 98 more power and more forgiving, slower thru the air.

 

[comebacktrail]

Thanks everyone! I’ve been leaning towards the vcore 95 but just afraid it is way too low powered based on what some people have said. Based on reviews of the 2022 ezone 98 I heard it plays bit similar but has more access to power. Would’ve pulled the trigger on the VCore already if the reviews weren’t so positive for the new ezone. What are the launch angles like for both?

 

[comebacktrail]

If you don’t like thick beam, the Ezone might not be it for you. Anytime I play a thick beam racquet it just reminds me of my old K-Mart sticks. The Vcore 95, while variable thickness feels and plays like a traditional thin beam, players racquet.
People often rave about the OHBH qualities of the 95, haven’t heard the same with the Ezone.
If you want to try to hit clean winners down the line go Ezone. If you want to hit aggressive shots down the line that a simple net volley will finish, go for the 95.
Lastly, corneas only refract light, they’re basically a built in contact lens. Unlikely they’d be seared.
The retinas are what begin to gather the information collected and pass on through the optic nerve into the brain for processing.
I’d imagine that it is your retinas that are being seared.

I’m actually an ophthalmologist! It was more of a reference to a Chandler quote in Friends haha

 

[Wolfessis]

Thanks everyone! I’ve been leaning towards the vcore 95 but just afraid it is way too low powered based on what some people have said. Based on reviews of the 2022 ezone 98 I heard it plays bit similar but has more access to power. Would’ve pulled the trigger on the VCore already if the reviews weren’t so positive for the new ezone. What are the launch angles like for both?

Hey did you ever end up getting the ezone 98? I'm curious what you thought of the launch angle if so. Or did you go the vcore 95 route.

 

[Tennisfever]

The VCore 95 is pure magic when you hit sweet spot. Problem is that that happens to me twice a year or so….

Had a few hits with my girlfriend’s Vcore 100 and I was shocked how easy it played with still decent control. Felt liberating. Because you don’t have to focus so much on moving and hitting perfectly all the time you can be more creative with your shots. It really was an eye-opener. The only thing is that the thick beam makes you look like a beginner or senior player, although the Vcore 100 is quite popular with WTA players. May try out the Ezone 98 to see if it plays similar to that Vcore 100.

 

[Trip]

The only thing is that the thick beam makes you look like a beginner or intermediate player

That's fast becoming an outmoded concept in many places, if not just flat out untrue already. Plenty of top tour players, both men and women, have been playing with thicker beams for years now -- Babolat made their living on the very concept, and you've got VCore 100's, FX500's, etc, in the hands of many top 100 players. I certainly wouldn't let reverse vanity regarding the thickness of a frame be the thing that keeps you from playing it, especially if you play your best tennis with it. And this is coming from a guy who's played everything from 17mm beams all the way to 27mm -- it's just a dimension, nothing more.

 

[Wheelz]

The only thing is that the thick beam makes you look like a beginner or intermediate player, although the Vcore 100 is quite popular with WTA players. May try out the Ezone 98 to see if it plays similar to that Vcore 100.

Thinking like that makes you look like a beginner …

 

[Tennisfever]

That's fast becoming an outmoded concept in many places, if not just flat out untrue already. Plenty of top tour players, both men and women, have been playing with thicker beams for years now -- Babolat made their living on the very concept, and you've got VCore 100's, FX500's, etc, in the hands of many top 100 players. I certainly wouldn't let reverse vanity regarding the thickness of a frame be the thing that keeps you from playing it, especially if you play your best tennis with it. And this is coming from a guy who's played everything from 17mm beams all the way to 27mm -- it's just a dimension, nothing more.

Not denying a bit of vanity is involved but I think it shouldn’t come as a surprise that many people base their decisions on what racquet to buy on what other people are using (maybe not you). Why else would racquet companies spend so much money on endorsements. If you play somebody for the first time the first thing you look at is his racquet as this will give you some idea of his level, how inaccurate this may be. Have to say that Ruud with his extended Ezone 100 is really the first who got me rethink the whole racquet and level perception.

It’s also an aesthetics thing, thinner beams just look more sleek. Have always played with prestige classics, pro tours, VCP’s and Vcore 95. Compared to those a Vcore 100 just looks a bit clunky.

 

[Tennisfever]

Thinking like that makes you look like a beginner …

Thank you for that amazing pearl of wisdom. Really helpful.

 

[Psi7]

think this two will be really different racquets and easy problem if you have just two to consider. Just order two demo's for a week, put same string, same tension on both and test it for 7 days.

 

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

The VCore 95 is pure magic when you hit sweet spot. Problem is that that happens to me twice a year or so….

Had a few hits with my girlfriend’s Vcore 100 and I was shocked how easy it played with still decent control. Felt liberating. Because you don’t have to focus so much on moving and hitting perfectly all the time you can be more creative with your shots. It really was an eye-opener. The only thing is that the thick beam makes you look like a beginner or intermediate player, although the Vcore 100 is quite popular with WTA players. May try out the Ezone 98 to see if it plays similar to that Vcore 100.

Is it really that bad for you with the 95 and the sweetspot? Would that not make you an intermediate or lower player? I'm debating as usual between these 98 and below yonex. I can't be the only kne who easily hits the sweetspot in the 95, I know a few people off the boards who do as well. The 100s don't have a significantly larger sweet spot, just more power, or am I wrong?

 

[Tennisfever]

Is it really that bad for you with the 95 and the sweetspot? Would that not make you an intermediate or lower player? I'm debating as usual between these 98 and below yonex. I can't be the only kne who easily hits the sweetspot in the 95, I know a few people off the boards who do as well. The 100s don't have a significantly larger sweet spot, just more power, or am I wrong?

I’m just an average 4.0 with a one handed backhand. I’m the captain of a league team and I think I have a good idea how I compare to other players in terms of level. The thing with the VC 95 is there’s the sweet spot, and there’s THE sweet spot. Man, the sound it makes when everything comes together and you hit it just right, it’s unbelievable. Sure, everybody can play with the Vcore 95. If you’re fit, fast, have decent technique that’s even better. But I’m getting a bit older, a step slower. My main problem was with put away shots when my footwork or timing was just a bit off. Also getting enough depth when hitting with higher level players who allow you less time for getting into position and shot preparation.

An easier racquet means you don’t have to worry that much about on precise footwork, timing, technique, and hitting that sweet spot so you can think about other things like hitting different shots, different strategies, and just enjoying the game more. Now, this is different for each person of course. People can enjoy their tennis in different ways. And a demanding racquet definitely forces you to focus on footwork and technique, which will benefit you in the long run.

And not all 100 square inch racquets are the same. Some are still quite demanding, they may give you easy power but it’s not free power.

 

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

So how was the vcore 100 for you, just curious

 

[Tennisfever]

So how was the vcore 100 for you, just curious

Shockingly easy to use. Didn’t even felt like I lost a lot of control compared to the VC 95. Played with my regular partner going back and forth between the 100 and the 95, and the 100 did just almost everything better. Backhand slice with the 100 was amazing for some reason.

Have been playing tennis for over 3 decades and I have to say that I never really looked into large head, thick beam “tweener” racquets. Once I had a few hits with a Pure Aero, didn’t like it, and concluded that this type of racquets weren’t for me. Maybe time to rethink all this.

 

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

Shockingly easy to use. Didn’t even felt like I lost a lot of control compared to the VC 95. Played with my regular partner going back and forth between the 100 and the 95, and the 100 did just almost everything better. Backhand slice with the 100 was amazing for some reason.

Have been playing tennis for over 3 decades and I have to say that I never really looked into large head, thick beam “tweener” racquets. Once I had a few hits with a Pure Aero, didn’t like it, and concluded that this type of racquets weren’t for me. Maybe time to rethink all this.

That sounds like a great experience, makes me curious too

 

[TagUrIt]

Just my take on these two racquets since you asked and they were mentioned. I have the VCore 95 as my main racquet (the wife) and the Ezone 98 as my mistress. The VCore 95 is a very demanding racquet and definitely requires good technique, footwork and timing. However, once you connect and find your rhythm with this stick, it plays amazing. Not a very powerful frame (you have to supply your own) but very fast through the air and literal spin monster too. I found the VCore 95 to play more like a 98 than a 95 because of the Yonex Isometric Sweet Spot. The Ezone 98 is so much fun and easy to use, it is effortless to swing and is very forgiving. I don't even think about my tennis when I use this racquet, because it's so much fun. The power from this frame truly makes it the EZ-ONE, you really don't have to try that hard and serves, ground strokes are powerful. It sounds like you've found some peace with the VCore 100? It doesn't matter what frame or head size you choose, use with the one that helps you play your best tennis.

 

[eb_tennis_247]

The Ezone 98 is so much fun and easy to use, it is effortless to swing and is very forgiving. I don't even think about my tennis when I use this racquet, because it's so much fun. The power from this frame truly makes it the EZ-ONE, you really don't have to try that hard and serves, ground strokes are powerful. It sounds like you've found some peace with the VCore 100? It doesn't matter what frame or head size you choose, use with the one that helps you play your best tennis.

I had the same experience with EZONE 98.

You don’t need special circumstances to get some amazing play out of it. It has some small flaws but these can easily be fixed by the right string setup.

Otherwise — amazing serve, very good OHBH with it (spin, easy swing and power), great returns, great hitting all out groundstrokes. Good control.