2023 VCore95 Review

Had to return the 2023 VCore 95 demo from Tennis Warehouse. :( But I managed to capture some footage of me playing with it and now I have some thoughts.

[@bigdaddy812]

I just demoed the 23 version out of curiosity. It was fast through the air and I was able to hit some missile forehands. However, in match play it was bit more unpredictable since I had to adjust my arm speed based on the different shots I was facing. I was hitting long as a result. I was 95% sure I was going to add it to my bad after day 1 but after the honeymoon wore off, I decided to hold off and just stick to my #1 girl - 23 gravity pro.

[@adriellepretre9047]

I played with the first vcores. I don’t remember if those were the sv. the feel of those is very similar to the 2023.

[@paulskl]

I played with the 2021 vcore 95, and gave up due to the lack of feel. Your commentary on the dampening difference just might tempt me into trying it again 😅

[@fretstain]

hmm maybe you can give me your thoughts on this: I currently hit with the 2021 vcore95. I found the 2021 vcore 98 way too stiff (arm issues) so I never pursued it, but with the new one being softer I thought about trying it out for a bit of extra juice/slightly less demanding. Unfortunately getting a demo where I live is next to impossible. Would you say the 2023 vcore98 is LESS stiff than the 2021 vcore95? How would you compare the two? Thanks!

[@2321thehack]

I didn't play them back to back. Compared to the 2021 VCore 98+ I hit with, it wasn't less stiff, or didn't feel like it. Out of the 3 demos I tried (2021 VCore 98+, 2023 VCore 98, and 2023 VCore 95), the 98 was the least favorite. If you currently hit with the 2021 VCore 95 like I do, I would recommend the 2023 VCore 95. It isn't less stiff, but it's a lot more comfortable on the arm. If you want more power, I would actually say the new EZone 98 is more comfortable to hit with IMO.

[@fretstain]

@@2321thehack Damn haha. That throws a wrench in things. I might just wait until I can try them out. I tried the previous EZone 98 and it felt like too much power for me, although it was very comfortable and I remember hitting a great slice with it. Thanks for the response!

[@2321thehack]

@@fretstain Your assessment is same as mine. That's why I moved to the 95. I've hit with the previous gen EZone and current gen EZone and the new one is even MOAR powerful IMO. I mean, the 23 VCore 98 is not a bad stick. It's just that out of the three I tried, it definitely was not my favorite. But full disclaimer, I'm a HUGE fan of extended racquets. And if the 95 comes in an extended format, I would have 2 in an instant. So I like the VCore 98+ more than I like the 23 Vcore 98. I know that doesn't help you decide, so take it for what it's worth.

[@fretstain]

@@2321thehack good to know! thanks! I'm honestly not sure. My birthday is coming up so I might just wildcard and either get the new 95 or 98. We'll see haha.

[@adriellepretre9047]

Would you say this vcore 95 is a better racket than the new pure aero 98? I just got the 2023,vcore 95 and just hit one time with it. I like the racket. But I like them aero beam of the Pure Aeros but I don’t like their feel and construction.

[@Proj3ctSpartan]

I'm currently using a 13 year old Babolat Pure drive racquet 100 ( I have slight tennis elbow ) so I know when I move to a new racquet it will take a while to get used too. My game relies on heavy top spin however I really have to put a lot of energy to generate spin and power which really can make me tired at times. I think it's due to the old racquet. I'm thinking I could evolve my game with a new racquet I can put less energy in and reap the benefits of getting easier power and spin. I also enjoy a nice slice and the occasional flat shot. I have no idea what brand I should get but I had seen the ezone and the vcore. I'm open to any brand of racquet so please help me out as I have no clue and what strings should I get and at what tightness! I honestly am struggling because there are so many brands and types etc. Thanks heaps for the replies

[@2321thehack]

I'm more familiar with the Yonex line since I've been playing primarily with them since the 90s. If you want easy power AND spin, you probably won't want the VCore 95. Of any generation. The Yonex VCore 95 is precise and offer control unlike few other Yonex racquets, but they require you to swing out hard to get spin and power. Like REAL hard. For you I'd recommend any of the new EZones, especially the EZone 100. It's 10G lighter than the VCore 95, and offers easy power and with the 100's 16 x 19 string pattern, it offers some good spin potential too. I used to play with the last generation VCore 100 and it's amazing for slices.

[@mteca5093]

How can it be a 95 if it's wider? Mains shorter?

[@2321thehack]

Think of it as a fan shape. The 2 and 10 is slightly wider, the 5 and 7 is narrower.

[@mteca5093]

@@2321thehack people that use 3n9 or 4n8 will hate this

[@2321thehack]

@@mteca5093 probably. I just saw Mark Sanseit’s review of the new 98, and he absolutely hates it. And he’s a Yonex fanboi.

[@mteca5093]

@@2321thehack he has short arms n uses whole racket...his favorite rackets are oval

[@MrFunkyko]

@@mteca5093 he also uses a pure aero vs now

[@guruofendtimes819]

Your forehand is taking the ball too high

[@thehandseesall]

Looks so ugly tho...

[@2321thehack]

Wait are you talking about me or the raquet?! 😁

[@thehandseesall]

@2321thehack the racket... I bumped into a coach yesterday who gets flowed rackets by yonex and he had that exact racket with him and showed it to me, I concluded that's it looks really well made, but the colours suck and the upper hoop looks really wide like a squash racket, but I'm sure it plays really nice... he agreed

[@Shankar-Bhaskar]

​@@thehandseesall It does sort of look like a Squash racket