Yonex VCORE 100 2023 Review

About two years after the launch of the final VCORE 100, Yonex lastly launched the up to date model for 2023, which comes with a number of updates.

Alongside redesigning the shaft and minor tweaks to the beam width, Yonex has widened the hitting space of the racket’s higher hoop and launched SIF Grommets, a silicone oil infusion to cut back the friction between the string and grommets.

With all these tweaks and adjustments, how does the brand new VCORE 100 2023 play? Discover out on this full playtest and evaluation. Let’s go.

Yonex VCORE 100 Cosmetics

At first look, it’s potential to note clear modifications within the aesthetics of the racket.

Firstly, the 2023 VCORE 100 mannequin options Yonex’s Namd know-how within the body, which was not included within the 2021 model.

Secondly, the grommet system has been redesigned to extend string motion and enlarge the candy spot.

Furthermore, the throat design seems sleeker and extra aerodynamic, enhancing the pace of the swing.

Though the dimensions of the pinnacle remained the identical, its form has modified from oval to waterdrop-like. Nevertheless, Yonex continued to make the most of its “isometric” head form.

The isometric head form differs from conventional racket head shapes (sometimes oval or spherical), providing a bigger floor space and a extra constant string mattress.

The color scheme has additionally been up to date, displaying a mixture of pink, black, and blue.

Specs and Setup

Yonex is well-known in tennis for its merchandise’ excellent high quality and reliability, and the VCORE line has discovered its method into the palms of a number of world-class gamers comparable to Angelique Kerber, Elena Rybakina, and Caroline Garcia.

The Japanese producer’s high quality management is the perfect within the business, and my VCORE 100 Professional was a testomony to that, weighing in at 301g unstrung. 

As soon as strung with a Wilson Pro Overgrip, it was 321.2g absolutely strung.

For this playtest, my VCORE 100 2023 was initially strung with Head Lynx in a single piece; I then switched to Stringlab Tournament Rough in two items, which is my string setup of alternative in my older technology VCORE 100.

Rigidity was 21.5kg on the mains and 21kg on the crosses.

Yonex VCORE 100 2023 Playtest and Assessment

GET THE YONEX VCORE 100 2023

It’s value mentioning that I’ve been taking part in with the earlier Yonex VCORE 100 for a few seasons, so I used to be naturally very excited to strive the 2023 mannequin and see the way it in comparison with the earlier model.

First Impressions

I’ll begin by saying that it took me about 10 minutes to be impressed by the Yonex VCORE 100 2023 tennis racket.

The racket is comparatively light-weight and feels simple to maneuver by the air. I perceived the steadiness barely shifted in direction of the pinnacle in comparison with the 2021 model.

This attribute allowed me to generate energy whereas preserving its manoeuvrability effortlessly.

It shortly turned clear that Yonex produced an incredible mixture of energy, pace, and management. The Namd know-how within the body is a game-changer, offering a specific stage of flex and energy that has improved my snapback and elevated my ball pace and spin potential.

This characteristic sparked my curiosity as somebody who likes to generate quite a lot of topspin on my photographs.

Regardless of being light-weight, the VCORE 100 2023 didn’t shake on influence, and it might deal with quick and heavy photographs with out an excessive amount of bother.

I used to be relieved after I felt the racket stay regular throughout sturdy rallies, because it gave me a way of power and reliability.

Nevertheless, Yonex didn’t overlook about consolation within the pursuit of steadiness. This model of the VCORE 100 seems much more snug than the earlier one, permitting me to hit topspin photographs even from far behind the baseline effortlessly.

Groundstrokes

As a fan of the Yonex VCORE line, I used to be not shocked by my emotions through the first photographs.

It didn’t take lengthy to understand that the VCORE 100 2023 could possibly be the proper racket for me. As an all-court participant, I get pleasure from using my groundstrokes to construct up some extent I plan to shut on the internet.

Because of this, my sport consists of rather more than simply sturdy, quick photographs from the baseline. I think about spin and pace variations important for me to achieve the web.

Thus, I used to be happy after I realized that the brand new VCORE 100 allowed me to simply change from quick and flat photographs to heavy spins and vice versa.

I seen a major distinction in energy between the previous and the brand new model of the VCORE 100. The latter appears total to unload much more energy to my groundstrokes, aided by the widened candy spot of the racket.

I at all times felt just like the VCORE 100 2021 was tough to play with, particularly in tense match conditions, for the reason that candy spot appeared restricted.

Thus, I discover a bigger candy spot to be extraordinarily interesting. The VCORE 100 2023 instantly greeted me with a way of safety linked to its skill to launch energy and management even after I barely miss-hit the ball.

One other constructive word regarding this racket is the sensation whereas slicing.

I get pleasure from switching my one-handed backhand from topspin to slice, so I sometimes search for stiffer rackets that don’t vibrate on influence.

Certainly, I used to be glad the racket felt agency and safe even after I tried to carry out a slice on heavy or fastballs.

This attribute might be because of Yonex’s new dampening know-how (Vibration Dampening Mesh or VDM) integrated within the design.

Volleys

As I discussed above, volleys are a key a part of my sport and my go-to shot when I’m attempting to shut some extent.

Subsequently, I have to really feel I’ve full management of my racket when on the internet. Though I didn’t have disagreeable emotions whereas volleying with the brand new VCORE 100, I might discover the ball would bounce off a little bit too early from my racket when hitting cease volleys (like an extreme slingshot impact).

I consider the 2021 model gave me extra on contact photographs, however I additionally assume regulating the stress in keeping with the racket might compensate for the small setback on this space.

Serve

I consider the advance in spin and energy strongly positively affected the serve. If I had to make use of a single phrase to explain this racket’s serve, it could be “versatile.”

I felt snug hitting flat, laborious serves simply as a lot as spin serves. I used to be pleasantly shocked after I seen how simple it was to kick the ball on my second serve. It felt as if the racket sliced its method by the air, which elevated the swing pace and, consequently, the proportion of well-kicked second serves.

Return

Using Vcore rackets, it turned clear that they don’t seem to be made for returns to be their forte, and I have to say that the VCORE 100 2023 isn’t any exception.

On my return, I attempt to hit the ball on the rise and from contained in the baseline, however I made peace with the truth that I wanted to be exact when attempting to take action with the VCORE 100.

Though this new model underwent enhancements in manoeuvrability, I nonetheless assume that on-the-rise returns require extra of it.

Nevertheless, generally, it’s sufficient for me to take a couple of steps again when returning initially of the match. As soon as I analyze the opponent’s serve, I can then take a couple of steps ahead and assault the return with out having to forcefully right my swing whereas hitting my shot.

Who’s This Racket For?

Despite the fact that the VCORE 100 2023 seems very versatile, its traits wouldn’t go well with all types of gamers.

Since this racket doesn’t outperform in contact photographs, I might in all probability not counsel it for serve and volley gamers (regardless of its nice efficiency on the serve).

However, I feel that gamers who search for heavy rotations and constant energy might discover this racket to be simply what they should step up their sport.

Nonetheless, no matter their sport, I might not suggest this racket to novice gamers. Regardless of the enlargement of its candy spot and enchancment in manoeuvrability, it stays a really tough product to play with.

However, skilled gamers with correct approach and information of the sport might use this racket to its full potential.

Related Rackets

Closing Ideas

My total evaluation of the Yonex VCORE 100 2023 is undoubtedly constructive. I cherished taking part in with it and stay up for utilizing it extra.

I feel that a couple of modifications to the string rigidity could possibly be simply what I would like to enhance the texture on the volleys, and I’m happy to say that the adjustments from the earlier model positively impacted the racket’s efficiency.

Execs

Cons

Have you ever tried any rackets within the new Yonex VCORE 2023 line? How did you discover them in comparison with the earlier generations? Let me know within the feedback.