Yonex Vcore 98 (2021)
About the Brand
Yonex Co.Ltd. is a Japanese Sports Equipment Manufacturing Company.
In 1946, Yonex was founded in a snow-covered village in Niigata, Japan, by Mr. Minoru Yoneyama, who was born in 1924 and died in 2019 in Nagaoka, Niigata, Japan.
Yonex produces equipment and apparel for tennis, badminton, golf, and running. Yonex manufactures and commercialises equipment for badminton, tennis (rackets, shuttlecocks, balls, bags), and golf (clubs, bags). Yonex also produces athletic shoes and a wide range of apparel that includes T-shirts, jackets, skirts, shorts, hoodies, leggings, and hats.
In 1957, Yoneyama began to make badminton rackets for other brands. By 1961, the first Yoneyama-branded racquet was introduced, and within another two years, an export company was created for worldwide distribution. After that, the company began to make aluminium badminton racquets.
In 1969, it was found that the same technology could be applied to the tennis racket, which the company introduced in 1971. The company began to experiment with graphite shafts for both types of rackets and found that these would also be useful for golf clubs.
In 1982 Yonex came out with the new Oversized Tennis Racquet in the REX-Series with the R-7 and R-10 racquets. At that time, Martina Navratilova played with the R-7 and was very successful. One year later, the New Series Rexking was developed with the R-22. Navratilova subsequently used the White RQ 180 Widebody Frame until the early 1990s.
Yonex sponsors the All England Open Badminton Championships and is a partner of the Badminton World Federation, which organises the World Championships.
In 2021, Yonex will celebrate its 75th anniversary. Yonex Officially Sponsors some World’s Leading Tennis Players like Anna Kournikova, Ana Ivanovic, Angelique Kerber, Carolina Wozniacki, Daniela Hantuchova, David Nalbandian, Elena Dementivia, Lleyton Hewitt, Nick Kyrgios, Stan Wawarinka, Martina Hingis, Martina Navratilova, Mary Pierce, Monica Seles and many more.
Description
Yonex Vcore 98 is known as a modern power game racquet that is engineered for power and spin.
This is the 6th generation of the Vcore racquet series. This updated Yonex Vcore 98 has a slightly thicker beam width compared to the previous version for more power and stability.
Yonex introduced a new technology called Flex Force, which uses a uniquely flexible graphite (NAMD–2) to help the racquet bend flawlessly at impact.
Yonex has also redesigned the grommet system with String Sync, which uses funnel-shaped inserts to help the strings snap back more powerfully during impact. Black micro-core technology is also skipped in this update.
Yonex Vcore 98 has the same traditional Vcore series red colour on it, but for the new looks, you’ll get a touch of blue throughout with a dark red paint job on the frame that features some mix of bright red and silver sparkles. Somehow, it’s looking so appealing.
Yonex Vcore 98 is an option for intermediate to advanced players who want to add some power and spin to their game.
Specifications
| Head Size : 98 in / 632.26 cm |
| Length : 27in / 68.58cm |
| Strung Weight : 323g/11.4 oz |
| Unstrung Weight : 305gm / 10.8 oz |
| Balance : 12.79in / 32.49cm / 6 pts HL |
| Beam Width : 22.5mm / 23mm / 21mm |
| Swingweight : 321 |
| Stiffness : 66 |
| String Tension : 45-60 pounds |
| Composition : Graphite |
| Grip Type : Yonex Synthetic |
| String Pattern: 16 Mains / 19 Crosses |
Technology
Overall Performance
As mentioned, it’s a combination of a 98-square-inch head size and an open 16-by-19 string pattern, which is designed to provide you with the utmost control without sacrificing power and spin.
In this updated Yonex Vcore 98 (2021), opt for a slightly thicker beam that means it’s a little bit more stable and powerful. After playtesting, I find that this is a more power-oriented racquet than a control-oriented one.
Feel
This updated Yonex Vcore 98 has a more dampened and muted feel compared to the previous version. Somehow it feels more plush, crisp, and flexible than the previous Vcore 98.
The new Flex Force Graphite technology, which is amalgamated into the racquet’s throat, indeed enhances the flexibility, and vibration dampening mesh wraps in the handle to reduce vibration, which improves the comfort and feel of the racquet.
Groundstrokes
From the baseline, Yonex racquets have a 7 percent wider sweet spot than the other racquets because of the isometric head size technology, which enables you to generate easy power and have fun playing from the centre of the frame.
On groundstrokes, this Yonex Vcore 98 racquet is not demanded you to make so much effort for the power net clearence and getting well depth which is usually are traits of Yonex racquets.
Aggressive baseliners can enjoy the free excess of extra power and spin with this racquet, but remember that with topspin, it’s easy to control, but for the flatter hitter, it could be tricky.
This Vcore 98 has a slightly thicker beam than the previous racquet, which helps to deliver more stability and power, but because of its 98 square inch head size and open 16-by-19 string pattern, it will manage to balance power and deliver an adequate amount of control from the baseline.
Maneuverability
Perfect merge of its string balance is around 6pts head light after strung, its strung weight is around 323 gram which is totally vary upto differ to differ string guage you’r trying and its swing weight is around 321 so which is making this racquet very maneuverable and faster swing speed from all court areas.
Power
The frame variable beam width, which is 21mm at the throat, 23mm at the sides of the head, and 22.5mm at the top, and its mid stiffness or RA rating, which is around 66, are designed to generate plenty of power from the racquet.
Returns
On a flat serve or heavier opponent first serve, it is all about controlling the pace of the opponent, where the Vcore 98 does a decent job because of the perfect blend of the 98-inch headsize and open string pattern.
If you really want to take the full advantage of racquet potential to return the flat serve or heavier pace serve then you’ll be sure the racquet string tension should be below the 55 pounds otherwise racquet power is hard to control.
On a second or low-pace serve, this Vcore 98 is quite controlled and stable, and after a few returns, you’ll get the confidence to step inside the court and hit the target wherever you want to.
Serves
On a first serve or flat serve, you don’t find any lack of power with this racquet for hitting the flat serve because free access to power is so easy with it, thanks to the maneuvrability and stability of the Vcore 98.
Aerodynamic racquet shape and open 16×19 string pattern helped you at providing utmost amount of spin on both for the kick serves or slice serves.
Slices
Hitting slices with this Yonex Vcore 98 from the centre of the frame has such a plush feel, which is credited to the isometric head shape, which offers a 7% wider sweet spot compared to the other racquets.
Whether hitting backhand slices from the baseline or returning the serve with backhand slices, this Yonex Vcore 98 is so fun and delightful.
Stability
With its mid-strung weight of around 323 grammes (11.4 oz) and 6 points of headlight balance, the Yonex Vcore 98 is surprisingly stable. Compared to the previous version, improvements in stability are pretty noticeable, either from the baseline or on volleys.
TopSpin
Aerodynamic characteristics of the racquet help us generate topspin so effortlessly, and you don’t find any lack of topspin for all variations of shots with this stick.
Aero Fin technology on the inside and outside edges of the racquet’s head and just above the racquet’s throat, Flex Force graphite integrated into the racquet’s midsection, and an open string pattern all contribute to accessing plenty of topspin as needed.
Volleys
At Net, this Yonex Vcore 98 feels solid and very maneuverable. Its 6pt head light balance makes it easy to maneuver you can guickly get the racquet back into position and hitting with the sweetspot so easy cause of the isometric headsize.
Yonex Vcore 98 has plenty of pop and put away power at the net which is really amaze for hitting the smashes but at the same easy access of power control the power a bit struggle.
Compared to the other racquets in this category of mid weight modern racquet the Yonex Vcore 98 done a satisfing job at net.
Overall
On Groundstrokes, Aggressive baseliner players will enjoy this racquet cause of extra power with spin potential.
For serve, you don’t find any lack of power or spin.
For Return, the Yonex Vcore 98 is slightly more controlled and stable.
At net, done a decent job as its mid weight modern player’s racquet.
Overall, with the 2021 Yonex Vcore 98, you’ll find a very powerful and spin-potential racquet from all areas of the court.
Percentage Chart
78%
Control
80%
Feel
85%
Groundstrokes
86%
Maneuverability
85%
Power
83%
Returns
85%
Serves
84%
Stability
85%
Slices
81%
Volleys
86%
Topspin
84%
Over-all
Like
- Power
- Spin Potetial
- Maneuverability
- Stability
Dislike
- Control
- Comfort
Who's This Racquet For
It is well suited for baseline players who like to attack their opponent with powerful groundstrokes and heavy topspin.
For modern-style players who like to play with a semi-western or western grip, e.g., they can easily optimise the true potential of the racquet, making this racquet the perfect weapon for their game.
Power and spin both are main key factor of this racquet players who are always look that in a racquet then this racquet will not disappoint you at all.
Who's This Racquet Not For
Control, comfort, and feel are the top priorities on your list; then, go for another racquet; there are so many options available.
Those who like a very control oriented racquet or characteristics of a heavier weight racquet then don’t look for this racquet.
This racquet is not meant for flatter hitters or traditional grip style players; otherwise, controlling the power is going to be a task for you.
(Other Yonex Vcore Variants)
Yonex Vcore 95 (2021)
The Yonex Vcore 95 (2021) is one of the heaviest and smaller head size racquet in the Vcore varients. It offers you the maximum stability and control than the other Vcore racquets. With its smaller head size, this racquet is best suited for advanced or professional players.
Yonex Vcore 98 +
This Yonex Vcore 98+ is the half inch longer version of the standard Yonex Vcore 98. An extended half inch will help to increase the head speed and topspin. Extended length will change the balance of the racquet, and now its weight shifts more towards the racquet’s handle, which results in a slightly higher swingweight.
Yonex Vcore 98L
This Yonex Vcore 98L (2021) is the lighter-weighted version of the Yonex Vcore 98. It’s 20 gram lighter weight compared to Vcore 98 which offers you the more easy to swing and more spin potential than the Vcore 98. It is best suited for beginner to intermediate players who are looking for a lighter racquet for spin and speed.
Yonex Vcore 100
The Yonex Vcore 100 is one of the most preferred rackets by women’s professional players like Angelique Kerber, Caroline Garcia, Donna Vekic, and others in the Vcore line-up. It offers you easy power and the maximum amount of spin. The Yonex Vcore 100 is the best option for intermediate players who want a light player’s racquet.
Yonex Vcroe 100+
This Yonex Vcore 100+ (2021) is the half inch longer version of the standard Yonex Vcore 100. Its offers you the same characteristics as you expect from 0.5 inch extended longer racquet which is extended half inch will help to increase the head speed and topspin. It will change the balance of the racquet, and now its weight will shift more towards the racquet’s handle, which will result in a slightly higher swingweight.
Yonex Vcore 100L
This Vcore 100L (2021) is the lighter-weighted version of the Yonex Vcore 100. It’s 20 gram lighter weight compared to Vcore 100 which offers you the more easy to swing and more spin potential than the Vcore100. It is best suited for beginner to intermediate players who are looking for a lighter racquet for spin and speed.
Note*
Selecting the perfect racquet for your suitable game style takes lot of research and time. Its really hard to find the perfect racquet for yourself cause every racquet has its own pros and cons.