Yonex Vcore Pro 97 (310)
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
The Yonex Vcore Pro 97 (2021) is a modern classic racquet for today’s generation of aggressive players.
This racquet is made for players who want a racquet that is easy to swing and less heavy than the Yonex Vcore Pro 97H 330 racquet endorsed by Stan Wawrinka.
It is a player’s racquet that offers a balance of control, spin, and feel. This Yonex Vcore Pro 97 racquet is the choice of ATP players Frances Tiafoe and Pierre-Hugues Herbert.
The Yonex Vcore Pro 97 (2021) is the third generation of the Yonex Vcore Pro Series. The Vcore Pro Series (2021) was exclusively launched in the United States on August 24, 2021, and the worldwide launch was on September 14, 2021.
For 2021, Yonex adds 2G-NAMD (Flex Force) to the graphite layup. This is designed to help the frame counterpunch more effectively during impact. Yonex improves the shaft geometry to help the racquet bend more effectively during impact.
They’ve also added a slightly thicker beam for extra pop and stability. Other material updates include Flex Fuse, a shock-absorbing polymer integrated into the graphite to give this racquet an improved flex, softness, and plushness.
(2019) Yonex Vcore Pro 97 had matte light green color now yonex updated a new paint job which is combination of unique green and purple design. Somehow, Its looking something different from the all generation. This racquet is best suited for strong intermediate to advanced players.
Specifications
| Head Size : 97 in / 625.81 cm |
| Length : 27in / 68.58cm |
| Strung Weight : 326g / 11.5oz |
| Unstrung Weight : 310gm / 10.9 oz |
| Balance : 12.59in / 31.98cm / 7 pts HL |
| Beam Width : 21mm / 21mm / 21mm |
| Swingweight : 316 |
| Stiffness : 60 |
| String Tension : 45-60 pounds |
| Composition : Graphite |
| Grip Type : Yonex Synthetic |
| String Pattern: 16 Mains / 19 Crosses |
Technology
Overall Performance
Considering its weight, the Yonex Vcore Pro 97 provided the utmost control throughout the game. But this is not the most control-oriented racquet in the V Core Pro line-up. If you are looking for the most controllable racquet in the Vcore Pro series, then the Yonex Vcore Pro 97H 330 is the best option for you in the Vcore Pro line-up. Somehow, the Yonex Vcore Pro 97 310 does an excellent job in terms of control.
The smaller 97 sq. inch head size combined with the flex force and flex fuse technology, which combine to form the “FlexCon System,” brings an all-new level of control to the vcore pro series, which indeed helps to provide precise control over the ball to the vcore pro 97.
Feel
This Yonex Vcore Pro 97 feels softer and more plush due to a tapered box beam design with a lengthened shaft, which results in a 36% increase in flex over the previous model. It provides greater pocketing and snapback and a plusher, softer feel at contact. A shock-absorbing resin has also been added to graphite to enhance comfort as well.
Compared to its predecessor, this Vcore Pro 97 feels more flexible because this 3rd generation Vcore Pro has a completely new, redesigned throat, which provides greater racquet flex and feel.
Groundstrokes
From the baseline, the Yonex Vcore Pro 97 is very easy to maneuver, meaning easy to swing and have enough mass from behind the ball, which feels very solid at impact.
On groundstrokes, the Yonex Vcore Pro 97 is a very control oriented and stable with enhanced precision. The sweet spot is forgiving and consistent.
You can easily generate a great amount of spin and get depth so easily with this racquet, but you don’t get access to free power so easily with this racquet. Apart from that, it offers an excellent blend of spin, power, and control.
Maneuverability
The Yonex Vcore Pro 97 (310) is very easy to swing or maneuver; there is hardly any noticeable difference from the previous version in swinging the racquet throughout the game.
This is the most maneuverable racquet in the Vcore Pro 2021 line-up because it has a lower swing weight than the other Vcore Pro racquets.
Power
This updated Yonex Vcore Pro 97 (2021) has slightly increased the 1 mm variable beam width for enhanced power potential and stability.
This is not the most power potential racquet in the Vcore Pro line-up and you don’t get the free access of power so ease it doesn’t mean that you don’t get adequate amount of power with this racquet so, Overall you get the control-oriented form of power.
Returns
The Yonex Vcore Pro 97 is super stable and control-oriented to keep the ball under control or in the court, even when returning huge servers.
You get the confidence so easily with this racquet to step inside the court on second serve and hit the defensive or attacking return to your aiming targets due to its great precision and control.
This frame is stable enough to absorb heavy pace, which made it easy for you to counterpunch the volleys without losing control.
Serves
For serves, this Vcore Pro 97 (310) has enough mass to generate plenty of power to hit the huge flat serves, but you don’t get free access to power so easily. Somehow, this racquet is more focused on a precise and control-oriented form of power.
You can easily access the great amount of spin needed for kick or slice serves.
More flexible feel than the previous version, Somehow serves feel forgiving on the arm, and you don’t worry about having a tired shoulder after hitting couple of serves.
This racquet doesn’t feel heavy, so you can get it in position and swing the racquet head quickly through the motion. So literally, the serve feels quite nice.
Slices
Compared to the previous generation of slices, this Yonex Vcore Pro 97 (2021) is more precise and plusher due to its 2G-Namd technology for increased ball pocketing and Flex Fuse technology for a plusher feel.
As it’s strung balance which is around 7 pts head light and a swing weight of 316 allows the racquet able to cut the ball with great precision.
Stability
Considering its unstrung weight, which is around 310 grams, this racquet feels very solid and more stable throughout the game.
This Yonex Vcore Pro 97 (310) has a slightly thicker variable beam width, which overall increases the stability of the racquet compared to its predecessor.
TopSpin
Yonex racquets are always known for their spin potential because of the signature isometric head shape, which provides a 7% larger sweet spot compared to a conventional round frame, so overall you get more spin from the stringbed than with other brands.
Open 16×19 string pattern combined with the 2G-Namd Flex Force graphite technology, which allows the racquet to quickly flex and snap back for greater spin and faster ball acceleration off the string bed.
Volleys
The control and stability you can get on volleys is outstanding considering its 310-gram weight. This racquet does a great job at the net, it feels connected, and you can easily punch the ball back deep.
You might not face any issues in terms of maneuverability to get the racquet into position quickly and use your opponent’s pace against them by counterpunching the volleys.
If you are someone who loves to do volleys quite a bit while playing either doubles or singles and you enjoy a racquet that is easy to swing that still has a balanced amount of power and control, then this V-Core racquet is good for you.
Overall
The Yonex Vcore Pro 97 (310) is a classic, modern, and dynamic racquet for aggressive generation players.
This Yonex Vcore Pro 97 has more pop on serves than the previous version.
Stability and control of the racquet are top-notch, especially considering its weight, which is always a priority for today’s generation of players.
The Vcore Pro 97 310 performs like a great all-around racquet for both singles and doubles players.
Overall, the Yonex Vcore Pro 97 (310) has a nice blend of control, power, and spin, and this racquet is best suited for strong intermediate to advanced players.
Percentage Chart
Like
- Control
- Spin Friendly
- Feel & Touch
Dislike
- Sometimes too controlled
Who's This Racquet For
If you’re an aggressive all-court player who’s looking for the most balanced and spin-friendly racquet in the Vcore Pro line-up, then considering the Vcore Pro 2021 is worth it.
If you are suffering from any wrist or elbow injury or any kind of discomfort, then considering this Yonex Vcore Pro 97 or playing with this racquet is an option for you. All Yonex Vcore Pro (2021) racquets are so arm-friendly due to their low, stiff frames.
This is a frame that is best suited for aggressive players, especially those who like to hit flat backhands or flat winners.
Who's This Racquet Not For
Those who are prefer large head size racquet or dense 18×20 string pattern and low launch angle then this racquet is slightly not favourable for you.
We don’t find any major trade-off in this Yonex Vcore Pro 97 (2021), considering its weight, which is definitely a noticeable improvement over the previous version. But some of the players might feel more dampened than the previous generation.
(Other Yonex Vcore Pro Varients)
Yonex Vcore Pro 97 H (330)
Yonex Vcore Pro 97H (330) is the racquet choice of ATP players Stan Wawrinka and Hubert Hurkacz.
The Yonex Vcore Pro 97H (330) is the heaviest unstrung weight racquet of the Vcore Pro 2021 series. It is one of the most control-oriented and stable racquets compared to the other V-Core Pro racquets. It has around 337 swing weight. Apart from that, other specs will be the same as the Vcore Pro 97 and 310. Those who want more control and a more stable racquet than the V-Core Pro 97 will find it an attractive option. This racquet is best suited for strong intermediate to advanced players.
Yonex Vcore Pro 97 D
Yonex Vcore Pro 97 D has a dense 18×20 string pattern, which means this offers you more control and higher precision. This is the most control-oriented racquet in the V-Core Pro 2021 line-up. In terms of strung weight, this racquet perfectly fits between the Vcore Pro 97H and the Vcore Pro 97. Those who the most control oriented in the vcore pro series then it is an option for you. This racquet is best suited for strong intermediate to advanced players.
Yonex Vcore Pro 100
Yonex Vcore Pro 100 is the racquet choice of WTA players Clara Tauson and Dayana Yastremska.
This racquet has a 3 sq. inch bigger head size and 2 mm thicker variable beam width than the vcore pro 97, which means it offers a larger sweetspot and slightly more power potential. It has around 321 pounds of swing weight. Apart from that other specs will be the same as vcore pro 97. Those who want a lighter, easier-to-swing racquet will find this an option. This racquet is best suited for intermediate to advanced players.
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.
Saurabh is a passionate tennis content writer and lifelong fan of the game. Whether it’s Grand Slam showdowns or under-the-radar rising stars, Saurabh brings the court to life with sharp analysis, breaking news, and deep-dive features. When they aren’t covering matches, you can find them practicing their topspin forehand or debating who is the GOAT over coffee. Do you enjoy tennis? Then you are in the right place.
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