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 overview. Let’s go.

Yonex VCORE 100 Cosmetics

At first look, it’s doable 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 (usually 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 mix 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 means into the arms of a number of world-class gamers resembling Angelique Kerber, Elena Rybakina, and Caroline Garcia.

The Japanese producer’s high quality management is the very best 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 Professional Overgrip, it was 321.2g absolutely strung.

 
Yonex VCORE 100 2023
My Yonex VCORE 100 2023

Head Dimension
100in² / 645.16cm²
100in² / 645.16cm²

Size
27in / 68.58 cm
27in / 68.58cm

Unstrung Weight
10.6oz / 300g
10.6oz / 301g

Strung Weight
11.3oz / 320g
11.3 oz / 321.2g

Unstrung Stability
12.6in / 320cm / 7 pts HL
12.6in / 321cm 7 pts HL

Strung Stability
13in / 33.02cm / 4 pts HL
–

Swingweight
322kg/cm²
–

Stiffness
65
65

Beam Width
25.3 mm / 25.3 mm / 22 mm
25.3 mm / 25.3 mm / 22 mm

Composition
2G-Namd FlexForce/ H.M. Graphite
2G-Namd FlexForce/ H.M. Graphite

Racket Colours
Crimson (w/ blue & black particulars)
Crimson (w/ blue & black particulars)

Grip Kind
Yonex Artificial
Yonex Artificial

String Sample
16 Mains / 19 Crosses
16 Mains / 19 Crosses

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

Pressure 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 straightforward to maneuver by way of the air. I perceived the steadiness barely shifted in the direction of the pinnacle in comparison with the 2021 model.

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

It shortly grew to become 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 selected degree of flex and energy that has improved my snapback and elevated my ball pace and spin potential.

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

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

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

Nevertheless, Yonex didn’t overlook about consolation within the pursuit of steadiness. This model of the VCORE 100 seems much more comfy 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 grasp that the VCORE 100 2023 could possibly be the right racket for me. As an all-court participant, I get pleasure from using my groundstrokes to construct up a degree 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 contemplate 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 observed a big distinction in energy between the outdated and the brand new model of the VCORE 100. The latter appears general 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 troublesome 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 related to its capability to launch energy and management even after I barely miss-hit the ball.

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

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

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 as a result 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 a degree.

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 may discover the ball would bounce off a bit of 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 suppose regulating the strain in keeping with the racket may compensate for the small setback on this space.

Serve

I consider the development 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 might be “versatile.”

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

Return

Using Vcore rackets, it grew to become clear that they don’t seem to be made for returns to be their forte, and I need 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 suppose that on-the-rise returns require extra of it.

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

Who’s This Racket For?

Although the VCORE 100 2023 seems very versatile, its traits wouldn’t go well with every kind of gamers.

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

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

However, no matter their sport, I’d not advocate this racket to newbie gamers. Regardless of the enlargement of its candy spot and enchancment in manoeuvrability, it stays a really troublesome product to play with.

Alternatively, skilled gamers with correct method and data of the sport may use this racket to its full potential.

Related Rackets

Remaining Ideas

My general overview of the Yonex VCORE 100 2023 is undoubtedly constructive. I liked taking part in with it and look ahead to utilizing it extra.

I believe that a number of modifications to the string rigidity could possibly be simply what I want 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.