Overview
We play tested the Yonex VCORE 100 and had a blast! Endorsed by top ATP & WTA players, the Yonex VCORE 100 is loaded with tech and sports a fresh frame design.
The standout alteration is the widened hoop at the 10 and 2 o'clock spots, creating a higher launch angle. There's also a new throat design and a slight tweak to the beam width for extra stability.
A new feature, SIF (Silicone Oil Infused Filament) Grommets, is geared towards improving spin with better snapback. Our team of testers, who are all long-time Yonex users, were pleased to find that this updated racket met their expectations.
The VCORE 100 delivers power, spin, and easy depth from all corners of the court. It also provides a comfy, plush feel even on mishits. However, our testers did mention that it took some getting used to the higher launch angle and it was easy to hit the ball too hard.
Overall, the Yonex VCORE 100 is definitely worth trying out for players of all levels seeking power and spin in a user-friendly package.
Upsides
- Power
- Spin friendly
- Comfortable, plush feel
Downsides
- Nothing we could agree on
Groundstrokes
The Yonex VCORE 100 provided our testers with plenty of power and spin on their groundstrokes. Georgia was eager to try out this new version of one of her favourite racquets. She shared, "I've always had a soft spot for the VCORE range. My love for Yonex racquets, especially the 100-square-inch head sizes, began 12 years ago with the VCORE 100 S. Although I've since switched to the EZONE 100 and never looked back, I'm always curious to see what Yonex comes up with next for the VCORE. I was delighted to find that this 2023 update feels the closest to the VCORE 100 S. I found it very easy to use right from the start, with no need for adjustment. I could head straight to the court and into playing without any problems. As expected, there was good power and spin from the baseline, and getting depth on my shots was a breeze. I particularly enjoyed mixing up my groundstrokes by hitting some deep shots followed by adding spin for shorter, angled shots to keep my opponent off balance. The same versatility applied when playing defensively; I could hit high and deep shots to buy myself extra time or slice the ball low to make my opponent stretch."
Paul shared his thoughts, "In recent versions, I've preferred the EZONE line over the VCORE due to its feel and control. However, this latest VCORE 100 is probably my favourite version so far, and I rate this racquet as highly as the 2022 EZONE 100. While there are still differences between the two lines, I found more power and better net clearance with the VCORE 100 compared to the EZONE. This time, I didn't struggle as much with control as I did with the previous VCORE 100. I felt comfortable immediately with this VCORE 100, getting easy depth and the ability to make the ball dip when hitting cross-court angles. This racket offers more power than what I usually go for, but because I didn't have issues controlling my shots, I could utilise the power and be more aggressive than usual. I wasn't suddenly hitting huge shots, but with the added depth and pace, I could finish points a few shots earlier either forcing errors from my opponent or putting away a short ball sooner in the rally."
David compared this update to the previous model, noting, "Right from the first hit, I noticed a softer and more forgiving feel with this VCORE 100 update. It felt plush, like the ball was staying on the strings longer. My shots had a higher arc, clearing the net more easily and accessing depth effortlessly. I also found I could generate plenty of spin with this racquet, giving me lots of options for shot placement and allowing me to play creatively. I thought the racquet paired nicely with the Yonex POLYTOUR AIR string, which complemented the plushness and high launch angle of the racquet. The blue colour of the string added a nice touch to the overall look of the new VCORE."
Lauren found the 2023 VCORE 100 to be the ideal tool for her baseline game. He said, "This racquet offers a great mix of power, depth, and spin. It's also very manoeuvrable, allowing me to generate racquet head speed with ease. The higher launch angle made achieving depth effortless. It was fantastic for hitting angles or playing defensively, although I did notice the racquet could be a bit 'launchy' if I took full swings without focusing on adding topspin. With its excellent manoeuvrability, I could generate racquet head speed without any trouble."
Volleys
Our testers thought the VCORE 100 offered a good mix of balance and easy handling, while still packing a punch for finishing shots up at the net. Tiffani felt confident moving in to close out points with this VCORE 100. She said, "I felt comfortable pushing forward to end rallies. This racquet felt easy to move around with, yet still stable enough. I liked the power it gave me, and I even tried a few swinging volleys, which isn't my usual style."
"I really liked using this racquet at the net," said Lauren. "The slightly bigger sweet spot in the upper part of the racket helped me out on some off-centre hits. There was definitely enough power to finish points and plenty of spin for drop volleys. I found the stability to be better than average for a 300-gram racket, even when I didn't hit the ball dead center."
Georgia found that the responsive and forgiving feel of the 2023 VCORE 100 made volleying straightforward. She said, "The sweet spot was generous, so even when I didn't hit the ball perfectly, I still got decent feedback. I mostly ended points by hitting my volleys deep, which suits my style of play. The mix of balance and easy handling made this racket a lot of fun for doubles matches. I enjoyed quick exchanges at the net and coming out on top."
The VCORE 100 had the right mix of control, stability and power for David’s volleys. He said, "I loved the feel and control of this racket. It was very comfortable and responsive, yet I still felt connected to the ball. My touch volleys were working well, and I could find sharp angles for winners. The response also gave me enough power to hit fast-paced volleys."
Serves
Just like with groundstrokes, the standout features of the Yonex VCORE 100 on serves were its power and spin, which the testers used to their advantage. David managed to keep his opponents guessing by serving up a variety of shots. He said, "I was really pleased with the speed and spin I could put on my serves using the VCORE 100. My slice serve was particularly effective, allowing me to clear the net comfortably and still land the ball well inside the lines. When serving first serves, I had fun mixing up the pace and spin. My flat serves were accurate, and the spin serves had a lot of bite to them."
"I love any racket that helps me add some extra power without too much effort, and the VCORE 100 definitely delivers on that front," remarked Lauren. "Not only did it give me the power I needed, but it also provided plenty of spin. I felt confident mixing up my first serves, sending one flat down the middle before slicing one wide to keep my opponent on their toes. On second serves, I found a nice rhythm that I could maintain throughout a set without tiring my arm. My second serve was kicking nicely and making it tough for my opponent to attack."
Paul felt his serve was more successful with the VCORE 100 compared to his usual Prince Twistpower X100 Tour racket. He said, "I was able to generate good power and spin on my serves because it was so easy to accelerate the VCORE 100 through contact. The only downside for me was controlling the depth. I noticed that many of my faults were long misses."
Similarly to Paul, Georgia needed some time to adjust the depth of her serves with the new racket. She explained, "I did struggle initially with the higher launch angle when serving. My flat serves tended to go long more often than I'd like, but I did appreciate the feeling of increased power. Adding slice to my serves helped improve consistency. I particularly enjoyed serving wide on the deuce side. If I went after the ball, I could get it moving off the court nicely."
Returns
Our testers found that the VCORE 100 made returning shots easier due to its power and agility. However, they had to use spin to control the ball's placement. Paul was able to play aggressively with the VCORE 100, saying, "I was getting good depth and power on my returns. The spin helped me make shots that I didn't expect to land in play."
David mentioned, "I could react quickly with the VCORE 100, allowing me to be aggressive. I liked hitting down the line from both sides as the ball easily cleared the net and stayed within the lines with pace. The racket was suitable for blocking returns, and my slice backhand was effective."
Lauren managed to hit deep returns but sometimes too deep. She said, "The easy power meant I had to be careful not to overshoot. The spin helped some of my shots stay in play when I thought they would go out. While I could aim well, I needed larger target areas. Once in a neutral position, I felt confident. Similar to groundstrokes, I could play more aggressively with the VCORE 100 during rallies."
Georgia also worked on keeping her returns in play. She explained, "I had to control the power on returns as the racket had a higher launch angle. A slight wrist adjustment helped me hit deep returns near the baseline, starting offensively. The VCORE 100 was quick around my body, ensuring I never felt late with my swing. Despite its weight, the frame remained stable during play."
Overall, here are the testers' thoughts on the VCORE 100 tennis racket:
Likes:
- Lauren: "I really like the effortless power, spin, and great feel of the VCORE 100."
- Georgia: "I enjoy how the VCORE 100 feels when hitting the ball. It provides easy power, plenty of spin, and good depth. The comfort level is also a plus."
- David: "I absolutely adore the soft and responsive feel. I appreciate the easy depth and spin it offers. My topspin shots are consistently accurate with the VCORE 100, and I can achieve great rotation on the ball. It's also simpler to use compared to the 95 and 98 versions."
- Paul: "Loads of power. Excellent spin and depth accessibility. Easy to swing."
Dislikes:
- Lauren: "I can't think of anything specific, although I'm not keen on the appearance."
- Georgia: "In terms of performance, I don't have any dislikes, but I wish the VCORE 100 was all red."
- David: "It doesn't have the same precision as the 95 and 98 versions, but it's more forgiving and provides easier depth."
- Paul: "Control may suffer without topspin."
Comparing the VCORE 100 to other rackets they've tried, the testers shared:
- Lauren: "The VCORE 100 delivers more power and spin potential than the EZONE 100, but less control. The newest VCORE 98 offers slightly more control and precision, while the VCORE 100 has a more forgiving response and a higher launch angle. Comparable rackets include the Babolat Pure Drive and Pure Aero, the Dunlop SX 300, and the Wilson Ultra 100 v4."
- Georgia: "This version is my favourite so far! I have better control and feel for my shots compared to the previous model. The VCORE 100 provides more power, a higher launch angle, and easier spin than the EZONE 100. It shares a similar launch angle with the Dunlop FX 500 and the Prince Ripstick 100, along with similar power levels."
- David: "With its plush feel and user-friendly design, this update delivers on its promises for spin and is the best VCORE 100 for me. I would compare it against the new Babolat Pure Aero, Head Boom MP, and Dunlop FX 500 Tour for demos. All these rackets offer improved feel and comfort over their previous versions, along with plenty of spin and power."
- Paul: "It plays quite similarly to the EZONE 100. The EZONE excels in control, while the VCORE 100 shines in power."
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Technical Specifications |
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Length |
27 in |
69 cm |
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Head Size |
100 sq in |
645 sq cm |
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Weight |
11.3 oz |
320 gm |
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Balance Point |
13 in 33 cm |
4pts Head Light |
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Construction |
25.3mm / 25.3mm / 22mm |
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Composition |
2G-Namd FlexForce/H.M. Graphite |
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String Pattern |
16 Mains / 19 Crosses |
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