Yonex VCORE 98 Racquet Review

by Jonas Eriksson
Yonex VCORE 98 Racquet Review

Yonex has simplified their names and replaced the VCORE Spin Vortex (SV) series with just “VCORE”. This means the new Yonex VCORE 98 is both easy to remember and easy to play with. What else does it do well? Read the Yonex VCORE 98 Racquet review and find out. 

The Yonex SV series had its fans. Players who prefer modern, crisp and spin-friendly racquets. Not much is different with this update. The Yonex VCORE 98 is a powerful, spin racquet with an improved comfort over the previous model. Is it a competitor to the Babolat Pure Strike 98, the Yonex DR 98, the Prince Beast 98, the Wilson Blade 98, the Angell K7 Red (click names to read my opinion) and other “mid plus plus” racquets? Yes, I think it is, but it is not outstanding.

This Yonex VCORE 98 racquet review was not outstanding, but entertaining. It is a good racquet to play with. It gives you some extra power and spin over a Blade 98 and a DR 98, it is more arm-friendly than the Pure Strike 98, but I do prefer the feel of the Angell K7 Red and the Prince Beast 98. The Angell because it is more flexible, arm-friendly and you really “feel” the ball with that racquet. The Beast 98 because it is arm-friendly and I get more control with its 16×20 string pattern than the rather open VCORE 98.

Yonex VCORE 98 Racquet Review – Unstrung specs

Yonex VCORE 98 Racquet ReviewThe racquet specs of the VCORE 98 are not revolutionary:

Head size: 98 sq inch
String pattern: 16×19
Weight: 305 grams
Beam width: 22/22/21 mm
Balance: 315 mm
Materials: HM Graphite, Nanometric XT, Namd
RA: 68

Most 98 sq racquets land in this category so it will be hard to compare. What is new with the VCORE is that they have something called Aero fins that is supposed to create a “faster, thinner frame for increased ball-pocketing”. They also have “Newly engineered straight hole grommets allow for more string movement to expand the horizontal sweet spot, while the Aero Trench reduces air resistance for easy manoeuvrability.”

Marketing jargon of course, but some technologies actually work the way they are intended to. To be honest I did not feel that this racquet swung faster compared to other racquets in its weight and spec class, but it might be true for others. I did feel that the sweet spot was generous (the classic Yonex Isometric head shape really seems to help here) and that the spin was somewhat better than the DR 98.

Yonex VCORE 98 Racquet Review – Strings and spin

Yonex VCORE 98 Racquet Review

I strung the Yonex VCORE 98 with Yonex Poly Tour Pro (yellow) 1.25 at 23 kg. At first I felt I should have aimed for a higher tension because the ball was flying on me, but once you dial it in, the tension felt fine. I have noticed arm pain after stringing crisper racquets with a stiff poly and think that lower tensions are usually the way to go unless you use a hybrid or a multifilament string.

The ball shoots out of the string bed on the VCORE 98. I felt like the spin was a bit more sensational (sometimes too much) on the Angell K7 Red, but this is definitely a racquet for players who like a higher launch angle when they bash the ball. Net clearance comes easily, but the power needs to be reigned in at times. A more modern, western technique would be recommended to get the dip needed to successfully play with this racquet.

If you want even more spin, you could try the Yonex Poly Tour Strike, which gives the ball more bite than the Yonex Poly Tour Pro, but the Poly Tour Pro is slightly softer in my opinion. I think other strings that would perform well in this racquet would be: Solinco Tour Bite, Solinco Hyper-G, Luxilon 4G, and HEAD Hawk Touch.

Yonex VCORE 98 Racquet Review – Stiff competition

The racquet is powerful and flatter hitters might find the ball to sail on them. I struggled with this a bit at first, but dialled in shots a bit better after the first 4-5 hours. The racquet does pretty much what the marketing says it does, but I did not find that beautiful connection with the ball that I am always looking for. I think the Yonex DR 98, Pure Strike 98, Angell K7 Red and Prince Beast 98 are all slightly better in this regard.

There are simply so many good 98 sq inch racquets, that it is hard for me to say exactly what player will play his or her best tennis with this one. If you like the DR 98 and want more power, sure. If you want a slightly more comfortable response than the Pure Strike, but still good power…sure. But personally I’d rather recommend the Beast 98 although it does swing a bit heavier. I also don’t understand why they launch a VCORE 98 and an EZONE 98 that play so similar. Okay, the VCORE 98 plays a bit faster, but for me that is more of a failure of the EZONE 98 than the success of the VCORE.

There are just too many similar racquets on the market. Why would a player chose an EZONE 98 over a VCORE? Because he or she likes green more than red? I think the VCORE 98 is simply a better racquet than the EZONE 98, but not a better racquet than the DR 98. And this is just talking Yonex. Confusing for the customer? Yes!

Yonex VCORE 98 Racquet Review – Summary

Yonex VCORE 98 Racquet Review - Summary

The VCORE 98 is a crisp, fast, spin-friendly racquet with decent control and comfort. I enjoyed playing with it, but I never felt that it was something I would take into a tournament. Perhaps it is partly because I play with more traditional control racquets these days, but I also never felt that I could trust this racquet a hundred percent. It is not only a control issue, it was more the feel on contact I did not enjoy so much. Obviously, I am not the core demographic here, but I do feel like the Beast 98 was more in my wheelhouse even though they offer similar specs.

I also let two tennis coaches and friends of mine test this racquet and the response was similar. The feel on contact was not really there for them to be attracted to this racquet. One of them uses a Babolat Pure Drive and the other guy a PT57A imitation so they have different tastes in racquets.

I don’t want to rain on the Yonex parade here. They create some excellent products and they are better at quality control than most of their competitors. The racquets pretty much always come only a few grams within the listed specs and this was the case also with the VCORE 98. However, even if I am sure there are plenty of top spin baseliners that will like this racquet, I find the VCORE Pro 97 (330) is definitely a racquet closer to my preferred specs and feel. And for the record I did try customizing it with lead tape to get the weight up more to what I usually gravitate towards.

Last but not least, the design and paint job of this racquet is great. And next up for a test is the VCORE 95! A racquet I already believe I will like more.

If you buy a racquet from our friends at All Things Tennis, you will get 5% off and a free string upgrade if you use the code: TENNISNERD at checkout.

Yonex VCORE 98 Racquet Review – Video

What do you think of the Yonex VCORE 98? Is it a racquet that excites you? Have you tried it? Please comment below.

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24 comments

Jason October 1, 2018 - 21:42

I love Yonex but you are correct when you say they make to many racquets around the same spec range. I have always liked the vcore series until the recent move to the DR98+. I tried the Vcore SV 98+ and liked it but it was more stiff and less maneuverable for the extended length I was looking for. The Vcore had unlimited power potential that I had to string up a few extra lbs to reign in so the ball didn’t fly but the smoothness and feel of the DR won me over. They seem to try to make a racquet for all player types in the same sizes but with so many different weight options in the same line seems to really over saturate/confuse the buyer, unless they are nerds like us. Great review and I want to test the 95 soon.

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Leon Ser March 8, 2019 - 00:49

Thanks for the reviews!!!
I would like to know which racquet you prefer between the Vcore 98 and the Ezone 98. Which one would recommend?

Reply
Tennisnerd March 13, 2019 - 12:47

Hi,
I thought the VCORE 98 was a bit erratic in the string bed so I would prefer the Ezone 98 a bit more. Cheers / Jonas

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Gabriel March 8, 2019 - 00:54

Which racquet does have more control: the Pure Strike 98 16×19 or the Vcore 98? And which one do you like better?
Thank you!

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Tennisnerd March 13, 2019 - 12:46

Hi Gabriel,
The Pure Strike offers more control and that is why I like it better! Cheers / Jonas

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Leon Ser March 23, 2019 - 20:33

Thanks for your reply!

Love your reviews! Your opinion would help me a lot!

Just to understand (because I will buy one of this two racquets but I am unable to demo): you prefer the EZONE 98, right? So, why did say these phrases in the written review above?
“Why would a player choose an EZONE 98 over a VCORE?”
“I think the VCORE 98 is simply a better racquet than the EZONE 98.”

Thank you!

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Tennisnerd March 26, 2019 - 08:43

Thanks! I understand if that might sound confusing. This is what I mean:

I generally like the Ezone 98 series more, the AI and DR are great racquets.

The Ezone 98 update feels boardier and stiffer, sort of like a Pure Strike 98 (red/black) so from the latest Ezone 98 and the VCORE 98, I would go with the VCORE 98. But if you can find a DR 98, I prefer that racquet.

Hope this makes sense. I think they took a wrong turn with the Ezone 98 as a progression from the DR 98…

Cheers / J

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Renato June 14, 2019 - 14:37

Great review! Very helpful.

I am an average player seeking to improve my tennis. I wand to purchase a vcore but in dount if I should choose a vcore98 or 100. I currently play with a head graphene radical 2015. I am leading towards a vcore 98 to improve my tennis but concerned that adding more 10g may cause injuries. I am working on my arm and shoulder musceles to support the additional weight. Any thoughts? Thanks guys!

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Tennisnerd June 17, 2019 - 07:52

Thanks Renato! I don’t think you should worry about the extra weight. You will get more control with the VCORE 98, but if you want free power and spin, go with the 100. I think you will get used to the weight! Good luck / Jonas

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Serban August 10, 2019 - 10:45

Hi Jonas,
I really like yours review’s. But there are so many options, and I am confused on what to choose.
I am an average 32 y.o.player, love to play single, having now the wilson prostaff 90. I find it after 1 year of playing quite difficult for net points, hitting a lot with the frame, maybe too small the surface.
Reading your posts, and beeing some rare rackets in my country, made in japan, I would like to try a yonex racket, but of course it s difficult to choose.
What whould you recommand (I guess you read this question very often).
Serban

Reply
Tennisnerd August 12, 2019 - 09:51

Hi Serban,
Appreciate it. Yeah, there are a lot of racquets out there!

I think it makes sense for you to go up in head size a bit. It is difficult to play with a 90 sq inch.

If you still want some good control and a racquet that is fast through the air, I would recommend the Yonex VCORE 95 or the Yonex VCORE Pro 310. Those are two good, more control-oriented yet much easier to use options. I also like the Yonex VCORE Duel G 97 310 a lot if you find one.

Good luck / Jonas

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Stephen October 4, 2019 - 01:46

Every racket has tradeoffs. This racket hits absolutely ferocious, fast, heavy serves / groundstrokes with surprisingly good control and precision, but the tradeoff is that there is a very small sweet spot and it is completely unforgiving. It’s like the usual chunks of weight that make normal rackets easier to use were spared in the name of bashing the fastest, heaviest ball. You HAVE to be a spinner to use this thing, but it’s not meant for hitting lifters either. It’s built to hit low-trajectory high-RPM winners into corners.

I saw a few baseline retriever kids at nationals hitting winners with this racket that you normally wouldn’t see them hit. They also forced errors off of their serves that they’d rarely ever force with typical rackets.

But this thing has to be piloted to perfection. I can hold serve all day with this racket, but I can barely get a return back when I play against a big server.

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Andy October 28, 2019 - 20:51

My son uses a Babolat Pure Drive (lite 270g), borrowed vcore 98 and enjoyed hitting with it, do you have any comparisons between the two rackets and which one you prefer?

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Tennisnerd October 29, 2019 - 13:53

I prefer the VCORE 98. Better comfort and control.

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Duke November 27, 2019 - 18:08

Hi Jonas,
You are one of the best reviewers out there. I’m thinking of replacing my ancient Yonex Ultimimum 1700 Long with a Vcore 95, or 98. Have you hit with the VCORE 98 Lite? (285g) version? I’m looking for something a little arm friendly and more control. Thanks!

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Tennisnerd November 29, 2019 - 09:34

Hi, I haven’t hit with the VCORE 98L, but can really recommend the VCORE 95 or the VCORE Pro 97 HD if you want something a little “beefier”. Good luck / J

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Evgeni February 2, 2020 - 19:50

Hi, which is better between the Vcore 98 and Babolat Pure Strike 98 16×19 and 18×20 and the Babolat Pure Strike 100?

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Tennisnerd February 3, 2020 - 07:13

Hi,
Hard to say which one is better. They all play differently. If you want help choosing a racquet based on your style and level of tennis, I suggest using our racquet consultation form in the shop. Cheers / J

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Eva February 9, 2020 - 14:13

Hi, which racket between the Babolat Pure Strike 98 16×19 and the Yonex Vcore 98 has the better shots, the better control and the better comfort?

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Tennisnerd February 10, 2020 - 15:38

Hi,
I think the Pure Strike offers better control, while the VCORE more spin and slightly better comfort. I prefer the Pure Strike. Cheers / J

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Jose luis July 2, 2020 - 00:28

Hi, between vcore 98 and vcore pro 100, which one has more power and bigger sweet spot? How can will you ckmpare these 2 rackets?

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Tony F July 21, 2020 - 16:36

Hi. I have been dancing around the potential replacements for my 2 x aging (very aged!) Yonex RDX500 rackets. They fit like a glove for me control wise, but its praying on my mind that they are now “tired” rackets and I am sure I am losing whatever power I possessed. Of course I blame the rackets for this, it cannot be me!
Because they are so old now, I cannot find any online comparisons that suggest which new rackets would make good replacements.
So any ideas or guidance would be really appreciated..
Thanks T.

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Luigi Serio September 7, 2020 - 14:55

Hi Jonas thank you for your reviews I think they are eccellent! I play with vcore 98, Is my racket (i play with tons of spin and I like clay courts). I have found a good price for a reel of poly tour pro Yellow 1.25. Do you think Is a good option or I have to look to Fire or Strike? In past I play with poly tour pro and I liked very much. Thank you

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Tennisnerd September 8, 2020 - 06:18

Hi Luigi,
Yes, that is a good option if you like a livelier feel. For more control, go for the Strike.

Cheers / J

Reply

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