There have been a lot of good racquets released in 2018 from Prince, Babolat, Wilson, Angell, Yonex and HEAD, but there are a few big releases left. One of them is the 2018-19 version of the Pure Aero, and the update to the Yonex SV line. Let us have a look at the upcoming racquet releases 2018.
Babolat has kept quite an even rhythm around their releases. Every two years they update their major lines. In 2015 the FSI Pure Drive was released and in the end of 2017 we saw the new Babolat Pure Drive
with Cortex Pure feel (read my review here). In the end of this year Babolat updates their Pure Aero line and the question is what will be new with this flagship model?
Fellow tennis blogger Tennisthis wrote this post about the new Pure Aero where he states that the racquet will be lighter and stiffer. I have not received any official information from Babolat about this yet, but the paint job is not to my liking as it goes from yellowish-green of the Pure Aero to a strong yellow.
Most racquets are getting stiffer and they are introducing dampening materials into the frame to deal with this. I would assume the Pure Aero line would also include Cortex Pure Feel, but it is hard to comment on what this will do to the line. The only way to know is to write and record a Babolat Pure Aero 2018 racquet review, which is what I intend to do when the racquet is released.
Upcoming racquet releases 2018 – Yonex SV update
Yonex will also release an update to their so called “Spin vortex” line. Apparently they will remove the Spin vortex and only call it VCORE, to try to simplify the different line titles. They will then have the EZONE, the VCORE and the VCORE Pro (I reviewed the VCORE Pro 97 330 here). The main sales driver of the VCORE line (SV) will still be the spin.
So how do they achieve more spin with the VCORE/SV line? Well, they increase the presence of the aero fins to reduce the air resistance. Now they will have more of them, not only at 10 and 2 o’ clock but along the top part of the racquet head. The inside top of the frame will also have a groove (you can call it a “sunken grommet”, which is also aimed to reduce wind resistance). The new grommet layout will also allow strings to have more movement and a wider sweet spot. Similar to what HEAD is trying to do with their Speed Graphene 360 line. This will likely create a higher launch angle.
I am curious how this racquet will perform and hope to add it to a future play-test. The new VCORE racquets will be available in 95, 98 and 100 sq inch head sizes. The design will be very red – early picture below.
Upcoming racquet releases 2018
Do you know of any other upcoming racquet releases 2018? Please comment below!
15 comments
Hi,
Maybe Prince will release new Tour line. I would like to see Tour 100P with 16 x 18 or 16 x 19 string patern with flex around 60ra. That would be fantastic!
Vedran
Hi Vedran,
Yes, agree. A Tour line update would be excellent! Cheers / J
The new Tour line has already been released in Japan. I wonder when it will be available in Europe and if the specs would be the same as in Japan.
Vedran
I did not know this! Will see if I can get a hold of Prince and confirm. Do you have any info to share?
Do you think they will add the aero storm mold or the VS back with the new pure aero. As someone who uses that racquet currently, I would like to see it with the new paint job, although I am not the biggest fan of the more solid yellow look it would still be a nice touch to have the aerostorm back.
Hi Nick,
I can talk to Babolat and see, my guess is that they will maintain the line because there are some die-hard fans of it. I would guess however that it isn’t a bestseller by any means so I would not be completely surprised if the discontinue it. Agree about the yellow! Cheers / J
Wilson release new models every second year. That means it will be a new blade line.? Or only change of color?
Will check in with Wilson and get back to you!
What are your current game or tournament rackets? Did you give up on Angell K7?
Hi Paulo,
I am actually making a post and video about my current racquet of choice and the specs. Will get back to you on this!
Cheers / J
That is very yellow…
Well if they are not changing anything, I wonder how much it will sell with this paint job.
I will at least double my efforts not to break my current racket :-)
Is this red yonex the same as Angie Kerber’s black yonex?
She is still using her old VCORE 100S as far as I know. But she was potentially testing the new line in a blacked-out paint job…
Description: Compact racquet designed for spin and precision Head Size: 95 sq. in. Weight: G?310g / 10.9oz Grip Size: G: 1-5 Length: 27 in. Width Range: 21.0 – 21.0 – 20.0 Balance Point: G?310mm Material: HM GRAPHITE / NANOMETRIC XT / Namd Color: Flame Red Rec. String: POLYTOUR STRIKE, POLYTOUR PRO, REXIS Stringing Pattern: 16×20 Made in: Japan
(Specs from Yonex USA)
Vcore 95 Seems a bit too light/unstable for that weight and beam width.
Yes, this is the issue, I think with releasing a 95 sq inch racquet these days. It needs to be at least 320 grams or come with some customization advice or a kit to the buyer. I have never played a 95 sq inch racquet that plays well below a 320 gram unstrung weight. So you will for sure need to add weight to this one. Since they are aiming for a skilled target group with the 95 sq inch head size, I do not understand why they do not offer it as 320 grams, just like they did with the all-time classic Yonex VCORE 95D.