Category Archives: Yonex
We Believe!
In addition to our commitment to full custom racquets, we also believe in racquets that have been pushed aside by newer models just because it is the thing to do each year!
Of course, there can be material and design changes to racquets that make them desirable and that is always a good thing but maybe not every year! Our experience has been that a typical consumer will use a racquet for about three (3) years. But we also know that there are those players that want the very latest of everything!
We know the Head Speed Graphene Touch is an extraordinary tennis racquet! The shared hole string pattern was around for a short time but it is a good pattern…so we have some of those!
The Head Prestige Tour Graphene 360+ is another incredible tennis racquet that should not be overlooked even though the Auxetic Prestige series is here. The Prestige Tour features a 99 square inch head size with an 18×19 string pattern. This is a real “players” racquet, to use the common descriptive, although anyone can play with this racquet. We have these!
The Yonex V-Core without the VDM is another example of a good racquet being replaced before its time, and the same goes for the V-Core Pro 97 and 100! Some players prefer the feedback of the non-VDM racquets. We have those.
The previous version of the Wilson Ultra 100 is preferred by some due to the grip pallet configuration and construction.
So what is the point, here?
Very simply it is to let everyone know that there is life after new models by opting for an older model, and, letting those that prefer previous models know that some are available. These racquets will not be “dumped”, they are too good for that!
Of course, there are not many of the “special” racquets so use the “Easy Order” tab to let us know you are thinking about one or more!
2020 is Coming Into Focus!
2019 came and went in a blur! In a few days it will 2020 and with it will come some exciting new tennis stuff, for sure!
I am not so good at predicting things but I do it anyway! Here are a few predictions I will make for 2020:
- Tennis racquets will become more expensive, but only slightly.
- On-line sales of tennis racquets will increase. See this previous post.
- Customer satisfaction with on-line sales will decrease.
- Small specialty tennis shops will be the source of information, then #2, and then #3.
- Players will stick with a racquet longer, making customizations as needed.
- String and stringing will become a more important component of a racquet purchase. See below!
- Tennis related injuries will continue to be a problem for the sport going forward.
No Underage Polyester, Please!
Thank you for thinking about the “long term” for all tennis players!
There are no bad strings just bad applications!
The right equipment is crucial to the long term enjoyment, and winning, of tennis!
The local representatives I deal with are committed to our “well being” even though some may feel like they are facing “extinction”!
An excellent example of what we are talking about just walked in! Two (2) new racquets so poorly strung it is shocking!
The customer is having serious arm issues with an excellent racquet, with a terrible string setup! But the string setup is probably considered by many to be the ultimate combination, that is RPM Blast in the main and VS Touch in the cross! That combination is coming out in a few minutes! No more polyester!
The quality of the stringing is what is so wrong! Had you or I received this racquet, we would have returned it at once! Why? Because it exemplifies the attitude of so many stringers that is “who cares”!
Happy New Year!
Yonex VCore Pro 97 – 330
It should be no surprise that this model is the heaviest of the VCore Pro Series! However, I can’t stress enough the need to demo this racquet and feel what the weight will do for your game!
Of course not everyone will want a racquet of this weight but just trying it will give you some idea of what weight can do for you. Maybe not 330 (unstrung) but a little added weight nonetheless.
That makes the 310 (unstrung) version of this racquet a “standout”, and you can see the review here.
About this racquet, Yonex says “for intermediate to advanced players looking to play aggressively with control and feel”.
To achieve this combination Yonex has incorporated a “lock booster” grommet system that promotes string contact for effecient energy transfer”.
Namd™ graphite fibers are incorporated into the throat area allowing the racquet to flex even under the heaviest of hits!
To top it off Yonex has added a vibration damping mesh in the grip pallet area to filter out unwanted vibrations.
All said, this thin beam (20.0mm) racquet with a 16×19 string pattern is a players dream! So, don’t dream about it…demo it and decide for yourself!
Manufacturer | Yonex |
---|---|
Racquet Model | Yonex VCore Pro 97 |
Reference Tension | 55 lbs - 24.9 kg |
String | Pro Evaluation String 1.20mm |
Machine Used | True Tension Professional |
ASPS, RDC | 53 |
ASPS, FlexFour | 66 |
Racquet Flex, RDC | 62 - After stringing |
Racquet Flex, FlexFour | 48 |
Racquet - In Plane Stiffness | 373.2 lbs/Inch |
Weight, Grams | 344 |
Weight, Ounces | 12.13 |
Balance, mm | 321 |
Balance, Inch | 12.64 |
Length, Cm | 68.6 |
Length, Inch | 27.008 |
Head Width | 9.56 |
Head Length | 12.62 |
Head Area, cm2 | 611.3 |
Head Area, Sq. Inch | 97 |
Number of Main Strings | 16 |
Number of Cross Strings | 19 |
Ratio Cross/Mains | .638 |
Main String Grid | 7.00 |
Cross String Grid | 9.62 |
Density (% of head filled with string) | .709 |
Average Cross String Space | .505 |
Average Main String Space | .438 |
Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT | 34 |
Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in | 190.16 |
First Moment, Nm | .847 |
Polar Moment | 342 |
Torsional Stability | 15 |
Swing Weight, Kg/cm2 | 327 |
Swing Weight, Ounces | 11.53 |
Swing Weight Calculated | 354 |
Power, RDC | 49 |
Control, RDC | 51 |
Manueverability, RDC | 69 |
Power, Calculated | 1940.1 |
Head Points | 6.93 (negative = head heavy) |
Head Weight, % | 46.8% |
Center of Percussion | 20.9 |
Dwell Time, ms | 8.74 |
Efective Stiffness - lbs | 28.6 |
K, Lb/In | 169.87 |
Recoil Weight | 161.48 |
Twist Weight | 235.86 |
End Weight | 144.4 |
Tip Weight | 201.5 |
9 O'Clock | 102.6 |
3 O'Clock | 104.8 |
Butt Cap | 138.0 |
Yonex VCore Pro 97 – 310
Yonex continues to introduce upgrades to the most popular racquets they have produced recently and these new VCore Pro series is a great example of positive changes.
This series continues to be made in Japan and it is obvious in the consistency of their racquets. The deep Forrest Green and Gold graphics creates a “strong” looking racquet which will appeal to players.
This model is the 310 gram (10.9 oz) version (unstrung)which gains about a ½ ounce when strung and presents a very usable 315 kg/cm² swing weight. Right out of the box this will suit a lot of players. Of course a little customization can be done if required.
When looking at racquets it is clear that this Yonex Series all look alike! A closer look at the head will give you the weight and head size.
The 16×19 string pattern in the Isometric Head Shape creates a large “comfort zone” area and long main strings near the edge of the racquet face which contributes to that “comfort”.
Manufacturer | Yonex |
---|---|
Racquet Model | Yonex VCore Pro 97 2019 |
Reference Tension | 55 lbs - 24.9 kg |
String | Pro Evaluation String 1.20mm |
Machine Used | True Tension Professional |
ASPS, RDC | 49 |
ASPS, FlexFour | 65 |
Racquet Flex, RDC | 61 - After stringing |
Racquet Flex, FlexFour | 46 |
Racquet - In Plane Stiffness | 368.1 lbs/Inch |
Weight, Grams | 324 |
Weight, Ounces | 11.43 |
Balance, mm | 323 |
Balance, Inch | 12.72 |
Length, Cm | 68.5 |
Length, Inch | 26.968 |
Head Width | 9.55 |
Head Length | 12.54 |
Head Area, cm2 | 607 |
Head Area, Sq. Inch | 97 |
Number of Main Strings | 16 |
Number of Cross Strings | 19 |
Ratio Cross/Mains | .641 |
Main String Grid | 7.00 |
Cross String Grid | 9.75 |
Density (% of head filled with string) | .766 |
Average Cross String Space | .542 |
Average Main String Space | .438 |
Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT | 33 |
Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in | 184.57 |
First Moment, Nm | .804 |
Polar Moment | 329 |
Torsional Stability | 14 |
Swing Weight, Kg/cm2 | 315 |
Swing Weight, Ounces | 11.11 |
Swing Weight Calculated | 338 |
Power, RDC | 48 |
Control, RDC | 50 |
Manueverability, RDC | 77 |
Power, Calculated | 1807.7 |
Head Points | 6.14 (negative = head heavy) |
Head Weight, % | 47.2% |
Center of Percussion | 21.1 |
Dwell Time, ms | 9.09 |
Efective Stiffness - lbs | 27.2 |
K, Lb/In | 157.05 |
Recoil Weight | 156.18 |
Twist Weight | 221.85 |
End Weight | 133.7 |
Tip Weight | 190.6 |
9 O'Clock | 97.6 |
3 O'Clock | 95.9 |
Butt Cap | 131.1 |