Heres why I dig with the Head Extreme MP. Theyve also adjusted the shaft design just above the handle for better stability and a slight improvement in power. My favorite shots to hit with this frame were on groundstrokes and serves where you could turn up the pace. With that in mind, the latest generation of the RF97 maintains the same specs as the prior generations because Federer hasnt changed them. Topspin Of course, the Babolat Pure Drive comes loaded with various features to help you perform your best on the court. First up, VCELL is a unique cellulose carbon fiber that helps cut down on weight while also delivering strength to the frame for added response and feel while simultaneously reducing unwanted vibration. Add Similar Racquets to Compare Power Heres why I love the Tecnifibre TFight 300 RS. Power Touch/Feel This updated version of Princes Warrior 100 integrates Textreme, a specialized ultra-thin carbon fiber fabric that increases strength and rigidity without adding considerable weight. What strings and tensions do you use? Next up, this racquet performed very well when it came to power. To reduce the racquets stiffness from 67 to 65 compared to the prior 2019 model, Babolat added its NF technology, which incorporates flax (yes, like the plant) into the racquets handle and the upper portion of the racquets head to absorb shock for a more comfortable response. If it sounds familiar, the vibration dampening system is an updated version of one that Rene Lacoste previously developed. The frames power derives from a combination of its stiffness rated at 66 and beam, which help return substantial energy to the ball. The Yonex Vcore Pro 97 and Wilson Blade 98 tennis rackets are two control oriented rackets that work great for players who hit a one handed backhand. JavaScript is disabled. Wilson Blade 98 V7 Racquet Review - Tennisnerd.net As a result, the most significant tradeoff you make with this racquet is that it wont deliver maximum performance in any specific area, such as spin or control. Keeping most of the weight in the handle at 6 points head light, the Phantom 100X 305 also maintains plenty of maneuverability despite its mid-range 11.4-ounce weight. Since the Blade 98 V8 1820 weighs "only" 305 grams unstrung (light for this category of racquets), it's lighter to swing and a bit faster through the air than most control racquets. The racquets reasonable weight makes it so you can swing fast, and the larger head and open string bed combine with their unique stringbed layout for added grip thats apparent. The racquets stiffer frame and higher power required extra care and focus at the net. Thank you to my buddy Patrick Wong for your audio support and my little intro to my videos.Get my TennisSpin. In particular, baseline players who hit with heavy topspin may prefer more pop. Ive done my best to keep my selection of tennis racquets as objective as possible, which should help point you in the right direction and narrow down a few options for further research and consideration. The frame also lacks a bit in the stability department, so if youre dealing with a heavy-hitting opponent, particularly on serve and at the net, youll want to keep that in mind. Although the Head Radical MP 2021 isnt a lightweight racquet, at 11.5 ounces and featuring a 6pt HL balance, it feels light in hand, and I found it to lack stability. At 11.1 ounces and with a 4 points head light balance, this lightweight frame is easy-to-maneuver, afforded me excellent preparation on my groundstrokes, and delivered easy handling up at the net. Corde su Vcore 98 2023 - passionetennis.com If youre in the market for a new racquet, I always recommend you first take some time to consider what you like and dislike about your current racquet, as it will likely be your main point of comparison. Returns Spin Last but not least, this racquet features Graphene to reduce weight in the racquets midsection while reinforcing the head of the racquet at 3, 9, and 12 oclock on the racquets head to aid stability and power. Sounds like you should try to lower your tension with 1 to 2 kg. As a result, players who are intrigued by this racquet have plenty of options to consider. As an intermediate to an advanced player, you should pay close attention to the type of string you choose, the tension you string your racquet, and your stringing frequency. Often, stable racquets are heavier, have smaller heads, and have more flexible frames. Luckily, we can evaluate each racquet across a consistent set of attributes, making comparison and narrowing down options easier. Although Id encourage you to avoid getting too hung up on specs, they can serve as a valuable point of context to narrow your options, so heres a brief overview of what each of them means. Keep reading for tips that will help guide you regardless. Although minor, Im enjoying the changes they made, and it continues to win me over with its versatility, broad appeal, and exceptional performance from all areas of the court. Simultaneously, everything felt under control, supported by a slightly more flexible frame than some of the other racquets in the Babolat family. Of course, this is the formula many intermediates to advanced players seek. We finally got the 2021 Wilson Blade 98! One of this racquets key features is Graphene 360, a lightweight and robust nanomaterial. I have my blade with lead and 3 and 9, and counter balanced with some weight in the handle (lead, blue tac etc). While the Pure Aero excels off the ground, it did leave a bit to desire as I transitioned to the net. Yonex VCORE 2023 Review - Tennisnerd.net The Blade is more similar in power to the VCORE than the Prestige, but all these racquets are low-powered and focused on precision, comfort and feel. Yonex VCORE Pro 97 HD and of course the ultra-flexy Angell K7 Lime. The result is a lower 62 stiffness rating, which offers excellent comfort, especially compared to the prior model. Undoubtedly, the racquets defining features center around its ability to generate topspin. Of course, the topspin potential is there, but you might need to work a little harder for it. Touch Simultaneously, the 3D vector shaft (from the handle through the racquets throat) uses deep grooves to reduce the frames twisting and increase stability. For many, thats perfectly suitable. Add a dose of exceptional stability, and the Pro Staff 97 is a top-notch frame for all-court play. For example, if you like the topspin for your current racquet but youre looking for a bit of extra control and improved feel, you can use those data points to help guide your decision-making. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for visiting my site. And the grommets, bumper guard, and end cap are plant-based plastics to reduce the companys environmental impact. The Yonex EZONE 98 is a fun and effortless racquet to hit with from the back of the court. For extra advice, check out my guide on how to choose a tennis racquet, which covers all of the factors worthy of your consideration. Seven Tennis Racquets for Outstanding Control - Tennis Express Overall, Tecnifibres TFight 300 RS is a super well-rounded tennis racquet whose lighter weight and all-court performance are sure to please a wide range of tennis players. The Wilson Blade 98 is one of the most popular racquets on the market. Previous post: Tennis Shoes Buyer's Guide. I hope you enjoy the resources. The racquet uses a braided graphite construction, thin beam, and head light balance, then tops it off with Wilsons classic torsion control or Perimeter Weighting System that places extra weight on the sides of the racquet head at 3 and 9 oclock. Galaxy version sports the black paint job that is only supposed to be cosmetic but I think the rubbery matte finish makes it play softer, more powerful, more flex, more comfort. The 100 in head provides a generous sweet spot, and the lighter 11.2-ounce strung weight makes it easy to swing. Start playing the best tennis of your life and win more matches! Groundstrokes Graphene also reduces the racquets weight through the frames midsection, allowing Head to redistribute that weight to produce a fast-swinging racquet thats light and maneuverable. With this update for 2021, Yonex has revised the racquets throat geometry with the addition of 2G-NAMD graphite to improve flex and, subsequently, ball-pocketing and the potential for topspin. Of course, no tennis racquet is perfect, but the Yonex EZONE 98 delivers an incredibly balanced performance that will work well for a wide range of tennis players, and its downsides are minimal. However, despite the change, the racquet retains its top grip taper handle design for improved feel when hitting a two-handed backhand and their red ergonomic butt cap for comfort. Ultimately, its ideal for experienced players looking to generate their own pace. Groundstrokes For this version Wilson adds some speed and stability while keeping the sublime feel and spin-friendly targeting of the previous generation. To explore these topics further, check out the following guides. Weighing in at a reasonable 11.2-ounces strung, with a 100 in head, 1618 string pattern, and a moderate flex rating of 67, I found the Volkl V-Feel 8 Pro to be a versatile tennis racquet. Yonex Vcore Pro 97 vs Wilson Blade 98 - Racket Specs The third generation of the Prince Phantom 100 received some welcome upgrades in 2020 while maintaining the core characteristics that made it popular. Kudos! Groundstrokes As a frame with a mid-range weight and head light balance thats very easy to maneuver, I did find the Tecnifibre TF-X1 300 to provide a bit less stability, particularly when returning bigger serves. The Yonex VCORE Pro 97 is yet another fantastic control-oriented tennis racquet, which is unique in that it offers a high level of control without giving up too much power or weighing too much. Again, it felt comfortable and easy to swing, and the heavier ball I could hit helped to keep my opponents on their toes. Similarly, I found the Warrior Textreme to work well hitting returns, where the 6 point head light balance allowed me to quickly and easily maneuver the racquet. The racquet feels light at the net and provides a stable, crisp response that allows for accurate placement, which makes the frame an excellent choice for players with an all-court style of play. To help you navigate this resource, Ive included links for all the racquets that Ill discuss. As weve stated in the past, the Pure Strikes defining feature and what sets it apart from many other racquets is its broad appeal to a wide range of styles and levels of play. I was able to create tons of racquet head speed effortlessly, and together with the more open string pattern and more generous sweet spot, it helped me produce a considerable amount of topspin that would leap off the ground, making for a super fun playtest. In this article, I will look at the racket specs of the Vcore Pro 97 and the Blade 98 to see how these two tennis rackets compare to each another. Babolats FSI technology combines its time-tested woofer system that increases power and the sweet spots size by allowing the strings to work together, while a tighter string pattern within the sweet spot aids in control. Both racquets can work well for intermediate and advanced players. FSI Power Players who have previously considered the Prince Textreme Tour 100P and are back on the hunt in 2022 will be delighted to find this racquet has received a few tweaks while remaining true to the original design. Like its predecessor, if you could sum up the revised Prince Textreme Tour 100P in one word, it would be balance. Across the board, the racquet delivers excellent performance for players seeking a well-rounded racquet that will be reliable from all areas of the court. Get Our Free Guide to Supercharging Your Tennis Equipment! Wilson Blade 98 16x19 v8 Racquet | Tennis Warehouse Read our weekly recap of the 5 most interesting things we dig up in tennis. As mentioned, Wilson did away with Countervail, which improved comfort and reduced vibration and fatigue, but it reduced feedback and changed the feel, so Im happy to see this update occur. Finally, the VCORE Pro 97 features a lock booster system that tightens the grommet spacing toward the upper part of the racquets head and grooves within the grommets channel to help secure the string and increase control. The Wilson Ultra 100 v4 is the fourth generation of this series, which stays true to its roots delivering excellent power and spin. If you havent developed a specific style or preference, thats not a problem. Power As a side note, keep in mind that not all grips by every manufacturer are created equal. These are the main reasons I loved playing with the Wilson Burn 100 v4. Yonex VCORE Pro 97 310; Wilson Blade 98 1820 v8; Prince Phantom 100X 305; Yonex VCORE 98; Prince Textreme Tour 100P; Wilson Burn 100 v4; Volkl V-Feel 8 Pro; . The Isometric or square-shaped design of Yonex racquets increases the sweet spots size by 7% compared to the traditional oval shape, which is an excellent feature for a smaller 98 in head. The blend between power, control and that slightly head-heavy feel is favored by both pros and amateurs. Topspin The Clash 100 features a manageable 10.9-ounce weight and has a 7 pt HL balance. Heres a quick snapshot of whats available. The biggest difference is that Vcore is much more spin oriented. Touch, or feel, is a bit nuanced and frequently tied to a sense of control and connectedness, especially when hitting volleys and finesse shots like drop shots. Wilson Blade v7 18x20 vs Yonex Vcore Pro HD | Talk Tennis In-depth Resources The feel is more muted if you increase the tension above 24-25 kg or if you use softer strings. For the Pro Staff 97 v13, this is particularly useful for generating the racquet head speed necessary for topspin and quickly getting the racquet into position on returns. For 2023, the VCORE 98 makes my list, and Im super excited about what the updated racquet brings to the table while still delivering the same speed and spin I loved in the prior model. Although it may be a great fit, youll do much better if you take a step back, learn about the racquet they endorse and compare it to available options before purchasing. Groundstrokes dedicated reviews for many of the racquets, A Comprehensive Guide to Multifilament Strings, Tennis String Gauge and Its Impact on Performance. A Guide to Choosing the Best Racket for You - TennisPAL However, with the latest EZONE 98, Yonex maintains its Linear Tech Grommet System with several grommet holes drilled straight through to improve the racquets power and comfort. However, it did receive an updated cosmetic. For added strength, Babolat also made use of its carbon-fiber GT technology in the head. Like the previous generation, the EZONE 98 maintains its Oval Pressed Shaft. Finally, the Pure Drive takes its Pure Feel technology, a thin layer of rubber within the graphite, a step further by increasing its coverage within the shaft to improve its feel. Heres a list for quick reference: The Head Speed MP 2022 is the latest evolution of a popular racquet from Head, endorsed by players on the ATP and WTA tour, including Jannik Sinner, Bianca Andreescu, Bethanie Mattek-Sands, and many more. Here are the top three attributes that I enjoyed while hitting with the Prince Textreme Tour 100P. I personally find the Blade 98 to have plush feel (probably due to low RA racket + thinner beam) and to be more control-oriented vs. the VCore 98. Your email address will not be published. Well touch on those characteristics shortly in an upcoming section. However, this is likely only something advanced players would notice facing players who hit with extra pace. Stability Yonex VCORE 95 and 98 2021 - First Impressions - Tennisnerd.net As a racquet with a mid-range weight that will appeal to many players, I felt that the most significant tradeoff was the overall feel and stability. My list of the 24 best tennis racquets for 2023 updated from my reviews in 2022. The following are the top three reasons I loved hitting with this tennis racquet. At the racquets core, youll find a trifecta of Volkls V-Feel Technologies. Topspin Returns Whether Im bringing my racquet back for a return, serving, or approaching the net for a volley, its easy to maneuver and get into position. The Yonex Vcore 98 and Yonex Ezone 98 are two good options for advanced players who are looking for a tennis racket with good power and spin, with the Vcore 98 being slightly more spin-friendly and the Ezone 98 having slightly more power. String Pattern: 16x19. Similar list to me love the PS but the gen 2 hurt my arm and gen3 18x20 is a bit too much swinweight for me to handle. The racquets lower 11.2-ounce weight and 312 swingweight make it easy to swing and generate racquet head speed, which is the primary source of topspin. Theres still plenty for you to learn in this guide as well, but that will likely be an ideal starting point for you. In some cases, theyll be longer by a half or three-quarters of an inch, referred to as extended length. Your email address will not be published. The addition of SpiralFibers in the bottom portion of the frames head aims to improve the racquets feel while providing a better overall response.