Yonex continues their march toward the top of the tennis landscape. For intermediates and advanced players looking for a fast frame, Yonex has introduced their new V-Core Pro 100. This update to the Duel G model provided some key technology updates. A new material called Namd was strategically incorporated around the frame to produces more flex and power return on contact. Yonex’s signature Isometric head shape was still present to enlarge the sweet spot. The grommets now came with Lock Booster ridges for better energy transfer and responsiveness. All of this was packed in a speedy 21 mm beam for an excellent blend of power, maneuverability and control. With all the technical specs out of the way, the only thing left to do was to see how it performed on court.

Groundstrokes
Speed was a key highlight in baseline play with the V-Core Pro 100. At 11.2 oz strung, it moved fast through contact and I had no problem generating racquet head speed for solid levels of pace from both sides. I would have liked a bit more mass overall as I felt this model lacked the weight of shot that the heavier 97 inch versions had. At times I left ball short in the court and paid the price. The spin rate of this frame was highly impressive. The use of Namd and switch to a 16x19 pattern (instead of the old 16x20) yielded high bouncing topspin shots. My forehand jumped out of opponents strike zones and I was able to play with much more margin on my backhand side than I usually do. I didn’t find enough mass to do serious damage with my backhand slice but it also didn’t hurt me when I played that stroke either. While not as laser-like as its smaller siblings, I still found the control from the 21mm beam to be solid. The thin beam and lower powered response allowed me to play aggressively while minimizing over hitting. Stability was a bit less than the heavier versions but it felt consistent with other 100 inch, 11.2oz frames. Yonex moved a bit more of the weight into the head to try and help with stability but I still felt a bit of flutter when defending against hard hitting opponents.

Volleys & Serves
The V-Core Pro 100 was an admirable performer when transitioning to the front of the court. The medium weight and slim beam made it quick to position and I was able to stay on top of most reflex volleys. The reduced weight made casual volleys float a bit more but when I focused on attacking the ball, I was able to drive volleys through the court easily. There was enough directional control for me to move volleys into the corners and create angles that opened up the court. The slightly firmer feel and lighter weight made it a little tougher to execute touch and drop volleys. Over time, I got it dialed in and was more comfortable varying my shots at the net.

Serving with the V-Core Pro 100 offered me a variety of options. The easy swinging weight allowed me to accelerate through contact and apply plenty of pace to my first serve. While it didn’t carry as much weight as I wanted, there was still plenty of ball speed to make it challenging for opponents. The quick acceleration and spin friendly string pattern also created excellent spin for my second serve. I was able to get my kick serve to twist away from opponents and jump high off the court. While I couldn’t quite drop my serve on a dime, I found enough control to move the serve around the box and make returners guess where the serve was going. This ability to give opponents multiple looks and placements made the racquet a powerful choice when stepping to the baseline to serve.

Feel/Comfort
A crisp, clean feel was the hallmark of the V-Core Pro 100. It felt a bit firmer than the smaller 97 inch models but I never found it to have harsh feedback, even on off center contact. It simply produced a firm, well connected feel. There was a solid level of ball feel, which made me confident that I knew what the ball was doing coming off the string bed. While the power level dropped a bit off center, there was no increase in vibration or brassiness. While I found the firmer response to be a little less comfortable than the previous Duel G model, this was still an easy frame to hit with. It was still below the RA rating of many frames on the market so with the right string choice, it should offer plenty of comfort for any player.

Overall
Yonex built the V-Core Pro 100 for players who prize speed and response. It plays with aggressive pace and spin from the baseline and anyone who wants more pop would have plenty of room to modify it to spec. It offers enough control to seamlessly transition to the next and has a vast array of serving capabilities. Players looking for a responsive frame that blends control, huge spin and responsiveness should give the new Yonex V-Core Pro 100 serious consideration next time they hit the court.

About the Reviewer: Matt Locke currently serves as the Junior Programs & Development Coordinator for USTA-Idaho and is an active USTA League and Tournament player.