Yonex recently set out to revamp its VCore series with the introduction of the new VCore SV line and when building out the line, it didn’t forget about players who would want a lighter, easy swinging frame. The new Yonex VCore SV 100 Lite offers the same technological advancements found in the rest of the line but boasts lighter weight for more speed and easier power. The SV line has a new frame design combining Nanometric XT Carbon for better flex with more aerodynamic beam design and AeroFin grooves for quicker momentum through the air. I took the SV 100 Lite for a spin on court to see how this lightweight relative of the heavier VCore SV models would measure up.

Groundstrokes
Ease of use highlighted the way the SV 100 Lite played off the ground. The 10.4oz strung weight made it incredibly easy for me to whip the racquet through contact for maximum pace with minimal effort. The firm layup and 25/25/22mm beam ensured that there was plenty of free power on tap. I was able to hit high levels of pace from both sides, although the shots lacked the court penetration of weightier models. The balance point on the frame was closer to even, providing it a bit of extra pop for its weight class. Yonex’ classic Isometric head shape ensured that the 100 Lite had a large sweet spot and helped keep the power level solid on contact made on toward the sides and top of the string bed. The 16x19 string pattern combined with the fast feel to make spin production a breeze. I created plenty of spin off both wings and had no trouble adding margin to my shots whenever I needed to. The quick reflexes this racquet had helped me when stretched out on defense as I could easily snap the ball back into play. I was more limited on defense when I was just trying to redirect pace. The extra mass in the head helped with stability, but more advanced players would still see a fair amount of wobble when fending off pace. The stability of the 100 Lite would be adequate for beginners and there’s enough room for them to continue adding weight as they develop in order to improve the frame’s defensive skills.

Volleys & Serves
The overall maneuverability of the SV 100 Lite shined at the net. It had an incredibly fast response time and I never had any trouble positioning it during quick exchanges. The free power and close to even balance provided enough power for me to finish off a lot of balls, especially any that were left up. My volleys suffered a bit any time I was less aggressive as the reduced mass left shots sitting up if I wasn’t focused on driving them through the court. Much like the heavier SV 100, the Lite was not as accurate as the smaller head sizes in the line, which was to be expected. I could still direct the ball to the corners; I simply had to pick a bit bigger targets to hit to.

Serving with the SV 100 Lite had me making use of its speed and spin. The frame was easy to accelerate through the top of my motion, allowing me to easily create pace for my first serve. While it lacked the weight of shot I prefer, beginners would enjoy the frame’s easy access to speed on flat serves. The fast feel was more beneficial on spin serves. The 16x19 pattern gripped the ball nicely and produced strong action on my kick serve. Slice serves were a bit less effective as the lack of mass had the ball sitting up a bit more. The racquet’s light feel encouraged going for it on serve so I stuck with hitting flat serves and backing them up with my kick serve to move opponents off the court.

Feel/Comfort
The SV 100 Lite was no different from the rest of the racquets in the line. It had a very firm feel and response on contact. I didn’t really notice the extra flex that Nanometric XT was supposed to provide and players looking for more dwell time and a more flexible feel would probably prefer the EZone series. The large sweet spot on the frame helped with feel as the majority of the string bed feels uniform. While the racquet absorbed a good amount of vibration, the overall feel was just a bit stiffer than I prefer. The frame was light enough to lack any fatigue issues but players who want to maximize comfort would see the most benefit from a softer string or a hybrid configuration.

Overall
Beginners and developing players will have a lot of appreciation for this latest offering from Yonex. It offers easily accessible power, decent control and plenty of spin production. Its maneuverability at net allows players to transition forward in the court and it allows players to go for big serves. The Yonex VCore SV 100 Lite is a great option for anyone looking for maximum maneuverability and power in a frame that can still offer accuracy and all court capabilities.

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.