Midsize frames are becoming harder and harder to come by these days. Yonex has been one of the few companies to steadfastly have a mid as part of their lineup. After flirting with 89 and 93 inch head sizes the last few years, Yonex is bringing a 95 inch head size back into the family with the introduction of the new Yonex VCore SV 95. Lighter than previous 95’s from Yonex, the new SV aims to maximize speed and spin while maintaining precision. This new line borrows the Aero Fin tech introduced in the Tour F series to help reduce drag and the Nanometric XT carbon in the construction provides additional flexibility for added control. I hit the court with the SV 95 recently to see how well it blends classic specs with modern technology.

Groundstrokes
The SV 95 was very quick off the ground. At 11.4oz strung and a headlight balance, I was able to really accelerate through contact from both sides. The 21/21/20 beam and moderate flex provided solid, controllable power. There was definitely more power on tap than the previous Tour F 93, and I was able to get the ball deep into the court on a more consistent basis than with the previous model. This still wasn’t a power focused frame but for a midsize, there was above average available power. For a 95 inch frame, the sweet spot felt sizeable, likely due to Yonex’ distinct Isometric head shape. The power level dropped off a bit high in the hoop which seemed to hinder the depth on my forehand a bit. Directional accuracy was very good. The thinner beam and maneuverable head made it easy for me to pick out aggressive targets and hit them with confidence. The level of spin production the SV had also helped with the control. The 16x20 pattern generated more spin than I was anticipating and this allowed me to dip balls in on the baseline and play with margin when I needed to. I would have preferred a bit more mass behind the ball when I stepped in on short balls as I felt the racquet lacked the finishing power of many other midsize frames (which tend to be heavier). I noticed a bit of instability on contact at the top of the hoop but it was minor and could be rectified with the addition of some weight in the right area. The fast feel also proved to be an asset on defense and I was able to snap the racquet through contact when stretched out and on the run, resulting in some highlight reel winners.

Volleys & Serves
Net play was where the SV 95 showed off its classic sensibilities. Its smaller size and manageable weight made it quick to maneuver whenever I came forward. I had no trouble positioning the racquet during rapid exchanges, ensuring I had the upper hand on reaction volleys. There was enough mass to finish most high balls but I found myself wanting a bit more weight to really drive the ball through the court when attacking volleys. The thinner beam and 16x20 pattern provided excellent precision to my volleys. I found the corners of the court easily and created some angles that made life difficult for my opponents. The lighter weight made it a bit more difficult to defend against hard shots into the body and many of those resulted in volleys that floated and sat up for my opponents to take advantage of. While on the firm feeling side, I found enough touch to execute drop volleys pretty reliably. They ended up being a good change of pace shot for me to use to keep opponents guessing.

Precision and spin were my two biggest assets when serving with the SV 95. The fast feel allowed to me to speed the racquet through the top of my motion and create decent pace. While the speed on my first serve was solid, I felt it lacked the penetration of frames with a bit more mass in the head. What it lacked in plow through, the frame made up for with precision targeting. I found it easy to pick any spot I wanted in the box and hit it consistently. I moved the ball around and used disguise to my advantage frequently. The easy speed of the frame and spin friendly pattern also created a strong second serve for me. My kick serve had solid bite to it and was jumping off the court and out of the strike zone. Slices serves were effective out wide but would have had even more bite with a bit more weight behind them.

Feel/Comfort
The VCore SV 95 had a crisp, firm feel to it. Impact in the sweet spot felt clean and there was minimal vibration transferred through the racquet. The frame did feel a bit tinnier at the top of the hoop and that was where I could feel the firmness of the racquet. There was a decent amount of flex to the frame but not as much in the throat as I found with the Ezone DR series. I was able to use the feel to create touch shots but it did take a bit of time to find my range. I found the racquet to play firm but comfortable overall. Players concerned about comfort would want to use a softer string to help lessen the crisp response of the frame.

Overall
Yonex continues to carry the torch when it comes to midsize frames. The VCore SV 95 represents an impressive blend of classic and modern attributes. It provides the pinpoint accuracy and maneuverability of classic frames with the spin friendly nature and crisp response of a modern racquet. It’s ability to be quick off the ground and at net, combined with the spin production and easy targeting make the Yonex VCore SV 95 a strong choice for attacking players who value accuracy and maneuverability above all else.

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.