Yonex VCORE 95 Review and Playtest

One thing that I love to do most is trying out new rackets to test their performance and features. This time I got to play for the first time with Yonex VCORE 95, and I am here to share my honest opinions with you about this racket. It was released in 2021, so you’ll probably have heard of it, considering how big the brand is. 

The VCORE line is already iconic and has been setting up new standards on the market, being a fierce competitor by using groundbreaking technologies and high-quality materials. However, if you are looking to pick up new options, it is always best to do your research first instead of just going for what is popular right now. So keep scrolling to find out if Yonex VCORE 95 2021 is worth the hype! 

Yonex VCORE 95 Specifications

Yonex VCORE 95 has a classic design, which I loved, with a bold red paint job that stands out on the court. The racket features a very small head size, at only 95 sq. in, that provides incredible high control levels and is loaded with massive spin. With an in-between 16×20 string pattern and swing weight of 323, it offers moderate flexibility. I was pleasantly surprised by the crazy speed this racket can generate, allowing effortless full swings. 

When strung, Yonex VCORE 95 has an ample weight of 326 grams or 11.5 ounces, which makes the racket feel solid and stable at impact while still remaining relatively easy to maneuver. The feel comes a little muted but can generate a small amount of power for that extra push, allowing to add more depth to the court. One of the best features of the Yonex VCORE 95 5th gen is the surgical precision, allowing the player to hit all the targets with high accuracy. However, this is still a racket suitable for advanced levels only and is made for competitive players with the right skills and physical training to use it. 

The famous brand has used new technologies to enhance performance; 

• Isometric shape: Increases the sweet spot size by 7% for better control without sacrificing power. 
• Liner Tech: A new groomed design allows more strings movement for the off-center shots. 
• New Aero Fin: Increases “ball-pocketing” and spin potential due to a thinner and faster frame structure. 
• Namd Graphite Frame: Used to enhance the racket’s speed and spin for more aggressive responses on the court. 
• Aero Trench: Enhances the racket’s speed and maneuverability. 

Yonex VCORE 95 Specs 

• Head size: 95 sq. in or 613 sq. cm
• Length: 27 inches / 68.5 cm 
• Weight (strung): 11.5 oz / 326 grams
• Balance: 7 pts HL 
• Swingweight: 323 
• Stiffness: 64 
• Beam width: 21.5mm / 22mm / 21mm
• Composition: H.M Graphite 
• String pattern: 16 mains / 20 crosses 
• Tension: 45 – 60 pound

Groundstrokes – Score: 8.3

At the groundstrokes, Yonex VCORE 95 performed way better than I expected. I have to admit that I am not a big fan of small 95 sq. in head sizes, which are less and less common nowadays. I was mentally prepared to deal with a racket that allowed essentially no margin of error, had a tiny sweet spot, and required massive efforts for precision. However, I was quickly proven wrong because, surprisingly, Yonex VCORE 95 offers easy playability and is somewhat forgiving due to the new technological updates that have really paid off. Also, the small head and the ample weight combined generated outstanding control levels, allowing me to redirect the ball easily and hit all of my targets throughout the game. 

The spin and speed of this racket are on a whole other level and can really come to got use if you have an aggressive approach to the game. I was able to add depth to the ball, pushing it further on the other side of the court while taking almost full control of the game pace, much to my opponent’s frustration. 

Despite its ample weight, it was still manageable and easy to maneuver in court. It allowed me to go for full swings with ease while still remaining solid and reliable. I enjoyed backhand and forehand slices, in particular, for my strokes. However, the muted contact feel made the frame not as responsive as I would like. It is very low-powered, so it does require a lot of physical strength for each shot.

Volleys – Score: 8.3

Up in the net, I really enjoyed all the advantages that Yonex VCORE 95 has to offer. It was very easy to put the volleys away due to the hefty weight and the small head. As a result, the frame allowed excellent control, which helped me to hit all of my targets effortlessly. The best thing about this Yonex tennis racket during volleys is the massive spin that it can generate, which really comes in handy if you are an aggressive player. 

I particularly enjoyed drop shots and shorter touch volleys, while hitting some deep, firmer shots was not a problem either. It felt solid and reliable throughout the game; this racket never felt rushed or late, allowing enough time to switch back into positions. While this isn’t the most forgiving frame out there, it was definitely way more forgiving than I expected it to be, which came as a nice surprise and even helped me cover some small mistakes, just in time not to lose any precious point. 

With its standard height, this racket is relatively easy to maneuver and offers enough leverage on the court to reach for those difficult angles and respond fast during heated exchanges. On the downside, it’s not comfortable at all because I could almost immediately feel the harsh vibration when missing the on-center shots due to the small sweet spot and a rather firmer string bed. Again, the amount of power that it provides is barely there, so it’s crucial to provide your own physical strength if you want to pick this racket. 

Serve – Score: 8.3

At serves, Yonex VCORE 95 delivered nothing but excellence. The new technological updates make the racket move through the air, generating crazy speed and spin. I was able to swing big during my first and second serve, which put my opponent in a defensive mode pretty quickly. The best part about this racket is the exceptional control that helped me accurately determine where the ball would go. Because it only allows a small amount of power and is very precise, I had a great time hitting flat shots, which normally don’t come as easily to me.

Kick and slice serves were also a delight, which helped close off points. Even during serves, the racket is easy to maneuver and somewhat flexible, which makes the game fun, as it allows more dwell time for the ball without feeling rushed or pushed around.

Due to the hefty weight and the in-between string pattern, the racket felt solid and stable until the end, which gave me a much-appreciated boost of confidence. On the other hand, the small-sized sweet spot was hard to find, and I could feel the vibrations on my arm every time I missed the on-center shots. It doesn’t allow a margin of error either, but that comes as a surprise to none, considering Yonex VCORE 95 is an advanced racket. 

Returns – Score: 8.4

I have mixed feelings about Yonex VCORE 95 when it comes to returns. Don’t get me wrong; this racket does the job perfectly fine. It is solid and heavy enough not to be pushed around on the court while also generating massive spin. I was able to block big serves most of the time while also going for full, big swings with confidence. 

This racket blends maneuverability with control, which is easily the best combo you can have during serves and allows the player to be more aggressive. It is highly precise, to the point that you can redirect the ball with ease and pretty much decide where it will land. It reminded me of Wilson Pro Staff 97 regarding stability and solid feel, which made this racket reliable. 

However, I am not a fan of its muted touch and the low margins of errors. Call me old-school, but I like to feel connected with my racket, to the point that it feels like an extension of my hand, and with Yonex VCORE 95 2021, I just didn’t have that. There were many times when I felt detached from the racket, and the frame response was quite stiff and unforgiving. 

Overall – Score: 8.32

Overall, Yonex VCORE 95 is a good racket for advanced players, despite having some drawbacks. It delivered high performance and helped me step up my game by being more confident and aggressive. This is the answer to all your prayers if you are looking for a racket with massive spin potential and crazy speed. In addition to that, Yonex VCORE 95 offers incredible combinations of high control levels, precision, and stability, all important features to have if you are aiming to compete on advanced or even professional levels. 

The technological updates make this racket more flexible and easy to maneuver while allowing the frame to really move in the air. I would say that the racket worked especially well during serves and at volleys, where it was easier to weaponize it. Backhand and forehand slices were my favorites with this racket, but what truly amazed me was the effortless flat shots that were so easy to control. 

On the other hand, I was left disappointed by the muted feel of the racket, which for the most part, gave me a hard time connecting with the racket. As I mentioned throughout this review, Yonex VCORE 95 has a low margin of error and is not forgiving at all. Since it is low-powered and has a small head, it makes the sweet spot hard to find, and you’ll probably feel the harsh vibrations on your arms more than once. If you are a beginner or struggle to generate enough physical strength on your own, this racket will make you feel miserable on the court, so you better look for other suitable options. 

Alternative Models

Yonex VCORE 95 is the fifth generation of the iconic VCORE line, which is very popular among tennis players for its versatility and high performance. In case you are wondering what the main differences between this racket and other models are, keep scrolling.

Yonex VCORE 95 2018

The differences between Yonex VCORE 2018 compared to the new model of 2021 are minor. Even when looking at the technicalities, it’s noticeable that the changes in weight and stiffness rate are so small that they almost make no difference at all. Furthermore, they feature the same small head size, balance, and size. 

Yonex VCORE 95 2018 also delivers a similar feature combination of spin, speed, and control. However, with this racket, I found the performance to be a bit more erratic and the launching ball trajectory higher than I often intended. It lacks the latest model’s technological updates that would provide more stability and even make it easier to maneuver. 

Specs 

• Head size:95 sq. in or 613 sq. cm
• Length: 27 inches / 68.5 cm 
• Weight (strung): 11.4 oz / 325 grams
• Balance: 7 pts HL 
• Swingweight: 325 
• Stiffness: 64 
• Beam width: 21.5mm / 22mm / 21mm
• Composition: H.M Graphite 
• String pattern: 16 mains / 20 crosses 

Yonex VCORE 95 SV

Yonex VCORE 95 SV features the same head size and weights as the Yonex VCORE 95 model. The similarities are undeniable, even in other aspects such as flexibility rates, string patterns, or even design. This model also delivers a great deal of spin and speed while offering the player control and precision. However, this is not a literal copy of Yonex VCORE 95 by any means. 

Actually, you can feel the differences from the moment you hold Yonex VCORE 95 SV, which delivers a different feeling. The beam feels smaller, which can be more convenient, especially for younger players or those with a smaller physique. Also, the touch is rather crispy and firm, making the response more lively compared to the other racket. On the other hand, it does lack some stability, especially for off-center shots.

Specs 

• Head size:95 sq. in or 613 sq. cm
• Length: 27 inches / 68.5 cm 
• Weight (strung): 11.5 oz / 326 grams
• Balance: 7 pts HL 
• Swingweight: 325 
• Stiffness: 65
• Beam width: 21 mm / 21mm / 21mm
• Composition: H.M Graphite 
• String pattern: 16 mains / 20 crosses 

VCORE 95 VS 98

While Yonex VCORE 98 is also suitable for advanced players, it has some important differences compared to Yonex VCORE 95. For starters, it features a slightly bigger head at 98 inches, with an open string pattern that can generate massive spin with a good amount of controllable power. The weight size is just a few grams lighter, so they both fall in the heavy range side.

However, the VCORE 98 beam size is thicker, which makes it easier to manage on the court. On the other side, you shouldn’t expect the same level of control and stability, which are lost with the size enhancement. Yonex VCORE 98 is also way more forgiving and comfortable to play with while featuring a bigger sweet spot. 

Specs 

• Head size: 98 sq. in or 632.26 sq. cm
• Length: 27 inches / 68.5 cm 
• Weight (strung): 11.4 oz / 323 grams
• Balance: 6 pts HL 
• Swingweight: 321
• Stiffness: 66
• Beam width: 22.5 mm / 23 mm / 21mm
• Composition: H.M Graphite 
• String pattern: 16 mains / 19 crosses 

Conclusion

To wrap it up, I think it is important to highlight one last time that the VCORE line is made for professional and advanced players that perform at competitive levels. All models feature versatile frames packed with control, spin, and precision, with hefty weights and smaller head sizes. They are the kind of racket you should consider buying when you have an important match and are looking for victory.

My personal favorite is Yonex VCORE 95 2021, which really impressed me with its performance. Regardless of what you pick, any of these models will help you reach new skill levels, so make sure that your choice reflects the needs that you have n the court. 

FAQs

Before making your purchase decision for the Yonex Vcore 95, it’s common to have some lingering questions about this tennis racket. Look no further as we provide helpful responses to the most frequently asked questions regarding the Yonex Vcore 95 tennis racket.