The VCORE Pro 97 from Yonex Co. - a control racket that asks for clean timing

Reviewed: ad hoc news Bestseller & Flagship desk. Edited and checked on 2026-06-29, 15:12. Details in the imprint.

VCORE Pro 97 from Yonex Co. is the kind of racket you notice before the first ball leaves the strings. The matte green-black frame looks lean in the hand, and the 97-square-inch head immediately signals this is made for players who like to hit clean.

How the frame feels

On impact the VCORE Pro 97 gives a tidy, connected feel, more like a scalpel than a hammer. You hear a short, sharp pop when you hit the middle, but off-center shots sound a little raw and remind you this is not a beginner tool.

With a weight around 310 grams unstrung and a 16x19 string pattern, the racket offers enough mass for stability without feeling like a log during long baseline exchanges. The thin beam glides through the air quickly, which makes fast preparation on returns easier for club players who like to take the ball early.

Who Yonex had in mind

Tsutomu Hirose, one of the product leads behind the VCORE line, often talks about the player who takes the ball on the rise and needs predictable response rather than free power. That target is clear here; the compact head rewards full swings with controlled depth.

Compared with more forgiving 100-inch Yonex frames, mishits with the VCORE Pro 97 drop shorter and lose pace. For a confident striker this is consistent feedback. For a rusty player it can feel sobering during the first session, because the racket politely punishes lazy footwork.

Control versus comfort

The isometric head shape that Yonex has pushed for decades gives the sweet spot a slightly taller feel. Once you adjust, you sense a stable zone in the upper middle of the bed, helpful on aggressive topspin drives and high backhand slices.

On serves the lean beam lets you whip through your motion smoothly. Flat first serves stay honest; they go where you aim if the technique is there. Kick serves need a bit more work, but the 16x19 pattern leaves room for the strings to bite the ball when you brush up strongly.

Strings, grip and sound

Pairing the VCORE Pro 97 with a softer poly or a hybrid keeps the feel from getting too harsh. A crisp full-poly at high tension can turn the feedback into a slightly raw vibration on off-center hits, which some advanced players still prefer for information.

Adding an overgrip changes the handle feel from smooth to more tactile, which helps on damp, late-summer evenings when palms start to sweat after long rallies. You hear the wrapped grip squeak quietly against the hand when you twist the racket between points.

Where it stands in the lineup

Within Yonex tennis rackets the VCORE Pro 97 sits as a specialist control frame, below more mainstream choices like the EZONE line and spin-driven VCORE models. It does not chase maximum forgiveness; it assumes the player is ready to do some technical homework.

For intermediate players aiming upward, starting with the lighter 290-gram variant can make sense before moving to heavier versions around 310 grams or more. The shared design language keeps the transition straightforward once the player improves fitness and timing.

Market and stock context

Yonex builds and sells the VCORE Pro 97 primarily through tennis retailers and online shops across Japan, Europe and the US, often positioned as a tournament-grade frame for advanced club and competitive players. Overall, this niche but loyal segment supports the broader tennis revenue stream of Yonex. The Yonex share price (ISIN JP3828800005) trades on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in Japanese yen as part of a diversified sports equipment portfolio.

This article was AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. Product information without guarantee; prices and availability may change at short notice. No investment advice, no buy or sell recommendation. Stock-market transactions involve risks up to total loss.