Yonex has been making waves in tennis in the last few years, signing rising stars and developing an impressive array of frames. For more advanced players, Yonex updated its V-Core line with the introduction of the V-Core Pro 97 310 in 2018. This update to the Duel G line had some key new innovations. Yonex incorporated Namd carbon into the frame for flex and higher energy return in key areas. They also added Lock Booster ridges in the grommets for improved energy transfer and power. These features were paired with a thin 20mm beam for impressive control and pinpoint accuracy from anywhere on court. Having enjoyed previous versions of this line, I was excited to see the latest iteration Yonex has developed.

Groundstrokes
From the back of the court, it was instantly evident how much more spin friendly the V-Core Pro 97 310 was compared to the previous Duel G version. Reducing the pattern to a 16x19 freed it up a bit and the Namd material made a noticeable difference in the “slingshot” effect the frame had. My forehand was consistently jumping off the court and above my opponents’ shoulders. My backhand also had noticeably more spin, allowing me to play with better margin from that wing. While spin production was impressive, I felt the frame lacked a bit in the power department. With a pretty thin beam and relatively flexible construction, I found myself leaving more balls than usual short in the court, allowing my opponents to punish them. A little more mass or a slightly firmer & wider beam could have been beneficial in ensuring the ball was kept deep. Control from the back of the court was another strong point with this frame. I could work the ball to all sides of the court from both sides and could go for aggressive targets without fear of over-hitting. Overall this frame favored variety from the baseline as opposed to a show of brute force.

Volleys & Serves
Net play was where the V-Core Pro 97 310 really started to shine. The compact head size and headlight balance allowed me to snap the racquet into position for any volley. I never felt like I was behind in getting it into the right spot. The low power level allowed me to attack volleys aggressively without pushing them long. I enjoyed the directional control and the way I could carve volleys into the corners. Sharp angle volleys were also easy to pull off. The flex of the racquet offered plenty of feedback for executing drop volleys and I always felt like I knew what the ball was going to do coming off the string bed.

Variety was the spice of serving with the V-Core Pro 97 310. I generated good racquet head speed from the headlight balance and manageable weight. This created a solid level of pace on flatter serves. While I didn’t find it capable of serving bombs, there was enough pace to keep my opponents from getting too aggressive with their returns. I also enjoyed using the frame’s spin friendly nature on serves. My kick serve jumped off the court and created headaches for returners. The laser like precision also allowed me to vary my serve locations with confidence. I had no trouble going from serving out wide to dropping serves right on the T.

Feel/Comfort
Players who want to feel connected to the ball should enjoy the feel of the V-Core Pro 97 310. It played with a crisp response that also had just the right amount of flex to it. The feel created a sense of confidence from anywhere on court and the string bed had a predictable response on contact. There was a slight increase in brassiness off center but nothing that was dramatically uncomfortable. Players accustomed to the more flexible frames of days gone by should be comfortable with the feel of this racquet. It offered a solid blend of modern response with a classic flex that had good ball feel. Any player concerned about arm issues should be able to pair this racquet with a softer string with little issue.

Overall
Aggressive hitters who emphasize control over power will find a lot to love with the V-Core Pro 97 310. Its mid level weight makes it fast to swing while offering ample spin, stability and a reasonable dose of power. The impressive precision and level of feel make it dangerous from every area of the court. While it may not blow opponents off the court with raw power, the V-Core Pro 97 310 has enough playability to keep your opponents off balance and wondering what type of shot you’ll give them next.

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.