I opted for a little compromise and went 99 inches with the 18X19 Prestige 2022. Strung at 50 lbs instead of 52 and the power is just where I need it. I write this because I demoed lots of racquets in the 98- 100 range but always wondered how to really appreciate the frame when all demos are actually strung differently in terns of tension and previous hours of use... The same racquet will feel very different with Luxilon 17 gauge at 54 lbs and Confidential 16 gauge at 50.... Can be confusing....
Two approach to tennis: a. Recreation focused and get the 93sqin. b. Competition approaches: Two general: 1. Problem solver like Agassi use big head size to take away problems posed by opponent. 2. Weapon refiner like Pete Sampras and just demoralize opponent with best second serve winning percentage in history.
the marketing for the baboalt pure aero vs was worse, because you had to buy two in the beginning, but it is a great racket. Sold out in a lot of tennis stores. At least in Germany
Last year I had a hard time deciding between Extreme Tour and Pure Aero Vs, very similar specs anf feel, I chose the later based on cosmetics. Recently I demoed the VCore 95, and made the switch. Less power, less beefy, but more control and reliability
Just picked up a 2020 Yonex EZ and it has no flaws. New to Yonex but it’s a fun racket for a self-described dinosaur that wielded the heavy graphites in juniors
Classic control players need a narrow frame that provides steady control( classic coke).Newer players are comfortable with the newer wide beam frames( new coke) that provide more power but require more topspin.Match your stroke with the correct beam , weight and balance to improve your game!( Solinco has been said to have designed their frames based on Babolat Pure Drives) designs
@@b.lakeberg7456 thicker more modern beams generally are more powerful. More powerful rackets generally are more spin friendly. And more powerful and spin friendly rackets generally don't have the greatest control when striking the ball somewhat flat. Hence, modern topspin baseliners with heavy swings that generate a lot of racket speed and RPMs can gain control with pure drives, pure aeros, pure aero vs's, and so on through spin (examples include Nadal, Ruud, Berretini, Alcaraz, and so on). Players who play through the ball with less RPMs tend to suit thinner beamed rackets to essentially gain control through the racket, in a way, working against their power rather than through rpms (not to same extent anyway). Thinner beams are often paired with rackets that are more precise as well, so players who play more aggressively at smaller targets may suit this type of frame. It's a general rule. Doesn't necessarily have to be that way but it often is the case. Styles and swing styles have a variety of factors that can decide what works best. Often, we have to choose what we're willing to sacrifice for what we want to gain.
I have that issue with the pro staff 97 all the time.. it is just too boardy. The blade feels good though. the vcore 98 as well, but the beam is a little ticker which makes it a bit more sluggish
I bought a vcore 98 after...well more than 10 years. And I had an almost tennis elbow as well after a couple of months. I'm doing some exercises to reduce it and now I'm playing just fine no pain at all. But it's good to know that some of us has the exact same problem
I'm very interested in the new Dunlop SX 300 tour coming out in January. A 98 this time around. Unfortunately, not many people are even aware of their rackets or are even interested in trying them. Brand image plays such a large role in what sells. If Dunlop keep plugging away I hope they get a bit more exposure at some point.
I play with the current SX300 Tour. It’s a great stick. Easy to play with and so much feel. A tad too much power at times but flat serves are like cannon balls with flames.
@@tofufah yes it is. That huge swing weight really gives it a nuke feel. Dunlop have changed the tour version with the new line coming so it's a 98. But the current or soon to be replaced tour is the same as the standard but heavier and with a higher swing weight. So you will easily be able to add weight to the 2022 SX 300 standard if you want the same again in the next version.
My takeaway from this was you admitting that you are “a little princess”! LMFAO … keep these unpretentious videos coming! Jokes aside, your knowledge and your willingness to share your professional opinion is what makes these videos so easy to watch.
Babolat has progressively ruined the Aeros since the first version, which was the best racket I ever had in my hand (Rafa Nadal agrees.) A continual dumbing-down of a perfect original design.
Hi, what are the difference in power and sweet spot between the Pure Strike 98 16x19 and the V Core 98? Or maybe to broaden the question, which racquet in your opinion offers the most power and ease of use out of all these 98?
in my personal opinion, it's how you interpret control. I feel that control is either power/ direction. yes you get better control on a tighter string in terms of power. It's less powerful so you can take larger swings. However there's no cutting it, you're not gonna get the same control in terms of direction with a 100 as compared to something smaller. I guess the pros generate enough power on their own to begin with, hence don't exactly need the controlled power that the 100's give them, but rather prefer the directional control instead. Just my two cents though.
Hey, I’m looking for an 18x20 racquet, I’m currently using a VCore Pro 100 and don’t know which racquet to demo or possibly buy, any suggestions greatly appreciated, have a merry Christmas
All personal preference. I'm actually not aware of a truly 'bad' 98. All the 98s, from the decent brands at least, are great in the hands of the right player for that racket.
I've switched from my Old Artengo from when i was 16 to a Pure Strike (16x19), i'm 24 now, and for the first months it was great but 2 months ago i started to get hurt ion my elbow after starting to playing a Match. It started after start using Solinco Turbite 1,25mm for a friend recomendation, didn't change the strings for 2 months because they don't break. Should i start paying with other strings or change the ranket? Thx guys (L)
For me it's a battle between the pure aero Vs and the Tecnifibre Trebound 298 Iga. What's best depends on who's talking. We all have our own preferences. But yes, the Blade 98 is a fantastic racket.
@@mensudomerovic3773 Of that list I agree with you. If I can add a 97, then the yonex vcore pro 97 is better. But that is not a 98 i know. Also the prince synergy 98 is a fantastic racket as well as the prince beast 98 o3 16x20. Very much under valued. I don't like Prince as a brand, but they have some fantastic and high quality rackets I must admit
@@LarzB so it doesn’t have “cortex” in it? I’ll have to demo is with the Blade 98 next time I swing by the pro shop. Love my new pure drive but been wanting to try out a 98
@@MIAthe305 if you don't mind doing a bit of customisation the pure drive Vs can be a great option coming from standard pure drive. It's main problem is stability, which is an easy fix with a bit of a lead to get that swing weight to something serious. However, I'll have to agree that in stock form at least the pure aero Vs is the better racket. More stable right out the box but is otherwise more similar than it should be. Slightly more power with pure drive vs. slightly more control and spin with pure aero vs. I have both matched to same spec. Both are excellent. I slightly prefer still the pure aero Vs though, despite liking the normal pure drive more than the normal pure aero.
It's a great racket. To be fair, practically every 98 from decent brands is as well. Personal preference plays a big role in this, but for me the pure aero Vs is one of the best rackets on the market right now.
Great racket. Terrible first impression marketing/image wise (like with the having to buy two of them thing etc). I think it's bypassed the radar of many players because of that image.
V Core 98 2021 is one of the worst and most muted ever made. Literally no feel at all. It’s solid and stable but nothing else good on this stick. Aero Vs is the best babolat since aero pro drive. Great overall good stick. Ezone 98 2020 another mediocre stick from yonex. Nothing can compete with DR…. 100 inch version is better.
@@goggleboy2464 every head out there has better feel and connection than any yonex that uses VDM. Only latest VCP has decent feel but not sth magical. Extreme tour better than radical pro. Radical pro is not so forgiving…. you need to find sweet spot to get the extra power.
@@TheodorosKolokotronis799 vcore 95 and vcore 97 pro are the only yonex with any feel at all. Ezone 98 is like a pure drive. Funny he picked it as one of the best. Radical pro has a good weight for me and some control. no doubt extremes will have xtra power
@@goggleboy2464 pure drive has decent feel when compared to modern yonexes. It’s not bad. And latest one was more soft and plush. V core 95 yes good feel but only 2018 model…. 2021 more crisp and more muted. Latest VCP 97 also good feel but low powered frame.
Vcore 98 feels a bit muted from the star but as you play longer you will find it’s not actually. It has feel and it’s great, you just need to get used to it. I prefer Blade more but it’s just me. I played with my friends Vcore 98 a lot
I feel the same. My strokes lands shorter and it’s getting harder to adjust for the ball. I start to mishit just a little bit and it’s enough to be bad enough.
With the blade and even worse a vcore pro 97 or even worse than that a dunlop cx200 tour (95), you have to keep up the racket head speed to get depth on the ball. so what happens when you run out of gas? racket speed drops and as such balls fall short. Worst case in the net, but if shorter in the field it is prey for the opponent to come forward and attack and pushing you further to each side.
C10 pro 98 from volkl is one of the all time great 98" frames available today.
I really like the Solinco Whiteout. It just feels really solid in all categories
First, thank you for teaching me how to string and secondly I'll stick to my Yonex Flame 98...that racket is just insane. Merry Christmas
I opted for a little compromise and went 99 inches with the 18X19 Prestige 2022.
Strung at 50 lbs instead of 52 and the power is just where I need it.
I write this because I demoed lots of racquets in the 98- 100 range but always wondered how to really appreciate the frame when all demos are actually strung differently in terns of tension and
previous hours of use...
The same racquet will feel very different with Luxilon 17 gauge at 54 lbs and
Confidential 16 gauge at 50....
Can be confusing....
Two approach to tennis: a. Recreation focused and get the 93sqin.
b. Competition approaches: Two general: 1. Problem solver like Agassi use big head size to take away problems posed by opponent.
2. Weapon refiner like Pete Sampras and just demoralize opponent with best second serve winning percentage in history.
Happy to play with Yonex vcore 98 for now!! Beautiful racket 😇..Thanks for introducing the Solinco! Always open to try any new racket.
the marketing for the baboalt pure aero vs was worse, because you had to buy two in the beginning, but it is a great racket. Sold out in a lot of tennis stores. At least in Germany
Last year I had a hard time deciding between Extreme Tour and Pure Aero Vs, very similar specs anf feel, I chose the later based on cosmetics. Recently I demoed the VCore 95, and made the switch. Less power, less beefy, but more control and reliability
The Pure Strike 3rd Gen is GREAT
Great Content ! Merry Christmas 🎄
Just picked up a 2020 Yonex EZ and it has no flaws. New to Yonex but it’s a fun racket for a self-described dinosaur that wielded the heavy graphites in juniors
Classic control players need a narrow frame that provides steady control( classic coke).Newer players are comfortable with the newer wide beam frames( new coke) that provide more power but require more topspin.Match your stroke with the correct beam , weight and balance to improve your game!( Solinco has been said to have designed their frames based on Babolat Pure Drives) designs
What is a thin beam to you? What type of swing style do you feel suites a thicker beam?
@@b.lakeberg7456 short swing for thicker beam frames. Fast long swing, thin beam.
@@b.lakeberg7456 thicker more modern beams generally are more powerful. More powerful rackets generally are more spin friendly. And more powerful and spin friendly rackets generally don't have the greatest control when striking the ball somewhat flat. Hence, modern topspin baseliners with heavy swings that generate a lot of racket speed and RPMs can gain control with pure drives, pure aeros, pure aero vs's, and so on through spin (examples include Nadal, Ruud, Berretini, Alcaraz, and so on). Players who play through the ball with less RPMs tend to suit thinner beamed rackets to essentially gain control through the racket, in a way, working against their power rather than through rpms (not to same extent anyway). Thinner beams are often paired with rackets that are more precise as well, so players who play more aggressively at smaller targets may suit this type of frame.
It's a general rule. Doesn't necessarily have to be that way but it often is the case. Styles and swing styles have a variety of factors that can decide what works best. Often, we have to choose what we're willing to sacrifice for what we want to gain.
I love my Pro Staff 97 and the new Blade 98. I tested the Vcore 98 but I had a tennis elbow just after.
Me too - Vcore 98 blew my forearm up in about 2 hours... really liked it up until that point so a bit of shame.
The search continues.
I have that issue with the pro staff 97 all the time.. it is just too boardy. The blade feels good though. the vcore 98 as well, but the beam is a little ticker which makes it a bit more sluggish
I bought a vcore 98 after...well more than 10 years. And I had an almost tennis elbow as well after a couple of months. I'm doing some exercises to reduce it and now I'm playing just fine no pain at all. But it's good to know that some of us has the exact same problem
Damn you yonex, i just ordered my blade v8, should have wait a bit and try to compare these two
nah, you're blade v8 is better. the yonex rackets a little bit more powerfull and easy.
Clash 100 Pro hits really nice, but jeezus, it's a string eater! Went to a Blade 98 16x19, and it plays even better and is much better on strings.
The Dunlop FX500 Tour is a great stick. Should be on the list of “to demo”💯
They are also less expensive compared to the other brands.
I'm very interested in the new Dunlop SX 300 tour coming out in January. A 98 this time around. Unfortunately, not many people are even aware of their rackets or are even interested in trying them. Brand image plays such a large role in what sells. If Dunlop keep plugging away I hope they get a bit more exposure at some point.
I play with the current SX300 Tour. It’s a great stick. Easy to play with and so much feel. A tad too much power at times but flat serves are like cannon balls with flames.
@@tofufah yes it is. That huge swing weight really gives it a nuke feel.
Dunlop have changed the tour version with the new line coming so it's a 98. But the current or soon to be replaced tour is the same as the standard but heavier and with a higher swing weight. So you will easily be able to add weight to the 2022 SX 300 standard if you want the same again in the next version.
My takeaway from this was you admitting that you are “a little princess”! LMFAO … keep these unpretentious videos coming! Jokes aside, your knowledge and your willingness to share your professional opinion is what makes these videos so easy to watch.
Bought a pure aero vs, played with it for awhile until I happened upon two original aero pro drives, literally can't play with anything else now.
Babolat has progressively ruined the Aeros since the first version, which was the best racket I ever had in my hand (Rafa Nadal agrees.) A continual dumbing-down of a perfect original design.
Can you do this 100’s now please?
2022 ezone 98 feels very similar to the DR 98
IT will be good ?
Hi, what are the difference in power and sweet spot between the Pure Strike 98 16x19 and the V Core 98? Or maybe to broaden the question, which racquet in your opinion offers the most power and ease of use out of all these 98?
Hi and thanks about all the info. Could you add your opinion about The Artengo 960 Pro? It is also a 98 one. Thanks a lot.
I just wondering why players don’t use the 100 in2 racket instead of 98 to get a bigger sweetspot, then stringing tighter to maintain the control?
in my personal opinion, it's how you interpret control. I feel that control is either power/ direction. yes you get better control on a tighter string in terms of power. It's less powerful so you can take larger swings. However there's no cutting it, you're not gonna get the same control in terms of direction with a 100 as compared to something smaller. I guess the pros generate enough power on their own to begin with, hence don't exactly need the controlled power that the 100's give them, but rather prefer the directional control instead. Just my two cents though.
Feel like the 100 makes you lazy. I think ppl have allowed the tech to cover their flaws too much.
We are missing the Wilson H22 blade pro. One of the best.
Radical pro gives no spin, great stability and hits like a tank but forget hitting heavy spin balls.
So which Raquet would you think is better the 2022 ezone 98 or Wilson blade v8 98
How does the Diadem Elevate Tour stack up with these?
Hey, I’m looking for an 18x20 racquet, I’m currently using a VCore Pro 100 and don’t know which racquet to demo or possibly buy, any suggestions greatly appreciated, have a merry Christmas
Bolt 98L is the best for people.with tennis elbow and arm issues.
What is the best racket 100l for high school playing ITF tournaments?
Best 98 is Extreme Tour 100%
Easiest 98' 305gr maybe vcore or ezone? Thinking to remplace my beast 98..
Head extreme tour should be easily on this list… much better than the new blades and strikes of this world…
All personal preference. I'm actually not aware of a truly 'bad' 98. All the 98s, from the decent brands at least, are great in the hands of the right player for that racket.
totally not agree with the extreme tour better than the new blade. I have tested both and the extreme tour is dampened and feedback is awfull.
I've switched from my Old Artengo from when i was 16 to a Pure Strike (16x19), i'm 24 now, and for the first months it was great but 2 months ago i started to get hurt ion my elbow after starting to playing a Match. It started after start using Solinco Turbite 1,25mm for a friend recomendation, didn't change the strings for 2 months because they don't break. Should i start paying with other strings or change the ranket? Thx guys (L)
artengo?? you used that
How do you get a whiteout xtd?
k7 lime and prestige 360+ MP ftw
Blade V8 is the best 98 racket.
Have you tried all 98 racquets that are in the market?
@@miguelroda8779 I've got also: Yoney Ezone 98, Vcore 98, Tfight 305, Head Extreme Tour, Pure Strike 98. I can confirm that Blade V8 is the best one.
For me it's a battle between the pure aero Vs and the Tecnifibre Trebound 298 Iga. What's best depends on who's talking. We all have our own preferences. But yes, the Blade 98 is a fantastic racket.
@@mensudomerovic3773 Of that list I agree with you. If I can add a 97, then the yonex vcore pro 97 is better. But that is not a 98 i know. Also the prince synergy 98 is a fantastic racket as well as the prince beast 98 o3 16x20. Very much under valued. I don't like Prince as a brand, but they have some fantastic and high quality rackets I must admit
I thought the Ezone was for more power than the Vcore 98.
No Head Prestige Pro?
Head extreme tour?
I just switched to the extreme coming from blade v7. So far so good.
ezone 98 rules them all!
Which is the best,nice between ezone 98 tour or whiteout 98/305??
Prestige pro 2021???
I wish I can try out Boom lines
Do you think they’ll do a Pure Drive (the new version) in a 98?
They should do. And they should do a better job of getting it into people's heads and in the right way.
That is what they did. The pure drive vs. It came out after the latest normal pure drive.
@@LarzB so it doesn’t have “cortex” in it? I’ll have to demo is with the Blade 98 next time I swing by the pro shop. Love my new pure drive but been wanting to try out a 98
@@MIAthe305 nope, you can try it out. But I think you should try the aero vs instead
@@MIAthe305 if you don't mind doing a bit of customisation the pure drive Vs can be a great option coming from standard pure drive. It's main problem is stability, which is an easy fix with a bit of a lead to get that swing weight to something serious. However, I'll have to agree that in stock form at least the pure aero Vs is the better racket. More stable right out the box but is otherwise more similar than it should be. Slightly more power with pure drive vs. slightly more control and spin with pure aero vs.
I have both matched to same spec. Both are excellent. I slightly prefer still the pure aero Vs though, despite liking the normal pure drive more than the normal pure aero.
With all the raves about the Extreme Tour, not even on this list??
V core all the way.
No prestige???
So your sayin that 98 Aero is good or no
It's a great racket. To be fair, practically every 98 from decent brands is as well. Personal preference plays a big role in this, but for me the pure aero Vs is one of the best rackets on the market right now.
How about pure drive VS 98?
Great racket. Terrible first impression marketing/image wise (like with the having to buy two of them thing etc). I think it's bypassed the radar of many players because of that image.
way too stiff. People who play with 98 want more feel in stead of a board.
@@LarzB that's personal preference.
V Core 98 2021 is one of the worst and most muted ever made. Literally no feel at all. It’s solid and stable but nothing else good on this stick. Aero Vs is the best babolat since aero pro drive. Great overall good stick. Ezone 98 2020 another mediocre stick from yonex. Nothing can compete with DR…. 100 inch version is better.
Head radical pro has tons of feel compared to vcore 98. Weird cause the vcore 97 has good feel too.
@@goggleboy2464 every head out there has better feel and connection than any yonex that uses VDM. Only latest VCP has decent feel but not sth magical. Extreme tour better than radical pro. Radical pro is not so forgiving…. you need to find sweet spot to get the extra power.
@@TheodorosKolokotronis799 vcore 95 and vcore 97 pro are the only yonex with any feel at all. Ezone 98 is like a pure drive. Funny he picked it as one of the best. Radical pro has a good weight for me and some control. no doubt extremes will have xtra power
@@goggleboy2464 pure drive has decent feel when compared to modern yonexes. It’s not bad. And latest one was more soft and plush. V core 95 yes good feel but only 2018 model…. 2021 more crisp and more muted. Latest VCP 97 also good feel but low powered frame.
Vcore 98 feels a bit muted from the star but as you play longer you will find it’s not actually. It has feel and it’s great, you just need to get used to it. I prefer Blade more but it’s just me. I played with my friends Vcore 98 a lot
rf97
Why would you run out of gas in two sets with the blade?
I feel the same. My strokes lands shorter and it’s getting harder to adjust for the ball. I start to mishit just a little bit and it’s enough to be bad enough.
With the blade and even worse a vcore pro 97 or even worse than that a dunlop cx200 tour (95), you have to keep up the racket head speed to get depth on the ball. so what happens when you run out of gas? racket speed drops and as such balls fall short. Worst case in the net, but if shorter in the field it is prey for the opponent to come forward and attack and pushing you further to each side.
@@LarzB 💯
@@LarzB makes all the sense in the world.. thank you.
14 minutes for 5 minutes of info.