Got the New EZONE 2020 and 1HBH Update on my Game!

I am using the Yonex Ezone 2020 now and decided to customize it a bit. After two weeks at stock, I added a leather grip and about 4 grams of lead tape to the head of the racquet (3 and 9). I originally had it strung at 51lbs/23kg but decided to go up to 53lbs/24kg.

This new model feels faster and more powerful, but for some reason I could not connect to the ball as well compared to the older Ezone. The added weight gave a more solid feel while still keeping the "aerodynamic-ness" . My right arm hates me now since I switched to the one handed backhand and now adding weight to it lol. After about 90 mins my arm was starting to feel some tightness/soreness. I think I'll keep this setup for now though.

Theres some hitting at first and point play at 3 mins in. I'm currently going into my 3rd month with the 1hbh. The advice i got from my previous posts have helped a lot! Let me know if you have any questions on the racquet or feedback on my game!

Richboi said:

I added a leather grip and about 4 grams of lead tape to the head of the racquet (3 and 6).

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3 and 9 would be more balanced!!

Curious said:

3 and 9 would be more balanced!!

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haha typo! brain farted there

Richboi said:

I am using the Yonex Ezone 2020 now and decided to customize it a bit. After two weeks at stock, I added a leather grip and about 4 grams of lead tape to the head of the racquet (3 and 9). I originally had it strung at 51lbs/23kg but decided to go up to 53lbs/24kg.

This new model feels faster and more powerful, but for some reason I could not connect to the ball as well compared to the older Ezone. The added weight gave a more solid feel while still keeping the "aerodynamic-ness" . My right arm hates me now since I switched to the one handed backhand and now adding weight to it lol. After about 90 mins my arm was starting to feel some tightness/soreness. I think I'll keep this setup for now though.

Theres some hitting at first and point play at 3 mins in. I'm currently going into my 3rd month with the 1hbh. The advice i got from my previous posts have helped a lot! Let me know if you have any questions on the racquet or feedback on my game!

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Wonderful hitting session!

Fxanimator1 said:

Wonderful hitting session!

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thank you!

On your 1HBH ... ALL of the "parts" are there ... just one "premium" issue. On your forehand ... I notice this PERFECT SPACING every time ... allowing you to hit out and then across beautifully. But on your 1HBH ... you're very close to the ball ... still positioning much like you might have with your 2HBH. This forces you to open up your hips and lead with your elbow (and handle) as a primary first movement ... eliminating a lot of topspin potential. When learning a 1HBH ... the focus should be on starting the forward stroke with a rotation OUT (a supination) of the (relatively straight and rigid) arm unit. This requires you to be far enough away from the ball to have a contact point farther OUT ... and not so much in front.

On the view from the side ... I also notice that your racquet head doesn't get very far down before the forward stroke begins ... with a lot of downward racquet-head momentum gathered before it levels out and then "tries" to come back up for some topspin.

Bottom line ... only when you force yourself to position farther from the line of the approaching ball (than you would with your 2HBH) ... turn fully sideways and stay there a little longer ... practice getting your racquet head more fully down at the back ... have the courage to rotate the arm unit out ... and make contact farther out and back ... will you be able to use your basically above-average components effectively ... to deliver more of your 1HBH topspin potential.

~ MG

Mountain Ghost said:

practice getting your racquet head more fully down at the back .

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By gravity only or done by hitting hand/off hand pulling it down actively?

For only 3 months into the one hand backhand, I think it looks extremely solid. I think as you gain more and more confidence in hitting it, you will start feeling more freedom to really crank it. You certainly swing at it now, but I think you've got the potential to make it a weapon versus just a solid stroke. One thing I think you can work on with it in hitting sessions is to get that little extra upper body coil, maybe an extra 15 degree (or possibly more) shoulder turn so that your back is turned a bit more towards the opponent. You will be amazed at how much more power and spin you will be able to generate just from that extra coil and uncoiling...it's benefit gets magnified on the one hander in my opinion versus the two hand backhand.

Mountain Ghost said:

On your 1HBH ... ALL of the "parts" are there ... just one "premium" issue. On your forehand ... I notice this PERFECT SPACING every time ... allowing you to hit out and then across beautifully. But on your 1HBH ... you're very close to the ball ... still positioning much like you might have with your 2HBH. This forces you to open up your hips and lead with your elbow (and handle) as a primary first movement ... eliminating a lot of topspin potential. When learning a 1HBH ... the focus should be on starting the forward stroke with a rotation OUT (a supination) of the (relatively straight and rigid) arm unit. This requires you to be far enough away from the ball to have a contact point farther OUT ... and not so much in front.

On the view from the side ... I also notice that your racquet head doesn't get very far down before the forward stroke begins ... with a lot of downward racquet-head momentum gathered before it levels out and then "tries" to come back up for some topspin.

Bottom line ... only when you force yourself to position farther from the line of the approaching ball (than you would with your 2HBH) ... turn fully sideways and stay there a little longer ... practice getting your racquet head more fully down at the back ... have the courage to rotate the arm unit out ... and make contact farther out and back ... will you be able to use your basically above-average components effectively ... to deliver more of your 1HBH topspin potential.

~ MG

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great point! I thought I was getting enough space from the line fo the ball, but I was just sitting behind the ball And not so much away to the side. I think when I try to adjust that line of the ball I would naturally get more rotation on my shoulders. I’ll keep that in mind, thank you

Curious said:

By gravity only or done by hitting hand/off hand pulling it down actively?

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Neither ... ... ... It's by mindfully pronating the forearm down ... as the arm straightens to racquet-back position. With the arm pronated and straight ... the racquet head is naturally down ~ MG

Mountain Ghost said:

Neither ... ... ... It's by mindfully pronating the forearm down ... as the arm straightens to racquet-back position. With the arm pronated and straight ... the racquet head is naturally down ~ MG

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Great, thanks. I asked this many times here before. This is the first time I’m getting a clear answer.

Daniel Waters said:

For only 3 months into the one hand backhand, I think it looks extremely solid. I think as you gain more and more confidence in hitting it, you will start feeling more freedom to really crank it. You certainly swing at it now, but I think you've got the potential to make it a weapon versus just a solid stroke. One thing I think you can work on with it in hitting sessions is to get that little extra upper body coil, maybe an extra 15 degree (or possibly more) shoulder turn so that your back is turned a bit more towards the opponent. You will be amazed at how much more power and spin you will be able to generate just from that extra coil and uncoiling...it's benefit gets magnified on the one hander in my opinion versus the two hand backhand.

Click to expand...

Sorry for the late reply! Yes I keep having to remind myself to turn my shoulder more to literally have my back facing the opponent. What I do have trouble in though, is that I tend to not keep my body closed when going to hit the ball. In other words, i open too fast too early. As @MG noted, keeping more away from the line of the ball would help.

Daniel Waters said:

it's benefit gets magnified on the one hander in my opinion versus the two hand backhand.

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So you think that a one hander can be more of a weapon than a two hand? I think it makes sense. A perfected one hand can really attack the ball while two hand is more defensive. It's really difficult to compare-contrast both strokes. It all depends on the players style of play

Richboi said:

So you think that a one hander can be more of a weapon than a two hand? I think it makes sense. A perfected one hand can really attack the ball while two hand is more defensive. It's really difficult to compare-contrast both strokes. It all depends on the players style of play

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I think the one hander and two hander each have advantages and disadvantages. No need to hash that out here.

Yes, of course, a one hander can be more of a weapon than a two hander (and vice versa). It's a matter of finding the best fit for the player and developing the stroke. Too many people simply learn the two hander and never know there's another way.

My comment to you was that I think you have the potential to develop your one hander into a weapon. More of a weapon than your forehand? Possibly. For some people, the backhand is always going to be a weaker side or more of the "shield" for their game. In your case, I think you have the pieces in place where your backhand can be more than just a solid stroke. If you're only 3 months into it, then you probably just don't have the reps and confidence yet to really let it fly. I think if you work on your spacing and shoulder turn / coil, you will see an exponential increase in pace and spin that you are able to generate. You already hit a good ball, but when things click with that one hander, I doubt you will continue to run to the ad side and hit as many inside out forehands as you do now. You'll be licking your lips ready to crush a huge topspin backhand cross court or down the line.

Fyi, I hit a two hand backhand for almost 30 years. People said I was crazy to switch to a one hander because they said I had a good two hander already. But I knew my two hander never felt smooth, connected, or powerful like it should. It has been18 months since I made the change, but I can definitely say my one hander is a better shot (overall) than my two hander ever was. For reference, your progression looks much further along than mine, as I was not hitting my one hander near as well as you seem to be doing in your video after only 3 months.

I hope you report back with more updates on the progression!

Daniel Waters said:

Fyi, I hit a two hand backhand for almost 30 years. People said I was crazy to switch to a one hander because they said I had a good two hander already. But I knew my two hander never felt smooth, connected, or powerful like it should.

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Haha I went through the same thing. I was debating on whether to give it a try but actually decided to stick to my two hander. Two weeks later I got a funky type of eczema on my left palm for about 3 months. I deemed it faith to try out the one hander. Ive always loved to mix up my game and i grew up around one handers so I was excited to see my progression. I figured it would be nice to learn even if I wont stick to it; in case I need to reference it in the future (ie. coaching).

Currently I am forcing myself to hit whatever ball that comes to my BH in order to see the boundaries. It's actually quite fun and I look forward to going on court more often now.

Great hitting video

I got some forearm pain when I first switched to the 3rd Gen Pure Strike 16x19 and simultaneously upped my SW to 340 (from what I thought was 340 but was actually closer to 337).

Went away after 2-3 weeks and my forearm just got bigger and stronker. Now I have the right forearm of a serial wanker.

Bender said:

Great hitting video

I got some forearm pain when I first switched to the 3rd Gen Pure Strike 16x19 and simultaneously upped my SW to 340 (from what I thought was 340 but was actually closer to 337).

Went away after 2-3 weeks and my forearm just got bigger and stronker. Now I have the right forearm of a serial wanker.

Click to expand...

I got the PS17 but thought it was too light and stiff. Got some wrist pain after 6 months. Then swapped to the Ezone.

what if I have a serial wanker forearm already

Richboi said:

I am using the Yonex Ezone 2020 now and decided to customize it a bit. After two weeks at stock, I added a leather grip and about 4 grams of lead tape to the head of the racquet (3 and 9). I originally had it strung at 51lbs/23kg but decided to go up to 53lbs/24kg.

This new model feels faster and more powerful, but for some reason I could not connect to the ball as well compared to the older Ezone. The added weight gave a more solid feel while still keeping the "aerodynamic-ness" . My right arm hates me now since I switched to the one handed backhand and now adding weight to it lol. After about 90 mins my arm was starting to feel some tightness/soreness. I think I'll keep this setup for now though.

Theres some hitting at first and point play at 3 mins in. I'm currently going into my 3rd month with the 1hbh. The advice i got from my previous posts have helped a lot! Let me know if you have any questions on the racquet or feedback on my game!

Click to expand...

Wow, very nice backhand with only 3 months of experience. To be honest, your opponent has better fundamentals than you, and he hits harder than you (backhand).

However I'm really confused by his forehand, it looks very weird and stiff but that's another topic for another day.

I think you can slow mo and learn from your opponent of his backhand and see what he is doing well that you can take into your own.