Tmano
Hall of Fame
I'm glad to hear that! Thanks!
Tmano
Hall of Fame
I will definitely demo it now i have heard consisted positive feedback about its comfort! I' really looking forward to play with an EZ again!
FuzzyYellowBalls
Legend
Come back to the EZ fam, pow pow!
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
You may also want to demo the new Solinco Whiteout v2. I’m finding it to be quite comfortable as well. Different feel compared to the EZ98 but also an excellent frame.
Tmano
Hall of Fame
I know right! But once you played for a long time with a yonex it is hard to go back to other racquets
Tmano
Hall of Fame
I will check it out, hopefully it is a 16x19! but i do not know anything about Solinco though.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Yes, it is a 16x19. I find it to be a little more versatile than the EZ98 and more forgiving than the Blade v8 16x19. All are modded with lead to 327SW strung. By versatile, I mean it has the ability to easily hit different trajectory shots. The EZ98 can shape the ball but its default ball tends to be a flatter trajectory. The blade just as a smaller sweet spot so it’s not as forgiving.
Tmano
Hall of Fame
Thank you! Once off work i will check it out. I hope it is comfortable.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
To me, they’re all comfortable but if I had to rate them, the blade v8 is the most comfortable followed closely by the WO2 and 2025 EZ98
Tmano
Hall of Fame
Thank you! precious info for sure!
TheRareCreature
New User
Hi all tennis addicts and gearheads… Anyone have a compare of the 2025 EZ 98 to a V14 97 Pro Staff? I love the feel on my pro staff and am enjoying it on volleys and ground strokes. I’m comfortable on serve with it but wish I could get the same power as my Gravity Pro on first serves but that’s a tradeoff I accept. Worried the stiffness of the pro staff is causing some minor discomfort on my arm at times… The EZ is intriguing due to the tech and forgiving nature that everyone is talking about. I used to play with a V7 98 blade but think I have become addicted to the feel of my pro staff… help!
2025 EZ 98 def feels softer than PS 97 v14. It shouldn't cause you any arm issues. And it should be a better racquet for serving compared to the PS97.
But the feels are very different, especially if you come from the PS 97, it has a very solid crisp feel. 25 Ezone 98 is soft and muted. The string bed response of the PS97 is more direct, 25 EZ 98 has more pocketing.
TheRareCreature
New User
Thank you for the feedback - in line with what else I have heard. You have actually played with both? Honestly, I think I enjoy both the crisp direct and ball pocketing feel depending on my mood… might be why I have the racquet combination in my bag.
Ezone 98 is my main stick, and I was on PS97 v14 playtest. Give 22 Ezone 98 a try, use softer polys, like PTP full bed, string it mid-high 40s. That might be a good middle ground.
I made this transition (PS 97 to EZ 98) and I didn’t look back, whereas I am a (very) long pro staff user (starting with PS 6.0 85 for many many years, then PS 90, etc). The v14 was nice, more feel then the versions before that, but still much more harsh then the classic pro staffs. They had more dwell time. The EZ has more dwell time in a way it feels like an old graphite racket. But more muted that is true. But I like it a lot so far. It does also feel crisp when you hit the center of the sweet spot, volleys excellent, and is just as stable as the PS despite its lower weight and SW. I will continue with the EZ for now, that is for sure. Lastly: it’s somehow just a very fun, fast hitting racket, nice dwell, kind of addicting feel, at least for me…
TheRareCreature
New User
Great feedback - thank you! I am intrigued by the Yonex in lineup so might be taking out some demos shortly or making a leap off faith.
Any other string recommendations that last a bit more than PTP?
thanks
thenewbig3
Semi-Pro
(If you are looking for a similar string to PTP)
Last longer with regard to consistency of performance/playability - Pro Line Evolution
Last longer with relative to breakage - No idea, I just cant tolerate/control PTP after 2 sessions.
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I assume you're asking for 22 Ezone 98, since 25 Ezone 98 string choices are very different.
For 22 Ezone 98, long-lasting setup: Zero 123/ Sync 120. My go-tp setup: MSV Hex Soft Yellow 120/ Bussard 125.
splitting hairs but strings for the 2025? TB Soft or HHT any good?
For 2025, I tried a few, the two setups I liked were TB 17/Bussard 125, TB 17/TBS 17
Fighting phoenix
Professional
I tried to get some traction on this question a few days ago and didn't get any responses (for the '25 EZ98) - so far I've tried PTP 1.25 Blue, and surprisingly liked that a lot. I didn't like Lynx Tour, otherwise my favorite string, maybe due to the dense string pattern, it felt a little boardy and wasn't getting bite/power on my serve. Next up for me are: PTRev, PTSpin, PTStrike, and for non-Yonex I'm curious about Pure Rush, Hawk Power, Tour Bite, Big Hitter S7T
FuzzyYellowBalls
Legend
Tour bite 18 coming up next for me, I don't really like TB soft, I stick to the regular. Maybe Strike next then gut hybrid, but I have no idea what to hybrid with gut.
MiddlingPlayer
Rookie
Has anone tried Poly tour rev or O-toro in this racket? They seem to work really well in Percept, curious if its the same with EZone.
Nice. I tried PTP in a friend's racket and it was fantastic. I just want to the get more than 4 hours from strings. Lynx Tour is also a favourite of mine (specially in the blade).
naturalexponent
Legend
I have pt rev in mine. Tried a friend's that had ALU power in it and I prefer the rev. Feels crisper but also has some noticeable pocketing.
Fighting phoenix
Professional
My concern with O-toro or other Toroline strings in the new Ezone is that they're pretty muted, and not sure it would work great in this frame - Percept is less muted, but some of this is just personal preference.
MiddlingPlayer
Rookie
Thanks guys, I've ordered a EZone 98, will report how it goes with both the strings.. otherwise I might have to go to PTP as it worked pretty well in the demo
As far as what to hybrid with gut, I have tried a variety of strings and the best have been slick round polys. My favorites to hybrid with poly right now are Toroline WasabiX, Restring Sync, Lux 4G rough/Lux Alu pwr rough (the Lux are not round but texture is soft scoops taken out of string).
Those polys did not cut into the gut very much at all and playability lasted all the way until gut broke.
Those hybrids tend to last me surprisingly long...2x longer than my poly/multi hybrids or 2x as long as full poly playability.
FuzzyYellowBalls
Legend
That's great information, thank you.
FerVeneroni
New User
https://www.racketpedia.com/en-GB/tennis-string/genesis-new-cyan-125
I'm playing with this string on Ezone 98 2025 and I'm loving it. It's comfortable, has power and a good feel at 50 pounds.
I'm playing with this string on Ezone 98 2025 and I'm loving it. It's comfortable, has power and a good feel at 50 pounds.
joaovitorss
New User
Thinking about switching from my 22’ ezone 100 to 25’ 98.
Any recommendations?
Pros and cons?
Intermediate do advanced player with more of a spiny forehand and not so spiny neither flat backhand
Serving being of one of the best aspects of my game nowadays.
Any recommendations?
Pros and cons?
Intermediate do advanced player with more of a spiny forehand and not so spiny neither flat backhand
Serving being of one of the best aspects of my game nowadays.
Rabbit
G.O.A.T.
I made the transition from the '22 and am very pleased with the '25. I formerly used the VCore 98 and wasn't as pleased with the apparently same updates made to it from the Navarro to the Paul versions, I liked the Navarro better.
The new '25 EZ100 has a little more of everything in the areas of comfort, power and control IMO. It is very plush but at the same time, I feel more connected to the ball. I am using the same string/tension as before. The only difference is I bought grip size 2's instead of 3's. I installed leather grips on them to compensate so they are between a 2 and a 3. I bought 2's because there were no 3's at the time and I just couldn't wait. The '25 is a fantastic frame fit for me. I will say the main beneficiary for me is the serve which seems to have really picked up with the '25.
joaovitorss
New User
Thanks for the response but Im actually tending to go down on the head size and pick up the 98 to get a bit more control to be able to swing more freely.
I found my 22 100 to be a bit too powerful and have to string too tight for my liking (52 or above).
Toughts on the 25 98?
I played 4 years with v5 & v6 of the VCore 98 and switched to the current version v7. Only afte rplaying with it for months (& having sold older models) did I realize that the prior versions fit my game/preferences more. Thus, a new racket journey that took me to Percept97 for a year, but it was underpowered and unforgiving when on defense or late prep.
I have demoed the Ezone98 '25 and it has impressed me. From past hitting with '22 version the only changes I notice are the softer/muted/comfortable feel & the higher average stock swingweight, which also helps stability. It swings easy and helps you out a bit when on D or late, but still shines exceptionally when your form is ON. For the '22 to play the same you woudl have to add weight, which I prefer not to do.
I have not hit the 100, but feel the only significant benefits are more power, which can help players with shorter swings.
Rabbit
G.O.A.T.
joaovitorss said:
I have long swings, I haven't hit the '25 EZ98 because I bought the '22 and tried it. It was my experience that I just couldn't get the EZ98 around fast enough which wasn't the case with any of the VCore 98's. I am really happy that the EZ100 was a perfect fit, especially since it's on par power-wise with the Pure Drive which I have bought twice and returned. The PD never clicked with me.
joaovitorss
New User
Just picked up a 25’ EZ98 at the shop, making the switch from the 22’ EZ100
Strung with Hyper-G 1.25 at 50lbs.
Can’t wait to hit on Saturday.
Strung with Hyper-G 1.25 at 50lbs.
Can’t wait to hit on Saturday.
mvalverdeabad
New User
Does anyone know why the 98L model appears on the Yonex website and is not in stores?
ryohazuki222
Hall of Fame
I’d demo both the 25 and 22 98 if you’re coming from the 22 100 and looking for more control.
Probably similar to the Ezone 98 Tour...market release date may be later this month / early March. Can vary by location
How's your commitment status here, Josh?!... Curious what tensions you are liking and how you are liking it for control...
Am about to revisit my 22 EZ 100s (albeit stringing higher than I have done in years to get back a bit of control and hopefully impact on those erratic launchers.) Though tending to prefer the feel of older Bab frames, I definitely intend to give both the 22 and, in time, the 25, some proper attention.
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
I would also like to put the 22 through its paces but I need to get one first. I don’t find control to be an issue with the 25 coming from the last gen PD which has a very open pattern. I do need to test the latest PD as a comp and also the blackout v2 is on my list but so far nothing is beating the new ez100 for me. Just strung it with poly tour pro. I’ve been at 46lbs.
Nice one. Funny I'm going up to mid-50's w/poly now with the '22! Anyhow, sounds like a real contender there.
joaovitorss
New User
First impressions with the EZ98 25 comparing to my 100 22.
The 98 is very muted, as muted as it gets I think. Very controlled and a I was keeping the ball in against a heavy hitter once I dialed in.
Very noticeable decrease in free power compared to the 100. I have been hiting with my 100 on Confidential 1.25 at 52 lbs and on the 98 I will probably drop to 48 or 49 to get more power.
Lower lanch angle felt good on my flatter backhand but struggled at first with my whipy forehand. Gotta get used to it and adapt to swing faster and a more spin friendly string would help to.
Felt very good on serves. Controllable power on flat serves that rewarded me with 4 unreturned serves to close the 2nd set.
As I was after a more controlled racket to be able to control havier balls I feel like I’m gonna get what I was looking for once I dial in the perfect setup (string and tension).
Any advice to improve the feel of this racket? Strings etc
Thinking about trying Tour Bite 1.20 at 48lbs.
ryohazuki222
Hall of Fame
It’s official. 25 ez98 is amazing.
Finally played with the same setup 3 times in a row. I need to string just a little tighter, but this racket is amazing. I love everything about it.
And after the many hits and setup changes; I stand by my assessment that it’s a different racket than the 22 ez98.
not sure how to word this exactly; but it’s a little harder to play with and a little more work (eg more control oriented and players racket than the 22); but at the same time still very forgiving and oh so rewarding for good habits and good behavior.
22 ez98 is still a great racket. 25 is just different. I wouldn’t be surprised if most people that loved the 22, don’t like the 25.
Here’s how I’m describing it now.
2022 ez98 is the ezone of the ezones. Obviously an ezone.
2025 ez98 is the percept of the ezones. Very ezone; with a small touch of percept.
I’d be very curious to hear more comments from percept players that try the 2025 ez98.
Finally played with the same setup 3 times in a row. I need to string just a little tighter, but this racket is amazing. I love everything about it.
And after the many hits and setup changes; I stand by my assessment that it’s a different racket than the 22 ez98.
not sure how to word this exactly; but it’s a little harder to play with and a little more work (eg more control oriented and players racket than the 22); but at the same time still very forgiving and oh so rewarding for good habits and good behavior.
22 ez98 is still a great racket. 25 is just different. I wouldn’t be surprised if most people that loved the 22, don’t like the 25.
Here’s how I’m describing it now.
2022 ez98 is the ezone of the ezones. Obviously an ezone.
2025 ez98 is the percept of the ezones. Very ezone; with a small touch of percept.
I’d be very curious to hear more comments from percept players that try the 2025 ez98.
