lordkarim
Rookie
Hi everyone,
I’m trying to identify a blacked-out Yonex frame that I currently own, and I’d really appreciate some help from people who know Yonex pro stock / player test frames better than I do.
The racquet is definitely a Yonex EZONE 98, but it is completely blacked out with no normal retail paint job or specs printed on it. I was told that it was a player test frame connected to Márton Fucsovics. As far as I know, he has been associated with the EZONE DR 98, so I’m wondering whether this could possibly be some kind of DR 98-based test frame, or maybe a later EZONE prototype.
The only codes I can find on the throat are:
1491494
270990IP
The frame beam measures approximately:
19 / 24 / 23 mm
The racquet is extremely handle-heavy. I do not have an exact balance measurement yet, but it is very likely below 310 mm unstrung. It also weighs around 330 g unstrung, so my guess is that there may be silicone in the handle and possibly some other customization. It feels much more handle-heavy than any retail frame I’ve used before.
For context, I previously owned several retail EZONE DR 98 frames, the 310 g version. Those ended up around 340–343 g strung and felt too heavy and hard to manage for me. This black frame is also heavy, but because of the very low balance it feels surprisingly good from the baseline. It is very stable, comfortable, and predictable. Flat shots, topspin drives and heavier spin all feel natural with it. The main problem is serving: the overall mass is simply too much for me there.
So my question is:
Could this be a DR 98-based player test frame, possibly made heavier and more handle-heavy for testing?
Or is it more likely a 2020 EZONE 98 prototype / player test frame?
Does the code “270990IP” give any useful clue about the production date or region?
And does the 19 / 24 / 23 mm beam profile point more toward DR 98, 2017 EZONE 98, or 2020 EZONE 98?
I know it may be impossible to identify it with 100% certainty without photos or exact RDC specs, but I’d appreciate any educated guesses.
Thanks a lot!
I’m trying to identify a blacked-out Yonex frame that I currently own, and I’d really appreciate some help from people who know Yonex pro stock / player test frames better than I do.
The racquet is definitely a Yonex EZONE 98, but it is completely blacked out with no normal retail paint job or specs printed on it. I was told that it was a player test frame connected to Márton Fucsovics. As far as I know, he has been associated with the EZONE DR 98, so I’m wondering whether this could possibly be some kind of DR 98-based test frame, or maybe a later EZONE prototype.
The only codes I can find on the throat are:
1491494
270990IP
The frame beam measures approximately:
19 / 24 / 23 mm
The racquet is extremely handle-heavy. I do not have an exact balance measurement yet, but it is very likely below 310 mm unstrung. It also weighs around 330 g unstrung, so my guess is that there may be silicone in the handle and possibly some other customization. It feels much more handle-heavy than any retail frame I’ve used before.
For context, I previously owned several retail EZONE DR 98 frames, the 310 g version. Those ended up around 340–343 g strung and felt too heavy and hard to manage for me. This black frame is also heavy, but because of the very low balance it feels surprisingly good from the baseline. It is very stable, comfortable, and predictable. Flat shots, topspin drives and heavier spin all feel natural with it. The main problem is serving: the overall mass is simply too much for me there.
So my question is:
Could this be a DR 98-based player test frame, possibly made heavier and more handle-heavy for testing?
Or is it more likely a 2020 EZONE 98 prototype / player test frame?
Does the code “270990IP” give any useful clue about the production date or region?
And does the 19 / 24 / 23 mm beam profile point more toward DR 98, 2017 EZONE 98, or 2020 EZONE 98?
I know it may be impossible to identify it with 100% certainty without photos or exact RDC specs, but I’d appreciate any educated guesses.
Thanks a lot!
