stav_babolat
Rookie
Hey,
Just wanted to share my views and comparisons of both the current and last edition of Ezone 100 rackets (there aren't too many threads or reviews here).
I notice that whenever a new racket is out there seems to be some recency bias amongst many reviews and online tennis websites. (ironically, many youtube channels always seem to state that the new racket releases are always 'an improvement over the last model' which might be because they want to sell more rackets!!
Anyway, here's my neutral, unbiased detailed review.
Ezone 100 2020
This racket has such a nice pop / crisp feel and sound when you hit the ball and I feel connected. Doesn't have that muted 'off centre hit/framed' dead feel that I get with say, a Pure drive.
I also noticed my BH slice was much better and consistent with this model than the New one. The ball stays super low over the net and I really have to mis time the shot or slow down the swing to hit a bad or high floaty slice. Has a flatter trajectory / lower net clearance. Sometimes my serves keep hitting the top of the net cord and i have to make adjustments.
With the new 2022 edition, I dont really know if its because they reduced the stiffness a little, or changed the swingweight (lower @ approx 317 instead of 322), or because they altered the beam thickness and flex BUT here are my observations:
- Racket has way more spin and a higher loopier launch angle and more erratic stringbed. I noticed forehands can tend to fly on me more.
- Slice is also a bit more erratic. Sometimes stays super low and skids other times can sail long or high.
- Dropshots I'm overhitting more often BUT when I nail a dropshot then they are super effective due to improved spin. Same with slices, a bit harder to control but also the added spin makes them more effective WHEN you nail them.
- Serves - Less power than the 2020, but more spinny for sure. For some reason I am. Hitting more topspin or slice serves with this model, and with the 2020 i prefer to hammer them down.
- Feel is different. Not muted or plasticky like the pure drive, but also a but more airy and hollow feeling than the 2020 model. Doesn't have that instant pop sound or sensation.
- I also feel like the 317 swingweight is a bit of a weird number, because I usually like mine at about 320-324. I tried adding just 4g of lead tape but this made the racket feel very slow to swing and bulky. I think its better to just use a thick gauge of string to just slightly bulk up the SW to about 320 or so and this will evenly distribute the weight across the whole string bed rather than concentrate strips around the outside like lead tape tends to do.
- This racket is not quite as stable defensively or counterpunching due to the lower SW and more erratic higher launch. On late shots or when i was on the run sometimes the ball was flying long on me whereas with the 2020 model I was able to hit those half volley flick passing shots or hit those short dipping shots on the run. If anything I was more likely to over hit with this racket whereas with the 2020 I am more likely to hit the net.
Overall, I will say the 2020 seems way more stable, consistent and lively in terms of power and feel.
The 2022 has the most awesome paint job and better spin potential, but I'm not sure I would really trust it more in matches due to the way the racket and stringbed responds, especially when pressured. I think for aggresive artificial or real clay court players this model would really shine . But for hard courts or artificial Grass (which is very common here in London), or counterpunchers I would recommend the older model... Just my 2 cents. Please feel free to post your thoughts or comparisons as well, anybody who's used or owned both.
Just wanted to share my views and comparisons of both the current and last edition of Ezone 100 rackets (there aren't too many threads or reviews here).
I notice that whenever a new racket is out there seems to be some recency bias amongst many reviews and online tennis websites. (ironically, many youtube channels always seem to state that the new racket releases are always 'an improvement over the last model' which might be because they want to sell more rackets!!
Anyway, here's my neutral, unbiased detailed review.
Ezone 100 2020
This racket has such a nice pop / crisp feel and sound when you hit the ball and I feel connected. Doesn't have that muted 'off centre hit/framed' dead feel that I get with say, a Pure drive.
I also noticed my BH slice was much better and consistent with this model than the New one. The ball stays super low over the net and I really have to mis time the shot or slow down the swing to hit a bad or high floaty slice. Has a flatter trajectory / lower net clearance. Sometimes my serves keep hitting the top of the net cord and i have to make adjustments.
With the new 2022 edition, I dont really know if its because they reduced the stiffness a little, or changed the swingweight (lower @ approx 317 instead of 322), or because they altered the beam thickness and flex BUT here are my observations:
- Racket has way more spin and a higher loopier launch angle and more erratic stringbed. I noticed forehands can tend to fly on me more.
- Slice is also a bit more erratic. Sometimes stays super low and skids other times can sail long or high.
- Dropshots I'm overhitting more often BUT when I nail a dropshot then they are super effective due to improved spin. Same with slices, a bit harder to control but also the added spin makes them more effective WHEN you nail them.
- Serves - Less power than the 2020, but more spinny for sure. For some reason I am. Hitting more topspin or slice serves with this model, and with the 2020 i prefer to hammer them down.
- Feel is different. Not muted or plasticky like the pure drive, but also a but more airy and hollow feeling than the 2020 model. Doesn't have that instant pop sound or sensation.
- I also feel like the 317 swingweight is a bit of a weird number, because I usually like mine at about 320-324. I tried adding just 4g of lead tape but this made the racket feel very slow to swing and bulky. I think its better to just use a thick gauge of string to just slightly bulk up the SW to about 320 or so and this will evenly distribute the weight across the whole string bed rather than concentrate strips around the outside like lead tape tends to do.
- This racket is not quite as stable defensively or counterpunching due to the lower SW and more erratic higher launch. On late shots or when i was on the run sometimes the ball was flying long on me whereas with the 2020 model I was able to hit those half volley flick passing shots or hit those short dipping shots on the run. If anything I was more likely to over hit with this racket whereas with the 2020 I am more likely to hit the net.
Overall, I will say the 2020 seems way more stable, consistent and lively in terms of power and feel.
The 2022 has the most awesome paint job and better spin potential, but I'm not sure I would really trust it more in matches due to the way the racket and stringbed responds, especially when pressured. I think for aggresive artificial or real clay court players this model would really shine . But for hard courts or artificial Grass (which is very common here in London), or counterpunchers I would recommend the older model... Just my 2 cents. Please feel free to post your thoughts or comparisons as well, anybody who's used or owned both.
