Ezone 98 v Pure Aero 98

[Underdog]

Hello, everyone!
So, I’ve been wondering which racquet would be a better suit to an all-court playstyle between these two. Which do you think is best and how do they compare in major traits, such as control, power, maneuverability, feel, groundies, volleys…?
Also, Yonex is considered much more reliable a manufacturer than Babolat, would the difference be enough to influence staying away from the PA?
Thanks!

 

[ulunxtns]

What's your level of tennis?

If you're 4.5+, PA 98 could be better, depending on your strokes.
Ezone 98 works for 3.5+
You need to demo both, they feel very different. PA has a smaller sweet spot but more rewarding. Ezone 98 is easier to play with.

 

[Underdog]

What's your level of tennis?

If you're 4.5+, PA 98 could be better, depending on your strokes.
Ezone 98 works for 3.5+
You need to demo both, they feel very different. PA has a smaller sweet spot but more rewarding. Ezone 98 is easier to play with.

I’d say probably around 4.0. I’m not from USA, I play in Brazil, so that’s a guess based on videos I’ve watched.
I’ve read around here that the Ezone behaves similarly to a Pure Drive. Is that true? I hope not.
How do you think EZ and PA compare to the bone? Power, spin, control, maneuverability…

 

[ulunxtns]

Try to demo both, since you already narrowed down to two racquets, that's easier to do.
Looking at comparable numbers won't help you decide. You could totally not jel with one racquet although the numbers look great on paper.

 

[happyandbob]

How do you think EZ and PA compare to the bone? Power, spin, control, maneuverability…

this is comparing 2022 Ezone 98 vs Pure Aero VS (the rebrand as 98 wasn't out yet)

Power - even
Spin - PA
Control - EZ
Man - EZ
Sweet spot - EZ

 

[Honza]

PA 98 is way too demanding for 4.0. You will have more fun with the Ezone.

 

[Yamin]

I find them pretty similar but different in their delivery... I think babolats are safer blind buys than Yonex. If you like a higher or low swing weight, the choice should be pretty easy. Think the PA is better for those that spend most of their time behind the baseline. Ezone is likely easier to use.

Worst qualities of each:

Ezone - Comfort
PA 98 - Feel

 

[Underdog]

PA 98 is way too demanding for 4.0. You will have more fun with the Ezone.

Can you explain a bit about why is that so?

 

[Hit 'em clean]

I’d say probably around 4.0. I’m not from USA, I play in Brazil, so that’s a guess based on videos I’ve watched.
I’ve read around here that the Ezone behaves similarly to a Pure Drive. Is that true? I hope not.
How do you think EZ and PA compare to the bone? Power, spin, control, maneuverability…

The E98 is closer to the PD in playability, but it's nothing like the PD in terms of feel and arm friendliness. E98 is softer, more precision, faster through the air (98 vs 100 and lower SW). How they PD and E98 are similar is they both have tighter string patterns and lower launch angles than the PA98. The Ezone still provides good power and spin, but the PD is more powerful and stiffer. PD is a great serving racquet, but again it lacks the precision you get with the E98 which I think is one of the best serving racquets ever. If you like a decent swing weight (325-330ish) than you might also want to consider the E98+.

Also, if you were considering PD 98... that is still a fairly stiff feeling racquet. I much prefer the std PD over the PD98, but the E98/E98+ over the PD since it's easier on the arm and more controllable with a lower launch angle.

 

[Honza]

Can you explain a bit about why is that so?

The PA 98 is an outstanding racket, better than anything i have played before, as long as you hit the ball in its small sweetspot, but when you miss the sweetspot your shoulder, arm and wrist are going to vibrate and maybe hurt. Also the ball falls short and is not controlable. Its a very unforgiving stick compared to the Ezone.
To be honest im from Europe and had no clue what a 4.0 is, so i looked it up on youtube and these players rarely hit the ball repetitive in the right place.
I own 3 PA 98s and borrowed the Ezone from a friend. Sometimes i think about switching, because the Ezone was so much easier to handle.

 

[Underdog]

The PA 98 is an outstanding racket, better than anything i have played before, as long as you hit the ball in its small sweetspot, but when you miss the sweetspot your shoulder, arm and wrist are going to vibrate and maybe hurt. Also the ball falls short and is not controlable. Its a very unforgiving stick compared to the Ezone.
To be honest im from Europe and had no clue what a 4.0 is, so i looked it up on youtube and these players rarely hit the ball repetitive in the right place.
I own 3 PA 98s and borrowed the Ezone from a friend. Sometimes i think about switching, because the Ezone was so much easier to handle.

Thanks for the feedback, dude

 

[Underdog]

The E98 is closer to the PD in playability, but it's nothing like the PD in terms of feel and arm friendliness. E98 is softer, more precision, faster through the air (98 vs 100 and lower SW). How they PD and E98 are similar is they both have tighter string patterns and lower launch angles than the PA98. The Ezone still provides good power and spin, but the PD is more powerful and stiffer. PD is a great serving racquet, but again it lacks the precision you get with the E98 which I think is one of the best serving racquets ever. If you like a decent swing weight (325-330ish) than you might also want to consider the E98+.

Also, if you were considering PD 98... that is still a fairly stiff feeling racquet. I much prefer the std PD over the PD98, but the E98/E98+ over the PD since it's easier on the arm and more controllable with a lower launch angle.

I was worried the Ez would behave similarly to the PD in terms of stiffness and power. I wouldn't like it that way, I think. I'm more inclined towards something more control-oriented, but that still has controllable liveliness.

 

[ulunxtns]

The PA 98 is an outstanding racket, better than anything i have played before, as long as you hit the ball in its small sweetspot, but when you miss the sweetspot your shoulder, arm and wrist are going to vibrate and maybe hurt. Also the ball falls short and is not controlable. Its a very unforgiving stick compared to the Ezone.
To be honest im from Europe and had no clue what a 4.0 is, so i looked it up on youtube and these players rarely hit the ball repetitive in the right place.
I own 3 PA 98s and borrowed the Ezone from a friend. Sometimes i think about switching, because the Ezone was so much easier to handle.

This is aligned with my experience. PA98 is a fantastic stick, although I know it's above my level. When you hit the sweet spot, it's so rewarding, and it's really good at flat shots too. But for match play, I'd go with Ezone 98, more forgiving and consistent for my level, better/easier serve, and much more comfortable than PA98.

The higher the level you are, the more you can get out of the PA98. It has a really high potential, but it needs the right player to unlock it.

 

[Hit 'em clean]

I was worried the Ez would behave similarly to the PD in terms of stiffness and power. I wouldn't like it that way, I think. I'm more inclined towards something more control-oriented, but that still has controllable liveliness.

E98 is lower in power than the PD, but I'd put it as slightly more powerful than the PA98. Full disclosure... I've never been a fan of either the PA98 or PD98. Both play pretty brassy... stiff and just didn't vibe with me at all.

 

[faded_lines]

I recently switch to the E98 as my main stick and finally getting dialed in. Such an easy racquet to pick up and play good tennis. I was worried the low swing weight might require some time to adjust to but that wasn’t the case. I did add 3g at 12 to help bring the SW up.

I recent had a chance to play with a friends PA98. To me it play kind of similar for me but definitely more swing weight and right up my alley since I’m used to playing with higher SW racquets. It had me thinking so watched a ton of videos and did some research. The ability to hit with tons of spin and easily flatten out the ball intrigues me. I might have to pick one up and play them side by side for a bit.

 

[Moveforwardalways]

Both the PA98 and the EZ98 are tough for 4.0 and lower players. You really need sound mechanics and a fast swing to access the benefits of these racquets.

 

[Moveforwardalways]

I would even question the need for these sticks for most 4.5 players.

 

[GodlessEndeavor]

Both the PA98 and the EZ98 are tough for 4.0 and lower players. You really need sound mechanics and a fast swing to access the benefits of these racquets.

I think some people choose to go for "aspirational" racquets, which expose weaknesses in their game and force them to improve. Whether this is a good idea or not, I don't know, but I've definitely heard people saying that.

 

[gutfeeling]

I’ve been playing the 2022 EZ 98 almost exclusively since launch, and I previously played the 2020 version extensively. Shout out to @AA7 for convincing me the EZ 98 is the real deal when I wavered. I just picked up a PA 98 “for science” but mainly to see how the additional swingweight and throat stiffness of the PA 98 work for me. Otherwise, no complaints with the EZ 98, and I like it more and more as I spend more time with it. Comfortable, stable, predictable, and playable - nothing fancy, you get out what you put in. I can echo what previous posters have said in the sense that it requires sound mechanics to get the most out of it. Hopefully I will be able to add some helpful feedback after I spend some time with the PA 98. Cheers.

 

[ClownCar96]

I would even question the need for these sticks for most 4.5 players.

??? what would such players need. many, many 4.5+ using ez98 at least in my area.

 

[ulunxtns]

I would even question the need for these sticks for most 4.5 players.

Probably true for PA98. But for EZ98, any 3.5-ish player can play, it's very easy to use.

 

[iceman_dl6]

From my experience they can both excel in an all court game. It’s just a matter if the player prefers higher or lower launch angle; flat or spin; lower or higher power.

If we talk about baseline play, PA98 for sure!

 

[naturalexponent]

You really have to play with both to decide which you want to play with, as the difference in feel between the two is night and day, qualitatively. Both are control-oriented and suit an all-court game. Many would tell you the ezone suits flatter shots and the PA98 shots with more spin. The PA98's pattern (the grid is fairly even throughout) gives you easy spin and offers a consistent stringbed response across the racquet face. The EZ98 tends to be lower powered, all else equal, because it has the denser stringbed center. I find both to excel at net.

 

[iceman_dl6]

PA 98 is way too demanding for 4.0. You will have more fun with the Ezone.

For me, quite the opposite, the PA98 is more user friendly with easier power, higher launch angle than the EZ98

 

[Honza]

The PA 98 is an outstanding racket, better than anything i have played before, as long as you hit the ball in its small sweetspot, but when you miss the sweetspot your shoulder, arm and wrist are going to vibrate and maybe hurt. Also the ball falls short and is not controlable. Its a very unforgiving stick compared to the Ezone.
To be honest im from Europe and had no clue what a 4.0 is, so i looked it up on youtube and these players rarely hit the ball repetitive in the right place.
I own 3 PA 98s and borrowed the Ezone from a friend. Sometimes i think about switching, because the Ezone was so much easier to handle.

So after a month 2-4 times tennis a week i had to let the pa 98 go. The more i played, the more i felt my arm and wrist.
For me pa 98 and ezone 98 are two totally different racquets. The pa 98 is the much more competetive stick that has more power, more spin and less forgiveness.
I ordered 3 ezones, sold the babolats and in the first moment it felt like trying to jump on the ground, after jumping on a trampoline. After two days you start to realise that its only a little bit less power and spin in trade for a bigger sweetspot and a softer frame, but the plushy feeling of hitting the ezone is something totaly different and makes you think you have to put up a lot more effort to let the ball fly.
After getting used to the ezone 98 and its muted hitting i have to say, that i really like it. I might ask my stringer to put some lead under the grommets on top, because he is going to match them anyways. It feels like it could use a little bit of head weight.
Btw the ezone is very string sensitive. I ve tried a lot in 1.25 gauge with 24 kg. Lynx, Lynx Tour, Tourna Big Hitter Silver 7 Tour, Yonex Poly Tour Spin, Yonex Poly Tour Pro, Yonex Poly Tour Rev, Technifibre Black Code 4s. Some of them very spin oriented because i wanted to counter the low launch angle. At the end i am going to stick with Hyper G Soft. Not that much spin but very good for the arm and keeps the tension a lot better than other soft strings like PTP or Lynx.

If you want to know something ask away .......

 

[Fighting phoenix]

Probably true for PA98. But for EZ98, any 3.5-ish player can play, it's very easy to

??? what would such players need. many, many 4.5+ using ez98 at least in my area

Question the need for most 4.5 players with these racquets? So like, what are we supposed to play with? The Ezone 98 is a very easy racquet for many levels to play with, the PA98 is more demanding, but as a 4.5 I found the regular PA too clunky and without the control I need for my singles game. It's not an aspirational thing - I'd love to have a more forgiving, easy power racquet; however we all know that comes with tradeoffs, so for me the PA98 works (as does the Extreme Tour)

 

[ClownCar96]

Btw the ezone is very string sensitive

Try Tour Bite 18g crossed with PTP 17g. Holy crap, sweet combo. Comfy, crazy good feel, touch, big pace. Best I’ve found after many experiments. Full bed PTP 1.25 is second best… magic for first couple hits and then comes down to earth.

 

[KC!]

The college tennis tournaments I’ve been to of late more than half the players using Ezone or VCORE. They are all well above 4.5, both are great racquets. Haven’t seen many Aero or Aero 98’s, but they’re great racquet too.

 

[Honza]

Try Tour Bite 18g crossed with PTP 17g. Holy crap, sweet combo. Comfy, crazy good feel, touch, big pace. Best I’ve found after many experiments. Full bed PTP 1.25 is second best… magic for first couple hits and then comes down to earth.

I think i am already there with the hyper g soft. I am a stringbreaker and not going to play anything under 1.25. Also no hybrids for me.
I think i get my 4-5 hours of play out of hyper g soft until it breaks with good tension.. I would play with lynx or ptp, but they lose too much tension after the first hour.

 

[gutfeeling]

Try Tour Bite 18g crossed with PTP 17g. Holy crap, sweet combo. Comfy, crazy good feel, touch, big pace. Best I’ve found after many experiments. Full bed PTP 1.25 is second best… magic for first couple hits and then comes down to earth.

If you like PTP 1.25 or smooth poly in general, give BBO 1.30 a look if you haven't already. I've tried everything, and nothing matches its playability duration and consistent response. I string it at 25 kg and that helps offset the "Luxilon tension drop," which I think is overstated. It's also direct in feel, which I think works nicely in a muted frame like the EZ 98. YMMV.

 

[Moveforwardalways]

Question the need for most 4.5 players with these racquets? So like, what are we supposed to play with? The Ezone 98 is a very easy racquet for many levels to play with, the PA98 is more demanding, but as a 4.5 I found the regular PA too clunky and without the control I need for my singles game. It's not an aspirational thing - I'd love to have a more forgiving, easy power racquet; however we all know that comes with tradeoffs, so for me the PA98 works (as does the Extreme Tour)

Yes, for most 4.5 players I question the need for either of these frames. Most 4.5 players are below the mid point of the level (below 4.25 rating). It is a statistical phenomenon that most 4.5 men are low 4.5. Basically, they are just pretty good 4.0’s. They benefit from frames with more free power, more free spin, and a bigger sweet spot. Every time I see a 4.5 with a EZ98 or PA98 they are getting bullied off the court. It’s sad to watch.

 

[Fighting phoenix]

Yes, for most 4.5 players I question the need for either of these frames. Most 4.5 players are below the mid point of the level (below 4.25 rating). It is a statistical phenomenon that most 4.5 men are low 4.5. Basically, they are just pretty good 4.0’s. They benefit from frames with more free power, more free spin, and a bigger sweet spot. Every time I see a 4.5 with a EZ98 or PA98 they are getting bullied off the court. It’s sad to watch.

Well, that’s probably true re most 4.5s are lower 4.5s, which I think is a function of the need for there to be enough 4.5s to keep those leagues alive, and there aren’t that many guys who can get bumped up to 5.0. All that said, according to your logic, they shouldn’t be getting bullied since they’re mostly playing other lower level 4.5s. Also, the ezone in particular, and the pa98 as well, are made for the masses and aren’t crazy difficult pro stock racquets or ultra low powered prestiges and what not, so I’ll have to disagree with you on that. I recently won a 4.5 tournament, and crushed a bunch of strong 4.0s at sectionals with a PA98, and I’m one of your low to mid tier 4.5s I guess.

 

[ZeroandOne]

Try Tour Bite 18g crossed with PTP 17g. Holy crap, sweet combo. Comfy, crazy good feel, touch, big pace. Best I’ve found after many experiments. Full bed PTP 1.25 is second best… magic for first couple hits and then comes down to earth.

I'm playing Tour bite 1.25 at 48 and it's great! Will try crossing with ptp, thanks for the suggestion.

 

[SackFeral]

Yes, for most 4.5 players I question the need for either of these frames. Most 4.5 players are below the mid point of the level (below 4.25 rating). It is a statistical phenomenon that most 4.5 men are low 4.5. Basically, they are just pretty good 4.0’s. They benefit from frames with more free power, more free spin, and a bigger sweet spot. Every time I see a 4.5 with a EZ98 or PA98 they are getting bullied off the court. It’s sad to watch.

Most points at all levels are won and lost on errors, anything that is more precise like the EZ98 or PA98 helps a lot of players compared to the tweener frames you're implying

 

[Moveforwardalways]

Most points at all levels are won and lost on errors, anything that is more precise like the EZ98 or PA98 helps a lot of players compared to the tweener frames you're implying

What makes them more precise is exactly what makes them hard for rec players to use. Rec players do not need precision, nor do they need to pick up dimes with frames that have a small sweet spot. Rec players are not going for aggressive placement anyway. The targets that a rec player hits can be hit with any racquet, even at the 4.5 level. There is no need to make the game harder on yourself.

 

[naturalexponent]

What makes them more precise is exactly what makes them hard for rec players to use. Rec players do not need precision, nor do they need to pick up dimes with frames that have a small sweet spot. Rec players are not going for aggressive placement anyway. The targets that a rec player hits can be hit with any racquet, even at the 4.5 level. There is no need to make the game harder on yourself.

I agree with this for truly difficult-to-play-with player frames, like the RF, mids generally, thin-beam 18x20 racquets, etc., but the EZ98 and PA98 are pretty forgiving and accessible racquets with plenty of hitting surface, firm flex profiles, and some might even classify them as 'pleeners'. Certainly no one needs one in the rec game, but I would never begrudge a rec player their choice of racquet, nor have I ever felt like a 4.0 is being held back by their use of an EZ98. A 3.0 or 3.5? Sure.

 

[BillieJoeOakland1]

Sound like I'm in minority. I have both of these racquets. The is powerful but I hit long with it and had difficulty with control. The PA98 way more control and spin with maybe a little less power.

 

[BillieJoeOakland1]

The college tennis tournaments I’ve been to of late more than half the players using Ezone or VCORE. They are all well above 4.5, both are great racquets. Haven’t seen many Aero or Aero 98’s, but they’re great racquet too.

Yonex is much more generous than Babolat with discounts for junior/college. Babolat EXTREMELY stingy.

 

[KC!]

Yonex is much more generous than Babolat with discounts for junior/college. Babolat EXTREMELY stingy.

Must be why Yonex is the dominate racquet in college.

 

[Honza]

I agree with this for truly difficult-to-play-with player frames, like the RF, mids generally, thin-beam 18x20 racquets, etc., but the EZ98 and PA98 are pretty forgiving and accessible racquets with plenty of hitting surface, firm flex profiles, and some might even classify them as 'pleeners'. Certainly no one needs one in the rec game, but I would never begrudge a rec player their choice of racquet, nor have I ever felt like a 4.0 is being held back by their use of an EZ98. A 3.0 or 3.5? Sure.

Sorry but PA98 is not a little bit forgiving. Small head, small sweet spot and vibration all over your arm when you miss it. We can talk about the Ezone 98 but i wouldnt consider both as accessible.
I was pretty long out business but opinions on racquets didnt change that much.

 

[naturalexponent]

Sorry but PA98 is not a little bit forgiving. Small head, small sweet spot and vibration all over your arm when you miss it. We can talk about the Ezone 98 but i wouldnt consider both as accessible.
I was pretty long out business but opinions on racquets didnt change that much.

your own experience is perfectly valid. the point is that while no one has to play with one, no one has to not play with one either.

 

[Alcawrath]

Sorry but PA98 is not a little bit forgiving. Small head, small sweet spot and vibration all over your arm when you miss it. We can talk about the Ezone 98 but i wouldnt consider both as accessible.
I was pretty long out business but opinions on racquets didnt change that much.

That's interesting. Personally, I've found that the PA98's forgiveness depends heavily on string choice. I've been very pleased with my PA98's level of forgiveness with hyper g.

 

[SackFeral]

What makes them more precise is exactly what makes them hard for rec players to use. Rec players do not need precision, nor do they need to pick up dimes with frames that have a small sweet spot. Rec players are not going for aggressive placement anyway. The targets that a rec player hits can be hit with any racquet, even at the 4.5 level. There is no need to make the game harder on yourself.

Not sure 98 inch frames with open patterns and decent levels of power and spin are quite as pure control frames as you’re making them out. Also have you met rec players, they go for aggressive placement all the time, mostly when they shouldn’t lmao. Almost no one at 4.0/4.5ish is playing perfect % tennis. Your analogy goes both ways, why not get something that reigns in that power a bit so you can control it? Why make the game harder by using a tweener that is less precise when it’s already so hard for us rec players to control the ball?

 

[Honza]

PA98 does not have an open pattern and as 98 inch might be ok for recreational players, the sweet spot is smaller than in other 98 inch frames like for example the ezone.
I sold one of my PA98s to a recreational player and warned him about the reasons why i am selling it. He still plays the racquet, loves it and performs much worse than with his tweener stick

 

[SackFeral]

PA is definitely open pattern, more so than the EZ98. It could be a difference in what we both grew up playing, or playstyles, but I've always hit the back fence with tweeners, find them totally uncontrollable and don't really need the extra power. Also what's your definition of a tweener? I'm interested given the huge range these days. Is it just headsize?

 

[Moveforwardalways]

Real talk - if Alcaraz wasn’t playing with the PA98 no rec player would want it over the regular Pure Aero. It’s 100% marketing.

 

[optic yellow]

I think some people choose to go for "aspirational" racquets, which expose weaknesses in their game and force them to improve. Whether this is a good idea or not, I don't know, but I've definitely heard people saying that.

Also just you're playing rec tennis, not professionally, use what you like.

 

[SackFeral]

Real talk - if Alcaraz wasn’t playing with the PA98 no rec player would want it over the regular Pure Aero. It’s 100% marketing.

Okay seriously there’s no way this is true. They’re such different rackets! The EZ98 with its super thick hoop is almost a tweener, are you basing the definition purely on head size, or are you taking stiffness, weight and beam thickness into account? Is the Gravity pro a tweener? Is the Gravity MP?

You seem to have a massive grudge against any racket that’s under 100sq inches, which is fine *for you*, but you can’t tell everyone else what they prefer to play with.

I’ve tried most tweeners, the beam is too thick for me to hit a good kick serve, the control at the net and on attack requires better technique than I actually have to prevent the ball sailing long. All of these things that - due to my technique and how I play - I need help with are better with 98 sq inch thinner beam rackets. These work for me, and the fact that the PA98 is really powerful compared to most of them in that category helps a lot too

 

[Moveforwardalways]

Okay seriously there’s no way this is true. They’re such different rackets! The EZ98 with its super thick hoop is almost a tweener, are you basing the definition purely on head size, or are you taking stiffness, weight and beam thickness into account? Is the Gravity pro a tweener? Is the Gravity MP?

You seem to have a massive grudge against any racket that’s under 100sq inches, which is fine *for you*, but you can’t tell everyone else what they prefer to play with.

I’ve tried most tweeners, the beam is too thick for me to hit a good kick serve, the control at the net and on attack requires better technique than I actually have to prevent the ball sailing long. All of these things that - due to my technique and how I play - I need help with are better with 98 sq inch thinner beam rackets. These work for me, and the fact that the PA98 is really powerful compared to most of them in that category helps a lot too

Yes I have a grudge. And yes I am telling you what racquet you are allowed to play with. If you don’t do what I say then you have to quit tennis. Lol bro.

 

[Underdog]

From my experience they can both excel in an all court game. It’s just a matter if the player prefers higher or lower launch angle; flat or spin; lower or higher power.

If we talk about baseline play, PA98 for sure!

Medium launch, spin, med-lower power!