Ezone Dr 98 and flat hitters?

[Fernanda]

I am gradually going back to courts after many many years. Back in my competition days I used to play with Pro Staff 6.0 95 which I loved in terms of feel and control, but it ended up giving me a injury on my left wrist. I changed to Head Ti.Radical and liked a lot, used with higher string tension about 57 58 lbs
I am an agressive baseliner who likes to hit flat but I am not a straight flat hitter, I use low to moderate spin on forehands and serves and moderate spin on backhands.
I am playing one time every two months with some Babolat Pure Storm 300gr I had at home but struggling really hard to get the ball past the net. I am afraid it means I cannot generate lots of own power anymore. Or maybe its just a horrible stick.
I demoed Vcore Tour g310 and liked it except on serves where the racket felts somewhat heavy and slow.
I demoed the Ezone AI 100 and liked but the ball were flying easily on forehands. I couldnt find a Ezone Dr 98 to demo but I am leaning to buy this racquet just considering its reviews. Maybe if I string it with a control oriented poly at average lbs it could fit me?
Anybody who plays with Ezone dr 98 call help me with my dilema?
Tks!

 

[psyvec]

Nice control oriented stick. Good for hitting flat "heavy" balls. Not as low powered as the tour g 310 but I've found it plays better with a livelier poly like alu or poly tour pro 1.20.

 

[Fernanda]

Thanks a lot, psyvec!

 

[beltsman]

If it's like the Ai 98, which it is, then it really excels on "spinny" flat shots. It's an oxymoron, but that's what it feels like. It gets very nice spin but not in a loopy fashion - it drives balls horizontally that skip forward, not up, when they bounce. It's hard to describe. So yes if you're a flat hitter I think you'll like slapping winners with this frame.

 

[Fernanda]

I got your point beltsman, tks a lot!

 

[lefty100]

If it's like the Ai 98, which it is, then it really excels on "spinny" flat shots. It's an oxymoron, but that's what it feels like. It gets very nice spin but not in a loopy fashion - it drives balls horizontally that skip forward, not up, when they bounce. It's hard to describe. So yes if you're a flat hitter I think you'll like slapping winners with this frame.

This is spot on in my experience with the DR (or Ai) - I drive my OHBH with moderate topspin and the racquet performs beautifully - heavy and powerful. On my forehand I brush the ball more and in my experience I can't get as much power. When I drive more like my backhand then the power is there. I think it will be a good fit for you, Fernanda.

 

[JBH]

The Pure Storm is an iconic stick, certainly not a horrible one. How long ago did you change the strings?

The DR98 is very much a control oriented stick in the same vein as the Pure Storm, but heavier. If you are having trouble generating pace with the PS, the DR isn't likely to help you much.

Perhaps a Prince 100P or Warrior 100 Textreme?

 

[beltsman]

This is spot on in my experience with the DR (or Ai) - I drive my OHBH with moderate topspin and the racquet performs beautifully - heavy and powerful. On my forehand I brush the ball more and in my experience I can't get as much power. When I drive more like my backhand then the power is there. I think it will be a good fit for you, Fernanda.

Yep. You really need to dedicate to driving the ball to get the most out of this frame. You can still play loopier shots but that's not really where it excels.

 

[Fernanda]

The Pure Storm is an iconic stick, certainly not a horrible one. How long ago did you change the strings?

The DR98 is very much a control oriented stick in the same vein as the Pure Storm, but heavier. If you are having trouble generating pace with the PS, the DR isn't likely to help you much.

Perhaps a Prince 100P or Warrior 100 Textreme?

JBH, I am sure the PS is. You are right. I guess my feeling might have to do with the very old, tight and rough poly in it. Horrible way to get back. I know. It was a strange feeling. I felt it really light 295gr + strings, low SW and at the same time really stiff.
Thanks for the other 2 racquets tips I will look them up!

 

[Tennis is GOAT]

I have only demoed the dr 98 but I found it to be a nice all around stick. Our playing styles sound fairly similar, driving low shots deep with a pretty good amount of topspin, and I definitely enjoyed this racquet. It is quite different from any other racquet in terms of feel so I highly suggest demoing first if possible. There are a lot of positive reviews for this racquet since it is suitable to many players, but that doesn't mean it would be your ideal racquet. But I honestly think you can't go wrong here, great blend of power, feel, and control

 

[Fernanda]

I have only demoed the dr 98 but I found it to be a nice all around stick. Our playing styles sound fairly similar, driving low shots deep with a pretty good amount of topspin, and I definitely enjoyed this racquet. It is quite different from any other racquet in terms of feel so I highly suggest demoing first if possible. There are a lot of positive reviews for this racquet since it is suitable to many players, but that doesn't mean it would be your ideal racquet. But I honestly think you can't go wrong here, great blend of power, feel, and control

Thanks! I wish there was a TW Store in here, it is harder than ever to find racquets to demo and when I find it is a limited variety.

You got me wondering, what do you mean by "It is quite different from any other racquet in terms of feel". You are talking about that typical Yonex feel or something else?

 

[ZirkusAffe]

If it's like the Ai 98, which it is, then it really excels on "spinny" flat shots. It's an oxymoron, but that's what it feels like. It gets very nice spin but not in a loopy fashion - it drives balls horizontally that skip forward, not up, when they bounce. It's hard to describe. So yes if you're a flat hitter I think you'll like slapping winners with this frame.

completely agree..and if you need a little more power out of it lower the tension a bit (mid to high 40's). I used Eastern grip and get a nice low shot with good top spin that drives and I can switch sw and get more of a loopy ts. I did add 4 grams of lead at 3 and 9 o'clock and 8 in the handle but stock I had no issues just like the heft and it seems to have a little more plow through.

 

[Fernanda]

completely agree..and if you need a little more power out of it lower the tension a bit (mid to high 40's). I used Eastern grip and get a nice low shot with good top spin that drives and I can switch sw and get more of a loopy ts. I did add 4 grams of lead at 3 and 9 o'clock and 8 in the handle but stock I had no issues just like the heft and it seems to have a little more plow through.

Enlightening, tks. I am a eastern/semi-western driver. If that us possible. Most part of my index knuckle is positioned on bevel 3 but a small part on bevel 4, over the "corner". It doesnt hurt my knuckel but I know its not ideal. Really enjoyed to know a eastern player can get along with ezone dr 98. Are you more agressive or defensive?

 

[ZirkusAffe]

Enlightening, tks. I am a eastern/semi-western driver. If that us possible. Most part of my index knuckle is positioned on bevel 3 but a small part on bevel 4, over the "corner". It doesnt hurt my knuckel but I know its not ideal. Really enjoyed to know a eastern player can get along with ezone dr 98. Are you more agressive or defensive?

I tried to stay SW grip but realized that a strong eastern grip worked really well for my fh which I've been working on for a long time (consistency).. if I need to hit more change of pace or higher over the net to keep balls in I will switch to sw.
I like to fully swing especially on serve returns if possible, I don't run around my 1hbh I drive that as well with as much top as I can. I'm not that aggressive except moving my opponent side to side and getting into the net, I like to S&V but I'm still fine tuning that aspect.. I don't blow people off the court but I drive the ball deep and get some occasional 1hbh dtl winners or service return winners.
I'm pretty close to breaking down and getting the DR as well. I started with full multi (ok died quick) then full synthetic (was good) and settled on poly mains/syn crosses which has been the best thus far for me. My strings are notched but I can still hear them snap back when I hit, they're pretty much done power-wise but the racquet is still hitting like a dream although I bet I'm swinging a lot harder too.. probably big adjustment period getting use to fresh strings again (3 months strong but I do rotate racquets, Yonex has the most milage though of the 4 I switch between).

 

[beltsman]

Enlightening, tks. I am a eastern/semi-western driver. If that us possible. Most part of my index knuckle is positioned on bevel 3 but a small part on bevel 4, over the "corner". It doesnt hurt my knuckel but I know its not ideal. Really enjoyed to know a eastern player can get along with ezone dr 98. Are you more agressive or defensive?

That's the same as me - it's known as an extreme eastern. Federer used that grip too

As for me, I'm an aggressive baseliner. Extreme eastern grip, 1HBH. I use full syn gut (Forten Sweet 16) @ 50.

 

[dimkin]

I hit with Mod Eastern ... I think DR is the best stick ever made ... I demoes 10+ frames over the last 2 years ... settled with VCT310, but never fully loved it ... tried lead here and there ... then read the DR review, demoed it ... and Oh My God ... everything that I didn't click with on VCT and AI98, DR fixed ... Stability? Check! Control? Check! Spin? OK. Power? Check! Flatter launch angle? CHECK!!! And that frame had a multi in it ... i can only imagine what it's going to be like with some nice poly in it ...

Ordered 2. (Trading in my 2 VCT310s to TW)

 

[Fernanda]

That's the same as me - it's known as an extreme eastern. Federer used that grip too

As for me, I'm an aggressive baseliner. Extreme eastern grip, 1HBH. I use full syn gut (Forten Sweet 16) @ 50.

" it's known as an extreme eastern. Federer used that grip too."
You just made my day lol

 

[Fernanda]

I hit with Mod Eastern ... I think DR is the best stick ever made ... I demoes 10+ frames over the last 2 years ... settled with VCT310, but never fully loved it ... tried lead here and there ... then read the DR review, demoed it ... and Oh My God ... everything that I didn't click with on VCT and AI98, DR fixed ... Stability? Check! Control? Check! Spin? OK. Power? Check! Flatter launch angle? CHECK!!! And that frame had a multi in it ... i can only imagine what it's going to be like with some nice poly in it ...

Ordered 2. (Trading in my 2 VCT310s to TW)

People are saying that a lively poly is better than a dead one. Average tension. Maybe I will try it that way if it is the one string that most add up to this stick.

 

[Fernanda]

I tried to stay SW grip but realized that a strong eastern grip worked really well for my fh which I've been working on for a long time (consistency).. if I need to hit more change of pace or higher over the net to keep balls in I will switch to sw.
I like to fully swing especially on serve returns if possible, I don't run around my 1hbh I drive that as well with as much top as I can. I'm not that aggressive except moving my opponent side to side and getting into the net, I like to S&V but I'm still fine tuning that aspect.. I don't blow people off the court but I drive the ball deep and get some occasional 1hbh dtl winners or service return winners.
I'm pretty close to breaking down and getting the DR as well. I started with full multi (ok died quick) then full synthetic (was good) and settled on poly mains/syn crosses which has been the best thus far for me. My strings are notched but I can still hear them snap back when I hit, they're pretty much done power-wise but the racquet is still hitting like a dream although I bet I'm swinging a lot harder too.. probably big adjustment period getting use to fresh strings again (3 months strong but I do rotate racquets, Yonex has the most milage though of the 4 I switch between).

Yeah. Strong eatern grip is the most comfortable and natural way to handle the racquet (to me of course). Now that I know it is not wrong I will not try to change it

 

[dimkin]

People are saying that a lively poly is better than a dead one. Average tension. Maybe I will try it that way if it is the one string that most add up to this stick.

I think I will string one with livlier poly like Cyclone Tour or Solinco TB Soft. And one with deader poly like Solinco TB16 or Cyclone 16.
Depending on how I am hitting on the day one would work. I am just happy I found that stick ... Vcore Tour G just was always missing something, and yet it was the best out of the field.

 

[ZirkusAffe]

I have the poly mains @ 52 and syn crosses 55 or 56 I cannot remember (Tourna black syn gut and big hitter blk zone 17g).. I think you'll like it, I've been hitting between the Yonex and the pure strike 98, strike rewards with a lot of power but I keep more in with the Yonex as I get more spin on the ball and I like the sweet spot more.

 

[Tennis is GOAT]

Thanks! I wish there was a TW Store in here, it is harder than ever to find racquets to demo and when I find it is a limited variety.

You got me wondering, what do you mean by "It is quite different from any other racquet in terms of feel". You are talking about that typical Yonex feel or something else?

If you like the typical Yonex feel than I'm sure you would enjoy this racquet. I am not familiar with other Yonex frames yet, so the feel was quite different for me coming from a Babolat. Honestly I couldn't find anything negative to say about this racquet, I'm sure you will like it if you get it.

 

[Dannyfreed]

Try Weiss-Cannon Ultra Cable. Absolutely love that string.

 

[DonDiego]

I hit with Mod Eastern ... I think DR is the best stick ever made ... I demoes 10+ frames over the last 2 years ... settled with VCT310, but never fully loved it ... tried lead here and there ... then read the DR review, demoed it ... and Oh My God ... everything that I didn't click with on VCT and AI98, DR fixed ... Stability? Check! Control? Check! Spin? OK. Power? Check! Flatter launch angle? CHECK!!! And that frame had a multi in it ... i can only imagine what it's going to be like with some nice poly in it ...

Ordered 2. (Trading in my 2 VCT310s to TW)

You can TRADE with TW? Or do you mean you're just returning your VCT310 within the 30-day guarantee period?

 

[beltsman]

You can TRADE with TW? Or do you mean you're just returning your VCT310 within the 30-day guarantee period?

They have a trade-in program for used racquets to get store credit.

 

[fivesixseven]

completely agree..and if you need a little more power out of it lower the tension a bit (mid to high 40's). I used Eastern grip and get a nice low shot with good top spin that drives and I can switch sw and get more of a loopy ts. I did add 4 grams of lead at 3 and 9 o'clock and 8 in the handle but stock I had no issues just like the heft and it seems to have a little more plow through.

Hey, which part of the handle do you add the weight to ? I've added 6g to my DR 98 (3 g at 9 and 3 o clock) as well,but I don't know whether to put the counterweight inside the racket handle trap door, or on the handle itself under my overgrip.\

Cheers

 

[ZirkusAffe]

Hey, which part of the handle do you add the weight to ? I've added 6g to my DR 98 (3 g at 9 and 3 o clock) as well,but I don't know whether to put the counterweight inside the racket handle trap door, or on the handle itself under my overgrip.\

Cheers

Try the trap door for temporary and see if you like the added weight (if you notice any real change, maybe maneuverability?) I feel like I like the wrapped under the main grip or OG more, I try not to get too caught up in it and more focus on making sure I am adjusting to how I like the HL of the racquet, although my preferences change.

 

[Rally]

I wanted to like this racquet but it just feels too light. The lack of plowthrough makes it feel like I'm bringing a knife to a gun fight, and weighting it up feels weird because the weight isn't evenly distributed throughout the whole frame. I really wish the DR98 came in a stock 330-340g unstrung spec.

 

[CJ Tennis]

Content not available.

 

[Rally]

We have a junior girl who uses a stock DR98 and hits 95 mph serves, 85 mph forehands, and goes toe to toe with college guys and never seems overpowered. Technique, timing, and training, not a little extra racquet weight.

I don't doubt it. By all the praises it has received, I have no reason to believe anything other than the DR98 is a really good racquet. Even when I playtested it I played relatively well. I just couldn't get used to swinging a light stick. I lost a lot of points trying to blast back incoming heavy balls because I couldn't wrestle the ball back into the court. With heavy racquets I have the luxury of letting the racquet do the work and sending back an equally heavy ball. Like you implied, I don't have the technique to swing the DR98 in stock spec against incoming heavy balls and accurately hit my spots with the same pace and spin as I normally do.