Going lighter from an Ezone 98 2022

[iamioannis]

Hello TT folks,

Currently I'm playing with an Ezone 98 2022 305g Head Lynx at 53 pounds. Picked it up as a fan boy very early at my tennis journey (stupidly), also because yonex's quality control and ethos and I learned the hard way that I jeopardised my early days game
However. I love this stick now.
I love how manuverable this thing is, the abundance access to power I have from the frame (some times a little too much) and the amount of control I access when my technique is good. For what it's worth, the smaller head size pushed me to get better at my timing, distance etc.

My issue at the moment is weight. An old injury at my shoulder and my not impecable fitness level makes me not being able to move my racket as comfortably as I would like. If I miss a couple of gym sessions I struggle to serve big or control the rackets power. So I'm in the lookout for a lighter frame for the days I'm just not as fit as I should.
I'm torn between the Ezone 98L and 100L for the following reasons

• I read that the 98L frame although lighter, it has the same swing weight as the 98 and I'm not sure if this is going to be any good of change for me as I'm looking to reduce the weight when swinging
• The 100L has a thicker frame which I'm not a huge fan as the thin bean of the 98 "cuts" better for me on slices and volleys.
• I never played with the regular Ezone 100 so I have no clue how it's maneuverability is. From my research it is more HH than the 98 which I'm not sure if it will feel my swing style. Any HH racket I ever tried didn't feel as good with me as the more in the throat weight the 98 gives me.

So I kindly ask for your thoughts on the above. Do I go Ezone 98L or 100L? any other Yonex frames I should consider to meet my situation? If I go 100L would it impact my game with the regular 98 when I'm back at this frame?

Thanks in advance.

 

[AKB]

98L and 100L might not be made in Japan FYI. Check images on TW and see what you find from the side profile and buttcap images. I think they may be from China.

What is your level? If below 4.0, you can easily roll with something in the 290 gram range. A 15 gram reduction is massive. Perhaps a Clash or Blade 98L or ProStall 97L or even UL. There are 285g sticks out there too. Use the racket finder tool on TW to see what's in production.

 

[GodlessEndeavor]

98L and 100L might not be made in Japan FYI.

They're made in Japan according to the Yonex website.

I think only the cheaper "Game" series is made outside Japan.

 

[hadoken]

Get the 98L. The 100 Ezone series plays VERY different than the 98. It's not the head size that's really different it's the stiffness. If you like everything about the 98 except weight just get the 98L. The target market of the 98 vs 100 is pretty different and they don't play alike.

 

[TysonMcMuffin]

I would not recommend the 98L. The swingweight is equal if not higher than the 98. I have 6 ezone 98 racquet and 1 98L and the 98L has the highest swingweight. 98L also has higher twistweight.

With that being said, get a thin beam racquet. Possible prestige MPL. Forgiving head size, light starting weight, thing beam, lower stiffness to prevent injury but you’ll make up for power in racquet head speed. Sounds like it would fit you great

 

[maksp]

Blade 101l or 100l

 

[A_Instead]

Don't go lighter..go easier to swing and to use... 2024 CX200

 

[veelium]

I would not recommend the 98L. The swingweight is equal if not higher than the 98. I have 6 ezone 98 racquet and 1 98L and the 98L has the highest swingweight. 98L also has higher twistweight.

With that being said, get a thin beam racquet. Possible prestige MPL. Forgiving head size, light starting weight, thing beam, lower stiffness to prevent injury but you’ll make up for power in racquet head speed. Sounds like it would fit you great

Must be quality control.
Hoop weights should be identical with less weight in the handle/throat for the L.