Tennis Warehouse Playtest: Yonex EZONE Racquet 2022

Look at all you over-achievers, turning in your homework early. :) I'm still trying to cram another session or two in. I just restrung with Confidential in order to see how the frame responds with a string that I use more regularly. I had never tried YPTP before.
 
Racquet received: Ezone 98 2022

String and tension used for test: After being disappointed with Poly Tour Pro, I used ALU 130 at 48# then 46#

Tennis experience/background: Former collegiate player, current coach. 5.0 NTRP and 11 UTR if anybody cares about that

Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): Baseline counterpuncher. I used to basically just be an aggressive baseliner, and I was able to play more that way with this racquet when I wanted

Current racquet/string setups: Head Gravity MP with weight or Blade 98 18x20 but grew up with prestiges and pure storms - any thick, crisp poly (RPM Blast, ALU, Tour Bite, Confidential, Lynx Tour) at 44
How many hours did you play with the racquet? 15

All comments are for the racquet in stock form which was pretty much right on target from the factory - I did end up customizing it to 344g, 31.8cm balance, and 334 swingweight which is much more in my wheelhouse.

Comments on racquet performance for each stroke (each section should be 3-5 sentences minimum):
-Groundstrokes: Good control here with power and spin on tap. I found the power controllable and accessible while maintaining feel unlike I find with most other frames like this one (Strike 98, Dunlop 500 Tour, Radical MP and older Pros). I could still manipulate the ball through the court despite the extra power and higher launch angle. The ball came off heavy and fast. I was wanting some more plow and control over depth, and that was better when I got it closer to my preferred swingweight.

-Serves: Best serving racquet I've used in awhile. The headlight balance and low swingweight combined with the free power and spin allowed me to move the ball in and out of my opponents' strike zones quickly on sliders and kickers. Flat serves weren't bad either because it's so fast through the air. I wasn't raving about the targeting, but I can't complain either. I served even better when I added weight to the tip: just a little easier to get the flat serve zipping through the court there, and I feel more comfortable swinging more heft.

-Volleys: Rock solid for such a light frame. Maneuverable and forgiving up at the net with just enough mass for blocking a reflex volley. Enough feel, especially with lower tension poly, for touch too. Better than I expected here given the specs.

-Serve returns: This is the one area where I really needed more weight. Returning is a critical part of my game, and this racquet just needed more mass for me to block back the serves I'm used to seeing. If you're used to racquets in this spec range, I'd assume you'll like the returns. I was never really out of control and the racquet helps enough where I can just worry about making clean contact and aiming for my target.

Comments on racquet performance in each area (should be 2-3 sentences minimum)
Power/Control- Lots of power available, but I never felt like I was overhitting. With a lot of other racquets in this spec range, I'm slappy or out of control when I'm on the run or pressured. Not the case here. I think the big thing is that there's enough feel to understand what the ball is doing when there's more free power than I'm used to.

Top Spin/Slice- Plenty of this whenever you want it. I was able to get a deep heavy rally ball, dip the ball a little extra when needed, and knife a slice through the court with ease. Really pleased here.

Comfort- No issues to report here. I have some ongoing wrist issues, so that's stopped me from using some great racquets in the past: blade pro, speed pro, CX200Tour, and the 6.1 line. No problems at all here, even at the lower weight or when I tossed a leather grip on. If you're concerned for comfort AND power but don't like the feel of something like a clash then this is worth a demo!

Feel- A bit muted, but I got used to it. I like the feel of the VCORE 2018 the best out of all of Yonex's recent racquets, but this one I could play with. No problem with touch and feel: flick lobs, drop shots, slice backhands...all of them were effective and pleasant enough. It's not like a pro staff 85 or classic prestige, but what is anymore?

Maneuverability- I found this very whippy and easy to maneuver in stock form. When I needed to move the racquet quickly on defense or volleys, I could. When I wanted just a little extra spin or pop, it moved quickly for me. No complaints here.

Stability- Surprisingly sufficient for a 305g, lower swingweight frame. The only place I really had issues was on returns. Tough poking back 110+ with this stick for me. Found it more than enough everywhere else.

General reaction/comments on overall performance: This is the best 98 square inch frame for my game I've tested in a long time. I said it in a previous comment, but it's the only racquet that's billed as a "modern players frame" that I've found no issues with besides dialing in the specs to something I'm used to. There's free power and spin but not so much that I can't control it. There's comfort but the frame isn't so dead and muted that I don't know what the ball is doing. It's fast and maneuverable but still stable. Honestly, it ticks a lot of the right boxes for me and even takes weight well. Odds are I'll be switching to this frame. Well done, Yonex and a big thanks to TW for the chance to review!
 
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What a thrilling time it is when we see a new “TW Playtest” in the first thread of the Racquets section.
This time it’s the new blue 2022 Yonex Ezone 100.
Lets Go!
String and tension used for test: The new Blue Yonex PolyTour Pro 16L in the mains /Gamma Live Wire 16 in the crosses at 46 lbs.
Tennis experience/background: 30 plus years on the court. I play in organized Tennis Leagues with players with USTA ratings of 3.0 to 4.5. I am 4.0.
I play mainly singles and but also doubles when schedules align.
I prefer std length rackets, 320 swing weight, 6 points HL, 22 mm thick, 325 grams static weight with over grip and dampener. Lower 60 flex. Firm hoop with a longer flexy throat. I like rackets that enables fast racket head speeds with ease.
Describe your playing style: I hit primarily flat shots with high pace due to my long full swing technique.. I play an attacking type game. I try to end points early as I don’t want to get into the longer pusher type game that seems to be popular nowadays. No one wants to win points on their own racket anymore.. they push and push it back so you make the mistake.
My serve, forehand and backhand slice are my best shots. Game plan is to serve big and get opponents off the court and out of position then step inside and hit crosscourt to keep opponents running and off balance. I don’t want them to get comfortable and planted then slow the game down.
Most similar and favorite TW Play Tester: Jason “the destroyer” Huang
Current racquet/string setups: Current Yonex Vcore Pro 100 with Pros Pro Black Out at 44 lbs.
Also in the bag is Wilson Blade V8 16m and the new Head Boom MP.
(I have used the most recent version of the Ezone 100, the one before and the DR100 in the past, was not a big fan of those but this version is much better)
How many hours did you play with the racquet? Over 22 hrs including indoors singles and doubles and very cold outdoors with ball machine. Its certainly worthy to stay in the bag much longer… which it will.
Comments on racquet performance for each stroke:
-Groundstrokes: To me the new Ezone 100 is slated for those who prefer to slug it out on the baseline. Its strength is its ease to produce big swings with big spin. Sweet spot is big and most importantly predictable. The lower swing weight this time around begs full throttle.. which I like. It does require a little extra focus to harness the power.. If I continue with the new Ezone 100, I will need to go up in tension a little. I just have to watch tension, so my wrist doesn’t bark at me.
It mentioned by others that the ball seems to pocket a bit more with version. I concur with that statement. I prefer rackets like that.
I really don’t see it as less powerful as last generation, but do find it less lively IMO due to more dwell time.. The ball just doesn’t shoot of the strings as fast as the last generation.
Depth comes easy. Beam thickness helps here for those with medium swings.
-Serves: Easy and very pleasant. I like the Yonex isometric head shape on serves as the balls hit higher in the string bed don’t lose zip or feel as harsh like on some other non Yonex frames. Serves come off solid ..Flat and kick serves out wide come very easy. I can serve bigger with other rackets. IMO rackets with thick beams get in their own way when swinging above your head. But back to the ease.. a good trait for those who can use help with the serve.. Just make sure you bring the tip down and though the strike zone. The beam thickness provides nice pop for those who need it.
-Volleys: Again to me the very thick beam gets in its way at time.. but it does punch the ball through the court decently. The ball didn’t seem to set up as much to give my opponents time to react. Its certainly a fun doubles racket. It seems to hold the ball a tad longer give me more time to direct my volley where I want it to go.
- Approach shots: coming forward the new Ezone has a nice response. Its thick beam lends easy pop on sort swings for proper placement so the next shot coming back can be attacked.
-Serve returns: A very good strength here. Its ability to provide controlled defense is welcomed . It blocks back hard serves with out issues. Out wide defensive chip/hack returns are not to bad either, the Isometric Head helps with this as it gives a more solid response than others. One can also take full cuts when presented the opportunity. The increased ball pocketing helps with direction. With some racket, balls come in and shoot out so fast and if you do not have perfect racket position the ball typically flies. Its string bed is less lively than last version which is preferred. Yet it provides amble depth so return of serve can’t be teed off on.

see next post..:p
 
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Continued from above

Comments on racquet performance in each area:
Power/Control- Slightly less pop/power from last generation. IMO due to lower swing weight and more ball pocketing. To me this helps with control as the ball doesn’t shoot off once the ball hits the strings. My favorite and best shot was the down the line service return and also a passing shot down the line. The more dwell time slows a split second to direct and command the ball where you want it to go.
I prefer the less poppy response, I prefer less lively frames. I can get my power from my swing speeds.
Top Spin/Slice- I am not an overly topspin type of player, but do use top spin when needed. At times for giggles at the expense of my opponent I hit a few Nadal type shots..The new Ezone 100 handles all types of shots well. Top spin and slice are easy to achieve. Backhand slice I really liked as I could use the frames mass near the tip of the racket. Bite on slices seem to be effective. I can see how the new Yonex Ezone will suite those who prefer to bend the ball with spin.
Comfort- Better than last version. The last version could feel stiff if you didn’t get the string and tension just right. The new one felt much better as I again contribute to more dwell time.
Yonex fancy material names and technology do help with comfort. Comfort is important to me as I have to watch my wrist. I like low tensions, and with low tensions the frame cannot be too powerful as I cannot string to high.
No issues here.
Feel- I prefer and like muted rackets and strings. New Ezone 100 felt better to me. It also didn’t seem as fat as the prior version.. Feel is very personal some don’t like rackets that are muted.. I prefer them.
To me Yonex moved the weight distribution in this generation. Weight was removed from the throat which makes it seem whippier, yet not head heavier as the swing weight is lower than before. The mass seems to be moved to 3 and 9 and in the grip. It had a very nice sound indoors.
Maneuverability- Fine, easier than last version. New weight placement and less swing weight helps with this. I do find the Vcore Pro 100 more maneuverable. Again.. I believe the thickness comes into play here.
Its mentioned that the Ezone stands for Easy.. I agree with that statement. Its specs align to enable maneuverability and should suite most people who prefer this spec. Less swing weight helps.
Stability- No issues here. Proper ball striking helps with stability in any racket. The new weight distribution helps with bringing the head through with proper timing to strike the ball. I imagine the twist weight is high on the new Ezone 100. Again I don’t play against players who serve 120 and hit ground strokes at tour level speeds. It certainly will suite 4.5 and below.. otherwise that’s what lead is for if you don’t like stock specs and need something more.
General reaction/comments on overall performance:
My take..You can’t go wrong with Yonex. You can’t go wrong with the new Yonex Ezone 100. It’s a good one as I expected it to be. Just ask one of the TW Playtester GOATS...Brittney.. Its been her line for eons.. that says alot..
Yonex innovates and does not imitate.
Yonex always does their homework and make enhancements were needed and leave good things alone. IMO its one of the better 100 inch 300grams rackets out there. My preference is still the new Vcore Pro 100.. but it suites my preferences more.
The new Ezone 100 looks much better than the previous version. It gives me a 70s disco heavy blue eye shadow vibe.
This paint scheme also makes the head seem smaller. To me a psychosomatic thing. To those who like the previous version then you will like this version. IMO maybe even more with its enhanced feel and dwell time.
For those new to Yonex, I suggest to demo it along wih the Vcore 100 and the Vcore Pro 100. Each offer a uniqueness that better suites a particular game style..All are segment leaders in a very competitive category; 100 inch 300 grams.
One thing, an important thing if you use more than one of a particular frame, buying multiple Yonex’s without a matching service you should receive frames within a gram or two statically and nearly identical in balance.
This to me, this is Yonex best attributes.. Commitment to quality which is an indicator of pride and craftsmanship to their products which to me demonstrates absolute respect to their customers and players.. Compliance to Conformity.
For clear transparency, I did have to make a mod to this Yonex Ezone 100.. same mod I do with all Yonex rackets.. I add 24 inches of ¼ inch medical tape to the butt on top of the grip and beneath the over grip so the racket doesn’t hurt my wrist. For those who don’t know, Yonex grip shapes are nearly butt less.. almost the complete opposite of Wilson Blade V8.
I use a Pros Pro over grip, a grip collar and a TW worm dampener, strung with hybrid, static weight is 328 and balance is 32.3 in this set up. I modify all of my rackets to a particular spec. I will mess with mods later to match it with my other rackets.. nothing major, simple stuff.

Thanks to all who took time to read my review of the new blue 2022 Yonex Ezone 100. My aim was to provide useful information that may help you in your racket quest. Please forgive my poor penmanship or rambling sentences.
At any time, please DM me with questions, additional feedback, etc.

Props and praise again to TW and Yonex this time around for this splendid opportunity.
I know I and others really enjoy this exercise as well as those who read and use the reviews.
Lets end..(y)
Always cherish Tennis and be sure to “Play like it’s your last time out” my TW Friends.
A
 
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colan5934 said:
String and tension used for test: After being disappointed with Poly Tour Pro, I used ALU 130 at 48# then 46#

Tennis experience/background: Former collegiate player, current coach. 5.0 NTRP and 11 UTR if anybody cares about that

Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): Baseline counterpuncher. I used to basically just be an aggressive baseliner, and I was able to play more that way with this racquet when I wanted

Current racquet/string setups: Head Gravity MP with weight or Blade 98 18x20 but grew up with prestiges and pure storms - any thick, crisp poly (RPM Blast, ALU, Tour Bite, Confidential, Lynx Tour) at 44
How many hours did you play with the racquet? 15

All comments are for the racquet in stock form which was pretty much right on target from the factory - I did end up customizing it to 344g, 31.8cm balance, and 334 swingweight which is much more in my wheelhouse.

Comments on racquet performance for each stroke (each section should be 3-5 sentences minimum):
-Groundstrokes: Good control here with power and spin on tap. I found the power controllable and accessible while maintaining feel unlike I find with most other frames like this one (Strike 98, Dunlop 500 Tour, Radical MP and older Pros). I could still manipulate the ball through the court despite the extra power and higher launch angle. The ball came off heavy and fast. I was wanting some more plow and control over depth, and that was better when I got it closer to my preferred swingweight.

-Serves: Best serving racquet I've used in awhile. The headlight balance and low swingweight combined with the free power and spin allowed me to move the ball in and out of my opponents' strike zones quickly on sliders and kickers. Flat serves weren't bad either because it's so fast through the air. I wasn't raving about the targeting, but I can't complain either. I served even better when I added weight to the tip: just a little easier to get the flat serve zipping through the court there, and I feel more comfortable swinging more heft.

-Volleys: Rock solid for such a light frame. Maneuverable and forgiving up at the net with just enough mass for blocking a reflex volley. Enough feel, especially with lower tension poly, for touch too. Better than I expected here given the specs.

-Serve returns: This is the one area where I really needed more weight. Returning is a critical part of my game, and this racquet just needed more mass for me to block back the serves I'm used to seeing. If you're used to racquets in this spec range, I'd assume you'll like the returns. I was never really out of control and the racquet helps enough where I can just worry about making clean contact and aiming for my target.

Comments on racquet performance in each area (should be 2-3 sentences minimum)
Power/Control- Lots of power available, but I never felt like I was overhitting. With a lot of other racquets in this spec range, I'm slappy or out of control when I'm on the run or pressured. Not the case here. I think the big thing is that there's enough feel to understand what the ball is doing when there's more free power than I'm used to.

Top Spin/Slice- Plenty of this whenever you want it. I was able to get a deep heavy rally ball, dip the ball a little extra when needed, and knife a slice through the court with ease. Really pleased here.

Comfort- No issues to report here. I have some ongoing wrist issues, so that's stopped me from using some great racquets in the past: blade pro, speed pro, CX200Tour, and the 6.1 line. No problems at all here, even at the lower weight or when I tossed a leather grip on. If you're concerned for comfort AND power but don't like the feel of something like a clash then this is worth a demo!

Feel- A bit muted, but I got used to it. I like the feel of the VCORE 2018 the best out of all of Yonex's recent racquets, but this one I could play with. No problem with touch and feel: flick lobs, drop shots, slice backhands...all of them were effective and pleasant enough. It's not like a pro staff 85 or classic prestige, but what is anymore?

Maneuverability- I found this very whippy and easy to maneuver in stock form. When I needed to move the racquet quickly on defense or volleys, I could. When I wanted just a little extra spin or pop, it moved quickly for me. No complaints here.

Stability- Surprisingly sufficient for a 305g, lower swingweight frame. The only place I really had issues was on returns. Tough poking back 110+ with this stick for me. Found it more than enough everywhere else.

General reaction/comments on overall performance: This is the best 98 square inch frame for my game I've tested in a long time. I said it in a previous comment, but it's the only racquet that's billed as a "modern players frame" that I've found no issues with besides dialing in the specs to something I'm used to. There's free power and spin but not so much that I can't control it. There's comfort but the frame isn't so dead and muted that I don't know what the ball is doing. It's fast and maneuverable but still stable. Honestly, it ticks a lot of the right boxes for me and even takes weight well. Odds are I'll be switching to this frame. Well done, Yonex and a big thanks to TW for the chance to review!
Click to expand...

100 ?
 
A_Instead said:
Continued from above

Comments on racquet performance in each area:
Power/Control- Slightly less pop/power from last generation. IMO due to lower swing weight and more ball pocketing. To me this helps with control as the ball doesn’t shoot off once the ball hits the strings. My favorite and best shot was the down the line service return and also a passing shot down the line. The more dwell time slows a split second to direct and command the ball where you want it to go.
I prefer the less poppy response, I prefer less lively frames. I can get my power from my swing speeds.
Top Spin/Slice- I am not an overly topspin type of player, but do use top spin when needed. At times for giggles at the expense of my opponent I hit a few Nadal type shots..The new Ezone 100 handles all types of shots well. Top spin and slice are easy to achieve. Backhand slice I really liked as I could use the frames mass near the tip of the racket. Bite on slices seem to be effective. I can see how the new Yonex Ezone will suite those who prefer to bend the ball with spin.
Comfort- Better than last version. The last version could feel stiff if you didn’t get the string and tension just right. The new one felt much better as I again contribute to more dwell time.
Yonex fancy material names and technology do help with comfort. Comfort is important to me as I have to watch my wrist. I like low tensions, and with low tensions the frame cannot be too powerful as I cannot string to high.
No issues here.
Feel- I prefer and like muted rackets and strings. New Ezone 100 felt better to me. It also didn’t seem as fat as the prior version.. Feel is very personal some don’t like rackets that are muted.. I prefer them.
To me Yonex moved the weight distribution in this generation. Weight was removed from the throat which makes it seem whippier, yet not head heavier as the swing weight is lower than before. The mass seems to be moved to 3 and 9 and in the grip. It had a very nice sound indoors.
Maneuverability- Fine, easier than last version. New weight placement and less swing weight helps with this. I do find the Vcore Pro 100 more maneuverable. Again.. I believe the thickness comes into play here.
Its mentioned that the Ezone stands for Easy.. I agree with that statement. Its specs align to enable maneuverability and should suite most people who prefer this spec. Less swing weight helps.
Stability- No issues here. Proper ball striking helps with stability in any racket. The new weight distribution helps with bringing the head through with proper timing to strike the ball. I imagine the twist weight is high on the new Ezone 100. Again I don’t play against players who serve 120 and hit ground strokes at tour level speeds. It certainly will suite 4.5 and below.. otherwise that’s what lead is for if you don’t like stock specs and need something more.
General reaction/comments on overall performance:
My take..You can’t go wrong with Yonex. You can’t go wrong with the new Yonex Ezone 100. It’s a good one as I expected it to be. Just ask one of the TW Playtester GOATS...Brittney.. Its been her line for eons.. that says alot..
Yonex innovates and does not imitate.
Yonex always does their homework and make enhancements were needed and leave good things alone. IMO its one of the better 100 inch 300grams rackets out there. My preference is still the new Vcore Pro 100.. but it suites my preferences more.
The new Ezone 100 looks much better than the previous version. It gives me a 70s disco heavy blue eye shadow vibe.
This paint scheme also makes the head seem smaller. To me a psychosomatic thing. To those who like the previous version then you will like this version. IMO maybe even more with its enhanced feel and dwell time.
For those new to Yonex, I suggest to demo it along wih the Vcore 100 and the Vcore Pro 100. Each offer a uniqueness that better suites a particular game style..All are segment leaders in a very competitive category; 100 inch 300 grams.
One thing, an important thing if you use more than one of a particular frame, buying multiple Yonex’s without a matching service you should receive frames within a gram or two statically and nearly identical in balance.
This to me, this is Yonex best attributes.. Commitment to quality which is an indicator of pride and craftsmanship to their products which to me demonstrates absolute respect to their customers and players.. Compliance to Conformity.
For clear transparency, I did have to make a mod to this Yonex Ezone 100.. same mod I do with all Yonex rackets.. I add 24 inches of ¼ inch medical tape to the butt on top of the grip and beneath the over grip so the racket doesn’t hurt my wrist. For those who don’t know, Yonex grip shapes are nearly butt less.. almost the complete opposite of Wilson Blade V8.
I use a Pros Pro over grip, a grip collar and a TW worm dampener, strung with hybrid, static weight is 328 and balance is 32.3 in this set up. I modify all of my rackets to a particular spec. I will mess with mods later to match it with my other rackets.. nothing major, simple stuff.

Thanks to all who took time to read my review of the new blue 2022 Yonex Ezone 100. My aim was to provide useful information that may help you in your racket quest. Please forgive my poor penmanship or rambling sentences.
At any time, please DM me with questions, additional feedback, etc.

Props and praise again to TW and Yonex this time around for this splendid opportunity.
I know I and others really enjoy this exercise as well as those who read and use the reviews.
Lets end..(y)
Always cherish Tennis and be sure to “Play like it’s your last time out” my TW Friends.
A
Click to expand...


Hi

great review of the Ezone 100 - thanks for taking the time to provide us with such great level of details !

it seems that you are a lover of Yonex ;-)

as such maybe you had the opportunity to play with the vcore 100 (2021) which is my current racquet

I’m looking for a little more
- manoeuvrability
- comfort
- power
As I don’t use spin a lot, I was considering a switch

what do you think ?

thanks a lot !
 
I am not necessarily a Yonex lover. But is my preferred racket since the new VCP 100 was launched last fall...but I needed to give credit where credit is due.. they are making good rackets lately.
I like the VCP better...why..I play better with it..it suites my game better..
Tell me what your current racket is and what your requirements are and I will give you my opinion what Yonex racket suit you best.
But both are manuveable.. comfort to me goes to the VCP as it's more flexible..
Power is to subjective...slow to medium swings Ezone.. full swings about the same..
Ezone is more lively off the string bed..
 
A_Instead said:
Yonex always does their homework and make enhancements were needed and leave good things alone. IMO its one of the better 100 inch 300grams rackets out there. My preference is still the new Vcore Pro 100.. but it suites my preferences more.
The new Ezone 100 looks much better than the previous version. It gives me a 70s disco heavy blue eye shadow vibe.
This paint scheme also makes the head seem smaller. To me a psychosomatic thing. To those who like the previous version then you will like this version. IMO maybe even more with its enhanced feel and dwell time.
For those new to Yonex, I suggest to demo it along wih the Vcore 100 and the Vcore Pro 100. Each offer a uniqueness that better suites a particular game style..All are segment leaders in a very competitive category; 100 inch 300 grams.
One thing, an important thing if you use more than one of a particular frame, buying multiple Yonex’s without a matching service you should receive frames within a gram or two statically and nearly identical in balance.
This to me, this is Yonex best attributes.. Commitment to quality which is an indicator of pride and craftsmanship to their products which to me demonstrates absolute respect to their customers and players.. Compliance to Conformity.
For clear transparency, I did have to make a mod to this Yonex Ezone 100.. same mod I do with all Yonex rackets.. I add 24 inches of ¼ inch medical tape to the butt on top of the grip and beneath the over grip so the racket doesn’t hurt my wrist. For those who don’t know, Yonex grip shapes are nearly butt less.. almost the complete opposite of Wilson Blade V8.
I use a Pros Pro over grip, a grip collar and a TW worm dampener, strung with hybrid, static weight is 328 and balance is 32.3 in this set up. I modify all of my rackets to a particular spec. I will mess with mods later to match it with my other rackets.. nothing major, simple stuff.

Thanks to all who took time to read my review of the new blue 2022 Yonex Ezone 100. My aim was to provide useful information that may help you in your racket quest. Please forgive my poor penmanship or rambling sentences.
At any time, please DM me with questions, additional feedback, etc.

Props and praise again to TW and Yonex this time around for this splendid opportunity.
I know I and others really enjoy this exercise as well as those who read and use the reviews.
Lets end..(y)
Always cherish Tennis and be sure to “Play like it’s your last time out” my TW Friends.
A
Click to expand...

How would you describe the Ezone and Vcore compared to like a Pure Aero style racquet? I am using the Dunlop Srixon 3.0 and it's pretty similar to a more tamed pure aero, there are certain strengths and weaknesses to this style of racquet that I have grown accustomed to. I wonder if the Yonex racquets compare favorably. The VCore and Ezone 98/100 are on my demo list :)
 
@TW Staff any chance on extending the review due date another week? I've gotten in a few sessions with mine, but not enough to give a proper review. Unfortunately I've also been sick since last Thursday so I haven't been able to hit.
 
Yes I can...the Yonex red VCore 98 is somewhat similar in terms of ball produced.. Your SX300 is more similar to a pure Aero..
The red VCore 100 isn't bad..but it's higher swing weight gets to me after a while..it does hit a somewhat heavy ball for a 100 300g racket..but to me..it doesn't remind me of a pure aero..
The ezone aligns with the pure drive..but way better with this new update..
The Vcp 100 pro is similar to the Blade V8 to be but more forgiving and capable of hitting a more powerful ball with less effort..
 
A_Instead said:
Yes I can...the Yonex red VCore 98 is somewhat similar in terms of ball produced.. Your SX300 is more similar to a pure Aero..
The red VCore 100 isn't bad..but it's higher swing weight gets to me after a while..it does hit a somewhat heavy ball for a 100 300g racket..but to me..it doesn't remind me of a pure aero..
The ezone aligns with the pure drive..but way better with this new update..
The Vcp 100 pro is similar to the Blade V8 to be but more forgiving and capable of hitting a more powerful ball with less effort..
Click to expand...

Ugh I had the Blade V8 on the demo list as well. Might have to add the VCP now too haha.

Thank you for your response, much appreciated.
 
A_Instead said:
I am not necessarily a Yonex lover. But is my preferred racket since the new VCP 100 was launched last fall...but I needed to give credit where credit is due.. they are making good rackets lately.
I like the VCP better...why..I play better with it..it suites my game better..
Tell me what your current racket is and what your requirements are and I will give you my opinion what Yonex racket suit you best.
But both are manuveable.. comfort to me goes to the VCP as it's more flexible..
Power is to subjective...slow to medium swings Ezone.. full swings about the same..
Ezone is more lively off the string bed..
Click to expand...

it’s the vcore 100 2021
Thanks !
 
A_Instead said:
I am not necessarily a Yonex lover. But is my preferred racket since the new VCP 100 was launched last fall...but I needed to give credit where credit is due.. they are making good rackets lately.
I like the VCP better...why..I play better with it..it suites my game better..
Tell me what your current racket is and what your requirements are and I will give you my opinion what Yonex racket suit you best.
But both are manuveable.. comfort to me goes to the VCP as it's more flexible..
Power is to subjective...slow to medium swings Ezone.. full swings about the same..
Ezone is more lively off the string bed..
Click to expand...
Challenge accepted, but couldn't send you a private message for whatever reason.. Can you try reaching out? I'll send some hitting session videos
 
A_Instead said:
No need to send videos... just tell me your current racket and what you like and don't like about it...
Click to expand...
Blade Pro 16x19 - Like the power and feel, but too demanding given I'm out of shape and not being able to play constantly due to recovery from hip and foot injury
Tfight 300 RS - Like how easy it is to pick it up and play it, perfect level of power vs control. Dislike how it doesn't flex at all (I'm a sucker for the feel of Head rackets btw)
Phantom 100X 305 16x18 - Love the feel at impact and how fast it swings, dislike how it sometimes shoots the ball up (mostly my fault probably lol)
Extreme Tour - Love the feel and how fast it swings, dislike how the ball ends up with no weight behind it and how for some reason I shank the ball more often with this one.
Speed MP - Love the feel, gives me a very heavy ball which I like, not too maneuverable on the one hander. Sometimes I think it's a bit too powerful, but might be the stringing job for this one.
Gravity Tour - Love the feel and generous sweetspot, so forgiving. Power vs control also perfect. Don't like lack of maneuverability and could use a bit higher launch angle.
See the issue lol?
 
A_Instead said:
Continued from above

Comments on racquet performance in each area:
Power/Control- Slightly less pop/power from last generation. IMO due to lower swing weight and more ball pocketing. To me this helps with control as the ball doesn’t shoot off once the ball hits the strings. My favorite and best shot was the down the line service return and also a passing shot down the line. The more dwell time slows a split second to direct and command the ball where you want it to go.
I prefer the less poppy response, I prefer less lively frames. I can get my power from my swing speeds.
Top Spin/Slice- I am not an overly topspin type of player, but do use top spin when needed. At times for giggles at the expense of my opponent I hit a few Nadal type shots..The new Ezone 100 handles all types of shots well. Top spin and slice are easy to achieve. Backhand slice I really liked as I could use the frames mass near the tip of the racket. Bite on slices seem to be effective. I can see how the new Yonex Ezone will suite those who prefer to bend the ball with spin.
Comfort- Better than last version. The last version could feel stiff if you didn’t get the string and tension just right. The new one felt much better as I again contribute to more dwell time.
Yonex fancy material names and technology do help with comfort. Comfort is important to me as I have to watch my wrist. I like low tensions, and with low tensions the frame cannot be too powerful as I cannot string to high.
No issues here.
Feel- I prefer and like muted rackets and strings. New Ezone 100 felt better to me. It also didn’t seem as fat as the prior version.. Feel is very personal some don’t like rackets that are muted.. I prefer them.
To me Yonex moved the weight distribution in this generation. Weight was removed from the throat which makes it seem whippier, yet not head heavier as the swing weight is lower than before. The mass seems to be moved to 3 and 9 and in the grip. It had a very nice sound indoors.
Maneuverability- Fine, easier than last version. New weight placement and less swing weight helps with this. I do find the Vcore Pro 100 more maneuverable. Again.. I believe the thickness comes into play here.
Its mentioned that the Ezone stands for Easy.. I agree with that statement. Its specs align to enable maneuverability and should suite most people who prefer this spec. Less swing weight helps.
Stability- No issues here. Proper ball striking helps with stability in any racket. The new weight distribution helps with bringing the head through with proper timing to strike the ball. I imagine the twist weight is high on the new Ezone 100. Again I don’t play against players who serve 120 and hit ground strokes at tour level speeds. It certainly will suite 4.5 and below.. otherwise that’s what lead is for if you don’t like stock specs and need something more.
General reaction/comments on overall performance:
My take..You can’t go wrong with Yonex. You can’t go wrong with the new Yonex Ezone 100. It’s a good one as I expected it to be. Just ask one of the TW Playtester GOATS...Brittney.. Its been her line for eons.. that says alot..
Yonex innovates and does not imitate.
Yonex always does their homework and make enhancements were needed and leave good things alone. IMO its one of the better 100 inch 300grams rackets out there. My preference is still the new Vcore Pro 100.. but it suites my preferences more.
The new Ezone 100 looks much better than the previous version. It gives me a 70s disco heavy blue eye shadow vibe.
This paint scheme also makes the head seem smaller. To me a psychosomatic thing. To those who like the previous version then you will like this version. IMO maybe even more with its enhanced feel and dwell time.
For those new to Yonex, I suggest to demo it along wih the Vcore 100 and the Vcore Pro 100. Each offer a uniqueness that better suites a particular game style..All are segment leaders in a very competitive category; 100 inch 300 grams.
One thing, an important thing if you use more than one of a particular frame, buying multiple Yonex’s without a matching service you should receive frames within a gram or two statically and nearly identical in balance.
This to me, this is Yonex best attributes.. Commitment to quality which is an indicator of pride and craftsmanship to their products which to me demonstrates absolute respect to their customers and players.. Compliance to Conformity.
For clear transparency, I did have to make a mod to this Yonex Ezone 100.. same mod I do with all Yonex rackets.. I add 24 inches of ¼ inch medical tape to the butt on top of the grip and beneath the over grip so the racket doesn’t hurt my wrist. For those who don’t know, Yonex grip shapes are nearly butt less.. almost the complete opposite of Wilson Blade V8.
I use a Pros Pro over grip, a grip collar and a TW worm dampener, strung with hybrid, static weight is 328 and balance is 32.3 in this set up. I modify all of my rackets to a particular spec. I will mess with mods later to match it with my other rackets.. nothing major, simple stuff.

Thanks to all who took time to read my review of the new blue 2022 Yonex Ezone 100. My aim was to provide useful information that may help you in your racket quest. Please forgive my poor penmanship or rambling sentences.
At any time, please DM me with questions, additional feedback, etc.

Props and praise again to TW and Yonex this time around for this splendid opportunity.
I know I and others really enjoy this exercise as well as those who read and use the reviews.
Lets end..(y)
Always cherish Tennis and be sure to “Play like it’s your last time out” my TW Friends.
A
Click to expand...
Great review. I have used the 2020 version of the Ezone 100 and really like. However it does sometimes feel just a bit too stiff. Did you feel the 2022 versions slightly thicker beam, I.e did it feel slower in any way? I play with a one handed backhand and was a bit concerned the 2022 version has a bit too thick beam …..! I also have the latest Vcore 100 and it does feel more comfortable than the Ezone 100 but I just can’t gel with the more spaced out strings of the Vcore 100.

On another note, how would you compare the 2022 Ezone 100 with the Head Boom (MP) ? Power and comfort ?
 
I was lucky enough to receive an Ezone 100 for the test. Thanks again TW!

String and tension used for test: Yonex POLYTOUR PRO 16L @ 52ish lbs.

Tennis experience/background: Crappy 4.0 40+ doing the lazy best that he can. Playing on and off forever, slowly getting better over time.

Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): erratic mix of baseliner and all-court and lots of poor life choices. Like so many of my ilk, I overhit my forehand and backhand instead of using my brain, but can occasionally put together a few good points with aggression when the footwork is there. Poor at defense and mainly get my jollies from trying to hit a good ball vs making good choices.

Current racquet/string setups: a gaggle of 1st~3rd gen Babolat pure strike 100 with any 18g poly on sale (mainly solinco hyper g and volkl cyclone). Also very recently demo'd yonex vcore pro 100, pure drive plus, pro staff 100 and my old DR98.

How many hours did you play with the racquet? 8 hours, doubles. Hoping to test singles soon.

Comments on racquet performance for each stroke:

-Groundstrokes: The thing that really stuck with me the whole time I was playing was that it is just a really well balanced racquet. It lets you hit with plenty of spin and launch angle to comfortably clear the net even if you tend to hit with low net clearance but really just as easily at home with driving through a flat shot. For example, I was demoing the vcore pro 100 and while i loved the feel of swinging that racquet, I just had a comparatively hard time clearing the net with my regular strokes without really exaggerating my swings. Internally, I know it's all about mechanics and timing but based on the way I naturally hit, the ezone just worked for me. I always hit with 18g string because I generally prefer how it seems to make things feel softer compared to 16/17g but the 16g poly string it came with felt just as good and I think it has a lot to do with the well tuned dampening of the racquet which was similar to the DR98. The only time I play without a vibration dampener is if I'm playing with a multi/synth gut but I would feel comfortable doing that with this racquet+poly setup. This racquet is just good at everything.

-Serves: Again, very responsive to minute changes to swing path. Top spin/kick was healthy when I wanted, plowed through flat serves, and good action/movement (at least by my lowly standards) for slice out wide or to the T. I didn't feel an over abundance of power in general, but given how light this racquet is, that is no surprise and frankly, welcome since I tend to hit everything long no matter what I play with. I will say that my shoulder/elbow generally feels better after playing vs my usual racquet (pure strike 100) and I'm pretty sure that will improve further after I cut out this 16g and switch to 18g.

-Volleys: Definitely the weakest point in my game (just poor racquet face control in general, really) I have better luck with volleys with this racquet than the pure strike 100. The ps100 can sometimes feel more maneuverable (might be a visual thing because of how "thin" it feels in the hand) but it seems to me that the ezone absorbs and blocks/reflex volleys well. If I can get my act together and get in the right position, the volleys pop off the racquet really nicely. I wish I was any good with feel/touch volleys so I could give some useful feedback, but definitely no worse than anything else.

-Serve returns: Probably my favorite thing with this racquet and the biggest improvement over the pure strike. This racquet just does not seem to get rattled. I know this is, in large part, the so called "honeymoon" period talking, but I swear there is a significant improvement on off center hits over the PS100 and just in general much better at blocking back big serves and getting just enough "oomph" on the reach shots pinging off the fringe areas of the racquet face to make it over the net. My backhand block return is still (and likely always will be) a liability but I am definitely getting better depth and speed so it's not quite such a floater waiting for punishment. And holy crap, if I do my part, and am in a good spot to return the serve, I have never hit better forcing returns.


Comments on racquet performance in each area:

Power/Control- Power is great. I think it's pretty close to what I remember getting from a pure drive but probably a bit shy of that. Definite improvement over the strike 100, in my opinion, especially when it comes to defensive/blocking shots. When I'm able to step in and slap a ball, this is probably about as much power as I'd want or fairly close to it. I think you can quickly get into snow-shoe racquet levels of power from here because if I don't keep a handle on my swing path, i can see myself slapping balls into the back fence pretty easily. Speaking of which, if I'm able to be decisive with my swing, the racquet responds well. Trying to hit low over the net or sharp angle on a run or guide a shot deep to a corner, as long as I do my part with footwork and hit confident swings, the racquet is responsive.

Top Spin/Slice- I can't say I hit with a ton of top spin, but I can say I don't feel any lacking from this racquet vs a pure strike or pure drive or pro staff 97. My attempts at cross court sharp angle shots with as much brushing swing path to drop the ball into the corner seems to yield good results, though honestly, I think I see much more difference here from the type of string I use vs the racquet itself. I know some people are really good with this type of feedback, but I can't say I am one of those people. I can definitely say the slice works really well, however. I can drive/knife slices with more consistency than the pure strike for certain.

Comfort- A definite strong suit for this racquet is the comfort. Everything seems to be well dampened to minimize the jarring/rattling vibration from off center hits. One of the few racquets I would feel comfortable playing without a dampener, even with the thicker gage strings (which, right or wrong, I always felt was less soft than thinner string).

Feel- I don't think I am the right person for providing feedback here since I'm abysmally bad with feel/touch shots, but its definitely no worse than any other racquet I've used. Maybe because of the dampening/soft feel on ground strokes, people who are good at this sort of thing might want more feedback from the racquet, but I honestly don't think it lacks in feel, it just seems to tune out the harsher vibration. I would rely on other (better) players feedback for this portion.

Maneuverability- I think this is a a visual effect, personally, but because it looks chunkier (thicker beam) it can seem a bit more unwieldy than a thinner beam racquet. Maybe i'm wrong. I can say enthusiastically that this racquet whips through the air just fine, the balance is that perfect (for me) mid point of being just head light enough to transition from swing prep to forward motion. Reflex volleys are not my strong suit, but I haven't felt I couldn't cover for a fast ball when I'm at net (the ball landing in the court is another story lol)

Stability- For how light and bit it is, I think it's a fabulously stable racquet. Yes, off center hits will not yield great results, but it has to be pretty off center for it to get unmanageable. Hitting with stronger players that hit heavy/top spin balls does not push me around as much, though hopefully some of that is actual player improvement.


General reaction/comments on overall performance:

I usually playtest/demo a racquet, and go back to my old faithful, but this is one of those rare times when I can honestly say I'm switching. This racquet is fantastic, and anyone who likes the lighter 100 sq in tweener-type racquets should give it a try. A lot of attention was clearly put into making sure to catch a fine balance of power, control, easy racquet head speed without getting pushed around due to the low weight... and despite the relative stiffness, allowing feedback while tuning out the rattles/harsh vibration. It's not magical or anything, it's just a high quality racquet that seems just very well engineered and thoroughly tested for having all these excellent qualities and limiting liabilities/weaknesses inherent for frames like this. Thoroughly impressed.
 
New version doesn't feel as stiff..I will use the term harsh as well..
To me strings and tension is a variable that always needs to be considered..
It's not a simple same string and tension in any racket change..one must experiment a little..
As many have mentioned...feel is enhanced in the new ezone 100.. but then again..feel has many meanings.
It comes down to what is meant by feel..
Sweet Spot response, swing reeponse, feedback, vibration, lack there off.. liveliness, etc...get my point..?
To me feel is the ball response off the string bed... again... string and tension and even ambient temperature can effect feel..

Not enough time with new Ezone or Boom MP to make a recommendation..
But I can say this..both are good to me so far..
Boom MP is a whole new racket offering..not like any Head before..
It has it's merits..
To me so far it's a Pure strike with lovely feel and an actual sweet spot..
Long slender flexy throat.. firm hoop with easy mad spin capabilities..

Ezone is good too..but a different slice of pizza..
 
Here is my review and recap of the Yonex Ezone 100 2022
String and tension used for test: Yonex Poly Tour Pro Soft 53lbs
Tennis experience/background: Played Juniors, 2 semesters Jr College, Ntrp 4.5 but play mostly with 3-5 to 4.0
Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): Doubles Serve and Volley, Singles all court
Current racquet/string setups: Dunlop FX500 modded/ RPM Blast .16ga 54lbs
How many hours did you play with the racquet? approx 10-12, including doubles, mixed doubles, drills, ball machine

Comments on racquet performance for each stroke: FYI - This is the first Yonex racquet that I have used for more than a couple of days.The only Yonexes I have used in the past have been the Duel G 330 and the AI98. I only used these for a few days and gravitated to more powerful racquets.

-Groundstrokes: The racquet is generally lower powered and has a very even feeling balance - weight in the throat. It still came around quickly but not as quick as the PD, yet quicker than the PA and Extreme MP. It was a very middle-of-the-road feeling racquet, somewhere between a PD and a Dunlop CX 400 Tour or Head 360+ Instinct MP. This Yonex has a very defined sweetspot which is different from a PD or rounder racquet. The Yonex sweetspot is smaller and more demanding but very generous when you connect just right. It does take practice to dial it in and is not as easy to play with as a PD. It does have a hotspot that had me saying "Wow, where did that come from?" I managed to hit it a few times and with more practice, I'm sure I could hit it more consistently. Outside the sweetspot, the ball lost power very quickly (about 1.5 - 2" from the racquet's side edge, and about 2.5 - 3" from the top edge). It's manageable since the whole racquet is smooth and muted, so the outer hoop wasn't jarring (like the upper hoop of the PA, or the previous version, but more like a Head 360+ Instinct MP). On fast points and when pressed on defensive shots, if I didn't hit the sweetspot, it was challenging to get the ball over without a generous swing. This is where I felt a slight lag in the racquet not coming around as quickly (most likely due to the balance). Touch shots were very easy since the stringbed was very nice and controlled. Net height, depth control, and directional shots were much easier to control than the stiffer racquets mentioned. Ball height was lower compared to a PD PA or FX, but not as low as an 18x20 or 98" racquets. Topspin and slice did not come as easily as a PD or PA but it was more penetrating with more controlled response. Slice was very nice, but I preferred to hit topspin on my backhand rather than slice, since the racquet felt more solid driving the ball than it did chipping and slicing. Hitting with depth did not come as easy as my current racquet or as a PD, but it wasn't hard either. It just took a more conscious effort to loop my shots up and over. It was a good attribute at times when I could setup and make a bigger swing, and the lightweight helped this happen quick enough. I had zero balls fly on me. The response was almost as predictable as a 98" and shot accuracy was better than the PD or PA - very nice point and shoot.

-Serve returns: The racquet's balance and predictability helped on slower serve returns, and I was able to hit some very good sharp angles or roll the ball back deep on both forehand and backhand. On faster serve returns the smaller sweetspot was harder to find and I had more mishits than normal, especially on the backhand side. I preferred this racquet more on clay than hardcourt, since it gave me more time to setup. When I focused on early preparation I was able to connect and hit several winners on both sides. When I tried to chip back harder, faster serves, I wasn't as successful - the ball would land short or mishit off the frame. I had more success using topspin on both sides for returns, especially forehands. On hard or heavy topspin serves to the backhand, I felt more comfortable moving back and driving the ball down the middle. Slicing these did not get the depth I needed and the response was not as predictable. I completely framed a few that didn't make it to the net. The lightweight did allow me to get the racquet into position easily enough, and I was able to get dialed in on forehand returns and hit several flat out winners (looking at the racquet wondering where did that come from?). It was slightly unstable on hard serves but once I adjusted to swinging a little earlier, I felt very confident on returns. Every now and then I would have a serve that turned the racquet in my hand, but this decreased the longer I used it. A little added weight would go a long way on this frame.

-Serves: Serves were the standout for this racquet. I could hit the sweetspot more easily and I had more control than other 100” racquets mentioned earlier. I didn’t have quite as much pop on serves as a PD PA FX or Extreme, but the racquet’s balance (middle of the racquet/ less HL) made up for it to a certain extent. The sweetspot felt bigger and more easily accessible on the serves than on other areas of the court. In fact, I could hit a very hard flat serve more consistently than a PD or more HL frame. I was able to find the hotspot on the strings more easily than on groundstrokes and volleys. I got plenty of spin and my serves penetrated better than the PD, however I was able to get more spin and net clearance with the others. I had less problem serving into the wind since this racquet hits a more penetrating serve than my PD. I didn't feel the slight lag on serves that the racquet has sometimes, where it doesn't come around as quickly as expected. Also, I had no shoulder pain or fatigue after.

Volleys: The racquet was very maneuverable and somewhat stable at the net. I had no problem getting the racquet into position, however I had to concentrate a little more to hit the center of the racquet. Some of the instability of the frame was more noticeable, especially on stretch volleys and lower volleys. It wasn’t a glaring issue, but I did have to focus on seeing the ball well to make good contact. When I connected with the sweetsport, the feel was very sublime. Overall, It wasn’t as forgiving as the other racquets mentioned but was more predictable. This wasn’t a big thing. I had a lot of success with high volleys in the midcourt (first volley after the serve), but less ease on low volleys (mishits). The solid feel of the racquet helped on hard reaction volleys and I had no problem deflecting these back with pace or for a deep winner. I had a few "Wow" moments and shook my head at the winner.

Scores:
Groundstrokes 86
Volleys 82
Serves 87
Returns 80
Control 84
Maneuverability 80
Comfort 84
Touch/Feel 84
Topspin 82
Slice 81
Overall 83

General reaction/comments on overall performance: I was very surprised by the quality of Yonex and the consistent feel and performance of this racquet. All the hits felt very clinical (if that can be assigned to a tennis racquet) meaning this racquet felt more like a tool or piece of equipment rather than a toy or light empty feeling Barbie racquet. It feels more solid than most of the 100” racquets offered today. The PD PA and others mentioned feel stable, but at times feel empty and toyish, lacking precision. The Yonex feels like it would be an excellent tool for the job of striking the ball and providing feedback to the user for adjustment. Yes, it was slightly more demanding than others, but the feel over the stringbed felt very modern and purposeful. I felt like I was playing a serious match when I used it and consequently my play reflected this. All 100” racquets will feel a little unstable and turn slightly if hit outside the sweetspot. The instability in this frame was less glaring and didn’t distract or deter my concentration from the point or ball trajectory. I came away very impressed by this one and I feel I could use this racquet and groove with it to take my game to a higher level. I can’t say that about all the racquets I own.

I'm still testing this racquet since my wife has taken as her own and refuses to give it back. She has used a Pure Drive for the past 3 years and hasn't liked any other racquet until this one came along. I've noticed more power on her serve and better net play with the Yonex. While she has struggled slightly with her 2handed bh, she has become more consistent with all her shots and we've won all our 8.0 Mixed Matches (4 so far).
 
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A_Instead said:
New version doesn't feel as stiff..I will use the term harsh as well..
To me strings and tension is a variable that always needs to be considered..
It's not a simple same string and tension in any racket change..one must experiment a little..
As many have mentioned...feel is enhanced in the new ezone 100.. but then again..feel has many meanings.
It comes down to what is meant by feel..
Sweet Spot response, swing reeponse, feedback, vibration, lack there off.. liveliness, etc...get my point..?
To me feel is the ball response off the string bed... again... string and tension and even ambient temperature can effect feel..

Not enough time with new Ezone or Boom MP to make a recommendation..
But I can say this..both are good to me so far..
Boom MP is a whole new racket offering..not like any Head before..
It has it's merits..
To me so far it's a Pure strike with lovely feel and an actual sweet spot..
Long slender flexy throat.. firm hoop with easy mad spin capabilities..

Ezone is good too..but a different slice of pizza..
Click to expand...
Thanks. Good points.

I do feel that the current Ezone 100 really shoots of the ball quickly from the string bed. It is actually the first “tweener” racquet I own so perhaps is just the way these type of racquets play.

If the 2022 version does indeed offer slightly more comfort along with a slightly improved “feel”, ball not shooting off as quickly as in the 2020 version, it sounds like it suits my game well.

Great to read opinions of different players. Thanks to all :)
 
As I read and watch reviews...I often think...yes I saw the same thing too..oh never thought of that..but yes..
To me just like all rackets... they all have their own traits.. with Yonex and their Isometric head shape brings unigue positives as well as negatives..
I often wonder what a traditional tear drop head shape Yonex would be like... but then again...it wouldn't be a Yonex then..
 
A_Instead said:
Continued from above

Comments on racquet performance in each area:
Power/Control- Slightly less pop/power from last generation. IMO due to lower swing weight and more ball pocketing. To me this helps with control as the ball doesn’t shoot off once the ball hits the strings. My favorite and best shot was the down the line service return and also a passing shot down the line. The more dwell time slows a split second to direct and command the ball where you want it to go.
I prefer the less poppy response, I prefer less lively frames. I can get my power from my swing speeds.
Top Spin/Slice- I am not an overly topspin type of player, but do use top spin when needed. At times for giggles at the expense of my opponent I hit a few Nadal type shots..The new Ezone 100 handles all types of shots well. Top spin and slice are easy to achieve. Backhand slice I really liked as I could use the frames mass near the tip of the racket. Bite on slices seem to be effective. I can see how the new Yonex Ezone will suite those who prefer to bend the ball with spin.
Comfort- Better than last version. The last version could feel stiff if you didn’t get the string and tension just right. The new one felt much better as I again contribute to more dwell time.
Yonex fancy material names and technology do help with comfort. Comfort is important to me as I have to watch my wrist. I like low tensions, and with low tensions the frame cannot be too powerful as I cannot string to high.
No issues here.
Feel- I prefer and like muted rackets and strings. New Ezone 100 felt better to me. It also didn’t seem as fat as the prior version.. Feel is very personal some don’t like rackets that are muted.. I prefer them.
To me Yonex moved the weight distribution in this generation. Weight was removed from the throat which makes it seem whippier, yet not head heavier as the swing weight is lower than before. The mass seems to be moved to 3 and 9 and in the grip. It had a very nice sound indoors.
Maneuverability- Fine, easier than last version. New weight placement and less swing weight helps with this. I do find the Vcore Pro 100 more maneuverable. Again.. I believe the thickness comes into play here.
Its mentioned that the Ezone stands for Easy.. I agree with that statement. Its specs align to enable maneuverability and should suite most people who prefer this spec. Less swing weight helps.
Stability- No issues here. Proper ball striking helps with stability in any racket. The new weight distribution helps with bringing the head through with proper timing to strike the ball. I imagine the twist weight is high on the new Ezone 100. Again I don’t play against players who serve 120 and hit ground strokes at tour level speeds. It certainly will suite 4.5 and below.. otherwise that’s what lead is for if you don’t like stock specs and need something more.
General reaction/comments on overall performance:
My take..You can’t go wrong with Yonex. You can’t go wrong with the new Yonex Ezone 100. It’s a good one as I expected it to be. Just ask one of the TW Playtester GOATS...Brittney.. Its been her line for eons.. that says alot..
Yonex innovates and does not imitate.
Yonex always does their homework and make enhancements were needed and leave good things alone. IMO its one of the better 100 inch 300grams rackets out there. My preference is still the new Vcore Pro 100.. but it suites my preferences more.
The new Ezone 100 looks much better than the previous version. It gives me a 70s disco heavy blue eye shadow vibe.
This paint scheme also makes the head seem smaller. To me a psychosomatic thing. To those who like the previous version then you will like this version. IMO maybe even more with its enhanced feel and dwell time.
For those new to Yonex, I suggest to demo it along wih the Vcore 100 and the Vcore Pro 100. Each offer a uniqueness that better suites a particular game style..All are segment leaders in a very competitive category; 100 inch 300 grams.
One thing, an important thing if you use more than one of a particular frame, buying multiple Yonex’s without a matching service you should receive frames within a gram or two statically and nearly identical in balance.
This to me, this is Yonex best attributes.. Commitment to quality which is an indicator of pride and craftsmanship to their products which to me demonstrates absolute respect to their customers and players.. Compliance to Conformity.
For clear transparency, I did have to make a mod to this Yonex Ezone 100.. same mod I do with all Yonex rackets.. I add 24 inches of ¼ inch medical tape to the butt on top of the grip and beneath the over grip so the racket doesn’t hurt my wrist. For those who don’t know, Yonex grip shapes are nearly butt less.. almost the complete opposite of Wilson Blade V8.
I use a Pros Pro over grip, a grip collar and a TW worm dampener, strung with hybrid, static weight is 328 and balance is 32.3 in this set up. I modify all of my rackets to a particular spec. I will mess with mods later to match it with my other rackets.. nothing major, simple stuff.

Thanks to all who took time to read my review of the new blue 2022 Yonex Ezone 100. My aim was to provide useful information that may help you in your racket quest. Please forgive my poor penmanship or rambling sentences.
At any time, please DM me with questions, additional feedback, etc.

Props and praise again to TW and Yonex this time around for this splendid opportunity.
I know I and others really enjoy this exercise as well as those who read and use the reviews.
Lets end..(y)
Always cherish Tennis and be sure to “Play like it’s your last time out” my TW Friends.
A
Click to expand...
An outright Excellent write up :)
 
jbot said:
I was lucky enough to receive an Ezone 100 for the test. Thanks again TW!

String and tension used for test: Yonex POLYTOUR PRO 16L @ 52ish lbs.

Tennis experience/background: Crappy 4.0 40+ doing the lazy best that he can. Playing on and off forever, slowly getting better over time.

Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): erratic mix of baseliner and all-court and lots of poor life choices. Like so many of my ilk, I overhit my forehand and backhand instead of using my brain, but can occasionally put together a few good points with aggression when the footwork is there. Poor at defense and mainly get my jollies from trying to hit a good ball vs making good choices.

Current racquet/string setups: a gaggle of 1st~3rd gen Babolat pure strike 100 with any 18g poly on sale (mainly solinco hyper g and volkl cyclone). Also very recently demo'd yonex vcore pro 100, pure drive plus, pro staff 100 and my old DR98.

How many hours did you play with the racquet? 8 hours, doubles. Hoping to test singles soon.

Comments on racquet performance for each stroke:

-Groundstrokes: The thing that really stuck with me the whole time I was playing was that it is just a really well balanced racquet. It lets you hit with plenty of spin and launch angle to comfortably clear the net even if you tend to hit with low net clearance but really just as easily at home with driving through a flat shot. For example, I was demoing the vcore pro 100 and while i loved the feel of swinging that racquet, I just had a comparatively hard time clearing the net with my regular strokes without really exaggerating my swings. Internally, I know it's all about mechanics and timing but based on the way I naturally hit, the ezone just worked for me. I always hit with 18g string because I generally prefer how it seems to make things feel softer compared to 16/17g but the 16g poly string it came with felt just as good and I think it has a lot to do with the well tuned dampening of the racquet which was similar to the DR98. The only time I play without a vibration dampener is if I'm playing with a multi/synth gut but I would feel comfortable doing that with this racquet+poly setup. This racquet is just good at everything.

-Serves: Again, very responsive to minute changes to swing path. Top spin/kick was healthy when I wanted, plowed through flat serves, and good action/movement (at least by my lowly standards) for slice out wide or to the T. I didn't feel an over abundance of power in general, but given how light this racquet is, that is no surprise and frankly, welcome since I tend to hit everything long no matter what I play with. I will say that my shoulder/elbow generally feels better after playing vs my usual racquet (pure strike 100) and I'm pretty sure that will improve further after I cut out this 16g and switch to 18g.

-Volleys: Definitely the weakest point in my game (just poor racquet face control in general, really) I have better luck with volleys with this racquet than the pure strike 100. The ps100 can sometimes feel more maneuverable (might be a visual thing because of how "thin" it feels in the hand) but it seems to me that the ezone absorbs and blocks/reflex volleys well. If I can get my act together and get in the right position, the volleys pop off the racquet really nicely. I wish I was any good with feel/touch volleys so I could give some useful feedback, but definitely no worse than anything else.

-Serve returns: Probably my favorite thing with this racquet and the biggest improvement over the pure strike. This racquet just does not seem to get rattled. I know this is, in large part, the so called "honeymoon" period talking, but I swear there is a significant improvement on off center hits over the PS100 and just in general much better at blocking back big serves and getting just enough "oomph" on the reach shots pinging off the fringe areas of the racquet face to make it over the net. My backhand block return is still (and likely always will be) a liability but I am definitely getting better depth and speed so it's not quite such a floater waiting for punishment. And holy crap, if I do my part, and am in a good spot to return the serve, I have never hit better forcing returns.


Comments on racquet performance in each area:

Power/Control- Power is great. I think it's pretty close to what I remember getting from a pure drive but probably a bit shy of that. Definite improvement over the strike 100, in my opinion, especially when it comes to defensive/blocking shots. When I'm able to step in and slap a ball, this is probably about as much power as I'd want or fairly close to it. I think you can quickly get into snow-shoe racquet levels of power from here because if I don't keep a handle on my swing path, i can see myself slapping balls into the back fence pretty easily. Speaking of which, if I'm able to be decisive with my swing, the racquet responds well. Trying to hit low over the net or sharp angle on a run or guide a shot deep to a corner, as long as I do my part with footwork and hit confident swings, the racquet is responsive.

Top Spin/Slice- I can't say I hit with a ton of top spin, but I can say I don't feel any lacking from this racquet vs a pure strike or pure drive or pro staff 97. My attempts at cross court sharp angle shots with as much brushing swing path to drop the ball into the corner seems to yield good results, though honestly, I think I see much more difference here from the type of string I use vs the racquet itself. I know some people are really good with this type of feedback, but I can't say I am one of those people. I can definitely say the slice works really well, however. I can drive/knife slices with more consistency than the pure strike for certain.

Comfort- A definite strong suit for this racquet is the comfort. Everything seems to be well dampened to minimize the jarring/rattling vibration from off center hits. One of the few racquets I would feel comfortable playing without a dampener, even with the thicker gage strings (which, right or wrong, I always felt was less soft than thinner string).

Feel- I don't think I am the right person for providing feedback here since I'm abysmally bad with feel/touch shots, but its definitely no worse than any other racquet I've used. Maybe because of the dampening/soft feel on ground strokes, people who are good at this sort of thing might want more feedback from the racquet, but I honestly don't think it lacks in feel, it just seems to tune out the harsher vibration. I would rely on other (better) players feedback for this portion.

Maneuverability- I think this is a a visual effect, personally, but because it looks chunkier (thicker beam) it can seem a bit more unwieldy than a thinner beam racquet. Maybe i'm wrong. I can say enthusiastically that this racquet whips through the air just fine, the balance is that perfect (for me) mid point of being just head light enough to transition from swing prep to forward motion. Reflex volleys are not my strong suit, but I haven't felt I couldn't cover for a fast ball when I'm at net (the ball landing in the court is another story lol)

Stability- For how light and bit it is, I think it's a fabulously stable racquet. Yes, off center hits will not yield great results, but it has to be pretty off center for it to get unmanageable. Hitting with stronger players that hit heavy/top spin balls does not push me around as much, though hopefully some of that is actual player improvement.


General reaction/comments on overall performance:

I usually playtest/demo a racquet, and go back to my old faithful, but this is one of those rare times when I can honestly say I'm switching. This racquet is fantastic, and anyone who likes the lighter 100 sq in tweener-type racquets should give it a try. A lot of attention was clearly put into making sure to catch a fine balance of power, control, easy racquet head speed without getting pushed around due to the low weight... and despite the relative stiffness, allowing feedback while tuning out the rattles/harsh vibration. It's not magical or anything, it's just a high quality racquet that seems just very well engineered and thoroughly tested for having all these excellent qualities and limiting liabilities/weaknesses inherent for frames like this. Thoroughly impressed.
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Lol best description of playing style. Let's create a term for that style, I also fit in.
 
EZONE 100 REVIEW


String & tension used for playtest: Genesis Zona Spin Hex (multifilament) 17g

Tennis experience/background: 4.5 mostly doubles player...played juniors but then took 18 years off..been back playing 10 years.

Describe your playing style: Even though I play mostly doubles I rarely serve and volley, I work the point to set up net player or work my way in. I feel equal on the baseline and the net, I also rely on my serve.

Current racquet/string setups: My current racket is the Yonex VCore 100 2021 with the same strings I used in the playtest. I tore my TFCC in my left wrist last year and can no longer risk using a poly string. Until last year I was an Yonex Ezone player, I switched when the new Vcore came out with a less stiffness rating due to the wrist issue.

How many hours did you play with the racquet? 12+ hours in doubles matches and clinics.

Groundstrokes:
Right off the bat I noticed that this version is definitely less stiff that the previous version. It felt solid from the baseline, with a great blend of control & power. One thing I noticed is my slice stayed lower and had a good bite to it once is landed. This racket helped me hit more consistent and with better depth. Although I am not ready to trade in my VCores for this racket, I am keeping it in my bag and will continue to play with it with a possible switch for good.

Serves: I noticed in the beginning I was having a hard time holding serve and hitting my spots, but when I did hit my spots it was a super good serve. I prefer my VCore as it is easier power on the serve but with time I feel like I will be able to improve my serve and enjoy it with this racket.


Volleys: I enjoyed this racket at net, I was able to hit a solid, deep volley and even though this is a bit stiffer than the VCore, I still enjoyed it. I was able to hit decent touch volleys as well. Overall a great racket at net.

Serve returns: This racket is feel really good on returns, very stable. We are working on attacking the return so I was able to step into the return and drive the ball, very few times was it jarring or anything like that. It had the right amount of give and stability. I prefer my backhand on return but was loving my forehand return with the Ezone, a plus in my book.


Power/Control:
I felt like I was able to get some easy power but not as much as I do with my VCore. I feel though like I get a great blend of power and control with the Ezone. I get more power with the Vcore as I mentioned but less control.

Top Spin/Slice:
I was able to hit great topspin from both sides with good consistency and depth. As mentioned earlier I felt like my backhand slice stayed lower and had more bite once it landed.

Comfort:
As mentioned earlier I definitely feel as if this is more comfortable than the previous Ezone 100. It isn't quite as plush and comfortable as my VCore but still, great comfort. The only time I felt and issue was when I was playing in 38 degree weather, but I blame with cold...

Feel-I was able to hit decent drop shots and volleys with this racket. Feel isn't my best department but I did hit some winning drop shots which is a plus.

Maneuverability- I felt as if it was a bit slower than my VCore in this department...However, it still felt good at net and was able to hit reflex volleys when needed. Again with time I think I would be fine with the Ezone in this department.

Stability- For me this is a very stable racket...I am not very tall and have tiny hands, lol, so stability is important to me. I know it is not a heavy racket but it isn't super light either, which makes it just about perfect from my standpoint. Even though it is not as stiff as previous versions, it is just as stable.


General reaction/comments on overall performance: I have only had the chance to playtest one other time & I immediately went back to my racket of choice at the time which was the 2020 Yonex Ezone...I absolutely loved this racket and playtest and have no plans of getting rid of this racket, it is definitely staying in my bag. It has a great balance of power, control & feel. The only thing holding me back from making the switch 100% is the stiffness (which as I noted above is way better than previous models)...living in NC and having no indoor courts may be an issue, so come spring and summer I may make the change. I still love my VCore 100 and not ready to let those go...Once again Yonex has impressed me with the quality in the racket making industry. Many thanks to Yonex and Tennis Warehouse for giving me the opportunity to try this awesome racket.
 
To those that have play tested the new Ezone 100: How do you think a multifilament string works in this racquet? Anyone has tested with multi? What tension and string? I have the 2020 version and I currently use the Head Velocity MLT at 24 kg ( 53 pounds). It works well for me but does feel a bit stiff sometimes. Tried softer multis but felt a bit "mushy". I have a golfers elbow situation and stay away for polys for now.

I am curious if a more control oriented multi such as the Triax at a slightly lower tension, 23 kg (51 pounds), would work? Or perhaps a softer multi as the X-One Biphase at 25 kg (55 pounds) is better? Of course trying for oneself is the best way to find out......but perhaps someone has tried already:)
 
appdach96 said:
EZONE 100 REVIEW


String & tension used for playtest: Genesis Zona Spin Hex (multifilament) 17g

Tennis experience/background: 4.5 mostly doubles player...played juniors but then took 18 years off..been back playing 10 years.

Describe your playing style: Even though I play mostly doubles I rarely serve and volley, I work the point to set up net player or work my way in. I feel equal on the baseline and the net, I also rely on my serve.

Current racquet/string setups: My current racket is the Yonex VCore 100 2021 with the same strings I used in the playtest. I tore my TFCC in my left wrist last year and can no longer risk using a poly string. Until last year I was an Yonex Ezone player, I switched when the new Vcore came out with a less stiffness rating due to the wrist issue.

How many hours did you play with the racquet? 12+ hours in doubles matches and clinics.

Groundstrokes:
Right off the bat I noticed that this version is definitely less stiff that the previous version. It felt solid from the baseline, with a great blend of control & power. One thing I noticed is my slice stayed lower and had a good bite to it once is landed. This racket helped me hit more consistent and with better depth. Although I am not ready to trade in my VCores for this racket, I am keeping it in my bag and will continue to play with it with a possible switch for good.

Serves: I noticed in the beginning I was having a hard time holding serve and hitting my spots, but when I did hit my spots it was a super good serve. I prefer my VCore as it is easier power on the serve but with time I feel like I will be able to improve my serve and enjoy it with this racket.


Volleys: I enjoyed this racket at net, I was able to hit a solid, deep volley and even though this is a bit stiffer than the VCore, I still enjoyed it. I was able to hit decent touch volleys as well. Overall a great racket at net.

Serve returns: This racket is feel really good on returns, very stable. We are working on attacking the return so I was able to step into the return and drive the ball, very few times was it jarring or anything like that. It had the right amount of give and stability. I prefer my backhand on return but was loving my forehand return with the Ezone, a plus in my book.


Power/Control:
I felt like I was able to get some easy power but not as much as I do with my VCore. I feel though like I get a great blend of power and control with the Ezone. I get more power with the Vcore as I mentioned but less control.

Top Spin/Slice:
I was able to hit great topspin from both sides with good consistency and depth. As mentioned earlier I felt like my backhand slice stayed lower and had more bite once it landed.

Comfort:
As mentioned earlier I definitely feel as if this is more comfortable than the previous Ezone 100. It isn't quite as plush and comfortable as my VCore but still, great comfort. The only time I felt and issue was when I was playing in 38 degree weather, but I blame with cold...

Feel-I was able to hit decent drop shots and volleys with this racket. Feel isn't my best department but I did hit some winning drop shots which is a plus.

Maneuverability- I felt as if it was a bit slower than my VCore in this department...However, it still felt good at net and was able to hit reflex volleys when needed. Again with time I think I would be fine with the Ezone in this department.

Stability- For me this is a very stable racket...I am not very tall and have tiny hands, lol, so stability is important to me. I know it is not a heavy racket but it isn't super light either, which makes it just about perfect from my standpoint. Even though it is not as stiff as previous versions, it is just as stable.


General reaction/comments on overall performance: I have only had the chance to playtest one other time & I immediately went back to my racket of choice at the time which was the 2020 Yonex Ezone...I absolutely loved this racket and playtest and have no plans of getting rid of this racket, it is definitely staying in my bag. It has a great balance of power, control & feel. The only thing holding me back from making the switch 100% is the stiffness (which as I noted above is way better than previous models)...living in NC and having no indoor courts may be an issue, so come spring and summer I may make the change. I still love my VCore 100 and not ready to let those go...Once again Yonex has impressed me with the quality in the racket making industry. Many thanks to Yonex and Tennis Warehouse for giving me the opportunity to try this awesome racket.
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Great review thanks for sharing !
I'm also a VCore 100 user + subject to GAS .... so your feedback is super helpful.

In short (all 100sqi)
Power: VC >> EZ
Comfort: VC >> EZ
Spin: VC > EZ
Maneuverability: VC > EZ
Control: EZ> VC
Its that a good summary ?

=> As I'm looking for maneuverability and comfort then the conclusion is pretty obvious right (even though my GAS disease might still strike ;-) )
 
GGWAW said:
Great review thanks for sharing !
I'm also a VCore 100 user + subject to GAS .... so your feedback is super helpful.

In short (all 100sqi)
Power: VC >> EZ
Comfort: VC >> EZ
Spin: VC > EZ
Maneuverability: VC > EZ
Control: EZ> VC
Its that a good summary ?

=> As I'm looking for maneuverability and comfort then the conclusion is pretty obvious right (even though my GAS disease might still strike ;-) )
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Interesting. Personally I find the Ezone 100 more powerful than the Vcore 100. And the launch angle of the Ezone for my swing is far more controlled (not so loopy). With the Vcore 100 I feel like I have to think more about spin while with the Ezone I can just swing out and the ball goes where I want it to go . Again, I probably don’t have the best technique but that how it feels for me.
 
TennisViking said:
Interesting. Personally I find the Ezone 100 more powerful than the Vcore 100. And the launch angle of the Ezone for my swing is far more controlled (not so loopy). With the Vcore 100 I feel like I have to think more about spin while with the Ezone I can just swing out and the ball goes where I want it to go . Again, I probably don’t have the best technique but that how it feels for me.
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Just to be clear, I didn't play with the EZ 100, just the VC 100 so it's my summary of what I understood from the review quoted

The idea was to get reactions from others - Thanks for your feedback !
 
GGWAW said:
Just to be clear, I didn't play with the EZ 100, just the VC 100 so it's my summary of what I understood from the review quoted

The idea was to get reactions from others - Thanks for your feedback !
Click to expand...
Hi, sure. I did see similar comments in the TW review of the Vcore 100 where it was said that the Vcore 100 was deemed more powerful than the Ezone 100.

I can definitely feel that the Vcore 100 is less stiff , which feels nicer. But, it does also affect power level. Perhaps as the launch angle is higher due to less dense string pattern, power level can be seen as higher ….??
 
On short to medium swings..the ezone 100 provides a more lively response over the vcore 100.. some relate to this as power..I call this pop.

On full swings..the vcore 100 offers more power.. meaning a more heavy ball and deeper depth..I call this power... the heavier swing weight helps with this..
Own technique and swing tempo comes into play here..
I relate power to heaviness and high speed of ball.
I relate pop to string bed liveliness.
 
TennisViking said:
To those that have play tested the new Ezone 100: How do you think a multifilament string works in this racquet? Anyone has tested with multi? What tension and string? I have the 2020 version and I currently use the Head Velocity MLT at 24 kg ( 53 pounds). It works well for me but does feel a bit stiff sometimes. Tried softer multis but felt a bit "mushy". I have a golfers elbow situation and stay away for polys for now.

I am curious if a more control oriented multi such as the Triax at a slightly lower tension, 23 kg (51 pounds), would work? Or perhaps a softer multi as the X-One Biphase at 25 kg (55 pounds) is better? Of course trying for oneself is the best way to find out......but perhaps someone has tried already:)
Click to expand...
I used Genesis Zona Spin Hex- I used to use the Head string and prefer this one 10 fold. I string at 58 pounds.
 
TennisViking said:
To those that have play tested the new Ezone 100: How do you think a multifilament string works in this racquet? Anyone has tested with multi? What tension and string? I have the 2020 version and I currently use the Head Velocity MLT at 24 kg ( 53 pounds). It works well for me but does feel a bit stiff sometimes. Tried softer multis but felt a bit "mushy". I have a golfers elbow situation and stay away for polys for now.

I am curious if a more control oriented multi such as the Triax at a slightly lower tension, 23 kg (51 pounds), would work? Or perhaps a softer multi as the X-One Biphase at 25 kg (55 pounds) is better? Of course trying for oneself is the best way to find out......but perhaps someone has tried already:)
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Hey @TennisViking, I play with the 2020 Ezone 100 strung with Triax 16 @ 52 lbs. I demo'd the 2022 version with Yonex Rexis Speed 16L @ 55 lbs and ordered it immediately.

The 2020 with Triax @ 52 lbs is really nice, but when I tried the 2022 version with Rexis Speed at 55 lbs the difference in control was very noticeable. I was able to go for shots I normally wouldn't consider with my current racquet. Whether I continue with Triax or go with the Rexis Speed, I will likely string at 55 lbs now.

It's worth noting the plusher response from the 2022 racquet is super nice as well. Between the two the 2020 feels a little stiffer and has some additional pop. I felt I could swing out much more with the 2022 strung a little higher and still get my shots in. The added control and perceived spin is also pretty great!

How do you like the Head Velocity MLT overall? That's my next option to try after Rexis since it's significantly cheaper.
 
gef_goldblum said:
Hey @TennisViking, I play with the 2020 Ezone 100 strung with Triax 16 @ 52 lbs. I demo'd the 2022 version with Yonex Rexis Speed 16L @ 55 lbs and ordered it immediately.

The 2020 with Triax @ 52 lbs is really nice, but when I tried the 2022 version with Rexis Speed at 55 lbs the difference in control was very noticeable. I was able to go for shots I normally wouldn't consider with my current racquet. Whether I continue with Triax or go with the Rexis Speed, I will likely string at 55 lbs now.

It's worth noting the plusher response from the 2022 racquet is super nice as well. Between the two the 2020 feels a little stiffer and has some additional pop. I felt I could swing out much more with the 2022 strung a little higher and still get my shots in. The added control and perceived spin is also pretty great!

How do you like the Head Velocity MLT overall? That's my next option to try after Rexis since it's significantly cheaper.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your input.

The 2022 version sounds really nice. I guess I will just buy without a demo as it probably plays quite similarly to the 2020 version with some differences only.

I really like the pop it offers (2020 version) but I would love just a bit more comfort and control. Tried the Ezone 98 but is too demanding for me, especially over a 2 hour match.

I really like the Velocity MLT. It feels almost like a poly sometimes. Could be a bit softer feeling though. Control is great for a multi. Durability for me is also great.

I am looking for a multi that offers decent control but still offers comfort. Can’t be too mushy as in the Ezone 100 the power becomes too high. And of course, if strings stay more or less in place, that is a big bonus.
 
DJTaurus said:
Any one handed on the ezone 100 playtest ?
Click to expand...

I have a one-handed backhand and demo'd it. I personally really enjoyed it. The maneuverability is definitely there, and the increased control from the string setup I was using + I'm assuming the racquet itself made me feel a lot more confident in swinging out with it compared to my 2020 Ezone 100.
 
TennisViking said:
Thanks for your input.

The 2022 version sounds really nice. I guess I will just buy without a demo as it probably plays quite similarly to the 2020 version with some differences only.

I really like the pop it offers (2020 version) but I would love just a bit more comfort and control. Tried the Ezone 98 but is too demanding for me, especially over a 2 hour match.

I really like the Velocity MLT. It feels almost like a poly sometimes. Could be a bit softer feeling though. Control is great for a multi. Durability for me is also great.

I am looking for a multi that offers decent control but still offers comfort. Can’t be too mushy as in the Ezone 100 the power becomes too high. And of course, if strings stay more or less in place, that is a big bonus.
Click to expand...

There's a lot of great recommendations on here. The Rexis Speed moves around a little too much for what you're probably looking for but can confirm the comfort and control is there.

"I really like the pop it offers (2020 version) but I would love just a bit more comfort and control." this is precisely what the 2022 version offers. Still plenty of power, but the plush, more-controlled feel is evident.
 
gef_goldblum said:
There's a lot of great recommendations on here. The Rexis Speed moves around a little too much for what you're probably looking for but can confirm the comfort and control is there.

"I really like the pop it offers (2020 version) but I would love just a bit more comfort and control." this is precisely what the 2022 version offers. Still plenty of power, but the plush, more-controlled feel is evident.
Click to expand...
Could be off topic , but a string like the Triax at 53 pounds compared to a softer multi such as the standard Rexis, X-One Biphase, Excel etc at 55 pounds , which would you say feel “softer “ ?

i.e. a more control oriented multi at lower tension , compared to a softer multi at higher tension …….which is more comfortable ?
 
gef_goldblum said:
I have a one-handed backhand and demo'd it. I personally really enjoyed it. The maneuverability is definitely there, and the increased control from the string setup I was using + I'm assuming the racquet itself made me feel a lot more confident in swinging out with it compared to my 2020 Ezone 100.
Click to expand...

Sorry for the off topic guys but i am really curious as a one hander why you went for the 100 instead of the most logical 98 option. I was using DR100 in the past over 98…. but back then 98 was 310 and more difficult to use. Last year i play tested the previous ezone 100 and it was a very powerful stick. But i felt miles better connected to it compared to the 98 version that was unnatural to me….i couldn’t even stay into a rally exchange with 98.
 
TennisViking said:
Could be off topic , but a string like the Triax at 53 pounds compared to a softer multi such as the standard Rexis, X-One Biphase, Excel etc at 55 pounds , which would you say feel “softer “ ?

i.e. a more control oriented multi at lower tension , compared to a softer multi at higher tension …….which is more comfortable ?
Click to expand...

I don't have enough experience with the different strings so hopefully someone else can weigh in, but purely based on the slightly lower stiffness (and presumably the new material), I'd say you will be fine with whatever you choose in the 2022 version.

It's noticeably softer and more comfortable than the 2020 version for me personally.
 
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DJTaurus said:
Sorry for the off topic guys but i am really curious as a one hander why you went for the 100 instead of the most logical 98 option. I was using DR100 in the past over 98…. but back then 98 was 310 and more difficult to use. Last year i play tested the previous ezone 100 and it was a very powerful stick. But i felt miles better connected to it compared to the 98 version that was unnatural to me….i couldn’t even stay into a rally exchange with 98.
Click to expand...

I demo'd both the 98 and the 100, and for me personally the added power from the 100 was just more my thing. It took just enough more oomph swinging the 98 to get the same result that I preferred the 100. Worth noting: I play with the 2020 Ezone 100 right now as my main racquet.

This is also probably down to personal preference. My girlfriend is in love with the 98, but the 100 for her was too powerful. She has been playing much longer than I have, though, which is also worth noting. I am an advanced novice who plays 5x a week so the 100 is a little more forgiving for me. The difference in power between the 98 and 100 is stark which is partially due to technique in this case.

My thought is this:

1) You can get the 98 and bridge the gap in terms of power with a lower tension/more powerful string.

OR

2) You can do the opposite. Get the 100 and bridge the gap in terms of control with a higher tension/less powerful string.

I personally chose option 2 since I am very used to the Ezone 100. Granted, we'll probably own both soon since my GF loves the 98.
 
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DJTaurus said:
Sorry for the off topic guys but i am really curious as a one hander why you went for the 100 instead of the most logical 98 option. I was using DR100 in the past over 98…. but back then 98 was 310 and more difficult to use. Last year i play tested the previous ezone 100 and it was a very powerful stick. But i felt miles better connected to it compared to the 98 version that was unnatural to me….i couldn’t even stay into a rally exchange with 98.
Click to expand...
-i think/feel that is the beauty of the isometric head shape
-it really does make the racquet feel (through the air/while swinging the 1HBH) smaller than it is
-i definitely feel a 100" oval/round shape racquet "more" ,(on the 1hbh) than on a 100" isometric yonex head shape
-i have to measure my words here, because i dont use many 100" head racquets, but once/twice i've tried yonex 100" heads, they felt nice!!
 
GGWAW said:
Great review thanks for sharing !
I'm also a VCore 100 user + subject to GAS .... so your feedback is super helpful.

In short (all 100sqi)
Power: VC >> EZ
Comfort: VC >> EZ
Spin: VC > EZ
Maneuverability: VC > EZ
Control: EZ> VC
Its that a good summary ?

=> As I'm looking for maneuverability and comfort then the conclusion is pretty obvious right (even though my GAS disease might still strike ;-) )
Click to expand...
Yes - I’m still hitting with the Ezone - I am able to hit deeper in the court but still feel like I can hit with more power with the VCore- demoing the Ezone is something I would recommend ☺️
 
Hit the 22EZ98 side by side with the 20EZ98. Initial impression was the 22 reels in some of the power/erratic response of the 20 and has a more defined pocketing sensation. I was actually surprised how controlled the response was compared to what I was expecting. Otherwise both are pretty similar in terms of muted feel, stability, and sweet spot size/location. I will post a more detailed review eventually but thought I would share some preliminary feedback. Cheers.
 
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