The Yonex deep dive with video, choose my racket? Regna 98, VC 95-98-100, EZ98-100, Percept H

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

I was getting bored with all the bad weather this week so I assembled some indoor video footage. I am open to switching just because the Regna is not easy to get new ones and I like new sticks ever so often, and why not think about it? I'd say of these bunch the best was probably the VC98 , but I was surprised by the VC100. However, maybe the racket heads here see something else?

I think the Ez98 lost out because it was strung with Luxilon Vibe, I'm not usually string sensitive but that string was either way old or just not one I like new. These were demos. I only served with the 100s and H, but I'm sure I could adjust to them if I chose a 98, well, mostly I am eyeing the VC98.

Here's some serves....first with the Regna 98 to get a baseline

Now the 100s and the H

Here's some groundies Regna 98...VC95, EZ98, VC98 in that order.

https://swing.vision/matches/sw2-tN1Vhrc

This is Regna 98, VC100, EZ100, Percept H in that order.

https://swing.vision/matches/sw2-SNdx1mI

I get it though , it's hard to make a decision just hitting indoors, still passing the time with this snow storm and in between seasons.

 

[Purestriker]

I was getting bored with all the bad weather this week so I assembled some indoor video footage. I am open to switching just because the Regna is not easy to get new ones and I like new sticks ever so often, and why not think about it? I'd say of these bunch the best was probably the VC98 , but I was surprised by the VC100. However, maybe the racket heads here see something else?

I think the Ez98 lost out because it was strung with Luxilon Vibe, I'm not usually string sensitive but that string was either way old or just not one I like new. These were demos. I only served with the 100s and H, but I'm sure I could adjust to them if I chose a 98, well, mostly I am eyeing the VC98.

Here's some serves....first with the Regna 98 to get a baseline

Now the 100s and the H

Here's some groundies Regna 98...VC95, EZ98, VC98 in that order.

https://swing.vision/matches/sw2-tN1Vhrc

This is Regna 98, VC100, EZ100, Percept H in that order.

https://swing.vision/matches/sw2-SNdx1mI

I get it though , it's hard to make a decision just hitting indoors, still passing the time with this snow storm and in between seasons.

I think the EZone is probably the best choice. It does everything well and has no downsides. But to be fair, have not hit the H. I liked the previous VCore 100 but thought the EZ one was just better overall at everything.

 

[travlerajm]

Can’t quite see the ball in serve clips, but judging from the satisfying sound it seems like you have good arm speed. A possible easy tweak to add some juice: Your front foot is landing with toe on baseline, or in some cases behind the baseline, which means you have negligible forward momentum of your body’s center of mass contributing to the shot. Have you ever tried seeing what happens if you shift your weight back onto your back foot before you toss, then lean the front hip out a bit into the court as you toss, allowing you to propel forward a bit as you attack the ball to land with front toe 2-3 feet inside the court? The math says that’s worth about 15 mph of extra velocity. Seems like with your formidable height and arm length, and a small tweak to your current motion, you could have a fearsome fastball to pair with your crafty off-speed fruit ninja slider and impress Meike in your next match.

 

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

I think the EZone is probably the best choice. It does everything well and has no downsides. But to be fair, have not hit the H. I liked the previous VCore 100 but thought the EZ one was just better overall at everything.

The H is just a beefy boy, I think the more modern yonex have put distance between Vcore and Ezones compared to Vcore Pro/Percepts, there's just more for the regular tennis player in the Vcore Ezone line compared to the thinner beamed Percepts. My opinion anyway.

 

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

Can’t quite see the ball in serve clips, but judging from the satisfying sound it seems like you have good arm speed. A possible easy tweak to add some juice: Your front foot is landing with toe on baseline, or in some cases behind the baseline, which means you have negligible forward momentum of your body’s center of mass contributing to the shot. Have you ever tried seeing what happens if you shift your weight back onto your back foot before you toss, then lean the front hip out a bit into the court as you toss, allowing you to propel forward a bit as you attack the ball to land with front toe 2-3 feet inside the court? The math says that’s worth about 15 mph of extra velocity. Seems like with your formidable height and arm length, and a small tweak to your current motion, you could have a fearsome fastball to pair with your crafty off-speed fruit ninja slider and impress Meike in your next match.

Appreciate the time and thoughts. I have mentally thought about the hip tilt and shoulder tilt and leap forward, but not really implemented it in the past few years, but that's a good tip and one I want to work on, thanks for the reminder. I used to land inside the court as you mention, but I've gotten lazy really. Now, I might have had the same weight issue back then too but just jumped forward. Good things to tweak .

Maybe one issue is mindfulness, my serve has been a zero thought thing for so long.

 

[travlerajm]

Appreciate the time and thoughts. I have mentally thought about the hip tilt and shoulder tilt and leap forward, but not really implemented it in the past few years, but that's a good tip and one I want to work on, thanks for the reminder. I used to land inside the court as you mention, but I've gotten lazy really. Now, I might have had the same weight issue back then too but just jumped forward. Good things to tweak .

Maybe one issue is mindfulness, my serve has been a zero thought thing for so long.

I fully understand first hand how a serve can deteriorate from lazy habits.

 

[Federerkblade]

I don’t think the percept is for You with your groundstrokes technique hence why you would favour ezone although the ezone are just great easy playing frames

 

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

I don’t think the percept is for You with your groundstrokes technique hence why you would favour ezone although the ezone are just great easy playing frames

I agree, i I used the orange Vcore Pro 330 long ago, the best of the bunch probably, but Regna for now is what I am sticking with.

 

[RockWizard]

I do really like my Ezones, but as a fellow one hander, the more aero style beam in the throat just never worked out too well for my grip. Ironically enough, that quirk actually wound up making that shot better in a roundabout way, since it made me grip my racquet much further up the throat with my index finger on the inside of the hoop, a la Dominic Thiem, which stabilised the racquet on the backswing

 

[anfield]

I do really like my Ezones, but as a fellow one hander, the more aero style beam in the throat just never worked out too well for my grip. Ironically enough, that quirk actually wound up making that shot better in a roundabout way, since it made me grip my racquet much further up the throat with my index finger on the inside of the hoop, a la Dominic Thiem, which stabilised the racquet on the backswing

As a fellow OHBH I can't groove with the Ezone 98. That 23mm at the top of the hoop feels all sorts of clunky and feel like I can't slice. I'm sure Kyrios would disagree but but Duel G 97 is a scalpel. Iv'e got a couple Regna 98s on the way and hoping it threads the needle between my PS97 and Duel Gs. I love the stability of the PS97 but it does not move through the air as fast as I would like. The Yonex 97s 310g through the ages have always been really hard to volley with compared to the PS97.

 

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

As a fellow OHBH I can't groove with the Ezone 98. That 23mm at the top of the hoop feels all sorts of clunky and feel like I can't slice. I'm sure Kyrios would disagree but but Duel G 97 is a scalpel. Iv'e got a couple Regna 98s on the way and hoping it threads the needle between my PS97 and Duel Gs. I love the stability of the PS97 but it does not move through the air as fast as I would like. The Yonex 97s 310g through the ages have always been really hard to volley with compared to the PS97.

Oh you lucky dog, the Regna is the one, you'll be set. I'm being lazy replacing mine, but it's a little harder than it used to be to buy new ones.

Althgough, if you feel the Ezone is clunky, hmmm, will be interesting.

 

[anfield]

Althgough, if you feel the Ezone is clunky, hmmm, will be interesting.

Yeah, Ezone 98 feels clunky, I've only demoed the Tour though, but it's not the weight it's that tapered out 23mm beam that throws me off. Also, I feel like the power is unpredictable. Like there is a turbo zone I did not ask for. Same with the PS97 v14, I much prefer my v13 because it's more predictable. Some say the Regna has this catapult power sometimes, if so, it they may be available. I might have to go back to the Pacific Pro 97, I was hitting people off the court with it, I'm not sure why I got rid of them. It was a few years ago and I've not played since.

 

[Big_Dangerous]

Yeah, Ezone 98 feels clunky, I've only demoed the Tour though, but it's not the weight it's that tapered out 23mm beam that throws me off. Also, I feel like the power is unpredictable. Like there is a turbo zone I did not ask for. Same with the PS98 v14, I much prefer my v13 because it's more predictable. Some say the Regna has this catapult power sometimes, if so, it they may be available. I might have to go back to the Pacific Pro 97, I was hitting people off the court with it, I'm not sure why I got rid of them. It was a few years ago and I've not played since.

Yep, I bought the regular 2025 Ezone 95, and that's exactly what I felt from it at times, not like it happened all the time, but seemingly out of nowhere you get these balls that just launch off the frame and I'm left scratching my head like I wasn't trying to do anything crazy.

 

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

Yeah, Ezone 98 feels clunky, I've only demoed the Tour though, but it's not the weight it's that tapered out 23mm beam that throws me off. Also, I feel like the power is unpredictable. Like there is a turbo zone I did not ask for. Same with the PS97 v14, I much prefer my v13 because it's more predictable. Some say the Regna has this catapult power sometimes, if so, it they may be available. I might have to go back to the Pacific Pro 97, I was hitting people off the court with it, I'm not sure why I got rid of them. It was a few years ago and I've not played since.

Yep, I bought the regular 2025 Ezone 95, and that's exactly what I felt from it at times, not like it happened all the time, but seemingly out of nowhere you get these balls that just launch off the frame and I'm left scratching my head like I wasn't trying to do anything crazy.

Wild, I haven't seen that reported over in the ezone thread, that situation, the launch zone was there for me in the 2022 Ezone, but not the 2025, not in mine at least, I would have experienced it by now since I've been using it for about 4 months.

@anfield the Tours are different for sure, I bet you will not feel the same using a regular one.

 

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

 

[anfield]

True that, I only got to hit on a wall for a few minutes and can tell it's much faster than my PS97 and more stable than my Duel G 97 310gs. More to come once I get my stings and grips sorted.

 

[Big_Dangerous]

When I was debating on buying a Regna, I probably watched like 4 different videos, including that one that convinced me it was worth it. I’m glad I did, because honestly it has to be my favorite 98 inch racket to play with.

 

[mattimag]

Yesterday my brain gave birth to this thought. No atp or wta pro players are playing with the Regna..do you know why?

 

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

Yesterday my brain gave birth to this thought. No atp or wta pro players are playing with the Regna..do you know why?

No one really knows why, this has nothing to do with you personally or your question, because it is a good one, but a lot of people who are a little miss-guided like to throw it out as an insult I guess or a challenge on youtube, usually goes like this "If this racket was so good, the pros would use it".
I'll get to my theory after this, but here's why disparaging the Regna based on no pros using it is a little off....
1. Pros like to use the racket they played through juniors and into their teens, that is really common
2. Pros are better than all of us so whatever they use doesn't matter that much
3. Pros can get a handcrafted racket made for them personally, not just a handcrafted racket made for all of us

Why pros don't use it, some of the reasons above, to elaborate on 2 they are so skilled they don't care about the feel or the "benefits" of the Regna for their matches. Yonex isn't looking to force a pro to try it or use it since they already sell out every single time and they aren't planning on increasing production. A giant mix of those things is my best guess.

 

[Big_Dangerous]

No one really knows why, this has nothing to do with you personally or your question, because it is a good one, but a lot of people who are a little miss-guided like to throw it out as an insult I guess or a challenge on youtube, usually goes like this "If this racket was so good, the pros would use it".
I'll get to my theory after this, but here's why disparaging the Regna based on no pros using it is a little off....
1. Pros like to use the racket they played through juniors and into their teens, that is really common
2. Pros are better than all of us so whatever they use doesn't matter that much
3. Pros can get a handcrafted racket made for them personally, not just a handcrafted racket made for all of us

Why pros don't use it, some of the reasons above, to elaborate on 2 they are so skilled they don't care about the feel or the "benefits" of the Regna for their matches. Yonex isn't looking to force a pro to try it or use it since they already sell out every single time and they aren't planning on increasing production. A giant mix of those things is my best guess.

I’d also put out that since us mere mortals don’t really know what the deals and contracts are like for pro players, it could be the Yonex simply won’t allow a pro player to endorse the Regna because they want to keep it limited availability and only at shops in Japan.

Also, Yonex may see no point in a pro player endorsing the Regnas because they only make them in limited quantities, so it wouldn’t make much sense to have a pro player endorse something that they don’t mass produce and is hard to get. They make their money selling Ezones, VCores and Percepts. They probably also don’t need help selling Regnas because the people who know those rackets will just buy them. Similar to how Ferrari and Lamborghini don’t really advertise on TV or YouTube, and other streaming platforms. Like i’ve never seen an ad for a Ferrari or Lamborghini when I’m watching TV.

 

[mattimag]

I’d also put out that since us mere mortals don’t really know what the deals and contracts are like for pro players, it could be the Yonex simply won’t allow a pro player to endorse the Regna because they want to keep it limited availability and only at shops in Japan.

Also, Yonex may see no point in a pro player endorsing the Regnas because they only make them in limited quantities, so it wouldn’t make much sense to have a pro player endorse something that they don’t mass produce and is hard to get. They make their money selling Ezones, VCores and Percepts. They probably also don’t need help selling Regnas because the people who know those rackets will just buy them. Similar to how Ferrari and Lamborghini don’t really advertise on TV or YouTube, and other streaming platforms. Like i’ve never seen an ad for a Ferrari or Lamborghini when I’m watching TV.

This is true but from a pro player point of view if there is a racket that makes me play better and win more I do everything to use it even at the cost of buying them myself

 

[mattimag]

No one really knows why, this has nothing to do with you personally or your question, because it is a good one, but a lot of people who are a little miss-guided like to throw it out as an insult I guess or a challenge on youtube, usually goes like this "If this racket was so good, the pros would use it".
I'll get to my theory after this, but here's why disparaging the Regna based on no pros using it is a little off....
1. Pros like to use the racket they played through juniors and into their teens, that is really common
2. Pros are better than all of us so whatever they use doesn't matter that much
3. Pros can get a handcrafted racket made for them personally, not just a handcrafted racket made for all of us

Why pros don't use it, some of the reasons above, to elaborate on 2 they are so skilled they don't care about the feel or the "benefits" of the Regna for their matches. Yonex isn't looking to force a pro to try it or use it since they already sell out every single time and they aren't planning on increasing production. A giant mix of those things is my best guess.

All good theories
Only thing is that you see many pro players switching to Yonex (Tommy Paul for example) or switching rackets (Shapovalov from vcore to ezone for example)
Maybe in these cases it would make sense to try the Regna

 

[Big_Dangerous]

This is true but from a pro player point of view if there is a racket that makes me play better and win more I do everything to use it even at the cost of buying them myself

Who knows what pros are actually using underneath the paint jobs though. I’d also say that I’m not sure it necessarily makes them play better and win more matches. Pro players are very set in their ways and rituals, so it’s hard for them to switch off their rackets, especially the higher ranked they are.