Yonex EZONE 2020 AO
- Thread starter Vincent Wang-Bouchard
- Start date
u like it? what do you like about it? I am v7 user (i use mostly 18x20 but sometimes go back and forth with 16x19. To me there is not a ton separating the 2... except what you would except from difference in spec - mostly slightly lower SW and open pattern... which is exactly why i sometimes gravitate towards it )
I feel like i would miss the control and plow coming from blades.... not that looking for a new racquet..just quarantine boredom etc.
This could be what they are going for with the new ezone tour actually
the Vcore 98 was amazing for my 1HB as well. I try it another time this week together with a comparison of the new Ezone.
But if the Vcore 98 gives me again this easy access and consistency on my BH, I probably go for the Vcore (and save 40€).
Someone knows why the Vcore feels so good on the BH (one-handed)? Which specs? My BH is my weakest shot but with the Vcore I had same consistency like my FH and a ton of speed and power. I rarely hit winners with my BH but with the Vcore98 it was easily possible
gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
I loved the v7 18x20. I loved the muted “rubbery” feel and the plow. However at 335 sw and a 33.2 cm balance it was a little demanding especially during physical matches. The ezone 98 at the same static weight is more maneuverable and pretty stable against big hitters. It has a firmer response than the v7 blade but it is muted so it is not harsh. Overall it makes things a little easier as you would expect from a frame that is 0.7 cm more headlight and 15 sw points lower at the same static weight. I really like the dense 16x19, reminds me of the aeropro string pattern before they changed it for the pure aero line.
In that spirit, pure aero VS getting pretty good reviews as well. Don't know if it makes your arm rot and fall off in 3 hours though...
gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
Sadly I can’t do babolat anymore. Over the past 20 years I have hit them all and like you said they are tough on your arm, especially if you use stiff poly and hit hard. That is what makes me so excited about these ezones, in many ways they have the performance of babolats with more arm friendliness.
mscream
Professional
I think the Tour is pretty much what 95% of people who bought the EZONE 98 seemingly did as well: 4-5 g in the hoop + some weight in the handle to not shift the balance too much towards HH. Even with 5 g in the hoop you only go from 310 average strung SW to ~325, which is almost the same as the DR98 stock (324 I think), and not more than a Pure Strike (327) or a Blade v7 (328).
2nd Serve Ace
Hall of Fame
Has to be the thinner beam making it whippier and the stiff upper hoop giving you great spin.
" added for the first time to the EZONE series of racquets, the EZONE TOUR features a 98 sq.in. head size and is the heaviest EZONE available, weighing 315g / 11.1oz and comes with an added boost compared to the EZONE 98. With the balance being 5mm more and the base composition being softer, the EZONE TOUR has more power and control for experienced players. " - yonex website
An ever softer and more controlled ezone 98? Dang wish I waited...
An ever softer and more controlled ezone 98? Dang wish I waited...
Ash Tennis
Professional
BoxbeamsFTW
Semi-Pro
Damn I thought you were talking about the Tour. Do you mean the Ezone Tour or Plus? Cause hasn't that been out awhile?
McLovin
Legend
Yeah, kids today are a little slow. Mine has already been ordered & shipped...
gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
Hope you enjoy, very excited for your review.
parasailing
Legend
The only comfortable Babolat was the Pure Storm lineup which had a more box beam design.
McLovin
Legend
Thanks. Yeah, ever since I hit w/ the regular length over 2 months ago I've been awaiting this release. I almost snagged a 98L off the 'bay to send out for customization/extension, but people here kept saying the '+' was coming, so I waited.
Think I'm going to start w/ Native Tour mains, blue YPTP crosses, just because the blue will look cool in it.
Don't get me wrong...I absolutely love my VCORE 98+s, but if this thing hits & feels like the regular length, I may be switching. The nice thing is, the specs are extremely similar to my VCOREs, except slightly lighter SW:
So hopefully there won't be much adjustment.
BoxbeamsFTW
Semi-Pro
Wow you're quick.
Haha less than a week or so isn't bad. I haven't been following the latest Ezone. I think it feels too modern for me. I have some Ai 98s. I could've sworn it's been out longer but I think I just saw the description and assumed.heheh good one.Real life footage of someone after a Babolat playtest
jdeloach
Hall of Fame
I am curious on your opinion as well once you get it. I have a Vcore 98+ coming tomorrow, and I ordered a Ezone 98+ already due to looking soooo close in specs to the Vcore.
how was the pure strike 18x20... comfort-wise? my only experience was Pure strike 2017... golfers elbow right away..
Pneumated1
Hall of Fame
We discussed VCORE 98 305 grommets in the 'String' thread, so now I'm curious of your thoughts on the standard EZONE 98 305. I've hit my son's VCORE 98 305, and it is a sweet frame, but I launch random balls on the forehand side (probably on me, but tighter patterns just work, so I don't question it). My 1hbh loves it, though, even on slice. For reference, I hit a TC95 18x20 and prefer tighter patterns. They just work for me. But I've entertained the idea of a slightly more forgiving frame that retains a few classical attributes. Does the EZONE 98 305 fit the bill? I've been lurking in this thread for a few weeks, intrigued by this frame. The tapered beam seems awkward, but I suspect the adjustment might be worth it in the end. Btw, a VCORE 98 16x20 or 18x20 would be exactly what I'm looking for.
McLovin
Legend
Then you need to dig up the predecessor: VCORE SV98 (it was 16x20).
On the EZONE 98, it was VERY muted, so if you don’t like that in a frame, skip it.
As far as spraying balls, that’s a tough call. For the brief moment I used the new EZONE, I felt there was a slight increase in both spin & power vs my VCORE 98+. I don’t hit a ton of spin, so maybe you can take advantage of it and control the power.
For me, it’s more of an aging body/shoulder thing. If I can get everything I like out of the VCORE 98+ in a slightly lower SW, and that muted feel (which I like) added in, then its worth the “extended demo”.
The big question will be: how much stability do I give up for 5 less ‘swingweight points’?
Pneumated1
Hall of Fame
Noted on the VCORE SV98. I'm late to the Yonex party.
I love a muted frame, but the Angell TC95s have a very unique flex that give a lot of feel while maintaining comfort. Just fabulous really, imo. That said, I have no objection to a muted frame.
The only reason I'm considering a Yonex is because of aging body/hips/shoulder issues. I grew up playing baseball, not tennis, and did tournament softball until I was 30. That did my shoulder no favors, and I'm six years post-surgery on both hips (arthroscopic). I still move well and play about as well as ever, but I feel the decline. It's a tricky compromise when you've only hit 95-98" frames with thin beams.
The clincher is the power. The VCORE 98 is all the power I'd want. Looking to maintain current power and control levels while gaining a fraction more forgiveness at a lower weight. It's a tricky trade off, but sounds like I can mark this one off the very short list. Thanks, but enjoy whatever you land on!
McLovin
Legend
Well, I can sympathize with you on the shoulder. Multiple traumas over the years due to snowboarding (fractured in a fall), 2-hand-touch football (drove it to the ground, broke my collar bone), and wakeboarding (caught toeside edge, faceplant, resulting in slightly torn rotator cuff) have resulted in my shoulder going 'dead' if I play too much.
My biggest problem is heavy topspin that gets above my shoulder. Most of my shots either don't have enough racquet-head-speed and they go into the net, or I can't get over the ball & it flies into the fence. Clay becomes a double-edged-sword in that its great on my lower joints, but my shoulder eventually goes dead midway into the 2nd set.
So hopefully the lighter SW, combined with the slightly increased power & spin, will be the right combination for me. I'll have a better idea this weekend (assuming the weather forecast holds).
Pneumated1
Hall of Fame
Actually, my shoulder is not that bad, probably just slightly impinged. My hips are my biggest issue. Basically have the same condition as Murray, but in both hips. My surgeon has definitely given me some quality of life back, but I have to do a lot of strengthening and stretching. Tennis is my only impact activity.
And I also hate that high ball above the shoulder, and I'm 6'2". I usually take the ball on the rise, but when the wheels start going, things aren't always on your own terms. On those shots I do feel the shoulder, but it's just stiff.
Lol, don't we sound like a couple of geezers? And I'm only just starting to push 50. I think the key is to keep going but just being smart about it. I can tell you that my son's standard-length VCORE 98 305 is balanced perfectly, but you're probably best to go lower in swing weight as long as you can swing it faster.
FIRETennis
Professional
In regards to the shoulder issue, after months of testing different racquets and strings as well as different combinations of swing weight and static weight, I have come to the conclusion that the three factors that are most shoulder friendly for me are:
#1 low flex (62-64)
#2 low tension (40-45lbs)
#3 medium static/swing weight (330g/330SW)
The EZONE 98 is shoulder friendly in my book and even has a bit of room for wiggle in the customization/lead department.
#1 low flex (62-64)
#2 low tension (40-45lbs)
#3 medium static/swing weight (330g/330SW)
The EZONE 98 is shoulder friendly in my book and even has a bit of room for wiggle in the customization/lead department.
gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
Extended racquets give you the benefit of increased sw and plow without the additional weight. I could see why less weight would be more shoulder friendly. I temporarily extended one of my ezone 98 frames by 0.75". The sw increased from 318 to 351 without adding any weight to the head. So what this roughly tells me is that the 98+ which has the same static weight as the regular 98 may have less weight in the head than the regular 98. The increase in sw on the 98+ is mainly due to added length and/or weight distribution. I am also not surprised that we are seeing lower sw on tour among taller players or players with longer arms relative to their height.
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parasailing
Legend
Looking forward to your review. Did you ever try the DR 98+?
jdeloach
Hall of Fame
I have not hit with the DR 98+. I have been looking for one at a decent price, and so far have come up empty. I will find one eventually to review.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Maverick13
Semi-Pro
Has anyone with arm issues had success with leather grips in the 2020s? I have a somewhat sensitive arm and I'm wondering if the soft layup with counteract the leather vibrations enough to make it enjoyable.
AJvR
Rookie
As far as I know they will not be available in Europe, an alternative may be these offers from longbodies.
Boomersooner
New User
Going to try this setup Saturday. Will post my impressions then
AverageForehand
Rookie
Might have to try it. I did 44 lbs before on the old AI98. But I guess I can try 49lbs this time around. Any reason why you went with 49?
AverageForehand
Rookie
I have tried it in low-mid 40s and was spraying the ball a bit. 49 is the lowest I can go to have the control I need and still feel comfortable.
Got it. Did you string main and crosses the same? Not sure if I should try different tensions.
AverageForehand
Rookie
I have strung mains and crosses the same. But provably doesn't hurt to try a 2lbs differential like 49x47.
gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
I would minimize the # of variables you are changing at one time. My .02.
Makes sense. I went with 50 lbs since it will likely lose tension immediately. Let's see how it plays. If not, might try a higher tension or change to PTP. Even though a forum member here swears by 52lbs and OG Sheep at 49.5lbs
Perhaps it's my 65-year old body, but hitting with the EZone 98 2020 didn't feel THAT much different than my older EZone 98 2018 racquets. Yes, the mesh in the handle muted a bit of vibration, but it was slight. Power felt about the same, but my control wasn't as good as my older EZ98 with Hyper G 17 in it. Could have been the poly in the demo bagged out a bit, but I was hoping I could extract a bit more spin from it. No such luck...
FIRETennis
Professional
Maybe it's just me but I don't find the EZONE 98 2020 plush/soft at all !?
In all honestly, I wanted to love this racquet because of the pumped up reviews of it.
I even bought one for a good price to demo as a demo wasn't available.
Was hoping for a buttery experience but instead it feels like a 67RA Babolat.
The VCore Pro 97 and it is far more comfortable to play with.
A Blade 98 v7 I'm demoing (same strings) feels very pillowy compared to the EZONE 98.
All strung low 40s with full poly.
PS. I later tried some lead 2g Tip + 2g 3/9 Total but both made the racquet feel very sluggish. Strange considering its balance.
In all honestly, I wanted to love this racquet because of the pumped up reviews of it.
I even bought one for a good price to demo as a demo wasn't available.
Was hoping for a buttery experience but instead it feels like a 67RA Babolat.
The VCore Pro 97 and it is far more comfortable to play with.
A Blade 98 v7 I'm demoing (same strings) feels very pillowy compared to the EZONE 98.
All strung low 40s with full poly.
PS. I later tried some lead 2g Tip + 2g 3/9 Total but both made the racquet feel very sluggish. Strange considering its balance.
gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
Yea...def not a buttery stick. Firm and muted. Very stable for its weight and swingweight. I would remove the weight at 3/9 and evenly spread the weight at the tip so it is not concentrated in a particular location.Maybe it's just me but I don't find the EZONE 98 2020 plush/soft at all !?
In all honestly, I wanted to love this racquet because of the pumped up reviews of it.
I even bought one for a good price to demo as a demo wasn't available.
Was hoping for a buttery experience but instead it feels like a 67RA Babolat.
The VCore Pro 97 and it is far more comfortable to play with.
A Blade 98 v7 I'm demoing (same strings) feels very pillowy compared to the EZONE 98.
All strung low 40s with full poly.
PS. I later tried some lead 2g Tip + 2g 3/9 Total but both made the racquet feel very sluggish. Strange considering its balance.
gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
Plays and feels very similar to the 2018 in my opinion, but more stable due to the higher twistweight. Yonex redistributed more weight to the sides of the hoop.
FIRETennis
Professional
Right, I noticed the EZONE 98 2020 has high-ish twistweight already so removed the 1g from each side at 3/9 but still does not feel right to me with 4g in the tip to bump up the SW to 330.
gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
Try playing it at a lower sw. You might be surprised how solid it is. I am currently playing 318 sw with 328 static weight and I couldn’t be happier. Mine were 308 sw stock so that required 3 grams spread evenly between 10 and 2.
