2nd Serve Ace
Hall of Fame
Well of course it should!
Yonex EZONE 2020 AO
- Thread starter Vincent Wang-Bouchard
- Start date
Upsides
- Feel
- Power
- Large sweetspot
Downsides
- Not enough control
Ezone 98 2020 Review
Hit 'em clean
Semi-Pro
Still playing around with stringing, but YPTP 16L works really well obviously. Currently trying it down at 46 and 48lbs which both feel really good. Tried some HyperG 17ga I had an extra set of at 48lbs and... Wow! Felt really plush, smooth/good power delivery, and great spin. I'm really loving the HyperG in this frame as I feel like I can just create almost any shot I want. I swear that stability increased slightly with the HyperG strings... I know that sounds weird, but it either really happened or I'm starting to really hit better with this frame. Played with it stock that last two matches and I'm really starting to feel it plays fine that way. Might add a touch of weight at some point to the tip, but right now everything feels pretty good. Still can't believe how well this thing serves. Had a set of doubles on Tuesday where I held serve without losing a single point the whole set. I've put the kick serve on hold for the moment since I've found that I can really blast second serves with a nice blend of top and slice that is just eating up my opponents. I'll have to see if I can get my kicker moving through the court instead of hanging in the air. That's where a little more weight in the tip might help get me that heavier kick serve.
HyperG 17ga might be my go to for this frame, really nice combo.
HyperG 17ga might be my go to for this frame, really nice combo.
Today I hit with Ezone 98 for the first time and I enjoyed it! Good power but does not lack control, feels light but very stable at net.
It was also my first time to try YPTP 17g and it felt pretty soft and muted. Both the racquet and the string were completely new to me, so I wonder if Ezone 98 is a muted feeling frame or YPTP is a muted string. I would like to feel a little crisper than this current setting, so can you guys recommend a good string/tension for Ezone 98?
It was also my first time to try YPTP 17g and it felt pretty soft and muted. Both the racquet and the string were completely new to me, so I wonder if Ezone 98 is a muted feeling frame or YPTP is a muted string. I would like to feel a little crisper than this current setting, so can you guys recommend a good string/tension for Ezone 98?
Hit 'em clean
Semi-Pro
The Ezone 98 is a little muted, but YPTP is a soft poly and will further mute response. You could go with a thicker gauge or a crisper string like Solinco Confidential, Lux Alu Power, Lux 4G Rough, etc. With full bed polys I'm stringing at 48-50lbs. I did do 16ga YPTP at 46lbs, but that's starting to get a little on the loose side.
Hit 'em clean
Semi-Pro
What racquets have you used before, I can try to compare. I find it generates good topspin and it's not difficult. It's not crazy easy and massive like a Pure Aero, but I can generate close to similar levels when I want/need. For my game it's perfect as I get good controllable spin, arc and drive on my rally balls and can ramp it up as needed. I'm still figuring out topspin lobs, but that's just on me and getting the feel for contact, etc. With a Pure Aero you're kind of locked in all the time with having to generate lots of topspin just to control it and it fells somewhat one dimensional. Ezone I can vary the topspin and easily dial up how much I want. On serves this is one of the best serving racquets I've ever hit with... great flat serves... and spin serves (slice or kick) are fantastic and still with pace. Slice has been slightly more challenging with the lighter weight (I normally play with a Gravity Pro, but I'm all in on the Ezone 98 now) but I'm starting to find the right swing and contact. I hit a beautiful low slice pass last night up the line for a winner against a player at the net. It was beautiful, dirty, low and curved right to left.
So plenty of spin is available for topspin if you have solid technique. If you're looking for the racquet to give you spin it will, but it's not a Pure Aero. Slice is a little more challenging if you're looking for a really driving dirty slice shot, but that's basically due to the lighter swing weight. With a little added weight it would be much easier.
So plenty of spin is available for topspin if you have solid technique. If you're looking for the racquet to give you spin it will, but it's not a Pure Aero. Slice is a little more challenging if you're looking for a really driving dirty slice shot, but that's basically due to the lighter swing weight. With a little added weight it would be much easier.
That’s an interesting group - I’ve been trying similar.... interested in what you thought of them. In particular where the Clash 98 sits in comparison with them all.
For my 2 pence worth I’d say iro spin:-
Vcore 100 >/= Ezone 100 > Vcore 98 > Ezone 98 >/= Vcore pro 97 > blade v7 16x19.
Power:-
Ezone 100 > Vcore 98 > Vcore 100 = Ezone 98 > Vcore pro 97 > blade v7
Comfort:-
Ezone 98 > Vcore pro 97 > Vcore 98 = Ezone 100 > blade v7 (it’s head heavy balance bothered my wrist a little after a couple of hours) > Vcore 100.
(Am leaving out the ps100 v3 as whistle it’s quite powerful and spinny I didn’t hit with it for long as it felt head heavy and cumbersome and I didn’t like the dead feel in the demo I tried. And all of the above were preferable to me)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Babolix
Rookie
Well, I stopped playing with Babolat Ps100 2016 because of elbow probs... So I tried several sticks and Clash 98 sits just after the Blade 98 V7 16/19 in the way that the blade lacked spins where the Clash 98 gives much more. You loose some sensations but still have way more than Clash 100's that I hated. So it's a good all round stick, good plow through, good control (not extreme), good spin etc... And a lot of aces with it. But it lacks some touch and feel, so, here arrived the Ezone. I tested the 100 as it was available here but it's powerfull so... Now I'm dreaming about Ezone 98 ! And now, thx to you, I 'm in a GAS vortex with voices tell me to buy it !!! 
Lozannois
Rookie
I am exactly in the same situation than you...Well, I stopped playing with Babolat Ps100 2016 because of elbow probs... So I tried several sticks and Clash 98 sits just after the Blade 98 V7 16/19 in the way that the blade lacked spins where the Clash 98 gives much more. You loose some sensations but still have way more than Clash 100's that I hated. So it's a good all round stick, good plow through, good control (not extreme), good spin etc... And a lot of aces with it. But it lacks some touch and feel, so, here arrived the Ezone. I tested the 100 as it was available here but it's powerfull so... Now I'm dreaming about Ezone 98 ! And now, thx to you, I 'm in a GAS vortex with voices tell me to buy it !!!
Ezone 98 on the way...! It's gonna be between the v7 16x19, clash 98 and ezone 98...Envoyé de mon ONEPLUS A5000 en utilisant Tapatalk
Hit 'em clean
Semi-Pro
I've played with the Vcore 97 (310 & 330), Blade v7 16x19 (very briefly), original Project One7 Pure Strike 98 and Clash 98
Blade 16x19 didn't have enough power or spin, Ezone 98 is better for sure. I also don't like frames under 6pts HL as it bothers my arm the way I swing and accelerate through the ball, Blade has more plow and stability
Pure strike... I know it wasn't the same one... but I also had elbow/wrist issues with Project one severn and gave up on it... also because it was a little down on the Power/spin combo I was seeking.
Vcore 97's... liked the 330 but it's a lot of effort, more plow though power, but spin and power just easier to generate with Ezone 98, not that you can't get there with 330 but it's more work. 310 version just didn't feel stable, felt flat/dead, weird vibrations on mishits, a cheap imposter compared to the 330 IMO.
Clash 98... they aren't too far apart. Clash has more spin, but less power... both have the flexy feel in the throat area, but Ezone has a crisper but slightly muted response at contact. Ezone isn't far behind in spin, but like the PA I felt more pressure to hit with spin on the Clash 98 to keep things under control. Ezone destroys both PA and Clash 98 when it comes to serve. Also for me the Clash 98 had a weird effect of really making my arm feel tired... I think because of the flex in the frame I'd feel the frame giving way to the incoming ball since it's so HL and I would pull the racquet through during heavy hitting and it would just wear me out. Ezone has flex in the throat, but the stiffness in the upper hoop helps through contact so I don't feel it giving way during hard hitting. Despite the lower swingweight it rips through the ball quite nicely IMO.
All comparisons are stock form, though I did try to add lead to some on occasion to try and make them work better for me. I still might add lead to my Ezone, but I'm playing so well with it stock that I'm not in any rush to do so. It's been a very comfortable frame to play with in terms of wrist and elbow issues. The lighter weight has really made it easier on my elbow when it comes to serving. In stock form it has stood up to heavy hitting without much fuss at all... certainly nothing I can't live with which is quite impressive at it's weight. Coming from the Gravity Pro with a spec of 340g and 330+ swing weight I don't feel like I'm sacrificing much of anything at all...and I still love the Gravity Pro. With OG and dampener my Ezone 98's are all at 330g which is just heavy enough to keep my swings under control and I have good feel/timing in my swing.
Babolix
Rookie
Well, I think we have a non contest winner here : Ezone 98 !!!!
As you, I played with Pure strike : mine was the 100 2016 but I played several times with the project one.7 and tried the 3rd version of both : still hard on the arms and the new gen is not as maneuvrable and too powerfull... Balls were flying... Too bad cause the sensation at impact was cool. But not for me... Fot the Clash 98, I think exactly the same, it feels good in game but my arm feels also weirly tired after a match. The 310g seems light at first but you finally feel them more with, as you say, the extreme flex of the racquet which absorb all at contact, yes, but ask to always punch big and fast. I played with ezone 100, all was good but I felt the RA69 and it was too powerfull. So now, with what you say guys, I think Ezone 98 is the solution ! Can't wait to try it and... Buy it (fingers crossed) !
As you, I played with Pure strike : mine was the 100 2016 but I played several times with the project one.7 and tried the 3rd version of both : still hard on the arms and the new gen is not as maneuvrable and too powerfull... Balls were flying... Too bad cause the sensation at impact was cool. But not for me... Fot the Clash 98, I think exactly the same, it feels good in game but my arm feels also weirly tired after a match. The 310g seems light at first but you finally feel them more with, as you say, the extreme flex of the racquet which absorb all at contact, yes, but ask to always punch big and fast. I played with ezone 100, all was good but I felt the RA69 and it was too powerfull. So now, with what you say guys, I think Ezone 98 is the solution ! Can't wait to try it and... Buy it (fingers crossed) !
I have played PS BLX 90 and moving away from that to a lighter racquet. Have 2 PS 97 CV and like those but can be sluggish for me on volleys. Had fun with the Wilson Ultra Tour 97 last year but its 18x20 and felt tinny with good plowing 4.5 players. control and touch was amazing though. I rally all the way up to strong 4.5 but match play at 4.0 (w/good technique). I hit with a friend's ezone 98 when he was demo'ing and when i was dialed in on fast stroke speed with the pro staff and loved it. ordered one on **** to try out for a few months. first hit with it today with some old big hitter blue poly hybrid'd with TNT. both 16 guage. didn't love it as much as first hit and felt the prostaff 97 with Yonex poly string was better today.
is it worth putting a leather grip on it and some led at 10 and 2? or should i wait it out for a few more hits? that is my first instinct to make the racquet even more manuverable and maybe move the sweet spot up a bit as perhaps I'm hitting higher in the loop with the prostaff's?
What's the consensus on best strings for this racquet? the yonex poly on the prostaff 97 is softer than hyper g on it. sounds like maybe the stiffer poly may play better on the ezone 98 (solinco or luxilon). going 16 guage should help but today the blue hitter blue didn't feel great in it. maybe it will soften up and play better next time.
is it worth putting a leather grip on it and some led at 10 and 2? or should i wait it out for a few more hits? that is my first instinct to make the racquet even more manuverable and maybe move the sweet spot up a bit as perhaps I'm hitting higher in the loop with the prostaff's?
What's the consensus on best strings for this racquet? the yonex poly on the prostaff 97 is softer than hyper g on it. sounds like maybe the stiffer poly may play better on the ezone 98 (solinco or luxilon). going 16 guage should help but today the blue hitter blue didn't feel great in it. maybe it will soften up and play better next time.
Hit 'em clean
Semi-Pro
As far as strings go YPTP or Hyper G in both 16L and 17ga get a lot of positive remarks with this frame. I’m playing with both and find myself leaning toward the 17ga Hyper G. I love YPTP and it’s very good as well but I find the HyperG gives me a little bit more spin and control. With 17ga the comfort is really nice and power delivery is smooth. Off the ground it’s pretty close between them but on serve Hyper G has a clear edge with the spin.
I have 2 ProStaff 97 CV's strung right now one with Hyper-G and one with YPTP. What I notice is that the YPTP plays softer on the PS97 CV which mutes feel already. I like the slightly stiffer string Hyper-G on that racquet. The YPTP is almost too plush/comfortable on such a soft racquet.
That said, the old ProStaff BLX 90 is a stiffer racquet (more board like) on my arm (than both the Ezone and the PS 97 CV) and I feel like the Hyper-G is harsher on that racquet on a recent string job relative to a Yonex multi-filament I put in that. I suspect a YPTP would play better on that racquet.
The Ezone is not supposed to be too stiff so I maybe it will be like the PS 97 CV where the Hyper-G will play slightly better than the YPTP. Will try and report back.
That said, the old ProStaff BLX 90 is a stiffer racquet (more board like) on my arm (than both the Ezone and the PS 97 CV) and I feel like the Hyper-G is harsher on that racquet on a recent string job relative to a Yonex multi-filament I put in that. I suspect a YPTP would play better on that racquet.
The Ezone is not supposed to be too stiff so I maybe it will be like the PS 97 CV where the Hyper-G will play slightly better than the YPTP. Will try and report back.
Hit 'em clean
Semi-Pro
I've had a similar experience albeit the string gauges were different which probably accounts for the difference. I've played with HyperG 16L a lot, but always felt that YPTP 16 played softer. My experience on that was with stiffer frames like Pure Aero 2019, Radical Graphene XT Radical Pro, Dunlop CX200+ and CX2.0. However, in the Ezone I'm finding the HyperG softer feeling than the YPTP, but this time the HyperG is 17ga. vs a 16ga YPTP. YPTP is feeling crisper (still soft, but in comparison to the Hyperg) with really good spin/power at 46-48lbs. 46lbs and things are a little more erratic, especially on serve... and really noticeable when the tension started to drop after a 2-3 hours of play. I think 48-50lbs for me is the place to be with YPTP or the HyperG. The 17ga HyperG does feel softer and more controlled (less erratic). This spin generated with YPTP is more of the snapback of the strings which is why I find the HyperG spin more predictable. If the tension is too low you get too much snapback and it's not always consistent. I get a little more spin from the HyperG at 17ga, but it's very predictable spin since it's more a result of the shaped string rather than snapback. With both, power levels seem relatively the same to me. I like them both, but I'm leaning towards the HyperG 17ga since the results on court I proving to be better with the HyperG so far.
XFactorer
Hall of Fame
Yes. It's not as soft as I had hoped. Demo I used was strung with REXIS at the mid point, I'm guessing. It was definitely heftier and I was able to control the swing just fine, but I'm afraid I'd get too tired after a long match to be successful with it. But it's not a completely fair comparison since I use Luxilon in my own EZONE 98 and the Tour demo had REXIS.
So better to stick with the regular 98? I have one already but wanted to add a second stick.
XFactorer
Hall of Fame
The reason to get the tour would be that you like a heftier racquet. I'm used to my 305 now. I actually broke the strings tonight and had to use a Radical MP. Oh, how I appreciate my Yonex that much more!
CodyZzZ
Rookie
I played with my new Ezone 98 Tour for a few sessions now after weighing it up match my regular 305g Ezone. At the same spec of 350g and 337SW, I honestly couldn't tell a difference between the two, I was hoping I could feel the slightly lower RA on the Tour and enjoy a softer response, but didn't. Still happy with the purchase because this year's Ezone felt almost identical to the DR but the 64 vs 62 RA was not noticeable for me personally.
Thanks for the info. So since I still need a second raquet, I might still pick up a Tour. Maybe a demo one pops up in the marketplace soon.
justinhaughtmd
Rookie
I used an Ezone 98 but it was too low-powered so I switched to an Ezone 100. I’ve played more then usual and started to hit long with the 100 as I have gotten stronger although I love the feel of the 100. So I switched to the 98+ and it was
magic - a lot of power on the serve but much more control and a lower launch angle than the 100. It has plow, power, and maneuverability. It’s the one...
magic - a lot of power on the serve but much more control and a lower launch angle than the 100. It has plow, power, and maneuverability. It’s the one...
Dansan
Semi-Pro
I cut out the YPTP 16L I had in my 98 strung at 53 lbs today (YPTP from 50-53 lbs plays well). Gonna experiment and try a nat gut hybrid and see how it plays. Klip legend 16g mains vs kirsch max power crosses 55/52 lbs. I got a leather grip and a tiny bit of lead at 12. I havn't seen too many people try hybrid setups yet so I'm curious and will report back with my findings
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
if you are buying this racket,, would you for sure buy the Osaka limited version since it is so much prettier than the regular version ??
dantesinferno18
Semi-Pro
I was demoing this racket and broke the strings while hitting a serve close to the upper hoop. Is it common for these types of Mishits to pop the strings on this frame?
Hit 'em clean
Semi-Pro
Nope, it’s a demo racquet so I’m guessing it probably had old strings and/or they were synth gut?
Thanks, really enjoying this racquet (ezone 98) after coming from PS 90. I still like the PS 97CV (11.7oz but more headlight). That said, serve is better with the Ezone 98 so I'm going to try to stick with it and adapt my game slightly for it. One difference I find is on the run or with a full force OHBH the ball sails long compared to ProStaffs. I have to turn my grip to a full eastern (usually can be slightly tilted from it with the prostaffs) and think consciously of putting more topspin when I'm going to rip it.
I'll likely go 5 lbs higher to 52/53lbs with a poly for the ball to see if it corrects that problem. Have not hit with player with 4.5 power and up yet with it, just solid 4.0's and good 3.5's. I am hitting with an ex Stanford tennis player in her 20s (female) this week (who can clock the ball) and will see how I do and if I can control the ball with the Ezone. She plays with a blade so comparable racquets and has said many of her college friends have switched to Yonex in the past 18 months.
I'll likely go 5 lbs higher to 52/53lbs with a poly for the ball to see if it corrects that problem. Have not hit with player with 4.5 power and up yet with it, just solid 4.0's and good 3.5's. I am hitting with an ex Stanford tennis player in her 20s (female) this week (who can clock the ball) and will see how I do and if I can control the ball with the Ezone. She plays with a blade so comparable racquets and has said many of her college friends have switched to Yonex in the past 18 months.
Rudi Bergner
New User
How much lead? 2 grams?
A good starting point, 2g at ten and 2g at two.
Jamesporter
New User
Hello everyone,
Regarding placing lead weight at 10 and 2, would anyone know if you need to put the lead tape on both sides/faces of the frame or just one? Would the racquet balance be affected if both pieces of lead tape are on one face of the frame at 10 and 2 but not on the other? Keeping in mind that if you were to place the lead tape on both sides of the frame you would end up with 8 grams (assuming 2 gram pieces).
Intuitively, i would think it would not matter, but i would love to hear others' opinions/experiences.
Many thanks,
Dimitri
Regarding placing lead weight at 10 and 2, would anyone know if you need to put the lead tape on both sides/faces of the frame or just one? Would the racquet balance be affected if both pieces of lead tape are on one face of the frame at 10 and 2 but not on the other? Keeping in mind that if you were to place the lead tape on both sides of the frame you would end up with 8 grams (assuming 2 gram pieces).
Intuitively, i would think it would not matter, but i would love to hear others' opinions/experiences.
Many thanks,
Dimitri
The_Tennis_Blues
New User
You can use 2 alternating strips - one on at 10 on one face and one at 2 on the other face, but I believe most people cut their desired weight into 4 smaller strips and place them on both sides for the same bump in weight
Jamesporter
New User
The_Tennis_Blues,
that sounds like a good idea, many thanks.
kind regards,
Dimitri
that sounds like a good idea, many thanks.
kind regards,
Dimitri
Is there enough spin with that additional power in the Ezone 98+ to keep the balls in? Did you have better depth and control with the 98+ over the 100? Having a hard time deciding between the two.
justinhaughtmd
Rookie
TagUrIt
Hall of Fame
Demo racquets generally all have garbage strings. Even with a few off center hits the Ezone still performs, to me it really is the best racquet on the market right now.
Ash Tennis
Professional
I’m going to get the 2020 ezone le when it goes on sale in a year.
dantesinferno18
Semi-Pro
yea the demo stick had poly tourpro in it and I really liked it. I think I’ll want to add a little bit of weight and up the tension a bit. I already ordered 3 and am switching from the pro staff 95 blx so this stick definitely has more pop to it.i noticed tho when I was demoing that therewas almost no adjustment period for me. Every stroke felt awesome right from the get go. I’ve demoed a couple dozen rackets over the past year trying to find something I like more than my pro staffs and this is the only stick that felt Goodif not better than my pro staffs on almost every stroke. When I hit the ball I know exactly where it was going,and really didn’t second guess any of my shots.
Rudi Bergner
New User
How much will that affect the swing weight? 4 grams at 2 and 10? (4 grams total)anyone know the maths?
2nd Serve Ace
Hall of Fame
About 9-10 higher SW.
I just let my Ezone 98 the first time restrind and asked the man fir weighing the swingweight. 317!!
My racket weighs in a total of 344g added a shrink sleeve, and a OG + 3g of lead on 3&9 + dampener. I am pretty sure his machine was not correct.
Has someone experienced a Ezone so far away from specs? I am very satisfied with my racket and dont let myself unsettle by numbers, however my FH is really lacking a bit of plow through with this racket.
btw: just came back from todays hitting session with new strings: Solinco Tour Bite 1.20mm mains; Wilson NXT 17g cross; both 23kg.
Absolute nuts!! Amazing feel already in beginning and my FH was killing it. Good control (but less than in a full bed poly probably) and spin was similar. Power is exact on spot (will probably be too much when the strig loose up next 4-6hrs). Maybe I will string 24kg next time but I highly recommend this combination.
My racket weighs in a total of 344g added a shrink sleeve, and a OG + 3g of lead on 3&9 + dampener. I am pretty sure his machine was not correct.
Has someone experienced a Ezone so far away from specs? I am very satisfied with my racket and dont let myself unsettle by numbers, however my FH is really lacking a bit of plow through with this racket.
btw: just came back from todays hitting session with new strings: Solinco Tour Bite 1.20mm mains; Wilson NXT 17g cross; both 23kg.
Absolute nuts!! Amazing feel already in beginning and my FH was killing it. Good control (but less than in a full bed poly probably) and spin was similar. Power is exact on spot (will probably be too much when the strig loose up next 4-6hrs). Maybe I will string 24kg next time but I highly recommend this combination.
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