Yonex Ezone Xi 98 Club

[asifallasleep]

I was curious about this frame because I read it was Kyrgios real frame and so I figured why not. Wow and wow.

Bought two used ones, added a leather grip and was blown away. It's a modern player's frame. Good plow, over 12 ounces, stable, really good power, very maneuverable, great spin, easy to use, doesn't feel like a toy, beam not too thick --- feels thinner than it is......can effortless switch from heavy rpms to flat bombs on forehands, it's a sleeper hit. I don't believe it was on anyone's radar when released.

Purchased 3 more for a total of 5. They are getting more and more rare.

Who's using this stick?

 

[Phantasm]

Almost switched to these after trying my friend's while I was using the DR98. I could not get dialed in with it on serve for whatever reason.

It's obviously me cause Nick is serving WOMDs with it.

Leather grip + a lil lead in the head is a good combo.


What happened to the H19s? Did you want some more free power after selling the Aeros?

 

[Tommy Haas]

Can I be considered an honorary member having the Ai 98? It's pro stock like the Xi 98 since Kyrgios and Osaka still use them.

 

[asifallasleep]

Almost switched to these after trying my friend's while I was using the DR98. I could not get dialed in with it on serve for whatever reason.

It's obviously me cause Nick is serving WOMDs with it.

Leather grip + a lil lead in the head is a good combo.


What happened to the H19s? Did you want some more free power after selling the Aeros?

How was your flat serves with the Xi 98? Nick typically hits a flat first serve which are bombs. I completely crank flat first serves with it as well.

I still preferred the open pattern and additional power of my RF97's over the H19's. With the Xi 98, it's easier to swing out compared to the H19 and the RF97.
12.1 with the Xi 98 gives me similar power as my 12.5+ RF97's.

To me the Xi 98 feels nothing like a Babolat. It has an old school feel to it with a wee bit of modern.

 

[scotus]

Almost switched to these after trying my friend's while I was using the DR98. I could not get dialed in with it on serve for whatever reason.

It's obviously me cause Nick is serving WOMDs with it.

Leather grip + a lil lead in the head is a good combo.


What happened to the H19s? Did you want some more free power after selling the Aeros?

Nick can serve bombs with any racquet

 

[asifallasleep]

Nick can serve bombs with any racquet

I can't. LOL. I can with the Xi 98.

 

[dje31]

I picked up two EZXi98 when they were on TW closeout for $99 US / each. Tried the EZAi98, liked it, figured the EZXi98 should be close. I think it's even better. Glad I took a chance and it paid off.

Only mods are a half-size sleeve on each, cut to ~2/3 length, wrapped with Fairway leather, suede side out ( a la Lendl ) , reverse wrap, as I'm a lefty, bringing the factory 4-3/8 to just shy of 4-1/2. Perfection.

Cyclone 19 mains, OGSM 17 crosses ( or Forten Sweet 17, not much difference from what I can tell ) : 47M / 43C on one, 41M / 37C on the other. Warm up and cool down with the looser one, tighter one for the bulk of the time...or if I'm getting tired, go to the looser...I can always swap without issue, despite that fairly big tension difference.

 

[dje31]

Unintentional duplicate post

 

[Sambuccashake]

It's been a while since I tested the Ai98 but I remember that it wasn't for me. Didn't gel with me.
Would still like to have a Yonex stick in the arsenal though...

I have my eyes on an almost unused Xi98 selling for $50 which seems like a good deal on an under appreciated offering from Yonex.

What say ye? If Ai98 didn't work, will the Xi98 be too similar?

 

[asifallasleep]

It's been a while since I tested the Ai98 but I remember that it wasn't for me. Didn't gel with me.
Would still like to have a Yonex stick in the arsenal though...

I have my eyes on an almost unused Xi98 selling for $50 which seems like a good deal on an under appreciated offering from Yonex.

What say ye? If Ai98 didn't work, will the Xi98 be too similar?

The Ai and DR were departures from the Xi. The Xi was more raw, played more stiff, not as muted and to me felt closer to a Wilson K90 or Blade 93.

 

[dje31]

It's been a while since I tested the Ai98 but I remember that it wasn't for me. Didn't gel with me.
Would still like to have a Yonex stick in the arsenal though...

I have my eyes on an almost unused Xi98 selling for $50 which seems like a good deal on an under appreciated offering from Yonex.

What say ye? If Ai98 didn't work, will the Xi98 be too similar?

For $50, it's worth a shot. If you hate it, you could probably flip it easily, maybe even make a couple of bucks.

 

[Federerkblade]

Best frames period

Yonex needs to do a ReRun !!!!

 

[asifallasleep]

Best frames period

Yonex needs to do a ReRun !!!!

There happens to be a new version that was recently released that goes back to the original attributes of the Xi 98. It's gotten excellent reviews with the only complaint being a little unstable at the top of the head and not enough plow. The Xi 98 IMO only needed a leather grip whereas this new one perhaps needs a leather grip and some weight in the head. The Xi 98 was 310g whereas the new one is 305g unstrung. I believe the Xi 98 also was stiffer, which I prefer. The Ai and DR were softer and had a more delayed response from the stringbed.

Apparently when this frame was release no one purchased it. I don't think Yonex had any big stars with any drawing power back then. I think Kirilenko used the 100 version this frame when it was released.

You can barely find any videos about it anywhere.

 

[asifallasleep]

Full bed of poly is the way to go. Hybrid is way too much power for this frame.

 

[Federerkblade]

Agree full poly and polytour pro goes great in it .

I did try the new Ezone 98 2018 version as a comparison to the Xi 98

It isn't the same or on the same level . I cannot remember exact feedback now but it was not up to 50 percent off the Xi

Yonex if they sold it againunder kyrgios new stealth paintjob would sell loads

 

[gutfeeling]

I have 3 brand new plastic still on handle. PM me for details. Located in the US.

 

[Federerkblade]

Nice US Uk bit far but will drop you a message

 

[lyw1995]

Does this racquet have a very small buttcap? Mine has almost no flare; the previous owner had to build a flare.

 

[topspn]

Yeah flare is certainly not pronounced on the XI 98

 

[lyw1995]

ok cool, good to know. Also i was playing with both the xi 98 and dr 98. xi 98 has G2 grip and dr 98 has G3 grip/wilson leather grip. I found my dr 98 to be less maneuverable, and it makes my forearm sore very quickly. Did 1 grip size increase make that big of a difference? I have played with wilson's, head's, and yonex's 4 3/8 grips before and never had any forearm issues.

It is worth noting that my dr 98 is in fair condition and may possibly have internal damage. https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/is-this-yonex-ezone-dr-98-cracked.642458/

but idk, what could make such a big difference?

 

[topspn]

My XI 98 is L3 and have no issues with maneuverability or discomfort.

 

[lyw1995]

My XI 98 is L3 and have no issues with maneuverability or discomfort.

sorry i meant my dr 98 is L3 and is causing me those problems. my xi 98 is L2 and is fine. but would one grip size difference really makes that big of a difference? I have never experienced any arm pain like this. not even tennis elbow *knock on wood*. That's why i am suspecting if my dr 98 has internal damage.

 

[topspn]

sorry i meant my dr 98 is L3 and is causing me those problems. my xi 98 is L2 and is fine. but would one grip size difference really makes that big of a difference? I have never experienced any arm pain like this. not even tennis elbow *knock on wood*. That's why i am suspecting if my dr 98 has internal damage.

Even if an L3 is a bit big for you it should not cause any pain.