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Yonex EZONE 98 Tour

This racket is one of the best we’ve tested. An all around winner.

String Pattern

The number of strings running horizontally and vertically across the racket. A more dense pattern (18×20) offers more stability, while a more open pattern (16×19) offers more spin, power, and feel.

Racket Weight

Generally, beginners should stick to lightweight or medium rackets (less than 11oz). More advanced players, however, should choose medium or heavy rackets (more than 11oz). (Learn more)

Swing Weight

Swing weight is a calculated by using the racket’s weight and balance. The greater the swing weight, the more power a player will get. (Learn more)

Balance means where most of the weight is centered in the racket. Head heavy rackets (HH) offer more power, while head light (HL) rackets offer more maneuverability. (Learn more)

These are some of the characteristics of the racket you should pay attention when deciding whether this is the right racket for you or not. If you not quite sure what they mean, you can just use the "What is this?" feature in order to learn more.

The head size of the racket influences how easy it is to play with it. A large head size (over 98) makes it easier to make contact with the shots but offers little maneuverability – which is great for beginners.

Racket Length

Most rackets range from 27 to 29 inches. Longer rackets offer more power and reach, but are more difficult to maneuver. 

These numbers reflect the beam width at the head, shoulder, and handle. A larger beam usually means more power, but less maneuverability.

Choosing the right strings and the right string tension is just as important as choosing the right racket. Some rackets play better with higher tensions, while others require a lower tension. 

We've played with hundreds of rackets, so we like to be pretty thorough with our reviews. We were also told that we make the best Youtube racket reviews (yes, mostly by our moms), but also by this guy and some other cool people.

Please feel free to reach out in case you have any questions related to this racket – we’ll be happy to answer them! In the meanwhile, here are some of the most commonly asked questions.

RACKET SUMMARY

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Wilson Clash 100 Tour

Head Graphene 360+ Extreme Tour

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EZONE 98 TOUR (7th gen.)

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Yonex Ezone Review 2022: Compare the 98 & 100 Models, and Other Tennis Racquets

Will Boucek · June 2, 2024

When you buy a product through our links below, we may earn money from our affiliate partners to help support the site. However, this does not affect our evaluation or recommendation of each product.  See our list of partners & how we get paid here . You can also learn our process for reviewing tennis gear here .

The Yonex Ezone is one of the best tennis racquets for power on the market. Below, we’ll review the Yonex Ezone, including pros, cons, and different models of the racquet. Then, we’ll compare it to other tennis racquets to help you decide if the Ezone is right for you.

Review Summary & Ratings for the Yonex Ezone

Both professional and recreational tennis players have loved the Yonex Ezone tennis racquet since it first came out.

The Ezone’s power and feel suit competitive players, while the comfort and maneuverability of the racquet help juniors, beginners, and intermediate players learn and quickly improve their game. It is one of the best tennis racquets and best tennis racquets for power on the market today.

See our ratings, plus the pros and cons of the Yonex Ezone below for a quick glance at how it performs compared to other tennis racquets.

Our Ratings for the Yonex Ezone

• Groundstrokes: 9
• Easy power on groundstrokes from the baseline
• Great feel & comfort for a power-oriented racquet
• Large sweet spot makes it more forgiving & increases spin
• Good maneuverability
• Excellent racquet for most skill levels & abilities
• It lacks some stability at the net
• Not the best racquet for returns against faster serves or volleys

Different Versions of the Yonex Ezone Tennis Racquet

The Yonex Ezone tennis racquet comes in several versions that vary in weight and size. Below is a list of the different Yonex Ezone racquets on the market today.

• Yonex Ezone 98 2022
• Yonex Ezone 100
• Yonex Ezone 98 L
• Yonex Ezone 98 +
• Yonex Ezone 98 Tour

We’ll review each version in more detail below.

Yonex Ezone Review: A Power-Oriented Racquet

The technical specs of the 2022 Ezone are similar to previous models. Below you can see the specifications, then you’ll learn the advantages and disadvantages of each element.

Yonex Ezone 2022 Racquet Specifications

• Weight: 11.4 oz. strung
• Head Size: 98 square inches (also offered in 100 sq. in.)
• Length: 27 inches
• Stiffness:  65
• Balance: 324.9 mm
• String Pattern: 16 x 19

Yonex Ezone is made of graphite and weighs 11.4 ounces strung (323 g.) placing it on the heavy side among other top racquets.

With both 98 and 100 square inch head sizes available, there is a larger sweet spot making it a great option for all skill levels . The racquet is great for players looking to add controlled power from the baseline, making it one of the best tennis racquets for women .

It is the standard 27 inches long with a balance point of 325 mm, making it head light and easy to swing.

The 65 stiffness rating is a bit more flexible than many racquets for club or recreational players. However, Yonex has implemented some new technologies for 2022 to help with stability.

Read our  guide on how to choose a tennis racquet .

Read about Yonex’s other choices in our Yonex racquet reviews .

Other Sellers: Amazon.com

3 Steps to Find the Perfect Tennis Racquet for Your Game

Free checklist with 27 racquet recommendations

The Ezone Excels in Several Areas

The Ezone series is probably best known for its easy power on groundstrokes and serves. It is hard to achieve this level of power while maintaining control, but the Ezone does it better than most other tennis racquets. Its unique frame allows players to hit hard and accurately even if the shot is slightly off-center.

The isometric design of the frame increases the sweet spot by approximately 7%. Compared to a conventional round frame, the square-shaped isometric racquet generates a larger sweet spot by optimizing the intersection of the main and cross strings.

Overall, this racquet provides plenty of power while not sacrificing control for beginners to pros.

The Ezone suits advanced players looking for more spin, and beginners looking to learn topspin.

The Oval Pressed Shaft is designed to give players more spin, control, and feel. The shaft flexes at impact, increasing dwell time and minimizing vibrations. This means you’ll be able to feel the ball stay on the strings for a bit longer. The racquet isn’t hard on your elbow or shoulder either, providing minimal feedback.

For a similar racquet with even more spin consider the Yonex Vcore tennis racquet .

Despite being known for its ability to increase power, the Ezone does a good job of combining that power with added control in a comfortable racquet.

The technology helps absorb impact without sacrificing power, creating great comfort even on slight mishits . That’s one of the things that makes this racquet so special.

The racquet is even more comfortable to control if you opt for one of the lighter versions. You’ll lose a bit of power and stability on your shots, but the racquet will be easier to swing.

See our Yonex Percept tennis racquet review for an advanced tennis racquet with even better control and feel.

Stop paying full price for tennis gear! Get deals on shoes, racquets & more up to 70% off .

The Ezone 2022, like previous versions, is easy to maneuver. The racquet weighs 11.4 ounces when strung. When you pair that with the frame design, you get a racquet that is aerodynamic, reduces drag, and responds well to every shot.

Those who prefer playing on the baseline will find this racquet easy to move and swing. Generating racquet head speed is a breeze and it is perfect for topsin or flat groundstrokes.

The main drawback of this racquet is that it doesn’t excel in any particular area but rather is a balanced racquet for several styles of play. Although it isn’t necessarily a weakness, its stability at the net can be underwhelming for some advanced players.

Still, the added power and spin to your serve and groundstrokes certainly make up for the marginal loss in stability at the net.

The Ezone is Great for Serves & Groundstrokes

The Ezone performs well on both groundstrokes and serves.

• On groundstrokes,  the Ezone is easy to swing, and can provide power even on off-center shots.
• On volleys,  the racquet lacks stability making it hard to play at the net. It can also feel unstable defending against fast-paced groundstrokes.
• On returns,  the Ezone will generate good power to attack second serves. Defending against big servers will be a bit more difficult.
• On serves,  this racquet performs well. It will maximize your power and spin so you can hit flat, slice, or kick serves with ease.

Overall, the Ezone is great for players who like to stay at the baseline and want to add power and spin to their shots.

Reviewing Other Versions of the Yonex Ezone

The other versions of the Ezone are better for players of a lower skill level.

The Best Alternatives to the Yonex Ezone

Here are a few similar tennis racquets to the Yonex Ezone to consider.

• Babolat Pure Drive – The Pure Drive offers even more power than the Ezone, but with a bit less comfort and control.
• Head Extreme – This tennis racquet is great for players who like to swing big and maximize power with spin. It is a little easier to handle than the Ezone but has slightly lower stability and control.
• Wilson Ultra – The Wilson Ultra is a stiff racquet with explosive power. It doesn’t offer as much comfort as the Ezone but will provide better pop on groundstrokes and serves.
• Dunlop FX 500 – This racquet has a similar level of power with a little more stability compared to the Ezone.

My Experience Playing with the Ezone 2022

I played with the Ezone 2022 several times. I tested both the 100 and 98 versions.

I found the Ezone to be one of my favorite racquets I’ve played with for hitting groundstrokes from the baseline. It had similar power to the Babolat Pure Drive, but I felt like I could control the ball better and hit with even more accuracy.

I also liked this racquet on my serve. It felt easy to swing and generate spin. However, I couldn’t get quite as much power as I can with some other power-based racquets.

The one area that I didn’t like about this racquet was on my transition volleys. I didn’t feel like I could control the ball well, and it sort of floated at times. Racquets like the Yonex Percept offer better stability and plow through which helps me with those shots, especially in doubles.

If I played mostly singles, I’d consider switching to the Ezone 98. Its overall balance and comfortable power made it one of my favorite racquets I’ve tested.

About Will Boucek

Will Boucek is the Founder & CEO of Tennis Tribe. With over two decades of experience playing & coaching tennis, Will now works as a doubles strategy analyst for ATP & WTA tour players and coaches. Will helps tennis players at every level play better doubles through smarter strategy. He also has expertise in tennis racquets & gear, testing the latest products from Wilson, Babolat, Head, Prince, and other tennis brands.

Reader Interactions

August 5, 2024 at 9:07 am

I couldn’t agree more with your analysis. I’ve been playing for a couple of months now and my feeling is that when I am able to play my dominant game from the baseline and have the time to swing, this racket is a pure magic. Against faster high spin balls, maintaining your control might be a bit tricky. Same for volleys: very solid with slower balls, a bit unstable when being counter attacked. All in all, the “controllable power” is not a marketing trick and I can say it is an excellent racket for all levels depending on the playstyle.

August 5, 2024 at 9:48 am

Thanks George! It’s certainly one of the best racquets on the market right now 🙂

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• Tennis Equipment

Yonex ezone 98 2022

• Thread starter brick474747
• Start date Jul 24, 2022

Is it arm friendly?

Brick474747.

• Jul 24, 2022

for all the people with the ezone 98 2022 how did you like the racket? Also have you tried other similar sticks and how did they compare?  

• Jul 25, 2022

It’s funny you ask this as I’m surprised how little talk this racket gets. Now the hype has died down it seems to be not talked about at all. It only released recently too!  

Hall of Fame

• Jul 26, 2022

All the Ezone 98 players are too busy winning matches!!!  

here are six popular frames and how they compare POWER -----> CONTROL vcore 98 - ezone 98 - vcorePro 100 speed mp - radical mp - blade  

It's pretty much the only flat hitting power racket, and it does that well. Very good for compact strokes. It's in the top 3 for arm destruction though.  

Vcore more powerful than ezone, funny  

AVSH said: Vcore more powerful than ezone, funny Click to expand...

Ryebread said: That’s how it feels to me. I just looked it up to see if I’m crazy. Vcore is stiffer, has higher SW, and is more powerful. Has a larger sweet spot. The EZ requires much more effort. https://flic.kr/p/2nADuUs Click to expand...

I’ve been using it almost exclusively for the last couple months. I first made the decision to make it my main racquet sort of blindly. I was sick of playing musical racquets and switching every other day. I finally said, let’s make this work. It was tough for a while. I found myself missing some of the craftiness of my old VC95, some of the super easy power and spin of my old pure aero, and the nice foam thud of my Diadem Elevate Tours. Somewhere around the 90 day mark something clicked. Now when I go to use almost any other racquet, I can’t stand them. The Ezone 98 is the only racquet that feels like my racquet. My serve is reliable, volleys hit the sweet spot and have good power, when I’m late on my 2HBH, it swings fast enough to get me out of trouble and excuse my bad form. If I decide to absolutely juice a forehand, it never feels like it limits my power the way a Blade or other low RA racquet might, yet I never have any elbow tenderness. I will probably buy to try the new Pure Aero 23, but other than that I really don’t have much desire to play the field.  

ichaseballs

Professional.

ezone is to vcore AS pure drive is to pure aero  

ichaseballs said: ezone is to vcore AS pure drive is to pure aero Click to expand...

FuzzyYellowBalls

Yamin said: It's pretty much the only flat hitting power racket, and it does that well. Very good for compact strokes. It's in the top 3 for arm destruction though. Click to expand...

• Jul 27, 2022

FuzzyYellowBalls said: I think it can do it all, but that's debatable, however only the Tour is known to cause arm destruction, just look at the ezone 98 threads, this racket might be top 5 in arm friendliness with all the VDM everywhere. Click to expand...

Yamin said: Gonna have to strongly disagree on the comfort. If you hit with any pace yourself, or off the top hoop, it feels straight up unpleasant. VDM doesn't work for comfort imo. I predict you'll see many "I have TE from the ezone" threads just like the last one. With that being said, I've only tried it as a TW demo with what seemed to be newer strings... Click to expand...

FuzzyYellowBalls said: Yamin, the racket has been out for almost a year and especially it's been out during a full summer, the threads would have already appeared and there are some huge Ezone 2022 threads already that don't mention tennis elbow at all. You can't make a bold prediction like top 3 in elbow problems just based off of your demo experience, that doesn't make sense. I do hit with a ton of space and I almost never miss the sweet spot. Click to expand...

Yamin said: Had a similar conversation about the last Ezone and people called me crazy for saying it's not comfortable. Then the threads poured in. I'm glad it works for you. Was considering a switch from how easy it was to use, but it was almost as harsh as the PAVS. Couldn't take a ball out of the air without my butt puckering after the first day of use. Shoulder, elbow, wrist pain etc. Lot of rackets with higher RA are softer in comparison. Click to expand...

FuzzyYellowBalls said: That's really strange, honestly I think the threads would have started by now, I mean it's a top selling racket of 2022 easily. Well, definitely stay away from it, not worth elbow issues and it's a good racket, but like any racket it's not magic. Click to expand...

Curtennis said: I’ve been using it almost exclusively for the last couple months. I first made the decision to make it my main racquet sort of blindly. I was sick of playing musical racquets and switching every other day. I finally said, let’s make this work. It was tough for a while. I found myself missing some of the craftiness of my old VC95, some of the super easy power and spin of my old pure aero, and the nice foam thud of my Diadem Elevate Tours. Somewhere around the 90 day mark something clicked. Now when I go to use almost any other racquet, I can’t stand them. The Ezone 98 is the only racquet that feels like my racquet. My serve is reliable, volleys hit the sweet spot and have good power, when I’m late on my 2HBH, it swings fast enough to get me out of trouble and excuse my bad form. If I decide to absolutely juice a forehand, it never feels like it limits my power the way a Blade or other low RA racquet might, yet I never have any elbow tenderness. I will probably buy to try the new Pure Aero 23, but other than that I really don’t have much desire to play the field. Click to expand...

Yamin said: Pretty sure I recall many similar comments in the play test thread even.... Anyway, hits easy winners with basically no swing. Kinda magic in that regard. Click to expand...

Fed Kennedy

Its an easy racquet to play with and feels softer than the babolat competition. Also a lot easier to play than a blade. Most arm issues probably due to dead poly. So many people playing dead poly day in day out  

I have a similar experience to @Curtennis . I was just really mentally done with trying out rackets. I don't even think about it anymore. Ezone works out really well. I have been exclusively hitting with it since its release (2022). I had played with vc95 (for about 4 months or so), blade v7 18m (for 1.5 years), and tried a ton of rackets. This wrist/elbow health stuff is very personal. Ezone is one of the most comfortable rackets that I hit with. No twinges...soreness... nothing... comfort for me at least... and completely agree @Wheelz ... you will get horror stories about any racket. Also echo @Fed Kennedy well concise summary...  

The old tour was the culprit End of story  

boulderchips

I've also settled down with the 2022 EZ98. Love it, no desire to look elsewhere. I don't have the most sensitive arm, but I have to agree that concerns over comfort are overblown. It's comfortable unless you're using really harsh strings or missing the sweet spot constantly (or you're Mark Sansait trying desperately to manufacture clickbait). Having hit both, it's not even close to the PAVS in terms of arm impact.  

Not the plushest frame out there but does the job good enough - I've had TFCC wrist tears, but can still use this with mostly no problem, granted I stick to my tension range (and lower) as well as having polys that I can handle their stiffness, but am using this as my alternate competitive racquet alongside Gravity Pro Guaranteed I would immediately feel too much harshness when using the wrong string or tension, even with the slightest changes - E.g. I can't use ALU Power (Regular) but can use ALU Power (Ice) variant at the same tension, or if I increase 2lbs above my normal tension for any of my regular strings, I can feel those differences enough to make it uncomfortable for my wrist and elbow Usually it's the cold and wet weather that gets me, playing with wet balls and/or dead strings will ruin you one way or another in due time  

my 0.02: ez98 2022: - maneuverable, appeals to a wide range of people - good blend of power/control - i would pick this over say the PS16x19 (i owned PO7 version)- definitely more comfortable - does feel dampened (less so without a dampener)- personally, i don't like the 'feel' but this is subjective (prefer the feel of gravity racquets). i haven't had any discomfort with my usual set up (gut/poly)- have not tried other strings. - i have it in my bag as a backup- i prefer 100", 18x20 frames with slightly higher swingweight  

ACT said: Not the plushest frame out there but does the job good enough - I've had TFCC wrist tears, but can still use this with mostly no problem, granted I stick to my tension range (and lower) as well as having polys that I can handle their stiffness, but am using this as my alternate competitive racquet alongside Gravity Pro Guaranteed I would immediately feel too much harshness when using the wrong string or tension, even with the slightest changes - E.g. I can't use ALU Power (Regular) but can use ALU Power (Ice) variant at the same tension, or if I increase 2lbs above my normal tension for any of my regular strings, I can feel those differences enough to make it uncomfortable for my wrist and elbow Usually it's the cold and wet weather that gets me, playing with wet balls and/or dead strings will ruin you one way or another in due time Click to expand...

boulderchips said: I've also settled down with the 2022 EZ98. Love it, no desire to look elsewhere. I don't have the most sensitive arm, but I have to agree that concerns over comfort are overblown. It's comfortable unless you're using really harsh strings or missing the sweet spot constantly (or you're Mark Sansait trying desperately to manufacture clickbait). Having hit both, it's not even close to the PAVS in terms of arm impact. Click to expand...

• Jul 28, 2022

Hit with 98 today, strung with hyper g soft 18 @54/52. My elbow just recovered from TE (not fully healthy) and of course.. my wrist start to have little pain.. But, I don’t got it when using prince textreme 98 with same string but different tension @53/51 Any advice what should i do? - string with lower tension with HGS? - change to multi / syn gut maybe? HGS 18 very suit my style of play. It has control & spin that i needed. and i don’t want to buy another rackets, because this is my 5th different stick in a 1.5 month LOL. So, really need some help here. Thanks!  

Aldukuhi said: Hit with 98 today, strung with hyper g soft 18 @54/52. My elbow just recovered from TE (not fully healthy) and of course.. my wrist start to have little pain.. But, I don’t got it when using prince textreme 98 with same string but different tension @53/51 Any advice what should i do? - string with lower tension with HGS? - change to multi / syn gut maybe? HGS 18 very suit my style of play. It has control & spin that i needed. and i don’t want to buy another rackets, because this is my 5th different stick in a 1.5 month LOL. So, really need some help here. Thanks! Click to expand...

emaz8724 said: I wouldn’t go full poly if you have those issues historically. I have my EZ98 strung with Lynx Tour Mains at 49 lbs/ Synth gut crosses at 52 lbs and I’ve had no issues. As comfortable as my blade v7 so far. Hope you feel better soon, man! Click to expand...

1.25 Lynx Tour Mains and 1.25 Head Synth Gut Crosses. Cheap setup that gets some great bite on the ball without dropping tension too quickly.  

emaz8724 said: 1.25 Lynx Tour Mains and 1.25 Head Synth Gut Crosses. Cheap setup that gets some great bite on the ball without dropping tension too quickly. Click to expand...

if you want better tension maintenance, use ytex co-poly string. their round string is called protour, go with 17 or 17L, it's my go-to. if you want something identical to yonex poly tour pro 1.25, use ytex profeel 16L (1.25) it's natural color, great string. these last twice as long as other poly  

Ryebread said: if you want better tension maintenance, use ytex co-poly string. their round string is called protour, go with 17 or 17L, it's my go-to. if you want something identical to yonex poly tour pro 1.25, use ytex profeel 16L (1.25) it's natural color, great string. these last twice as long as other poly Click to expand...

Damn this racquet massacres the ball on flat serves , makes my Pavs look like a blade. Also much better racquet than pavs for forehand styles like khachanov kyrgios tiafoe (meaning much vertical motion)  

The ezone 98 is the Honda Accord V6 of racquets. Plenty of power and sportiness but there are more attractive options out there I.e. HEAD in terms of performance AND feel. I like Yonex for being arm friendly but have found in general the performance in other frames to be better with better feel.  

The EZONE is a solid frame for sensitive arms if you are looking for that 300-305g type of frame that offers some additional power vs a players stick, you just need to string it on the lower side (under 50lbs) and run a multi either full bed or just the mains. When switching from the DR98, it felt a little jarring but to dampen this I also added lead tape at 3/9/handle and switched to a slightly more cushioned grip.  

n80aoag said: The ezone 98 is the Honda Accord V6 of racquets. Plenty of power and sportiness but there are more attractive options out there I.e. HEAD in terms of performance AND feel. I like Yonex for being arm friendly but have found in general the performance in other frames to be better with better feel. Click to expand...

FuzzyYellowBalls said: It's out-preforming heads in the hands of US college players Click to expand...

yessir said: Really? Click to expand...

FuzzyYellowBalls said: Sure, if you mean popularity. I'd go Blade as the clear #1 and then Pure Aero/Drive, Pure Strike, Ezone. I have no idea which Head would fit in there as a very common college player stick. Click to expand...

hadoken said: The EZONE is a solid frame for sensitive arms if you are looking for that 300-305g type of frame that offers some additional power vs a players stick, you just need to string it on the lower side (under 50lbs) and run a multi either full bed or just the mains. Click to expand...

I'm currently using the Ez98 2022 soft co poly from ytex protour 17L orange 1.23mm 50 lb mains 47 lb crosses I like the pocketing very comfortable down here  

The Ezone 98 is by far the most comfortable racquet I've ever used. The issue was that for some reason, it felt like it flattened my shots, as if I had to be very deliberate if I wanted to shape the ball differently. It felt incredible especially on flat serves. My volleys were way more clean with this racquet, but that could have been due to handle weight I put in it. Groundstrokes actually felt plush, even with full bed Hyper G in it. I went with the Vcore 100+ instead because I generally hit spinnier, I like more free power, and I don't really get chances to volley much in singles. If I played exclusively doubles, I'd use the Ezone 98.  

SeanK said: Just to clarify, Do you mean the new Prince ATS Textreme Tour 98 or Prince Textreme Beast 98 that you're comparing this to? Click to expand...

Waiting for the new Pure Aero and the new Tech ISO 305 summer sticks  

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Yonex Ezone 98 Review

I have been play-testing the new Ezone 98 for a while and it’s been enjoyable. Here is my Yonex Ezone 98 Review.

The Yonex Ezone 98 series is likely the bestselling Yonex racquet of all time (just guessing). With players such as Nick Kyrgios (Xi 98), Naomi Osaka (Ai 98), Marton Fucsovics (Dr 98) ,  and plenty of other players using this line of racquets – it’s been a blockbuster among competitive players the world over. I tried all of them and liked them all for different reasons. I thought I had given the 2020 Ezone 98 a proper test in my Yonex Ezone prototype review , but this one does feel slightly different to me (although it might be my memory playing tricks on me or just that my game has changed). That’s why I felt the need to do this Yonex Ezone 98 Review (video to come!).

Yonex Ezone 98 Specs

Yonex are usually one of the best in the business for quality control and my specs aligned to the T with the listed Tennis Warehouse specs . I strung the racquet with Yonex Poly Tour Pro 1.20 at 49 lbs or 22 kg, added a Yonex Supergrap overgrip and got: 327g, 32 cm balance (6 pts HL), and 315.5 SW. This does not include a dampener.

Head Size: 98 in² / 632.26 cm²

Length: 27in / 68.58cm

Strung Weight: 11.3oz / 320g

Balance: 12.75in / 32.39cm / 6 pts HL

Swingweight: 317

Stiffness: 64

Beam Width: 23mm / 24mm / 19mm

Composition: M40X/HM Graphite

String pattern: 16 Mains / 19 Crosses (skip 8T, 8H)

The specs tells the story of a fast swinging and powerful racquet that will be relatively easy to use for a 98 – and that’s exactly what it is!

How does it play?

The Yonex Ezone 98 offers above-average power for the head size and pairs that with impressive comfort. I suffer from a stiff forearm and elbow niggles from time to time, but I had no such issues with the Ezone 98. The racquet is well-dampened (perhaps a bit too much for some players) and handles vibrations really well.

I got ample power on my groundstrokes, similar to what I did with the VCORE 98 . I feel like the directional control is better with the Ezone 98 due to less string movement and a slightly tighter string pattern. The VCORE 98 is also perhaps a tiny bit more powerful, but that’s hard to say because I tried them with different string setups. What is clear is that the VCORE 98 has a higher launch angle, which is great for spin players, but flatter hitters like myself will enjoy the Ezone more.

The Ezone 98 is probably the easiest 98 sq inch racquet I have ever used. Just point and shoot with decent control. I was more taken by this one than the prototype I tried in 2020. On one hand, I appreciate powerful racquets more these days, on the other hand, they could also be slightly different.

The Ezone 98 is best from the back of the court and aggressive baseliners should enjoy this frame a lot. It doesn’t have the best feel on touch shots and volleys, where I feel it’s a little too muted perhaps, but there is no issue with the stability despite the friendly swing weight .

Pros and cons

+ Power + Comfort + Large sweet spot

– A bit too muted – Not the best racquet for touch shots – Too powerful for many who enjoy the famous Ai and Dr versions.

All in all, I’ve been happy using the Ezone 98. It’s much more arm-friendly than the Ezone 98 Tour that I fell in love with a while back and that’s why I would consider using this racquet in matches where I need some help from the gear but don’t want to go all the way to the power of most 100 sq inch racquets.

I can recommend this frame for players 4.0 and upwards who want a fast, powerful, and fun racquet that they can create havoc with from the baseline. Touch-players and players who like to get to the net, might not find the finesse here that they require. But perhaps this is where the Regna comes in? (Review to come!). PS. Patrons of Tennisnerd already know what I feel about the Regna :) Ds.

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Thanks for reading this review! Video to come in a couple of days.

Jonas Eriksson

Jonas has been known as "tennis nerd" mainly for his obsessing about racquets and gear. Plays this beautiful sport almost every day.

Indian Wells in October!

Popular racquets among the pros, you may also like, yonex vcore 98 tour review, best racket / string combos right now, head gravity tour 98, karolina muchova’s racquet – player profile, new tecnifibre tf40 (2024), head radical mp 18/20 review, adv backpack v2 review, wilson rf pro or pro staff rf 97..., wilson rf racquet review, nordicdots model 99 racquet.

Hello Jonas, great review! How do you compare to head extreme tour, your head of choice? Confort and power wise!? Thank you

ezone 98 vs ezone 100?

teen player, 16yo, USTA ranking between 3.5 and 4.0 serving and vollying not there yet, basics (forehand backhand lob smash etc) good

thanks, id like a racket to continue with for like 5+ years (or longer if possible, im just curious about the differences between the 98 and 100)

I made a video about this actually: https://youtu.be/x92wiw58e90

It sounds like the 100 might be the right choice for you.

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Yonex EZONE 98

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Racquet Customization $30 per frame. You provide us with the exact specifications you would like for your racquets. Learn More

This racquet’s raw speed and spin-friendly targeting make it one of the most accessible player’s racquets on the market

Specifications, pros endorsing/using this racquet.

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Customer Reviews

Previous feedback  .

Comments: Yonex continues to impress with this latest version of their EZONE 98. The 2022 updates, though subtle, are nonetheless substantive. The overall takeaway, for me, was it took an already winning recipe and addressed the key criticisms (lacking feel and stability). The improved dwell time upon impact definitely helped me feel more connected with my shots, and the increased stability and NAMD2 in the throat also stood out. The ball just feels like it comes off truer, with less deflection for better overall consistency. Though too light for my taste (current VCP 97H player), I can't wait to try the upcoming 98 Tour with the corrected balance! Overall, I'm very impressed with this latest version and it's perfect for the intermediate to advanced player looking for a solid 'modern' players' frame with improved feel and stability. One gets the sense that Yonex is making a concerted effort to listen to player feedback, and it shows in their updates for all three of their model lines. Their QA is the industry leader, and I am really impressed with their latest offerings as a whole. From: Perry, Fremont, CA, 2/20/22

Comments: I have played with Babolat Pure Drives, Head Radicals, Wilson Blades, Yonex VCore Pros, etc. I currently owned a pair of the latest Pure Drives (2021). I have been looking and researching for an easy to play racquet, meaning using less effort with decent control. I am about a 3.5/4.0 level player. This racquet is amazing; it plays like a Pure Drive, but better. It's less stiff and has more controllable power, due to the 98 head size. It has plenty of power, but the key is controllable power. Each person is different, so I don't think a racquet that is good for one person is good for another. You have to try it out for yourself. You can demo it, but to me, demo-ing is useless as you don't usually get the strings or tension you want. And seriously, unless you demo a racquet for 6 months, there is no way you can definitively decide a racquet fits your playing style in a short period of time. That's just my 2 cents. By the way, Yonex has the highest quality control and no other brand comes close.  From: Tony W., Calabasas, CA, 2/12/22

Comments: I'm 4.0 level, and I can say it's quite a demanding racket, you need to put a lot of effort to make this an exceptional weapon. If you are out of shape or don't really want to sweat I recommend trying the EZONE 100 as its so much easier to use. But if you are the one that grunts and make screech noises on the court with a proper full swing, this one is a great weapon in your hand. From: Harry, Long Beach, CA, 2/11/22

Comments: I'm a current DR 98 user. I'm a 4.0, 2 handed backhand player (not that this makes me anymore qualified to give advice). I was looking to possibly make a switch given the scarcity of quality DR frames on eBay. However, I can't recommend making a change if you are a DR fan. The new EZONE isn't a bad racquet. However, I find it lacking in all the areas that make the DR special. The control and feel aren't close to the same levels when comparing it to the DR. I lose the ability to hit completely out and feel comfortable where I'm placing the ball. You will, however, be able to more easily generate power, topspin, and pace with the new EZONE. Unmodified, the racquet is about 7 to 8 points lighter in swing weight as it compares to the DR. Obviously, you could add some tape to boost the swing weight. That being said, my two handed backhand suffers when playing with this frame as well as my slice (due to the swing weight). The DR is by no means a scalpel, but significantly better for both. I would recommend this racquet to anyone that wants access to bigger serves and more powerful ground strokes. If you like the feel of the new EZONE and can rein in the power, this might be for you. However, I won't be leaving my DR for this. I feel like this racquet (out of the the box) is better suited for a one handed backhand player as well. From: John, 2/3/22

Comments: I am a strong 4.0 playing with a Wilson Clash Tour (Pro) for past few years. The Clash Tour has been great, but I've grown more aggressive at the net and want a racquet with more stability. I've tried a bunch of racquets (Yonex, Head, Tecnifibre, Babolat, etc) but hadn't found the one worth switching for until now. The new EZONE 98 is a great racquet for my all court style. And for some reason, this stick really suits my one handed backhand. Yes I wish it had a bit more weight and the handle wasn't oddly sized, but I'm ordering a couple of these to be my main racquet and will tweak to find my ideal setup. Highly recommend this racquet if you generate your own power and want a forgiving racquet that offers good feel. From: Scott, Corte Madera, CA, 1/17/22

Comments: I am an intermediate to advanced player (3.5 — 4.0) I've been playing for about 5 years now and have a great feel for equipment. I can tell almost instantly the difference between racquets, weight and balance. I use a 2020 Yonex EZone 98 strung with Yonex PolyTour Rev 16L. I use a shock buster (long one) and Wilson Pro overgrip. I have to tell you, the difference between the 2020 vs 2022 was slight. I just demoed the 2022 ezone 98 and 100 racquets with a friend. It came strung with PolyTour Rev which is my current favorite string (approximately at 50lbs). First impressions, light hitting: it felt very similar to the 2021 VCore 98. Same type of sound when hitting the ball and similar control. This was the big difference for me vs the 2020. The 2020 for light hitting felt more solid. From the baseline: swinging full tilt, I noticed a tad more precision with the new 22 EZone; however, there was not much difference in feel or power between the two. I was surprised because when playing mini-tennis, I noticed a similar feel and sound as the 2021 VCore 98, but not from the baseline. Also in my demo was the 2022 EZone 100. I have to say it felt like I was cheating using this racquet. I had virtually no mis-hits, and the power was ridiculous. I'm not sure if it was as fun because I didn't feel like I was making any real effort. Like I didn't need to try to put the ball where I wanted. It just kind of went there with little effort. And the serves were just bombs. I did hit a few long because of the easy power, but I might use this racquet when I'm getting fatigued and need to finish a match. The sweet spot almost feels like an oversized racket compared to the 98. If you want precision with power go for the 2022 EZone 98, if you want easy tennis with little effort the 2022 EZone 100 is for you. I would recommend either of these racquets. From: Acechester, NY, 12/29/21