ezone 98 tour 2022 review

Yonex Ezone 98 2022 Review

The ezone is meant to suit all players – providing classic comfort with the signature yonex sweet-spot. but does it deliver, and how does it play overall find out in this playtest and review..

Over 2022, Yonex began updating one of their main racket lines – the Ezone. The weapon of choice for Nick Kyrgios, Naomi Osaka and Belinda Bencic, the Ezone is meant to be an all-around racket for all skill levels.

The Ezone is now in its 7th generation, providing plush comfort and effortless power. It can be a popular choice for club players due to its versatility, suiting most playing styles.

The New Ezone Rackets

From the Spring to the late Summer of 2022, Yonex released a new range of Ezone rackets with light, ultra-light and junior variants. The main ones were:

Recent developments in the construction of the Ezone include 2G-Namd 2 Speed graphite (carbon nanotubes in the throat of the racket), which give a softer feel and increased ball speed.

A new Aero Shape frame gives more flexibility, while a thicker beam maintains stability on contact.

Ezone Cosmetics

Compared with the 6 th generation of Ezones, the 7 th uses a darker pallet of blues as the primary colours, with a hint of shimmering turquoise to give it a classier look.

The lighter colours are cut with bold navy-blue lines as the turquoise fades towards the bottom of the frame. Small details like the fins at the base of the throat, and the angles around the frame, portend to speed and manoeuvrability, which we’ll get to later but give the racket a sharp, sword-like style.

I love the bright silver Yonex stamps that adorn the base of the frame and the butt cap with the brand’s signature green. Even the vibration-dampening mesh on the underside of the frame appears sleek, with a gently opaque cover that neatly covers the exposed strings.

The frame and throat have a matte feel that is nice to hold when volleying or changing grip, with no chance of slipping.

Altogether, the racket looks luxurious and precise. The main physical difference between Yonex rackets, in general, and other brands, is their “Isometric” or oval-shaped frames that are supposed to increase the sweet spot by up to 7%.

Specifications and Setup

As usual, excellent quality control from Yonex here, and when a racket comes out of their factory in Japan, it is invariable close to the target specs.

Where the Ezone 98 Fits Within the EZONE Range

The Ezone 98 racket for this playtest was strung with Yonex Poly Tour Rev , with a 1.30 mm gauge at 44 lbs.

First Impressions

Immediately noticeable was how plush and smooth the racket felt from the 2G-Namd 2 technology and dampening mesh.

Rallying from the back of the court was a dream, as my strokes were met with apparently little or no resistance while I made contact with the ball. This small change made me less drained as play went on since I was confident that I would not be tired from shot fatigue alone during lengthy exchanges.

The smoothness naturally encouraged me to follow through and make a complete stroke wherever possible. Yonex’s more prominent sweet spot from its Isometric frame also boosted confidence. Even if I didn’t make a full swing, enough power would come from the racket to keep me at the point without causing a shorter ball and making me vulnerable to my opponent’s attacks.

A slightly larger head size than what I was used to (95 in 2 ) meant that I lost some accuracy and initially found it challenging to aim for lines or take more risks. But as time went on and I got used to the racket, I was able to make more precise shots. For most players, I wouldn’t suspect a 98 in 2 would cause a significant difference from what they’re used to in terms of accurate directional control and placement.

I particularly appreciated the flared grip at the bottom of the handle. More often these days, whenever I peruse tennis shops and browse the gear, I find new releases of rackets that have straight handles instead of flared ones.

For me, the flared grip helps control, as I can feel more of which part of the racket I am holding onto and which bevel my knuckle is resting on. This not only helps me slot into the proper grip for my intended shot but also provides more friction between my hand and the handle for greater energy transfer.

I have found in the past that straight handles can slip out of position easily, so the maintenance from Yonex of this type of handle removed any doubt from my mind that I could easily misfire the ball out of court.

Full Ezone 98 Review

Groundstrokes

The large sweet spot again provided reliable access to power in my groundstrokes. The oval frame also offered a stable spring bed, where I felt comfortable enough to hit flatter shots and topspin. On the forehand side especially, the amount of topspin generated was significant, partly thanks to the fins or notches at the base of the throat and the angled frame.

Similar to the Babolat Aero, these features help reduce drag when swinging through the air, resulting in more incredible racket-head speeds, which in turn means more topspin. During most exchanges, I could generate a satisfying arc on the ball because the racket was so manoeuvrable when I was on or just behind the baseline and had sufficient time. But if I received a short ball and had to use a shorter takeback, the oval shape felt a little cumbersome as I tried to get the ball over the net.

The access to punchy, flat shots was welcome on the backhand side, especially when attempting a backhand down the line. While I had lost a little accuracy, a topspin crosscourt backhand groundstroke was easy enough to aim, clearing the net’s height.

One area where the Ezone excelled was slicing. The wide frame meant I had confidence in making enough contact with the ball to impart the necessary spin to keep it low on my opponent’s side of the court. The racket would produce a deep backhand slice even if I stretched to make the shot. The angles cut into the racket’s throat, made it even more evident where I was holding it, and facilitated an efficient grip change.

Due to the racket being head-light and the little extra weight I was used to (+10 g), my wrist began to ache after 2 hours of play. To be sure, the comfort of the string bed was still there, but I had to limit the power with which I hit a little to avoid further discomfort.

Nevertheless, a lighter head gave me considerable control over the racket when volleying, either punching the ball away for a winner or a Federer-like punch-slice volley that skidded to the surface on contact with the ground.

As with the groundstrokes and slices, even if I did not make complete contact, the racket’s sweet spot was forgiving and offered the necessary power to maintain dominance at the point. The feel was so smooth that part of me felt in the more delicate volleys and moments around the net; I didn’t have enough feedback for executing a drop-shot, for example. It was certainly doable, but the control I was used to was not there as much. A full volley was more straightforward to pull off than a gentle half volley in the forecourt.

On the return of serve, if I took a couple of steps behind the line and faced average ball speeds, the racket glided through the air and made a satisfying “thud”.

However, because of the lightness of the head, against faster-serving opponents, my shorter takeback did not produce the same result, and block returns often found themselves landing into the net.

I found many of my balls not making it over on the backhand side, especially where block returns are more common, especially with one-handed players. Either I would have to take a step back (giving more time to my opponent) to make a more leisurely return with topspin, or I would have to run around the ball and hit an inside-out forehand, which was not sustainable over time. My opponent would figure out what I was doing and aim for broader and wider angles when serving into the ad court.  

I can’t easily separate Kyrgios from his iconic Yonex racket when he’s serving, either being used to bomb down unreturnable aces or as an outlet for anger by hitting it into the ground.

Like his mix of serving styles, from flat, kick, slice and even reverse kick, the Yonex is a versatile instrument.

Not that I can yet do a reverse kick, but hitting down the “T” was a joy with flat serves, while again, the oval shape was wide enough to generate lots of spins when attempting a slice or kick serve.

Like the Head Prestige MP L I reviewed this time last year, the weight of the handle while I was in the trophy position, helped me sense precisely where the racket was when it was standing upright in my grasp and helped me angle the racket’s face to control where I wanted the ball to land accurately.

Who is this Racket For?

While the racket does indeed have some versatility, it does not outperform in every area. I would say the players who would get the most out of the racket would be sorted by playing style more than ability.

Any skill level would benefit from this racket – the smooth comfort and power are welcomed by all, especially if players suffer from or are prone to wrist, arm and shoulder injuries from repetitive strain.

However, the racket suits players who like to hit from behind the line and don’t come too far forward.

A measured groundstroke from any other racket with time for a full swing would turn into a powerful shot if executed by the Ezone.

Players who like to take the ball on the rise, come forward and have moments of gentle touch in the forecourt may feel the racket is lacking in some areas. But those elements are still not impossible to pull off.

Final Thoughts

I like the way the Ezone 98 initially plays. The easy access to power and its multiple offerings of topspin, flat and slice shots encourage tactical variation and experimentation from the baseline, vital for keeping matches interesting and your opponent on their toes.

The best feature has to be the comfort when hitting, as it feels so good to swing through the ball when you have time. But if you have to take a shorter swing or find yourself in the forecourt, the head’s wide shape can be challenging to manoeuvre.

The stable string bed makes for reliable hitting, and the large sweet spot also makes half-contacted shots turn out good, with enough power on the ball.

But, the strain on my wrist towards the end of play and the lack of touch regarding drop-shots made me wonder if the Ezone was the right racket for every situation.

• Sleek cosmetics
• Versatile racket
• Put strain on the wrist after prolonged play
• Lacks some control

Have you tried the EZONE 98 or other rackets in the EZONE line? Let me know what you think in the comments.

Alex Nulliah

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A Really good read!

Fantastic read. Very insightful. Looking forward to more of Alex’s articles!

The best racket cosmetic of 2022 IMO. The paint job and colours looks brilliant on it.

Hi Alex, first of all thank you for your honest review. I am writing to ask you for advice: which 98 inch racket weighing between 305g and 315g do you think is the most complete for those who play one-handed backhands and mixed forehands (more rotations from the baseline and flat when entering the court)?

There is no such thing as a racket that is good for one-handed backhands or mixed forehands. What works well for one player might not work for another, so you need to demo them and see.

The key is finding a racket that you can accelerate equally fast on all planes of contact without fatiguing quickly; this can differ for all players and is more about physical strength than technique.

Babolat Pure Strike 16×19 3rd Gen Yonex VCORE 98 2023 Tecnifibre TF40 305 (16×19)

Would all be worth demoing if you want a 98 head.

What strings would you recommend? What did you test it with Poly only would you consider a hybrid

This was tested with Yonex Poly Tour Rev.

Strings are to personal taste, it can work with any string be it poly, synthetic, or hybrid. I like it with a gut poly hybrid. Currently, I am using it with a full bed of MSV Swift: https://www.perfect-tennis.com/msv-swift-review/

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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

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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.

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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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Yonex Ezone 98 (2022) Review

Yonex ezone 98 (2022), about the brand.

Yonex Co., Ltd. is a Japanese sports equipment manufacturing company. In 1946, Yonex was founded in a snow-covered village in Niigata, Japan, by Mr. Minoru Yoneyama, who was born in 1924 and died in 2019 in Nagaoka, Niigata, Japan.

Yonex produces equipment and apparel for tennis, badminton, golf, and running. Yonex manufactures and commercialises equipment for badminton, tennis (rackets, shuttlecocks, balls, bags), and golf (clubs, bags). Yonex also produces athletic shoes and a wide range of apparel that includes T-shirts, jackets, skirts, shorts, hoodies, leggings, and hats.

In 1957, Yoneyama began to make badminton rackets for other brands. By 1961 , the first Yoneyama-branded racquet was introduced, and within another two years, an export company was created for worldwide distribution. After that, the company began to make aluminium badminton racquets.

In 1969 , it was found that the same technology could be applied to the tennis racket, which the company introduced in 1971. The company began to experiment with graphite shafts for both types of rackets and found that these would also be useful for golf clubs.

In 1982 Yonex came out with the new Oversized Tennis Racquet in the REX- Series with the R-7 and R-10 racquets. At that time, Martina Navratilova played with the R-7 and was very successful. One year later, the New Series Rexking was developed with the R-22 . Navratilova subsequently used the White RQ 180 Widebody Frame until the early 1990s. Yonex sponsors the All England Open Badminton Championships and is a partner of the Badminton World Federation, which organises the World Championships.

In 2021 , Yonex will celebrate its  75th anniversary. Yonex Officially Sponsors some World’s Leading Tennis Players like Anna Kournikova, Ana Ivanovic, Angelique Kerber, Carolina Wozniacki, Daniela Hantuchova, David Nalbandian, Elena Dementivia, Lleyton Hewitt, Nick Kyrgios, Stan Wawarinka, Martina Hingis, Martina Navratilova, Mary Pierce, Monica Seles and many more.

Description

Yonex Ezone 98 (2022), a navy-blue base with a premium gradient fading into mint and sky blue, is the seventh generation racquet from Yonex. Yonex Ezone 98 (2022) is the racquet preferred by four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka , Olympic gold medalist Belinda Bencic , Nick Kyrgios, and many more.

This updated Yonex Ezone 98 (2022) offers the ultimate in feel, control, and stability. This 7th-generation Ezone 98 (2022) is composed for power and comfort. Compared to the previous version of Ezone 98 (2020) this updated Ezone 98 (2022) has lil bit more control rather than the power and more plush feeling.

The latest generation is meticulously crafted with innovative 2G-Namd*2 Speed graphite, which is integrated in the throat of the racquet for increased ball speed and improved feel. Namd is a technology developed by Nitta Co., Ltd. to uniformly disperse carbon nanotubes in carbon fibre composites.

Yonex’s signature Vibration Dampening Mesh (VDM) , shockless grommets, and 2G-Namd Speed help eliminate unwanted vibrations by 5.9%*1 for a softer feeling at impact. (2022) Ezone 98 has improved feel with an upgraded Aero Shape Frame Design and Liner Tech , resulting in 16%*1 more flexibility. To ensure racquet stability is not sacrificed, a thicker beam width and new shaft design add power and reduce unwanted racquet torque on off-centred shots. This Yonex Ezone 98 (2022) remains one of the most user-friendly and player-oriented rackets.

Specifications

AERO SHAPE DESIGN

OVAL PRESSED SHAFT

SHAFT DESIGN

VIBRATION DAMPENING MESH

2G-NAMD SPEED

For a Plush Feel An inverted frame design with a thinner frame face results in a softer racquet.

7% LARGER SWEET SPOT Developed over 30 years ago, the ISOMETRIC™ design increases the sweet spot by 7%*. Compared to a conventional round frame, a square-shaped ISOMETRIC™ racquet generates a larger sweet spot by optimizing the intersection of the main and cross strings. ISOMETRIC™ technology delivers greater control without sacrificing power.

For Improved Power And Comfort Straight hole grommets elongate the strings to optimize power and comfort on off-center shots.

First introduced in 1969 with the T-7000 – our first aluminum tennis racquet – the Oval Pressed Shaft (OPS) is still incorporated into our most popular racquet series today.

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.

FOR IMPROVED STABILITY AND POWER A thicker shaft structure with a convex design reduces unwanted racquet torque on off-centered shots for added power.

First used in our snowboards to reduce vibrations at impact, Vibration Dampening Mesh (VDM) is now used in four of our racquet series. VDM is a stretchy mesh material that is wrapped around the graphite within the grip to filter unwanted vibrations and improve touch and precision.

Improved Feel and Ball Speed A high modulus graphite fibers are bound with a carbon nanotube (CNT) structure, reducing energy loss, which enables to transfer the energy into quick snapback.

Pro Using or Used This Racquet

Overall Performance

Compared to the older version Ezone 98 of 2020, the new Yonex Ezone 98 (2022) has slightly better control. I was expecting more control or more mass to help slow the racquet down a bit, and for that I have to adjust my string of choice to maximise the control.

The Yonex Ezone 98 (2022) offered great touch and feel all around because the isometric shape of the frame made the racquet more forgiving. I find maximum feel on groundstrokes, drop volleys.

At net, the racquet has stable enough to allow me to relax my hand on grip which giving me the joy and feel. Indeed, the Yonex Ezone 98 (2022) is the racquet that gives you the most comfort and feel.

Groundstrokes

On Groundstrokes, this updated Yonex Ezone 98 (2022) is more controlled racquet than the previous version so you can get more confidence to hit the ball without getting much unforced errors from baseline.

The Ezone 98 felt very forgiving from the baseline. The racquet is very easy to maneuver. The Ezone 98 (2022) offered a very soft touch and feel, which made it very comfortable to play with.

With this newest version, it is a bit plusher and softer at impact. People who love to hit groundstrokes with a lot of pace will notice that their overall setup feels very smooth.

Maneuverability

In terms of maneuverability, the Yonex Ezone 98 (2022) met my expectations. At 6pts head-light when strung, it’s highly maneuverable. Racquet headlight balance makes it easily maneuverable.

The easy maneuverability of this stick can get your hands through the ball easily and quickly, allowing you to hit the ball forward. I like the maneuverability of the racquet at the net and the quick response on the ball.

Yonex Ezone 98 (2022) has easy access to power, making it a fun racquet to play either in singles or doubles. It swings fast and gives plenty of power when needed. I found ample power with the racquet from the baseline.

On returns, the Yonex Ezone 98 (2022) has to be one of the most forgiving player’s racquets. With this racquet, both when placing the ball and when returning an aggressive serve, you’ll feel confident.

You can swing hard and keep the ball flat, low, and deep on returns. It has a fun way to start the point on offense. The increased control compared to the Yonex Ezone 98 (2020) gave you confidence in hitting your targets and striking a weak opponent’s serve. Again, maneuverability is the biggest key to this racquet.

For serves, the Yonex Ezone 98 (2022) is such an easy racquet. Racquet maneuverability makes it very easy to serve.

It has ample pace to get the ball moving nicely through the court. It is a good choice of racquet for slice serves, too. It produced a consistent ball with good spin. You’ll definitely feel pretty dialled into your targets with this racquet.

You can access spin and power as well. Power is easy to access on flatter first serves, and Spin has combine available for kicks and slice serves too.

I enjoy hitting slices with the Yonex Ezone 98 (2022) which is such a fun and I got ample pace too. I loved hitting some driving slices. At the end, I had very little margin for error. I could get into trouble if I tried to drive my backhand slice too much, so instead I played a steadier slice with a bit of float to it.

Yonex Ezone 98 (2022) has stability against big hitters and big servers too. It has the stability to tame the ball in court. I have experience the estimable stability on returns. Some players may be find that lack of little bit stability. I would suggest that, for improving the stability of the racquet, you can do the weight customization as per your requirements.

Yonex Ezone 98 (2022) is very easy to generate spin. I was amazed by the amount of spin this racquet offers for a 16×19 string pattern. A good amount of spin was available for kicks and slice serves too. Maybe its not provided you the enough level of spin with traditional grip and but when you try out with modern grip then it will not displeased for spin.

At the net, the Yonex Ezone 98 (2022) is really stable for its weight and very maneuverable on volleys. It is super easy to position this racquet on volleys.

Yonex added some extra beam width in this racquet, which increased the stability at net without loosing the maneuverability. It moves quickly through the air and has enough stability to absorb the power and give me the control I need.

On the whole, the Yonex Ezone 98 felt very forgiving from the baseline. The racquet is very easy to maneuver. On Serves, Power has easy to access on flatter first serves and Spin has combine available for kicks and slice serves too.

On the net, the Yonex Ezone 98 (2022) is really stable for its weight and very maneuverable on volleys. It is super easy to position this racquet on volleys.

On Returns, This updated version compared to the Yonex EZzone 98 (2020) has slightly better control, which gives you more confidence in hitting your targets and striking the opponent’s weak serve.

The Yonex Ezone 98 (2022) has utmost control, adequate spin, a quick response, and plenty of feel, and it all came in an easy-to-swing package.

Final Opinion: The Yonex Ezone 98 (2022) is a very well-balanced tennis racquet. Intermediates, advanced, and professional players will undoubtedly prefer this racquet.

Percentage Chart

• Large Sweetspot
• Controllable Power
• Manueuverability

Who's This Racquet For

However, the 2022 edition of the Ezone 98 (305 g) is going to be a suitable choice for intermediate and advanced players who are looking to maximise racquet power, maneuverability, and feel.

The Ezone 98 (2022) is a racquet that will adapt well to a wide range of player styles and works great for all-court play.

Finally, the Yonex Ezone 98 (2022) is a very well-balanced racquet that is a perfect example of maximum spin, a large sweet spot, great comfort, and ease of maneuverability.

Who's This Racquet Not For

Probably, the Ezone 98 (2022) is the racquet which is usually upto the bench mark in all-court play test but people who are found of heavier racquet then you have to customize weight of the racquet otherwise we strongly suggest this yonex ezone 98 2022 will not be disappointment choice of racquet for your suitable game style.

(Other Yonex Ezone (2022) Variants)

Yonez Ezone 98 Tour

Yonex Ezone 98 Tour is one of the heaviest unstrung weight racquets in the Ezone 2022 series. It has a 315-gram (11.1-ounce) unstrung weight, which is 15 gram heavier than the Ezone 98 (2022). Overall, the Yonex Ezone 98 Tour is designed for players who prefer a heavier, more control-oriented racquet. This racquet is best suited for intermediate to advanced players.

Yonez Ezone 98 Plus

Yonex Ezone 98 (+) 2022 is the half (0.5) inch extended length racquet than the standard Ezone 98 (2022), With its extended 27.5″ length, this racquet has more pop and plow through. Because of the extended length, this racquet has a slightly higher swing weight, but otherwise all specifications will be the same as the standard Ezone 98 (2022). The Ezone 98 Plus is the best option for big hitters who are looking to play an aggressive game. This racquet is best suited for intermediate to advanced players.

Yonez Ezone 98 L

Yonex Ezone 98 Tour is a lighter unstrung weight racquet version of its big brother Ezone 98 (2022). It has a 285-gram (10.1oz ) unstrung weight, which is 25 gram lighter than the Ezone 98 (2022). The Ezone 98L has a more head-light balance, which can make it easier to maneuver (easy to swing). This racquet is best suited for beginner to intermediate players.

Yonez Ezone 100

Yonex  Ezone 100 (2022) is a 2 square inch smaller head size and slightly lighter unstrung weight racquet, than the Ezone 98 (2022). The larger head size of the Ezone 100 provides a larger sweet spot, which can be more forgiving on off-center shots. This racquet is best suited for intermediate to advanced players.

Yonez Ezone 100 Plus

Yonex Ezone 100 (+) 2022 is the half (0.5) inch extended length racquet than the standard Ezone 100 (2022), With its extended 27.5″ length, Overall, this racquet has more pop and plow through. because of the extended length. The Yonex Ezone 100 Plus is a slightly more powerful and stable racquet than the Ezone 100. This racquet is best suited for intermediate to advanced players.

Yonez Ezone 100 L

Yonex Ezone 100 L 2022 is a lighter unstrung weight racquet version of its big brother Ezone 100 (2022). It has a 285-gram (10.1oz ) unstrung weight, which is 20 gram lighter than the Ezone 100 (2022). The Ezone 100 L has a more head-light balance, which can make it easier to maneuver (easy to swing) than Ezone 100. This racquet is best suited for beginner to intermediate players.

Yonez Ezone 100 SL

Yonex Ezone 100 SL 2022 is a lightest unstrung weight racquet version in the Ezone 100 (2022) variants. It has a 275 gm. ( 9.5oz ) unstrung weight, which is 30 gram lighter than the Ezone 100 (2022). The Ezone 100 SL has a more head-light balance, making it a better choice for players who are looking for a more comfortable and maneuverable racquet. This racquet is best suited for beginner to intermediate players.

Yonez Ezone 105

The Yonex Ezone 105 has a 5 to 7-inch larger head than the standard Ezone 98 or Ezone 100. the larger head size of the Ezone 105, which provides a larger sweet spot and a more forgiving feel. Players who are looking for a more lightweight and maneuverable option that will allow them to hit with more power and spin should go for the Yonex Ezone 105. This racquet is best suited for beginners or older players.

Yonez Ezone 110

Yonex Ezone 110 has the largest head size and lightest unstrung weight in the Yonex Ezone (2022). This racquet is designed for players who are looking for a large sweet spot, are more forgiving on off-center hits, and are very easy to swing. This racquet is best suited for beginners or older players.

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• Tennis Equipment

2022 Yonex Ezone 98 Tour almost official thread

• Thread starter FuzzyYellowBalls
• Start date Aug 17, 2022

FuzzyYellowBalls

• Aug 17, 2022

Hello all, I was wondering, those who are using this stick, what's it all about for you? Even the older version. I've seen the Ezone 100 really take off with players, the 98 a little less so, but still popular. What's the thumbnail of the Tour user? Why did Yonex make it and with the specs that it has? At first glance it seems like a nice heavier outlier compared to most other Yonex. The older one wasn't really reviewed by anyone on video except for TW, so I doubt this new version will be reviewed either. Some of the first reviews by consumers coming in are not that positive. Anyway, this is a thread to collect the reviews and comments.  

FuzzyYellowBalls said: Hello all, I was wondering, those who are using this stick, what's it all about for you? Even the older version. I've seen the Ezone 100 really take off with players, the 98 a little less so, but still popular. What's the thumbnail of the Tour user? Why did Yonex make it and with the specs that it has? At first glance it seems like a nice heavier outlier compared to most other Yonex. The older one wasn't really reviewed by anyone on video except for TW, so I doubt this new version will be reviewed either. Some of the first reviews by consumers coming in are not that positive. Anyway, this is a thread to collect the reviews and comments. Click to expand...

Professional

The Ezone Tour was probably the most common frame I saw on the used marketplace. It's pretty simple, the balance is lousy and too sluggish. Whereas the DR98 at 310g was useable because of the HL balance, Yonex decided to not follow this path. I am very surprised their market research did not show the Tour needs a better balance. If you want one just wait 3 months, I guarantee you will see a bunch dumped on the used market  

It seems fairly simple to me but I don't know how to explain it in a single sentence, sorry. If you're a young competitor, with a style unlike Kyrgios to play regular Ezone98 with thin strings, for example you have a one handed backhand, or just mostly blast non stop (with zero Kyrgios-like slowballing and looping, only to beat the opponent on the quick counterpunch) you play like Zverev or Tsitsipas for example, or Baez or Sinner etc. Heavy 335-340g thin beam racquets are going bye-bye, like the fabulous 97H, and very few young players are going to choose them, they move too quickly and those frames seriously slow them down. 340-350 SW younger pro's frames today are mostly in the 315-320g category, like Zverev, Nadal, Thiem, Tsitsipas, or even less than 310g like Sinner or Rune because 320g+ frames slow down a quick attacking player, slower movers or defenders won't always care so much. Racquets with elliptical profiles and thicker beams, torsionally stable, is where it's mostly going, or outliers like flexy thin beam large head Gravity Pro (that does require non stop swinging like a maniac), to handle dipping and jumping balls and modern forehands etc. So if I return to Yonex, a 315sw 305g Ezone 98 isn't so easily modified into a e.g. 317g 350sw frame, Shapo, Van Rijthoven and Naomi all have/had a lot of lead/tin tape on theirs. So Ezone 98 Tour is what a 330g Vcore Pro used to be, for the same - but younger - category of pro players. A 16yo would start with EZ98 and then move to EZ98T when they're stronger physically, a reasonable path. Higher sw requires fast incoming pace, something most people seem to forget, so if your opponent isn't blasting (new-ish) balls towards you, it's a burden, and a max 330sw Ezone98, Aero VS, or Blade 98 etc. will be better. Easily the best example of who Ezone 98 Tour is for is Karue Sell's review of the first EZ98T on youtube, MyTennisHQ An EZ98 is easily modded into DR98 spec, with just a tiny bit of lead at 3&9 - it needs it anyway, and a counterbalance in the handle, so EZ98T is in no way trying to be a newer DR98, which I tried a couple of times, and didn't like, when it was sold. A couple of players I play with play EZ98T, one with extra lead on both ends, and I have a very good sense of what kind of ball it produces on serves and in points play, or just hitting crosses etc. Very good racquet really, a complete combo of punch through, depth and dip. Personally I didn't like the flexy throat and stiff hoop combo, some other Yonexes also had the same thing, and other manufacturer's frames, it just doesn't work well for me. I much prefer stiff throat and shoulders, like all of my Pro Staffs, including RF97A, and the Aero VS I'm playing with now. So for me, the good news that new EZ98T has a stiffer throat and a different flex makes me very curious to try it, I can't wait really. Also, in my experience all pro frames are 2-3g lighter than spec, to allow for matching 6-9 frames. VCP 330g, Gravity Pro, Radical Pros, all were like that, so were my friends' EZ98Ts, 312-313g all of them. Again, sorry for the long post..  

Hall of Fame

I am not sure I truely understand the Tour. Why not pick a 98 and add weight. That’s what I would do. I’ll answer y own question by saying it’s probably an easy go to heavier setup with good QC so players don’t have to think about specs. Since I like certain specs I prefer to get the 98.  

Mischko said: It seems fairly simple to me but I don't know how to explain it in a single sentence, sorry. If you're a young competitor, with a style unlike Kyrgios to play regular Ezone98 with thin strings, for example you have a one handed backhand, or just mostly blast non stop (with zero Kyrgios-like slowballing and looping, only to beat the opponent on the quick counterpunch) you play like Zverev or Tsitsipas for example, or Baez or Sinner etc. Heavy 335-340g thin beam racquets are going bye-bye, like the fabulous 97H, and very few young players are going to choose them, they move too quickly and those frames seriously slow them down. 340-350 SW younger pro's frames today are mostly in the 315-320g category, like Zverev, Nadal, Thiem, Tsitsipas, or even less than 310g like Sinner or Rune because 320g+ frames slow down a quick attacking player, slower movers or defenders won't always care so much. Racquets with elliptical profiles and thicker beams, torsionally stable, is where it's mostly going, or outliers like flexy thin beam large head Gravity Pro (that does require non stop swinging like a maniac), to handle dipping and jumping balls and modern forehands etc. So if I return to Yonex, a 315sw 305g Ezone 98 isn't so easily modified into a e.g. 317g 350sw frame, Shapo, Van Rijthoven and Naomi all have/had a lot of lead/tin tape on theirs. So Ezone 98 Tour is what a 330g Vcore Pro used to be, for the same - but younger - category of pro players. A 16yo would start with EZ98 and then move to EZ98T when they're stronger physically, a reasonable path. Higher sw requires fast incoming pace, something most people seem to forget, so if your opponent isn't blasting (new-ish) balls towards you, it's a burden, and a max 330sw Ezone98, Aero VS, or Blade 98 etc. will be better. Easily the best example of who Ezone 98 Tour is for is Karue Sell's review of the first EZ98T on youtube, MyTennisHQ An EZ98 is easily modded into DR98 spec, with just a tiny bit of lead at 3&9 - it needs it anyway, and a counterbalance in the handle, so EZ98T is in no way trying to be a newer DR98, which I tried a couple of times, and didn't like, when it was sold. A couple of players I play with play EZ98T, one with extra lead on both ends, and I have a very good sense of what kind of ball it produces on serves and in points play, or just hitting crosses etc. Very good racquet really, a complete combo of punch through, depth and dip. Personally I didn't like the flexy throat and stiff hoop combo, some other Yonexes also had the same thing, and other manufacturer's frames, it just doesn't work well for me. I much prefer stiff throat and shoulders, like all of my Pro Staffs, including RF97A, and the Aero VS I'm playing with now. So for me, the good news that new EZ98T has a stiffer throat and a different flex makes me very curious to try it, I can't wait really. Also, in my experience all pro frames are 2-3g lighter than spec, to allow for matching 6-9 frames. VCP 330g, Gravity Pro, Radical Pros, all were like that, so were my friends' EZ98Ts, 312-313g all of them. Again, sorry for the long post.. Click to expand...

1HBHfanatic

-imo/ime in order to understand the ezone.tour, you need to know the feel you get from the wilson.ps.RF (as a well known racquet to compare it to) -the wilsonRF is every bit the 340g swing weight, and its in the mid 12oz range -its a tiring racquet if you are not used to swinging a 340g weight for 2+ sets -having said all that, the y.ezone.TOUR is more closer to a 330g weight and in the upper 11oz range to low 12oz -but it also lives up to its name E-ZONE "energy-zone", with modern feel/spin/control -the ezone tour is SOLID, just enough to not buckle under heavy hitting from the other side -at times i could almost feel it wanting to buckle on heavy shots, but it didn't, thats the magical feel of heavy racquet -unlike the 340g w.RF you know it will not budge, the heavy 12oz+ weight is rock solid -due to its slightly liter weight the ezone.TOUR is a great stick for a long match -as long as you dont mind a thick frame, then thats the stick for you -the ezone.tour has power (medium), control and all the spin you would want -i tried both the 2020 and now the 2022 ezone.tour racquets, both solid (in their own way) -as stated on another thread, the benefit of the heavy weight racquet requires a long enough developed swing -usually found on >4.0+ players, 3.5s would be rushed to get the weight into position and struggle with it -for 3.5 players i would advise the standard ezone.98/100 etc.....  

love the ezone 98 2022 305 but the new tour is just ok. besides the serves this racket lacks a little control probally due to the weight and it very dampened . it produces a super heavy ball. i will give it 1 month.  

FrankyRelax

And they made the new one slightly stiffer right? Which is weird considering people developed arm issues with the 2020  

• Aug 18, 2022

Wheelz said: I am not sure I truely understand the Tour. Why not pick a 98 and add weight. That’s what I would do. I’ll answer y own question by saying it’s probably an easy go to heavier setup with good QC so players don’t have to think about specs. Since I like certain specs I prefer to get the 98. Click to expand...

FrankyRelax said: And they made the new one slightly stiffer right? Which is weird considering people developed arm issues with the 2020 Click to expand...

Wilsonbro said: love the ezone 98 2022 305 but the new tour is just ok. besides the serves this racket lacks a little control probally due to the weight and it very dampened . it produces a super heavy ball. i will give it 1 month. Click to expand...

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• yonex ezone 98 review

Yonex Ezone 98 Review

The last time we tried a Yonex racket, it was the Yonex VCore 95, which Lawrence really enjoyed, but I just couldn’t get on with.

I found the VCore’s head shape to be very odd indeed and spent most of my time with the racket shanking balls out the park.

So, I was pretty relieved to find the EZone 98 had a much more classical shape to it.

The EZone 98 weighs in at 305g unstrung, with a swing weight of 316g, which is a little lower than I would normally go for, but I was expecting to pick up some good racket head speed and hopefully have a fun play test.

Previous versions of the Ezone 98 have picked up really good reviews in the past, and it’s a racket that felt quite good when I tried it.

It was known for being spin friendly, but very comfortable to play with and providing nice touch, so I was excited to see what effects the new developments have had.

With the EZone 98, Yonex have introduced quite a bit of technology which should have stiffened up the frame a little bit.

An Isometric head shape has been introduced, which Yonex say increases the sweet spot, meaning more balls in the court for you!

Additionally, Micro Offset Layout has been added, which reduces the number of vibrations pinging through the racket, and also, Hyper MG, meaning less frame bending on impact.

These are all changes that in theory should suit me.

Custom Fittings

Discover your perfect racket and string combo!

I like playing with quite a stiff racket, and I believe that reducing vibrations is the direction racket manufacturers must take. (Think of all the injuries people get from tennis.)

A lot of people really disagree with me on this one as they love very responsive frames, and reducing vibrations, to many people, means dampening the feel.

With this knowledge in mind, I was expecting this newest Yonex EZone 98 to suit me a little better than the last version, but potentially put off those people who raved about the older versions.

As we started warming up in the service boxes, it was easy to notice the increased sweet spot on this racket, as everything seemed to come nicely out the middle of the strings.

This continued throughout the play test.

I would say that this racket’s greatest quality is its spin potential, which, coupled with good precision and fast maneuverability make it a great racket for anyone who loves to unleash “the force” on the ball.

I could see it suiting someone who likes a modern style racket that’s not too heavy and looks for easy spin and fast swing speed.

If you love the classic, heavier, control-orientated “Pro Staff-like” rackets then it’s probably not the one for you, but if you’re a fan of a power racket, keep reading…!

Grdounstrokes

8 out of 10

Groundstrokes – the area in which every modern racket is going to be most harshly judged in!

In theory, this racket should be best suited to an aggressive baseliner, who loves to rip through the ball and dominate points with a combination of power and spin.

That was certainly the feeling I got with this racket.

The 316g swing weight and an 8HL balance meant insane racket head speed, and I was whipping the racket back and forth with ease.

I was quite thankful for the added stability Yonex have added on impact, as that is something that I really like in a racket.

Everything about the hit felt sublime on my backhand. I felt I was generating good, kicking spin, and the contact felt comfortable with the increased sweet spot.

My only negative criticism on the backhand side was that I felt it was lacking a bit of plow through.

All this racket head speed was going into the ball and I was getting easy power and spin, but the lack of weight at the end of the swing coming through the ball meant I wasn’t hitting as heavy a ball as I’m used to…

This didn’t bode that well for the forehand side.

To be honest the  Yonex EZone 98  just isn’t set up for my forehand, personally.

I prefer a classic racket, with a big swing weight and limited spin and power potential.

Control is everything for me on this side, as I generate enough power and spin on that side naturally.

But when I judge this racket by what other people might like, I think it does do an unbelievably good job.

Personally, I like the slightly stiffer frame that the newest Yonex EZone 98 has brought in, and I think it can benefit a lot of people.

The old spec felt great, but it was a very much a racket where you don’t need to swing hard and the racket does a lot of the work for you.

The new version encourages you to take a little more responsibility for generating power whilst still giving you plenty of it.

I would see the Yonex EZone 98 in the hands of an aggressive baseliner across any level from beginner to reasonably advanced.

It has the power and easy spin to help out someone who is at the beginning of their tennis journey, but it also has the feel and precision for someone who is playing a much higher level.

The Ezone 98 will appeal to a wide variety of players, it just didn’t appeal to me!

But nevertheless, I think it is deserving of an 8 out of 10 on the groundstrokes.

7 out of 10

The Yonex Ezone 98’s reputation for great feel and comfort should make it a decent racket at the net for a racket that has quite a low swing weight and not too much stiffness.

The added stiffness in the newest version did make it a little bit more responsive at the net, but I would still class the Ezone 98 as firmly inside the groundstrokes category.

The biggest plus point with this racket at the net is the maneuverability, which allows you to get the racket into position quickly, ready to unload on the ball.

The  Ezone 98  maintains a good comfort level at the net, but it could do with some more stiffness in the frame, as I found the ball winning the collision against the racket at the net.

This meant I didn’t have the control I would have liked, and I didn’t find myself volleying particularly well with the EZone 98.

Again, different people like different feels at the net, but I don’t see this racket suiting someone who spends a lot of time at the net.

The EZone is certainly most effective in the hands of an aggressive baseliner who comes to the net for a single volley when the point is all but one.

For me it was a 7 out of 10 at the net, and the weakest part of this play test.

8.5 out of 10

The EZone 98 really surprised me on the serve, as I had great fun using its easy maneuverability to slam through the ball and target different areas of the court.

When you’re going for a flat serve, the Ezone 98 has plenty of juice to get you maximizing your MPH, but it is also brilliant at hitting with spin, and I was able to get great variety on my serve.

On my leftie serve out wide, the string pattern was open enough to give me plenty of opportunity to get the strings moving and creating spin, but without going over the top.

Sometimes with that serve you can have too much movement in the strings, and all you get is spin and no power, but that wasn’t the case with this racket.

Whether you’re looking for power or spin this racket is an excellent option on the serve.

It has a rare blend of power and spin that works exceptionally well on the serve, and I had great fun playing with it.

Again, it fits the mold of an aggressive baseliner’s racket.

I don’t see it as the racket for a big server like John Isner, because he generates all that power naturally, so he would want to maximize the control aspect of the racket for his serve.

But for someone who loves to attack the serve but has their main strengths in their groundstrokes, this is an ideal serving weapon.

I surprised myself to find that the best aspect of the  Yonex EZone 98  was on the serve.

It has a great set up for someone like me, who perhaps doesn’t get as much out of his serve as he should.

Lovely blend of power, control and spin gets this racket an 8.5 out of 10 on the serve.

For me, I quite liked the new additions to the Ezone 98. While personally, it’s not my kind of racket, I thought the EZone 98 benefited from a little extra stiffness and the new vibration combating technology.

This made for a comfortable player’s racket that had great maneuverability and good spin and power potential.

I can see however, why those people that loved the old version of this racket are a bit upset with the new version.

If you love a very involved, hectic feel on contact then you’re probably not going to like the slightly more control orientates feeling of the new version.

I do think however that this particular version is a step towards a slightly more advanced players racket.

It is still a very useable racket, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone at an intermediate level, but I think the new updates have made it more accessible to advanced players as well.

In my opinion, it is absolutely an aggressive baseliner’s racket that suits players who love to step into the court and hit through the ball with a lot of racket head speed.

You will benefit from a good combination of power and easy spin with the Yonex EZone 98, and it rewards players who go after the ball.

The EZone 98 backs up its baseliner credentials, with some serious power and spin on the serve, meaning it is an excellent option for anyone who is looking to boost their serve.

I felt like the speed of my serves was up a little with the EZone, and I was able to generate some really good spin to put my opponent under pressure.

The weakest part of this play test was at the net where the EZone didn’t feel quite as supreme as in did on the groundstrokes and serve.

But if you don’t spend too much time at the net then that is not a big issue. If you only visit the net once in a while to finish off the point, then the EZone 98 will do a decent enough job.

Overall, I liked the new updates to the Yonex EZone 98, as it brought the racket a little bit more into my range, however it’s still not the racket for me.

I think there are plenty of people who will have a great time with this racket though, and I can see why it was so hotly anticipated.

I gave the Yonex EZone 98 an 8 out of 10 overall.

It’s very comfortable and generates good spin, and I could see it suiting a lot of aggressive baseliners.

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Trying to compare the Yonex VCore and Ezone? Choosing the right racket can make a big difference to your game, so we’ve researched Yonex’s most popular racket models to give you the complete guide. Here’s our in-depth guide to the Yonex Vcore and Ezone models.

Yonex Ezone 98 Tour 2022 Racquet Review

Yonex looks to grow the EZONE 98 Tour's cult-like following with this 2022 update. The specs remain similar to the outgoing model for this second generation, so fear not, it is still a comfortable and stable cannon of a racquet. And while there is no shortage of power, our playtesters were quick to point out phenomenal control as well. That combination of characteristics yields a nearly perfect marriage of offense and defense during point play. Shot depth and precise targeting are both accounted for, and the spacing of the strings remains the same, allowing for plenty of spin from the baseline. For our playtesters, the bigger talking point was the level of control they found when they flattened out their groundstrokes. The theme of balance continued with the placement of weight through the frame. Considering the hefty static weight, it is closer to an even balance than most other similar options. Paired with user-friendly flexibility, the balance creates a plush and stable stroke, but it isn't necessarily designed to whip through contact. Volleys can be driven through the court or dropped short at smile-inducing angles. The mass helps keep those tough half volleys controlled as well. Serving and returning both centered on plow through. Heavy serves and deep returns were commonplace, but maneuverability proved demanding at times. Big picture? Yonex has infused raw power, spin and comfort into an immensely stable frame. This iteration offers an easy transition from the previous EZONE 98 Tour, with increased connectedness. Our playtest team firmly believes this racquet deserves a demo.

• Plow through
• Maneuverability

Groundstrokes - Score: 88

Following the success of the first version, we are happy to report that the designers at Yonex have kept the good times rolling. The distinctive feel of the original EZONE 98 Tour has been refined even further in this update. It challenged Mark to really fine-tune his strokes. He explained, "There is a point where if the racquet is heavy enough, I notice that I have to place an emphasis on my footwork, otherwise the weight of the racquet quickly works against me. I mention this because the EZONE 98 Tour is probably at the upper limit of what I can effectively swing from the backcourt, yet it seemed to do most of the work for me. By the time I had logged a few sessions with the new EZONE 98 Tour, I got used to its heft and my footwork improved, making it one of my favorite racquets to play with from the baseline."

Michelle found a natural pairing for her preferred first-strike brand of tennis. She said, "I playtested this racquet side by side with the EZONE 100+ and EZONE 98+, and I initially thought those two racquets would overshadow this one due to their massive power and overall fun vibe to swing. However, the more I played with the EZONE 98 Tour, the more I realized this racquet really fit my game best out of the three. Off the ground, it was everything I like about a racquet — just over 330 swingweight yet not too hefty to swing. It proved to be a stable frame that also felt comfortable at impact and allowed me to feel in control of where the ball was going. Unlike the extended frames, I felt more comfortable and confident swinging fast through the ball and wasn't worried about being too far behind the ball. I could transition seamlessly from hits and drilling straight into point play, and I felt confident executing first-strike tennis. One of the major upsides was that I could go from offense to defense while still being comfortable in longer points. My intention is always to go back to offense to win points on my terms. Short balls were easy to attack and put away, and I also found it much easier to hit spin and angles with this Tour racquet compared to the extended EZONEs."

Chris noted the attention to detail shown by the improvements from one generation to the next. He said, "Being a big fan of the previous version of this racquet, I was very excited to get on court with the new EZONE 98 Tour. I immediately noticed a plusher feel. It felt like the team at Yonex had somehow managed to take an already silky-smooth racquet and refine it for an even smoother response. I loved the way the stringbed pocketed the ball, and I felt very connected to my targets. This racquet also had great stability, which combined with the feel, made it a perfect fit for my drop shots. On my backhand slice, I found enough mass to effortlessly drive the ball deep in cross-court exchanges. I could then mix things up with a drop shot and disguise it with an almost identical swing thanks to the amount of control I had with this racquet. If I had one complaint, it would be that the balance was not as head light as I would like at this weight. With the balance fixed by simply switching to a leather grip, I felt like I had better control of the tip of the racquet. I was able to whip the racquet through better when hitting angles and when looking for additional pace or spin."

It was full speed ahead for Troy , who thought the EZONE 98 Tour did nearly everything well. He described, "As with the previous version, this update to the EZONE 98 Tour felt nice and solid when I was hitting my groundstrokes. The stiffness is slightly different from the previous version, but it still felt rather plush, and the comfort was pretty good overall. One of the most important things I found when swinging away at the baseline was that I could be aggressive and play an attacking style without fear of spraying the ball. I felt a little more control and more connected to the ball with this Tour version compared to the Plus, but there wasn't quite the same added boost or easy depth. Spin was easy to generate when I hit heavy topspin or slice. There wasn't quite as much bite and spin as there is with the Yonex VCORE 98 or Babolat Pure Aero Tour, but this EZONE 98 Tour is still spin friendly, while also being more predictable on flatter shots."

Volleys - Score: 86

The EZONE 98 Tour provides a combination of pace and feel that makes it especially effective in doubles. It gave Chris a blank check, and boy, did he cash it. He said, "I simply found the EZONE 98 Tour to be an excellent racquet for hitting volleys. The frame felt stable, the stringbed connected me to the ball, and the overall feel at contact was top-notch. I loved how much control I found on my touch volleys. When I had to dig tough low volleys out there was ample mass to help me punch my volleys deep and find solid pace. Overall, I thought the racquet felt fantastic at net, and volleys were one of my favorite shots to hit."

For Michelle , the EZONE 98 Tour's volley game was simple and successful. She said, "This racquet maneuvered into position easily and was effective. It was easy to punch volleys back deep, and there was access to some touch. No complaints here!"

Troy pointed to how forgiving the EZONE 98 Tour was in more than one scenario at net. He said, "This was definitely my favorite of the EZONE line of racquets when hitting volleys. The mass of this racquet created a very solid feel, and there was plenty of stability when facing hard-hit shots. It was also pretty plush, so when the pace increased, or if I made contact slightly off center, the feel was still comfortable. There was enough feel for the ball to confidently drop a volley short and go for those short angles. I wouldn't say the comfort and feel were on the level of the Yonex VCORE PRO 97D, but they were both undoubtedly good. Depth and put-away power were great for a 98 head size; it offered easy pop when I needed it."

"Volleying with the EZONE 98 Tour was pretty much a turnkey operation for me," added Mark . "It was the one shot of the playtest that did not require any transition. The combination of its high static weight and swingweight provided unflinching stability on any type of volley, and its crisp layup of graphite helped make the results favorable."

Serves - Score: 86

Even though the EZONE 98 Tour is on the heavier side, our team was unanimous in giving the thumbs up on serve. The EZONE 98 Tour added to Troy's textbook mechanics, producing a big lefty slice or kick. He explained, "I was surprised by how much I enjoyed serving with the EZONE 98 Tour. I have used the EZONE 98+ for a while, and I know the power and leverage help me out a lot, as I'm not very tall. Even though this racquet is heavier than my EZONE 98+, once I started serving I felt like I could maneuver and snap my wrist easily. As I mentioned in the video, this EZONE 98 Tour may not be the rocket launcher on serve that the 98+ is, but I still got pretty good power and precision. I actually preferred the EZONE 98 Tour for kick serves; with that easy wrist snap, the ball was jumping off the court and usually made for a difficult return for my opponents. Flat serves came in with a good blend of power and precision, and it felt a little easier to find my targets compared to the 98+."

Michelle served extra baskets of balls to see just how big she could hit. She said, "The EZONE 98 Tour shone on serves almost as much as the extended versions of the EZONE. I felt in command serving big first serves. Truth be told, I didn't want to hit second serves with this racquet because first serves were so fun, but I appreciated the ability to hit effective second serves as well."

Mark added, "Where the specs of the new Yonex EZONE 98 Tour were at the upper limits of what I can handle from the baseline, it was nearly ideal for my serve. The 2022 update for this racquet delivers lots of easy pace on serve, and it never felt demanding either. Compared to the EZONE 98+, I felt like I had to swing a little faster to produce the type of serve I hit with the EZONE 98+."

This racquet's dependable consistency encouraged Chris to stay aggressive. He explained, "I find I serve well with racquets that come through contact with some mass, and that was definitely the case with the EZONE 98 Tour. My first serves felt pretty heavy, which was confirmed by my hitting partners, who were noticing a difference when I switched to this racquet. My slice serve had some nice movement to it, and I was able to hit that serve with lots of pace, pulling my opponents off court on the deuce side. I found plenty of spin on my second serves, which allowed the ball to clear the net and get inside the box with enough margin to be consistent, and I didn't have to take off much pace compared to my first serves."

Returns - Score: 83

Returning with the EZONE 98 Tour presented a few challenges, but the solid nature of this racquet continued to impress our team. The EZONE 98 Tour gave Michelle the best of both worlds. She said, "This is where the racquet really took the lead over the extended models. I wasn't getting jammed or stuck — even when returning big first serves or when my opponent served into my body. I could swing through the ball more effectively and felt more in command of my return. I could turn the power on and off a bit better as well, whereas the extended models felt very 'all or nothing.' The EZONE 98 Tour was stable against big serves, and I liked stepping in and taking big cuts on weaker second serves."

While the mass worked for Chris from the baseline, he had to dial it in to fit his returns. He described, "I would have liked a more head-light balance to give the EZONE 98 Tour a more flickable feel on returns. I sensed there was some mass to the middle of the racquet, which made it harder to get the racquet around the ball. My best results were when I could drive the ball with pace either deep cross court or down the line. Once I hit the racquet with a more head-light balance, thanks to switching to a leather grip, my returns clicked. I was impressed with how my shots penetrated the court, making it tougher for my opponents to attack my shots."

Mark quickly realized this racquet worked best for certain returns. He explained, "I had a similar challenge returning serve with the EZONE 98 Tour as I did with the 98+. Although the EZONE 98 Tour is standard length, it has a hefty average swingweight of 330. That heftiness complements my half volley return of serve, but it challenges me to prepare in time to develop some topspin on my return."

The EZONE 98 Tour's stability worked well for Troy's return game. He said, "The added mass built into this racquet, compared to the standard 305-gram version of the EZONE 98, made for a very solid and stable feel on my returns. Like volleys, this EZONE 98 Tour was impressive even when returning serves with a lot of pace. There was enough mass and plow through that I could block the ball back with easy depth. When I needed to, I could slice my backhand return deep and low as well. I preferred the EZONE 98+ when I was stretched out wide when returning, but I had a bit more control with this EZONE 98 Tour when I wanted to be aggressive. I found I could take control of a point If I had the time to take a big rip at a return."

Overall - Score: 87

Mark - "I enjoy the high degree of mass and swingweight-based power. The latest EZONE 98 Tour provides all the stability I would ever need at my level and beyond. Aesthetically, I like the cosmetic for the new Yonex EZONE frames, and as usual, the quality of paint job is top shelf, staying put on the frame even after lots of half volleys."

Chris - "Excellent plow-through power and stability. I also find excellent feel on touch shots. The EZONE 98 Tour feels comfortable, and I play well with it!"

Michelle - "Power, precision, spin and stability! Plus the EZONE 98 Tour is even a bit more stable than previous versions. What's not to like?"

Troy - "I think this is a great update to the previous version of the EZONE 98 Tour. It feels solid and stable, yet it still has a plush feel on contact. The power comes easier than it does from the VCORE PRO 97, but I still feel like I have pretty good command over the ball."

Mark - "The new EZONE 98 Tour is a racquet that I prefer more with about a 2-pound drop in string tension from my typical 53 pounds for a full bed of a polyester. Like the prior version, this update feels considerably firmer than the 62-64 RA would indicate."

Chris - "I'm not keen on the balance. For my taste, there's too much weight in the middle of the racquet (near the balance point), and I prefer a more head-light feel. Switching to a leather grip tail-weights the racquet and solves this issue."

Michelle - "I don't really have anything to add here — fun racquet and playtest."

Troy - "Not much to complain about with this racquet. Maybe not quite as much feel for the ball as the thinner beam frames I used to play with, but overall a really versatile racquet for those looking for a bit heftier feel in a racquet compared to the standard EZONE 98 (305-gram version). I would likely add a bit of handle weight to this racquet and get it closer to 7- or 8-points head light (strung)."

Comparing the racquet to others they've tried, our testers said:

Mark - "Based on frame weight, the Wilson Pro Staff 97, ProKennex Black Ace 315 and the Tecnifibre TFight/TF40 315 frames are close, but they feel more tip light compared to the 330-ish swingweight of the new EZONE 98 Tour . The Head Radical Pro and ProKennex Ki Q+ Tour 315 may be a bit closer in weight since they both feature higher swingweights. Those two, along with the EZONE 98 Tour , are the frames that I prefer in that weight range."

Chris - "Switching between this racquet and the previous version was a very easy transition. This update has a plusher feel with a very similar level of power, control and stability. If I was hitting the EZONE 98 Tour against racquets from other brands, I'd demo it with the Tecnifibre TF40 315, Head Prestige Tour, Dunlop CX 200 Tour 16x19 and Volkl C10 Pro."

Michelle - "The Babolat Pure Drive Tour would be a good comparison, but I found this EZONE 98 Tour to offer a bit more controlled power instead of the raw power that the Pure Drive Tour has. But don't get me wrong, this racquet is more powerful than controlled in my opinion."

Troy - "As far as the mass and maneuverability of this EZONE 98 Tour goes, I would compare it to the Head Radical Pro, Babolat Pure Aero Tour and Tecnifibre TFight 305 RS. I found easier power with this racquet than I find from the Head Radical Pro, but it has better comfort and precision than the Pure Aero Tour. I found a pretty easy transition from the previous version of the EZONE 98 Tour, and although it is a bit higher in the stiffness rating, it still feels plush."

Playtester Profiles

Chris: 4.5 all-court player currently using the Head Speed Pro 2022. Chris uses a semi-western forehand grip and hits a one-handed backhand.

Troy: 5.0 lefty all-court player with a full Western Forehand and a two-handed backhand. Troy currently plays with a Yonex EZONE 98+.

Michelle: Open level baseline player with a semi-western forehand and a two handed backhand. She currently plays with the Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 Autograph.

Mark: 5.0 lefty all-court player with a one-handed backhand. He currently plays with the Head Boom Pro 2022.

Review date: October 2022. If you found this review interesting or have further questions or comments please contact us. All content copyright 2022 Tennis Only.

Yonex EZONE 98 (305g) Aqua Night Black Racket Review

Yonex has it figured out. The new EZONE 98 builds on the success of the outgoing model by adding control and feel to an already top-notch racquet. For our team, it was all about subtlety this time around. Without any major changes to the specs, Yonex has refined the racquet rather than reimagining it. The most evident update was the combination of increased precision and slightly dialed-back power. As a result, our playtesters had excellent command of the ball without giving up too much put-away power. The large sweetspot paired nicely with the outstanding maneuverability of the racquet. Speed and comfort, both synonymous with the EZONE family, are better than ever with this 2022 version. The EZONE 98 remains one of the most user-friendly, player-oriented racquets on the market, and it will shine in the hands of intermediate and advanced players who crave comfort, control and spin.

• Large sweetspot
• Nothing we could agree on

Intermediate to advanced

Groundstrokes - Score: 83

Our team was happy to report that the EZONE 98 offered increased control along with the comfort fans know and love. For Chris , there were similarities to the previous model, but this new iteration undeniably gave him more confidence. He said, "The EZONE 98 felt very forgiving from the baseline. The racquet was easy to maneuver, and I was able to accelerate it for spin or whip an angle very easily. I found the racquet to respond best with ample racquet head speed since it felt a tad lower in swingweight compared to the outgoing model. The result was better maneuverability and more control, but not quite as much free power. I preferred the response of this update and felt more confident going after my shots. Not only was control better, but I also preferred the feel at impact. I felt more connected to the ball with this version, and the feel was a bit closer to the old EZONE DR version. While the flex appears unchanged if you look at the specs, the feel on court was a point of difference for me. It felt like this EZONE 98 breathed better, was more forgiving toward the tip and was a more confidence-inspiring racquet overall."

After playtesting the previous version and wanting more control, Michelle was impressed with the accuracy this version gave her. She said, "The EZONEs are always a fun playtest, and they usually provide easy power, spin and acceleration. I would say this update was much of that with an even plusher, softer feel at impact. The dwell time felt extended, and I felt like the ball sat on my stringbed, allowing me to disguise and hold shots just a bit longer. I found good precision with the 98-square-inch head and could skim the top of the net with flat balls. It moved explosively fast, and it allowed me to change up my strategy in the middle of points and effectively play with angles. Compared to the previous racquet, this update did feel a bit more controlled to me. Playtests like this just get me even more excited for the potential of more racquets in the family to come, like a Tour and extended version! The sublime feel was a standout feature from the first ball strike. This will be an easy transition for anyone who has loved previous EZONE 98 racquets. Yonex didn't do anything crazy with this update, which is always a good thing when you are starting with a well-liked racquet."

Whether on the attack or playing defense, Mark loved this update. He explained, "I immediately felt right at home hugging the baseline or trading groundstrokes with Yonex's update to the EZONE 98. The weight, balance and swingweight didn’t really change, but I did detect a higher degree of stability and controllable power from the baseline, probably from the additional half millimeter in beam width. The string pattern didn’t seem to change either. The EZONE 98 had easy access to topspin while still allowing me to keep my backhand slice low and effective."

"Another solid update from Yonex," said Sage . "The phrase 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it' came to mind early on. My hopes were confirmed from the first hit; it was similar to the outgoing model with an even faster feel. It whipped through contact and was easy to maneuver. Predictable and spin friendly, this racquet allowed me to place my shots, and I was confident hitting deep in the court without having to worry about the ball sailing on me. At first, I was starting my swing early due to the lightning-fast nature of the frame, but when I got dialed in, the racquet performed well. I had the best results when I stayed aggressive. As with the previous version, this was one of the most arm-friendly racquets I've hit. Most importantly, it gave me better control and a nice, consistent ball. Unmistakably an EZONE, this new iteration didn't disappoint. The subtle differences were all improvements in my book."

Volleys - Score: 84

Outperforming expectations, the EZONE 98 delivered a solid feel for our team at net. Michelle described, "This racquet was really stable for its weight and very maneuverable on volleys. The feel kept me in command of my net game, and I had easy access to touch shots or more offensive stick volleys. And if someone was blasting groundies at me, the racquet held up against their hard-hit shots."

Mark loves coming forward and applying pressure, so he was excited to find a reliable racquet at net. He said, "If there were ever a knock on previous versions of the EZONE 98, it would be the sub-320 swingweight sometimes leading to an unstable feel at net. This time around, the good folks at Yonex added some extra beam width, which increased stability at net without decreasing the maneuverability."

While Sage had his doubts, he couldn't deny how well this racquet performed on volleys. He explained, "I appreciated the comfort at net. Maneuverability was also on point. Even if I was out of position, I still had time to adjust the racquet without it feeling sluggish. Considering how whippy it was from the baseline, I didn't think it would hold its own against big hitters, but I was promptly proved wrong. Very rarely unstable, the EZONE 98 gave me plenty of different options once I closed the net. I could drop the ball short at an angle or punch it through the court. I'll admit I was pleasantly surprised by how well it performed."

"I found it super easy to position this racquet on volleys," Chris echoed. "I was volleying with it very well in quick reaction situations. When looking to punch volleys with pace and depth, it was easy to add a little bit of swing to my shot without fear of hitting late. My drop volleys were also working well. Despite the racquet feeling light and fast, it also felt adequately stable, so I could soften my grip to get some added touch."

Serves - Score: 85

The speed and spin-friendly nature of the EZONE 98 worked well across the board on serves. Sage settled in quickly with this racquet. He explained, "The EZONE 98 was a superbly comfortable racquet on serve, and a racquet I could rely on from the first hitting session. It produced a consistent ball with good spin, and I hit a high first-serve percentage. I wasn't crushing serves as big I have with other racquets, but I loved hitting an effective slice to the body or out wide."

When it came to serves, this racquet had it all for Chris . He said, "All of my serves were working well with the EZONE 98. I was able to generate ample pace to get the ball moving nicely through the court. However, the most impressive aspect on serve was my accuracy. I was hitting my targets well, which allowed me to hit to a variety of locations within the service box to keep the returner guessing. As from other areas of the court, getting spin was a snap thanks to the fast and easy-swinging nature of the racquet."

Although the EZONE 98 didn't give him any free power on his serves, Mark could hit his targets at will. He said, "Aside from my forehand, serving with the EZONE 98 was my favorite shot to hit. I did not experience a drastic increase in serve speed, but I did see improvements in accuracy and consistency."

Like the rest of the team, Michelle thought that the EZONE 98's pinpoint accuracy was a strength on serves. She said, "I felt pretty dialed into my targets with this racquet. I could access spin and power as well. I wasn't hitting my biggest serves, but I felt confident serving, which led to success and fewer mistakes."

Returns - Score: 79

Plush and easy to accelerate through contact, the EZONE 98 gave our team a great deal of control on returns. For Chris , that meant added confidence in starting points aggressively. He said, "The EZONE 98 has to be one of the most forgiving player's racquets on returns. I found a ton of control, lots of spin, a comfortable response and plenty of feel, and it all came in an easy-to-swing package. I felt confident with this racquet both when placing the ball and when taking an aggressive rip at my returns. I found a better response up near the tip of the stringbed, with improved comfort as well. The most impressive part was the amount of control I had over the depth and direction of my shots."

Michelle hit her spots with ease, which enabled her to control points. She explained, "Similar to previous versions of this racquet, it was very 'slappable,' especially off weaker second serves. I could swing big and keep the ball flat, low and deep off my returns. It was a fun way to start the point on offense. Again, maneuverability came in spades, and angles were fun to execute. The racquet was stable too. If anything, I was looking for more plow through (but I can wait for the Tour to help in that area)."

This was a Goldilocks racquet for Mark when he was hitting returns. He said, "Like the volley, there is typically little time to react and prepare for a return of serve, so ideally I want a racquet to ride a fine line between frame heft and maneuverability. The EZONE 98 did beautifully in this department. It was definitely heavy enough to be stable when hitting my return of serve (half-volley style), yet light enough to take more of an offensive cut at the ball."

"The comfort train kept rolling during returns," added Sage . "The EZONE 98 helped me guide my returns deep to either neutralize the point or let me attack from my forehand wing. The increased control, compared to the last model, gave me confidence in hitting my targets and attacking a weak serve. The area I struggled with was returning a big first serve. Blocking the ball back into play wasn't as consistent as I wanted. The ball had a tendency to pop up without enough depth to keep me in the point. That said, it was overall another solid area of the court for the EZONE 98."

Overall - Score: 84

Chris - "Super easy to use, tons of control, lots of feel, maneuverable and comfortable."

Michelle - "The EZONE 98 has loads of feel and is plush on contact, with lots of dwell time. Controllable power."

Mark - "The slight increase in beam width makes this frame even more stable and predictable, while still maintaining a 'speed-oriented' average swingweight. Overall, the EZONE 98 is a great any-style-of-play racquet for me and was no more than half an inch (in length) away from being one of my all-time favorite racquets to play with."

Sage - "I like the comfort, user-friendly feel and generous sweetspot."

Chris - "I'd bring the swingweight of the EZONE 98 up about 5 points for a little more plow through."

Michelle - "None to really report. I would have been happy with a bit more plow through and more swingweight, but I'm hoping a Tour version is coming to fulfill that spec."

Mark - "I really don't have any complaints."

Sage - "I prefer a slightly higher swingweight to give me more stability."

Comparing the racquet to others they've tried, our testers said:

Chris - "The big takeaways for me with this EZONE 98 were improved feel and maneuverability, with slightly less power than the outgoing model. The differences were slight, and I could close the gap even more by stringing the old one tighter or with a deader string, or by doing the opposite to the new racquet. I think players will find this an easy transition from one to the other, and if you were a fan of the old DR version, this update will get you a little closer to that feel. As much as I like this racquet — and I like it a lot — the VCORE PRO 100 is still my favorite current Yonex. While the two are close in specs, the VCORE PRO has a slightly sweeter feel for me while also being just as forgiving and control oriented."

Michelle - "This Yonex EZONE 98 automatically makes me think of a Babolat Pure Drive or a Pure Drive VS because of the 98-square-inch head. But I have to admit, the feel of this EZONE 98 is much softer and more comfortable, and it's the one I gravitate toward. It is arm friendly, plush and comfortable, while still offering a great blend of controllable power and spin."

Mark - "In my opinion, the Yonex EZONE 98 is one of the more refined examples of the highly competitive 305-gram frame weight, 98-square-inch head size category. I'd compare it to the VCORE 98, Wilson Blade 98 16x19 v8, Babolat Pure Aero VS and Dunlop CX 200."

Sage - "Compared to the previous version, this updated EZONE 98 is slightly less powerful, but has greater control. The specs are lighter than my racquet of choice, but I could still pick up the EZONE 98 and find success on court. Looking to other brands, I'd demo this one alongside the Dunlop CX 200 and Wilson Blade 98 16x19 v8."

Playtester Profiles

Michelle: Open level baseline player with a semi-western forehand and a two handed backhand. She currently plays with the Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 Autograph.

Sage: 4.5 lefty all-court player with a two-handed backhand. He currently plays with the Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph.

Chris: 4.5 all-court player currently using the Tecnifibre TF40 305. Chris uses a full-western forehand grip, has a fast swing style and hits a one-handed backhand.

Mark: 5.0 lefty all-court player with a one-handed backhand. He currently plays with the Yonex VCORE PRO 97D.

Review date: July 2024. If you found this review interesting or have further questions or comments please contact us. All content copyright 2024 Tennis Warehouse Europe.

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.

Buy the Yonex Ezone 98

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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, 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, racquet advice, head extreme mp review 2024, head extreme pro review (2024).

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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