Yonex Ezone 98 (2017): Review, Specs, And Playtest

by Jhon Lennon 51 views

Let's dive deep into the Yonex Ezone 98 (2017), a racquet that has garnered a lot of attention and praise from tennis players of various skill levels. Guys, if you're looking for a racquet that blends power, control, and feel, the Ezone 98 might just be your perfect match. In this comprehensive review, we'll break down its specs, discuss its playtest performance, and ultimately help you decide if it's the right racquet for your game. So, grab your favorite beverage, sit back, and let's get started!

Overview of the Yonex Ezone 98 (2017)

The Yonex Ezone 98 (2017) is a racquet designed for intermediate to advanced players seeking a balance of power, control, and comfort. It's part of the Ezone series, known for its larger sweet spot and user-friendly performance. This particular model stands out due to its enhanced feel and stability compared to previous iterations. The racquet features a 98 square inch head size, providing a good blend of precision and forgiveness. Its weight, around 11.3 ounces unstrung, offers a solid feel without being overly demanding. The balance point, typically around 6 points head light, allows for quick maneuverability at the net and easy racquet head speed generation on groundstrokes. The 23/24/19 mm beam width provides a modern, aerodynamic profile, contributing to its power and stability. The Yonex Ezone 98 is constructed with High Modulus Graphite, ensuring both stiffness and responsiveness. It incorporates Hyper-MG (Hyper Modulus Graphite) in the upper hoop to minimize frame bending upon impact. This results in enhanced energy transfer to the ball, adding more power and control to each shot. It also has Quake Shut Gel which is embedded in the grip to minimize vibration and enhance comfort. The combination of these technologies makes the Ezone 98 stand out by offering the right mix of control, feel and power. Many pros have used this racquet, demonstrating its ability to perform at the highest levels of the game. This racquet's user friendly design makes it suitable for amateurs as well.

Key Specifications and Technologies

Delving into the specs of the Yonex Ezone 98 (2017) will give you a clearer picture of what this racquet brings to the table. Let's break down the key elements:

  • Head Size: 98 sq. in. - This head size offers a great balance between control and forgiveness. It allows players to generate ample power while maintaining precision on their shots. The sweet spot is generous enough to provide consistent performance even on off-center hits.
  • Weight: 11.3 oz / 320g (unstrung) - The weight provides a solid and stable feel, allowing players to handle powerful shots with ease. It's not overly heavy, making it manageable for extended play and quick reactions at the net.
  • Balance: 6 pts HL / 325mm - The head-light balance enhances maneuverability, enabling players to swing faster and react quickly. This is especially beneficial for fast-paced matches and aggressive net play.
  • Length: 27 inches / 68.5 cm - The standard length provides a comfortable reach and leverage for generating power and spin.
  • Beam Width: 23/24/19 mm - The beam width offers a modern profile, providing a blend of power and stability. It allows players to hit with depth and pace while maintaining control over their shots.
  • Composition: HM Graphite, Hyper-MG - The High Modulus Graphite composition ensures stiffness and responsiveness, providing excellent feel and feedback. Hyper-MG technology minimizes frame bending, enhancing energy transfer to the ball.
  • String Pattern: 16x19 - The open string pattern enhances spin potential and provides a lively response. It allows players to generate heavy topspin and slice effectively, adding versatility to their game.
  • Grip: Yonex Synthetic - The grip offers a comfortable and secure feel, allowing players to maintain a firm hold on the racquet. It absorbs moisture effectively, preventing slippage during intense matches.

Key Technologies

  • Isometric Expansion: Increases the sweet spot by 7%, making it larger than conventional round frame racquets.
  • Hyper-MG: Enhances frame stiffness for greater energy transfer and explosive power.
  • Quake Shut Gel: Integrated within the grip to minimize vibration for enhanced comfort and feel.

Playtest Performance: How Does It Feel on the Court?

Okay, guys, let's get to the juicy part – how the Yonex Ezone 98 (2017) actually performs on the court. This racquet truly shines in its ability to blend power, control, and feel. Whether you're a baseliner, a serve-and-volleyer, or an all-court player, the Ezone 98 offers something for everyone.

Groundstrokes

From the baseline, the Ezone 98 allows you to generate easy power and spin. The 98 square inch head size provides a nice balance between control and forgiveness. You'll find that you can really rip through the ball, creating heavy topspin that dips sharply and pushes your opponent back. The racquet's stability also shines when dealing with hard-hit balls. It doesn't flutter or twist in your hand, allowing you to redirect the pace with confidence. The feel is also excellent, providing a good connection to the ball, which is crucial for dictating play and hitting your targets consistently.

Serves

Serving with the Ezone 98 is a pleasure. The racquet's maneuverability allows you to generate good racquet head speed, resulting in powerful and accurate serves. Whether you prefer flat serves, slice serves, or kick serves, the Ezone 98 adapts well to your style. The open string pattern helps impart spin on kick serves, making them bounce high and awkwardly for your opponent. The control offered by the racquet also enables you to place your serves precisely, targeting your opponent's weaknesses.

Volleys

At the net, the Ezone 98 feels quick and responsive. Its head-light balance allows you to react quickly to incoming balls, making it easy to block volleys and put away winners. The racquet's stability ensures that your volleys are solid and controlled, even when dealing with hard-hit passing shots. The feel is also excellent, providing a good sense of the ball and allowing you to execute drop volleys and angled volleys with precision. This racquet gives you the confidence to be aggressive at the net and take control of the point.

Returns

Returning serve with the Ezone 98 is a breeze. The racquet's stability and control allow you to handle even the fastest serves with ease. The maneuverability enables you to get the racquet around quickly and block the ball back into play. The feel is also excellent, providing a good connection to the ball, which is crucial for hitting accurate and effective returns. Whether you prefer to block returns deep, chip and charge, or take an aggressive swing, the Ezone 98 adapts well to your style, making it a reliable weapon in your return game.

Pros and Cons

To give you a balanced view, let's break down the pros and cons of the Yonex Ezone 98 (2017):

Pros:

  • Excellent Balance: The racquet offers an outstanding blend of power, control, and feel, making it suitable for a wide range of playing styles.
  • Great Feel: The racquet provides exceptional feedback, allowing you to connect with the ball and execute your shots with precision.
  • Maneuverability: The head-light balance ensures quick racquet head speed and easy reactions at the net.
  • Stability: The racquet remains stable even when dealing with hard-hit balls, providing consistent performance.
  • Spin Potential: The open string pattern enhances spin generation, making it easy to hit heavy topspin and slice effectively.

Cons:

  • Stiffness: Some players may find the frame to be a bit stiff, which can lead to discomfort during extended play.
  • Power Level: While it offers good power, some players may find it lacking compared to more powerful racquets on the market. This can be subjective based on individual preferences and playing styles.

Who Is This Racquet For?

The Yonex Ezone 98 (2017) is ideally suited for intermediate to advanced players who are looking for a racquet that offers a balance of power, control, and feel. If you're a player who likes to dictate play from the baseline, serve with precision, or be aggressive at the net, the Ezone 98 can be a great fit. It's also a good choice for players who value feel and feedback, as the racquet provides excellent connection to the ball. This racquet is particularly appealing to players who want a user-friendly racquet that doesn't sacrifice performance. The blend of maneuverability, stability, and spin potential makes it a versatile option for players of all styles.

Final Verdict

In conclusion, the Yonex Ezone 98 (2017) is a standout racquet that offers a compelling blend of power, control, and feel. Its user-friendly design, combined with advanced technologies, makes it a great choice for intermediate to advanced players. Whether you're a baseliner, a serve-and-volleyer, or an all-court player, the Ezone 98 has something to offer. While it may not be the most powerful racquet on the market, its balance and feel more than make up for it. If you're looking for a racquet that can elevate your game and provide you with a consistent and reliable performance, the Yonex Ezone 98 (2017) is definitely worth considering. So go ahead, give it a try, and see if it's the perfect match for your game. You won't be disappointed!