This racquet’s raw speed and spin-friendly targeting make it one of the most accessible player’s racquets on the market
Yonex adds another chapter to the EZONE 98! As with previous generations, this control-oriented stick combines spin-friendly targeting with raw speed. Like the 2015 DR version (a staff favorite), this 2022 update packs above average feel, comfort and stability for a light player's racquet. It also plays deceptively soft and forgiving considering that it has an RA stiffness north of 64. Granted, it lacks the mass-based power and plow-through of its heavier counterparts, but you'll appreciate the quick handling when scrambling on defense, hitting shots on the run or charging the net. For this update, Yonex adds 2G NAMD SPEED to the shaft, resulting in a more powerful response with better ball feedback. Yonex has also retooled the beam construction, adding a thicker, more convex cross section in the shaft (for stability) along with a thinner frame face (for a softer response). Other technologies include Yonex’s time-tested ISOMETRIC head shape, a unique design feature that makes Yonex racquets feel more generous and forgiving than conventionally shaped equivalents. Ultimately, this racquet’s raw speed and scalpel like targeting make it one of the most accessible player’s racquets on the market. The fact that it feels great at contact makes it hard to beat.
Specifications
| Head Size: 98 in² / 632.26 cm² | ||||
| Length: 27in / 68.58cm | ||||
| Strung Weight: 11.4oz / 323g | ||||
| Balance: 12.79in / 32.49cm / 6 pts HL | ||||
| Swingweight: 318 | ||||
| Stiffness: 65 | ||||
| Beam Width: 23.5mm / 24.5mm / 19.5mm | ||||
| Composition: 2G-NAMD SPEED/HM Graphite | ||||
| Power Level: Low-Medium | ||||
| Stroke Style: Medium-Full | ||||
| Swing Speed: Medium-Fast | ||||
| Racquet Colors: Blue | ||||
| Grip Type: Yonex Synthetic | ||||
String Pattern:
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| String Tension: 45-60 pounds |
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Customer Reviews
A great racquet for allSo I'm a 2.0-2.5 player and was looking for more precision on my shots. Most people who are more advanced would say you don't have the skills to jump to a 98 but I wanted to give it a try. Demoed this and fell in love with it. Power but with more precision, its power is focused and it feels great on the arm. I recommend demoing this as I also purchased the strings they had on it.
Ezone deliversThis racquet is something else. I have played with a number of other brands, but never had a Yonex, and this one seemed up my alley. While I didn't demo it beforehand, I've played a few matches since getting it and am beginning to experience what it can do. Which is to say, quite a bit! With ample power, precision, and feel, this racquet could be an extension of your arm. Several of the reviews mention how fast it is and this can't be emphasized more. Swinging across the body is effortless as well as swinging through serves. I've only had this stick a couple months but I'll probably end up getting at least one more. While it could stand to be a shade heavier (the tour iteration solves that question), this is easily fixed with lead tape. Overall one of the finest racquets I've had the chance to wield.
Excellent racquetDemoed and purchased the Ezone 98 from Yonex. Was using a Prince 95 tour for 8 years. The Yonex Ezone 98 was a great improvement to my game. A good recommendation from Tennis Warehouse. Thanks much, K Russell
excellent racketI love playing with this racquet. The spin is good.
YONEX!Great feel and power. Very responsive.
What happened to Yonex QC?Strung a new Ezone 98 today and unstrung weight was 306 but unstrung SW was 279 and strung SW was 305 - way too low. Will have to spend some time with a roll of lead tape which is surprising for a Yonex.
Easy power, takes some getting used toI'm a 5.5 player and I don't change racquets too often. My last frame was the DR98. I cracked two of them and the grommets were hard to find for the other two so I demo'd this racquet. I'm approaching age 50 and I appreciate the increased power. It's not as much feel and control as I'm used to but it does have good control and I like the trade off. I will say that I found myself missing lines and hitting the ball out a few inches a lot and it just took time with the new racket. It's been about 6 months now and I absolutely love this frame, it's the best I've ever had. For reference I'm using the yellow 16L poly tour pro strung a little on the tighter side….50 I think. That string pairs very well, nice spin, control and the right amount of power.
GreatI'm an intermediate rec player and I didn't find it hard to use. It's fast through the air, yet pretty stable; good power and control.
I've tried the 100 for a couple of months and I prefer this one, because of the swing speed; better for one handed backhand.
Feels stiffer than my Speed Pro (2022), but not harsh on the arm.
Good I'm a 14 year old who is an intermediate player. I bought this racquet as an upgrade and I would like to say that it is very nice! I love the design and play, but it takes a long time to get used to. I bought this racquet about 2-3 weeks ago and I'm still not 100% comfortable with the Yonex EZONE 98 2022. The first week with this racquet was rough, I would find myself hitting the ball at places I didn't want. I strung it with polyester at 50 lbs. I will say that it is really starting to grow on me and It feels SUPER amazing whenever I hit it at the “sweet spot.” Serves with this racquet are pretty good as well, very fast. Overall I would rate this racquet an actual 5 because I'm starting to become friends with it. It's helped me a lot.
Yonex EZone - Great Control with a bit of popThis racquet provides everything I was looking for and more. I get the control on my ground strokes with an extra bit of pop to the topspin and the volleys are crisp off this strings. As for serving it is equally as good. All around very pleased with the racquet.
WOWI made the switch from the 2018 SV VCORE for years to this one. I loved the other one and it was hard to give up the explosive power. I would give this a 5 but...
When I first started using this YONEX, it was hard to connect with it. I wasn't sure if it was because of the strings and tension I used and because it was a heavier racquet with a smaller frame. I'm used to hitting with 100s and the transition wasn't smooth. I thought I wasn't strong enough to use this yet.
I can now say the swing is super easy. I don't have to put much effort in my swings. My problem is that I am used to generating my own power, so when I made this transition and did the same, it clashed.
My volleys are more accurate. It's not as explosive as my previous racquet, but it comes with easy power already. Serves are beautiful as well. The slices I get off this racquet stays low and consistent too. It has lots of control. Overall, I am really starting to like this racquet!
Yonex 2022 Ezone 98I like it a lot. It's very light and quick. It's so light that most 3.5 and up player will ad weight. It takes time and some strategic weighting to get it good, but when you do it's very good.
Really Solid Tennis RacquetI would say a very solid stick. Weight is a little light for 11.3/11.4 frame or so it feels that way, but I also have a pair of Vcore Pro 12.3oz frames that get heavy by the 2nd set. Maybe the Ezone Tour 2022 would be the perfect frame for me, but it's not out yet.
Thanks Tennis Warehouse!
FantasticI have been using the Wilson Blade for years and have tried many rackets considering a switch and until the EZONE 98 2022 the answer was always I prefer my Blade. That changed with this racket. It is fantastic in every respect.
Yonex EZONE 98 2022Switching from the Babolat Pure Drive 2021. The new EZONE is perfect for me (4.5 player). It's more maneuverable than the Babolat due to the fact that it's head light. And because it's head light, it allows me to accelerate through the strike zone very comfortably and when necessary without sacrificing power. That being said, I get very good pop with the EZONE. I did demo this racquet for about 3 months before pulling the trigger on purchasing. I chose this over the new Wilson Blade, which I also found to be very clean through the strike zone, but in the end, I found the EZONE to be better weight-balanced for my game.
Yonex EZONE Racquet of ChoiceGreat Racquet!
I switched from the VCORE to the EZONE 98. This racquet gives me more power on my serves and pop on the volleys!
Easy to play with the EZONE!
This is the easy one EZ ONE!I am a serial racquet switcher and 4.5 baseliner with a one handed backhand. I have never been a fan of this line but my 44 year old body was looking for a bit more help than it was getting from Vcore Pros and Prince Phantom 93s and 97s (mostly for arm problems) I had been playing with previously. Maybe it's partly the weight in stock form, which feels ridiculously maneuverable, but I just keep nailing the sweet spot -- and how sweet it is! Full poly doesn't hurt my arm (at 48 lbs and softer ones like Poly Tour Pro and Hyper G Soft). This will be in my bag for a while and my search will go on hold for a long time I think! Bravo Yonex!
Keeper for meI had the DR98 and since then only tried 5th generation (green one at least) but found that too stiff and powerful, and still have a Ezone Tour 98 but thats also a bit heavy for long periods. I tried this 7th generation (with Poly Tour Pro Blue 16 at 47lbs), and as many reviews have said its more control oriented and for sure not a power racquet, which fits my game. Added 3-4 grams on the hoop and it is super stable, very comfortable and forgiving, and feel is not too muted, nice combination of feel and comfort for me. Really need to take a good big swing though. Would suggest to string low for a full poly setup. Also really like the point job...a keeper for me as one of my 3 racquets in my bag.
Sleeper players racket ready to customizeThis frame is incredible. Previously played with a Vcore Pro 330g and made it to the USTA 5.0 tournament. Wanted to customize racquets during the pandemic so tried all the latest Yonex sticks. My old VCORE Pro was too heavy stock to allow much room to tweak after. Vcore and Vcore Pro are both great sticks but I'd describe it like this: EZONE is as good or better in every aspect and gives me things that those don't. This was weird to me because I wasn't a fan of the prior gen EZONE 98. I can't vouch for this frame in its stock form and spec, but weighed up to 12oz strung this thing is ridiculous. At its best I get more controllable power than I did with other sticks. At its worst it's at least twice as forgiving as the other sticks I've played with.
Head light, comfortable and spin friendlyComing from an Ai 98 this one feels a bit more powerful but not as soft as my previous racquet - still comfortable though. Spin-wise it feels pretty much the same.
Previous Feedback
Comments: Yonex continues to impress with this latest version of their EZONE 98. The 2022 updates, though subtle, are nonetheless substantive. The overall takeaway, for me, was it took an already winning recipe and addressed the key criticisms (lacking feel and stability). The improved dwell time upon impact definitely helped me feel more connected with my shots, and the increased stability and NAMD2 in the throat also stood out. The ball just feels like it comes off truer, with less deflection for better overall consistency. Though too light for my taste (current VCP 97H player), I can't wait to try the upcoming 98 Tour with the corrected balance! Overall, I'm very impressed with this latest version and it's perfect for the intermediate to advanced player looking for a solid 'modern' players' frame with improved feel and stability. One gets the sense that Yonex is making a concerted effort to listen to player feedback, and it shows in their updates for all three of their model lines. Their QA is the industry leader, and I am really impressed with their latest offerings as a whole.
From: Perry, Fremont, CA, 2/20/22
Comments: I have played with Babolat Pure Drives, Head Radicals, Wilson Blades, Yonex VCore Pros, etc. I currently owned a pair of the latest Pure Drives (2021). I have been looking and researching for an easy to play racquet, meaning using less effort with decent control. I am about a 3.5/4.0 level player. This racquet is amazing; it plays like a Pure Drive, but better. It's less stiff and has more controllable power, due to the 98 head size. It has plenty of power, but the key is controllable power. Each person is different, so I don't think a racquet that is good for one person is good for another. You have to try it out for yourself. You can demo it, but to me, demo-ing is useless as you don't usually get the strings or tension you want. And seriously, unless you demo a racquet for 6 months, there is no way you can definitively decide a racquet fits your playing style in a short period of time. That's just my 2 cents. By the way, Yonex has the highest quality control and no other brand comes close.
From: Tony W., Calabasas, CA, 2/12/22
Comments: I'm 4.0 level, and I can say it's quite a demanding racket, you need to put a lot of effort to make this an exceptional weapon. If you are out of shape or don't really want to sweat I recommend trying the EZONE 100 as its so much easier to use. But if you are the one that grunts and make screech noises on the court with a proper full swing, this one is a great weapon in your hand.
From: Harry, Long Beach, CA, 2/11/22
Comments: I'm a current DR 98 user. I'm a 4.0, 2 handed backhand player (not that this makes me anymore qualified to give advice). I was looking to possibly make a switch given the scarcity of quality DR frames on eBay. However, I can't recommend making a change if you are a DR fan. The new EZONE isn't a bad racquet. However, I find it lacking in all the areas that make the DR special. The control and feel aren't close to the same levels when comparing it to the DR. I lose the ability to hit completely out and feel comfortable where I'm placing the ball. You will, however, be able to more easily generate power, topspin, and pace with the new EZONE. Unmodified, the racquet is about 7 to 8 points lighter in swing weight as it compares to the DR. Obviously, you could add some tape to boost the swing weight. That being said, my two handed backhand suffers when playing with this frame as well as my slice (due to the swing weight). The DR is by no means a scalpel, but significantly better for both. I would recommend this racquet to anyone that wants access to bigger serves and more powerful ground strokes. If you like the feel of the new EZONE and can rein in the power, this might be for you. However, I won't be leaving my DR for this. I feel like this racquet (out of the the box) is better suited for a one handed backhand player as well.
From: John, 2/3/22
Comments: I am a strong 4.0 playing with a Wilson Clash Tour (Pro) for past few years. The Clash Tour has been great, but I've grown more aggressive at the net and want a racquet with more stability. I've tried a bunch of racquets (Yonex, Head, Tecnifibre, Babolat, etc) but hadn't found the one worth switching for until now. The new EZONE 98 is a great racquet for my all court style. And for some reason, this stick really suits my one handed backhand. Yes I wish it had a bit more weight and the handle wasn't oddly sized, but I'm ordering a couple of these to be my main racquet and will tweak to find my ideal setup. Highly recommend this racquet if you generate your own power and want a forgiving racquet that offers good feel.
From: Scott, Corte Madera, CA, 1/17/22
Comments: I am an intermediate to advanced player (3.5 — 4.0) I've been playing for about 5 years now and have a great feel for equipment. I can tell almost instantly the difference between racquets, weight and balance. I use a 2020 Yonex EZone 98 strung with Yonex PolyTour Rev 16L. I use a shock buster (long one) and Wilson Pro overgrip. I have to tell you, the difference between the 2020 vs 2022 was slight. I just demoed the 2022 ezone 98 and 100 racquets with a friend. It came strung with PolyTour Rev which is my current favorite string (approximately at 50lbs). First impressions, light hitting: it felt very similar to the 2021 VCore 98. Same type of sound when hitting the ball and similar control. This was the big difference for me vs the 2020. The 2020 for light hitting felt more solid. From the baseline: swinging full tilt, I noticed a tad more precision with the new 22 EZone; however, there was not much difference in feel or power between the two. I was surprised because when playing mini-tennis, I noticed a similar feel and sound as the 2021 VCore 98, but not from the baseline. Also in my demo was the 2022 EZone 100. I have to say it felt like I was cheating using this racquet. I had virtually no mis-hits, and the power was ridiculous. I'm not sure if it was as fun because I didn't feel like I was making any real effort. Like I didn't need to try to put the ball where I wanted. It just kind of went there with little effort. And the serves were just bombs. I did hit a few long because of the easy power, but I might use this racquet when I'm getting fatigued and need to finish a match. The sweet spot almost feels like an oversized racket compared to the 98. If you want precision with power go for the 2022 EZone 98, if you want easy tennis with little effort the 2022 EZone 100 is for you. I would recommend either of these racquets.
From: Acechester, NY, 12/29/21