Yonex EZONE 98 Tennis Racquet Review

The Yonex EZONE 98 8th Gen is the control-and-comfort end of Yonex's power line, and the frame Jessica Pegula, Ben Shelton, and Nick Kyrgios swing. A new-mould 98 with a softer flex, a plush, DR-like feel, and a stable, higher swing weight, for a stronger player who wants an EZONE's power reined in by control.

The players' EZONE

Where the EZONE 100 is the easy-power crowd-pleaser, the 98 is the version the strong players reach for. It is in the bags of Jessica Pegula, Ben Shelton and Nick Kyrgios, three very different games united by a full, fast swing, and that tells you what it wants: a player who supplies their own pace and wants control and feel to shape it. Yonex still calls it a power frame, but next to the 100 it is the dialed-in one.

Sam, on the EZONE 98

For a player with a big or medium swing, the 98 is the easier follow-through. Our testers found it simpler to swing all the way through the forehand and the two-handed backhand, and to come forward and finish a point at the net, with a comfortable, planted feel on every shot.

A new mould, and the return of the DR feel

The 98 gets more than a refresh this generation; it gets a new mould. Yonex expanded the hoop geometry laterally and thickened the top of the beam, which opens up the sweet spot, adds a little power and, crucially, drops the stiffness. The RA sits lower than the 100, and the frame plays more stable and more comfortable than the one it replaces.

The reward for all of that is feel. With the lower flex and the new MINOLON silk dampening, testers kept reaching for the same comparison: the elusive DR feel of old, the plush, connected response that made those Yonex frames legendary. If you have been waiting for an EZONE that feels as good as it hits, this is it. The VDM mesh in the handle and the 2G-Namd Speed graphite round out the comfort and the snapback.

How it plays

The 98 is the well-rounded, grown-up EZONE. It has power on tap, but it leads with control, comfort and a connection to the ball that the bigger frame cannot match.

Control you can lean on

This is the EZONE you can aim. The smaller head and the lower launch give you a dialed-in, predictable ball, so you can keep it deep without thinking about it and redirect pace with confidence. Our testers liked the feel better than the 100 and found it easier to control, the frame you finish points with rather than just start them.

Plush and comfortable

Comfort is the 98's quiet superpower. The softer flex, the MINOLON dampening and the VDM mesh give it a plush, silky response that is easy on the arm through a long match, and the connected feel means you always know where the ball is on the string bed. It is the more comfortable of the two frames by a clear margin.

Stable, but finish your swings

The 98 carries a higher swing weight than the 100, around 330, and that mass makes it stable and planted, excellent for taking a big hitter's pace and sending it back with interest. The trade is that it asks for commitment. Stop your swing short and the ball drops in a little shallow, so you have to finish through the shot. Some strong players will even want a touch more mass still, which is what the heavier EZONE 98 Tour is for.

A serve and a backhand you can trust

The 98 flatters the rest of the bag too. Our tester picked the two-handed backhand and the serve as his favorite shots on it, and even called himself a reluctant server before the frame changed his mind. The stable, connected feel gives you the confidence to swing out on the return and to go after a serve, and the control to place a first ball rather than just hit it hard. For a stronger player building points, that all-round dependability is a big part of the appeal.

Suzie, on the EZONE 98

Strings and setup

Yonex recommends around 52 pounds as a starting point, and the 98 takes string beautifully. Lean into a soft co-poly to make the most of the plush, DR-like feel, or a control poly strung a little higher if you want to tighten the response and sharpen the precision. Because the frame is already comfortable and low-powered, you have a wide, friendly window to tune it to your game.

98 or 100?

The 98 is the control, comfort, and feel choice, heavier, softer and more planted, for a stronger player with a full swing. If you want easier power, a faster, more maneuverable swing and a bigger margin for error, the EZONE 100 is the friendlier frame. And if you are cross-shopping 98s, it is worth demoing against the Wilson Blade 98, the Babolat Pure Aero 98, the Head Gravity Tour and the Yonex Muse 98, which cover control, spin, feel and comfort from different angles.

Who should swing it

The EZONE 98 is for intermediate to advanced players with big or medium swings who want control, comfort and stability without giving up power. The softer flex and the comfort tech make it plush and arm-friendly; the new mould broadens the sweet spot, and the higher swing weight keeps it planted and precise. It is a well-rounded player's frame that defends, attacks, and finishes at the net.

If you want easy, effortless power or a lighter, quicker frame, the EZONE 100 is the better fit, and a player who cannot yet finish a full swing will find the 98 asks too much. But for a strong player who wants the most comfortable, most controlled EZONE, and a real taste of that old DR magic, the 98 is a special frame.