The Yonex Ezone 98 Tour is a popular option for advanced tennis players who are looking for a tennis racket that offers a good balance between power, control, and spin.
The new Ezone 98 Tour is now available to buy online so I thought it would be a good idea to look at the specs of the new 2022 version to see how it compares to the previous version that was released in 2020.
Yonex Ezone 98 Tour 2022 vs 2020
For this racket comparison, I will compare the 2022 and 2020 versions of the Ezone 98 Tour.
Racket Specs Comparison
| Specs: | 2022 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Head Size: | 98in | 98in |
| Design: |  |  |
| Length: | 27in | 27in |
| Strung Weight: | 332g (11.7oz) | 332g (11.7oz) |
| Swingweight: | 332 | 330 |
| Balance Point: | 4 Pts HL | 4 Pts HL |
| TW Stiffness Rating: | 64 | 62 |
| Power: | Low to Medium | Low to Medium |
| Beam Width: | 23.5mm / 24.5mm / 19.5mm | 23mm / 24mm / 19mm |
| Colors: | Blue | Blue |
| String Pattern: | 16×19 | 16×19 |
| Main Skips: | 8T,8H | 8T,8H |
| Grip Type: | Synthetic Grip | Synthetic Grip |
Yonex has made only a few changes to the new 2022 model as the head size (98in), racket length (27in), strung weight (332g), balance (4pts HL), and string pattern (16×19) are the same as they were in the 2020 model.
Both rackets also have an isometric frame which Yonex claims to give a sweet spot that is 7% bigger than a conventional round frame.
In terms of differences, the 2022 version (332) has a higher swing weight than the 2020 version (330) but the difference is relatively small so the maneuverability of both rackets will be very similar.
The 2022 version (64) is also stiffer than the 2020 version (62) but this difference is not huge so both frames will have a similar feel.
Probably the biggest change made to the 2022 version is its beam width which has been increased by 0.5mm at the head, side, and throat.
This slightly thicker beam width will mean you will get a bit more power from the 2022 version when compared with the 2020 version as it was a relatively low powered frame.
In terms of design, I like the new look of the 2022 version as I wasn’t a big fan of the shade of blue used in the 2020 version.
Is it worth upgrading?
I haven’t played with the 2022 model of the racket yet so I can’t give you a definitive answer on this but if I am just looking at the differences in racket specs then there probably aren’t enough changes to the 2022 model to warrant upgrading the 2020 model.
However, I do think the increase in beam width is a good update to the racket as this will help recreational players get more pop on their shots.
Once I get a demo of the 2022 version, I will update this article if I think it is worth upgrading.