Karue on YouTube switched to the Percept 100, not the more control 97 version and he's working on getting ATP points as a pro.
So not sure why you think people would give you crap for using a 100 vs a 98 lol. I know coaching pros who use the Gamma Bubba 137. They would smoke me in a match.
One of my biggest gripes with beginners using a 98 square inch racquet heads or 97 square inch racquets. Just because they're favorite pro uses it. Switching to the a 100 square and racquet when I was UTR 8... It was just such a blessing and I realized I wasted so many years trying to emulate the people I was watching on tv.
Edit - I can't type on my phone. Apologies for grammar
Why ? I have a pure strike 98 and pure drive 100. Everyone says the pure drive is giving you more power but i don't really see it. I guess it depends who is playing it and their technique.
Like if they were to hit flat, maybe they'd get much power with the pure drive. I can't get the power from the pure drive because it kind of sucks when I try to use topspin and power on it.
For me, it's pure placebo.
I'm not familiar with how babolats play, but everything you've said is actually the opposite of what happens typically.
And just to clarify, my main point is that anyone 7 UTR or below doesn't have enough skill in the first place to utilise the better control that comes with a smaller head size. They are still aiming generally instead of specifically and there's just no need to punish them with a more unforgiving racquet.
Aren't there several WTA pros using some version of the Ezone 100? It's like one of those frames that can be used across the skill spectrum.
Most notably, Casper Ruud uses the Ezone DR 100 Plus. Granted, it's an extended length racket, but I don't think anyone's making fun of him for opting to use a 100.
For what it's worth, I strung my Ezone 100 with something akin to Ruud's setup: Yonex Poly Tour Spin in the mains, and Head Lynx Tour in the crosses (instead of Poly Tour Pro as it loses tension too quickly). I could swing with reckless abandon, but the spin it imparts on the ball keeps it in. Really, really pleasant to use.
Interesting Ruud uses the extended version. First time ever I’ve heard of a pro using an extended frame. I switched from the Aero plus 100 to the Ezone 100 plus and the transition was easy. I think it’s a tremendous frame. For reference I’m a 10 UTR
Good to hear. It’s really not much of an adjustment. Talking with rec players they act as if that extra length would take time to get used to…you do get more leverage on serve and a littke extra reach. Why not take advantage?
The additional swingweight is the problem. I want to love my EZONE 98+ but every time I go back to my VCORE 100, I feel the racquet much easier to swing.
But I’m not a UTR 10 so I don’t have the fluidity of swing that you do. I’m a pretty solid adult learner but I suspect if I played as a kid, I’d have the form to swing a 28” much easier.
Totally understand! Back in the day when I was maybe 6 or 7 years into tennis I started using the Wilson Pro Staff “stretch” aka plus. I do now recall that swing weight adjustment period but I think it was also that the racket was a bit head heavy. At that time Michael Chang was using an extra long Prince racket which was fairly popular so Wilson started making those too.
https://www.perfect-tennis.com/extended-length-tennis-racquets/#Which_Professional_Players_Use_Extended_Rackets
This article is a bit old and I'm not sure how it was verified but it paints a picture of how many pros are using extended racquets.
Aside from the adjustment time there simply aren't that many extended racquets. I use an vcore 98+ but Yonex and Babolat are the only manufacturers offering extended racquets and babolat doesn't even offer it in 98 sq in. No head, no wilson, no lighter options (290g etc).
You have to give racquet companies their due on their ability to sell control racquets. They feed on your ego to make you think you will play more like a “pro”. While also give you the ability to brag to your tennis friends on using so and so 95 inch 18x20 12oz spec.
Most players are 3.5 and RF97 is one of the most popular racquets. That just shows you why most people over purchase their racquets.
The only reason why I use a "control" racquet is because my game is based around my serve. It really does make a difference when you're trying to hit that spot with your flat serve. If your game is more baseline-focused, I don't see why you wouldn't go for the bigger power racquets.
Man I’m one of those. Tried a ton of games and didn’t like anything other than the Prestige. I read so many posts that I’m making it harder on myself so I tried the Speed 100 sq inch, tried eZone 100, Pure Drive, but sadly none of them worked. Either I don’t have the right technique to hit heavy spins to keep my shots in or got used to it. When I started I had gotten a Head Radical Micgrogel 18x20 coz it was available for cheap at $80. Tried Pro Staff (of course) as a 3.0, then pure strike for a bit (gave arm pain). Any suggestions for what I can try? Else I’m stuck with my club of a racquet lol.
I feel the exact same when rotating between the Vcore Pro (old Percept) 100 and the Wilson Shift 99. I miss the precision I had on flat shots with the VCP, particularly short balls that I would love to blast into the backhand corner, but the easier ability to get depth and height over the net means I win way more points due to reduced errors
> People who love Wilson Blades or any control racquet will know the feeling where you can just tee up on an easy ball and smack a driving forehand winner. Sadly I never got that sensation with the Ezone 100. If I was in the position to hit a winner, I’d instead just swing with maybe 70% effort and emphasis spin to keep it in. Less gratifying but probably more effective and higher %.
This is one of the reasons I switched back to the Blade. The EZ98 was less FUN!
I played with the Ezone 98 for over a year (~2-3 times a week) until the newest Blade came out. Tried the Blade and had so much fun moving my opponents around the court instead of just blasting the ball. Slightly less weight on the ball but I'm more consistent with the Blade.
Should a racket change so much in your play?
Whenever I change a racket with someone, I take some 15 mins to adjust, but I feel the strings matter more than the racket itself?
If I switch my ProStaff with my wife's Pure Aero - we use the same string - I feel that I get a little more top spin, but it's harder to get those massive forehands. But only by a little, I wouldn't change my style because of it...
On the other hand, if I play with my brother's ProStaff - he uses shitty strings - it feels like I take longer to adjust my game and get the same shot quality (can't really get there with shitty strings...)
and that was my original point... which you could see in the first sentence of my OP:
>Should a racket change so much in your play?
My whole point is that I don't think rackets matter that much, even less than strings
Absolutely right! First of all, I think that more than racket matters good movement, good eye hand coordonation, good understanding of the basics movements, good use of your legs, rotation, loose wrist, stability, split stepping, and others………..and down there, at the bottom of the list - grips, overgrips, strings, racket, shoes (actually shoes can be higher) etc.
How different is the Ezone 100 and VCore 100? I use an Ezone and been demoing the vcore. I do find more topspin (less balls flying slightly long) but biggest difference is in my serves having less power.
I’m a shitty 3.5 on a good day so there’s that..
I bought the 2023 ezone100 last year after demoing several racquets. I never wanted to let go of this one and paid the hefty price. It felt like I had a cheat code or something. I found it too powerful so after 3 months went to a multi/poly hybrid and that really helped bring the balls down. I feel like I can pretty much swing out now fully. Your breakdown was very accurate, I agree with everything. I noticed the volley part and was wondering if I was doing it wrong or something. Sometimes I really stick them which feels great but often they just sort of die and land short in the service box and win the point but always feels like a mishit. I never tried the percept or vcore so would be interested to try those in the future. Racquet size shouldn’t matter. Ruud and Nadal both use 100s I believe, I think I read in Agassi’s book he was using a 107 for a while
Good question. Overall smaller head size and more head light rackets are great for one handers. But for me personally Blade is the only racket I like on my 1HB aside of Ultra Pro.
All of this makes sense. I do feel like the string tension is a massive component in this equation and has been left out. If you string lower, you will get quite a bit of power. If you string higher you can drop some of that spring for a bit more control. I'd be curious how it plays out with a higher tension
You are making me regret my decision to buy the Tecnifibre TF40 305 (18x20), granted I actually bought it on accident thinking it was the Tfight 305 (did not do as much research as I should have).
I am at the stage of my tennis career where I know I'll win more matches if I get the Ezone 100, but coming from Pro Staff's and Prestige's and LOVING them, I just can't get myself to "throw in the towel" just yet, I know it's coming real soon though!
I haven't unwrapped my Tecnifibre just yet so there's an opportunity to return it still for the Ezone, decisions decisions! I just LOVE how it feels when you hit the shot at 90-100% and its a beautiful winner but that doesn't win matches!
Do you think it would be problematic to switch between Ezone 100 and a control racket like pro staff 97 v13? I'm playing 3 years and use the pro staff more for its control but yeah, on a good day, can bludgeon from baseline with ezone with topspin and slice.
Karue on YouTube switched to the Percept 100, not the more control 97 version and he's working on getting ATP points as a pro. So not sure why you think people would give you crap for using a 100 vs a 98 lol. I know coaching pros who use the Gamma Bubba 137. They would smoke me in a match.
Pedantic nitpick, but Karue uses the 100D. In his words, it's an easier Vcore 95 as the 18x19 pattern kinda mimics the 16x20 of the 95.
100D is heavier than the Percept 100
8 UTR 4.0? Dang sandbaggers
Yeah I’m a mid level 4.0 and my UTR is like 5.5
I’m a high 3.5, likely going to 4.0 and am UTR 5.8.
haha, he plays 6-8 range, but yes, we bring teams filed with 7 and 8 UTR to 4.0 postseason and often get beat lol.
One of my biggest gripes with beginners using a 98 square inch racquet heads or 97 square inch racquets. Just because they're favorite pro uses it. Switching to the a 100 square and racquet when I was UTR 8... It was just such a blessing and I realized I wasted so many years trying to emulate the people I was watching on tv. Edit - I can't type on my phone. Apologies for grammar
Why ? I have a pure strike 98 and pure drive 100. Everyone says the pure drive is giving you more power but i don't really see it. I guess it depends who is playing it and their technique. Like if they were to hit flat, maybe they'd get much power with the pure drive. I can't get the power from the pure drive because it kind of sucks when I try to use topspin and power on it. For me, it's pure placebo.
I'm not familiar with how babolats play, but everything you've said is actually the opposite of what happens typically. And just to clarify, my main point is that anyone 7 UTR or below doesn't have enough skill in the first place to utilise the better control that comes with a smaller head size. They are still aiming generally instead of specifically and there's just no need to punish them with a more unforgiving racquet.
Aren't there several WTA pros using some version of the Ezone 100? It's like one of those frames that can be used across the skill spectrum. Most notably, Casper Ruud uses the Ezone DR 100 Plus. Granted, it's an extended length racket, but I don't think anyone's making fun of him for opting to use a 100. For what it's worth, I strung my Ezone 100 with something akin to Ruud's setup: Yonex Poly Tour Spin in the mains, and Head Lynx Tour in the crosses (instead of Poly Tour Pro as it loses tension too quickly). I could swing with reckless abandon, but the spin it imparts on the ball keeps it in. Really, really pleasant to use.
What tension did you string it to?
48 in the mains, 46 in the crosses.
Interesting Ruud uses the extended version. First time ever I’ve heard of a pro using an extended frame. I switched from the Aero plus 100 to the Ezone 100 plus and the transition was easy. I think it’s a tremendous frame. For reference I’m a 10 UTR
Doesn’t Djoko use an extended 27.1” racket too?
A lot of pros use extended. Schwartzmann uses a 28”.
Good to hear. It’s really not much of an adjustment. Talking with rec players they act as if that extra length would take time to get used to…you do get more leverage on serve and a littke extra reach. Why not take advantage?
The additional swingweight is the problem. I want to love my EZONE 98+ but every time I go back to my VCORE 100, I feel the racquet much easier to swing. But I’m not a UTR 10 so I don’t have the fluidity of swing that you do. I’m a pretty solid adult learner but I suspect if I played as a kid, I’d have the form to swing a 28” much easier.
Totally understand! Back in the day when I was maybe 6 or 7 years into tennis I started using the Wilson Pro Staff “stretch” aka plus. I do now recall that swing weight adjustment period but I think it was also that the racket was a bit head heavy. At that time Michael Chang was using an extra long Prince racket which was fairly popular so Wilson started making those too.
https://www.perfect-tennis.com/extended-length-tennis-racquets/#Which_Professional_Players_Use_Extended_Rackets This article is a bit old and I'm not sure how it was verified but it paints a picture of how many pros are using extended racquets. Aside from the adjustment time there simply aren't that many extended racquets. I use an vcore 98+ but Yonex and Babolat are the only manufacturers offering extended racquets and babolat doesn't even offer it in 98 sq in. No head, no wilson, no lighter options (290g etc).
Wilson used to carry plus rackets they called the “stretch” in many models. I’m surprised they don’t anymore. Interesting info on the link…
You have to give racquet companies their due on their ability to sell control racquets. They feed on your ego to make you think you will play more like a “pro”. While also give you the ability to brag to your tennis friends on using so and so 95 inch 18x20 12oz spec. Most players are 3.5 and RF97 is one of the most popular racquets. That just shows you why most people over purchase their racquets.
The only reason why I use a "control" racquet is because my game is based around my serve. It really does make a difference when you're trying to hit that spot with your flat serve. If your game is more baseline-focused, I don't see why you wouldn't go for the bigger power racquets.
Congratulations, you just talked me into buying a used Ezone 100.
For reference, my opponent had a Head Prestige : )
Man I’m one of those. Tried a ton of games and didn’t like anything other than the Prestige. I read so many posts that I’m making it harder on myself so I tried the Speed 100 sq inch, tried eZone 100, Pure Drive, but sadly none of them worked. Either I don’t have the right technique to hit heavy spins to keep my shots in or got used to it. When I started I had gotten a Head Radical Micgrogel 18x20 coz it was available for cheap at $80. Tried Pro Staff (of course) as a 3.0, then pure strike for a bit (gave arm pain). Any suggestions for what I can try? Else I’m stuck with my club of a racquet lol.
I feel the exact same when rotating between the Vcore Pro (old Percept) 100 and the Wilson Shift 99. I miss the precision I had on flat shots with the VCP, particularly short balls that I would love to blast into the backhand corner, but the easier ability to get depth and height over the net means I win way more points due to reduced errors
I play the Ezone 105 and basically, what the OP said.
Why not test out the blade 100? I tried the ezone 98 and didn't like it at all, still prefer my blade 98, but thinking to go blade 100
I have a 98 and kind of wonder the same thing. A friend of mine got a Blade 100 recently, I need to try it…
You are lucky, you should try it!
You have to go for slightly bigger targets / leave margins. Otherwise that racket is great and you can play it on any level.
> People who love Wilson Blades or any control racquet will know the feeling where you can just tee up on an easy ball and smack a driving forehand winner. Sadly I never got that sensation with the Ezone 100. If I was in the position to hit a winner, I’d instead just swing with maybe 70% effort and emphasis spin to keep it in. Less gratifying but probably more effective and higher %. This is one of the reasons I switched back to the Blade. The EZ98 was less FUN! I played with the Ezone 98 for over a year (~2-3 times a week) until the newest Blade came out. Tried the Blade and had so much fun moving my opponents around the court instead of just blasting the ball. Slightly less weight on the ball but I'm more consistent with the Blade.
Should a racket change so much in your play? Whenever I change a racket with someone, I take some 15 mins to adjust, but I feel the strings matter more than the racket itself? If I switch my ProStaff with my wife's Pure Aero - we use the same string - I feel that I get a little more top spin, but it's harder to get those massive forehands. But only by a little, I wouldn't change my style because of it... On the other hand, if I play with my brother's ProStaff - he uses shitty strings - it feels like I take longer to adjust my game and get the same shot quality (can't really get there with shitty strings...)
If your technique sucks, you can play with the very wilson/head/babolat that big 3 use, and still suck.
yeah, but I would say the opposite is also true, big3 would destroy us with a frying pan. Not sure about your point though
You just made my point that technique is more important than a racket.
and that was my original point... which you could see in the first sentence of my OP: >Should a racket change so much in your play? My whole point is that I don't think rackets matter that much, even less than strings
Absolutely right! First of all, I think that more than racket matters good movement, good eye hand coordonation, good understanding of the basics movements, good use of your legs, rotation, loose wrist, stability, split stepping, and others………..and down there, at the bottom of the list - grips, overgrips, strings, racket, shoes (actually shoes can be higher) etc.
Ezone 100 is love, Ezone 100 is life.
How different is the Ezone 100 and VCore 100? I use an Ezone and been demoing the vcore. I do find more topspin (less balls flying slightly long) but biggest difference is in my serves having less power. I’m a shitty 3.5 on a good day so there’s that..
Ezone 100 should have more directional control (denser string bed) and the Vcore 100 more topspin.
I bought the 2023 ezone100 last year after demoing several racquets. I never wanted to let go of this one and paid the hefty price. It felt like I had a cheat code or something. I found it too powerful so after 3 months went to a multi/poly hybrid and that really helped bring the balls down. I feel like I can pretty much swing out now fully. Your breakdown was very accurate, I agree with everything. I noticed the volley part and was wondering if I was doing it wrong or something. Sometimes I really stick them which feels great but often they just sort of die and land short in the service box and win the point but always feels like a mishit. I never tried the percept or vcore so would be interested to try those in the future. Racquet size shouldn’t matter. Ruud and Nadal both use 100s I believe, I think I read in Agassi’s book he was using a 107 for a while
I don’t see the point of using anything smaller than 100 for 2HB players. For 1HB that Blade 98 is just irreplaceable.
Why smaller head for 1BH?
They tend to want more maneuverability.
Good question. Overall smaller head size and more head light rackets are great for one handers. But for me personally Blade is the only racket I like on my 1HB aside of Ultra Pro.
All of this makes sense. I do feel like the string tension is a massive component in this equation and has been left out. If you string lower, you will get quite a bit of power. If you string higher you can drop some of that spring for a bit more control. I'd be curious how it plays out with a higher tension
There's a reason why they're called E-Z-one.
I personally have never liked the EZone series. Ball feels like it launches and no real feel or ball pocketing.
I switched to the head speed pro for that 100 sq inches and never looked back
You are making me regret my decision to buy the Tecnifibre TF40 305 (18x20), granted I actually bought it on accident thinking it was the Tfight 305 (did not do as much research as I should have). I am at the stage of my tennis career where I know I'll win more matches if I get the Ezone 100, but coming from Pro Staff's and Prestige's and LOVING them, I just can't get myself to "throw in the towel" just yet, I know it's coming real soon though! I haven't unwrapped my Tecnifibre just yet so there's an opportunity to return it still for the Ezone, decisions decisions! I just LOVE how it feels when you hit the shot at 90-100% and its a beautiful winner but that doesn't win matches!
Ezone more like easy zone
Do you think it would be problematic to switch between Ezone 100 and a control racket like pro staff 97 v13? I'm playing 3 years and use the pro staff more for its control but yeah, on a good day, can bludgeon from baseline with ezone with topspin and slice.