Naomi Osaka has already established herself as among the contemporary legends of tennis, having won several Grand Slam titles. She seems to be destined to rule the next era.
Naomi Osaka, a Japanese tennis player, has lit up the tennis world. Few people had heard of her until she won the US Open in 2018 and the Australian Open in 2019. With this success, the Japanese star became the topic of the tennis universe quite immediately.
It aids her in accumulating sufficient points to demand the World No. 1 position. She is the very first Asian woman to reach the top of the WTA rankings.
She hasn’t been able to reproduce her performance since winning the grand slams. She is, however, still one of the world’s best players. With all of her achievements on the field, many people are curious about Naomi Osaka Racquet. That is precisely what this review would cover.
What Racquet Does Naomi Osaka Use?
Osaka, like most other fresh-faced tennis players, uses Yonex as her match gear. Naomi Osaka currently uses the Yonex EZONE 98 as her primary weapon. Yonex developed the racquet exclusively for Osaka. As a result, it’s not comparable to the retail version.
As per Yonex, Osaka’s racket’s structure weight and equilibrium point are quite different from the inventory models. It differs by around 2%.
The racquets have a modified shape as well. This racquet has more spin and accuracy than many competitors and a great contact and feel.
Naomi Osaka Racquet Specs
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Osaka’s game is built around her forehand energy and aggressive positional play. Her most significant change appeared to be in 2018 when she decreased the number of sloppy mistakes. Her coach, Sascha Bajin, was the catalyst for this transition. Her racquet undoubtedly aided her as well.
This racquet is less robust than a conventional one due to the reduced swing weight of 320-RDC. However, the gentle weight and quick acceleration help her generate more spin and strokes.
The strings in Osaka’s racquet are precisely the same as the inventory version. Yonex Poly Tour Strike is the stringing used by Osaka on the racquet.
It isn’t very easy to discover her racquet specifications. I searched for it for you.
| Head Size | 98 sq. in |
| Length | 68.58cm |
| Strung Weight | 11.4oz |
| Balance | 6 pts HL |
| Swing Weight | 316 |
| Stiffness | 63 |
| Grip Type | Yonex Synthetic |
| String Pattern | 16 Mains / 19 Crosses |
| Composition | M40X/HM Graphite |
| Beam Width | 23mm / 24mm / 19mm / |
What Features Make It Unique From Others
The Yonex Ezone 98 tennis racquet is renowned for its better performance and feels around the globe. When you’re gripping and practicing on the court, it gives you a unique set of emotions. These values of this racquet are the consequence of its design elements. These characteristics include:
Isometric Head Shape
Among the most distinguishing features of Osaka’s Racquet is its isometric head shape. Its sweet spot has been expanded as a result of this revolutionary design. Where does a racquet’s sweet spot lie? It’s the point on a racquet where the longest main and most extended cross strings intersect.
Racquets produce more power with a more prominent sweet spot. It also has a sweet spot that is roughly 48% larger than a typical oval head from a racquet. This feature provides a larger striking region than traditional round-headed racquets.
As a result of the more prominent sweet spot, you’ll have more strength and stability with fewer off-center shots.
The Yonex Ezone 98 Tennis Racquet’s isometric head shape significantly reduces the neutral space available in a traditional round frame. It increases the racquet’s flexibility, making it much easier to move around.
Vibration Dampening Mesh
The Vibration Dampening Mesh is yet another aspect of this racquet. It’s built into and across the racquet’s handle—this aids in reducing unnecessary vibrations.
As compared to a typical racquet, this function aims to minimize excessive vibrations by 30%. If you start a game with this racquet, you won’t have to worry about vibration tapping.
Liner Tech System
It provides additional relaxation and strength. In the center of the device, the string density is heavier. It has a more considerable string distance on the ends, which makes it easier to control. It lessens the impact of off-center strikes.
M40X Technology
This racquet’s throat is made of a particular type of graphite that is both solid and flexible. This function contributes to the frame’s stabilization. Simultaneously, it maximizes the flexibility at impact. The mixture of this graphite and the racquet’s isometric head shape gives it a solid and comfortable feel.
An Awesome String Pattern
The string design on this racquet is 16×19. This more accessible string design enables players with the spin and energy required for a quick game. It also allows you to get a feeling for the ball as it hits the ground.
The Strengths and Weaknesses of Naomi Osaka Racquet
Strengths
The Yonex Ezone 98 tennis racquet has many advantages, including:
- It has a moderate power output and quick and decisive motion. Because of its versatility, this racquet provides an outstanding gameplay experience.
- This racquet has a reduced vibration level. It gives you an incredible feeling while you deal with it.
- This racquet has a lot of exciting features. It’s more relaxed to play, and it’s beneficial to all kinds of players.
Weakness
The Yonex Ezone 98 is a fantastic device, but it does have some flaws. There are the following:
- It does not have enough power for big-hitters.
- It also has a lower spin than predicted.
How Does Naomi Osaka Racquet Play?
I recently had the opportunity to play with the Yonex EZONE 98. Previous EZONE models have a reputation for their spin-friendly and incredibly comfortable characteristics.
So I was very interested to see how well this racquet plays and whether there are any new features or not. It is my impression of the racquet after several days of use.
Ground Strokes
The output from the bottom of the court has to be an essential aspect of a racquet. It took a bit of time for me to adjust to the new racquet. But once I did, it felt fantastic from the bottom line. I can see how attacking players will love and adore this racquet because it has a lot of momentum.
The Ezone has been provided the isometric head figure. As a result, the buttery spot has been significantly improved. Also, I’ve noticed that the friction of this racquet has been reduced. There are no longer any pinging vibrations inside the racquet.
For groundstrokes, I had become a big admirer of the racquet. It will award it a perfect score of 9 out of 10 for its groundstrokes.
Volleys
With this racquet, I always liked how maneuverable it was at the net. During fast exchanges, it helps you to shift your racquet into position. The Yonex EZONE 98 made me feel very at ease while playing near the net. And this is possibly what I enjoyed most about it.
That will be the racquet for you if you spend a lot of time on the net. Sadly, the contemporary game of tennis is becoming quicker, and net positions are becoming less popular.
I will give it a 9.5 for volleys.
Serves
On the serves, the Yonex Ezone pleasantly amazed me. I was expecting a typical racquet that wouldn’t enable large serves. The EZONE 98, on the other hand, had plenty of strength, allowing me to enhance my MPH. The serves were not only perfect for straight serves but also for striking with turn.
The serves were the most delicate aspect of the Yonex EZONE 98, which capabilities. Although I am not the most fantastic server, this racquet enabled me to reach my fullest abilities.
Who Should Use This Racquet?
Anyone who strives to become like Naomi Osaka should take a look. You can try it if you think your playing style is close to Wawrinka’s.
The Yonex Ezone 98 has a higher level of stability. Its significantly wider striking area allows for a much more responsive reaction. As a result, this tennis racquet’s versatility and functionality are excellent. If you’re a beginner, medium, or professional tennis player, this racquet will suit your requirements.
If you want an identical Yonex Ezone as Naomi Osaka, please ensure you find the correct version.
Can You Buy Naomi Osaka’s Racquet?
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Most online retailers carry the Yonex EZONE 98. However, it’s not the type of racquet which is commonly accessible. At the amateur stage, it isn’t the most well-known racquet. Suppose you’re a ferocious service-line player who enjoys going for the net. This racquet is a perfect match for you.
You can browse at Amazon’s price for this racquet, correlate to other shops, and then choose the best deal. I found it cheaper at Amazon.com. You can go to the link below and grab it.
Conclusion
Naomi Osaka’s Racquet was the subject of this opinion article. The Yonex Ezone 98 is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It is much superior to the alternatives on the market. It’s a well-made, possibly the best, and highly successful tool. If you’re striving to go for something unique, it’s certainly worth having a look.
Read More: Kevin Anderson Racquet Specification | Madison Keys Racquet Specifications
My name is Reagen and I started AllTennisGear (earlier AllTennisShoes) as a way to share my humble experience and help new Tennis players. Thank you for spending a few minutes of your day here and know that your feedback is always welcome.