Looking at the specs, the Dunlop SX 300 Tour is very similar to the Xi 98 in case you had any interest in trying something still in production. The only major difference is the balance point, but the SX 300 Tour has the same balance point as the Head Extreme Pro which is your favorite retail racquet so far. If you're looking for something foam-filled like your RF97, check out Tecnifibre, Diadem, or Solinco since all three brands fill all their frames with foam. This gives the racquets a much more solid feel, in my opinion. I love Tecnifibre's racquets, and if you're partial to the rectangular grip shape, there's no better option. Finally, you might want to try the Blade Pro. I read that the RF97 was based on the pro stock mold, the H22, and the Blade Pro is also an H22 mold. These two racquets are pretty comparable in a lot of ways.
I'm using the Ezone DR98 (yellow and blue I own both). I think they play similar to the XI, but the XI is a bit stiffer !? Btw. the Yonex XI 98 came out 2012 (not 2019, although of course the model you played might have been produced 2019 on the original mold of 2012). The review form tennis warehouse is from August 2012
Hi Sean, I know I posted a somewhat negative comment on your return to competitive play (I said at the time that your backhand wasnt being hit with follow through and still stand by what I saw on that particular video you posted). This, however, is by far the best video from you I've seen, insofar as it relates specifically to me. Why? Because I'm looking at rackets all the time, and have been waiting for an actual player to review the XI. There are plenty of "wannabes" reviewing sticks, but you're one of the few actual players that have done a review on the XI. Massive thank you for that. I would also add, you look like you're hitting your backhand now with more follow through. I would expect that the lighter frame is more maneuverable, allowing you both to whip it through faster, and to manipulate the head for more spin. This leads me on to my next thought; if you're comparing it favourably against the already well respected Ezone, how does it fare against other Yonex sticks like VCore, Precept, and the legendary Regna (very hard to get hold of the 98 - stay away from the 100)? I'm genuinely interested to hear if you think you'd move to the XI. I've been looking to move on from my own DR98's for some time, and thought about the XI, but never seemed to find a review from someone that I thought was up to par (you are well and truly up to par as a current touring pro). Interested to hear your thoughts. Thx, R ps: that looks like David Lloyds Hannibal way???
I honestly didn’t check, I know if you take the bumper off it’s very hard to get new ones to replace it. And as it wasn’t my racket I didn’t want to mess with it too much. But from what I’ve seen online it’s used at stock 310g
There is no way nick uses a 310g retail racket with a paint job, it's obviously fake, his real rackets gonna be custom lay up, much heavier.. 330g unstrung, good scam though putting his name on it...
It’s not a retail racket, it’s an older yonex model called the XI, genuinely is his frame, it has his name on it and if you look at videos of him using it it’s the same shape etc. the video is not a scam thank you
Until you measure it, it could weigh anything. I've had many prostock racquets that are nothing like what the printed specs show. It may be his racquet, but it won't be anything like a racquet you can switch to.
Would be good to put up the exact specs and sw , Kyrgios uses the XI 98 which is the original frame
Looking at the specs, the Dunlop SX 300 Tour is very similar to the Xi 98 in case you had any interest in trying something still in production. The only major difference is the balance point, but the SX 300 Tour has the same balance point as the Head Extreme Pro which is your favorite retail racquet so far.
If you're looking for something foam-filled like your RF97, check out Tecnifibre, Diadem, or Solinco since all three brands fill all their frames with foam. This gives the racquets a much more solid feel, in my opinion. I love Tecnifibre's racquets, and if you're partial to the rectangular grip shape, there's no better option.
Finally, you might want to try the Blade Pro. I read that the RF97 was based on the pro stock mold, the H22, and the Blade Pro is also an H22 mold. These two racquets are pretty comparable in a lot of ways.
Nick is going to see this in Instagram mate.
I'm using the Ezone DR98 (yellow and blue I own both). I think they play similar to the XI, but the XI is a bit stiffer !?
Btw. the Yonex XI 98 came out 2012 (not 2019, although of course the model you played might have been produced 2019 on the original mold of 2012). The review form tennis warehouse is from August 2012
Hey Sean, love the video. Perhaps try the someday? Similar to XI 98 or even better I reckon.
The what? Lol you didn't type anything
Would love to see you hit with a VCORE, a favourite racket of choice for a lot of one handers.
super interesting review, nice hitting as well.
I just got the Ezone XI98 which is what Nick actually uses . It is a sweet stick
@@Phoniq it’s a beautiful frame, really enjoyed hitting with it, if I could get them easily I think I’d switch
@@seanplaystenis yeh true. I was lucky and found mine in new condition for cheap in Switzerland. They’re around, just have to be on the look out.
You should checkout the 2023 Vcore 98 Tour. Think it could potentially be a good fit!
Class mate, Nick is 🔥🔥
Thank you 🙏
Hi Sean,
I know I posted a somewhat negative comment on your return to competitive play (I said at the time that your backhand wasnt being hit with follow through and still stand by what I saw on that particular video you posted).
This, however, is by far the best video from you I've seen, insofar as it relates specifically to me. Why? Because I'm looking at rackets all the time, and have been waiting for an actual player to review the XI. There are plenty of "wannabes" reviewing sticks, but you're one of the few actual players that have done a review on the XI. Massive thank you for that.
I would also add, you look like you're hitting your backhand now with more follow through. I would expect that the lighter frame is more maneuverable, allowing you both to whip it through faster, and to manipulate the head for more spin.
This leads me on to my next thought; if you're comparing it favourably against the already well respected Ezone, how does it fare against other Yonex sticks like VCore, Precept, and the legendary Regna (very hard to get hold of the 98 - stay away from the 100)?
I'm genuinely interested to hear if you think you'd move to the XI. I've been looking to move on from my own DR98's for some time, and thought about the XI, but never seemed to find a review from someone that I thought was up to par (you are well and truly up to par as a current touring pro).
Interested to hear your thoughts.
Thx,
R
ps: that looks like David Lloyds Hannibal way???
Eat ass
no lead or anything? even under the leather grip?
It looks bigger than the retail Ezone 98 when you put them side to side.
Yeah I thought that, it felt like 100 but it is a 98, the sweet spot was big
It's not his racket 😂
Good looking and solid racket, I suggest you to add the racket specs and some links.
Yeah I’ll add the specs to the video 👍 unfortunately you can’t get these in racket shops, maybe on websites where they sell pro stock frames
@@seanplaystenis I have 3 Yonex XI 98's, 3/8 grips if you want to buy one, they are all in good shape
When are you going to switch to a frame that gives you more. Eg aero 98 or e zone 98
I’m trying frames at the minute. The head extreme is the racket I’ve been really impressed with recently
Kygrios doesnt use a damp
Nice review cheers.
You should make switch to this or aero98....can you compare aero98 to this
If I can borrow the yonex again I’ll do a comparison 👍 I have the aero 98 also
How aero98 compare to xi @@seanplaystenis
David Lloyd Raynes Park?
Correct 👍
2012 XI with a 2020 paint job,
2k worth a racket right there! 😅 good job your on carpet …
The xi 98 is a beast
2018 PJ on that frame.
Yep I was putting it nowhere near any low balls 😂even on the carpet I didn’t want to take any chances
Parabéns!
If its kyrkios real racquet he has lead under the bumper… did you check there?
I honestly didn’t check, I know if you take the bumper off it’s very hard to get new ones to replace it. And as it wasn’t my racket I didn’t want to mess with it too much. But from what I’ve seen online it’s used at stock 310g
@@seanplaystenis Great vid, mate.
@@seanplaystenis you can actually bend them up a little with you’re finger nails without ruining the bumpers and you’ll be able to see the lead tape
Is your girlfriend a trainer or 9~5 worker? Hope you get a big sponsorship
There is no way nick uses a 310g retail racket with a paint job, it's obviously fake, his real rackets gonna be custom lay up, much heavier.. 330g unstrung, good scam though putting his name on it...
It’s not a retail racket, it’s an older yonex model called the XI, genuinely is his frame, it has his name on it and if you look at videos of him using it it’s the same shape etc. the video is not a scam thank you
Relax my brotherrrrrr
Until you measure it, it could weigh anything. I've had many prostock racquets that are nothing like what the printed specs show. It may be his racquet, but it won't be anything like a racquet you can switch to.
@@seanplaystenisI knew you'd say that but yes it is an old version of a retail racket that's what I meant.... still a retail racket
I hate the way the manufacturers dupe the public into thinking the pros use light rackets just like you're doing
He has lead under guard and uses 1.20mm yellow poly tour pro at 45 pounds