Despite my ongoing injury concern I have been hitting the courts a few times for some light sessions and I have been using the time to test racquets. One of those racquets is the Yonex DR 98+ and I wanted to write a short Yonex DR 98+ racquet review.
The Yonex DR 98+ is the extended version of the bestselling racquet Yonex DR 98
(which I review here). It became a bit famous when Chris and Andy from the Tennis Warehouse play-test team switched to it after their review. I have been curious about it ever since, but it has been hard to get a hold of in Europe, so the review has been “delayed”. Now I have hit quite a bit with the Yonex DR 98+, and can share some of the enthusiasm of the TW team. It is a great stick in many ways but it does require quite a bit from the user.
Yonex DR 98+ Racquet Review – What is different?
The regular Yonex DR 98 plays really nice, but without lead tape I struggled to get a really nice skidding slice with it, and it did feel slightly stiffer than the predecessor, Yonex Ai 98 (which I used for a while and wrote about here). Although I thought the stiffer hoop would benefit some players (more power and stability) it was not enough to switch to it. Like in the Tennis Warehouse Yonex DR 98+ racquet review, I can confirm that the extended version plays plusher, with a higher swing weight and helps you a lot on serve.
It did feel like launch angle was lower and the spin potential was not as good as the standard version. The extra swing weight of the Yonex DR 98+
helps you a lot with stability and getting more depth and weight on your shots however. Some will love this, others might think the extended weight makes it more clunky and hard to wield. In fast volley exchanges, the DR 98+ will probably not be your best friend so I would hesitate to recommend it for doubles players.
Yonex DR 98+ Racquet Review – Unstrung specs
The Yonex DR 98+ shares many similarities with the Yonex DR 98 standard length version, but might be good to have a look at the specs anyway:
Head size: 98 sq inch
Length: 27,5 in
String pattern: 16×19
Weight: 310
Balance: 31,5 cm
RA: 63
SW strung: 335
Beam width: 23 mm / 24 mm / 19,5 mm
As you can see the swing weight is noticeably higher, from 324 on the standard version to 335 on the extended version. This does not sound like much, but it does make for a significantly harder-to-swing racquet. However, if you have the strength and legs for it, it will add great value to your strokes. I appreciate that the racquet feeling is much more solid than the standard length DR 98.
Yonex DR 98+ Racquet Review – Ratings
POWER: 8/10 – A nice blend of control and power here.
CONTROL: 8/10 – See above.
MANOEUVRABILITY: 5/10 – Not the easiest racquet to swing.
TOUCH: 8/10 – Nice and plush.
COMFORT: 8/10 – Even with a Solinco Tour Bite, which is a stiffer poly, it was comfortable.
SPIN: 6/10 – Not as much spin potential as in the standard length.
GROUNDSTROKES: 8/10 – Really happy grinding from the baseline with this stick.
VOLLEYS: 7/10 – Stable, but not fast at the net.
SERVE: 9/10 – Boom shakalak! The extra length makes for a power serving tool.
SLICE: 8/10 – Nice knife slice with this racquet.
OVERALL: 8/10 – A really nice racquet for the player who can handle it. Got more comfort than a Babolat Pure Drive Tour Plus
(read my review) and packs a big punch without the stiffness. The swing weight and extended length is something to think about unless you are already playing with a similar racquet, so a demo (if possible) is a good idea.
PS. Now that I have tested this racquet I am selling it to make room for more racquet reviews and play-tests. Let me know if you are interested. DS.
Have you tried the Yonex DR 98+? What do you think of it? Let me know in the comments below.
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8 comments
I agree with you regarding the DR98+
SV 98+ was for me even better a bit. Easier to swing mainly.
I got more accuracy, better depth.
I’m on the new Ezone 90+ from a while and I’m so thrilled that I already sold my hard to find in Europe SV98+ and DR98+.
The new Ezone 98+ is for me the perfect blend between the other two extended length Yonex sticks. So, I guess I’ve just gave you a reason to dig after the Ezone 98+ :)
Oh no, now I need to try the Ezone 98+ too :) Happy you’ve find the Ezone 98+ to be a good mix of the too.
Hi, do you still have the Yonex DR 98+ rackets et for sale? If yes, what is the cost including shipping to New Zealand. Cheers.
Hi Dave,
Sadly not! Nice stick, lots to swing though…Cheers / J
Hi, which racket between the Babolat Pure Strike 98 16×19 and the Yonex Ezone DR 98+ has the better shots and the better control?
Hi, the DR 98 offers better feel and control, the Pure Strike a bit more power. Cheers / J
If you had to choose between DR 98+, Ezone 98 and Blade 98 v7 what would you choose ?
I know you said in the review that the DR98+ isn’t the best for spin, but if you have a good spined forehand it won’t be a problem ?
I would choose the Blade personally, but the new Ezone 98 is easier to use with more power and spin. The DR 98+ is more cumbersome to swing for sure.