Yonex 08 Ezone Alpha 100 Blast Blue

This is the heaviest model in the Alpha series at 275 g, and that weight helps a less experienced player learn the mechanics of the stroke: the frame does not wobble or knock the swing off line. The head is powerful and stable, and the open 16x18 pattern across 100 sq in spins the ball readily.

Minolon in the throat softens the feel at impact. A mesh wrapped around the graphite in the handle filters out unwanted vibration. The isometric head gives more comfortable contact than a traditional shape, because its sweet spot is larger. The 330 mm balance leaves some of the 275 g up in the head. Manoeuvrable as it is, the frame gets to the ball quickly at the net too.