Ben Shelton's Racket: A Tennis Nerd's Deep Dive

Hey tennis enthusiasts! Ever wondered about the secret weapon behind Ben Shelton's explosive game? Well, you've come to the right place. We're diving deep into Ben Shelton's racket, dissecting every detail like true tennis nerds. Forget the fluff; we're talking specs, strings, and swing weights – the nitty-gritty stuff that makes a difference on the court. So, grab your notepad and let's explore what makes Shelton's equipment tick!

Unveiling Ben Shelton's Racket of Choice

Let's get straight to the point, guys. Ben Shelton endorses the Yonex EZONE 98. This is where things get interesting. While he endorses this racket, it's widely believed that he actually plays with a customized version, likely an older pro stock frame painted to look like the EZONE 98. This is a common practice among professional players, as they often prefer the feel and performance of rackets they've grown accustomed to over many years.

The Yonex EZONE 98 is known for its blend of power and control, making it a popular choice among aggressive baseliners. The 98 square inch head size offers a good balance between a generous sweet spot and precision, allowing players to hit with confidence and accuracy. The racket's stiffness rating is around 64 RA, providing a solid feel and contributing to its power potential. However, a pro stock version would most likely have a different stiffness and weight.

Ben Shelton's version is heavily customized to meet his specific needs and preferences. This customization process involves adding weight to certain areas of the racket to increase its stability and power. Lead tape is a common tool used for this purpose, and it's often applied to the head and handle of the racket. The added weight not only makes the racket more powerful but also increases its swing weight, making it more stable against off-center hits. These customizations are crucial for professional players who demand the highest level of performance from their equipment.

Ben Shelton's String Setup: Power and Precision

Okay, so the racket itself is just part of the equation. The strings play a massive role in how the racket performs. Ben Shelton is known to use a hybrid string setup, combining different types of strings to achieve the desired blend of power, control, and feel. While the exact string combination may vary, it's believed that he uses a Yonex Poly Tour Pro 1.25mm in the mains and a Yonex Rexispeed 1.30mm in the crosses.

The Yonex Poly Tour Pro is a popular polyester string known for its durability and control. It provides a firm feel and allows players to generate a lot of spin. The Yonex Rexispeed, on the other hand, is a multifilament string that offers a softer feel and greater comfort. By combining these two strings, Shelton can achieve a balance of power, control, and comfort that suits his aggressive playing style. The tension at which the strings are strung also plays a significant role. Pros typically string their rackets at higher tensions to gain more control and precision.

The choice of string tension is highly personal and depends on a variety of factors, including the player's swing speed, playing style, and the type of court surface. Higher string tensions generally provide more control but less power, while lower string tensions offer more power but less control. Ben Shelton likely experiments with different string tensions to find the optimal setup for each match and surface. Understanding the nuances of string selection and tension is essential for any serious tennis player looking to optimize their performance.

Decoding the Specs: Weight, Balance, and Swing Weight

Now, let's talk specs. These are the numbers that really matter to us tennis nerds! While the retail version of the Yonex EZONE 98 weighs around 11.3 ounces (320 grams) unstrung, Ben Shelton's customized racket likely weighs significantly more. As mentioned earlier, professional players often add weight to their rackets to increase stability and power. It's not uncommon for pro rackets to weigh 12-13 ounces (340-370 grams) or even more.

The balance point of a racket is another crucial factor that affects its feel and maneuverability. The balance point is the point at which the racket balances when held on a fulcrum. A head-light balance makes the racket feel more maneuverable and easier to swing, while a head-heavy balance provides more power and stability. Ben Shelton's racket likely has a slightly head-light balance to allow him to swing it quickly and generate a lot of racquet head speed. Again, this is speculation, but generally, players who hit with a lot of spin and power prefer a head-light balance for faster swing speeds.

Swing weight is a measure of how heavy the racket feels when you swing it. It takes into account the racket's weight, balance point, and head size. A higher swing weight makes the racket feel more stable and powerful, while a lower swing weight makes it feel more maneuverable. Ben Shelton's racket likely has a high swing weight to provide him with the stability and power he needs to hit his massive serves and groundstrokes. All these factors combined contribute to the overall performance and feel of the racket, making it a crucial piece of equipment for any professional player.

Shelton's Grip and Overgrip

Don't overlook the grip! It's the direct connection between the player and the racket. Ben Shelton likely uses a leather grip for a more solid and connected feel. Leather grips are firmer and provide more feedback than synthetic grips. He then uses an overgrip, most likely a Yonex overgrip. Overgrips provide added comfort and absorb moisture, preventing the racket from slipping in the player's hand. The choice of overgrip is highly personal, with many players experimenting with different textures and thicknesses to find the perfect fit.

The size of the grip is also crucial for comfort and control. A grip that is too small can cause the player to grip the racket too tightly, leading to fatigue and discomfort. A grip that is too large can make it difficult to control the racket. Ben Shelton likely uses a grip size that is appropriate for his hand size and playing style. Some players also build up their grip with heat-shrink sleeves to achieve a more customized fit. The grip is an essential element of the racket setup that should not be overlooked.

Final Thoughts: Emulating Shelton's Setup

So, can you just go out and buy Ben Shelton's racket and instantly start hitting like him? Well, not exactly. Remember, his racket is heavily customized to his specific needs. However, understanding his equipment choices can give you valuable insights into how to optimize your own setup. Experiment with different rackets, strings, and customizations to find what works best for your game. Don't be afraid to try new things and seek advice from experienced tennis coaches or racket technicians.

While you might not be able to replicate Shelton's exact setup, you can certainly learn from his choices and apply those lessons to your own game. Consider the Yonex EZONE 98 as a starting point and experiment with different string combinations and tensions. Pay attention to the weight, balance, and swing weight of your racket and make adjustments as needed. And most importantly, focus on developing your own unique playing style and technique. With the right equipment and a lot of hard work, you can take your game to the next level.

Remember guys, finding the right racket is a journey, not a destination. Keep experimenting, keep learning, and keep hitting those winners! Thanks for joining me on this deep dive into Ben Shelton's racket. Until next time, happy hitting!