Ben Shelton's Racket: The Gear Powering His Game

by Jhon Lennon 49 views

Let's dive into the specifics of Ben Shelton's tennis racket and strings! For all you tennis fanatics out there, knowing what gear a pro like Ben uses can give you some serious insight into how he achieves that incredible power and precision on the court. We will explore the racket, the strings, and how these choices complement his explosive playing style. Understanding these details can help you make informed decisions about your own equipment, potentially boosting your game.

Ben Shelton's Racket

Ben Shelton endorses the Yonex EZONE 98, but he actually uses a customized version of it. This racket is known for its blend of power and control, which perfectly suits Ben’s aggressive baseline game. The EZONE series is designed to provide a larger sweet spot, thanks to Yonex's Isometric technology, which essentially makes the racket head more square-shaped. This means more forgiveness on off-center hits and consistent power across the string bed. For a player like Ben, who hits with massive topspin and isn't afraid to go for the lines, this forgiveness is crucial.

Key Features of the Yonex EZONE 98

  • Head Size: 98 square inches - Offers a great balance between power and control. The smaller head size compared to a 100 square inch racket provides more precision, allowing Ben to dictate play with confidence.
  • Weight: Approximately 11.5 ounces (unstrung) - This weight provides stability on impact, especially against heavy hitters. The weight helps Ben maintain control during his powerful swings, preventing the racket from twisting in his hand.
  • Balance: 6 pts HL (Head Light) - The head-light balance allows for quicker racket head speed, enabling faster serves and groundstrokes. This is essential for Ben's whippy forehand and aggressive net play.
  • Swingweight: Around 325 - This swingweight offers a good blend of maneuverability and power. It allows Ben to generate significant racket head speed while still maintaining control over the shot.
  • Stiffness: 64 RA - This stiffness rating provides a responsive feel and good energy transfer to the ball. The frame doesn't flex too much, ensuring minimal energy loss and maximum power potential.

Customization

While Ben uses the Yonex EZONE 98 as a base, his racket is heavily customized to meet his specific needs. Pros often add weight to the handle and head to adjust the balance and swingweight to their liking. Lead tape is commonly used for this purpose. These customizations can significantly impact how the racket performs, affecting everything from stability and power to maneuverability and feel. Players like Ben work closely with racket technicians to fine-tune their equipment until it perfectly matches their playing style. The handle size is also a crucial element; a grip that's too large or too small can compromise control and comfort.

Ben Shelton's Strings

Now, let's talk strings! Ben Shelton strings setup is a hybrid, combining Yonex Poly Tour Pro 125 in the mains with Yonex Rexis Speed 130 in the crosses. This combination offers a blend of power, control, and feel that complements his explosive game.

Yonex Poly Tour Pro 125 (Mains)

The Poly Tour Pro is a popular choice among professional tennis players due to its excellent balance of control, durability, and feel. It's a polyester string, which means it provides good spin potential and allows players to hit with aggressive topspin without losing control. The 125 gauge (1.25mm) offers enhanced durability compared to thinner gauges, making it suitable for players who hit with a lot of power.

  • Material: Polyester (Mono-filament) - Provides excellent durability and control.
  • Gauge: 1.25mm - Offers a good balance of durability and playability.
  • Characteristics: Known for its controlled power and comfortable feel for a poly string. It allows Ben to hit with confidence, knowing he can control the depth and direction of his shots.

Yonex Rexis Speed 130 (Crosses)

The Rexis Speed is a multifilament string designed to enhance comfort and provide added ball speed. By using it in the crosses, Ben softens the overall string bed, resulting in a more forgiving feel on off-center hits. The 130 gauge (1.30mm) provides extra durability and enhances the string's ability to absorb impact.

  • Material: Multifilament - Offers enhanced comfort and feel.
  • Gauge: 1.30mm - Provides added durability and shock absorption.
  • Characteristics: Known for its elasticity and ability to enhance ball speed. It complements the Poly Tour Pro in the mains by adding a touch of liveliness to the string bed.

Why a Hybrid Setup?

Hybrid string setups are common among professional players because they allow them to customize their string bed to achieve the desired performance characteristics. By combining a polyester string in the mains with a multifilament string in the crosses, players can enjoy the best of both worlds: control and spin from the poly, and comfort and feel from the multifilament. This combination helps reduce the risk of arm injuries, which is a significant concern for players who train and compete at a high level.

String Tension

String tension is a critical factor that affects the performance of a racket. Lower tension generally provides more power and a larger sweet spot, while higher tension offers more control and spin potential. Ben likely experiments with his string tension to find the perfect balance for his game. While the exact tension he uses may vary depending on the conditions and his opponent, it's likely in the mid-50s (pounds). This tension range provides a good blend of power and control, allowing him to dictate play from the baseline.

Factors Affecting String Tension

  • Weather Conditions: In warmer weather, strings tend to loosen up, so players may increase their tension slightly to maintain control. Conversely, in colder weather, strings tend to tighten, so players may decrease their tension to enhance power.
  • Court Surface: On faster surfaces like grass, players may opt for higher tension to improve control and keep the ball in play. On slower surfaces like clay, they may choose lower tension to generate more power and spin.
  • Opponent: Against opponents who hit with a lot of power, players may increase their tension to improve control. Against opponents who rely on finesse and strategy, they may decrease their tension to enhance power and spin.

How This Gear Complements Ben Shelton's Playing Style

Ben Shelton's playing style is characterized by massive power, aggressive baseline play, and a willingness to take risks. His racket and string setup are perfectly suited to this style. The Yonex EZONE 98 provides the control and stability he needs to keep his shots within the lines, while the hybrid string setup enhances power and spin potential. The Poly Tour Pro in the mains allows him to hit with heavy topspin, making his shots difficult to handle for his opponents. The Rexis Speed in the crosses adds a touch of comfort and feel, helping him maintain control even on off-center hits.

Power and Spin

Ben's ability to generate tremendous power and spin is a key component of his success. His racket and string setup help him maximize these attributes. The EZONE 98's head-light balance allows him to generate fast racket head speed, while the Poly Tour Pro strings grip the ball effectively, imparting massive topspin. This combination allows him to hit with both power and precision, keeping his opponents on the defensive.

Control and Stability

Despite his aggressive playing style, Ben also possesses excellent control and stability. His customized EZONE 98 provides the stability he needs to handle heavy shots from his opponents, while the hybrid string setup enhances his feel for the ball. This allows him to make subtle adjustments to his shots, ensuring they land exactly where he wants them to.

Comfort and Feel

While power and control are essential, comfort and feel are also important considerations for any tennis player. Ben's hybrid string setup helps enhance comfort by softening the overall string bed. This reduces the impact on his arm and wrist, allowing him to play for extended periods without experiencing fatigue or discomfort.

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it, guys! A detailed look into Ben Shelton's racket and string setup. Understanding the gear that pros like Ben use can give you valuable insights into how to optimize your own equipment. While you might not be able to replicate Ben's exact setup (customization is key!), knowing the specs of his racket and strings can guide you in choosing gear that complements your playing style and helps you reach your full potential. Keep experimenting, keep playing, and who knows, maybe you'll be the next big thing in tennis! Whether you are an aspiring pro or a weekend warrior, paying attention to your equipment can make a significant difference in your performance. Remember, the right gear can enhance your strengths and compensate for your weaknesses, giving you a competitive edge on the court. So, take the time to research different rackets and strings, experiment with different tensions, and find the setup that works best for you. And who knows, maybe you'll even develop your own unique hybrid string setup that becomes the envy of your local tennis club!