Ben Shelton's Racket Setup: Details And Specs

Let's dive into the specifics of Ben Shelton's racket setup. Understanding the gear a professional athlete uses can give us insights into optimizing our own game. Ben Shelton, known for his powerful serves and aggressive playstyle, relies on a racket setup tailored to enhance his strengths. His choice of racket, strings, tension, and customizations all play a crucial role in his performance on the court. So, what exactly does Ben Shelton use, and why does it work for him? We’ll break it down piece by piece, providing you with a comprehensive look at his equipment.

Racket Model

Ben Shelton endorses and uses the Yonex EZONE 98. This racket is favored by many professional players for its blend of power and control. The EZONE series is known for its larger sweet spot, which provides forgiveness on off-center hits, making it a reliable choice for players who like to dictate play with aggressive shots. The Yonex EZONE 98 has a head size of 98 square inches, offering a balance between precision and power. Its weight, typically around 11.3 ounces unstrung, allows for easy maneuverability and fast racket head speed, crucial for generating the kind of spin and pace that Shelton is famous for. The frame's stiffness is designed to provide ample power without sacrificing control, ensuring that players can maintain accuracy even when hitting with full force. For a player like Shelton, who relies on both power and precision, the Yonex EZONE 98 offers the perfect combination of these attributes. Furthermore, the racket's design incorporates technologies that reduce vibration and enhance feel, contributing to a more comfortable and connected experience on the court. This is particularly important for professional players who spend countless hours practicing and competing, as minimizing strain and maximizing feel can significantly impact performance and longevity. The EZONE 98's reputation for reliability and performance makes it a staple on the professional tour, and Ben Shelton's endorsement only reinforces its status as a top-tier racket choice.

Strings

Moving on to strings, Ben Shelton uses a hybrid string setup. Hybrid stringing involves using two different types of strings for the mains (vertical strings) and crosses (horizontal strings). This allows players to customize the feel and performance of their racket to a greater extent than using a single type of string. Shelton's choice is the Yonex Polytour Pro 125 in the mains for durability and control, paired with Yonex Rexispeed 130 in the crosses for added feel and power. The Polytour Pro is a polyester string known for its exceptional control and ability to generate spin. Its construction provides a firm feel, allowing Shelton to maintain accuracy even when hitting with maximum effort. The Rexispeed, on the other hand, is a multifilament string that offers enhanced comfort and power. By combining these two strings, Shelton achieves a balance between control and power, allowing him to hit with both aggression and precision. The hybrid setup also enhances the overall feel of the racket, providing a more comfortable and responsive hitting experience. This is particularly important for a player like Shelton, who relies on feel to execute his diverse range of shots. The choice of string gauge, 1.25mm for the Polytour Pro and 1.30mm for the Rexispeed, further fine-tunes the racket's performance, optimizing it for Shelton's specific needs. Overall, Shelton's string selection reflects a meticulous approach to equipment customization, aimed at maximizing his performance on the court.

String Tension

String tension is a critical factor in racket performance, and Ben Shelton carefully selects his string tension to optimize his control and power. Typically, professional players experiment with different tensions to find the sweet spot that complements their playing style. Ben Shelton strings his Yonex Polytour Pro 125 mains at 52 lbs (23.5 kg) and his Yonex Rexispeed 130 crosses at 50 lbs (22.6 kg). This relatively low tension allows for a more forgiving response and a larger sweet spot, which is beneficial for generating power and spin. Lower tension strings tend to pocket the ball more, resulting in increased dwell time and enhanced feel. This can be particularly advantageous for players who like to hit with heavy topspin, as it allows them to impart more rotation on the ball. The slight difference in tension between the mains and crosses further fine-tunes the racket's performance, creating a more balanced and responsive feel. It's important to note that string tension can vary depending on playing conditions, such as temperature and humidity, as well as personal preference. Professional players often adjust their string tension based on these factors to maintain optimal performance. Shelton's choice of tension reflects his preference for a more flexible and responsive string bed, which allows him to generate maximum power and spin while maintaining control over his shots. This setup is tailored to his aggressive playing style, enabling him to dictate play from the baseline and hit with confidence.

Overgrip

An overgrip is the final layer of customization that players use to enhance their grip and comfort. Ben Shelton uses the Yonex Super Grap overgrip. Yonex Super Grap is a very popular choice among tour players due to its excellent absorption and comfortable feel. The overgrip provides a tacky surface that enhances grip security, preventing the racket from slipping in the player's hand, especially during intense rallies. The Yonex Super Grap is also highly absorbent, wicking away moisture to keep the hand dry and comfortable. This is particularly important in hot and humid conditions, where sweat can compromise grip and control. The overgrip is also relatively thin, which allows players to maintain a good feel for the racket handle. Ben Shelton likely prefers this overgrip for its balance of comfort, grip, and feel. He wraps his overgrip ensuring a secure and comfortable hold, which is essential for executing his powerful and precise shots. The overgrip is a simple yet crucial component of his racket setup, providing the confidence and control he needs to perform at his best. Furthermore, players often replace their overgrips frequently to maintain optimal performance, as the grip can wear down and lose its tackiness over time. Shelton's attention to detail in this aspect of his equipment setup highlights his commitment to maximizing every advantage on the court.

Customization

Customization is key for professional players to fine-tune their rackets to their exact preferences. While specific details of Ben Shelton's customization are not widely publicized, it's common for players to add weight to certain areas of the racket to adjust its balance and swingweight. Lead tape is often used to add weight to the head of the racket, increasing its stability and power. Weight can also be added to the handle to make the racket more head-light, improving maneuverability and feel. Customization ensures that the racket performs exactly as desired, complementing the player's strengths and minimizing weaknesses. Ben Shelton likely works closely with his equipment technicians to experiment with different customization options, finding the perfect balance that suits his game. This may involve adjusting the weight distribution, swingweight, and balance point to optimize the racket's performance for his specific playing style and preferences. The customization process is often iterative, with players making small adjustments over time to fine-tune their equipment to perfection. While the specific details of Shelton's customization remain confidential, it's clear that he pays close attention to this aspect of his equipment setup, recognizing its importance in maximizing his performance on the court. Ultimately, the goal of customization is to create a racket that feels like an extension of the player's arm, allowing them to hit with confidence and precision.

In summary, Ben Shelton's racket setup is a carefully considered combination of high-quality equipment and meticulous customization. His choice of the Yonex EZONE 98 racket, Yonex Polytour Pro 125 / Yonex Rexispeed 130 hybrid strings, specific string tensions, and Yonex Super Grap overgrip all contribute to his success on the court. Understanding the details of his setup can provide valuable insights for players looking to optimize their own equipment and improve their game. Remember, finding the right racket setup is a personal journey, and what works for one player may not work for another. Experiment with different options and find what feels best for you.