Short answer: Ben Shelton plays the Yonex EZONE 98, and unusually for this list, it is close to the retail frame rather than a hidden pro stock. He strings a poly-on-poly hybrid: Yonex PolyTour Strike in the mains and PolyTour Pro in the crosses, both around 57 lbs.
The frame
Shelton switched to the EZONE 98 in early 2023 from the VCORE Pro 97D, now sold as the Percept 97D. That was a heavier, more control-oriented stick. The EZONE gives him more free power, which shows up on serve. He hit 149 mph at the 2023 US Open, one of the fastest ever recorded.
The EZONE 98 is one of the more commonly played frames on tour, shared with Naomi Osaka among others, and the retail version is genuinely close to what the pros use. If you have been reading these pages and getting discouraged by pro stock molds, this is the one where buying the racquet actually gets you the racquet.
Published specs
- Head size: 98 sq in
- String pattern: 16x19
- Character: powerful for its head size, with a large sweet spot for a 98
The hybrid
PolyTour Strike in the mains, PolyTour Pro in the crosses. Both 16 gauge, 1.30 mm. He strings the crosses at the same tension or slightly higher, which is the reverse of what most hybrid players do.
The logic is straightforward once you know the strings. Strike is the firmer, lower-powered, more control-oriented of the two. Pro is softer and more comfortable. Putting the firm string in the mains where it does the most work, then going slightly tighter on the softer crosses, balances control against arm comfort. It is a thoughtful setup rather than a default one.
He is also consistent. Where a lot of players chase tension through a season, Shelton largely leaves his alone, closer in philosophy to how Nadal stayed at 56 to 57 for years.
What you can actually buy
Both strings and the frame. This is the most directly reproducible setup on this page. The link on this page loads the EZONE 98 with PolyTour Strike selected, since that is his mains string. If you want the true hybrid, order it and tell us in the notes and we will string Strike mains with Pro crosses.
Should you play this setup?
The frame suits players who want power from a mid-sized head. If you already hit big and need containment, the Percept line is the more controlled option.
On tension, 57 lbs in a full poly bed is firm for club play. Shelton generates enormous racquet speed. Start around 50 and adjust from there, and consider the softer PolyTour Pro throughout if your arm has opinions.
Sources
Frame and string details are reported by TennisCompanion and Tennisnerd, with the hybrid configuration corroborated by Yonex's own player listings. Tensions vary through a season, so treat this as current rather than fixed.