Stephan has tested the Diadem Elevate FS 98 over the past few months. This racket offers great control, combined with excellent ball feel and comfort. This was our last test before the lockdown. Hopefully, we can get back to testing soon!
Tester:
- Name: Stephan Couzijn
- Level: 5/6
- Player type: 44-year-old all-courter, eastern grip, one-handed backhand, fairly flat strokes
- Own racket: Yonex EZONE DR 98, Wilson Clash 100, Head Graphene 360+ Gravity MP
- Racket history: Incl. Wilson Pro Staff 6.0 95, Wilson Six-One 95, Head Radical, Wilson Pro Staff 97 CV
The Diadem Elevate FS 98 is now available in our webshop, including free stringing of your choice!
Tested racket – Specifications:
- Brand: Diadem
- Model: Elevate FS 98
- Head size: 98 sq/inch
- Weight: 305 gr
- Balance: 32.0 cm
- String pattern: 16×20
- Length: 27 inch
- RA: 64
- Beam: 21.5 mm flatbeam
- Swingweight: 318
Intro
I had the opportunity to test the Diadem Elevate Tour last year. This time I have the privilege of playing with the new Diadem Elevate FS 98. FS stands for “Flex Stabilization System”. More on that later. It is one of the last beautiful sunny days on the clay courts of Arthur Hoorn in Beverwijk before the lockdown. Together with Mike and Frans, we have a whole arsenal of rackets at our disposal, including the Head Extreme Tour and the new Babolat Pure Drive 2021. Beautiful updates to iconic rackets, one by one. A kind of Temptation Island for racket enthusiasts. The Diadem Elevate is a “hidden gem” among the established order.
The first version that came out in 2018 was a nice, stable, foam-filled frame. In addition, the frame is not too thick and has a nice head size of 98 sq/inch. With this head size, this frame falls into a category in which many competitors position their rackets. This makes it quite a challenge for Diadem to stand out. One thing that stands out about the Diadem Elevate is the 16 x 20 string pattern. I have already written about my preference for this string pattern in my earlier reviews. This allows you to generate plenty of power and spin, but unlike sometimes with a 16 x 19 pattern, the balls do not inexplicably fly off the racket. This is also what makes the Diadem Elevate FS 98 unique. You have to search with a flashlight for other rackets with a 16 x 20 string pattern. Only the Head Gravity MP also uses this, but with its slightly more head-heavy balance, it is not easily comparable.
Technology
This update offers improved stability to give players more precision and spin. With the Flex Stabilization System (FS), there is a kind of rib structure in the tubes of the frame with special foam in between. HMT Carbon is strategically placed to create a stable and powerful frame with a superior feel. In plain English, an improved version of the previous “Impact Shield Technology”, so more comfort, but also more stability.
Usually, I find the technical innovations mainly fun to read about under the guise of: what have they come up with now? I see it as fine-tuning a Formula 1 race car. The mechanics are always looking for that little bit of an edge over the competition. With the technology in tennis rackets, it works the same way in my opinion. It is nice to see that manufacturers fine-tune rackets based on player opinions. Of course, the rule of 100 players, 100 opinions also applies. But sometimes a common thread can be discovered. For the Diadem Elevate, it was already true that there was little to complain about. But with the FS technology, I definitely feel this time that the frame has become even more stable. So a big thumbs up to the developers of this frame.
Baseline play and serve
The Elevate FS 98 is incredibly predictable and super stable. I can produce the same shots every time like a ball cannon without one flying off. That is great for self-confidence. In addition, the foam-filled frame is completely vibration-free and resistant to hard incoming serves or heavy topspin balls. I had absolutely no stability issues with either my forehand or my backhand. Very solid overall. I tested the Diadem Elevate alongside my Wilson Pro Staff 97 CV. The Diadem Elevate 98 is a "classic" frame that is primarily focused on control and precision. The 16 × 20 string pattern provides a nice mix of power, control, and spin.
From the baseline, I can drive rallies against any type of player perfectly with the Diadem Elevate. Controlled length is the short summary. I can play the backhand, in my case one-handed and fairly flat, freely and with excellent length. The frame is just heavy enough to let the racket do the work without too much force. The returns go easily and especially very solid, both in the defensive phase and in the attacking phase. The serve is not overly powerful but very precise. By the way, I do think that you have slightly more serve power with this version of the Elevate than with its predecessor. My serves came through just as hard with the Elevate as with my Pro Staff 97 CV. The Diadem Elevate serves most effectively on flat strokes, although I could also open up the court surprisingly with my slice serve. For a kick serve, you have to put in more effort and really use your legs.
Ball feel
The ball feel is very good and the impact on your arm is always soft and "mellow". The vibrations are almost non-existent thanks to the foam filling. The Diadem Elevate offers excellent stability when executing all shots, supported by a high sense of comfort. At the end of 2 hours of testing, I did not feel any discomfort in my arm. So the racket is also not too dampened in terms of feel. You maintain a nice connection with the ball.
Net game
The ball feel and stability described above ensure that you will also appreciate the Elevate in the net game. You can play volleys, both from hard incoming balls or drop shots, with precision and plenty of margin. The smash is also accurate and very effective, although not enormously powerful. But good placement is always much more effective than brute force.
Test scores Diadem Elevate FS 98
Conclusion
The Diadem Elevate FS 98 is positioned in the Wilson Blade and Babolat Pure Strike segment. Tennis players who use these frames should definitely test the Diadem Elevate at least once in my opinion. Compared to Blade and Pure Strike, the Elevate has less power, but is much more pleasant in terms of playability and feel.
It is a frame that was designed primarily for the competitive player who can fully benefit from the characteristics of the Elevate. The frame suits a player who plays "classically" and flat slightly better, but the 16 × 20 string pattern does not rule out a nice dose of spin. In short: the Elevate FS 98 is a very successful update of an already very good frame. I would just prefer to see a different color scheme. Turquoise is too toothpaste-like for me. But that is very personal and does nothing to detract from the great playing properties of this, in my opinion, under-appreciated top brand.
The Diadem Elevate FS 98 is now available in our webshop, including free stringing of your choice!