Overview of my expertise with the Astrox 88D Professional after 11 months. Notice: I play at a mid-intermediate degree – largely doubles. Play-style: Pace/flat exchanges. I take advantage of a fairly large grip on mine additionally (I do know some folks like skinny grips so preserve this in thoughts), personally I like bigger grips to generate energy/scale back vibrations.
Strung with BG80 (27lb mains x 29 lb cross)
Management – 8.5/10
The racket feels good and the hen goes to the place I would like it go more often than not (as a lot as my potential permits lol). Drops are fairly good and internet play is surprisingly sharp. The racket’s sharper flex provides it extra shuttlehold whereas nonetheless feeling stiff (greater stress helps stability this out for me).
Pace – 7/10*
Not the quickest racket, however I do not suppose that is one thing you are on the lookout for in order for you the 88D, loads of higher choices there.
*That being mentioned I do not thoughts the slower feeling since I common play fairly agile on the court docket. So making me decelerate and be affected person helps me with shot choice.
There are occasions in flat exchanges the place I’ve to lock in with my very own response time for the reason that racket is a bit slower.
Energy – 9.5/10
I prefer it, good and simple energy. I am not a giant particular person so having a racket on the pinnacle heavier facet helps preserve stress on my opponents after I get pinned within the backcourt. It additionally provides me extra confidence to place the hen away from the backcourt with out fear a few very good return by my opponent. Offers the sensation of smacking the hen with a newspaper (like these ones within the asian grocery retailer, the thick ones). After I first used it, I instantly felt like I might get extra out of the racket, which over time it actually did get extra highly effective.
It nearly appears like its obtained a multiplier enhance on smashes, if I put 100% of my energy right into a smash, it comes out with like +80% energy vs. on my nanoflare 800 3u (previous one) I am not getting that multiplier and my presence within the backcourt is non-existent ;-;. Clears are nice too, once more good and simple.
Protection – 7.5/10
Not good, however returns really feel direct. You gotta lock in in order for you these sharp returns due to the smaller head and added head weight. However the further shuttlehold from the bizarre flex it has helps. It really works although.
Total, it is my favorite racket I’ve tried to date and it is the one I carry out one of the best with. Most individuals may suppose it is counter-intuitive to make use of an influence centered racket for a speed-type participant, however I believe the other. It permits me to play within the backcourt with out being deadweight and provides that further tempo/energy when killing on the internet. It is vitally a lot geared towards offense centered gamers, leaning in direction of backcourt heavy gamers, however when you obtained the physicality to take care of velocity then go for it. I’d say it’s a very simple racket to make use of when you get timing proper. Some folks say different clever and to them I say follow with it extra (I do not wanna hear, “I used it twice and did not prefer it” – which means you did not actually strive it).
NOTE: Should you’re a fast participant, simply know you will must work in your footwork, physicality and pure quickness to take care of the identical velocity you’d usually play at with a head-light/even stability racket,.
Should you’ve tried it, let me know what you guys give it some thought.
Greatest,
L