New Badminton Racket Launch: Yonex Astrox77

Well, here's where I get a little excited. The new Yonex Astrox 77 boasts a greater ease in swing transition, steeper smash angle and sharper drives. It's designed and built to fit today's fast-paced badminton games, and from what I've experience so far, it's pretty much whatever it promises.

But before I go into the First Impressions, I would like to put up a post to try and explain why this racket might be the next big thing.

All images from www.yonex.com

The rackets packs the heat with a few technologies

• New type of graphite
• Rotational Generator System
• Enhanced sweet spot

With one in hand, and some time on the court with this already, I will attempt to dissect the different marketing claims of the racket.


1. New graphite material - Namd

What it is:

The short of it all is that the new material allows the shaft to flex more during hard swings for more power, and flex less during sharp swings for more accuracy. 

By bonding the resin material directly onto the graphite instead of having them fill up the space in between, the shaft of the Yonex Astrox 77 takes on its dynamic properties that allows for fiercer attack. 

How this translates: 

I definitely feel it on the drives - they hit very quickly and sharply. Even the smashes appear to be a little more steep than usual. For now I do feel that the racket makes a difference when it comes to attacking, to the extent that I look for chances to utilize the drive. 

2. Rotational Generator System

What it is:

Ok Yonex this is a little too much marketing. Even the graphics above are trying a little too hard to explain that this racket is easy to swing around. So basically the "system" works like a swing, where the counter weights at either end contribute to reduce the inertia in reversing the motion - sort of like that perpetual motion device that you buy for your desk.

How it translates:

As campy as it sounds, the system actually works. Although this isn't new to the world of badminton (RSL and Prince both have similar weight distribution systems), the application of this in a complementary style to the flex properties of the shaft makes a rather lethal weapon on the court.

While I've not had the chance to test this racket extensively in doubles play, the ease of turning might actually give your defense game a boost too.

3. Isometric Head Shape

What it is:

This is a timeless classic. When the isometric head shape was introduced to the badminton world it allowed players all over the world to hit harder, faster and more accurately. 

By using a flat top on teh racket head instead of the conventional oval shape, the string bed stretches to increase the sweet spot, allowing a higher repulsion rate for that extra bit of punch in your swings.

How it translates:

The best way to witness the isometric head shape at work is to get your hands on a conventional shaped racket and have a go. You'll notice two things - that your hits aren't as accurate as they used to be, and that they tend to have a little less power than compared to a modern shaped one.

With that said, all that's left is for me to introduce the newest addition to to the Yonex line of rackets - the Astrox 77. 

To sum it all up, the new Yonex Astrox 77 may be very well fitted for the new BWF rulings that make games a matter of attack. With its offensive traits and its quick movement potential, the racket is set to make waves. 

First Impressions soon.