As I mentioned before, this racket used by pro women doubles players like Zhao Yunlei, Bao Yixin, Li Yinhui and Liliyana Natsir. Bear in mind, out of the list, only Zhao Yunlei had retired.
A light racket lacks head weight. Less headweight means often less power, but better defence. Without knowing this lady and her level of play it is really hard to suggest something. Comparing the likings of WD pros is really awkward and absurd. First of all, you won't get a powerful smash with a light racket. Powerful smash is also not related to the racket, it's your technique. I suggest any 4U Jetspeed (8PS, 8ST, 10 ,12) or a or a BS12 from Victor. Should fit nearly every lady. JS and BS are fast enough for defence, got at the net, got at the backcourt without making you tired. Anything lighter than 4U will break your neck. My 2 cents.
Hi ! icantseeu. LOL thanks for ur recommendation! Jetspeed has stiff shaft, would it be an obstacle to perform well? perhaps at the moment i need a good and suitable racket to compromise my not so perfect technique~
omg how cheap is cheap? its expensive to even get it online here. at the moment i wouldn't dare to buy a too expensive racket that nobody around here OR around me uses except WD professionals what do u think.
It's cheaper compared to most high end racquets is what I meant. If you're on a tight budget, you can get any racquet and put good strings on it. Pick the color you like. It won't matter too much which racquet you get, at least not in terms of winning and losing. High end racquets are mostly about finding a preferred "feel", unless you play at a fairly advanced level where each small advantage matters.
thanks Dave! i have a few budget rackets currently which is not up to my expectations, I had also strung few types of strings with diff tension. I'm mostly using 24 lbs at the moment. i don't play just to sweat but also trying to play more advancely. therefore i would like to try a more high end racket to see whether it can compromise my not-so-good(but improving) technique. =)
Thanks crabz, that was really helpful! What is one thing you would want to get out of a new racquet? Power? Speed/Defense? Control? Consistency? Many of these things tradeoff with others, so you kinda have to choose those that matter most to you. Personally, I wanted control and consistency so I traded off speed and defense. This works for me as I tend to be a rear court player anyways and I have a fast partner.
aaalright, its sooo hard to choose. actually depends also on what i play and who is my partner. at the moment i would tell u speed>power=control=defense ..? LOL =)
Jetspeed 8ST and 8PS and 12 is mid-stiff to stiff. JS10 is x-stiff. I can't answer. I don't know your level of play or your technique. For reference I would call my own technique also not perfect, but can hit end to end forehand and backhand with anything which has the correct gripsize for my liking. IMO no racket can compromise a bad technique. Who can't hit the shuttle deep into the court under pressure, who can't perform a winning smash or a controlled netplay and can't get his quote of errors low, would experience this with any racket in the world. I wouldn't choose a racket based on my partner or discipline. This is a bad idea. I choose rackets which fits my liking and abilities. That's it. Once I'm familiar I can play with any of my rackets the net, the midcourt and the backcourt. Regardless if singles, doubles or mixed doubles.
Yes, it's overprice especially in Asia, Li-Ning's high-end rackets are more expensive compare to Yonex and Victor. But in North America (USA & Canada), I agreed with dave010, the retail price of Li-Ning's high-end rackets are slightly cheaper compare to Yonex and Victor.
If budget is your concern but you need a high-end racket, you should get Yonex racket from www.sunriseclick.com, it's much cheaper. Alternatively, you may consider high-end rackets from mid brands like Gosen, Protech, Apacs & Fleet. Their high-end rackets are good. Lastly, if you still keen on the Li-Ning N7 II Light racket, I can sell you at discounted price (I bought this racket for testing purpose), but you have to collect in Singapore.