Hi all, I've played for about 10 years, but my last game was 7 years ago. Coming back slowly (I'm 40 years old...) I'm looking for a nice racket. I'm not a kid anymore, so I realize I don't need to spend $200+ (USD) for an Olympic-level-player racket. Looking for something around $100-$150. 4U. 3/5 stiffness, 4/5 head heavy. All rounder. The last racket I wanted back then (2015) was the Victor TK 6000, but I'm guessing a lot has changed since then. Any recommendations? Back then I had a Victor BS12, Li Ning n36 and even a Kason K9. I was all over the place. Thanks!
I will check out the specs and reviews on it, thanks! Is that what you play with? If so, what do you like about it?
7 year are quite long time. 3 month not playing due to Covid already change my style & habit. So dont to much bothered with the racket in the past. You will walking the learning path again, reawaken your sleeping beast in you & not to mention different physical capability. So even if you got the same racket again, pretty sure you will feel alien to it & either you still like it or you might hate it now. So just get the racket & enjoy your comeback. Yonex Astrox Tour series are good start. Victor also had some mid end model like TK Hawk or TK Legend.
Thank you for your reply Budi. Yeah, the most scary part of coming back is my physical endurance... I just need something to play with and completely lost with all the new lines of rackets from Yonex, Victor and Li Ning. I'll check out your recommendations. Thanks!
I vouch for the Astrox 77. Though I have one in 3U, it is a very good standard racket. Very all round.
Refer to @Budi reply. I feel like that is the answer to your concerns of getting a new racket. Astrox Tour rackets are made in Japan, so I would assume the feeling is better than a mid range racket & is decent priced just like the mid range rackets out there.
Astrox 99 Tour fits into your price range (I am converting dollars to £). Astrox 100 Game (kurenai) should also fit in your budget Astrox 88s Game should fit in your budget as well. I haven't tried any of them out as I go for head light racquets personally (shoulder injury)
Thanks @BadmintonDave , I've added those to my list to check, and hopefully someone in my club will have them so I could test. @Dlee , I'm trying to find a tk6000 or Onigiri to check out. Onigiri might be out of my price range, but thank you for your comment.
Onigiri are older model, if its still available, there might be a discount for it. But im my memory didnt fail me, Onigiri are compact head compare to normal head of 6000.
Bravesword 12 is still in production and still holds up well today. It's a timeless classic. You can't go wrong with it. Others to consider are the Arcsaber 11 Play and Arcsaber 7 Play. Yonex will also be releasing an Astrox 77 Play in October along with the more expensive 77 Tour and Pro models.