An Se-young, the incredibly talented South Korean badminton star, is known for her amazing skills and strong play on the court.
If you watch her games recently, you might notice she uses a special racket: the Yonex Astrox 77 Pro. This racket is very popular, and many players, from good amateurs to top professionals like An Se-young, like it a lot.
First, let’s understand what the Yonex Astrox 77 Pro is. It’s a badminton racket made by Yonex, a famous company that makes sports equipment.
This racket is part of their “Astrox” series, which is known for helping players hit powerful shots, especially smashes. The “Pro” in its name means it’s a high-level racket, designed for serious players.
One of the most important things about the Astrox 77 Pro is its “head-heavy” balance. Imagine holding the racket; if the weight feels more towards the top (the head) than the handle, it’s head-heavy.
This design helps players generate more power when they hit the shuttlecock. When you swing a head-heavy racket, the extra weight at the top gives you more momentum, like a hammer hitting a nail.
This is great for smashes and clears, making them go faster and farther. An Se-young, who often plays with strong, attacking shots, benefits a lot from this extra power.
Even though it’s head-heavy, the Astrox 77 Pro is not super stiff. It has a “medium flex” shaft. The shaft is the long part of the racket between the handle and the head.
A medium flex means the shaft bends a little bit when you hit the shuttlecock. This bending action helps to store and then release energy, giving you more “snap” in your shots.
For many players, especially those who don’t have super strong arms, this medium flex makes it easier to get power without working too hard. It also gives a good feeling when you hit the shuttle, like you can feel the shuttle better on the strings.
Yonex also puts special materials and technologies into the Astrox 77 Pro. One important technology is called “Namd.” This is a special type of graphite material used in the frame and shaft.
Namd makes the racket able to flex more but also return to its original shape faster. This “snapback” effect is key to generating powerful shots with good control.
Another feature is the “Rotational Generator System.” This is about how the weight is spread out in the racket. It helps the racket feel balanced and easy to swing, even with its head-heavy nature. This means you can quickly get ready for the next shot, which is very important in fast-paced badminton games.
The frame of the Astrox 77 Pro also has a special shape called “Aero+Box Frame.” This shape combines two designs: “aero” for fast swing speed and “box” for a solid feeling when you hit the shuttle.
So, you get the best of both worlds: quick movements and stable, powerful shots. Plus, the “Isometric” head shape, which is a signature of Yonex rackets, makes the “sweet spot” bigger.
The sweet spot is the best part of the strings to hit the shuttle for good power and control. A bigger sweet spot means you can hit the shuttle a little off-center and still get a good shot, which is helpful for all players.
For a player like An Se-young, who is a top-ranked singles player, the Astrox 77 Pro offers a great balance. She needs power for her attacking play, but she also needs control for precise shots and quick movements for defense.
This racket gives her that combination. The head-heavy balance helps her strong smashes, while the medium flex and quick swing speed (thanks to features like the Super Slim Shaft and Rotational Generator System) allow her to react fast and place the shuttle exactly where she wants.
The “Flex Fuse” resin in the throat of the racket also helps to absorb vibrations, making it more comfortable to hold and reducing stress on her arm, which is important for professional players who play many matches.
In simple terms, the Yonex Astrox 77 Pro is a racket that helps you hit strong shots without losing speed or control. It’s not just for professional players; many advanced and even intermediate players can feel the benefits.
It’s a racket that helps you “lead the attack” on the court. An Se-young’s success with this racket shows how effective it is for players who want to play an aggressive, all-around game.
If you are looking for a racket that gives you good power, comfortable feel, and quick handling, the Astrox 77 Pro is definitely one to consider. It’s a reliable and popular choice in the badminton world, proving its worth with every smash and drive by players like An Se-young.