An Se-young’s Racket and String (2026)

If you have been following the badminton world tour recently, you know there is one name that strikes fear into the hearts of opponents and awe into the hearts of fans: An Se-young.

The South Korean sensation has evolved from a defensive prodigy into an undisputed queen of the court. As we look ahead to the 2026 season, An Se-young isn’t just winning; she is rewriting the history books. But what exactly is the “Shuttlecock Genius” holding in her hand to produce such magic?

In this article, we are going to take a deep dive into her 2026 weapon of choice—the Yonex Astrox 77 Pro—and analyze how her specific setup complements her unique, world-beating playing style.

The “Shuttlecock Genius”: A Playing Style Analysis

To understand why An Se-young chooses her equipment, we first have to understand how she plays. For years, she was known as “The Great Wall of Korea.” Her style was defined by impossible retrieval. You could smash at the lines, drop it tight to the net, or drive it to her body—it didn’t matter. She would send it back.

However, the An Se-young of late 2025 is a different beast entirely. She has evolved into a “Hexagonal Player”—a term used to describe an athlete who scores perfect marks in every metric: speed, power, stamina, technique, defense, and mental fortitude.

The Evolution:

• Defense to Offense: She no longer just lifts the shuttle when under pressure. She now uses her incredible anticipation to intercept shots early, turning defense into a counter-attack in the blink of an eye.
• Deceptive Holds: Her ability to hold her shot until the very last millisecond freezes opponents, creating open spaces that she exploits with surgical precision.
• Efficient Movement: She doesn’t run; she glides. Her footwork is so efficient that she rarely looks tired, even in the third set of a Super 1000 final.

This evolution requires a racket that is versatile. She doesn’t need a heavy “sledgehammer” (like a dedicated smash racket) that might slow her defense down. She needs a “rapier”—something fast, precise, and capable of stinging power when she decides to strike.

2025: A Year of Absolute Dominance

Before we get to the gear, let’s just appreciate the momentum she is carrying into 2026. The 2025 season was nothing short of legendary for An Se-young. She didn’t just win; she collected titles like they were stamps.

Her Notable 2025 Haul:

• All England Open (Super 1000): The most prestigious tournament on the tour, where she dismantled the competition.
• Indonesia Open (Super 1000): Winning in the electric atmosphere of Istora Senayan is a test of nerves, and she passed with flying colors.
• Malaysia Open (Super 1000): Starting the year with a bang at one of the tour’s biggest openers.
• China Masters & Denmark Open (Super 750s): Proving her consistency across different continents and conditions.

By the end of 2025, she had broken prize money records and maintained a win rate hovering near 90%. She enters 2026 not just as World No. 1, but as the overwhelming favorite for every tournament she enters.

The Weapon: Yonex Astrox 77 Pro Review

So, what is the magic wand? An Se-young uses the Yonex Astrox 77 Pro (High Orange).

While many pros gravitate towards the ultra-stiff Astrox 99 or the compact Astrox 100ZZ, An Se-young’s choice of the 77 Pro is fascinating. It tells us that she prioritizes accessibility and control over raw, brute force.

The Specs

• Flex: Medium
• Balance: Head Heavy
• Weight: 4U (approx. 83g)
• Frame: Aero + Box Frame

Key Technologies

1. Rotational Generator System

This is the heart of the Astrox series. Yonex distributes the weight to the top of the frame, the T-joint, and the bottom of the handle.

• What this means for you: It allows the racket to feel head-heavy when you smash (for power) but evens out when you are driving or defending. This is crucial for An Se-young, who needs to transition from a smash to a net-kill instantly.

2. Namd Graphite The shaft uses a revolutionary graphite material called Namd, which adheres nanomaterials directly to the graphite fibers.

• What this means for you: It allows the shaft to flex more and store energy during fast swings, snapping back explosively on impact. This gives the racket a “whip-like” feel, adding easy power to clears and smashes without requiring you to have the biceps of a bodybuilder.

3. Flex Fuse This is a shock-absorbing polymer integrated into the T-joint.

• What this means for you: It creates a softer, more comfortable feeling on impact. For a player like An who plays long, grueling rallies, this vibration dampening is essential to reduce fatigue and injury risk.

Performance Review: How it Plays

The Astrox 77 Pro is often called the “most user-friendly” Astrox. It doesn’t demand perfect technique to generate power.

• Power: It offers “easy power.” You don’t have to force the shot. The medium flex shaft does a lot of the work for you, launching the shuttle deep into the opponent’s rear court with a smooth swing.
• Defense: Because it isn’t as relentlessly head-heavy as the Astrox 99, it is surprisingly maneuverable. It’s fast enough to react to a smash, which is the bread and butter of An Se-young’s game.
• Control: The “hold” on the shuttle is excellent. Because the frame isn’t rock-hard, the shuttle stays on the string bed a fraction of a second longer, allowing for those deceptive cross-court net shots that An loves to play.

The Engine Room: Yonex BG 80 String

A racket is only as good as its strings, and An Se-young’s choice here is very specific. She uses Yonex BG 80.

Why BG 80?

This is a classic choice for professional players, and it contrasts interestingly with her racket.

• The Feel: BG 80 is known for a “Hard” feel. It is rough and textured.
• The Material: It uses Vectran fiber, which is incredibly strong and elastic.
• The Result: Unmatched Repulsion.

The “Perfect Balance” Setup

Here is the genius of her setup:

• The Racket (Astrox 77 Pro): Medium Flex (Softer, holds the shuttle, comfortable).
• The String (BG 80): Hard Feel (Crisp, instant repulsion, high feedback).

If she used a soft string with a soft racket, the control would feel “mushy.” By pairing a medium-flex racket with a hard, repulsive string, she gets the best of both worlds. She gets the comfort and easy power of the 77 Pro, but the sharp, crisp precision of the BG 80.

When she goes for a smash, the BG 80 bites into the shuttle for a steep angle. When she goes for a delicate net spin, the texture of the string grabs the cork, allowing her to tumble the shuttle over the net cord.

String Tension: While her exact tension can vary by tournament conditions (temperature, humidity, drift), top women’s singles players like An typically string between 26 lbs and 28 lbs. This high tension shrinks the sweet spot but gives them total control over the shuttle’s direction.

Why This Gear Suits You (The Amateur Player)

Often, it is dangerous to copy a pro player’s gear. For example, using Viktor Axelsen’s extra-stiff, heavy racket might injure a beginner’s wrist.

However, An Se-young’s setup is surprisingly amateur-friendly. The Astrox 77 PRO is one of the few “Pro” rackets that intermediate club players can use effectively.

• If you struggle to get clears to the back of the court, the Medium Flex will help you.
• If you want more power but find the Astrox 99 too heavy/slow, the 77 Pro is the perfect middle ground.
• Pro Tip: If you are an intermediate player, you might want to swap the BG 80 string for something slightly more durable and repulsive like the Exbolt 65 or BG 66 Ultimax, as BG 80 loses tension quickly and breaks easily if you mishit.

Conclusion: The Queen’s Scepter

As we move deeper into 2026, An Se-young stands atop the badminton world, looking nearly invincible. Her equipment—the Yonex Astrox 77 Pro strung with BG 80—is a testament to her smart approach to the game. She doesn’t rely on brute force equipment; she relies on gear that enhances her natural fluidity, precision, and endurance.

She has proven that you don’t need the stiffest, heaviest racket to hit the hardest smash. You need the racket that fits your rhythm. For An Se-young, that rhythm is a beautiful, terrifying dance that leaves opponents stranded and fans cheering.

So, if you are looking to upgrade your gear for 2026 and you want a racket that offers a perfect blend of power and playability, you might just want to take a page out of the Queen’s book.