Good to know: In 2017, YONEX launched the #YonexSneakPeek Challenge, marking the beginning of the new ASTROX era. The YONEX ASTROX 77, which we already tested in 2018, laid the foundation for this successful series. In the following years, the YONEX ASTROX series was expanded by the successful models ASTROX 88, ASTROX 99 and ASTROX 100 - and since 2021, the new innovation concept has been supplemented by the PRO, TOUR, GAME and PLAY versions. By the way, all ASTROX models stand for top-heavy rackets with a lot of offensive power and have thus replaced the predecessor series YONEX VOLTIC.

The new colour design of the ASTROX 77 PRO in the basic colour black with orange decorations goes in the direction of a noble look, which distinguishes it from its predecessors, which always looked very sporty and dynamic with neon colours. In the end, however, the look only plays a secondary role, because in practice it is the hard facts that count.

What is new? First of all, a recess has been made in the upper racket head area of the frame to better vary the balance of the head weight. To the delight of players who prefer a racket that is easy on the shoulders, vibrations have been significantly reduced thanks to the new Flex-Fuse technology. A new resin material has been used on the inner tee, which is said to provide a softer feel at impact. To ensure more impact power, the shaft has been lengthened by 10 mm to offer a little more flex, which increases the "whip effect". The improved Energy Boost Cap Plus in the grip of the new YONEX ASTROX 77 PRO allows the racket to rebound quickly. So, enough of the fine-tuning of the new high-tech materials and over to our parade discipline, the practice test.

Expectantly, we took up the challenge to work out the subtle differences from its predecessor model and chose the new YONEX ASTROX 77 PRO in the thin G5 / U4 grip size with a weight of 83g. The rackets were strung with the new YONEX EXBOLT 65 string at 11 kg / 24.5 lbs - a string, by the way, that more and more professionals like to play.

The evaluation was again done in the categories "handling", "feel/ball control", "power" and "forgives inaccurate hitting", all on a scale from 1 star (hardly applies) to 5 stars (fully applies).

First impression: The YONEX ASTROX 77 PRO fits perfectly in the hand - and after short movements, you can feel all the compactness of the racquet. The "handling" ratings of our testers are clear. In this category, there is an improvement compared to the current model. The new ASTROX 77 PRO scores a good 4 stars here.

Immediately noticeable compared to the predecessor model is the slightly increased head weight in combination with the medium-flexible shaft, which was particularly well received by the "hard-hitters" among our testers. It is therefore not surprising that the ASTROX 77 PRO brings even more power to the track in the category "Power for long clears and hard smashes" and thus more than lives up to its parade discipline as an offensive racquet: 5 stars!

The ratings of the BADLAB "Test-Team" in the category "forgives inaccurate hitting" quickly made it clear that this is a thoroughly demanding racquet that requires a fairly good hitting technique to get the best out of it. Here the ASTROX 77 PRO achieves "only" 3.5 stars with our testers.

When it comes to "feel and ball control", the new Flex-Fuse technology has a very positive effect in practice, and our testers agreed: If you hit the shuttlecock cleanly, you can expect a very convincing experience. Here, the rating is accordingly almost full points: 4.5 stars

Verdict: The YONEX ASTROX 77 PRO scores above average in all categories with our BADLAB "Test-Team". We can therefore say with a clear conscience that the "all-rounder" of the ASTROX SERIES has reached the "next level" without any ifs and buts. We recommend this high-quality racket primarily to advanced players as an all-purpose weapon that knows how to shine in every discipline. Accordingly, this top racket is currently firmly established among the world's best in all disciplines: An Se Young (No.2 WS), Chen Yu Fei (No.4 WS), Fajar Alfina (No.1 MD), Huang Ya Qiong (No.1 XD) and many other professionals. As stringing hardness we advise 23-25 lbs.