First of all: YONEX ASTROX racquets primarily stand for a head-heavy balance to fulfil the requirements for aggressive attacking play. Launched in 2018, the YONEX ASTROX 88 series has been customised for 2 different types of doubles players to develop their preferred skills with the respective racquet.
The ASTROX 88 D (as in "dominate") was designed for the offensive backcourt player. A long shaft and a flex point higher in the racket head are designed to provide more power and penetration. The 5 mm shorter ASTROX 88 S (like "skill") has been optimised for manoeuvrability and control for the all-rounder with a tendency towards the net. The lower flex point in the head keeps the ball on the racket for longer.

What's new with the 3rd generation: Compared to the previous models, the new 2G-Namd Flex Force material has been used in the shaft for the first time, which promises even better flexibility and should therefore enable a faster and more powerful snapback. As with the YONEX ASTROX 99 PRO and the YONEX ARCSABER 11 PRO, the new YONEX ASTROX 88 PRO models now also feature the Power Assist Bumper on the frame head, which exerts more power on the shuttlecock due to its weight. In addition, the new Carbon Fibre Rubber (CFR) has been used under the Power Assist Bumper to increase shuttlecock retention time and power transmission. Last but not least, a cut-out has been made around the entire frame head to recess the strings and eyelets and thus improve its protection and aerodynamics.
The two new ASTROX 88 models are closer to each other than ever before in terms of colour design in a sophisticated black/silver look with turquoise elements. While the previous models always stood out from each other in terms of colour, you now have to take a closer look to distinguish this pair of twins. You can talk shop about the appearance of a racket or the material mix, but not about the hard facts of the practical test, let's go!

In our practice test, we used the ASTROX 88 S PRO and the ASTROX 88 D PRO in 4U (80-84g) with grip size G5. They were strung with the new YONEX EXBOLT 68 (0.68 mm) on 11 kg / 24 Ibs.

The new ASTROX 88 S PRO version with the slightly larger racket head conveys a direct feel with very good feedback and perfect ball control, which we believe is due to the extended sweetspot. Surprisingly, the good defence handling and fast rallies in the front court do not come at the expense of a lack of power from behind, which is due to the Super Slim shaft and the shorter handle length. The ASTROX 88 S PRO is in the middle range of top-heavy racquets and therefore plays more like an all-rounder on autopilot than a top-heavy smash hammer. For this reason, we can really understand why many people compare the ASTROX 88 S with the legendary classic ARCSABER 11.

Conclusion: The new YONEX ASTROX 88 S PRO does not play as stiffly as its predecessor and is ideal for all ambitious doubles players with a desire for the front court. It has become more manoeuvrable and also offers corresponding advantages for the delicate singles player. YONEX recommends the YONEX AEROBITE BOOST string for hard hitters and the YONEX AEROBITE.

With the new ASTROX 88 D PRO version, however, the penetrating power of smashes increases significantly, which we attribute to the smaller racket head with an even more concentrated sweetspot. The additional weight on the sides of the frame improves the stability of the impact and also supports the best smash power on clean hits. It belongs in the top-heavy racket range and we therefore see it between the ASTROX 99 and ASTROX 100 ZZ. Nevertheless, for us it is not just something for hard hitters who want to smash even harder. With its thinner Ultra Slim shaft and overall 10 mm longer racket, it is also an interesting option for normal players who occasionally have problems with the length of their clears.

Conclusion: Compared to its predecessors, the YONEX ASTROX 88 D PRO also scores points for more power with less effort in its main discipline for offensive backcourt players. Our recommendation to all advanced singles and doubles (backcourt) players: Definitely give it a try and try the new YONEX EXBOLT 68 for power or the YONEX AEROBITE for better control.

Overall assessment: The new marriage of the two new ASTROX 88 S/D PRO series is an absolute success and raises the doubles game to a new level. It is always astonishing how YONEX can improve with filigree precision work and an innovative mix of materials. To summarise, you can achieve faster, easier and better results with little effort, to the great delight of all your favourite doubles players. However, the same applies to these two high-priced high-end racquets: they do not make a hobby player into a tournament player. To really benefit from the qualities of the new ASTROX 88 PRO racquets, you need to be able to hit the ball cleanly. For all those who are still on their way there, YONEX offers different racket variants of the ASTROX 88 models, which have been adapted to the needs of different playing strengths through specific design and material variations: PLAY for beginners, TEAM for purely recreational players, TOUR for ambitious club players and PRO for league and competition players with sophisticated stroke technique. So there is something for everyone - be sure to try it out.