Yonex Astrox 88D Pro vs Astrox 99 Pro: which racket to choose in 2026?

Two attacking rackets, two legends from the Astrox range, barely €30 apart… and yet two rackets that play completely different roles. Choosing the wrong one is like hiring a striker to play goalkeeper.

The duel in numbers

88D Pro: The Doubles Machine Gun

The "D" stands for Dominate: dominating the back of the court. Its strength is not the most violent isolated smash, but the ability to chain together: smash, reposition, re-smash. Its compact head moves through the air faster, invaluable when doubles rallies exceed 20 shots.

99 Pro: The Singles Cannon

Here, everything is sacrificed for the heavy shot: extreme head-heavy balance, very stiff shaft. The shuttlecock doesn't just fly; it crashes. In return, defense requires strong forearms, and the slightest fatigue takes its toll. This is a racket that must be earned—and that rewards.

How to decide in 3 questions

• Do you play 60% or more in doubles? → 88D Pro, without hesitation
• Do you mainly play singles and is your smash your weapon? → 99 Pro
• Still hesitating? → 88D Pro: more versatile, it is more forgiving. Or try both in store.

Not at Pro level yet? The Astrox 77 Play offers the same offensive DNA for three times less—see our top 5 Astrox.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 88D Pro suitable for singles?

Yes, it's even an excellent versatile offensive singles choice—the inverse (the 99 in doubles) is more debatable.

What string tension for these rackets?

Their frame expresses its full potential between 10.5 and 12.5 kg with a BG80 or an Exbolt 63—see our string guide.

Pro, Tour, or Game version: which one to choose?

The Pro for competitors, the Tour if you want 80% of the feel for 60% of the price, the Game to discover the geometry without breaking the bank.