Curiosity Series 539 — FZ Power 988S

Karry September 21, 2024 0

It’s time to try out FZ’s flagship product. Since the old FZ era (and yes, it has now been acquired by the blue brand), FZ has released many robust and rugged rackets that align with the powerful playing style typical of European athletes. However, Andersson is one of the rarer types of athletes, known for a more finesse-oriented game. Even during the FZ era, he still used a speed racket similar to the current 90K style.

This is the Power 988S AA, which should be a custom design for him by FZ.

Specifications: 3U G5, unpainted, total weight 91.30g, balance point 305mm, shaft length 220mm, high stiffness, aerodynamic frame, 88-hole string bed, 9-3 o’clock string groove, warranty for 28lbs, strung with 25-27lbs BG66F.

The design of the racket is quite bold, reflecting its structure and appearance. The aerodynamic frame is very aggressive, resembling the wind-cutting frames, and it tapers off toward the head, which becomes blade-like. There are also airflow grooves on the inside of the frame, with external grooves that make the frame feel potentially fragile. The 88-hole string bed might also be a nightmare for stringers. In terms of appearance, the racket features many shiny stickers with a holographic effect, and the patterns are quite intricate, especially the carbon fiber texture that resembles woven fabric. The conservative black base paint doesn’t stand out too much, but it certainly looks sharp.

Due to the lack of information channels, I couldn’t find more tech details about this flagship model, only knowing that it uses 40T carbon fiber throughout and titanium mesh reinforcement on the shaft. While these two features may seem insufficient by today’s standards, I’ve heard that major brands focus less on carbon fiber specs and more on frame shape and tuning, which are crucial for a racket’s playability.

Without paint, the 988S has a noticeable head-heavy feel, similar to the grip of the 90K in 4U specs despite the weight difference. When swinging the 988S, I sensed an interesting phenomenon: the overall swing speed of a racket should be measured by the frame. If the frame’s wind resistance is high, the racket feels slow overall. However, with the 988S, I felt the head driving the racket forward, indicating lower wind resistance compared to the entire racket. It’s not an exaggeration to say that during swings, the sharp sound gives a feeling of “not being able to stop.”

Indeed, the racket’s feedback when executing high clears validates my earlier point. It swings quickly, and despite the high stiffness, it provides good driving sensation and can flex during active swings. Although it’s a 3U model, the swing weight is quite manageable, allowing for leverage without excessive strain. I haven’t encountered an 88-hole string bed in a while; perhaps due to lower tension or improved frame resilience, it provides a friendly net pressure, with a large sweet spot that feels powerful. With the 988S, I can easily rally for 30-40 shots without interruption.

This frame is exceptional, allowing for quick releases and effectively masking any drawbacks of swing weight during close encounters. In terms of absolute speed, the 988S leaves a stronger impression—this is a different concept from agility. During continuous rapid shots, I found it difficult to maintain control. Of course, this could just be an excuse for my own lack of skill.

That said, the “power index” rated at the highest level by the manufacturer seems a bit exaggerated. If we use heavy smashes as the gold standard, while the 988S feels great during downward shots and delivers fast releases, upon closer inspection, its actual smash power isn’t as impressive, especially compared to the CNT-power and 9X260. The 988S doesn’t feel as solid. I admit this frame is excellent and appealing, but its strengths don’t lie in delivering a solid hit experience. Speed and more speed are its key advantages.

Furthermore, as a flagship racket, it avoids the wooden feel during impact that the CNT and 9X290 exhibited, indicating an upgrade in quality.

Control doesn’t seem to be the 988S’s forte. While Andersson uses it well, perhaps I’m just lacking in skill. However, during drop shots, the racket feels very comfortable due to the large sweet spot and dense string bed, providing more friction for quality returns in cuts and lifts.

That said, we can’t ignore an ongoing issue: the stability of an aerodynamic frame, given the same materials and quantities, isn’t as stable as traditional box frames. This is especially evident in downward shots and high clears. Even with the 3U weight, the racket feels a bit floaty, and I lacked confidence in shot direction, requiring time to adapt to control long shots. For me, it seems better suited for fast-paced doubles play.

One pleasant surprise is its performance in passive situations. While the previous owner found it difficult to handle, I found it quite manageable. Various backhand and overhead shots had ample leeway, allowing quick escapes due to the shaft’s elasticity and high margin for error. In the intercepting phase, the racket still feels friendly during downward shots, providing clear feedback for leveraging power. However, the feel during soft shots isn’t outstanding, making it easy to send the shuttle too high when attempting close net plays.

I regret not doing enough research and ended up paying too much for a second-hand version. Currently, the slightly flawed models in the second-hand market are priced around 300, reflecting FZ’s traditional lack of resale value. Despite the brand needing time to gain recognition, the already established user loyalty ensures a relatively stable trajectory. The old FZ rackets available on the second-hand market are definitely worth checking out for those interested.