Karry
Green and blue seem to be the popular colors in the racquet world this year. Whether it’s tennis racquets or badminton racquets, shades of blue and green are common. Li Ning’s N7II super-light new color joins this trend, with a brand-new color scheme launched as a signature racquet for newly signed Olympic champion Natsir. I still remember the last generation of the N7II super-light with its bright pink that lit up the court. For men, using it required a bit of courage and fashionable matching, but now, there’s no need to worry about the color being too bold to handle.
The matte black main color is paired with grass green and bright white. The N7II Super-light Natsir continues the design language of the previous generation while adopting a more neutral color scheme. Li Ning’s paint quality remains excellent, with a fine paint finish rarely seen in badminton racquets – the paint is evenly applied, thick, glossy, and has a ceramic-like texture. This paint technique not only looks great but feels outstanding, cool to the touch like jade, showing that Li Ning’s polishing skill is top-notch. The thick paint layer also provides excellent defense against small bumps and scrapes.
As for the design of the racquet, it’s best to illustrate with pictures. Li Ning has put a lot of thought into the details, including adding reflective particles to the matte black base, which sparkle like stars in the vast universe when under light. The real product doesn’t disappoint and is even more dazzling than in photos.
On-Court Experience:
Li Ning N7II Natsir (AYPM212-1)
W1S1 76-hole energy-consolidating frame
Head size: Large+
Weight (with grip tape/base film/strings): 90.71g (frame alone 79.80g)
Balance point: 304mm, 4mm head-heavy (304mm-300mm) with excellent balance
Handle length: 200mm
Swing weight: 81
Strings: Li Ning No. 5, SZ double knot, 27 lbs
Stiffness: Frame – moderately soft, Shaft – soft, Hitting stiffness – moderate
Vibration: Low
The initial feel of the N7II Natsir is somewhat different from the data I measured. It didn’t feel as light as I expected, probably due to its head-heavy balance, which makes it feel weighty when held. If you’re used to using W2 (4U) offensive racquets, switching to the W1 (5U) N7II won’t be a problem. It swings quite smoothly, and the swing weight isn’t high. In my opinion, the N7II Natsir is relatively easy to handle, but those who regularly use W3 (3U) or even W4 (2U) racquets might find it a bit unusual at first.
I’m not sure if it’s due to changes in my physical condition (since it’s been almost a year since I last tested the N7II Light) or if Li Ning has made slight adjustments to the racquet’s specs, but I felt that the hitting stiffness of the N7II Natsir has increased, making the feedback crisper and clearer. However, it still tests your fundamentals when it comes to backcourt clears. This is a characteristic of super-light racquets: if your power isn’t great, the low inertia and low swing weight make it difficult to “borrow force,” and the quality of your clears will gradually decrease, possibly even falling short of the mark. But if you have a solid foundation, a super-light racquet can be very efficient, allowing you to easily find the optimal hitting point and produce consistent clears with a short swing. So, if you’re just looking to use a light racquet to hit the shuttle farther, it’s better to focus on improving your fundamentals.
While backcourt clears rely on technique, the N7II Natsir can immediately enhance your performance in drives and blocks. It is nimble and light, with a well-designed frame that allows for quick swings, giving you a natural advantage in front-court play. The shaft may be soft, but its quick recovery means that if your forearm strength is good, the racquet acts like a slingshot, quickly storing energy during deformation and then releasing it upon recovery, resulting in more powerful shots. The downside is that you must time your shots accurately; otherwise, if you miss the sweet spot, the shot may feel soft. In situations where you’re on the defensive in front of the net, the large and flexible head of the N7II Natsir gives you more margin for error, and sometimes, that little bit of forgiveness can be the difference between scoring or missing an opportunity.
Using the lightweight N7II Natsir for offense should also change the minds of those who doubt the power of super-light racquets. The feel of its smashes is solid, though it doesn’t deliver the heavy, hammer-like power of a much heavier racquet, nor the stability of a massive axe. It feels more like wielding a handy sword – stabbing and retracting quickly, ready for the next strike. In other words, it has decent power with excellent continuity. You can strike decisively, but if that’s not enough, you can immediately prepare for the next shot. This makes it particularly suitable for players with strong, explosive power who can take advantage of short bursts of force, saving energy and improving offensive efficiency.
In terms of small, controlled shots, I think the N7II Natsir performs well on net shots. The large head allows you to handle unexpected shuttles with ease, and pairing it with higher string tension will increase the consistency of the sweet spot, compensating for the variation in power across different areas of the large head. For players with good touch, controlling a lightweight racquet is also more intuitive. As for drop shots, I personally don’t like using too light a racquet, as the touch is too weak and hard to control. Since it’s already energy-saving for offensive play, I tend to opt for more aggressive smashes or sharp-angled drop shots, where more force is applied, and the feedback is much clearer. For small shots, stronger players might find it harder to adapt.
Conclusion:
Super-light racquets have further subdivided the playing styles of amateur players. For players who like frequent offense, have strong explosive power but relatively lower stamina, racquets like the Li Ning N7II Natsir are an excellent choice. It’s more suitable for doubles, whether you’re attacking from the front court or consistently jumping and attacking from the back court. For singles play, it lacks some stability over longer shot trajectories and can be hard to keep pace with. For players with good physical fitness and confidence in their strength, the N7II Super-light Natsir is better as a backup racquet, fully utilizing its energy-saving characteristics to maintain performance as stamina wanes. If you want to improve long shots like clears, I recommend using high-elastic strings with a thin gauge. If you’re looking to enhance offensive power and feel, opt for strings with a harder hitting sensation to increase the sharpness of smashes. Of course, what’s most attractive is that this under-80g racquet has a tension rating of up to 32 lbs, which should reassure advanced players who want to try a super-light racquet but are concerned about its ability to handle their usual string tension.
