Karry
It’s unusual for such a popular racket to have no reviews. This is clearly a phenomenal product. Although the concept of ultra-light rackets existed before this one, with the ArcSaber FB proving that ultra-light and high-quality could coexist, it was the WS72 that really brought ultra-light rackets into the spotlight, sparking widespread discussion on racket weight.
Honestly, I don’t feel very confident about this review. First, I wasn’t in good condition on the test day, and the performance didn’t align with my expectations. Second, I’m not the target audience for this racket, so my review might be out of place. Therefore, please take it with a grain of salt, and I welcome differing opinions.
Specifications: Unstrung weight of 72g, balance point of 310mm (with no grip removed, stringed, and cushioned with an overgrip), total weight of 82.6g. T-shaped, box-frame transition with a fluid box-shaped head, full groove frame, strung at 25 lbs with Li-Ning No. 1 string.
The appearance is worth mentioning—definitely one of the factors driving its sales. It comes in two different color schemes, both using contrasting colors. The one I have is a purple-red-blue-green indigo transition with a strong, youthful layering effect (I’m certainly not saying my previous racket looked bad). Clearly, this is a product aimed at the younger badminton crowd, the kind of racket you might dismiss for being too flashy but become curious about when you see others using it so strikingly.
At first, it feels very light in the hand, but when swinging, it’s a different story. It feels even clumsier than some 4U rackets like the 9001, not what you’d expect from an ultra-light racket. Judging by the specs, even without removing the base grip, the balance point still reaches 310mm after adding the cushion and overgrip. It’s even more extreme than the Kason K600 I once owned.
When hitting clears on court, it finally starts to feel like an ultra-light racket—you need to exert more force. That day, I wasn’t in great physical condition, so my clears were weak. In its natural state, this racket couldn’t get the shuttle from my rear court to the opponent’s doubles service line without some sharp, short bursts of force—adding to my frustration. This issue also showed up when making defensive lifts at the net. If the lift wasn’t high enough, it got intercepted, or if not placed properly, it got smashed. I could only make decent quick drives to the waistline. The most nightmarish situation was saving from the backhand corner, where my inadequate technique meant the shuttle would barely reach midcourt, setting up the opponent for an easy smash.
As a male player who often plays doubles, this racket’s offensive capabilities are lacking. At this tension:
- The smashes were neither fast nor powerful enough, resulting in my smashes from midcourt being easily returned when facing opponents of a certain skill level. After a few attempts, I lost confidence.
- The shaft’s elasticity is mediocre. When hitting with power, the racket feels both shaky and stiff, possibly also due to the Li-Ning No. 1 string.
- There’s a delay in drive shots, giving it a somewhat meteor hammer-like feel. While it can handle one or two shots, after a while, it gets overwhelmed. However, its downward pressure is quite good, and its stability is decent. The larger frame performs well on some backcourt drop shots and in overhead/backhand slices, offering a reliable means of maintaining pressure. The problem is that this doesn’t translate into winning points, and using it frequently makes it easy for opponents to catch on to your strategy.
I remember reviewing the K600 and calling it an ultra-light racket capable of delivering at least one powerful smash. So why doesn’t the head-heavier WS72 perform the same? My amateur theory is:
- The K600 has a narrower head, which increases the tension of the sweet spot at the same tension.
- The K600’s full box-frame provides more stability and firmness.
- The shaft and head-heavy tuning allows for faster recovery after deformation.
Perhaps the WS72 performs better at the net, but when I play mixed doubles, I rarely get to play in the frontcourt.
Since this racket has created such a buzz and even sparked a wave of counterfeit versions, we need to discuss factors beyond just the racket itself—just like how discussions about Evangelion can’t stop at the animation and character designs without at least joking about Hideaki Anno being short on cash.
This is indeed a successful product. Its fresh design, clear target audience (young players, beginners, those who care about aesthetics, non-competitive use, and influencers-driven marketing) have driven its popularity. Despite its obvious markup (it’s significantly more expensive than similar rackets like the K600), it hasn’t hindered its hot sales. It’s decent for casual games, but if you go head-to-head with intermediate players, it’s basically asking for trouble. Despite its price being in the range of mainstream mid-to-high-end rackets, the WS72 still feels like a toy and is not recommended for anyone looking to improve their badminton skills (unless you’re catering to someone who insists on having it).
This racket is addictive, but we also need to acknowledge its positive impact on the sport of badminton. It’s not a bad thing for a racket to spark interest in badminton. The more enthusiasts there are, the better it is for all groups within the sport. However, it doesn’t change the fact that this racket has lowered my opinion of Li-Ning.
That said, I realize my judgment may have been influenced by the current anti-Li-Ning sentiment on the forums. To eliminate bias, if any female player interested in testing and reviewing it—especially for mixed doubles—wants to borrow it, feel free to message me privately. I’m happy to lend it for free, no liability. Maybe it will perform differently from a different perspective as a “frontcourt wiper.”
These are just my personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the true performance of the product.
