Karry
New release, but this racket is definitely not a collaboration with DC. Whether it is a customized product for merchants is still unknown. Although “Joker” was once an independent concept and not necessarily a popular character, considering that Xunfeng previously released a “Captain America,” the naming of this racket warrants some speculation about its underlying considerations and possible implications.
Xunfeng has been quite active recently, and they have also changed their promotion strategy, becoming a bit more low-key.
Specifications: 4UG5, without base, weight in used condition 86.9g, balance point 305mm, shaft length 218mm, medium hardness, box frame, 76-hole string bed, 9-3 o’clock string grooves, 30 lbs warranty, stringing 25-27 lbs with VBS66N.
This is a borrowed racket, and I am not aware of the current positioning or pricing of the Joker. However, based on the accessories and paint job, if it is a mid-range product from Xunfeng, it indeed shows some sincerity, with quite a refined design. The racket’s paint job features an asymmetric design, and the patterns are very much in line with the “Joker” theme. The contrast between blue and red immediately reminds me of the classic yin-yang face paint from the circus, which is a small childhood shadow of mine. Besides the rich thematic design, the stickers and paint quality are high, ensuring good texture.
The Joker’s frame is quite traditional, with a box shape and no rounding or narrowing treatments. The frame is of normal size with a relatively flat head, suggesting a decent sweet spot area.
When handling, it feels relatively light and nimble, more so than the head-heavy offensive rackets I’ve previously used, like the thick-shouldered Changshui. The Joker’s leverage feel remains quite noticeable, and the reduced swing weight further diminishes the effort required to generate power, making it quite friendly during the adjustment period. Its shaft tuning is also quite pleasant, providing good elasticity and addressing potential criticisms effectively, leaving a good first impression.
In practice, besides meeting the needs of beginner players, the Joker’s build allows it to perform well in fast-paced doubles play. Its lighter weight and swing weight sometimes make me forget it’s a box-frame racket. The shaft condition is not soft, effectively preventing the deformation common with longer shafts during continuous swings. In frequent flat drives and quick play, it can keep up with the rhythm and provide controllable quality in drives and blocks, leaving a good impression.
Of course, compared to top-end shafts, the Joker falls short in several aspects. The most obvious is its inability to provide sufficient momentum for a single powerful smash, making it challenging to achieve both speed and power in a single shot. This is a trade-off and indicates that users at similar skill levels need to adjust their mindset from relying on a single powerful shot to a more consistent play. However, at this level, it remains worth the money, delivering effective smashes and targeted shots.
Defending with the Joker is also quite comfortable. It can easily return opponent’s smashes to the backcourt, making it an effective scoring method when facing less aggressive or intelligent opponents. The racket does not have a strange power loss feeling, and it can handle defensive shots like high lifts or counter-attacks reasonably well, meeting the needs of transitioning from defense to attack. Even in passive situations, such as being tricked by a high shot or countering a backhand diagonal, its light and springy nature helps achieve the necessary recovery.
Additionally, I occasionally use it for net play, such as rainbows, finishing shots, or intercepting attacks, making the Joker quite versatile and enjoyable to use. Perhaps this Joker really is the character who brings joy in the circus?
