Fresh Purple—Li-Ning N9II’s New Color Review

Karry September 11, 2024 3 0

About six months after Fu Haifeng won the Olympic gold with the N9II, Li-Ning has introduced a brand-new colorway for this champion racquet. Remember the previous black and purple N9II that was so sought after it was nearly impossible to get? This time, Bao Ge, still active on the court, showcases the new color N9II. Whether this new color will spark a similar frenzy remains to be seen.

Color and Design

The old N9II featured a unique obsidian-like finish with striking purple accents, considered the pinnacle of Li-Ning’s design. The new color N9II continues with a purple theme but now sports a metallic dark purple with a subtle greenish tint. This vibrant and youthful design is said to use limited-edition currency ink. The new N9II features a fluorescent grass green base coat, sprayed over with a metallic dark purple. Under light, the purple paint exudes a metallic sheen; without light, it darkens, revealing the base coat’s faint green glow. The new N9II also has light gray patterns and the word “TURBOCHARGING” on the shaft and frame edges, resembling a watermark. These hidden details add a fun element to exploring the racquet’s appearance and provide an anti-counterfeiting mark. Li-Ning continues to demonstrate top-tier craftsmanship in both paint application and creative light interaction.

Performance Design

The performance of the new color N9II remains unchanged from the old version. It features an energy aggregation frame, with a large and solid hitting surface, high forgiveness, and strong hitting power. The frame design, with its unique Möbius strip-like edge transition, is not improved with shorter grommets or the large top head area, which affects string durability. The shaft hardness is moderate, not too stiff, with excellent elasticity and shock absorption thanks to aramid fiber.

Performance Review

The new color N9II doesn’t deviate from the old version in performance: with a soft and elastic shaft, it can store power effectively. It suits players with substantial power and high force limits, showcasing significant “power utilization.” The swing weight is not low, setting a power threshold, and there is noticeable vibration despite new shock absorption technology. This is an unavoidable aspect of heavy racquets and can be troublesome for players with less strength.

Specifications:

Model: Li-Ning N9II (New Color)
Frame Type: W3S2, 76-hole Energy Aggregation Frame
Face Area: Large+
Weight (including grip tape, base film, and strings): 97.20g (empty racquet 87.96g)
Swing Weight: 89
Balance Point (empty racquet): 296mm, 4mm balanced (296mm-300mm)
Grip Length: 200mm
String: Li-Ning No. 1 string, SZ double knot, 27 pounds
Hardness: Frame—Hard; Shaft—Moderate; Hit Feel—Moderate
Vibration: Medium

In-Game Performance

The N9II’s design makes it a powerful racquet, ideal for players who excel in backcourt play. The large face and solid shaft offer excellent hitting power for long clears and powerful smashes. It is not the most powerful racquet but balances power with continuous attack capabilities. The design caters to both experienced players and amateurs who prefer a racquet that excels in multi-shot rallies rather than a single heavy hit.

The N9II’s strong hitting capability can lead to weaker control, though this is mostly noticeable in full-force shots. For precise shots, such as net play or drop shots, its control is less effective compared to its attack performance. Its large face provides high forgiveness but struggles with fine control compared to smaller faces.

Defense and Control

In defense, the N9II handles slower shots like drops and smashes effectively, thanks to its large face and high forgiveness. However, fast smashes require good technique and quick reactions due to the racquet’s heavier frame and slight delay in the shaft. The defensive window can be narrow, making it challenging to time powerful shots perfectly.

Summary

The Li-Ning N9II remains an excellent racquet with its new color adding a youthful and vibrant touch. Its performance matches that of the old N9II: a powerful backcourt racquet with a large hitting area and high forgiveness, suitable for powerful players. While it may not excel in control compared to its attacking capabilities, it remains a favorite of known heavy hitters like Fu Haifeng.