Let me start by saying this: the Yonex ASTROX 88D in 4UG5 is a beast of a racquet for aggressive players. The head-heavy balance gives insane power on smashes - I felt like my clears were reaching the back line with minimal effort. That medium flex? Perfect sweet spot between control and power transfer.

The factory string situation is... interesting. While playable, the pre-strung strings feel like cheap bulk nylon - thick and dead. After two sessions, I cut them out and restrung with BG80 at 26lbs (within the recommended tension range). Night and day difference! The racquet came alive with proper strings.

Grip size G5 is ideal for most Asian hands - not too thin like some European models. The black/silver finish looks sleek and has held up well against court abrasions. Comes with a decent cover too!

Biggest surprise? The elbow-friendliness. Even when going full power on smashes, the shock absorption is noticeably better than my previous racquets. Probably due to that medium flex absorbing vibrations.

Would I recommend? Absolutely - but budget for a professional restringing immediately. This is like buying a sports car with cheap tires; upgrade the strings to unlock its true potential!