Li Ning Axforce 90 New Review
The AxForce 90 New is Li-Ning’s answer to feedback on the AxForce 90 Long and Tiger line: a faster, more forgiving offensive racket rather than another ultra-de…
Positioning versus other AxForce models
I would frame the 90 New as joining the AxForce 80 and 70 in a medium-sweet, approachable offensive tier, unlike the Long, Tiger, and 100 “amplifier” rackets that punish mistiming. Reported upgrades versus Long and Tiger include roughly 10% larger effective sweet spot, faster shaft recovery, lower lateral wobble, and the lowest head drag in the AxForce family—trading some rear-court brute force for chain speed. Versus AxForce 80, I find the 90 New offers faster shaft rebound, firmer feedback and quicker output, with lower swing weight in many 4U/5U builds. In one 4U comparison (90 New vs 80, both ~304 mm balance) found the 90 New swings lighter despite similar static weight, with a crisper, more precise feel. On the 5U build I found the 90 New heavier than AxForce 80 Muse but far easier than 4U AxForce 80— “substantial but not sluggish.” Versus AxForce 90 Long and Tiger, the NEW is consistently described as easier to drive, faster in rhythm and more forgiving off-centre, with less concentrated smash feedback but better continuous offence. Long and Tiger still win on raw ceiling and single-shot kill for strong singles players.
On-court character
Offence: My take shifts with spec and how hard I am swinging. During one sick week on the 4U build I found almost no drive threshold—soft, resilient-elastic contact, stable attacking, precise placement, decent shuttle speed without violent feedback (approachable enough that some call it an “80 NEW” in spirit). On fresh 4U/3U sessions I lean into crisp, springy, hard-frame speed with clear shaft burst, strong variable attack and chain offence—but it is not beginner-friendly and demanding in fast doubles. I rate 3U entry difficulty high (strong technique required) while 4U and especially 5U feel more accessible. Common positives: accurate placement, good continuous attack, satisfying shaft catapult on full clears and smashes, and offensive DNA that remains even when the feel is softened versus Long and Tiger. Defence and drives: I praise flat drive agility—unusually flexible for an AxForce frame—with control that matches Halbertec 8000/9000-class all-rounders in some tests. I also notice rear-court lift under pressure and fast doubles mid-court as weaker areas, especially in 3U/4U head-heavy builds. Net and control: Soft-string setups (N61/N63/N65) improve touch; fast strings (e.g. L67Q) raise speed but reduce net dwell. Long shaft (223 mm cited) aids whip; lack of an extended handle I was disappointed seeking extra grip length. Singles vs doubles: Strong singles recommendations for lift-drop and variable attack; doubles suitability ranges from “excellent all-rounder” to “prefer 5U for speed”—again weight-dependent.
Who it suits
Broad consensus: the 4U/5U AxForce 90 New suits amateurs stepping up from AxForce 80, Halbertec 8000 fans wanting more offence, and players wanting AxForce identity without AxForce 90 Long/Tiger demands. 3U suits power-focused singles players who can load a firm shaft. Not ideal if you want maximum single-shot smash weight, an extra-long handle, or a true beginner’s first racket.
How my take evolved
Entry barrier shifts hard by weight: 4U felt like “no drive threshold” — very easy even when I was unwell. 3U was different — not beginner-friendly, with genuinely high entry difficulty if you lack arm speed. Feel moved from soft, gentle, and resilient-elastic to crisp, hard-framed explosive spring depending on string choice and how I was evaluating the frame. vs AxForce 80: 4U tested lower swing weight than 80; 5U landed clearly heavier than 80 Muse — compare the same weight class. Doubles: first pass called it a comprehensive singles/doubles weapon; longer term, 3U/4U head-heavy builds struggled in fast mid-court — I would steer speed-first doubles players toward 5U. Offence ceiling: I initially thought it traded AxForce 90 Long/Tiger kill speed for forgiveness; it still holds serious attack credentials with firm shaft options — the Long/Tiger baseline just sets a different bar.