The Smash Athletica Crush is the first in a series of player paddles designed by the line. After a few different renditions, SA has produced a quality product to compete in the ever growing market of paddles. One of the first to use a full visual for a graphic, the Crush will definitely catch your eye on the beach.
Appearance:
The first thing you'll notice about the Crush is the vibrant colors covering the racquet face. When it first came out, SA took a different approach and focused on making a visually aesthetic racquet that not only played well but looked good in the hands. Without a doubt, you'll be able to spot players with a Crush from afar. The running joke on the tour is that the depiction flying through the air is none other than the famous US player Donny Young-- one of the SmashAthletica pros!At 20mm thick, the crush has a sleek profile that won't damage easily. The lines are clean and the graphic laid down properly.
Construction:
The Crush takes a slightly different approach on design build for a player's frame. SA went with a full layer of 3K Carbon and 2 layers of finely blown glass. Players will find that the Crush maintains the traditional "Carbon" feel while having the dampening effect of traditional fiberglass based racquets. As mentioned above, the frame comes in at 20mm thick and is sleek and easy to hold in the hands. Tennis players may note that this frame adopts a Babolat-esqe design; a thick throat that slims down to a thinner head. Ideally, this design allows players to retain maneuverability while cutting down on feedback to the arm from hard struck balls. The core of the frame adopts a medium density foam that is solid on contact while keeping the weight down. Weighing in at 336g, the Crush takes an middle of the road approach to weight. It's neither a heavy "serving" frame nor is it a superlight.Playing Characteristics
Offensively: The Crush scores well in all aspects of the offensive category but is not defined by any in particular. Serves have a balanced mix of power and control. I found that I was able to swing harder into my serve without the risk of hitting the ball out. Similarly, I found that I was able to place the ball effectively once I took the heat off. The Crush will return what you put into it. If you look to accelerate the pace, increase your swing. If you seek to dampen shots, take some off the pace. Since the Crush is not a traditional "full carbon" frame, it does not wield free power like many of the current Dranix and Vision frames. For players who value control but would rather not play with Kevlar, the Crush will be a powerful tool.Defensively:
A definite highlight of the Crush is its maneuverability. In the 330 range, it's fairly easy to whip the head of the racquet around to combat overheads and serves. Drop shots off return of serve are facilitated by the hybrid glass/carbon construction. Since the Crush doesn't lend any free power, players will have to focus on centering the ball for returns but will be rewarded by ease of placement. Due to the thin frame and lower weight, players may find some trouble with shots near the frame.
Final Thoughts:
The Crush really is a nice addition to the Smash Athletica line. It offers players an intermediate between the Full Carbon and Kevlar worlds while maintaining a unique aesthetic profile. All around players and developmental players will both enjoy this frame upon first play.Pros:
+ All around play
+Sleek profile
+ Variable control
Cons:
- Lacking in power for a Carbon frame
- Stability on off-center shots
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