Donic BlueStar A1

Updated: Dear readers, whenever I see the “tackiness” values in the table, I wonder what exactly is being evaluated here! Because: “Tackiness” describes how well the rubber “grips” the ball and how easily spin can be generated. “Stickiness,” on the other hand, describes whether a rubber can lift and hold the ball. ; -) The Blue Star A1 (like the A2) can only hold the ball for a very brief moment, but it is extremely spin-oriented! Facts: black rubber, 2 mm, 49 g cut (156×150 mm). First test on a Huieson ZLC (outer!) — glued with solvent-based glue. Apart from the noticeably higher hardness (52 degrees) compared to the A2, this rubber feels the same “softer”! Just like with the A2, you can generate incredible spin simply by using your wrist! — which helps me immensely to play serves with incredible spin. : -P… however, this rubber is also “a bit” sensitive to incoming spin. Unlike the Dig 09c, with which I can neutralize the opponent’s spin quite easily, the A1 presents different challenges. I found its greatest strength to be the ability to pull the opponent’s shorter serves forward very early (over the table). (Definitely try it out!!!) In the short game, the rubber is more difficult to control than my Dig 09c (because of the higher catapult effect!), but the control is still very good. Secure blocking and pushing are no problem. However, when I played with the racket further away from the table, I was initially not at all satisfied. I didn’t feel comfortable with either topspins or counters, which was a mystery to me… especially after reading completely different reviews here!!! My conclusion: I changed blades. Now I’m using the XVT ZL Koto (1st & 2nd generation), faster, but softer. Result: the control has suffered too much. : (… CONCLUSION??? … Change of wood!!! ; -P Lemuria’s new “Super ALC” (– a Butterfly Viscaria SALC replica) is absolutely the right partner for this great rubber!!! — at least temporarily for ME. ; -P

What a wonderful rubber, simply spectacular! But only for the offensive-minded player. If you play an all-out attacking game, this might be one of the best rubbers available in the market. I found the topsheet a little strange; it looks slick when touching it, and also when cleaning with cotton and water. But this impression quickly disappears at the table. Using it on the forehand, it is capable of firing missiles or, if you prefer, looping eternally with a huge amount of spin. I prefer to power loop or smash; A1 is excellent for both strokes. And why did I say it is one of the best available? Because, compared with the best rubbers I have tried, A1 has the edge. T05 is great for looping, but not smashing. Same with J& H C52.5. D05 does both pretty well, but it lacks a bit of speed. I still want to try Bluegrip J1; it sounds very promising, but so far A1 is my favorite. I just cannot say anything about its durability; mine has only [had] 5 sessions.

------UPDATE------

After just 4 months, this rubber lost all spin and punch. I have had issues like that with Donic rubbers before, but it was 10 years ago, and I expected better durability with a new-generation rubber, but it remains the same. Again, when new, this A1 has incredible performance, but keep in mind you will have to glue a new sheet every 3 months. As an amateur, I must take durability into account, and this is why I just gave up this rubber. Going back to the more reliable Dignics 05.

Very good for blocking and smashing. It is very easy to shoot the ball.