Nox AT Luxury ATTACK 18K 2024

Tapia

Augustin Tapia, the Mozart of Catamarca, recently referred to as the "Messi on the court" by Sanyo, is the nice guy that you want to be seen as on the court. And his imaginative and versatile style of play has resulted in the success of his partnership with Coello. As a result, his signature racket, the AT10 18K was one of the top-selling rackets of 2023. 
In 2024, however, Nox made a bunch of changes to the AT line. Were these a good idea? Many think not. They certainly confused us all. 

AT line

The AT Line is now composed of:
- the AT Attack - the soft diamond of the group (this model)
- the AT10 12K - the hardest model
- the AT10 18K Aluminized - the soft "teardrop"
While Tapia supposedly plays with 2024's AT10 18K, I don't think that he or any pro dealing with the ball speeds that the pros deal with would play with this racket. Marketing aside, players looking for something close to 2023's AT10 18K are right to look at this year's 12K.  

2024 updates

Nox introduced a few updates to these rackets in 2024. 
First, the Multi-level Density (MLD) EVA core (soft-hard-soft), like all multi-EVA cores, is designed to increase ball output on low-speed shots and power on high-speed shots. 
Second, these rackets come with the Custom Grip, which is a system of small rubber wrappers, for use under your over grip to reduce vibrations.
Third, the Air Channels, or small carve-outs in the racket bridge are designed to increase maneuverability (editor's note: but what about durability?).

Carbon fiber changes

The numbers of carbon fiber have long been used to market and confuse rackets to the detriment of consumer education of the rackets. Again, Nox made things confusing by using new carbon fiber thread count numbers for their rackets. While a higher thread count conventionally refers to a more elastic carbon fiber, Nox rackets have worked oppositely, but this year's rackets break that convention, and they are now aligned with industry standards of lower thread counts, in this case, 18K, referring to a more elastic carbon fiber than the 12K. 

On the court

On the court, we find that while this is a diamond, it's a Nox diamond. Translation: it's a conservative diamond - easy to use, generous in the back of the court, reassuring sweet spot. Our testers commented on its sweet spot being above center, but not difficult to access. It has a medium touch that absorbs the ball upon impact at high speeds - testers noticed this in smashes and bajadas.
Volleys are a point of contention - perhaps the balance will help you drive weight onto the ball, but on the other hand at high speeds, you will need to make sure you don't exaggerate your swings in order to avoid shooting the ball into the wall.
Smashes are fine, we have a medium balance and a medium touch - you have an extra punch compared to the other AT's, but that's a low bar.

Who is this racket for?

We propose this racket for intermediate players seeking a comfortable medium touch and a reliable aerial game. This is not for smashers, but perhaps versatile players who appreciate a decent, albeit high, sweet spot and the weight in the head of the racket for support it gives for consistent bandejas.