Our picky expert in material padel, Stéphane Penso, test this week the pala d´Agustín Tapia, Nox AT10 Arena. Peeled and compared to its big sister, you will know everything.

Today, let's take a look at the AT 10 Arena, new weapon of the “Genius” from Nox, I named the prodigious Agustin Tapia. This colorful character who rages alongside the living legend Fernando Belasteguin, makes us fantasize with each of his appearances: skipped smashes, acrobatic runs, dream defenses ... this native of Catamarca in Argentina is a real tightrope walker on the track , with a dizzying attacking game and an incredible look.

This “signature” racket that he has been developing for 2 seasons (before he played with a Nox ML10 ProCup) is in the image of the character; pleasant and electrifying.

Following the presentations of the tamer, now place the beast.

Getting started

I was lucky enough to benefit from the 2020 and 2021 models at the same time (thank you Eric Cablat), which allowed me to assess the changes made by the Research and Development team of the boss at Nox, Jesus Ballvé.

First visual and tactile evolution, the rough (mat) finish with silica sand, allowsprint bigger effects. When you run your hand over the sieve, you can feel this grip which, for the more DIY enthusiasts among you, will remind you of fine-grain sandpaper.

Nox AT10 Genius Arena sandblasted paint

The 2020 model having a glossy finish with 3D printing, here on the 2021, it seems to hang harsh (which will be confirmed later). It's grainy over the entire surface of the sieve, while 3D prints (2020) are absent from the periphery of the frame.

The scales seem to have been slightly reworked in order to increase control, or the 2 grams that separate these 2 rackets are playing tricks on me (365gr and 367gr), the Arena being the heaviest.

Cosmetics are still classy at Nox, it's flashy without being grotesque, it shines without being garish, it's contemporary and luxurious.

A little bit of technique

On the frame, the Spanish firm has opted for full carbon construction covered in 12K. The use of this material brings more rigidity and robustness to the frame and the racket in a situation of excessive torsion.

Le DCS, (Dynamic Composit Structure), will stabilize the frame and absorb the various fiber modulations that can be caused by the flattening of the rubber on off-center hits.

Le HR3 Core, internal core specific to the brand, is a gum reworked in depth for optimal power, even denser than the previous version.

Finally, and it is a habit on high-end palas, the AVS anti-vibration system is always integrated into the heart of the pala, in order to reduce dreaded injuries, which allows to absorb the too brutal impacts on the joints and especially the ligaments.

To this you add a padded wrist strap of the most beautiful effect (which the 2020 model did not benefit from) and an XL grip for lovers of the 2-handed backhand, and the loop is closed.

Nox AT10 Luxury Genius Arena

On the track

This racket is characterized by a perfect grip, the gesture is fluid, there is no force, the comfort is present and the vibrations imperceptible. Its teardrop shape certainly has something to do with it, and the first balls exchanged confirm this feeling.

You can play on the right or on the left with this pala, under regime or in towers. But as soon as we accelerate a little, the beast races to inform us that it still has power in reserve.

The flights follow one another, the intensity increases, and the comfort remains indisputable. All off center hits are incredibly corrected, it always goes straight with an undeniable vibrato absorption.

The most enjoyable part of a test being the smashes, I must admit that I am still amazed by the spectacular power that develops this pala (which has nothing to envy to diamond shapes). In reality, it is not raw power that I am talking about, but the 12K Carbon and HR3 Core combination that provides unique comfort and pleasure. Feeling the ball enter the rubber and then come out with surprising speed provides a feeling of unparalleled control and tame power. But when this energy and this dynamism are channeled by the embellishment of each strike, then I say “bravissimo”.

Agustin Tapia being one of the 5 biggest smashers of the WPT, it is not surprising that this model, developed by him, is a lightning of war as soon as the ball is slammed above the shoulders.

The sanded surface gives a very good touch, the ball catches the sieve to come out suddenly.

In defense, the precisely adjusted balance gives a very particular relaxation to the sentries, in order to guarantee spontaneous and fluid blows without badly proportioned impact. Whether in attack or defense, the dosage is controlled and the pala tamed.

AT10 Luxury Genius Arena Nox

En conclusion

This pala does not suffer from any defect and it may be a fault!

When someone or something is too perfect, doubt is propagated. We're going to look for the little black spot that never existed, the flaw that will never be discovered, or the problem that never was. The puzzles are energy intensive and highly time consuming. The time wasted in trying to identify the deficiencies will take you away from the present moment in making this pala shine.

It is an attractive racket to look at, pleasant to handle, invigorating to play, it is a sociable pala which is aimed at passing neophytes like Señor Tapia. The shots go off with ease, the balance is perfect, the power unexpected and the touch sensational.

It's no fault on the part of Nox which confirms, despite his young age (10 years), to be in the companies with which it is necessary to be reckoned.

Playing with this racquet will provide a feeling of security and tranquility, where all players, from the most aggressive to the most defensive, will find their benefit.

His +

Sweet Spot
Handy
Explosive
Fleece wrist strap

His -

Too perfect?

Editor's note: The famous X has always been imposing at Nox, and this choice on the part of the creators is ingenious. The capital X is one of the simplest letters to write and draw, with obvious ease of memorization and accessibility.

The X is used in mathematics, in law (giving birth under X), in administration (Mr. X), to define space (X time) or in criminal matters (complaint against X). It is a choice of intelligibility, of simplicity, of readability, it is a choice of master.

PLEASE NOTE Nox continues to offer the 2020 model in its catalog, for all fans of glossy finishes and 3D printing.

Thanks :

Thanks to Eric Cablat (Nice Smash boutique) and Kristina Clément for lending the palas. Thanks also to the Tennis Club de Montaleigne.

Stéphane Penso

Fan of padel, Stéphane has become the official tester of the planet padel in Europe. Everything goes through his expert hands. Thanks to his extensive experience in the snowshoeing world, he is able to scan your gear from head to toe!