DONIC BLUESTAR A2

Donic BlueStar A2 – is an inverted table tennis rubber, designed for attacking and aggressive players (OFF-, OFF, OFF+) looking for a balanced combination of speed, spin, and control. As part of the BlueStar A1 series, the A2 uses the revolutionary “Optimized Energy Sponge” (OPTE) technology, but with a slightly softer 50° sponge compared to the A1 (52.5°), making it more versatile and easier to control. The slightly sticky, highly grippy topsheet ensures extreme spin, while the fine-pored sponge provides a powerful catapult effect. Made in Germany, ITTF approved, BlueStar A2 is an excellent choice for advanced players for whom the A1 hardness is too high but who seek top-quality dynamics and precision.

Main features:

• Rubber type: Inverted

• Speed: 131

• Spin: 126

• Control: 92

• High tension: Yes

• Stickiness: Slightly sticky

• Strategy: OFF-, OFF, OFF+

• Surface: Extremely grippy

• Sponge hardness: Medium hardness (50°, Hard-)

• Sponge thickness: 2.0 mm, Max

• Colors: Red, black, blue

• Country of origin: Germany

• Approvals: ITTF approved

Donic BlueStar A2 stands out with its advanced design tailored for attack:

• Sponge (medium hardness): Fine-pored sponge with 50° hardness (Hard-) and OPTE technology offers exceptional elasticity and damping. Compared to BlueStar A1 (52.5°), the A2 sponge is slightly softer, providing longer ball contact (dwell time) and better control while maintaining a powerful catapult effect. The sponge thickness (2.0 mm, Max) enhances speed and spin, suitable for aggressive shots. The fine-pored structure ensures sensitive feedback similar to Butterfly Tenergy 80 but with a unique Donic character.

• Topsheet: Slightly sticky, extremely grippy topsheet guarantees maximum spin and precision. Unlike the strongly sticky BlueGrip series topsheets, BlueStar A2’s surface is European-style, close to BlueStar A1, with more subtle stickiness. The topsheet is elastic, reduces dust buildup, and is durable (~50–70 hours of intensive play). The grip effectively “bites” 40+ plastic balls, ensuring stability in looping strokes and serves. The surface requires regular cleaning with Donic cleaner.

• High tension effect: OPTE technology with molecular tension delivers a powerful catapult effect characteristic of modern European rubbers. This boosts speed and spin, easing attacks against backspin and counter-loop strokes. The catapult effect is slightly softer than A1, making it easier to handle.

• High trajectory arc: BlueStar A2 produces a high trajectory arc that stabilizes ball flight, ensures extreme spin, and allows precise topspin shots with a large safety margin. The arc is similar to A1, but the slightly softer sponge adds more flexibility for angled shots.

• Slight stickiness: The topsheet is only slightly sticky, so it is less sensitive to dust buildup than the BlueGrip series but maintains strong grip suitable for spin shots.

• Sensitivity to spin: Due to the grippy topsheet, the rubber is sensitive to incoming spin, so precise technique is required when blocking or chopping, but the softer sponge facilitates control.

The rubber weighs about 50–55 g (cut, 2.0 mm thick), lighter than BlueGrip C1 (~65–70 g) but similar in weight to BlueStar A1 (~55–60 g). Available in red and black colors compliant with ITTF rules. Recommended water-based glues (e.g., Donic Vario) and protective film.

Donic BlueStar A2 technical specs:

• Speed: 131 (fast). The rubber is very fast, suitable for aggressive topspin, looping strokes, flat shots, and counterattacks at the table or mid-distance. OPTE sponge ensures high speed, slightly lower than BlueStar A1 (135) but higher than BlueGrip C2 (123). Speed depends on player technique and blade.

• Spin: 126 (extreme). Due to the extremely grippy topsheet, the rubber produces extreme spin, identical to BlueStar A1 (126) and slightly higher than BlueGrip C1 or C2 (125). High trajectory arc enhances spin, allowing easy lifting of balls with backspin and performing spin shots with high rotation.

• Control: 92 (medium). The rubber offers better control than BlueStar A1 (90) due to the softer sponge but is still challenging for beginners. The high trajectory arc and longer dwell time provide a safety margin for looping strokes, but technique is required when blocking or playing passive strokes.

Trajectory: High flight arc, suitable for looping strokes and topspin attacks. The arc stabilizes ball flight, facilitates attacks against backspin, and ensures precision in counter-loop strokes. When blocking, the racket angle must be closed due to the high trajectory. Users praise the “dynamics,” “spin potential,” and “control.”

Donic BlueStar A2 suits fast offensive blades:

• Donic BlueStar A2: Specially designed blade maximizing rubber dynamics.

• Stiga Carbonado 190: Balances speed and spin, ideal for forehand side.

• Butterfly Viscaria: Provides power and precision, suitable for professionals.

• Yasaka Rakza Z Extra Hard: Emphasizes spin, good for looping strokes.

• Donic Ovtcharov True Carbon: Fast blade enhancing rubber speed.

The rubber works best with OFF-, OFF, or OFF+ blades because the softer sponge and grippy topsheet utilize blade elasticity. Suitable for forehand or backhand sides, especially for advanced players.

Donic BlueStar A2 is designed for players seeking high dynamics and spin:

• Attacking players (OFF-, OFF, OFF+) managing aggressive looping, flat shots, and counterattacks.

• Spin play seeking rubber that generates extreme spin and high trajectory arc.

• Aggressive offense, suitable for forehand or backhand side, especially looping shots and serves.

• Play at the table and mid-distance: Effective in looping strokes, open attacks, flat shots.

• Serves and returns: Grippy topsheet allows generating spin serves, and softer sponge facilitates aggressive serve returns (flick, topspin).

• Attacks against backspin: High arc and grip allow easy lifting of low balls.

• Counter-looping: High speed and accuracy in counter-loop strokes.

The rubber is very effective in looping strokes (9.8/10), flat shots (9.6/10), counterattacks (9.5/10), open attacks (9.4/10), and serves (9.3/10). Blocking (8.7/10) and chopping (7.7/10) require technique due to spin sensitivity. Users highlight the “catapult effect,” “spin potential,” and “balanced control.”

• Speed (131), fast, suitable for aggressive shots.

• Spin (126), extreme, very effective for looping strokes and serves.

• Control (92), medium, suitable for advanced players.

• Grippy topsheet: Maximum friction, strong spin.

• OPTE sponge: Dynamics, high arc, longer dwell time.

• Durability: Wear resistant.

• High tension effect: Powerful catapult effect.

• Challenging control: Requires technique, especially in passive strokes.

• Spin sensitivity: Technique needed for blocking or chopping.

• Passive play: Not suitable for defensive strategies.

ITTF approved, suitable for competition. Donic BlueStar A2 is popular among advanced and professional players for its speed, spin, and balanced control. Effective against 40+ plastic balls, offers stability in looping strokes and counterattacks. Suitable for forehand or backhand, especially for players seeking dynamics and precision.

Donic BlueStar A2 – is a top-quality rubber complementing the BlueStar A1 series. The OPTE technology sponge with 50° hardness and highly grippy topsheet guarantees super speed, extreme spin, and balanced control. The ideal choice for attacking players, Donic BlueStar A2 is a star companion!