Fan Zhendong considering a rubber change!

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Recently I read an interview with Fan Zhendong on the STIGA home page, and one of the questions was:

Which rubbers and which blade do you use and how you’re your equipment support your game?

His answer was this:

-I use STIGA Infinity VPS and currently I’m testing the new STIGA Airoc rubbers. The first feeling is great and I seriously consider playing with this STIGA rubber in the future.



So, what do you guys think? Is this a serious honest answer from Fan Zhendong himself, or is this just for the cause of promoting STIGA?
 
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Probably a promotional, unless the rubbers are actually something of a miracle.
 
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This is very much business lingo, methinks. Absolutely no commitment to anything here. Why would he not use the equipment all his peers were using?

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Please keep in mind that there is a ball change coming.. And since the CNT are sponsored by DHS, they are more likely to get to know the new balls first, and maybe that is why they would test new rubbers now? STIGA has also said that this new Airoc rubbers are made for the new ball.
 
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Promotional

Still remember huge marketing about Xu Xin using Stiga, and the next week at training, photos of him using Yasaka blade emerge (lololololol)

Yes, but that is not the case here.. It's an interview with Fan Zhendong, not only an advertisement :p If he says he is testing it, I believe him, but if he choses to play them on a regular basis or not, we can't know until we get some footage of his racket in a tournament..

At least he is honest, he says he is testing them and considering to use them.. But then again it only means that if he finds them not good enough, he won't :p
 
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Yes, but that is not the case here.. It's an interview with Fan Zhendong, not only an advertisement :p If he says he is testing it, I believe him, but if he choses to play them on a regular basis or not, we can't know until we get some footage of his racket in a tournament..

At least he is honest, he says he is testing them and considering to use them.. But then again it only means that if he finds them not good enough, he won't :p

These guys have PR gurus who teach them what to say and what not to say.
Its all business at the end of the day - especially for contracted players.
 
says bebakhshid.
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Please keep in mind that there is a ball change coming.. And since the CNT are sponsored by DHS, they are more likely to get to know the new balls first, and maybe that is why they would test new rubbers now? STIGA has also said that this new Airoc rubbers are made for the new ball.
Some facts:
1) All of CNT players are using tacky hard rubbers on forehand and a soft none-tacky (usually Tenergy) on backhand.
2) New balls are not totally different. They are just a little different from current balls.
3) Fan Zhendong said he is "testing" those rubbers, Not "using".

So probably they will not totally change their equipment. And surely they will still use a hard tacky rubber on forehand. So if FZD wants to use Airoc rubber he will probably use it on backhand.
Also any player can say i'm testing new rubbers and test them. But it doesn't mean he will switch his rubbers.
 
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Some facts:
1) All of CNT players are using tacky hard rubbers on forehand and a soft none-tacky (usually Tenergy) on backhand.
2) New balls are not totally different. They are just a little different from current balls.
3) Fan Zhendong said he is "testing" those rubbers, Not "using".

So probably they will not totally change their equipment. And surely they will still use a hard tacky rubber on forehand. So if FZD wants to use Airoc rubber he will probably use it on backhand.
Also any player can say i'm testing new rubbers and test them. But it doesn't mean he will switch his rubbers.

Alborz, when did I mention he is using that rubber? I only said testing, and if you have ever read anything I have written in here over the last couple of years, then you should know I know what equipment the CNT players usually use ;)

With that said, the thread was only created to tell people what he stated in an interview, so that you all can discuss wether it is true or not, no need to tell me what the present real facts are.. He said he is testing them, I believe him, but I won't preach he is changing his rubber until I see it myself :p He is considering, and that is what he said.
 
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says bebakhshid.
says bebakhshid.
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Alborz, when did I mention he is using that rubber? I only said testing, and if you have ever read anything I have written in here over the last couple of years, then you should know I know what equipment the CNT players usually use ;)

With that said, the thread was only created to tell people what he stated in an interview, so that you all can discuss wether it is true or not, no need to tell me what the present real facts are.. He said he is testing them, I believe him, but I won't preach he is changing his rubber until I see it myself :p He is considering, and that is what he said.
I didn't mean you said he is using it. I just said some facts to make the story clear :)
 
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