ITTF WTTTC Finals London 2026, 4/28-5/10

[Robin0910]

View attachment 41489This isn’t really the right topic for this observation of mine, but I’d rather write it here while it’s still fresh in my mind.

Let’s make one thing clear right from the start – I have never tuned or boosted rubbers, and I don’t even know exactly how it is properly done. Basically, I don’t have a clearly defined opinion about tuning or boosting rubbers — I’m neither for it nor against it.. However, I do believe that consistency in respecting the rules should apply to all aspects of the game.

Since I am also a referee with many years of experience, it seems ridiculous to me that on one hand we use VAR to check whether a player tossed the ball at 29, 31, or 30.04 degrees on serve, or whether the ball was hidden for 0.02 seconds by the server’s head – and then declare the serve illegal based on VAR – while on the other hand racket control is conducted like this (as the rubber shown in this photo).

Either the rules should be enforced absolutely in every segment, or we should simply allow players to play the best they can.

In my opinion, using VAR for service control is completely pointless if, at the same time, a rubber like this can pass racket inspection.

I don't believe the opponent will suffer the same magnitude of disadvantage from this slightly curled edged rubber compared to hiding service contact. VAR is a lot more important here. sure, not being able to boost this way would be disadvantageous for the Chinese but not that much advantageous for the opponent

 

[job59]

View attachment 41489This isn’t really the right topic for this observation of mine, but I’d rather write it here while it’s still fresh in my mind.

Let’s make one thing clear right from the start – I have never tuned or boosted rubbers, and I don’t even know exactly how it is properly done. Basically, I don’t have a clearly defined opinion about tuning or boosting rubbers — I’m neither for it nor against it.. However, I do believe that consistency in respecting the rules should apply to all aspects of the game.

Since I am also a referee with many years of experience, it seems ridiculous to me that on one hand we use VAR to check whether a player tossed the ball at 29, 31, or 30.04 degrees on serve, or whether the ball was hidden for 0.02 seconds by the server’s head – and then declare the serve illegal based on VAR – while on the other hand racket control is conducted like this (as the rubber shown in this photo).

Either the rules should be enforced absolutely in every segment, or we should simply allow players to play the best they can.

In my opinion, using VAR for service control is completely pointless if, at the same time, a rubber like this can pass racket inspection.

As I mentioned before, every player is doing this (you clearly could see @ Francisca’s rubbers yesterday, for example). Different types of glue also make a difference. But like everywhere, regulators want to regulate.

 

[zeio]

After ZCZ could not play at this event I was not expecting HKWT to reach QF.

From what zeio said the youngsters get a pay rise now after beating TPE 3-2. Zeio you know what the pay increase will be for those youngsters?

Depending on their current tier (Elite B/Elite C, Full Time/Part Time), they could get double/triple the raise (Elite A). DHK is Elite A+.

Of note here is that the athlete/team must have defeated 1 athlete/team to qualify (W/O doesn't count), which is similar to the requirements for CNT players to be considered Olympic/World Champions. So tough luck for ZQH [(ost his match) and XP (benched throughout) if CHN raises the championship this time.

Elite Training Grant Criteria 2026-2027
https://www.hksi.org.hk/support-to-...inancial-support/elite-training-grant/details

ETG Recipients List 2026-2027
https://www.hksi.org.hk/recipient-l...lite-training-grant#accessibletabscontent0-29
https://www.hksi.org.hk/f/recipient_list_category/5326/ETG Recipients list 2026-27 - web (4.26).pdf

 

[job59]

What about OH - is he also playing H3 on his FH?

 

[job59]

What about OH - is he also playing H3 on his FH?

Seems not. A white sponge? No clear view right now.

 

[Matteones]

Bad formation choice from Korea I think. I would have put Oh as number 1 and Jang as number 2, going for shock value and trying to win it 3-0

 

[job59]

A white sponge?

Yes. Both sides. Hybrid MK?

 

[Matteones]

Oh Junsung back from 0-2 to 2-2 .... Is it happening??

 

[Takkyu_wa_inochi]

is it LJK in 3rd match ?

 

[job59]

Oh Junsung back from 0-2 to 2-2 .... Is it happening??

Amazing. WCQ with too many errors on long pushes

 

[dewnyc]

is it LJK in 3rd match ?

Yes

 

[Tyce]

I don't believe the opponent will suffer the same magnitude of disadvantage from this slightly curled edged rubber compared to hiding service contact. VAR is a lot more important here. sure, not being able to post this way would be disadvantageous for the Chinese but not that much advantageous for the opponent

Booster aside, you could fail this racket for the rubber not being flat.
VAR is fine, the stupid part is umpires are calling for checks from a spot where they can't judge the angle, height, or whether the ball is hidden.

 

[Matteones]

Wang Chuqin stands. But what a match from Oh. Foreign players can smell China's weakness now, they want it so bad. Let's see what match 2 and 3 bring

 

[Robin0910]

if the Koreans don't win both their matches from hereon, they'll definitely lose

 

[NetProphet]

Man, LSD is mega pumped up here!

 

[travelt123]

LSD finally woke up!

 

[Tyce]

He's coming out hot and heavy and so far it's paying off

 

[NextLevel]

Looks like Lin has been put in the pressure cooker. They are giving him two chances to get one win. Liang obviously has not been fixed as they have put him at #3.

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

M2 G1 LSD 11 / JWJ 3

I still stand by my earlier statement Team CHN at Group stage was just warming up only.

They know they already pre qualify due to ranking.

 

[travelt123]

I don’t know what ML and XX did behind the scenes with LSD, but they brought the beast out of him.