Recent content by ZFT

Z2 is quite similar to Mantra Pro, for me within ~10% in playing characteristics where it wouldn’t be difficult to adapt over time. Z2 is not on my list just due to the fact it’s always around double the price even when on T11 weekly sale. Mantra Pro is a no brainer when buying it off...

No I haven’t. If it’s similar to MPH it’d be worth a try!

For me personally I like rubbers that are not so sensitive to spin but can create some decent spin as well. Made in Japan is particularly strong in this area - D64/T64/Glayzer/Rozena, Z2 and Mantra Pro. So, I much prefer Mantra Pro H to G1, though only drawback for MPH is it always seems abit...

I’ll come with your same energy WRONG. Fast feel ≠ heavy ball quality. Light setups can feel super crazy fast in direct impact shots like smash and punch block, but it still wouldn’t generate the same spin stability and inertia (I think this is still the word) as a ~200g during rally exchanges...

Balsa, yes. Though not so sure about paulownia aka kiri. Most Butterfly blades use it as the core and average around 85-90g. But yes I agree it’s not the speed alone that’s dominating today’s game. It’s the speed + spin = power that can really only be achieved with 185-200g+ setups… I think the...

Cap the weight on rackets to under 170-180g and you’ll see diversity come back. How to enforce? Just a kitchen scale will do the trick.

Explains why so many sumos have completed the Tour de France, the pole vault and Olympic ski jumping

First you should have a clear idea of the kind of “wood feeling” you’re after. At the beginning it’s easy to identify the outer ply of your preference first, then the intermediate plies and finally the core with some research. This sequence usually makes it easier to start narrowing things...

Goldarc 8 I found was a more powerful version of R7, though abit lower throw. Lasts a long time too. It just performed terribly if the conditions were not pristine. Affected by cold and humidity.

The rubbers the OP currently plays and prefers are from approx. the same ESN generation - typically containing more natural gum %, thicker and/or stiffer topsheet, and not as crazily factory boosted on the sponge, the exception being Tibhar Evolution. Hence, the grippy jap tensioned type within...

From what I’m understanding is, if you operate at: Low to medium-high power range = Glayzer Low, medium-low and high impact power range = G1 Essentially touch play, serve, passive blocking, lobbing is somewhat similar. So the difference is in opening loops, rallying, chiquitas and countering...

My sheet curls inward so a thin layer of booster helps flatten it out to make it easier to affix. And yes, plays nicer without really affecting its lifespan - like what, lose a few weeks out of its 8 months+ lifespan 😂

Not really, Manika Batra is known to use / have used Viscaria successfully for a quite a long time along with Grass Ox - which is an even faster pip. She had used Boll ZLC prior to the switch.

Glayzer makes intermediate matches much more fun to play in and for spectators to watch. There’s fewer return of serve errors, more forgiveness, get to enjoy longer rallies. It’s more of a fitness workout too, instead of just constantly picking the ball from the net / behind the barriers due...

I’ll throw it back to you - what has the new Xiom setup provided that your previous setup didn’t? I read it was Lebesson + Vega X + FX-P. What learnings did you achieve from listening and reading to all the different opinions on here and from your TT circle? Your coach, the shop owner, your...